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Child Welfare Information GatewayChildren’s Bureau/ACYF1250 Maryland Avenue, SWEighth FloorWashington, DC 20024800.394.3366Email: info@childwelfare.govhttp://www.childwelfare.govUse your smartphone to
access this bulletin online.
STATE MANAGERS SERIES
BULLETIN FOR PROFESSIONALS
September 2012
Engaging Families in Case Planning
What’s Inside:
• Basicsofengagingfamiliesincaseplanning
• Caseworkerstrategiesthatsupportfamilyengagementincaseplanning
• Agencystrategiesthatsupportfamilyengagementincaseplanning
• FindingsintheChildandFamilyServicesReviews
• Stateandlocalexamples
Successfullyinvolvingfamilymembersincaseplanningmaybethemostcriticalcomponentforachievingpositiveoutcomesinchildwelfarepractice.Researchsuggeststhatwhenfamiliesareengagedandsupportedtohaveasignificantroleincaseplanning,theyaremoremotivatedtoactivelycommittoachievingthecaseplan.Additionally,familiesaremorelikelytorecognizeandagreewiththeidentifiedproblemstoberesolved,perceivegoalsasrelevantandattainable,andbesatisfiedwiththeplanninganddecision-makingprocess(Antle,Christensen,vanZyl,&Barbee,2012;Healy,Darlington,&Yellowlees,2011;Dawson&Berry,2001;Jones,McGura,&Shyne,1981).
Engaging Families in Case Planning http://www.childwelfare.gov
2This material may be freely reproduced and distributed. However, when doing so, please credit Child Welfare Information Gateway. Available online at http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/engaging_families.cfm
ChildwelfareprofessionalsattheState,Tribal,andlocallevels—includingadministrators,supervisors,andfrontlineworkers—canusethisinformationtoestablishpoliciesandencouragepracticesthatsupportfamilyengagementincaseplanning.
Collaborativecaseplanningoccurswhenthecaseworker’seffortseffectivelyandcontinuouslyengagefamilymembersandothersasappropriateincaseplanningactivities,includingthefollowing:
• Gatheringandassessinginformationinordertovisualizethefamilysystem
• Matchingstrengthsandneedswithsolutionsandservices
• Identifyingbehaviorsandconditionsthatneedtochange
• Reviewing,tracking,andacknowledgingprogressregularly
• Determiningreadinessforkeycasetransitionpoints,suchasreunification
• Preparingforcaseclosure
• Marshalingsupportsforrelapseprevention,asneeded
Basics of Engaging Families in Case Planning
Thecaseplanisalivingdocumentthatshouldreflectongoinginputfromthefamilyandbereviewedandupdatedthroughoutthelifeofthecase.Caseworkersshouldexpecttoengagethefamilyfortheinitialdraftingoftheplanaswellasthroughouttheplanningandimplementationprocess.Familyparticipationhelpsensurebuy-infromthefamilyandalsoaddsahigherdegreeofaccountabilityforthefamily.
Thefollowingaretipsthatcanhelpcaseworkerscoordinateacaseplanmeetinginawaythatenhancesfamilyparticipation:
• Assistfamilymemberswithpracticalissuesthatmaypreventthemfromattending,suchaschildcareandtransportation.
• Takeintoaccountfamilymembers’otherobligations,suchasemployment,whenschedulingmeetings.
• Ensurethatthephysicalenvironmentforthemeetingiswelcoming(e.g.,enoughspaceforallmembers,accessibilityforindividualswithdisabilities).
• Invitepeopleidentifiedbythefamilyasbeingpartofitssupportsystem,whichmayincludeotherfamilymembersorindividualsexternaltothefamily,suchasfriends,teachers,andclergy.
• Minimizethepossibilityoffamilymembersreceivingunanticipatedinformationduringthemeeting(e.g.,communicateinformationregularlytofamilymembers).
• Helpthefamilymeetconcreteneeds(e.g.,housing,food).
• Resolveacutebehavioralorhealth-relatedissuesthatmayimpedefamilyparticipation(e.g.,providehousingassistance,ifneeded).
