Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program April 5, 2010 Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development 1 PATHWAYS TO STRENGTHENING AND SUPPORTING FAMILIES IN ILLINOIS Module 3C - Essential Concepts of Safety

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development Job Competencies Identify information consistent with the threats to child safety Analyze safety threats to determine how they are occurring within a particular family Control identified safety threats April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development So the Safety Assessment must result in.. Information collectionInformation collection regarding the identified threats protective capacitiesIdentified protective capacities and gaps in capacities controls safety threats and uses the protective capacitiesA clear, sufficient safety plan that controls safety threats and uses the protective capacities of the parent/caregiver. April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development When are children considered safe? April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development Child Safety Children are considered safe when there are no safety threats present or when the familys protective capacities are capable of controlling any identified safety threat or threats. Children are considered unsafe when identified safety threats cannot be controlled by the familys protective capacity. April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development Threats to Safety - Criteria Uncontrolled and likely to result in severe consequences to the child. Considered within the context of the following criteria: –Severity –History –Describable –Age of the child –Lack of control April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development Threats to Safety – Criteria (Contd) Severity – what are the severity issues in the following situation during an unannounced home visit? 1.4 year-old child left home alone overnight, or.. 2.Familys home has no heat. Outside temperature is 10 below zero. April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development Threats to Safety – Criteria (Contd) History – What would you do in the following situation? –Baby is born to parents who have a prior indicated report for death of a child. –Two children currently in placement –Parents currently arent in jail, and not cooperating with services April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development Threats to Safety – Criteria (Contd) Describable – –Describe the pictured conditions. –Whats the harm to the child in this home? April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development Threats to Safety – Criteria (Contd) Age of the Child - Would this condition be less severe for a 15 year-old child? April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development Threats to Safety – Criteria (Contd) Lack of Control – How would you control the following situation? –Child on an Intact Family Services case alleging sexual molestation by mothers paramour. –Paramour currently present and denying the incident. –Mother says child is lying. April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development Threats to Safety 1.Child has injuries on face or head or other areas that suggest a non- accidental injury. Examples: –An infant has a bruise on his or her cheek. –A 10 year-old child has a black eye. –A child has chipped or broken teeth. April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development Threats to Safety (Contd) 2.Child has multiple injuries or the injury is shaped like an object or an infant has an unexplained injury. April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development Threats to Safety (Contd) 3.There is reasonable cause to suspect that child has been sexually abused and the alleged perpetrator has access to the child. Why would the following be a safety threat? You walk into a home and find a child alone with the alleged sexual abuser that was supposed to be living elsewhere. April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development Threats to Safety (Contd) 4.The childs immediate medical needs are not being addressed or there is a delay in seeking medical treatment for a serious injury. Examples from your practice? April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development Threats to Safety (Contd) 5.The caregiver has not or is unable to meet the childs immediate needs for food, clothing and/or shelter. Is the following a Safety Threat? There is an ample supply of food in the home, but the child is constantly deprived of food for misbehaving in school (the refrigerator has a lock on it) April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development Threats to Safety (Contd) 6.The caregiver is behaving in a bizarre manner. –Define bizarre. –How is bizarre different from odd or eccentric? April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development Threats to Safety (Contd) 7.The caregiver appears intoxicated, on any substance, and appears to be unable to care for the children. –What are examples of behavior and conduct when under the influence ? –Consequences of impairment? Threat to the child? April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development Threats to Safety (Contd) 8.The caregiver is hiding the child, refusing access, or there is some indication that the caregiver may flee. What do you do if the parents on an open case refuse to allow you into their home? April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development Threats to Safety (Contd) 9.The child has exceptional needs or increased vulnerabilities that the caregiver is unable OR will not meet, or that appear to cause the caregiver or other member of the household to be punitive or hostile toward the child. What are examples of exceptional needs? April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development Threats to Safety (Contd) 10.The child is fearful of his or her home situation. April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development Threats to Safety (Contd) 11.There is reasonable cause to suspect that children are unsafe as a result of an identified safety threat to other children to which the perpetrator also has access. How can the perpetrators access to the following children be controlled? –Perpetrator was a threat to the child subject of the current report as well as other children. April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development Threats to Safety (Contd) 12.The caregiver, paramour, or member of the household describes or acts toward the child in extremely negative terms. –What are some examples of extremely negative terms youve come across? –Safety plan utilized? April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development Threats to Safety (Contd) 13.The caregiver, paramour, or a member of the household has unrealistic expectations of the child. –Why do infants cry? –Which parental responses create safety threats for children? April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development Threats to Safety (Contd) 14.There is reasonable cause to suspect that a member of the household, caregiver, or paramour caused serious harm or made a plausible threat of serious harm to the child. –What are some examples of serious harm? –When is some harm more serious than another? April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development Threats to Safety (Contd) 15.The caregiver is unwilling or unable to explain the childs multiple injuries or serious injuries or offers inconsistent explanations. –What are the reasons caregivers would be unwilling or unable to explain? April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development Threats to Safety (Contd) 16.The caregiver has not, will not, or is unable to provide sufficient supervision. Define