Improving the Lives of Mariposa County’s Children and Families System Improvement Plan October 2008 Update

The System Improvement Plan In 2001, the California Legislature passed the Child Welfare System Improvement and Accountability Act (AB 636) to improve outcomes for children in the child welfare system while holding county and state agencies accountable for the outcomes achieved.

Goals of System Improvement Children are protected from abuse and neglect. Children are safely maintained in their own homes whenever possible and appropriate. Children have permanency and stability in their living situations. The continuity of family relationships and connections is preserved for children. Families have enhanced capacity to provide for their children’s needs. Children receive appropriate services to meet their educational needs. Children receive adequate services to meet their physical and mental health needs. Youth emancipating from foster care are prepared to transition to adulthood.

Mariposa County System Improvement Plan In 2007, the Mariposa County Self-Assessment document was completed by a team of Mariposa County Child Welfare professionals with input from the Departments of Human Services, Probation, and a group of representative local stakeholders. The document was approved by the Board of Supervisors in November, 2007 and submitted to the California Department of Social Services. NOTE: A new format for the SIP report was developed in collaboration with the California Department of Social Services in September, Copies of the new format have been distributed locally

Recommendation: Quarterly meetings with local stakeholders Purpose: Engage stakeholders in an ongoing assessment of Child Welfare Services in Mariposa County. Action Plan CSU Fresno Study Establish a family-focused, integrated system of human services founded on evidence-based, best- practice programs for the County’s residents, and Maximize appropriate utilization of all available funding sources; and Utilize existing community unity and energy to enhance programmatic and economic capacity to serve in collaborative public-private partnerships, and Serve as a model for integration of public and community-based human services in other small counties.

Recommendation: Interagency Agreements & Training Purpose: Develop strategy to conduct outreach, locate concurrent homes, and provide information Action Plan Focus on Foster Parent recruitment, retention, and training. Resource training for foster parents on funding for foster care, guardianships, and adoption developed and placed on Department web site by third quarter of Resource training for foster parents is planned as part of ongoing training and the new web site. New web site will be published in mid-August and we will be seeking put to improve information on the web site.

Recommendation: Interagency Agreements & Training Purpose: Develop strategy to conduct outreach, locate concurrent homes, and provide information Action Plan Develop an interagency agreement with CDSS Adoptions Program and Mariposa CASA program to assist Mariposa County in outreach and recruitment of concurrent foster care homes. MOU with Adoptions in progress. Follow up planned for April, In May, 2008 the Fresno Adoptions Unit hosted a booth to recruit concurrent homes at the Mariposa County Butterfly Days.

Recommendation: Community Education and Updates Purpose: Information sharing and community education. Action Plan Present information on new developments, trends, and statistics at meetings of Mariposa Safe Families and Interagency Coordination Committee. Develop plans to share information, resources, and learning systems with the Mariposa County community through the use of media, community forums, and development of resources on Human Services web site. Beginning development of Network of Care and eLearning Developing Network of Care banner/button to place on community and business web sites. State-wide eLearning project through the consortia of California Social Service agencies.

Recommendation: Redesign of Child Welfare Services Purpose: Redesign of Child Welfare Services in Human Services Department. Action Plan Review and update interdepartmental agreements with the Probation Department, Sheriff’s Office, and Office of Education by second quarter of Updated MOU with Education completed. Documented protocols with Probation. Resource training for foster parents on funding for foster care, guardianships, and adoption developed and placed on Department web site by third quarter of Resource training for foster parents is planned as part of new web site.

Recommendation: New Tools and Services in Human Services Department Purpose: Development of new tools and services within the Human Services Department. Action Plan Work through in 2008 CWDA to develop a single statewide assessment tool. Part of CWDA work and new CWS/CMS system. Work with County Personnel and California Merit Systems to develop a proactive recruitment process for Human Services professional staff Recommendations from Human Services Succession Planning Committee expected by September, Human Services Succession Planning and SWOT sub- committees being developed in Department. Target Date: January 1, 2009.

Recommendation: Development of Community Resources: Part I Purpose: Improve and develop resources for families and children. Action Plan Support Mariposa Safe Families in the development of family enrichment centers in Mariposa County North County Connection. –The Department’s North County Office in Coulterville will open two days per week beginning in August,2008. –Discussions with Mariposa Safe Families regarding collaboration and expansion of services in North County are already taking place. –Exploring establishment of local VA mental health counseling service for veterans n North County. Establish Shared Leadership Collaboration Shared Leadership web site designed and published within Departmental web site in mid-August, 2008.

Recommendation: Development of Community Resources: Part II Purpose: Improve and develop resources for families and children. Action Plan Work with the Office of Education to develop an online parental education program to be implemented in Discussion of contract with Mariposa Safe Families for in class and online parenting classes beginning in September, 2008.

Recommendation: Development of Community Resources: Part III Purpose: Improve and develop resources for families and children. Action Plan Explore the feasibility of expanding training for staff, community partners, and stakeholders through the SPHERE Institute and the Central California Training Academy for implementation in FY Central California Social Services Area consortium project on eLearning aligned with California Social Service agencies consortia. Discussion with Central California Social Services consortium on special best practices study in September, 2008.

Improving the Lives of Mariposa County’s Children and Families Next Steps October 2008