Engaging Families in Case Planning http://www.childwelfare.gov
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• Preparethefamilyforthemeetingbyreviewingitemssuchasexpectations,rolesandresponsibilities,andgoals.
• Ifthechildisunabletoparticipateorwillotherwisenotbepresent,incorporatehim/herthroughothermeans,suchasaphotographorartwork(Healy,Darlington,&Yellowlees,2011;Dawson&Berry,2001).
Thefollowingareseveralexamplesofapproachescaseworkerscanusetoenhancefamilyengagementincaseplanning.
Using Supportive BehaviorsAnumberofstudieshavesuggestedthatthefollowingcaseworkerbehaviorsmaysupportacollaborativerelationship,includingbetterengagingfamiliesincaseplanning:
• Listeningtoandaddressingissuesthatconcernthefamily
• Havinghonestdiscussionsaboutthenatureofthecaseworker’sauthorityandhowitmaybeused(thisisrequiredbyCAPTA)
• Sharingopenlywithfamilymemberswhattoexpect,particularlyregardingcourtissuesandtimelines
• Balancingdiscussionsofproblemswiththeidentificationofstrengthsandresources
Caseworker Strategies That Support Family Engagement in Case Planning
• Workingwiththefamily’sdefinitionsoftheproblems(ratherthanthecaseworker’sdefinition)
• Settinggoalsthataremutuallyagreeduponandmaybegeneratedprimarilybythefamilyandstatedintheirlanguage
• Focusingonimprovingfamilymembers’skillsratherthanprovidinginsights
• Providingfamilymemberswithchoiceswheneverpossible
• Gettingacommitmentfromfamilymembersthattheywillengageinmutuallyidentifiedtasks
• Regularlyspendingtimewiththefamilydiscussinggoalsandprogress
• Recognizingandpraisingprogress(Dawson&Berry,2001;Trotter,2002;Dawson&Berry,2002)
•
•
•
“ThiswasthefirsttimesomeoneaskedmewhatIthought.”— Mother, responding to a satisfaction survey designed to elicit family members’ reactions to being involved in the child welfare system
Engaging Families in Case Planning http://www.childwelfare.gov
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Visualizing and Describing the Family SystemDevelopingavisualizationordescriptionofthefamilysystemcanhelpcaseworkersgaininsightabouthowafamilyviewsitselfandhelpestablishthefamilyasanexpert.Inthisapproach,thecaseworkerasksthefamilytoshareinformationaboutfamilyrelationships,patternsoffamilyinteractions,andactivecommunitysupportsandstressors.Thefamilymayalsowanttoreflectonfamilyevents,someofwhichmayhavealastingsignificanceonfamilyandindividualdynamics.Thisinformationcanhelpthefamilyandcaseworkerdevelopamorethoroughcaseplan.Thefollowingarethreeexamplesofthisapproach:
• Genograms,whichoutlinefamilyrelationships,multigenerationalpatterns,andtherolesplayedbyindividualfamilymembers
• Ecomaps,whichdescribethefamily’sperspectiveofitselfinrelationshiptothewidercommunityandcanhelpthecaseworkerandfamilyexploreimportantspiritualandculturalconnections
• Familytimelines,whichhighlightlifeeventsthatarenoteworthytofamilymembers
Foradditionaldetailsaboutcreatingandusingthesetools,theMissouriDepartmentofSocialServices’Child Welfare Manual (2011)offersbriefdescriptions:http://www.dss.mo.gov/cd/info/cwmanual/section7/ch1_33/sec7ch25.htm
Instituting Family Teaming ModelsFamilyteamingmodelsmayincludeavarietyoffamilygroupconferencing,decision-making,andteamingapproaches.Althoughthespecifictenetsofeachapproachvary,thebasisofeachisabeliefthatfamiliesshouldbeinvolvedinastrengths-based,solution-focusedteamthatvaluesthefamilies’voiceandfocusesonthechild’ssafety,permanency,andwell-being(Annie.E.CaseyFoundation&CaseyFamilyServices,2009).Theseapproachesbringtogetherateamoffamilymembers,fictivekin,andotherindividualswhoaresignificanttothefamilyinordertodiscusstheissues,consideralternativesolutions,makedecisions,anddevelopaplan.Usingfamilyteamingapproachescanstrengthenfamilyrelationships,preventunnecessaryplacementandplacementdisruption,andhelpcaseworkersidentifyandnurtureasystemoffamilysupports(Crea&Berzin,2009;AmericanHumane,n.d.).
