Child Protection Transformation Overview October 18, 2012

1. Child Protection Transformation Overview October 18, 2012

2. What is the Child Protection Transformation Project? A collaboration between the Department of Children and Families, Community Based Care and local public - private partnerships to create a world class social services delivery system to Florida’s children. 2

3. What are we trying to solve? Compliance based practice model Non-integrated system of work 37% Child Protection Investigator (CPI) turnover 55% Re-investigations Lack of data integration and access to other sources Inefficient tools and processes 3

4. Child Protection Transformation Project Compliance Communication 4

5. Florida Safety Decision Making Methodology 5 • Need identified by Barahona Case Findings and Recommendations: • “Re-engineer child protective investigations processes, including recruitment, training, technology empowerment, collaboration with CBCs, law enforcement, schools, the medical community and other professions relied upon to ensure the integrity of the investigative function.” • Introduces a common methodology for how we interact with families, team with experts and make critical decisions from initial removal to reunification. • Incorporates safety information standards and constructs into all current processes: –Hotline -Investigations –Ongoing Case Management • Integration of two national best practice models supported by: • ACTION for Child Protection www.actionchildprotection.org • The Children’s Research Center www.nccd-crc.org

6. Current State Decision Tree • Subjective Decision Making • No Definitions for Risk Levels • Lack of Decision Supports • Maltreatment Driven Decisions Risk High Risk Low Risk Moderate Risk In-Home Non-Judicial In-Home Judicial Out of Home Placement No Services Prevention Diversion “Family Support”

7. Florida Safety Decision Making Methodology • Consistent Decision Making • Efficient Decision Supports • Decisions Based on Present and Impending Danger • Teaming Model Safety Management Safety Decision Safe Unsafe Protective Actions In Home Safety Plan Out of Home Safety Plan Safe Home No Services Prevention Diversion “Family Support” In-Home Non-Judicial In-Home Judicial Out of Home Placement 7

8. ‘As- Is’ CPI Time Allocation 8

9. Current State Process Overlaps Hotline Statutory Criteria for CA/N, Response Priority, Searching/Linking, Background Screening Process Overlap Investigations Searching/Linking, Background Screening, Safety Assessment, Assess Service Needs, Refer for Services Process Overlap Case Management Family Assessment, Case Plan, Refer for Services, Case Evaluation 9

10. Future State Minimize Process Overlap Hotline Statutory Criteria for CA/N, Response Priority, Searching/Linking, Background Screening Investigations Information Collection, Safety Determination, Family Functioning Assessment Case Management Protective Capacity Assessment, Case Plan, Refer for Services, Case Evaluation

11. Florida Safety Decision Making MethodologyInvestigative Process Assess Impending Danger Safety Determination Disposition Family Functioning Assessment Information Collection Assess Present Danger Intake Assess Risk Factors

12. Safety Decision Making Threats of Danger (Out of Control, Immediate, Observable, Severe Consequences) +/- Vulnerable Child (Lacks ability to self protect) +/- Parent Protective Capacities (Vigilance, preparation and power to protect) = Safe or Unsafe

13. Safety Planning The main objective is to control threats, when there is a vulnerable child and the parents lack protective capacities to keep children safe. Safety Plans include factors for Present and Impending Dangers.

14. Florida Safety Decision Making Methodology Decision Supports

15. Florida Safety Decision Making Methodology Business Process Efficiencies Increase time with families! Decrease re-investigations! 15 Revised documentation protocols Streamlined and timely Child Protective Investigative Supervisor and case consultation Timely investigative closure Increase coaching support Focus on household of the allegation FSFN system enhancements

16. Limited information in reports received from Hotline. CPI Investigators respond to all Hotline reports High variation in business processes Supervisory reviews are primarily reviews of paperwork; minimal substantive values reported “Allegations and “findings” are focus of work Each investigation has same requirements, not always appropriate to situation and child/family needs. Complete, well-organized packet of information from hotline including more information about child and parent risk factors. Alternative Methods for Responding to Situations that do not meet investigation criteria (Differentiated Response at Hotline) Standardized statewide processes for CPI’s Supervisory reviews are face-to-face discussions about investigation dynamics at all phases Concentrate more on assessing family dynamics and underlying conditions, circumstances surrounding the maltreatment us just the incident of abuse/neglect. Right investigation work gets done for each case based on child/family situation/needs Vision for Child Protection InvestigationsCurrent PracticeTransformed Practice

17. Completing forms and routine requirements drive activities. (FSFN) System drives practice CPIs engage in many activities that do not require their expertise. Random technology support in field Engaging families, other experts, in risk assessment and planning safety interventions will drive activities. Practice needs will drive FSFN functionality Administrative tasks are reduced and/or off-loaded to others. All CPI’s have standardized, basic equipment package. (Cont.) Vision for Child Protection InvestigationsCurrent PracticeTransformed Practice