Department of Children and Families Division of Child Protection and Permanency

Department of Children and FamiliesDivision of Child Protection and

Permanency

The Department of Children and Families (DCF)

Division goals:

Focusing on strengthening families

Achieving safety, well being and permanency for all NJ children

DCF / DCPPCase Practice Improvement

OverviewCommunity Information Meeting

New Jersey Department of Children and Families

Allison Blake, CommissionerDepartment of Children and Families

Lisa von Pier, Assistant CommissionerDCF, Division of Child Protection & Permanency

DCF Case Practice: Focusing on Families

DCF/DCPP Case Practice model aims to see a family’s whole life picture; including its natural supports (such as community organizations, family members, & neighbors) and any issues affecting the family’s success (such as unemployment, substance abuse, housing, education, domestic violence, physical and mental health, etc.).

Families must be our most powerful ally to ensure safety, improve well-being and achieve permanency for children.

Our case practice focuses on engaging families in a robust and constructive way.

With this practice, we focus on children while strengthening their family and formal and natural supports to help make good decisions effecting their safety and well-being.


Most families have the capacity to make positive change with the support of individualized plans for supports and services.

Engagement is the foundation to build trust and mutually beneficial relationships among children, youth, family members and DCPP staff.

• We must listen to, assess and address the needs of children, youth and families in a respectful and responsive manner that builds upon their strengths.


Engagement involves understanding the culture of a family and helping the family identify all potential supports.

Engagement does NOT mean we will lose objectivity about safety risks to children.

Engagement means that, whenever safe and appropriate, youth and parents will be included in decision-making about what they need to find solutions to family issues and concerns about child safety.

Importance of Family Engagement

Building a family team has multiple benefits:

Working with Family Teams

Teams are useful for gathering important information about the strengths and needs of families that contribute to the family’s current life situation.

• Teams can assist the family throughout the involvement with DCPP and help staff facilitate a successful service plan.

• When it is time for the family to end its involvement with DCPP, the team can help support the family’s transition.

Who is Part of a Family Team?A family team is made up of everyone important in the life

of the child, including interested family members, foster/adoptive parents, neighbors, friends, clergy, as well as representatives from the child’s formal support system, such as school staff, therapists, service providers, CASA, the court service and legal systems.

Parents, children and youth (when age appropriate) and team members do become active participants in making decisions about what services and supports are needed, how and who should deliver the services and how to identify success.

Engaging skills demonstrate the ability to…

Develop trusting relationships with families by demonstrating genuineness, empathy, respect and competence by utilizing key skills and techniques to develop these core competencies.

Develop an effective working agreement. Effectiveness means that the family and worker agree on the family’s problem, and underlying need that must be addressed to resolve the problem, as well as their roles and responsibilities.

Engaging Outcomes

2/27/2006

Send comments or questions to [email protected]

7

Department of Children and Families

• State Central Registry (SCR)• Division of Child Protection & Prmanency

(DCPP)• Institutional Abuse Investigation Unit (IAIU)• Office of Licensing (OOL)• Division of Child Behavioral Health

Services (DCBHS)

Who should call the Hotline?

Child Welfare is everyone’s responsibility

In New Jersey, anyone suspecting child

abuse/neglect has a legal responsibility to report it.

Reports to the Hotline can be made anonymously.

Who can make a referral?

• The child/victim• Parents, relatives, friends• Facility staff• Schools• Hospitals• Law enforcement• Anonymous referents

Reasonable belief of risk to child is enough to make the call

• You do not need to investigate the situation to make the call! You do not need proof.

• Call: – When you see signs of abuse or neglect– When a child tells you about the abuse– When you witness abuse– When a parent or other individual tells you

• Be supportive!• Call the hotline as soon as possible!

What are my obligations to report child abuse/neglect?

• State law (N.J.S.A.9:6-8.10), requires “Any person having reasonable cause to believe that a child has been subjected to child abuse or acts of child abuse shall report the same immediately to the Division of Child Protection and Permanency by telephone or otherwise…” L. 1971, c.437, s.3; amended by L. 1987,c.341,s.4.