Formoreinformationaboutfamilyteamingmodels,visittheChildWelfareInformationGatewaywebsite:http://www.childwelfare.gov/famcentered/overview/approaches/family_group.cfm
“Thefamilygroupconferencingprocessprovidesavenueofeffectivecommunication,inaneutralplace,whereprivatefamilytimeisrespected.Ifeltthisprocesshelpedtobringourfamilytogether.”— Family member commenting on the experience of participating in a family group conference organized around a child welfare case
Engaging Families in Case Planning http://www.childwelfare.gov
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Incorporating Family FindingFamilyfindingincludesidentifyingandsearchingforfamilymembersandotherimportantpeopleinthelivesofchildreninfostercareandthenengagingtheminthecasedecision-makingprocess,includingthedevelopmentandfulfillmentofcaseplans.Familyfindingcanincreasethenumberofindividualswhomaybeabletoprovidelegalandemotionalpermanencyforthechild,areawareofthecaseplan,andcanassistthechildandfamilyinachievingcasegoals.Familyfindinginitiallywasviewedasatooltoenhancepermanencyforyouthagingoutoffostercare,butmanyagenciesarenowusingitforallchildrenincare(Malm&Allen,2011).
Formoreinformationaboutfamilyfinding,visittheNationalResourceCenterforPermanencyandFamilyConnections’websectiononFamilySearchandEngagement:http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/socwork/nrcfcpp/info_services/family-search.html
Employing the Solution-Based Casework ApproachSolution-BasedCasework(SBC)isachildwelfarepracticemodelbuiltonthreetheoreticalfoundations:familylifecycletheory,relapseprevention/cognitivebehavioraltherapytheory,andsolution-focusedfamilytherapy(Antleetal.,2012).ThetheoreticalfoundationsofSBCestablishaframeworkofcasepracticewithfamiliesbasedonfullpartnershipwitheveryfamilyasanessentialgoal,partnershipsforprotectionthatfocusonthepatternsofeverydaylifeofthefamily,andsolutionsthattargetpreventionskillsneededtoreducetheriskintypicallifeevents.
Fundamentally,SBCisamodelofempowermentthatdrivescaseplanningandfocuseson:
• Capitalizingonfamilystrengths
• Findingexceptionstoproblemsbysearchingwiththefamilyforwaysinwhichtheyhavesuccessfullysolvedproblemspreviously
• Writinggoalsandobjectivesusingthefamilies’ownlanguage,acknowledgingtheirculture,andsupportingtheir“ownership”
• Creatingconcrete,behaviorallyspecificgoalsandobjectivestailoredtotheindividualandfamilyneeds
• Trackingprogresswiththefamilyandcelebratingsuccessesalongtheway
SBCencouragesworkersto“walkalongsidethefamiliestomakesuretheyhavethesupportiveteamtheyneedtonavigatethesystemsuccessfully”(B.F.Antle,personalcommunication,June7,2012).ResearchonSBChasshownthatthispartnershipbetweenthecaseworkerandfamilygeneratesbetterfamilyoutcomes.Specifically,inregardtocaseplanningactivities(i.e.,referralstoservices,participatingincaseplandevelopment),severalstudiesconductedtoevaluatetheeffectivenessofSBChaveshownthefollowingresults(Antle,Barbee,Christensen,&Martin,2008):
• MostfamiliesinvolvedwithSBCfollowedthroughwithreferralstoservices.
• Asubstantialproportionoffamilieswhoco-createdtheircaseplanwithinanSBCframeworkalsosignedtheircaseplan—animportantindicatoroftheirinvolvement.