sufficient supervision. April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development Threats to Safety (Contd) 17.One or both caregivers or other members of the household cannot control their behavior. How do the following pose a threat to child safety? April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development Threats to Safety (Contd) 18.The caregiver, paramour, or a member of the household is violent. How does violence in the home impact the child? April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development Threats to Safety (Contd) 19.No adult in the home can or will perform parental duties and responsibilities. What issues would you have with this man caring for his teenage grandchild? April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development Threats to Safety (Contd) 20.The caregiver fears that he or she will maltreat child. April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development Threats to Safety (Contd) 21.The caregiver, paramour, or a member of the household has displayed cruelty (i.e., inflicts pain and suffering) toward the child that is serious and describable. What is the difference between discipline and punishment? April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development Threats to Safety (Contd) 22.There is reasonable cause to suspect that the child has been sexually abused and the caregiver is failing to protect the child. What might happen to a child who is forced to recant by the caregiver? April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development Threats to Safety (Contd) 23.The childs living conditions endanger the child. April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development Threats to Safety (Contd) 24.The caregiver, paramour, or member of the household has a serious or extensive prior abuse/neglect history or has a criminal history that directly relates to child safety. Case examples from your practice? April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development Threats to Safety (Contd) 25.Other April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development Protective Capacities Assessing and Enhancing Protective Capacities April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development Characteristics Associated with Protective Capacities The caregiver … Demonstrates an understanding of the identified threat to the child and the need to protect the child. Is willing and committed to ensure the safety of the child. Can ensure a stable, non-chaotic, non-violent environment. Has adequate knowledge and skill to fulfill care giving responsibilities and tasks. Consider the caregivers ability to meet any exceptional needs that the child might have. April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development Characteristics Associated with Protective Capacities (Contd) The caregiver … Demonstrates the ability to protect the child despite significant individual needs such as severe depression, lack of impulse control, fear of the source of the threat, medical needs, etc. Is able to physically protect the child. Believes the maltreatment that may have occurred is serious and the alleged perpetrator/source of the safety threat could be responsible. Has access to resources available to meet the childs basic needs. April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development Characteristics Associated with Protective Capacities (Contd) The caregiver … Does not place responsibility on the child for the problems of the family Displays concern for the child. April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development Caregiver Safety Planning that Suggest Protective Capacity The caregiver asks demands, expects the alleged adult perpetrator or source of the threat to leave the household and can assure the separation is effectively maintained. Note: The above can not be solicited through prompting or implied action by the worker, law enforcement, etc. April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development Caregiver Safety Planning that Suggest Protective Capacity The caregiver independently makes appropriate arrangements that have been confirmed to assure that the child is not left alone with the alleged perpetrator or source of the threat. This may include having another adult present in the home that is aware of the protective concerns and is able to protect the child. April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development Caregiver Safety Planning that Suggest Protective Capacity The caregiver has demonstrated the ability to protect the child in the past under similar circumstances and family conditions. April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development Caregiver Safety Planning that Suggest Protective Capacity The caregiver develops a plan to protect the child, such as the caregiver obtains an order of protection; leaves the home with the child when a situation escalates; or calls the police in the event that an order is violated. Note: The above can not be solicited through prompting or implied action by the worker, or law enforcement, etc. and only applies to situations without history of failed plans due to the caregivers failure to put the plan into action. April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development Questions to consider for MISA Situations Does the parents mental health symptoms place the child at an increased risk for maltreatment or harm Are there longer term effects of the parents mental illness symptoms on the childs well- being that need to be considered in developing a treatment plan If the parents treatment plan is changed, will it likely bring about an improvement in her/his parenting skills? April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development Questions to consider for MISA Situations (Contd) What is parenting like when the parent is operating at her/his best? What is parenting like when the parent has episodes of active psychiatric symptoms? What factors exacerbate her/his MI? What is the overall prognosis for the parents MI? April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development Questions to consider for MISA Situations (Contd) Is it likely that if the parent responds to treatment, her/his parenting will change for the better? What is the likelihood that the parent will stick to a helpful treatment regimen? April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development The Range of Safety Planning In-home to out-of-home (partial to total) Different kinds of placements Protective role of … Custodial parents Non-custodial parents Others (friends, relatives, others) Parental access to child (none to extensive) Separation (temporary to permanent). April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development Safety Plan A written arrangement Specifies threats Identifies management/monitoring of threats –By whom; suitability –Under what circumstances –Time requirements –Availability & accessibility Least to most intrusive intervention April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development Safety Planning Designated specifically to control threats to child safety –Supplement –Substitute –Control Relevant and sufficient Must meet the immediate time context –Available –Accessible Must have an immediate effect April 5,

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting Families Program Division of Service Support, Office of Training and Professional Development Summary - Essential Components of Safety Assessment Information collectionInformation collection regarding the identified threats protective capacitiesIdentified protective capacities and gaps in capacities controls safety threats and uses the protective capacitiesA clear, sufficient safety plan that controls safety threats and uses the protective capacities of the parent/caregiver. April 5,