Introduction to the Domains Safety Framework Introduction to the Domains In-service training presentation for Southern Region – Sept 2012 Broward County Sheriff’s Office – Child Protective Investigations Section

1. Understand why we are shifting to the safety framework Learning Objectives 1. Understand why we are shifting to the safety framework 2. Identify the six domains Ask: why we are shifting from a maltreatment-oriented, compliance-driven approach to the safety framework?

1. Our mission is to ensure child safety Why Change? 1. Our mission is to ensure child safety 2. To do that, we need more information about the family than simply the whether or not there was maltreatment 3. For example, home has hazardous conditions, but may have underlying mental health issues/other issues

What is a “safe child”? No threats of danger exist, or Parents possess protective capacities to manage any threats

What is an “unsafe“ child?

Threats of danger exist Children are vulnerable to those threats Parents have insufficient protective capacities to manage threats

General Parenting Views? Adult Functioning? Disciplinary Practices? In order to really know if a child is safe or unsafe, we need to understand how the family functions. To do that, we have to understand what is happening in the six domains listed below: Nature of maltreatment? Circumstances of maltreatment? Child’s day to day functioning? General Parenting Views? Adult Functioning? Disciplinary Practices?

Safety Framework Information Standard Domains Extent of maltreatment Circumstances surrounding the maltreatment Child Functioning Adult Functioning General Parenting Disciplinary Practices

Concerned with facts & evidence of actual maltreating behavior Worker’s Observations Interviews and Supporting Evidence Experts such as LEO, CPT, Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Domestic Violence professionals Includes verification about type of Maltreatment consistent with finding Maltreatment

Nature of Maltreatment Surrounding or Accompanying Circumstances Qualifies Maltreatment as to what preceded or led up to the event Or existed while the maltreatment was occurring Greater understanding as to seriousness of maltreatment

Child Functioning Considered w/respect to age appropriateness of the child Must have working knowledge of child development Assess trust, motor skills, intellect, emotion, play, eating & sleep habits Skills & communication Independence & assertiveness Physical capabilities including vulnerabilities Emphasis is on general behaviors, emotions, rather than the intervention

Adult Functioning Strictly about caregivers in their everyday lives Concerned with life management Social relationships, problem solving Intellect Stress Management Role performance influenced by Mental Health & Substance Abuse Individual’s history [i.e.: criminal, employment, relationships, etc] Adult Functioning

General Parenting General Parenting Distinctly Centered on overall parenting Can not allow the overall maltreatment to overshadow information Basic style and care & the origin of their beliefs. Communication Expectation of children Their viewpoint towards children Parenting Experiences

Parenting Discipline Parenting Discipline Focuses on one area – discipline of the child Includes parent’s method & source of method Purpose or reasons for discipline [i.e.: “My parents spanked me & I am ok.” ] [i.e.: Change behavior or punish] Expectations of the discipline

The focus is always on child safety For the PI, safety can only be determined if you can understand and explain what is happening within the six domains of the family. For the case manager, enhanced protective capacity for the parents and the safety of the child , (not compliance with case plans) will be the drivers that determine whether you can close a case or return a child home. Remember- a safe child is one where no threats exist, or the parents possess sufficient protective capacity to keep the child safe from the threats.

Group Activity

Questions?