Engaging Families in Case Planning http://www.childwelfare.gov
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• FamiliesassignedtasksthroughanSBCcaseplanprocessweremorelikelytocompletethosetasks,comparedtofamiliesnotinvolvedinSBCcaseplans.
• FamiliesinanSBCgroupachievedsignificantlymoregoals/objectivesfromthecaseplancomparedtothoseinanon-SBCgroup.
• FamilieswithahistoryofinvolvementwithCPSachievedevenmoregoalsfromtheircaseplanwhenSBCwasusedthanthosewithoutsuchhistoriesandthoseforwhomSBCwasnotused.
• FamiliesexperiencedsignificantlyfewerrecidivismreferralreportsforrepeatmaltreatmentwhenSBCwasusedincaseplanning.
ResearchsuggeststhatSBCisassociatedwithsignificantlygreaterfamilyengagementincaseplanningactivities,whichmayleadtobettersafety,permanency,andwell-beingoutcomesforchildrenandfamilies(Antleetal.,2008).
FormoreinformationonSBC,visithttp://www.solutionbasedcasework.com,orcontactBeckyAntle:Becky.Antle@louisville.edu
Integrating Structured Decision-Making and Signs of SafetyStructureddecision-making(SDM)offerscaseworkersanapproachthatreliesontheuseofobjective,research-basedcriteriatoassessafamily’ssituation(e.g.,riskofharmtothechild),screenthecaseforinvestigation,andmakecasedecisions.Thesefactorsareincorporatedintothecaseplan.AlthoughSDMprovidesasystematicandanalyticmethodofassessingfamilysituations,itisnotintendedtobeaninterviewtoolwithfamilies.
SignsofSafety(SoS)isastrengths-based,solution-focusedapproachthatpromotesbuildingrelationshipswithfamiliesandusingasafetymappingprocesstoassessnextsteps.Safetymapping,inbrief,focusesoncaseworkersandfamiliesdeterminingtheanswerstothreequestions:
• Whataretheworries(e.g.,previousabuse)?
• What’sworkingwell(e.g.,familyprotectivefactors)?
• Whatneedstohappen(e.g.,safetyplanning)?(Turnell,2010)
BothSDMandSoSareapproachesthatcanbeusedaloneorcombined.Bycombiningthesetwomodels,caseworkerscanaddthedefinedassessmentcriteriaofSDMtothesafetymappingapproachofSoSandusethefamilyengagementandinquirytechniquesofSoStogatherinformationneededforacomprehensiveSDMassessment,allofwhichcaninformthecaseplan(Park,2010).Recently,StateshavealsobeguntointegrateSDMandSBC,furtherstrengtheningthepracticeofengagingfamiliesthroughouttheentirelifeofacase.
ForadditionalinformationaboutSDM,visit:
• TheChildren’sResearchCenterathttp://www.nccd-crc.org/crc/crc/c_sdm_about.html
• ChildWelfareInformationGatewayathttp://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/assessment/approaches/decision.cfm
FormoreinformationaboutSignsofSafety,visit:http://www.signsofsafety.net
Engaging Families in Case Planning http://www.childwelfare.gov
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Childwelfareadministratorsandsupervisorscanusepoliciesandpracticesalreadyshowntoimprovegeneralcaseworkpracticetosupportfamilyengagementincaseplanningwithintheiragencies,including:
• Usingfamily-centeredlanguageinpoliciesandotheragencydocuments
• Creatingafamily-friendlyenvironmentinagencyoffices
• Reducingcaseloadsinordertogivecaseworkersmoretimetoengagefamilies
• Providingsupervision,coaching,andtrainingthatencouragefamilyengagement
• Includingfamily-friendlypracticeinpositiondescriptions
• Engagingfamiliesindecision-makingprocessesandindesigningpoliciesandpractices
• Assessingwhetherchildwelfareinformationsystemssupportafamily-centeredapproach
• Includingfamilyengagementmeasuresinagencyevaluationandperformancemeasurement
• Ensuringthatcaseworkershavethenecessaryresearchtoolsandotherresourcestoaidinfindingandengagingfamilymembers
Agency Strategies That Support Family Engagement in Case Planning
Findings in the Child and Family Services Reviews
TheresultsoftheChildandFamilyServicesReviews(CFSRs),whichareFederalmonitoringevaluationsofeachState’schildwelfareservices,showthatStatesarehavingdifficultyinvolvingparentsandchildrenincaseplanning.ThisisassessedspecificallyintheCFSRItem18.InbothroundsoftheCFSRs,allStatesreceivedaratingof“AreaNeedingImprovement”onthisitem.AcrosstheStates,CFSRcasereviewersfoundthatallparentsandchildrenwereinvolvedincaseplanningin21to75percentofcases,withanaverageof50percent.Theinvolvementoffathersincaseplanning,however,wasconsistentlylowerthantheinvolvementofmothersandchildren.Additionally,familiesweremoreoftenincludedincaseplanningincaseswherethechildwasinfostercareratherthanreceivingin-homeservices(U.S.DepartmentofHealthandHumanServices,2011;U.S.DepartmentofHealthandHumanServices,n.d.).
