July 9, 2008 Planning Meeting

Today’s AgendaWelcome & IntroductionsFramework of the California Kinship Caregiver

Advocacy NetworkCalifornia Kinship Caregiver Advocacy

Network Vision and Mission StatementSelf-Assessment Trends and ThemesLunchMoving toward Statewide AdvocacyBrainstorming SessionDevelopment of Work Advocacy Network Work

Plan

The Story of Your NameWhere does your name come from?Who named you?What is the story of your first name or middle

name? What's the story of your last name? And for the brave, how about that old high

school nickname of yours?Please share as much or as little information as

you like.

The VisionThe California Kinship Caregivers Advocacy Network (CA-KCAN) connects all kinship families, public/private practitioners, and state/local policy makers to improve the well-being of children and youth, in kinship care.

The network will advocate, educate, inspire change and support safe and stable kinship families, especially children and youth of color.

The PurposeThe Kinship Taskforce will:Construct a framework to develop a

statewide kinship advocacy group to impact local and state policy influencing kinship and relative caregivers.

Emphasize the integration of effective kinship practices and strategies throughout the state of California.

Reduce the number of children of color entering the child welfare system.

Projected Outcomes and ChangesNetworks that diminishes social isolation that

kinship caregivers experience when challenged by child welfare will exist

Mechanism to reach broader coverage areas and to integrate work efforts of different kinship populations such as other emerging racial ethnic communities will exist

Kinship caregivers will be knowledgeable in speaking in different media formats due to media training

Target MilestonesKinship caregivers will be positioned to

advocate for resources through policy involvement

Kinship caregivers will be educated on how their role impacts disproportionality

Develop organizational structure and leadership for advocacy among counties and within the state

A mechanism to support ambassadors of change on state level will be developed

Target MilestonesRelationships will be improved between

kinship caregivers and child welfare practitioners

Create a referral and support system for formal and informal kinship caregivers

Kinship caregivers will cultivate alliances with organizations and councils in the state

Elected officials will be educated on legislation that impacts kinship

The VisionSupport the development of a State Kinship Advocacy Group structure in California consisting of families and child welfare practitioners. The structure will impact state child welfare practice and policy, particularly disproportionality and disparate outcomes of youth in the child welfare system.

Projected Outcomes and ChangesKinship caregivers will be formally connectedLocal to state advocacy will occurKinship caregivers will be educated on

relationship building and establishing and maintaining collaborations

Increased awareness of policy makers and state legislatures about kinship issues and opportunities to increase permanency

Kinship OrganizationsSeven Participating Agencies in the State

Catholic Charities of Santa Clara CountyEmphasis on KinshipFocus on KinshipGrandparents ParentingKinship in ActionLincoln Child CenterRose House Association

Diversity in DemographicsStaff of organizations range from 1-15Volunteers range from 3-50Organization Life 2 yrs to 7 yrsServices Provided: Information and referral;

support groups; training and education; respite; emergency services; advocacy; case management; supportive services; family recreation activities.

DataCommon Themes

There was an acknowledgement that data gathering and sharing is an important role for each organization.

All organizations kept track in some way of the families they serve.

Noted ChallengesMaintaining consistent data procedures/policiesTechnology to assist in tracking data (hardware,

software )

Lincoln Child Center

Shared Value & Common LanguageCommon Theme

Each organization has a clear commitment to addressing the needs of kin caregivers!

Noted ChallengeFormalizing this commitment into clear action

or advocacy that is communicated and held throughout the organization (esp. volunteers or new staff).

Emphasis on Kinship

Training and Engagement of Staff/Volunteers/Kin CaregiversCommon Themes

All organizations recognize the need for providing training opportunities for staff, volunteers and kin caregivers. Kin are encouraged to participate in activities to promote advocacy education and support.

Organizations cited they have created networks in order to increase the training and educational opportunities provided.

Noted ChallengeMore training opportunities for staff, volunteers and

especially noted was education of kin caregivers around issues which affect their families.

Kinship in Action/Focus on Kinship

Engagement of Kin, Youth and ChildrenCommon Theme

A collective desire to reach more families was cited by nearly all of the organizations.

Noted ChallengeThe need for technical assistance to increase

outreach in remote areas or to kin families that are isolated.

The Rose House

Organizational Policy & PracticeCommon Themes

Every organization has a clear mission statement that compliments to goals of the CA Advocacy Network.

Noted ChallengesThe desire to become a 501(c)3, non-profit

organization.Small and newly formed organization and haven’t

fully formalized with business practices. (business license, formal accounting procedures, etc).

Catholic Charities

Continue to Share Ideas!

MMMM—Lunch!

Yes And/Yes ButInnovative new Product:

AN ELECTRIC ICE CREAM CONE!Imagine all of the fabulous features of this

invention!ONE RULE – You are not allowed to use the

word “BUT”.Applaud any and all brilliant suggestionsBuild upon suggestions by saying “Yes, and”Celebrate the joy of idea generation!!!

How do we get from here to there?Brainstorming SessionWork Planning Document

Area of Focus (Training/Tech Assistance; Engagement of Kin Organizations; Policy and Legislation; Organizational Development)

Recommended ActionCurrent Successes in Focus AreaPriority LevelHow will work get done?When should work be completed?

Next Steps and Responsibilities

Group FindingsWork Plan Document

Training/Technical Assistance – RussellEngagement of Kin Organizations – StaciePolicy & Legislation – StuartData/Organizational Development - Lisa

QUESTIONS/DISCUSSION

Next Steps & Wrap Up