Welcome Welcome to the to the

Practicing Practicing Permanency CoursePermanency CourseAdvanced Practice Advanced Practice Certificate in Certificate in Foster Care and Foster Care and

Adoption Competency Adoption Competency CourseCourse

Session One:Session One:

Child Welfare HistoryChild Welfare History

Respectful Language Respectful Language for Familiesfor Families

Language of PermanencyLanguage of Permanency

Session One: Overview of the US Child Welfare System, Respectful Language with Families and the Language of PermanencyChild welfare involves a dynamic array of systems: governmental, institutional, and legal. This session addresses the impact those systems have on children and youth from the initial foster care placement through reunification or adoption. Topics reviewed will be the continuum of child welfare services from Child Protective Services (CPS), to Family Support/Preservation, the out of home care foster care system, reunification, guardianship, adoption, and APPLA. Respectful language for working with families and the language of permanency will also be explored.

Session One Competencies Knows and understands the importance of permanency for children, youth, and families affected by the child welfare system. Knows and understands that foster care/adoption is a lifelong process that includes universal experiences as well as unique individual feelings and perceptions.  Knows and understands the therapeutic importance of all parenting relationships and family connections for the child – birth/kin/foster/adoptive.  Knows how to address developmental challenges that are common to foster care/adoption.

Session One Learning Objectives

Explain the seminal events in child welfare history.

Explain theoretical frameworks and develop knowledge of evidence-informed therapeutic approaches of permanency. Describe the practice; legal and ethical issues that impact permanency. Can explain the five pathways to permanency. Can demonstrate using empathy, genuineness and respect, to engage families.

Session One:Session One:Child Welfare HistoryChild Welfare HistoryRespectful Language Respectful Language

for Familiesfor FamiliesLanguage of PermanencyLanguage of Permanency

Tensions Throughout Child Tensions Throughout Child Welfare HistoryWelfare History

These tensions include:These tensions include:

parentsparents’’ rights vs children rights vs children’’s s needsneeds

saving children/youth vs saving children/youth vs supporting families supporting families

federal vs state vs local federal vs state vs local responsibilityresponsibility

public vs private financing public vs private financing

Child Welfare HistoryChild Welfare History

All of these issues appear and All of these issues appear and reappear in the major historical reappear in the major historical documents on the American child documents on the American child welfare system.welfare system.

The one theme that never disappears The one theme that never disappears is the search for a panacea, a is the search for a panacea, a solution to the problems of children solution to the problems of children and youth whose parents are unable and youth whose parents are unable to provide adequate care. to provide adequate care.

Child Welfare History 17Child Welfare History 17thth & & 1818thth Centuries Centuries

First American laws were based First American laws were based on the English Poor Laws of King on the English Poor Laws of King Henry VIII and Elizabeth I.Henry VIII and Elizabeth I.

The family was the basic The family was the basic economic unit, and all members economic unit, and all members were expected to contribute to were expected to contribute to the work of the household.the work of the household.

Child Welfare HistoryChild Welfare History

The concept of childhood, was unknown except The concept of childhood, was unknown except for very young children. for very young children.

High birthrate, approximately but two-thirds High birthrate, approximately but two-thirds of all children died before the age of four. of all children died before the age of four.

Those who lived past this age were expected Those who lived past this age were expected to start contributing labor as soon as to start contributing labor as soon as possible by helping with household and possible by helping with household and farming chores, caring for younger siblings, farming chores, caring for younger siblings, and so forth.and so forth.

Child Welfare HistoryChild Welfare History

Although there was no child welfare Although there was no child welfare system as such in those early days, system as such in those early days, two groups of children were two groups of children were presumed to require attention from presumed to require attention from the public authorities:the public authorities:

Orphans – deserving poorOrphans – deserving poor children of paupers – non-deserving children of paupers – non-deserving poorpoor

Child Welfare HistoryChild Welfare History

Orphans though no fault of their Orphans though no fault of their own needed care and families.own needed care and families.

Pauper children needed societal Pauper children needed societal help because if society didnhelp because if society didn’’t help t help them, they would be like their them, they would be like their parents. Best serve the interests parents. Best serve the interests of the community, not the of the community, not the individual child.individual child.

Child Welfare HistoryChild Welfare History

A few private institutions for A few private institutions for orphans were also established orphans were also established during this early colonial during this early colonial period. period.

The first such orphanage in the The first such orphanage in the United States was the Ursuline United States was the Ursuline Convent, founded in New Orleans Convent, founded in New Orleans in 1727 under the auspices of in 1727 under the auspices of Louis XV of France. Louis XV of France.

