Child Protection Transformation Overview
October 18, 2012
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What is the Child Protection Transformation Project?
A collaboration between the Department of Children and Families, Community Based
Care and local public - private partnerships to create a world class social services delivery system to Florida’s children.
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What are we trying to solve?
Compliance based practice model
Non-integrated system of work
37% Child Protection Investigator (CPI) turnover
55% Re-investigations
Lack of data integration and access to other sources
Inefficient tools and processes
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Child Protection Transformation Project
Technology
Professionalization
Florida Safety Decision Making Methodology
Compliance
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Com
mun
icatio
n
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Florida Safety Decision Making Methodology Need identified by Barahona Case Findings and Recommendations:
“Re-engineer child protective investigations processes, including recruitment, training, technology empowerment, collaboration with CBCs, law enforcement, schools, the medical community and other professions relied upon to ensure the integrity of the investigative function.”
Introduces a common methodology for how we interact with families, team with experts and make critical decisions from initial removal to reunification.
Incorporates safety information standards and constructs into all current processes:
–Hotline-Investigations–Ongoing Case Management
Integration of two national best practice models supported by: ACTION for Child Protection www.actionchildprotection.org The Children’s Research Center www.nccd-crc.org
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Current State Decision Tree
Risk
Low Risk Moderate Risk High Risk
No Services
PreventionDiversion“Family
Support”
In-HomeNon-
Judicial
In-HomeJudicial
Out of Home
Placement
• Subjective Decision Making• No Definitions for Risk Levels• Lack of Decision Supports• Maltreatment Driven Decisions
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Florida Safety Decision Making Methodology
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SafetyManagement
Safe Unsafe
No Services
PreventionDiversion“Family
Support”
In-HomeNon-
Judicial
In-HomeJudicial
Out of Home
Placement
In Home Safety Plan
Out of Home Safety Plan
• Consistent Decision Making• Efficient Decision Supports• Decisions Based on Present
and Impending Danger• Teaming Model
SafeHome
SafetyDecision
Protective Actions
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‘As- Is’ CPI Time Allocation
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31%
34%
9%
7%
7%
12%
Investigation Field Activity
FSFN Data Entry
Documentation outside FSFN
Training and Administration
Pre-commencement activities
Staffings
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Current State Process Overlaps
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Statutory Criteria for CA/N, Response Priority, Searching/Linking, Background
Screening
Searching/Linking, Background Screening, Safety Assessment, Assess Service Needs, Refer for Services
Family Assessment, Case Plan, Refer for Services, Case Evaluation
Hot
line
Inve
stig
atio
nsC
ase
M
anag
emen
t
Process Overlap
Process Overlap
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Future State Minimize Process Overlap
Statutory Criteria for CA/N, Response Priority,
Searching/Linking, Background Screening
Information Collection, Safety Determination, Family Functioning
Assessment
Protective Capacity Assessment, Case Plan, Refer for Services, Case Evaluation
Hot
line
Inve
stig
atio
nsC
ase
M
anag
emen
t
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Florida Safety Decision Making MethodologyInvestigative Process
IntakeAssess Present Danger
Safety Determination
Information Collection
Assess Impending
Danger
Family Functioning Assessment
Disposition
Assess Risk Factors
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Safety Decision Making
Threats of Danger(Out of Control, Immediate, Observable, Severe Consequences)
+/-Vulnerable Child(Lacks ability to self protect)
+/-Parent Protective Capacities
(Vigilance, preparation and power to protect)=
Safe or Unsafe
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Safety Planning
The main objective is to control threats, when there is a vulnerable child and the parents lack protective capacities
to keep children safe.
Safety Plans include factors for Present and Impending Dangers.
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Florida Safety Decision Making Methodology Decision Supports Methodology Initial
Removal
Ongoing Case
Opening
Service Identificatio
nPlan Evaluation Ongoing
AssessmentReunificatio
n
Current Child Safety Assessment Investigation
Family Assessment Case Plan
Case Plan Evaluation
Updated Family
Assessment
Reunification Assessment Home Study
Florida Safety Decision
Making Methodology
Present Danger
Child SafetyAssessment
Family Functioning Assessment
Protective Capacity Family
Assessment
Case PlanFamily Case
Plan Evaluation
Continuing Safety
Evaluation
Protective Capacity
Evaluation within Case
Plan Evaluation
Risk Assessment
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Florida Safety Decision Making Methodology Business Process Efficiencies
Revised documentation protocols Streamlined and timely Child Protective
Investigative Supervisor and case consultation Timely investigative closure Increase coaching support Focus on household of the allegation FSFN system enhancements
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Decrease re-investigations!
Increase time with families!
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Vision for Child Protection InvestigationsCurrent Practice Transformed Practice
Limited information in reports received from Hotline.
CPI Investigators respond to all Hotline reports
High variation in business processes
Supervisory reviews are primarily reviews of paperwork; minimal substantive values reported
“Allegations and “findings” are focus of work
Each investigation has same requirements, not always appropriate to situation and child/family needs.
Complete, well-organized packet of information from hotline including more information about child and parent risk factors.
Alternative Methods for Responding to Situations that do not meet investigation criteria (Differentiated Response at Hotline)
Standardized statewide processes for CPI’s
Supervisory reviews are face-to-face discussions about investigation dynamics at all phases
Concentrate more on assessing family dynamics and underlying conditions, circumstances surrounding the maltreatment us just the incident of abuse/neglect.
Right investigation work gets done for each case based on child/family situation/needs
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(Cont.) Vision for Child Protection InvestigationsCurrent Practice Transformed Practice Completing forms and routine requirements drive activities.
(FSFN) System drives practice
CPIs engage in many activities that do not require their expertise.
Random technology support in field
Engaging families, other experts, in risk assessment and planning safety interventions will drive activities.
Practice needs will drive FSFN functionality
Administrative tasks are reduced and/or off-loaded to others.
All CPI’s have standardized, basic equipment package.