Callers have immunity from civil or criminal liability

• Any person who, in good faith, makes a report of child abuse or neglect, or testifies in a child abuse hearing resulting from such a report, is immune from any criminal or civil liability as a result of such action.

Penalty for Failure to Report

• Any person who knowingly fails to report suspected abuse or neglect according to the law or to comply with the provisions of the law is a disorderly person and subject to a fine of up to $1000 or up to six months imprisonment, or both.

The Referral Process

• Calls come into the hotline and are answered by qualified screeners

• Information is taken by the screener and a determination is made regarding what type of report is to be generated

• Report is either sent to a field office for response, routed to the appropriate agency, or documented in the DCF system

What you should know when calling…

• Calls are recorded for Quality Assurance purposes.

• SCR is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year with specially trained screeners and supervisors.

• This is the only “point of entry” for reports of suspected abuse and neglect.

• Screeners follow a standard protocol.• Use of the “allegation-based system.”

Just the Facts! Details Make a Difference – if you know

• Who: Identify the people involved – the child, the alleged perpetrator and their relationship to the child; parents, siblings, others in the home- Dates of Birth; Addresses; Your name and contact information

• What: Type of Abuse/Neglect; Describe the incident; What happened that caused your concern? What is the child’s current condition?

• When: When did the incident happen? What is the frequency? When did you learn about it?

Just the Facts! Part 2

• Where: where did the incident take place? Where is the child now? Does the alleged perpetrator have access to the child?

• How urgent is the need for intervention? Is there a likelihood of danger for the caseworker?

Types of Reports taken at SCR

• Information & Referral– Information that does not rise to the level of

child abuse or neglect– Does not require DYFS intervention or

response– Would be more appropriately handled by

another agency outside DCF– Incidents outside of DCF jurisdiction

Types of Reports taken cont.

• Related Information– Information called in on an open case that

does not constitute a new allegation– Information is provided to the on-going case

manager


• Child Welfare Services (CWS)– Assesses concerns for a child that do not rise

to the level of abuse or neglect, ie. Parenting capability, clothing, housing conditions, medical concerns, child behavioral or psychiatric issues

– Services and assessments mandated by statute

– Immediate, 72 hour & 5 day responses


• No Action Required (NAR)– Differential Response– DCF has contracted with several agencies to

provide certain child welfare services• Now available in Union, Middlesex, Camden,

Cumberland, Gloucester & Salem county’s


• CPS-Family, CPS-IAIU, CPS-Other– Child Protective Service -allegations of child

abuse/neglect (CA/N) regarding the alleged abuse or neglect of a child by a caretaker or other person responsible for the child’s well being.

– Immediate or 24 hour responses

Child Abuse/Neglect Referrals & Allegation Based System

• System of 32 categories developed that defines allegations of abuse and neglect

• Determines the criteria SCR utilizes for accepting a report of child abuse/neglect

• Determines who SCR can accept a report from

• Directs the child abuse investigation

Defining abuse and neglect

• The physical or mental injury, sexual abuse, or negligent treatment of a child by a person responsible for the child’s welfare. This means the omission, commission, or both, of an act which allow the child to be placed at SUBSTANTIAL RISK OF HARM.

What to Report

• Physical Abuse: Bruises, cuts, burns, bite marks

• Neglect: inadequate food, clothing, shelter, medical care, or supervision

• Sexual Abuse: touching, exploitation, penetration

• Emotional Abuse: repeated threats or insults

What are the common signs of abuse?• Indicators of physical abuse: unexplained or

questionable bruises, welts, burns, lacerations, fractures, abrasions, etc.

• Indicators of sexual abuse: complaints regarding genital/anal areas, sexually transmitted diseases, unusual knowledge about or preoccupation with sex.

• Indicators of neglect: consistent hunger, poor hygiene, inappropriate dress, lack of supervision.