Child Welfare HistoryChild Welfare History

Meager arrangements made on a reluctant, Meager arrangements made on a reluctant, begrudging basis to guarantee a minimal begrudging basis to guarantee a minimal level of subsistence. level of subsistence.

Children were taught the values of Children were taught the values of industriousness and hard work and industriousness and hard work and received a strict religious upbringing.received a strict religious upbringing.

Provisions were made at the lowest cost Provisions were made at the lowest cost possible for the local community, in part possible for the local community, in part because of the widespread concern that because of the widespread concern that indolence and depravity not be rewarded.indolence and depravity not be rewarded.

Nineteenth CenturyNineteenth Century

Massive social changes occurred in the Massive social changes occurred in the United States during the nineteenth United States during the nineteenth century.century.

Abolition of slavery during this timeAbolition of slavery during this time

Industrialization after Civil WarIndustrialization after Civil War

Large groups of immigrants – Irish, Large groups of immigrants – Irish, Italian, German – Catholic, Jewish, Italian, German – Catholic, Jewish, Protestant childrenProtestant children

Rise of OrphanagesRise of Orphanages

Care of African American Care of African American ChildrenChildren

Black dependent children were explicitly Black dependent children were explicitly excluded from most of the private orphanages excluded from most of the private orphanages established prior to the Civil War. established prior to the Civil War.

Several separate facilities for black Several separate facilities for black children were founded during this period, children were founded during this period, the first of which was the Philadelphia the first of which was the Philadelphia Association for the Care of Colored Children Association for the Care of Colored Children established by the Society of Friends in established by the Society of Friends in 1822. 1822.

The shelter in Philadelphia was burned by a The shelter in Philadelphia was burned by a white mob in 1838 and the Colored Orphan white mob in 1838 and the Colored Orphan Asylum in New York was set on fire during Asylum in New York was set on fire during the Draft Riot of 1863. the Draft Riot of 1863.

The Beginnings of Foster The Beginnings of Foster CareCare

IIn 1853 Charles Loring Brace founded the n 1853 Charles Loring Brace founded the ChildrenChildren’’s Aid Society in New York.s Aid Society in New York.

Brace was strongly committed to the idea Brace was strongly committed to the idea that the best way to save poor children that the best way to save poor children fromfrom the evils of urban life was to the evils of urban life was to place them in Christian homes in the place them in Christian homes in the country, where they would receive a country, where they would receive a solid moral training and learn good work solid moral training and learn good work

habits.habits.

Orphan TrainsOrphan Trains

Between 1854 and 1929 100,000-Between 1854 and 1929 100,000-200,000 children were placed in 200,000 children were placed in new families via the Orphan new families via the Orphan Trains.Trains.

http://www.orphantraindepot.com

•Children were taken in small groups of 10 to 40, under the supervision of at least one adult, and traveled on trains to selected stops along the way, where they were taken by families in that area.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/orphan/teachers.html

The Beginnings of Foster The Beginnings of Foster CareCare

ChildrenChildren’’s Home Society movement. s Home Society movement.

These societies were statewide child-These societies were statewide child-placing agencies under Protestant placing agencies under Protestant auspices, also designed to provide auspices, also designed to provide free foster homes for dependent free foster homes for dependent children. children.

The first such society was The first such society was established in Illinois in 1883. By established in Illinois in 1883. By 1916 there were thirty-six Children1916 there were thirty-six Children’’s s Home Societies located primarily in Home Societies located primarily in Midwestern and southern states .Midwestern and southern states .

The Expansion of ServicesThe Expansion of Services

Voluntary organizations founded Voluntary organizations founded during this period recognized that during this period recognized that families had an obligation to families had an obligation to provide for their childrenprovide for their children’’s basic s basic needs. needs.

If they did not, it was argued, If they did not, it was argued, society had the right and society had the right and obligation to intervene. Thus, the obligation to intervene. Thus, the concept of minimal social standards concept of minimal social standards for child rearing was introduced.for child rearing was introduced.

Child Protection ServicesChild Protection Services

1874 founding of the New York 1874 founding of the New York Society for the Prevention of Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children Cruelty to Children

By 1900 there were more than By 1900 there were more than 250 such agencies the New York 250 such agencies the New York societysociety

The Case of Mary Ellen The Case of Mary Ellen WilsonWilson

A friendly visitor, named Etta Wheeler from A friendly visitor, named Etta Wheeler from the the

childchild’’s neighborhood was horrified by the s neighborhood was horrified by the abusive abusive

treatment the child had received from her treatment the child had received from her caretaker and sought help from several child caretaker and sought help from several child welfare institutions to no avail. Finally welfare institutions to no avail. Finally

she turned she turned to Henry Bergh, president of the Society for to Henry Bergh, president of the Society for

the the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, who Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, who

promptly promptly brought the case to court, requesting that brought the case to court, requesting that

the child the child be removed from her caretaker immediately.be removed from her caretaker immediately.

