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Post Reunification Support Program “A Reunification Safety Net”

This program aims to reduce foster care recidivism by providing comprehensive support to families during the reunification process. Through engagement, safety management, family plans, parent education, and building supports, the goal is to ensure the safety and well-being of children and prevent re-entry into the system. Additional services include life skills training, employment assistance, educational support, and connecting families to community resources for long-term success.

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Post Reunification Support Program “A Reunification Safety Net”

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  1. Post Reunification Support Program “A Reunification Safety Net” Shani Cephas, Associate Director of Family Preservation Services and Tim Decker, Director of Case Management

  2. Background • Foster care recidivism is a significant problem • Nationwide – NIHC suggests that between 16% and 40% of children eventually re-enter care • The average Florida statewide recidivism rate for FY 2017-2018 was approximately 11% • Duval averaged approximately 12% of children re-entering care within 12 months of reunification

  3. Program Goals GOALS OBJECTIVES OUTCOMES • To ensure the safety and well-being of children is maintained while receiving in-home services • To ensure family reunification success;95% of children shall be safe while receiving in-home services • To reduce the recidivism rate of children returning to care following reunification • To prevent further abuse of children and re-entry into the system. • 91.7% of children who achieved permanency over 12 months prior shall not re-enter care within the subsequent 12 months after achievingpermanency

  4. Referrals • When? As soon as a solid plan for reunification is being discussed. • Who refers? CMO/CBC representatives • Strongly recommended by Judge & General Magistrate • How long are we involved? Up to 4 months after supervision terminates/court case closes • When is the least effective time to refer? • After reunification has been ordered for more than 30 days • Upon case closure/supervision terminating

  5. Referrals Prior to Reunification

  6. What type of cases are referred?Since 02.2017, we have received 355 referrals servicing 730 kids

  7. Engagement • What’s the difference between the Case Manager and the Post Reunification Coach? • Weekly contact vs. monthly face to face • Open 2 way communication • Engagement is key in order to get the parents to “buy into” non-judicial services • Post Reunification Coaches focus on the needs of the parent • Post Reunification Coaches can advocate for the parent • Post Reunification Coaches encourage parent involvement in their reunification process

  8. ENGAGEMENT

  9. ENGAGEMENT

  10. Home-visit Requirements • Period/Age of child home visits after reunification is ordered • Month one (1) and two (2) • Ages 5 and under seen weekly • Ages 6 and over seen bi-weekly • Month three (3) and all subsequent months • Ages 5 and under seen bi-weekly • Ages 6 and over seen monthly • *Frequency of visits based on safety concerns

  11. Safety Management • Post Reunification can be added to the safety plan as a safety monitor • Post Reunification Coaches will assist the primary case manager in developing and managing the in-home safety plan • Participate in safety plan discussions with the family, service providers and primary case manager • Families will have 24 hour access to their Post Reunification Coach to avert crisis incidents

  12. Family Plan-Road Map for Services • Implemented with the parents 7 days after the initial joint visit • Updated at least once every 30 days • Parents set goals for themselves; long term and short term; actions/steps for completion are listed • Family’s strengths/areas of development • Reviewed with the parents each visit • Encourages self accountability/boosts self-esteem

  13. Parent Education • Trained in evidence based programs: • Active Parenting and Circle of Security Parenting • One on one parent education to help • Establish loving healthy bonds • Develop an awareness for developmental/educational needs of the children • Behavior management and age-appropriate discipline strategies • Positive youth development to build self-esteem

  14. BUILDING SUPPORTS!! • Post Reunification encourages the parents to build and utilize natural and professional supports • When to use supports? • Parents should not be penalized for using supports • Supports do not have to be on the safety plan • Prevent re-entries?

  15. Service Array • Parenting • Support building/monthly support groups • Life skills • Budgeting/financial planning/credit repair • Employment assistance/interview skills • Organizational skills/time management • Relapse prevention/NA/AA • Education assistance/GED/trade/technical • Applying for and enrollment in daycare/ELC • Obtaining driver’s license/life documents

  16. Service Array Cont’d • Meal planning/healthy food choices • Applying for public assistance/WIC/Medicaid • Encourage involvement with children’s education/IEP/parent teacher meetings • Connecting parents to community resources for future use • Co-parenting plans • LIFE BINDERS!

  17. Additional Support for Case Managers • Monthly progress reports filed with the court • Provide updates at each court hearing • Consistent face to face contact with parents as often as needed; not just monthly • Permanency staffings/family team meetings • Transition planning/reunification plan • QPI encouragement/additional support • Referrals for services

  18. Why do we need post Reunification Services? • Large dependency case-loads • Inability of dependency FSCs to personally provide assistance and intensive services to families • Understaffed agencies • Dependency case managers forced to focus the majority of their attention on paperwork and court • In Duval County, Family Support Services conducted a time study which suggested that Family Service Counselors spend only about 23% of their time actually interacting with the families they serve

  19. Current Fiscal Year

  20. Re-Entries From Active CasesSince 02.2017

  21. Program Outcomes • Prior to Post Reunification Program, Duval averaged approximately 12% of children re-entering care within 12 months of reunification • Re-entry rate of about 6% since PRP pilot • Statewide the number of children re-entering care is approximately 9.28%

  22. Community Supporters

  23. Monthly Parent Support Group

  24. Reunification Recognitions

  25. POST REUNIFICATION SUPPORT TEAM Thank You!

  26. For More Information….. • Daniel Post Reunification 904.296.1055 or 904.463.1905 3747 Belfort Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32216 postreunificationreferrals@danielkids.org • Family Support Services of North Florida 904.421.5800 1300 Riverplace Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32207

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