Connecticut Department of Children and Families Agency Overview

The mission of the Department of Children and Families is to protect children, improve child and family well-being and support and preserve families. These efforts are accomplished by respecting and working within individual cultures and communities in Connecticut, and in partnership with others. Mission

Juvenile Justice Prevention Behavioral Health DCF Mandates Child Welfare

4 Budget: $851 million FY11 General Fund Staffing: 3456 Authorized full-time General Fund positions Structure: Central Office, 6 Regions, 14 Area Offices, USDII School District, 3 Facilities – Connecticut Juvenile Training School, Solnit Children’s Psychiatric Center (North and South Campuses) – and the Wilderness School Current Profile

5 36,000 children served (approx.) (16,000 families) 36,000 children served (approx.) (16,000 families) 250 Total Careline Calls Received (91,000 annually)250 Total Careline Calls Received (91,000 annually) 113 Abuse/Neglect Reports Received (41,000 annually)113 Abuse/Neglect Reports Received (41,000 annually) 4,500 children in DCF care and custody (placements)4,500 children in DCF care and custody (placements) On any Given Day

6 DCF Organization Chart

DCF Regions

ReportCareline Area Office Intake Unit Area Office On-Going Services Permanency Planning Closure The Life Span of a DCF Case

DCF 101—Fundamentals Take Aways General Understanding of what occurs in a DCF Case General Understanding the various types of cases Intake / Assessment Family with Service Needs Probate Interstate Compacts Voluntary On Going Services Reunification Permanency Transfer of Guardianship, Adoption, Another Planned Permanent Living Arrangement

DCF Careline receives and accepts a Report of Abuse of Neglect. Assignment is made to Area Office Intake Unit Assessment of Safety and Risk is completed Case is closed with services Case is closed without services Case is Transferred to appropriate ongoing services social worker. How a DCF Case is Opened for Service A Referral is received from: Superior Court/Juvenile Matters, Probate Court Interstate Compacts Office Parents, as a Behavioral Health, Voluntary Services Application Assignment is made to appropriate social worker

Ongoing Services In Home Case Services 2 x month visitation Ongoing Assessment (FSNA) Out of Home Case Services Child Parents Wellbeing Services Placement stability→ Domestic Violence Permanency → Mental Health Education → Substance Abuse

Legal Superior Court /Juvenile Matters Goal →Reunification Status 1. Custody 2. Guardianship (committed) Probate Court Study is Completed R eport of Assessment with recommendations submitted to court. The Courts and the Department share the responsibility for the protection of children when parents are unwilling and/or unable to provide for the children’s well being. The ultimate goal is the welfare and best interests of the child.

The goal of the Practice Model is to provide a framework for how the agency as a whole will work internally and partner with families, service providers, and others to put our mission and guiding principles into action. At its core, the model is the description of what we do, how we do it, why we do it and what outcomes we hope to achieve for children and families. The goal of the Practice Model is to provide a framework for how the agency as a whole will work internally and partner with families, service providers, and others to put our mission and guiding principles into action. At its core, the model is the description of what we do, how we do it, why we do it and what outcomes we hope to achieve for children and families. Based upon engagement and assessment, the DCF Practice Model emphasizes case supervision with administrative, educational and supportive components as primary strategies. Based upon engagement and assessment, the DCF Practice Model emphasizes case supervision with administrative, educational and supportive components as primary strategies. Strengthening Families— DCF Practice Model

Practice Model Strategies Phase 1 strategies- orange Phase 2 strategies- green Family Engagement Purposeful Visitation Family Centered Assessments Supervision & Management Initial &Ongoing Assessments of Safety and Risk Effective Case Planning Individualizing Services

Strengthening Families—Practice Model Principles of Partnership- A new perspective on Child Welfare 1. Everyone desires respect 2. Everyone needs to be heard 3. Everyone has strengths 4. Judgments can wait 5. Partners share power 6. Partnership is a process

Practice Principles 1. Family Engagement 2. Purposeful Visitation 3. Family Centered Assessments 4. Supervision and Management 5. Initial and Ongoing Assessments of Safety and Risk 6. Effective Case Planning 7. Individualizing Services

Family Engagement: The Common Thread PRACTICE MODEL- The Differential Response System Family Engagement: The Common Thread

Practice Model–DRS diagram Supervision Administrative Case Educational Supportive Practice Model Phase 1 Family Assessment Purposeful Visits Family Centered Assessment Improved Outcomes For Children And Families Practice Setting DRS Family Engagement “Forensic” Assessment Track Life of a Case Coaching Family Engagement Purposeful Visits Family Cent. Assessments to “Partners in Change

Differential Response System A philosophical shift in the way we do our work Moving from a single response system to a dual response system- both with emphasis on safety, risk and engagement but with different policy and procedural approaches “Forensic”/Traditional Assessment Track Track Response Response Finding No Finding

“Families are most commonly a child's greatest source of strength and therefore our most important Partner in promoting the well-being of the child.[…] Our relationship with families is the result of how we communicate and show our respect for families” (Joette Katz, DCF Commissioner, Memorandum 'New Department Administration', January 6, 2011)