Photo of Mary Ellen WilsonPhoto of Mary Ellen Wilson

The Expansion of ServicesThe Expansion of Services

Friendly VisitorsFriendly Visitors

Minister to the poor on a case-by-Minister to the poor on a case-by-case basiscase basis

Recognition of the social roots of Recognition of the social roots of poverty poverty

Settlement houses movement – Jane Settlement houses movement – Jane AddamsAddams

2020thth Century Time Line Century Time Line

1909 – First White House Conference on 1909 – First White House Conference on ChildrenChildren

1912 – Creation of US Children1912 – Creation of US Children’’s Bureaus Bureau

1935 - Social Security Act, Title IV, 1935 - Social Security Act, Title IV, ADC; and Title V, Child Welfare Services ADC; and Title V, Child Welfare Services ProgramProgram

1961 – Social Security Amendment, AFDC – 1961 – Social Security Amendment, AFDC – Foster CareFoster Care

1964-1967 – War on Poverty1964-1967 – War on Poverty

2020thth Century Time Line Century Time Line

1974 – Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment 1974 – Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, P.L. 93-247 (Amended in 1978, 1984, Act, P.L. 93-247 (Amended in 1978, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2003)1988, 1992, 1996, 2003)

1978 – Indian Child Welfare Act1978 – Indian Child Welfare Act

1980 – Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare 1980 – Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act, P.L. 96-272 (Title IVE)Act, P.L. 96-272 (Title IVE)

1993 - Family Preservation and Support 1993 - Family Preservation and Support Services ProgramServices Program

2020thth to 21 to 21stst Century Time Century Time LineLine

1994 – Multiethnic Placement Act1994 – Multiethnic Placement Act

1997 – Adoption and Safe Families Act 1997 – Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA), P.L. 105-89(ASFA), P.L. 105-89

1999 – Chaffee Foster Care Independence 1999 – Chaffee Foster Care Independence ActAct

2008 – Fostering Connections2008 – Fostering Connections

2014 –Prevent Sex Trafficking & 2014 –Prevent Sex Trafficking & Strengthening FamiliesStrengthening Families

ActAct

2121stst Century Themes Century Themes SafetySafety Permanency Goal SettingPermanency Goal Setting Well-BeingWell-Being CFSR Reviews in StatesCFSR Reviews in States Foster Parents Adopting ChildrenFoster Parents Adopting Children Adoption IncentivesAdoption Incentives Adoption OpennessAdoption Openness Youth PermanencyYouth Permanency Cultural CompetencyCultural Competency Family Based Services/Family ConnectionsFamily Based Services/Family Connections Community Based ServicesCommunity Based Services Array of Child Welfare Services In Home and Array of Child Welfare Services In Home and

Out of HomeOut of Home

In Home ServicesIn Home Services

Services designed to ensure that Services designed to ensure that children and youth remain safe in children and youth remain safe in their home and prevent them from their home and prevent them from entering the foster care system: entering the foster care system: Services to preserve familiesServices to preserve families

Family Support/Preservation Services: Family Support/Preservation Services: counseling, parent skills training, counseling, parent skills training, substance abuse treatment, substance abuse treatment, recreational services, linkages to recreational services, linkages to community-based resourcescommunity-based resources

Out-of-Home ServicesOut-of-Home Services

Kinship Foster Care: informal and Kinship Foster Care: informal and formalformal

Family Foster Boarding HomesFamily Foster Boarding Homes Therapeutic Foster Boarding HomesTherapeutic Foster Boarding Homes Agency Operated Boarding Homes Agency Operated Boarding Homes (SILP)(SILP)

Group HomesGroup Homes DRC/RTC (campus programs)DRC/RTC (campus programs) RTFRTF

Louisiana Specific DataLouisiana Specific Data  

Foster CareFoster Care

  

# Children Served in Foster Care in CY # Children Served in Foster Care in CY 20142014 = 8,088= 8,088

# Children Re-unified With Family in CY # Children Re-unified With Family in CY 20142014 = 2,158= 2,158

# Children Adopted through DCFS in CY 2014# Children Adopted through DCFS in CY 2014= 580= 580

# Children in Family Foster Care on # Children in Family Foster Care on 12/31/201412/31/2014 = 2,079= 2,079

# Children in Kinship Care* on 12/31/2014# Children in Kinship Care* on 12/31/2014= 1,689= 1,689

* (Includes Fictive Kin)* (Includes Fictive Kin)