ChallengesAreviewofStatewideAssessmentspreparedforthesecondroundoftheCFSRsfoundthatStatesidentifiedthefollowingchallengestoengagingfamiliesincaseplanning:
• Stafflackingtheskillsneededforfamilyengagementincaseplanning(42States)
• Staffattitudesandbehaviors(25States)
• Organizationalissues(e.g.,highworkloads)(21States)
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• Parentattitudes,behaviors,orconditionsthatimpedeactiveinvolvementincaseplanning(17States)
• Difficultiescreatedbycourt-relatedrequirements(14States)
• Systemissuesanddocumentationrequirementsprecludingtheproductionofawrittencaseplaninafamily-friendlyformat(17States)
Strategies to Enhance Family InvolvementTheCFSRFinalReportsindicatethatmostStates(includingtheDistrictofColumbiaandPuertoRico)havepoliciesregardingfamilyengagementincaseplanning,with28Stateshavingpoliciesrequiringfamilyengagementandanadditional12havingpoliciesthatsuggestorencourageit.Additionally,46ofthe51States(includingtheDistrictofColumbia)addressedfamilyengagementincaseplanningintheirProgramImprovementPlans(PIPs),whichwerecreatedtoaddressanydeficienciesnotedinaState’sCFSR.SomeStates’PIPsincludedveryspecificplansforimprovementinfamilyengagement,whileotherstangentiallymentionedit.ThefollowingarestrategieslistedintheCFSRFinalReportsasfacilitatingfamilyengagementincaseplanning:
• Familygroupdecision-making(29States)
• Diligentsearches(9States)
• Videoorteleconferencestoallowtheparticipationoffamilymemberswhootherwisecouldnotattendduetotravelissuesorincarceration(6States)
• Trainingforcaseworkers(3States)
• Mediation(3States)
ThestrategiesmostfrequentlymentionedinthePIPstoaddressdeficienciesinfamilyengagementincaseplanningwereenhancedfamilygroupdecision-makingmeetings(9States)andtraining(6States).Examplesofotherstrategiesincludeequippingcaseworkerswithsmartphonesandlaptopsthatwouldenablethemtocompleteassessmentsandcaseplanswithclientsoutsideoftheagency(Vermont),developinganddisseminatingachecklisttocaseworkersaboutengagingfamiliesincaseplanning(NorthDakota),andaddingormodifyingquestionsinitscasereviewinstrumenttomonitorcompliance(Kansas).
Thefollowingarethreeexamplesofhowjurisdictionsareimplementingstrategiestoengagefamiliesincaseplanning.
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services: Family Group Decision-MakingTheElPasoRegionalOfficeoftheTexasDepartmentofFamilyandProtectiveServices(DFPS)usesfamilygroupdecision-making(FGDM)asawayofinvolvingparentsandchildrenincaseplanninganddecision-making.TexasDFPSimplementedfamilygroupdecision-makingthroughouttheStateinresponsetoissuesraisedinits2002CFSR.
