Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo County

1. Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo County Family Support Services Division

2. CAPSLO Family Support Services Division Structure Family Support Division Positive Opportunities for Parenting Success (P.O.P.S.) Direct Services and Parent Education Innovations Play Therapy S.A.F.E. Family Advocates

3. San Luis Obispo County Differential Response In 2001, SLO County implemented Differential Response in an effort to respond to referrals with a greater variety of responses and services. Differential Response allows CWS to assess the needs, resources and circumstances of each unique family and focus on engaging and assessing families by utilizing 3 initial “Response Paths”.

4. Differential Response Principles • Identifying risk and stepping in early leads to better outcomes compared to the prior CWS practice of waiting until child abuse/neglect occurs. • Children are safer and families are stronger when communities work together. • Families are more empowered when they voluntarily engage in services and supports.

5. Differential Response Differential Response Provides prevention/intervention services to at-risk families Reduces the number of children entering child welfare services and the need for high-end services later With Differential Response All referrals receive appropriate level of response Evaluated Out – No action taken Evaluated Out – Community Response (Path 1) 10-Day Response – Collaborative Response (Path 2) Immediate – CWS-only Response (Path 3)

6. Suspected Child Abuse Reports Questions asked by our Intake Social Workers… What are the strengths of the family? What are your concerns? What have you tried? What would you like to see happen? What services can CWS offer? Is the family connected to other services? Would you like to be part of the assessment? Can you describe the behavior, injury, neglect etc.

7. Direct Services and Parent Education Parenting Education includes: • Case Management services / coordinated case plans • 0-5 child developmental screens (ASQ’s), • Active Parenting Curriculum for 1-18 year olds, • First Five for New Parents Kit, Exposure to Violence and Brain Development, Dental Hygiene Activities, Literacy Activities. • Pre & Post Parenting Skills Assessments, • Certificates of Completion Direct Services includes: • Beds & bedding for children, • refrigerators/stoves, • utilities, • infant/baby supplies, • safety& hygiene products, • minor household repairs, etc.

8. Direct Services & Parent Education Educators / Advocates • B.S. and/or M.S. Degree in Social Work, Child Development or related field • Case Management caseload max. is 20 • Bilingual / Bi-literate • Housed in CWS offices and/or Community Based Organizations • Assigned to specific regions • Participates in community outreach activities

9. CAPSLO Community Response PartnerDirect Services and Parent EducationReferral Process1. CWS intake evaluates the referral for differential response level.2. CWS sends the Path 1 referral to CAPSLO for Parent Education needs. This is considered “evaluated out”. 3. CWS Social Worker sends the Path 2 referral to CAPSLO for Parent Education or Direct Services. This is considered a “collaborative response”.

10. Path 1 SCAR REPORT • Suspected Child Abuse Report  called into Child Welfare Services • Social Worker assesses risk level • Low to No Risk: referred to CAPSLO Community Response Partner

11. Some Case Examples • (victim) hasn't been in school since middle of February. SARB hearing was done. (victim) possibly staying with older sister. Older sister is providing alcohol to (victim). (other victim)has not been attending school either. • Mom is smoking pot in front of the kids. Last night ---(victim) called dad to say mom was smoking and drinking. Victim doesn't like the drugs and alcohol use by mom and all her friends. Mom always has a lot of friend over partying. Victim found a metal pipe in the house. Victim calls dad and says, "She's drunk again."

12. Somemore case examples • R/P concerned about neglect. (victim) comes to school filthy dirty. He has terrible body odor. He wears filthy clothes. He doesn't complete any school work. (victim) seems depressed. Mom hasn't returned -- phone calls, and does not show up for any school conference. • On ---- mom and dad were arguing over their daughter, (victim). Dad became angry and upset. He grabbed mom and slapped her on the head. -- was present. Mom called police and dad was arrested. Mom declined services from RP, but asked when dad was going to be released from jail. RP unsure if mom was going to return to dad. • R/P states -- (victim) was present during a domestic violence incident. • R/P said Mom’s house is messy. There are piles of clothes throughout the house. There are 7-8 cats in the garage. Mom is possibly depressed. Mom sleeps during the day. Mom has diagnosis of Bi-Polar. House is "unsanitary."

13. COMMUNITY RESPONSE PARTNER • Letter/brochures mailed to parent(s) • Referred to Educator/Advocate (EA): • EA calls to review concerns & offers services • including parenting support, referrals community resources, etc. • Voluntary program

14. FAMILY ACCEPTS SERVICES • Educator/Advocate schedules home visit: • Conducts the following: • Basic needs & parenting skills assessment, • Child Ages and Stages Questionnaire, • Provides community resource information. • Parent Education is provided: • in the home or other location • one to one, parents together or separate • developmentally appropriate activities • 6 sessions or more as needed

15. While working with the family: • If the EA suspects the child at risk •  Suspected Child Abuse Report (SCAR) • Risk is substantiated: • CWS assigns case to social worker • CRP may close referral -OR- • Case remains open up to 3 months • ensuring services in place & concerns eliminated • E/A re-visits family (additional resources) Case closed; E/A visits or contacts family in 90 days for follow up

16. OR • Parent(s) do not accept, do not respond • E/A closes referral after several attempts to engage • CWS notified • Approximately 95% of referrals: • in need of parenting skills with children 0-17 years old, to address concerns • Approximately 25% of referrals: • need resources, items to ensure safe, healthy environments for their child(ren)

17. ACTIVE PARENTING Curriculum • Evidence based, comprehensive • In English & Spanish: • age appropriate discipline methods • communication skills • family cohesion, self-esteem • school & peer attachment • family substance abuse prevention • Blended families, divorce, step parenting • Activities and guides • Activities from Positive Discipline and Nurturing Families

18. Current Trends 2012 • CRP referrals: 94.5% of those who complete services do not have another referral within 6 months • 61% of referrals are for children 0-5 years of age. • Domestic Violence related reports have increased since 2009. • Receiving an average of 45 referrals per month, 52% accept services for parent education. • Referrals for homeless families have increased since July 2010. • More families are in transition due to lack of housing and employment .

19. 2010 Contributing Factors

20. What happens after CRP services end? All Families are provided with referrals and support to stay connected with local services. Services Affirming Family Empowerment (S.A.F.E.) Collaboration between: • CAPSLO • County Mental Health • Public Health • Probation • School Districts • Department of Social Services • Non profit organizations (Transitions Mental Health Association, ALPHA Pregnancy Services, Women’s Shelter, etc.) • A warm hand off to a family resource center within the community where the family resides

21. POPS-Positive Opportunities for Parenting Success • Supporting Father Involvement • Supports families by offering 13-week discussion groups for fathers and mothers • Goals: • Strengthen families by giving parents skills to improve communication • Deepen emotional connections with fathers and children

22. Contact Information Melinda Sokolowski Division Director Family Support Services 805-541-4122 ext. 25 msokolowski@capslo.org One Person Can Make a Difference