WELCOME!

INTRODUCTIONS

• Name

• Office Location?

• Program Area

Just the Basics…We’ll be getting more info next.

Ground Rules

Think about how you, as an individual, need to ensure a safe environment to discuss difficult and controversial issues.

Classmate Interview• Why did you choose Child Welfare?• What is your biggest hope, biggest fear about working for Children’s

Administration?• What is your biggest hope, biggest fear about RCT?• Tell me about your family.

– Write this stage on Post-It Paper hung up around the room.– If your stage is already listed put a hash mark next to it.

• Tell me about an individual or family strength,– What do you or your family do well?

• What other nonfamily members would your circle of influence include?

• Tell me about your culture.– How is your culture a source of strength for you?

How it can feel…Video

Why does Children’s Administration Exist?

Field Manual Review

Legal Foundations of Child Welfare

Developmental Competency

SW120-01 Ability to identify major child welfare legislation such as the Adoption and Safe Families Act, the state and federal Indian Child Welfare Acts, and the Multiethnic Placement Act and their implications to practice

Curricular Competencies

• Awareness of the significance of state and federal laws in child welfare practice.

• Understand what the Braam settlement is, and how it affects child welfare practice

• The ability to locate Washington RCW 26.44 and WAC 388-15, and to use the text of the laws to answer basic questions about definitions and areas of legal protection for children.

• Understand the basic concepts of the major federal and state laws that determine child welfare practice.

Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) 1974

• Minimum definition of CA/N in state laws

• Mandatory reporting laws

• Due process rights for alleged perpetrators of CA/No Notification of allegations

o Opportunity to respond

o Opportunity to appeal

Indian Child Welfare (ICWA) Act 1978• Native American Tribes have the right to intervene in court

proceedings

• States must provide “Active Efforts” to prevent placement and reunify families

• Native children have a right to placement with culturally appropriate caregivers

• Tribes may assume legal jurisdiction if they chose to do so

Multi-Ethnic Placement (MEPA) Act 1994 /

Inter-Ethnic Placement Act (IEPA) 1996

• Race, color, or national origin can not be regularly used in placement decisions

• States must diligently recruit foster families from minority communities

Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) of 1997

• States must provide “Reasonable Efforts” to prevent placement and reunify families

• Permanency planning hearings

• States must request to terminate parental rights if a child is out of home 15 of past 22 months, unless “compelling reason” not to exist

Journey through the Court Process

Call to Intake• 24 hours or less if emergent

• 72 hours or less if not emergent

Placement by

• Police

• Court

• Voluntary

Shelter Care (Within 72 Hours) Fact Finding

(Within 75 days)

Review Hearing5 to 6 months(every 6 months following)

Dependency Established

Permanency Planning Hearing

Reunification

Kinship Care

Adoption

Guardianship

Long-Term Foster Care

Preparation for Independent Living

Pg 96

The BRAAM Lawsuit

• Filed in 1998 in Bellingham• Lead plaintiff: Jessica Braam (12)• 34 foster home placements• Alleged her civil rights were violated• Settlement in 11/2004• Agreement regarding improvement in 6

areas of practice

BRAAM Final Settlement: Areas for Improvement

• Placement Stability • Mental Health• Foster Parent Training & Information• Unsafe/Inappropriate Placements• Sibling Separation• Services to Adolescents

State Laws Defining Child Abuse and Neglect

• RCW 26.44.020– Basic working definition of terms

• WAC 388-15-009– Expanded definitions including examples

Developmental Competency

SW120-01 Ability to identify major child welfare legislation such as the Adoption and Safe Families Act, the state and federal Indian Child Welfare Acts, and the Multiethnic Placement Act and their implications to practice

Summary: Competency Review

Curricular Competencies

• Awareness of the significance of state and federal laws in child welfare practice.

• Understand what the Braam settlement is, and how it affects child welfare practice

• The ability to locate Washington RCW 26.44 and WAC 388-15, and to use the text of the laws to answer basic questions about definitions and areas of legal protection for children.

• Understand the basic concepts of the major federal and state laws that determine child welfare practice.

Summary: Competency Review

Thank You