State and Local Examples
Engaging Families in Case Planning http://www.childwelfare.gov
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ElPasoDFPShasateamofcoordinatorsthatplanandfacilitatethemeetings.ThepurposeoftheFGDMmeetingsistoreachconsensusonhowtheywillsafelypreventremovaloronthebestplacementresourcethatwillprotectthechild.Afterconsensusisachieved,theparticipantsdeterminethenextstepsforthecase,witheachfamilymembercommentingonthetasks(e.g.,whethertheyareachievable).Theresultingcaseplanthenisputintowritingandsignedbytheparticipants.
ElPaso’sdiversepopulationposessomechallengesforimplementingFGDM.ElPasoisabordercommunitywithalargeMexicanpopulation,anditcanbedifficulttolocateandengagefamilymembersandsupportindividualswhomayresideinMexicoorareundocumented.HavingstafffromdiversebackgroundsandwhoarebilingualhelpswiththeFGDMprocess,includingbeingabletoconductthemeetingandwritethecaseplaninthefamily’spreferredlanguage.Additionally,FederalpartnerssometimesareabletohelpparentsinMexicoobtainadaypasssotheycanattendcourtinElPaso.
ElPasoalsoishometoalargemilitarybase.Bringingfamilymembersandothersupportindividualstogetherformilitaryfamiliesoftenisachallengebecausetheparentsandchildmayhavenofamilyintheareaandmayhavenotdevelopedstrongsupportivetiesinthecommunity.
ElPasoDFPSstaffhavefoundthefollowingstaffbehaviorsandattitudestobeessentialtotheFGDMandfamilyengagementprocess:
• Beingculturallycompetentandrespectfulofthefamily
• Beingauthenticabouttheprocess
• KeepinginmindthattheFGDMisthefamily’smeeting,notthedepartment’s
• HavingtheDFPSinvestigatorandcaseworkerattendtheFGDMtogether,whichhelpscreateaseamlesstransitionfrominvestigationtoservices
Fairfax County (VA) Department of Family Services: Family Partnership ProgramTheFairfaxCountyDepartmentofFamilyServices(DFS)implementedtheFamilyPartnershipProgram(http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/childrenyouth/family-partnership.htm)toensurefamilies’andchildren’sviewsareconsideredwhenmakingplacementdecisionsanddevelopingcaseplans.FamilyPartnershipmeetingsuseafacilitatedteamapproachandareledbyoneofseventrainedfacilitators,whootherwisearenotassociatedwiththecaseanddonotcarryacaseload.FamilyPartnershipmeetingscanbeconvenedquickly(within24hours,ifnecessary)andarearrangedinresponsetoanyofthefollowingfivedesignatedevents:anemergencyremovalorder,thehighriskofoutofhomeplacement,beforeagoalchange,beforeaplacementchange,orattherequestoffamilyorstaff.DFSstrivestoreducebarrierstofamilyparticipationandprovidestransportation,childcare,andphoneconferencelines,asneeded.Additionally,DFSstaffareabletotravelforameeting.Inonecase,DFSarrangedforanout-of-Statemeetingthatresultedinachievingpermanenceforalargesiblinggroupwiththeirpaternalrelatives.
Duringthemeeting,whichincludestheparents,children,extendedfamilymembers,serviceproviders,andotherindividualssignificanttothefamily,thefacilitatorhelps
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thegroupunderstandwhythemeetingistakingplaceandleadsthemindevelopingacollaborativesolutionthatwillprovidesafetyforthechild.Theplandevelopedatthemeetingisthenincorporatedintotheoverallcaseplanandutilizedinapplicablecourtproceedings.Additionally,thegroupsometimesschedulesafollow-upmeetingtoensuretheplanisproceedingasdiscussed.
BenefitsoftheFamilyPartnershipProgramincludethediscoveryofadditionalfamilysupportsandtheincreasedengagementoffathersandpaternalrelativesincaseplandevelopment.
New York Agency Uses SBC to Achieve Family-Driven Case PlanningInlate2010,GrahamWindham,aprivateNewYorkCityagencyofferinganarrayofservicesfrompreventiontopostadoption,conductedanationalsearchforanewapproachtopractice.TheagencywaslookingforamodelthatwouldprovidetheirdirectpractitionerswithapracticeframeworkconsistentwithGrahamWindham’scommitmenttopartneringwithfamiliesinawaythatstrengthensfamilies’abilitytocaresafelyfortheirchildren.