Louisiana Specific DataLouisiana Specific DataChild Abuse and NeglectChild Abuse and Neglect

  

# of Abuse & Neglect Investigations in CY 2014# of Abuse & Neglect Investigations in CY 2014= 23,678= 23,678

# of Valid Investigations# of Valid Investigations = = 7,4757,475

# of Investigations still Pending# of Investigations still Pending= 2,221= 2,221

  

# of Accepted Reports Referred for AA# of Accepted Reports Referred for AA= 2,358= 2,358

  

Unduplicated Count of Alleged VictimsUnduplicated Count of Alleged Victims= 31,321= 31,321

Unduplicated Count of Valid VictimsUnduplicated Count of Valid Victims = = 11,33911,339

Louisiana Foster Youth By Louisiana Foster Youth By Race/EthnicityRace/Ethnicity

White White 2,297 (53%)2,297 (53%)

African AmericanAfrican American 1,817 1,817 (42%)(42%)

Two or More RacesTwo or More Races 113113 (3%) (3%)

LatinoLatino 61 61 (3%)(3%)

American IndianAmerican Indian 8 8 (<1%)(<1%)

Asian Asian 6 6 (<1%)(<1%)

Hawaiian/Pac Islander Hawaiian/Pac Islander 4 4 (<1%)(<1%)

As of 12/31/2014As of 12/31/2014

Respectful Language Respectful Language for Families for Families

Respectful LanguageRespectful Language How do we talk other people’s culture How do we talk other people’s culture and traditions?and traditions?

What does it mean to be culturally What does it mean to be culturally responsive?responsive?

How do we talk about people in poverty?How do we talk about people in poverty? How do we talk about people who are How do we talk about people who are abusing substances?abusing substances?

How do we talk about people with mental How do we talk about people with mental health issues?health issues?

How would you like people to talk about How would you like people to talk about YOU and your FAMILY?YOU and your FAMILY?

Respectful LanguageRespectful Language

Birth Parent, Birth Parent, notnot Natural or Bio Natural or Bio Parent Parent

Adopted Person, Adopted Person, not not Adoptee or Adoptee or Adopted ChildAdopted Child

My Child, My Child, notnot my adopted child my adopted child MeaningfulMeaningful Family Engagement Family Engagement Adoptive/Foster ConstellationAdoptive/Foster Constellation Kin/Fictive Kin RelationshipsKin/Fictive Kin Relationships Children, Children, YouthYouth, and Families, and Families

Language of PermanencyLanguage of Permanency

Defining PermanencyDefining Permanency

Permanence is not a philosophical process, a plan, or a Permanence is not a philosophical process, a plan, or a foster care placement, nor is it intended to be a foster care placement, nor is it intended to be a family relationship that lasts only until the youth family relationship that lasts only until the youth turns age 18.turns age 18.

Permanence is about locating and supporting a lifetime Permanence is about locating and supporting a lifetime family. family.

For young people in out-of home placement, planning for For young people in out-of home placement, planning for permanence should begin at entry into care, and be permanence should begin at entry into care, and be youth-driven, family-focused, culturally competent, youth-driven, family-focused, culturally competent, continuous, and approached with the highest degree of continuous, and approached with the highest degree of urgency. urgency.

Defining PermanencyDefining PermanencyChild welfare agencies, in partnership with the Child welfare agencies, in partnership with the larger community, have a larger community, have a moralmoral and and professionalprofessional responsibility to find a permanent family responsibility to find a permanent family relationship for each child and young person in relationship for each child and young person in foster care.foster care.

Permanence should bring physical, legal and Permanence should bring physical, legal and emotional safety and security within the context emotional safety and security within the context of a family relationship and allow multiple of a family relationship and allow multiple relationships with a variety of caring adults. relationships with a variety of caring adults.

Permanence is achieved with a family Permanence is achieved with a family relationship that offers safe, stable, and relationship that offers safe, stable, and committed parenting, unconditional love and committed parenting, unconditional love and lifelong support, and legal family membership lifelong support, and legal family membership status. status.

Defining PermanencyDefining Permanency

Permanence can be the result of:Permanence can be the result of: Preservation of the family;Preservation of the family; Reunification with birth Reunification with birth family; family;

Legal guardianship with Legal guardianship with kin/fictive kin;kin/fictive kin;

AdoptionAdoption APPLAAPPLA