erwin mcewen director illinois department of children and family services, pathways to strengthening...
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March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program
PATHWAYS TO STRENGTHENING AND SUPPORTING FAMILIES IN ILLINOIS
Module 3A Safety Assessment
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program
Are safety assessments any different today than they were in 1992, when
CERAP was introduced?
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program
Is the assessment of safety the same throughout the state?
- Rural?- Urban?- Etc?
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program
Myth or Fact?
• If a child is not placed in a foster home, that child is considered safe?
• At case closing, safety is no longer an issue?
• Others?
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program
How do we engageHow do we engage
in order to in order to gather information for the safety gather information for the safety
assessment?assessment?
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program
How will the different engagement How will the different engagement
styles impact safety assessment?styles impact safety assessment?
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program
Can you ask the “tough” Can you ask the “tough” safety questions?safety questions?
How do you explore conflicting How do you explore conflicting information?information?
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program
Is the safety assessment of Is the safety assessment of children by child welfare children by child welfare
staff any different than that staff any different than that of investigators?of investigators?
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families ProgramSafety Assessment (Cont’d)
Is it different regionally? – How do you get past the locked wrought
iron gate (Cook, etc.)? – How do you engage the parents who run a
Meth lab? (Southern, Central, Northern)
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families ProgramSafety Assessments(Cont’d)
What are the challenges you have with engaging the following regarding safety assessments?– Non-English Speakers – Deaf & Hard of Hearing– Belligerent Clients– Intoxicated Clients (“high”, “buzzed”, etc.)– Others
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program
Safety Interviewing
You were just assigned the Hayes case. You are meeting Mr. Hayes for the first time. His 6 year-old son Shawn came into PC when he was found “home alone”, with no food during a weekend Mr. Hayes spent gambling at the river boat casino. PC was allowed to lapse when the child identified his PGM as a resource until his dad returned. Mr. Hayes wife left the family three months ago due to his inability to stay sober and employed. Her current whereabouts are unknown.
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families ProgramHow do you go about gathering safety information?
• Plan the interview
• Slow down and think about one case at a time
• Avoid self-disclosure
• Think quickly / Think on your feet
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families ProgramInterviewing Parents & Other Adults
• Challenges & Concerns?– Receiving
information / providing information
– Sharing time frames
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families ProgramInterviewing Parents & Other Adults (Cont’d)
• Challenges & Concerns?– Focusing on child well-being & safety – Eliciting parents concerns
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families ProgramInterviewing Parents & Other Adults (Cont’d)
• Challenges & Concerns?– Informing parents of
resources– Discovering other
adults in the household & their roles
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program
When are safety When are safety assessments assessments completed for completed for
DR cases?DR cases?
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program
CFS 1441- Initial
• Initial safety assessment on the child’s home environment – within 24 hours of seeing the child, – but no later than five working days after
assignment of a child welfare referral.
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program
CFS 1441 Milestones
• Used to assess the child’s home environment:– Every 3 months from the case opening date– Preceding supervisory quarterly and 6-month
review of the client service plan– Child’s permanency goal no longer
appropriate (including Intact case disruptions)– The needs of the child and family are no
longer being met by the current service plan
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program
CFS 1441 Milestones (Cont’d)
• Used to assess the child’s home environment (Cont’d):– When there are substantial changes in the
family– When considering whether to close an Intact
service case
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program
CFS 1441 Milestones (Cont’d)
• Used to assess the child’s home environment (Cont’d):– Within 5 working days after there is a
determination that any child in the family is unsafe and a safety plan is implemented
• Reassess every 5 working days until all children are safe or removed
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program
CFS 1441 Milestones (Cont’d)
• Used to assess the child’s home environment (Cont’d):– When an Intact Family Services case is
opened during a pending Child Protection investigation
• Intact worker is responsible for completing subsequent 5-day safety assessments
• Investigator responsible for implementing safety actions until investigation is completed
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program
CFS 1441 Milestones (Cont’d)
• Used to assess the child’s home environment (Cont’d):– Within five calendar days prior to closing the
family’s case if an assessment was not completed immediately prior to supervisory approval of the critical decision.
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program
What are your challenges What are your challenges regarding interviewing children regarding interviewing children
regarding safety?regarding safety?
How do you minimize the trauma to the child during your interview?
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program
Sample Contact Note
Contact Type: In personSub Category: Visit – Child/Worker, Visit - CaregiverContact Date/Time: 08/17/2008 2:00PM (60 minutes.)Interviewee: Joseph FreemanContact About: Joseph FreemanLocation: ResidenceAddress of Interview: 2944 Chestnut Lane, Crete, IL. 60417
On 8/17/09 (DATE), Worker, Ben Thomas, visited Joseph in his mother’s home (PLACE). Worker met alone with Joseph (WHO WAS PRESENT) who reported that his mother has not hit him since she completed drug treatment and started attending parenting classes. He stated she talks to him much more now. (GOAL – REMAIN HOME) He is waiting to see what happens with the upcoming Christmas vacation, when he’s at home for two weeks (SAFETY MILESTONE). Joseph said his mother has “often made promises she did not keep”, so he doubts he’ll get the I-Pod he wants. Joseph said that he feels respected and protected at his mother’s house. Joseph reports that he doesn’t worry about being hit as much anymore. (PURPOSE OF VISIT – SAFETY). At the next visit, this worker will discuss with Joseph and his mother whether he would benefit from a referral to address current losses (father’s death) and other issues related to growing up in a substance abusing home and observing domestic violence (FOLLOW UP ACTIONS).