TheagencybeganimplementingSBCinearly2011,providingintensivetrainingandcoachingtosupervisorsandcaseworkers.Caseworkersbegantouseconcreteandspecificplansofaction,whichwereco-developedwithfamilies.Caseplanstargetedneededskillsincriticalriskareasthatcouldbedemonstratedanddocumented.Familyaccomplishmentswerecelebratedregularlyandinwaysmeaningfultofamilies.Additionally,toolssuchasgenogramsintegratedintothecaseplanningprocesshelpedpromptstafftohavemoremeaningful,
empathicconversationswithfamilies,whilesupportingearlieridentificationofkinaspotentialsupportstothefamily.
GrahamWindhamsupervisorshavefoundthatleadingSBCrequiresintensivestudy,alongwithconsistentsupervisionandcoachingtoensurestafffollowprotocolsandsafeguardmodelfidelity.Thishasledtoanewfocusonassessingtheissuesthatprecededthemaltreatmentandtotrackingbehaviorinsteadofservicecompliance.ThesechangesareechoedinremarksfromasupervisorintheBronxofficewhosaid,“SBChasalsoallowedmetobemorecompassionate.Inthepast…thepaperworksaysthefamilydidX,YandZandsotheyneedtodoA,B,andCservices.Butnow,wehearthebuildupofcircumstancesandemotionsthatprecededthemaltreatment.”
Workersandsupervisorsalsoperceivefamiliesastakingmoreownershipincaseplanning.Asoneworkercommented,“It’sempowering.They’reexcitedtocometotheagency.They’renotcominginscreamingandyellingandwe’renotgettingintothatoldtypeofrelationship…andwecelebrate–wecelebratewithkidsandfamilieswhentheymakeprogressintheiractionplans,butstaffarecelebratingthentoo.They’rejustasexcitedasthefamiliesare.”
AgencysupervisorsarenowworkingtowardSBCcertification,andthisgoalhasresultedinbroadorganizationalchange.WhenaskedhowSBChasaffectedpracticewithfamilies,GrahamWindhamPresidentJessDannhauserstated,“Itchangestheentireframeworkofourinteractionwithfamiliesbyfocusingtheintentionofourworkandprovidingtoolstodeliveronthatintention”(personalcommunication,June7,2012).
Engaging Families in Case Planning http://www.childwelfare.gov
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Formoreinformation,contactJessDannhauseratGrahamWindhamatDannhauserj@graham-windham.orgorvisitthewebsiteathttp://www.graham-windham.org/contact-us/
Therearemyriadwaysinwhichcaseworkersandagenciescanimprovethemannerinwhichtheyengagefamiliesincaseplanning,rangingfromlarge-scalepolicychangestosimplechangesinday-to-daypracticeandattitudes.Whenfamiliesareprovidedwiththeopportunitytoparticipateincaseplanning,theyaremorelikelytobuyintotheplanandworktowarditsrequirements.Thiseasesandenhancestheeffortsofcaseworkers,andmostimportantly,helpsimproveoutcomesforchildrenandfamilies.Byreviewingtheconceptspresentedinthisissuebrief,childwelfareprofessionalscanassesshowwelltheirownagenciesengagefamiliesincaseplanningandinitiatechangestoimprovetheirworkinthisarea.
