City of Alexandria, Virginia

CATCHCATCHChild Assessment & Treatment Child Assessment & Treatment

Center for HealthCenter for Health

Joanna Hemmat, MSN, MPHJoanna Hemmat, MSN, MPHJoanna.hemmat@vdh.virginia.gov

Peggy Stypula, MSW, LICSWPeggy Stypula, MSW, LICSWpeggy.stypula@alexandriava.gov

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Alexandria Is “CATCH-ing” Alexandria Is “CATCH-ing” Kids Early!Kids Early!

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What Is Alexandria CATCH?What Is Alexandria CATCH?

A collaborative effort between A collaborative effort between multiple agenciesmultiple agencies to to

provide comprehensive health and developmental provide comprehensive health and developmental

screenings for children who are at risk of abuse or screenings for children who are at risk of abuse or

neglect, in foster care, or who are homeless.neglect, in foster care, or who are homeless.

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National StatisticsNational Statistics 2006

6 million6 million children were reported to the child welfare system

1 million1 million children had substantiated abuse & neglect

76.6%76.6% of fatalities from abuse & neglect were children 5 & under

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CATCH HistoryCATCH History

Originated in response to the 2003

Child Abuse, Prevention &

Treatment Act (CAPTA)

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Why CATCH?Why CATCH?

• Capitalize resources

• Coordinate shared clients

• Maximize expertise

• Improve access to care

• Efficient assessments

• Enhance communication

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Who Provides Alexandria Who Provides Alexandria CATCH Services?CATCH Services?

• Department of Human ServicesDepartment of Human Services

• Alexandria Health DepartmentAlexandria Health Department

• Community Services BoardCommunity Services Board

– Early Intervention Services

• Alexandria City Public SchoolsAlexandria City Public Schools

– Child Find

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City of AlexandriaCity of Alexandria expanded CAPTA expanded CAPTA

definition for definition for situation, situation, age andage andserviceservice

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Alexandria StatisticsAlexandria Statistics

Children under age 5 comprise the largest and most rapidly expanding group in child welfare

• Currently 24% of all children in foster care are under age 5

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State of VirginiaState of Virginia

Child Protective Services Fatality Summary 2006

– 83% of child fatalities were under age 4

•7% of the fatalities were in the City of Alexandria

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What Is Provided?What Is Provided?

Comprehensive screenings:Comprehensive screenings:

1. Medical conditions

2. Dental needs

3. Immunization status

4. Nutritional status

5. Social-emotional needs

6. Cognitive development

7. Psychosocial Assessments

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When Is Service Provided?When Is Service Provided?

• Upon referral for Child Protective or Family Support

Services

• Within 30 days of foster placement, change in

placement or after run-away

• Annually for foster youth

• Referred by shelters

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How Do We Reach an Understanding How Do We Reach an Understanding of Each Discipline?of Each Discipline?

Agreed shared goals

Joint multi-level trainings

Staff in-services

Multi-disciplinary team and case management meetings

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Keys to Successfully Merging Keys to Successfully Merging Nursing and Social WorkNursing and Social Work

Clear role delineation

Respect each discipline

Listen to perspectives of other experts

Confidence in expertise of colleagues

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Shared IssuesShared IssuesUnder-served Children

Foster Youth

Resource Limitations

Federal Mandates

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Benefits to Cross-disciplinary Benefits to Cross-disciplinary Case Management:Case Management:

• Assuring Early Intervention

• Prevention of further neglect and/or

maltreatment

• Maintenance of family unity

• Reduction of chance for multiple foster

placement changes

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CATCH IndicatorsCATCH Indicators20082008

• 100% of children with founded CPS cases are referred for Early Intervention services

• 94.7% of Stakeholders surveyed expressed satisfaction that CATCH effectively ensured the physical, mental and developmental health of referred children

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Closing Remarks:Closing Remarks:

More effective outcomes are possible

for vulnerable children

when collaborating partners

share a common vision and commitment.