Ozmk300dshs.wa

1. ozmk300@dshs.wa.gov 1

2. ozmk300@dshs.wa.gov 2 Legislative Mandate Substitute House Bill 1472 (2007) directed the Secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to: Appoint five members including a DSHS representative to the legislatively mandated advisory committee. Convene the advisory committee to analyze racial disproportionality in the Washington child welfare system. Make recommendations for remediation of racial disproportionality and disparity.

3. ozmk300@dshs.wa.gov 3 Goal of the Washington State Racial Disproportionality Advisory Committee To help Children’s Administration implement policies and practices that will eliminate racial disproportionality and racial disparities in the state child welfare system without compromising child safety.

4. ozmk300@dshs.wa.gov 4 WSRDAC Committee Co-Chairs The Honorable Judge Patricia H. Clark Child Welfare Judicial Expert King County Superior Court Judge The Honorable Liz Mueller Vice Chair of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe Chair of the Washington State Indian Policy Advisory Committee Dr. Marian S. Harris Associate Professor, University of Washington School of Social Work Faculty Associate at the Chapin Hall Center for Children

5. ozmk300@dshs.wa.gov 5 WSRDAC Committee Members Thomas L. Crofoot, Tribal Researcher Bonnie Glenn, Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee Representative Reverend Jimmie James, Child Welfare Advocate Toni Lodge, Tribal Representative Spokane Paola Maranan, Child Welfare Advocate Kimberly Mays, Birth Parent Ron Murphy, Child Welfare Advocate Mary O’Brien, Child welfare Advocate Chereese Phillips, Former Foster Youth Deborah J. Purce, DSHS Designee Kip Tokuda, Former Legislator and Child Welfare Advocate

6. ozmk300@dshs.wa.gov 6 Findings from Racial Disproportionality in Washington State Second Edition, June 2008 The Washington State Institute for Public Policy conducted research which was published in the June 2008 Report on Disproportionality in Washington State that detailed these findings: Disproportionality exists for Black, American Indian, and Hispanic children in the child welfare system. The greatest disproportionality for children of color occurs at three points: When the decision is made to refer a child to CPS When the decision is made to remove a child from home When a child is in placement for longer than two years

7. ozmk300@dshs.wa.gov 7 Public Awareness and Engagement Between June and November 2008, WSRDAC members presented findings from the report to local and national lawmakers, agency leadership, Tribal partners, and community groups in an effort to increase public awareness of racial disproportionality.

8. ozmk300@dshs.wa.gov 8 Based on findings, WSRDAC chose three primary decision points for remediation The three points in the child welfare system that were identified as most critical in the June 2008 WSRDAC report: Referral to CPS Removal from home Length of stay over two years

9. ozmk300@dshs.wa.gov 9 Remediation Planning

10. ozmk300@dshs.wa.gov 10 Requirements for the Remediation Plan

11. ozmk300@dshs.wa.gov 11 Remediation Initiative 1 Structured Decision Making (SDM): This practice should be studied to determine impact on reducing disproportionality for affected children. Risk assessment tool Results in greater degree of consistency Focus CA resources on highest risk and need Applicable Decision Points: Removal from home

12. ozmk300@dshs.wa.gov 12 Remediation Initiative 2 Family Team Decision Making (FTDM): Assessed to determine impact on disproportionality and length of stay. Core strategy in Family to Family Successful model in one other state Applicable Decision Points: Removal from home and length of stay

13. ozmk300@dshs.wa.gov 13 Remediation Initiative 3 Children in kinship placements between 35-41 percentChildren in kinship placements between 35-41 percent

14. ozmk300@dshs.wa.gov 14 Remediation Initiative 4

15. ozmk300@dshs.wa.gov 15 Remediation Initiative 5

16. ozmk300@dshs.wa.gov 16 Remediation Initiative 6

17. ozmk300@dshs.wa.gov 17 Remediation PlanInitiative 7 African American and native American children are referred to CPS at disproportional rates. We can include information about disproportionality from our “At a Glance” publications in the mandated reporter training.African American and native American children are referred to CPS at disproportional rates. We can include information about disproportionality from our “At a Glance” publications in the mandated reporter training.

