Background Materials Useful in Developing a California Integrative Theoretical Framework January 9, 2014 Webinar Led by the members of the Practice Model Design Team in collaboration with Anita P. Barbee, MSSW, Ph.D. Professor and Distinguished University Scholar Kent School of Social Work University of Louisville

Goals of the Presentation To review with you the 6-8 micro theories and 3 macro theories the PM Design Team thought were compelling based on a larger group of theories reviewed by Dr. Barbee this fall. To ask questions and seek input before decisions are made in March

Remember This Summer We took you … From “A” to “A” Academic to Applied Through our primary message, which is… Be clear on what theories, values, and principles you want to guide practice Make sure those theories, values, and principles are fully fleshed out across casework practice, the entire organization, and the system Understand the complexity of implementing a Practice Model and the role that fidelity checking can have in installing and maintaining desired practice Be clear on what the goals for your Practice Model are and what you want to accomplish before you begin the rollout

THE ACADEMIC LENS ON PRACTICE MODELS Theory, research and evidence

What Is a Practice Model? A practice model for casework management in child welfare should be theoretically and values based, as well as capable of being fully integrated into and supported by a child welfare system. The model should clearly articulate and operationalize specific casework skills and practices that child welfare workers must perform through all stages and aspects of child welfare casework in order to optimize the safety, permanency and well being of children who enter, move through and exit the child welfare system. Child Welfare Casework Practice Model Definition ( Barbee, Christensen, Antle, Wandersman & Cahn, 2011)

Keys to Intervention Success A theoretical underpinning related to orientation towards clients and origins of problems they face. A theory of change focused on how to best assess and intervene to build on strengths and reduce problems A fully articulated set of actions and skills that can be observed for presence and strength System supports Evaluation results, including data benchmarks to monitor the efficacy of the model Wandersman (2009)

What is a Theory? A theory or framework is an organized set of explanatory principles that are susceptible to hypothesis testing. Good theory leads to research to test the theory or debunk the theory and an evidence base to support the theory. Bad theory has either been disproven or is ideologically driven. In Social Work and Child Welfare, we are trying to understand what leads to the problem of child maltreatment, the processes involved in child maltreatment that are predictable and how to practice in such a way as to prevent the problem or process from starting or intervene once the problem has arisen. So there are 4 key pieces to an integrative theoretical framework in any field like child welfare. Problem, Process, Practice and Prevention

Problem, Process, Practice, Prevention: Theories must help staff understand (1)What causes the problem (child maltreatment), including the types of internal vs. external causal attributions staff will make about the causes of child maltreatment (2)What process is going on that is impacting the person and making the situation or problem worse, including past and ongoing oppression and trauma (3)How to engage in optimal practice including the proper orientation to take towards clients and the way to successfully intervene and provide effective treatment (4)How to create efficient and compassionate systems that effectively sustain ongoing treatment and prevent future problems.

Theory of Practice Delineates how to think about or conceptualize the practice with the population of focus. The theoretical foundation can respond to four areas: 1)The conceptualization of the problem (e.g., child maltreatment is embedded in the stage of a family’s life development) 2)The change or intervention theory that informs how that problem can be remediated (e.g., self-efficacy theory) 3)The theory that guides the critical contribution and influence of the relationship alliance or partnership (e.g., solution-focused theory) 4)The core practice values that underlie the approach to clients and the problem (e.g., family-centered or strengths- based)

Process October-December Dr. Barbee reviewed all relevant micro level and practice theories that could be relevant to form a child welfare practice model. 2.Dr. Barbee created a chart describing each theory (Table 1 Background of All Theories for CA). 3.She divided the chart into three major types of theories for child welfare practice:

Three types of micro theories a.Orienting Theories- These help set the orientation towards clients and work with clients in the child welfare system. Any child welfare casework practice model must choose at least one theory from this cluster to set the tone for all interactions with clients. These include Conflict theories, Humanism, and Social Constructionism and the major therapies that were derived from these theories (e.g. person- centered therapy, strengths-based approach, Solution Focused Therapy). b.Bio-Developmental Theories- These focus on the developmental nature of children and families. These approaches help determine attributional schemas for maltreatment and interventions. These include attachment theory, family life cycle theory and trauma theory. c.Intervention Theories- These help set an understanding of the process leading to maltreatment and specify what needs to change in order for maltreatment to end and safety to be ensured. These theories are tied to assessment and treatment such as Behavioral, Cognitive, Systems theories and their derivations such as TF-CBT.

Process continued 4.The Practice Model Design Team reviewed the chart in November and chose a subset of theories for more focus. 5.Dr. Barbee created a second summary chart of those theories and showed how they related to existing child welfare practice models. 6.The Practice Model Design Team reviewed this summary chart in December. 7.Dr. Barbee will review a one page version of the summary chart and the organizational theories during today’s webinar (January 9, 2014).

Process continued 5.Practice Model Design Team members will lead discussions at CWDA Regional Committee meetings in January. 6.In February we will have another webinar to prepare for the March 6-7 workshop. 7.Dr. Barbee will align these theories with the values and principles the group generated in July.

Process continued 8. At the March 6-7 meeting we will build on the discussions on the webinars and the regional meetings, and integrate the work on theory into our discussions as we work to come to agreement on the other levels of the Practice Model: - Values and Principles - Practice Components - Practice Elements - Practice Behaviors 9.We will work together to operationalize the values, principles, practice components, practice elements and practice behaviors.

There are two word documents posted 1)We will first turn to and review the first word document (Table 2 Summary Micro Theory Chart and corresponding 1 pager) that focuses on the micro theories. 2)We will then turn to and review the second word document (Table 3 Covering Organizational Theories and corresponding 1 pager) that focuses on the organizational theories that support a practice model.

Questions for Webinar Participants 1.Do these theories appear to undergird good child welfare practice in CA? 2.Do you want more information about any of these theories? 3.Do you have any suggestions on how to present the material most effectively when we all get together to refine the Practice Model in March? 4.Do you have any suggestions for the format of the March meeting?