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.