• Indicators of emotional maltreatment: may include aggressive or withdrawn behavior, unusual fears, running away, sudden change in mood or behavior.

• A child may directly report that he/she has been abused!

• Staff may directly observe a sign or act of abuse or neglect.

• Frequent or questionable absenteeism of a student is a cause for potential concern.

Physical Abuse

Observable IndicatorsUnexplained or questionable bruises

and welts:• On face, lips, mouth • On torso, back, buttocks, thighs • In various stages of healing • Clustered, forming regular

patterns • Reflecting shape of article used to

inflict (electric cord, belt buckle) • On several different surface areas • Regularly appear after absence,

weekend or vacation

Behavioral Indicators:• Wary of adult contacts• Appearing uncomfortable with

physical contact• Complaining of soreness or

moving uncomfortably• Apprehensive when other children

cry• Behavioral extremes:• Aggressiveness or Withdrawal• Reluctant to change clothes for

PE• Frightened of parents• Afraid to go home• Seeking to stay late after school• Reports injury by parents

Physical Abuse (continued)Observable Indicators

Unexplained or questionable Burns:• Cigar, cigarette burns, especially on soles, palms, back or buttocks • Immersion burns (sock-like, glove-like doughnut shaped on buttocks

or genitalia) • Patterned like electric burner, iron, etc. • Rope burns on arms, legs, neck or torso

Observable IndicatorsUnexplained or questionable fractures:

• To skull, nose, facial structure • In various stages of healing • Multiple or spiral fractures

Unexplained or questionable laceration or abrasions:• To mouth, lips, gums, eyes • To external genitalia

Neglect: May often involve a combination of factors…

Observable Indicators:• Consistent hunger, poor

hygiene, inappropriate dress

• Consistent lack of supervision, especially in dangerous activities or long periods

• Frequent fatigue or listlessness

• Unattended physical problems or medical needs

• Abandonment

Behavioral Indicators:• Begging, stealing food• Extended stays at school

(arrive early & depart late)

• Falling asleep in class• Noticeably poor hygiene• Shunned by peers• Clinging behavior• Alcohol or drug abuse• Delinquency (e.g. thefts)• States there is no

caregiver

Sexual Abuse:

Often, there are no physical signs, however some observable

indicators include:• Difficulty in walking or sitting• Torn, stained or bloody

underclothing• Pain or itching in genital area• Bruises or bleeding in external

genitalia, vaginal or anal areas• Venereal disease, especially in

pre-teens• Pregnancy• Inappropriate “child on child”

sexual activity/touching (going beyond age-appropriate curiosity)

Behavioral indicators can be subtle or attributable to other factors but

may include:• Unwilling to change for gym or

participate in PE• Withdrawn, fantasy or infantile

behavior• Sexually explicit drawings• Bizarre, sophisticated or unusual

sexual behavior or knowledge• Highly sexualized play• Unexplained fear of a person or

place• Poor peer relationships• Delinquency or runaway behavior• Reports sexual assault by

caregiver

Emotional abuse: The criteria used by DCPP…

Emotional abuse and/or neglect is conduct by a child’s parent or caregiver toward the child which contributes to, causes, allows or permits:• Significant and/or persistent emotional pain, harm or

impairment; and/or• Significant vulnerability to or risk of such pain, harm or

impairment; and/or• Significant exacerbation of a child’s existing emotional pain or

impairment.

There must be injury to the intellectual, emotional or psychological development of a child as evidenced by observable and substantial impairment in the child's ability to function within a normal range of performance and behavior, with due regard to his or her culture.

Educational Neglect• “Educational Neglect” means-

– The parent or caregiver has willfully failed to provide a school-age child (ages 6-16) with a regular education, as prescribed by applicable State law.

– A school age child is enrolled in a school program but is failing to attend on a regular, ongoing basis.

– NOTE: The local school system or board of education must exhaust ALL its remedies, under State education law, administrative code, and local policies and procedures to engage the parent or caregiver and compel the child to attend school, before making a report of “educational neglect” to DCF.