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program
EffectivenessEffectiveness75% of what we learn by
sensory is lost within 24 hours
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program
Recording and Documentation
• Efficiency– The longer you put it off, the longer it takes to
do it (Procrastination is never a good thing).– We lose 75% of information if we don’t
record it within 1 hour.• Healthcare professionals• Police
– We spend an equal amount of time recreating the information, if we wait 24 hours.
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program
Activity – Activity – On a blank sheet of paper On a blank sheet of paper record the following:record the following:
1. Record the relevant and material information you recall from yesterday at this time of day.
2. Record everything you saw and heard from the last hour.
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program
What is the 50 minute hour?
Present Practice Future Practice
1. Visit client; interview client; conclude visit; possibly take notes to document later.
1. Visit client; interview client; conclude visit; document /complete case recording immediately.
2. Try to recall earlier interview; check notes
3. Complete paperwork (separate event)
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program
Recording and Documentation (Cont’d)
• The note is a legal document– Statewide Uniform Case Recording– Accurate– Timely– Complete– Outcome-focused
• Memorializes the casework
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program
If facts, information and evidence are not recorded, it did not happen; this discredits, disrespects and devalues the memory and importance of the casework time and effort, and the information or evidence given and collected.
Whenever possible, write it once.
(Prevents doing same work two or more times)
Recording and Documentation (Cont’d)
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program
Why is the Hand-off Why is the Hand-off Conference important?Conference important?
Note: It’s especially important if there are
children still in the home while others are in placement!
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families ProgramHand-off ConferenceRequired Documentation
• SACWIS Intake Report;• CFS 1000-1, Hispanic Client Language Determination
Form (if applicable);• SACWIS case notes and service referral information;• Child Endangerment Risk Assessment, approved by the
child protection supervisor;• SACWIS Risk Assessment Summary;• CFS 440-5, Adult Substance Abuse Screen;• SACWIS/CANTS 17A-DV, Domestic Violence Screen;• Law Enforcement Agency Data System (LEADS)
information • SACWIS/CANTS18 - Paramour Assessment Checklist
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program
Topics to be Discussed at Transitional Visits
• Identified safety and risk concernsIdentified safety and risk concerns• Service needs• Department’s involvement with the family
– Schools– Doctors– Family Meetings
• Worker contact information• Consents for release of information:
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program
What are those practices that What are those practices that enhance time enhance time
management/organizational management/organizational skills?skills?
How do you currently…… prioritize tasks?
… avoid “time wasters” in your work day?… work smarter not harder?
… use the Travel/Activity form in your specific job position?
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program
Safety Assessment Module Summary
Questions & Concerns?– Safety Assessment– Interviewing– Recording & Documentation– Time Management/Organizational Skills– Case Opening Protocol
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program
What strategies do you What strategies do you use to start your day?use to start your day?
…what are your working habits that enhance safety assessment?
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program
What Are Your What Are Your Resources?Resources?
Who and what do you have to
help you get the job done?
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program
Who are you Who are you accountable accountable toto??
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program
Who are you Who are you accountable accountable forfor??
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program
What are you What are you accountable for?accountable for?
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program
What is the role of the What is the role of the Supervisor?Supervisor?
… Supervisor’s manager?
…Manager’s administrator?
…Administrator’s Deputy Director?
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program The role of a supervisor The role of a supervisor is to . . .is to . . .
• Carry out the goals & objectives of the Dept.
• Create & maintain a good working environment.
• Train the worker.• Model appropriate skills.• Help the worker develop
professionally.• Assign work.• Reward and recommend
discipline.
• Set clear expectations & standards.
• Remove barriers.• Review work.• Provide feedback.• Manage time.• Make decisions.• Follow established
expectations
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program
How are you impacted by How are you impacted by Collective Bargaining?Collective Bargaining?
…whether unionized or not, supervisors have the responsibility to manage, provide leadership and direction to the planning and conducting of the work.
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families ProgramAssigning WorkAssigning Work(Small Group Discussion)(Small Group Discussion)
1. When assigning cases, what factors do you consider?
2. How do you actually assign the case?
3. What factors do you consider when assigning non-placement related work?
4. How do you utilize your Advanced Specialists?
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program
If you have staff who perform at If you have staff who perform at a lower level than you would a lower level than you would like, how do you raise the bar like, how do you raise the bar
on their performance?on their performance?
What do you want?
When do you want it?
What level of quality do you want?
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program
What are some of the What are some of the challenges your staff face?challenges your staff face?
What can you do about it?
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program
What might happen if What might happen if you don’t check the work you don’t check the work
you assign?you assign?
Why is it important to continue to check the work of even your best, most
consistent worker?
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program
How do you solve the How do you solve the following?following?
Team is accumulating OT, liquidating all their sick and vacation time, but your
team is lagging behind in case closures.
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program
Making Decisions.Making Decisions.
• What are the important decisions you have to make?
• What other decisions do you have to make on a regular basis?
• What information do you gather?
• What factors do you weigh in making those decisions?
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program
Do you reward your team?Do you reward your team?
How did you reward your
team in the past month?
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families ProgramWhat stage of team What stage of team building is your team at?building is your team at?
• Team Building - The act of involvement and participation for the transfer of ownership, accountability, responsibility, and positive support.
• Forming• Storming• Norming• Performing
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program
Decide or Drift or Drown Decide or Drift or Drown
When you have a challenging team…
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program
When something goes wrong…When something goes wrong…
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program
What does “corrective action” What does “corrective action” mean?mean?
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program
Team Building ActivityTeam Building Activity
Develop concrete realistic change management strategies for the upcoming implementation of the Enhanced Safety
Assessment
March 30, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development
Erwin McEwenDirector
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program
Management & Supervision Management & Supervision SummarySummary
• Team Building
• Coaching
• Mentoring
• Accountability
• Questions & Concerns