Adopting and Implementing a S hared Core Practice Framework

1. Strength Needs Practice Adopting and Implementing a Shared Core Practice Framework (DCFS, DMH, Probation) ABriefing/Discussion Objectives: Provide a brief overview and context for: • Practice Models and Frameworks in General • (Discussion) Provide an overview of our ‘Shared’ Practice Model (DMH, DCFS, Probation) • Outcomes, Values/Principles, The Practice Wheel • (Discussion) Provide a view from the “trenches” • Making It Real; Making it Work • Strengths and Challenges in Implementation • (Discussion)

2. Strength Needs Practice A Practice Framework: What is it and why is it important? Purpose:To integrate mission, vision, goals and principles in ways that strengthen shared practice and support/improve supervision, training and coaching. What do we mean by Practice?The values, principles, relationships, approaches and techniques in service delivery that help children, youth and families achieve safety, stability, permanency, well-being and self sufficiency. What do we mean by a “Framework?”a structure that holds together ideas, principles, agreements or rules and that provides the basis for implementing and improving practice across time. Why is it important?In other large systems, “Practice Frameworks” have provided a solid foundation for reform, have contributed heavily to improved outcomes (and ultimately exit from court oversight) and have helped sustain quality work. Adapted from The Child Welfare Group: “Adopting a Child Welfare Practice Framework”

3. Strength Needs Practice Why is the concept of “Shared” Practice Critical? The fact that children, youth and families have needs that are shared across systems requires us to respond and intervene in ways that reflect well coordinated practice, shared responsibility and accountability. The Shared Practice Framework describes: • What matters most to children, families, and communities: safety, stability, permanency, well-being, self sufficiency– key outcomes • Key (CORE) practices most associated with success: engagement, teamwork, assessment/understanding, long-term view for safe case closure, planning strategies for safety, permanency, well-being and self sufficiency. The QSR helps answer: Are we helping? How can we improve? Our Goals = Integration, Responsiveness and Results!

4. Los Angeles County Data: “Raising the Blue Bar” Strength Needs Practice PRACTICE INDICATORS • Engagement • Voice and Choice • Teamwork • Assessment & Understanding • Long-term View • Planning • Supports & Services • Intervention Adequacy • Tracking & Adjustment STATUS INDICATORS • Safety • Stability Patterns • Permanency Prospects • Living Arrangement • Health/Physical Well-being • Emotional Well-Being • Learning & Development • Family Functioning & Resourcefulness • Caregiver Functioning • Family Connections

5. Strength Needs Practice “Raising the Blue Bar” (Improving Practice) How do staff and partners learn new skills? • Information -Providing content regarding practice, policy, legal issues and the basis for our interventions. • Modeling -Providing a demonstration of the skills staff are expected to acquire. • Practice -Providing opportunities to practice skills supported by coaching. • Feedback -Providing feedback on performance and guidance regarding areas of strength and areas needing additional attention. Adapted from Gagne’s Levels of Learning and TheChild Welfare Group: “Adopting a Child Welfare Practice Framework”

6. Strength Needs Practice “Raising the Blue Bar” Skill Based Training Individual, Joint, Team Coaching/Mentoring Individual, Joint, Team • Shared Practice Framework • Key practices based on shared values that help us identify • and address child and family strengths and needs • (safety, permanence, well-being, self sufficiency) • Engagement • Teaming • Assessing • Planning and Intervention • Tracking, Adapting and Transitioning Quality Services Review (QSR) – measures key practice areas and status indicators.

7. Strength Needs Practice The Shared Practice Model: Overview (Values/Principles) • Child Protection & Safety • Permanent, Lifelong, Loving, Families • Strengthening Child & Family Well-Being and Self Sufficiency • Child Focused Family Centered Practice • Community-Based Partnerships • Cultural Competency • Best Practice and Continuous Learning

8. Organizing the Practice: (Shared) PRACTICE FRAMEWORK Strength Needs Practice Basic knowledge, values, principles, legal mandates

9. Strength Needs Practice Mobilizing STRENGTHS, addressing NEEDS with these skills • Engaging:Building rapport and effective relationships. • Teaming:Effectively collaborating with others, coordinating and guiding teams. • Assessing:Gathering important information; Identifying safety and underlying needs. • Planning/Intervening:Interventions utilizing client strengths and preferences. • Tracking:Evaluating results and adapting results to improve practice.

10. Strength Needs Practice Example: Teaming A Key Practice Strategy Characteristics for Optimal Teamwork: Child and Family Team (CFT) • The right people are involved (this includes the family’s own natural supports and resources). • CFT has the leadership, commitment, skills, resources and capacity to define the strengths and needs of the child and family. • The team works consistently, collectively and collaboratively and attends to the family’s cultural, background, norms and practices. • All team members are involved in assessing, planning, intervening and evaluating results. • The family is fully involved and engaged.

11. Strength Needs Practice The View from the Field (Strengths and Challenges)THE BEGINNING OF MEANINGFUL PRACTICE CHANGE IN THE POMONA VALLEY Our QSR Practice Performance Baseline Overall Practice Performance – 83% of cases in the Refinement Zone Practice Improvement Focus Areas Teamwork Engagement Assessment and Planning Long Term View (Permanency)

12. Strength Needs Practice THE BEGINNING OF MEANINGFUL PRACTICE CHANGE IN THE POMONA VALLEY Training • DMH – Service Area 3 Providers • DCFS – Pomona Staff Developing Coaching Capacity The QSR Driver • we’ve learned • we’re sharing concepts and findings with partners • we’re weaving optimal practice concepts and findings into our coaching program.

13. Strength Needs Practice “Raising the Blue Bar”Key Ingredients; Key Steps • Aligned Leadership and Messaging to Staff, Partners, and Providers • Protecting/Affirming Time and Resources to Learn and Apply New Skills • Data Driven Decision Making: Linking Practice to Outcome Data • Providing Tools/Means to Assess Progress: Coaching, Supervision, Facilitation, Intervention • Aligning Performance Evaluation Systems • Enhancing Quality Improvement and Monitoring • Others Discussion