Stanislaus County Children and Family Services Families In Partnership After Care Program

1. Stanislaus County Children and Family ServicesFamilies In Partnership After Care Program A Parent Mentor Program

2. Stanislaus County • Population: 450,000 • CalWorks population: 6,265 • Annual Child Welfare Referrals: 10,250 • Current Linked families in voluntary services: 44

3. Program Development • Stanislaus County Child and Family Services has successfully maintained an intensive voluntary services multi-disciplinary program. (Families In Partnership) • Families In Partnership (FIP) has implemented Linkages and the on site CalWorks eligibility workers are part of the multidisciplinary team. • In 2006 Child and Family Services began developing After Care services at F.I.P.

4. Program development cont. • An after care proposal was developed to provide families a smooth transition to community based resources, and reduce the incidence of recidivism following intensive voluntary services. • The key component of the proposal was the parent advocate whose role was to help guide the families’ through the voluntary services process. • The proposal was submitted and accepted by the Children and Family Commission (Prop 10) for funding.

5. Program Description • Families within the last three months of their voluntary services timeframe are referred to the Family Advocate by the social worker. • At the time of case closure any areas of the case plan that need completion or support are identified, and are the basis for the services provided by the Family Advocate. • The Family Advocate divides their time between the FIP site and the Family Resource Centers in an effort to promote client accessibility and resource transition.

6. The Family Advocate Position • The Family Advocate’s function is to increase the number of families who have completed their Child Welfare and Welfare to Work case plans. • This includes: • Family contacts • Identifying and maintaining safe and stable housing • Support in continued sobriety • Positive parenting skills • Job readiness • Information and referrals to community resources including family resource centers • Transportation • Mentoring • Basic needs

7. Family Advocate Candidate The Family Advocate needed to have the following characteristics: • Working knowledge of how to navigate both the Child Welfare and CalWorks systems • Working knowledge of recovery principles • Good relationships with community resource providers • Be able to work independently, has initiative, has clear boundaries, and is able to engage clients.

8. Outcomes • 23 families participated since January 2008 • 83% of families had no substantiated CPS referrals of abuse and/or neglect during or after completion of Aftercare services. • All 23 families remained out of the Court system. • 5 successfully completed the After Care program.

9. Bergen Filgas, M.S., M.F.T. Manager III Stanislaus County Child and Family Services P.O. Box 42 Modesto, Ca. 95353 (209) 541-2180 filgab@stancounty.com Paula McDowell After Care Specialist Stanislaus County Child and Family Services P.O. Box 42 Modesto, Ca. 95353 (209) 541-2494 mcdowp@stancounty.com Contact Information