1 CFSR STATEWIDE ASSESSMENT LESSONS LEARNED (State) CFSR Kick Off (Date)

2 Two Phases of CFSR Statewide Assessment On-Site Review  Final Report  Program Improvement Plan (PIP)

3 3 Statewide Assessment Emphases on a)meaningful stakeholder involvement (particularly with courts, tribes and youth) b)descriptive and evaluative language c)use of data

4 Why Stakeholder Involvement? “The safety, permanency, and well-being of children is a shared responsibility … Child welfare agencies do not serve children and families in isolation; they … work in partnership with policymakers, community leaders, and other public and private agencies to improve outcomes for children and families in their States.” Children’s Bureau, “Collaborating During the CFSRs”

5 Why Stakeholder Involvement? Different contributors to the child welfare system bring to the assessment process: Different perspectives Additional information (including data) Assistance in exploring possibilities to the improvement process: Collaboration = increased probability for achievement of outcomes (Safety, Permanency & Well-Being)

6 Who are Stakeholders? CFSR review includes entire child welfare system in which stakeholders include: Birth parents, family caregivers (resource, foster, kinship care, and adoptive families), and youth, who have experience with the child welfare system. Court, legal, and law enforcement officials, including staff of the Administrative Office of the Court (AOC) and the Court Improvement Program (CIP), and CASA volunteers. Tribal representatives.

7 Who are Stakeholders? (continued) Public and private sector providers of child welfare services. Citizen review panels / foster care review board members. Mental health, substance abuse, and domestic violence services providers. Educators, health care providers, home visiting program staff. Child abuse prevention advocates and staff.

8 Who are Stakeholders? (continued) Other key providers (e.g., housing, food resources, transportation, recreation). Elected officials and administrators, including legislators and legislative staff. Representatives of the business, faith, labor, and media communities. Other public sector employees, community- based organizations, and representatives of entities such as the United Way and local foundations.

9 What is the Role of Stakeholders? in the Statewide Assessment Gathering and/or providing information (including data) Examining data Assisting in analyzing and evaluating Providing perspective and insight Reviewing drafts of the self-assessment Identifying possible early steps for improvement

10 What is the Role of Stakeholders? in the CFSR On-Site Review Serving as a reviewer Participating in stakeholder interviews Attending exit event in the Program Improvement Plan Assisting in preparing the plan Contributing to improving outcomes for children and families (Safety, Permanency and Well-Being)

11 Statewide Assessment Emphases on a)meaningful stakeholder involvement (particularly with courts, tribes and youth) b)descriptive and evaluative language c)use of data

12 Use of Data Data Profile Child Safety, e.g. Disposition of CA/N Reports National Data Indicators (with standards) Absence of Maltreatment Recurrence Absence of Child Abuse and/or Neglect in Foster Care

13 Use of Data Data Profile Permanency, e.g. Foster Care Population Flow Placement Types Permanency Goals National Data Indicators (with standards) Timeliness and Permanency of Reunification Timeliness of Adoption Permanency for Children and Youth in Foster Care for Long Periods of Time Placement Stability

14 Descriptive and Evaluative Language Example 1 – Item 1 (Timeliness of initiating investigations of report of child maltreatment) Page 2 – Measures of Effectiveness Second paragraph (rates by risk) Third paragraph & chart (rates by district) Page 3 – Factors Affecting Performance