18. ozmk300@dshs.wa.gov 18 Remediation PlanInitiative 8 This NAPCWA tool assesses cultural competency of the agency infrastructure, community, and individual staff membersThis NAPCWA tool assesses cultural competency of the agency infrastructure, community, and individual staff members

19. ozmk300@dshs.wa.gov 19 Remediation Initiative 9 Provides a set of guiding questions to determine if existing and proposed policies, programs, and practices are likely close the gap for specific racial disparities in the Washington State Child welfare System. Provides a set of guiding questions to determine if existing and proposed policies, programs, and practices are likely close the gap for specific racial disparities in the Washington State Child welfare System.

20. ozmk300@dshs.wa.gov 20 Remediation Initiative 10 In-home Community-Based Services: Explore implementation of these services as a preventative measure to reduce the need for out-of-home placement. Study impact that in-home, community-based services have had on reducing disproportionality and disparity in other states. Applicable Decision Points: Removal from home

21. ozmk300@dshs.wa.gov 21 Remediation Plan Implementation

22. ozmk300@dshs.wa.gov 22 Remediation PlanImplementation Progress Overarching efforts to reduce Disproportionality Established regional disproportionality groups with representation from regional CA leadership and area stakeholders. Entered into a partnership agreement with Casey-CSSP Alliance for Racial Equity to obtain technical assistance. Working with DSHS Planning, Performance and Accountability to develop measurement criteria.

23. ozmk300@dshs.wa.gov 23 Remediation PlanImplementation Progress Progress made on Specific Initiatives Structured Decision Making (SDM) and Family Team Decision Making (FTDM) Initiatives 1 and 2 ~ Will be studied by WSIPP if funds are allocated or by DSHS Planning, Performance and Accountability if WSIPP study is not funded. Kinship care, Initiative 3 ~ Partnering with Aging and Disability Services Administration to integrate efforts to support and enhance kinship care. SDM/FTDM: legislation is in progress; however, match funding is needed by CA and if CA is not allocated dollars, the study will be conducted in-house. Includes Kinship Navigators-people whose job it is to help you “navigate” through the system. SDM/FTDM: legislation is in progress; however, match funding is needed by CA and if CA is not allocated dollars, the study will be conducted in-house. Includes Kinship Navigators-people whose job it is to help you “navigate” through the system.

24. ozmk300@dshs.wa.gov 24 Remediation PlanImplementation Progress Progress made on Specific Initiatives Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and proposed Washington State ICWA, Initiatives 4 and 5 ~ Working on the next ICW Case Review, planning for a case read in September 2009. Working with Planning, Performance, and Accountability to measure impact on disproportionality. Working with Casey-CSSP Alliance for Racial Equity to assess whether or not a state ICWA will have an impact on disproportionality. Cultural competency training, Initiative 6 ~ DSHS and CA leadership and many regional staff have participated in Undoing Racism. Complete cultural competency anti-racism training will be developed after conclusion of agency assessment, initiative 8. SDM/FTDM: legislation is in progress; however, match funding is needed by CA and if CA is not allocated dollars, the study will be conducted in-house. Includes Kinship Navigators-people whose job it is to help you “navigate” through the system. SDM/FTDM: legislation is in progress; however, match funding is needed by CA and if CA is not allocated dollars, the study will be conducted in-house. Includes Kinship Navigators-people whose job it is to help you “navigate” through the system.

25. ozmk300@dshs.wa.gov 25 Remediation PlanImplementation Progress Progress made on Specific Initiatives Mandated reporters, Initiative 7 ~ Working with CA staff child protection specialists to include information about racial disproportionality in the Mandated Reporter’s training. Planned roll-out is fall. Agency self assessment, Initiative 8 ~ Have obtained the tool, consulting on how best to apply the tool, planning to administer to CA leadership and regional offices starting in July 2009. Racial Equity impact tool, Initiative 9 ~ Working with Casey-CSSP Alliance for Racial Equity and Race Matters, entering into a formal agreement for technical assistance to administer the tool. SDM/FTDM: legislation is in progress; however, match funding is needed by CA and if CA is not allocated dollars, the study will be conducted in-house. Includes Kinship Navigators-people whose job it is to help you “navigate” through the system. SDM/FTDM: legislation is in progress; however, match funding is needed by CA and if CA is not allocated dollars, the study will be conducted in-house. Includes Kinship Navigators-people whose job it is to help you “navigate” through the system.

26. ozmk300@dshs.wa.gov 26 Contact Information Randy Hart Interim Assistant Secretary DSHS Children’s Administration P.O. Box 45042 Olympia, WA 98504 (360)902-7821 Deborah J. Purce J.D. Executive Staff Director DSHS Designee to WSRDAC Children’s Administration P.O. Box 45042 Olympia, WA 98504 (360)902-7788