LOCAL OFFICE OPERATIONS

INTAKE PERMANENCY

– Adolescent Unit ADOPTION SUPPORT

– Litigation– Resource

INTAKE, PERMANENCY & ADOPTION

Assignment to Local Office

Documentation & Determinations

Intake Worker Field Response

S C R(Statewide Central Screening)

Assignment to Permanency Worker

Case Management & Ongoing Assessment

Services

Case Closing

Assignment to Adoption Worker

Adoption or Kinship Legal Guardianship

Established


The Investigation Process Includes Interviews with:

Child Victims Siblings or other children in the home Non-offending parent or caregiver Alleged perpetrator (CA/N cases) Other adults in the home

Policy dictates that every effort is made to contact the parents on the same day as the child victim

The Investigation Process Includes:

Collateral information is gathered from schools, pediatricians, police, etc.

Investigators determine whether or not abuse/neglect is substantiated, established, not established or unfounded

Risk is assessed using Structured Decision Making (SDM) tools.

A determination is made to close or open the family for case management services

School Collateral Contacts

Schools are always a partner in child safety and well being

School information is needed at intake and before closing

Caseworkers should collaborate with the schools throughout the life of the case.

Schools can always share important information with DCPP

Intake Strategies

Assess Risk and Safety

Help family identify strengths and needs

Engage family in creating a service plan if needed

When safety is an issue:

Develop a safety protection plan to allow child to remain in their home.

If a safety protection plan can not be implemented a child may need to be placed in a safe environment

Placement options with Relatives or family friends is explored first if appropriate

The goal is always to safely maintain children in their own home if possible.

PERMANENCY AND ADOPTION







Services

Case Closing




DCPP Permanency Case Practice

Engaging family members Teaming with the family and their community

partners Assessing underlying needs and behavioral

expressions Planning intervention strategies Intervening, advocating and facilitating action Tracking & Adjusting to meet desired results

Core Conditions of DCPP Case Practice Model:

Genuineness

Empathy

Respect &

Competence

DCPP Permanency Activities

Working with Family Teams Maintain face-to-face visitation with families Monitoring community service activity Obtaining additional collateral contacts Assessing progress towards reducing risk ALWAYS ASSURING SAFETY FIRST

How can Schools and DCPP work better together?

Be genuine with our families and each other Participate in Family Team Meetings if invited by the

family Caseworkers should collaborate with the schools

throughout the life of the case. Understand DCPP confidentiality:

– During protective service investigations– During child welfare assessments– When DCPP has custody of the child– When DCPP is providing services

How can Schools and DCPP work better together?

DCPP should notify schools if any restrictions are placed on caregivers either through a safety plan agreement or a court order and share what information it can to benefit the students education and welfare

Schools should notify DCPP of significant information pertaining to the health, safety or well being of children under DCPP supervision.

Permanency cases are closed when:

– Safety and risk factors have been reduced and DCPP services are no longer needed

– The parent terminates voluntary services

– The court orders DCPP to close

– Youth between the ages of 18 - 21 refuse DCPP services

ADOPTION SERVICES







Services

Case Closing




Permanency cases transfer to Adoption when:

– Permanency efforts are unable to achieve reunification within Federal ASFA guidelines

– A waiver of ASFA guidelines cannot be requested or is not granted by the court

– A guardianship petition is filed with the court

Bergen County DYFS Offices

Bergen South Local Office125 State Street, 1st & 2nd

FloorsHackensack, NJ 07601

Manager: Kenneth Lowry

Main Tel. (201) 996-8900Fax # (201) 342-1454Toll Free (800) 531-1096

Bergen Central Local Office240 Frisch Court 2nd FlParamus, NJ 07652Manager: Haydee Zamora-

Dalton

Main Tel. (201) 291-0579Fax # (201) 909-5178Toll Free (866) 224-1859

Documents

Department of Children and Families Division of Child Protection and Permanency