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New Mexico Client Support Services Project a.k.a. Social Worker Model. Angela Peinado , PhD. Parents meeting their attorneys for the first time at the initial hearing. Attorney-Client visits not occurring. Case plans: no parent input P arent/child visits restricted by resources.
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New Mexico Client Support Services Project a.k.a. Social Worker Model Angela Peinado, PhD
Parents meeting their attorneys for the first time at the initial hearing. • Attorney-Client visits not occurring. • Case plans: no parent input • Parent/child visits restricted by resources. • Parent language does not = attorney language What Was Happening in New Mexico?
Ex par-tay? I am in court and haven’t met my attorney! Do I have a say in case plans? Seriously! Once a week for 1 hour? I never get a return phone call!
Children’s Court Improvement Commission (CCIC) – Legal Representation Workgroup
Develop innovative approach that advance court, agency, and stakeholder collaboration, in improving the safety, permanency, and well-being of children and families in the child welfare system for New Mexico. • Model to assist parents and their attorneys established through the Legal Representation Workgroup. • Reduce time to permanency, reduce the number of motions to terminate parental rights, reduce the cost of foster care and services per family. • Reunified families will be less likely to re-enter the child welfare system. What We Wanted to Do
The national trend is for independent social workers to provide case work services and supportive testimony on behalf of respondent parents in abuse/neglect parents. • Social workers are able to provide the type of “case work” often needed in these cases that attorneys with increasing caseloads are unable to undertake. • Case Workers with Children, Youth and Families protective services (PS) Division often lack the time to assist clients through the process. What We Found Interesting
Placement Visiting Services Conferences
Master’s level social worker on staff available for the position, who is familiar with the court process and data collection. • Caseload size allows for a manageable number of cases. • Four contract attorneys available. • Potential for growth in that it encompasses three counties. • Court innovative and open to change. Why Sandoval County?
Meeting with Stakeholders (CYFD, CASA, CRB, CLC , attorneys and the judge) • Concerns and Issues • Collaborative Partners • NMSU and NMHU • Identify Team • Develop Plan with Timeline • Identify Funding Sources for Training • Started to develop social work standards manual as a starting point to outline roles and responsibilities, and attorney/social worker division of labor. • Washington State piloted a similar program by county. • Forms • Identify data outcomes. First Steps Internal Work
Initial discussion. • Conference calls • Set up agenda. • Funding. • Training date. • August 2013 start date. CFR
DATA May 2014 CLIENT SUPPORT SERVICES Stats May 2014.docx
Transportation for clients • Additional resources for interns (i.e. phones) • Mental Health Evaluations (alternates) • Location, location , location • Fees for programs • Roles clarifications • Funding Challenges
Who is in control of the case? I don’t have a car! Does the attorney and social worker talk? Seriously! One phone! I have to pay to detox?
Angela Peinado, PhD received her Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) from the University Phoenix with a published Dissertation on Personality and Communication Styles of Drug Court Program Managers. She currently works with the Administrative Office of the Courts as a Statewide Program Director with the Court Improvement Project to researching efforts related to best practices, policy and procedural changes, as well as systemic changes for the permanency, safety and well-being of children in the child welfare system. Angela is also a faculty member at the University of Phoenix. She facilitates courses and prepares curriculum for General Studies, Writing, Communication, Management, Business and Criminal Justice courses. Bio