KidsVoice Multidisciplinary Approach to Dependency Advocacy

Scott Hollander, Executive Director

5,000 per year

4 per child

13 hours

Children Represented

Hearings Per Year

Direct Service Time Per Child

• WE BELIEVE that better child advocacy is achieved when a diverse team of professionals with knowledge and experience in a variety of disciplines work together for children.

• WE BELIEVE that all children can thrive and deserve the opportunity to achieve their full potential.

• WE RECOGNIZE the awesome responsibility of our work and will be as resourceful and creative as we need to be to meet each child’s needs.

• WE BELIEVE that each child is a unique individual with intrinsic value and rights that we must appreciate and respect.

• WE ARE COMMITTED to fostering children’s self-esteem and encouraging children to dream.

Mission: KidsVoice advocates in court and in the community to ensure a safe and permanent home for abused, neglected and at-risk children.

Value Statements:

• WE BELIEVE that we have the ability to create positive change at the individual, organizational and system levels and that we must be a catalyst for innovative and collaborative solutions among agencies serving children.

• WE BELIEVE that educating others about the needs of children is an integral part of our advocacy for children.

• WE BELIEVE that diversity in all areas – including culture, background, training and experience – strengthens our organization and we are committed to creating a work environment that embraces and encourages diversity.

• WE VALUE each employee and are committed to creating an open, supportive and challenging work environment that fosters creativity and professional growth for all employees.

Value Statements:

TRAINING

1. New Hire Training – 5 weeks of classroom and shadowing

2. Monthly mandatory professional meetings

3. Outside speaker series

4. Free CLE credits through PBI

5. Training allowance

6. Professional organization membership

LEGAL TOPICSJuvenile ActChild Protective Services LawTermination of Parental RightsEvidenceLocal ProcedureLegal EthicsSpecial Education LawPFAsICWAMEPAMinors’ Rights to TreatmentEmancipationExpungements

SOCIAL SERVICE TOPICSAbuseNeglectDrugs and AlcoholMH/MRDevelopmental DisabilitiesEvaluationsEducationSex OffendersTeen IssuesSexuality in ChildrenPlacementsAdoption Services

CASE TEAM FUNCTIONS• Each case is assigned to an attorney and Child Advocacy Specialist (CAS)

• Each attorney will work with at least 2 CASs and vice-versa

• Case teams are required to meet at least once a week to discuss shared cases, starting with cases scheduled for hearings three weeks from now

• Determine what information is needed and who should gather it. • Meet twice more prior to the hearing to discuss case and formulate

recommendations

• Meet after hearing to discuss results and monitor implementation

INFORMATION SHARING ISSUES• Some case information is in the case file and

some information is on the shared drive• Case files are not always easy to locate• Sometimes handwritten case notes are not

placed in the file• Some staff do not write legibly• Changes in provider and contact information is

not easy to update• Case information cannot be accessed from

outside the office

• Attorneys and social service professionals often approach cases in a different manner.

#1 CAS complaint – The attorney treats me as

a paralegal or other type of assistant.

#1 Attorney Complaint – CASs don’t

understand what is legally relevant.

ACCOUNTABILITY• Activity log

• Monthly individual supervision meetings

• Monthly regional team meetings

• Case team observations

• File reviews

• Field observations

• Accountable to case team partner

CLINICAL EXPERIENCE FOR STUDENTS:

• Duquesne University College of Law– Civil & Family Justice Clinic

• University of Pittsburgh Law School – Internship and Externship Credits

• Social Work Placement

• Child Development Placement

• Summer Internship Program

Savings compared to using attorneys $150,000alone to provide 13 hours per client

Cost Savings of Multidisciplinary Practice

Difference between average attorney $7,500salary and average social serviceprofessional salary

Number of social service 20professionals on staff