Conclusion
Child Welfare Information GatewayTheFamily-CenteredPracticesectionoftheInformationGatewaywebsiteprovidesresourcesonfamily-centeredpracticeapproaches,includingengagingfamiliesincaseplanning.http://www.childwelfare.gov/famcentered/
National Resource Center for Permanency and Family Connections (NRCPFC) TheNRCPFCdevelopedaweb-basedtoolkitonfamilyengagementthatprovidespromisingpractices,programs,andresourcesforprograms,States,andtribes.http://www.nrcpfc.org/fewpt/introduction.htm
California Social Work Education Center (CalSWEC) CalSWEC’sFamilyEngagementinCasePlanningandCaseManagementcurriculumisdesignedtohelpcaseworkersbetterunderstandthedynamicsofengagingfamiliesincaseplanning.http://calswec.berkeley.edu/family-engagement-case-planning-and-casemanagement-version-21
Additional Resources
Engaging Families in Case Planning http://www.childwelfare.gov
12This material may be freely reproduced and distributed. However, when doing so, please credit Child Welfare Information Gateway. Available online at http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/engaging_families.cfm
AmericanHumane.(n.d.).Quick reference guide: Various approaches and models to engage the family group in child welfare decision making.RetrievedAugust25,2011,fromhttp://www.americanhumane.org/assets/pdfs/children/fgdm/quick-reference.pdf
AnnieE.CaseyFoundation,&CaseyFamilyServices.(n.d.).Family teaming: Comparing approaches.RetrievedFebruary6,2012,fromhttp://www.caseyfamilyservices.org/userfiles/pdf/teaming-comparing-approaches-2009.pdf
Antle,B.F.,Barbee,A.P.,Christensen,D.,&Martin,M.H.(2008).Solution-basedcasework:Preliminaryevaluationresearch.Journal of Public Child Welfare, 2(2),197–227.
Antle,B.F.,Christensen,D.N.,vanZyl,M.A.,&Barbee,A.(2012).TheimpactofSolutionBasedCasework(SBC)practicemodelonfederaloutcomesinpublicchildwelfare.Child Abuse & Neglect, 36(4),342–353.doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2011.10.009
Crea,T.,&Berzin,S.(2009).Familyinvolvementinchildwelfaredecision-making:Strategiesandresearchoninclusivepractices.Journal of Public Child Welfare, 3,305–327.
Dawson,K.,&Berry,M.(2001).Evidence-based best practices in the engagement of families.Topeka,KS:StateofKansasCommissionofSocialandRehabilitationServices.
Dawson,K.,&Berry,M.(2002).Engagingfamiliesinchildwelfareservices:Anevidence-basedapproachtobestpractice.Child Welfare, 81,293–317.
Healy,K.,Darlington,Y.,&Yellowlees,J.(2011).Familyparticipationinchildprotectionpractice:Anobservationalstudyoffamilygroupmeetings.Child and Family Social Work, 17(1),1–12.
Jones,M.A.,McGura,S.,&Shyne,A.(1981).Effectivepracticewithfamiliesinprotectiveandpreventiveservices:Whatworks?Child Welfare, 60(2),67–80.
Malm,K.,&Allen,T.(2011).Family finding: Does implementation differ when serving different child welfare populations?RetrievedFebruary6,2012,fromhttp://www.childtrends.org/Files/Child_Trends-2011_10_17_RB_FamilyFinding.pdf
MissouriDepartmentofSocialServices.(2011).Childwelfaremanual,section7,chapter25.Retrievedfromhttp://www.dss.mo.gov/cd/info/cwmanual/section7/ch1_33/sec7ch25.htm
References
Engaging Families in Case Planning http://www.childwelfare.gov
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families
Administration on Children, Youth and Families Children’s Bureau
Park, K. (2010, April). Assessing child safety through an integrated practice model: The Structured Decision Making System and Signs of Safety. SDM News. Retrieved February 6, 2012, from http://www.nccd-crc.org/crc/crc/pubs/sdm_news_apr10.pdf
Trotter, C. (2002). Worker skill and client outcome in child protection. Child Abuse Review, 11, 38–50.
Turnell, A. (2010). The Signs of Safety: A comprehensive briefing paper. Retrieved February 6, 2012, from http://signsofsafety-stuff.s3.amazonaws.com/Signs%20of%20Safety%20Briefing%20Paper%20v1-03.pdf
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Children’s Bureau. (2011). Federal Child and Family Services Reviews: Aggregate report: Round 2: Fiscal years 2007–2010. Retrieved from http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/cwmonitoring/results/fcfsr_report.pdf
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Suggested Citation: Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2012). Engaging families in case planning. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Children’s Bureau.
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