Evaluation Highlights from Pilot Phase July 2005 – June 2007

1. Evaluation Highlights from Pilot Phase July 2005 – June 2007 Prepared for Leadership Team Meeting January 11, 2008

2. Metro Chicago Information Center (MCIC) Qualitative summary of pilot phase (July 2005 – June 2007) based on: 24 key informant interviews Data from learning networks Project reports to DCFS and CSSP Collateral materials Final report projected completion: Feb. 2008 Evaluation of SFI:

3. Promising framework (Protective Factors) and a challenge (embed Strengthening Families in your early childhood and child welfare systems) Needed to develop initiative from the ground up: Child welfare connection to early childhood Local center based pilot approach Training Parent engagement Communication Systems change Evaluation In the Beginning:

4. Structure

5. Partner Collaboration

6. Grew from 23 to 40 state partners 6 Learning Networks (One in Each DCFS Region) with 50 early childhood centers participating 5,000 parents and 6,200 children reached through participating centers 140 early childhood professionals trained as trainers for SFI training Mental Health Consultants Child Care Nurse Consultants Prevent Child Abuse IL Prevention Resource Developers U of I Extension Family Life Educators Learning network participants Trainings delivered to approximately 350 early childhood providers through learning networks On calendars of Childcare Resource and Referral Agencies (CCR&R) and Illinois Resource Center (ISBE) Synergy and Reach:

7. Partner Contributions

8. National Impact • Illinois leads the way: • Comprehensive approach • Child welfare leadership • Parent engagement • Family child care • Professional development • Evaluation tool development • Communications tools

9. Parents as Primary Target Audience • Parent engagement in developing: • Grassroots public awareness campaign • Process to get protective factor information directly to parents (LINE Parent Cafes)

10. Embedding Strengthening Families practice in early childhood centers requires: Leadership of the center fully committed Availability and connection to resources Staff training for teachers, family workers Maintaining learning networks Hub Coordinator role = critical to network success Competing priorities of participating centers Sustaining and expanding network membership (turnover) Forming additional networks (meeting demand) Lessons Learned / Challenges

11. Training Maintaining quality Availability Incentives for programs to access Evaluation Creation of tools Dedicated staff and resources for data analysis Lessons Learned / Challenges

12. Partner collaboration Big vision and valuable work = engagement Relationship building Competing priorities Agility and ability to adapt (go with the flow) Child welfare collaboration Direct relevance to children & families in the system (need to make the link) Need dedicated staff to make collaboration happen Building relationships among caseworkers and early childhood staff Data systems needed Lessons Learned / Challenges

13. Expand effort to make greater impact with children and families: Increase coordination of training opportunities through Illinois CCR&R Agencies Sustain existing learning networks and support growth in additional communities Meet growing demand for SFI training and technical assistance in non-pilot communities Recommendations:

14. Commit resources to studying, ascertaining, and documenting impact of Strengthening Families Continue support of partners in attracting private and state funding in support of Strengthening Families work Expand initiative through partners Embed Protective Factors beyond the arena of early care and education Improve data systems Recommendations (cont):

15. Strategic Plan Discussion

16. Background: In the pilot phase, our mission was guided by the Center for the Study of Social Policy’s priorities: “Prevent child abuse and neglect and promote the health and well-being of children and families by working with child care centers and child welfare agency staff to incorporate evidence-based protective factors in early childhood services and systems statewide.”

17. Small Group Discussion & Feedback Question: Given the direction and vision of DCFS and the strengths of the initiative to date, what is the mission of the Strengthening Families Initiative for the next five years?

18. Large Group Discussion What does the collaboration / mission need from DCFS in its leadership role?

19. Large Group Discussion: What is your agency or organization’s role as a partner in realizing the mission? (What are you prepared to contribute? What do you stand to gain?)