Practice Model

1
Practice Model
Bringing the pieces together

• Childrens Administration Practice Model
• Braam Panel Meeting December 8, 2008

2
How Was the Practice Model Chosen for CA?

• In 2006, a Practice Model Work Group was
  developed that was asked to determine if changes
  were needed to
• Incorporate evidenced-based practices into CA
  that would significantly improve outcomes
• Improve family engagement in assessment and case
  planning

3
The First Changes from the Practice Model Work
Group

• Expanded Placement Resource Options
• Definition of relative expanded
• Placements allowed with suitable persons
• SDM Risk Assessment
• Research indicated it was more equitable,
  reliable, valid and could be used to help reduce
  recurrence

4
Practice Model Goals

• The Practice Model work group was also asked to
  look at whether the adoption of a model of
  practice had the potential for
• Improving outcomes for clients
• Increasing the consistency of our practice
• Providing better support to CA staff in their
  professional development and to support retention

5
Requirements for the Children Administrations
Practice Model
A clinical framework for child welfare practice
that

• Is based on a theoretical foundation
• Emphasizes engagement with families
• Is responsive to clients backgrounds and
  cultures
• Supports social workers and supervisors
• Works in tandem with FamLink
• Has been implemented elsewhere with positive
  outcomes

6
Solution Based Casework

• Family Development Theory
• (Carter and McGoldrick, 1999)
• Solution Focused Theory
• (Berg, 1994, DeShazer, 1988)
• Cognitive Behavior Theory
• (Relapse Prevention Therapy)
• (Marlatt Gordon, 1985, Pithers, 1990, Beck,
  1993)

7
Solution Based Casework

• A conceptual model that normalizes problems as
  difficult situations in everyday life.
• Focuses attention on understanding exceptions to
  the problem as well as the problem itself.
• Assists in identifying familys skills needed to
  prevent, interrupt or escape high risk situations.

8
Problem Based vs. Solution Based

• Diagnose pathology
• List their problems
• Dysfunction
• They dont want change
• It is up to me to decide
• Just the facts Maam
• Collect data for later
• Figure out in office

• Developmental issues
• Situations not working
• What could work better
• They are discouraged
• We can sort this out together
• What are their intentions
• Build a consensus now
• Leave with a direction

9
Current Model of Case Planning
Juvenile Services
FPS
CSO
Natural Supports
Courts
Drug Counseling
Family Support
Family
Parenting class
Anger Management
Foster Care
Health
Family Members
CPS
Law enforcement
10
Case Planning

• One plan for the family, integrated with all
  agencies providing services
• Family plans that focus on how the family
  approaches development tasks
• Individual plans that focus on high risk
  behaviors or conditions that create safety issues
  for the children
• Bottom line is child safety

11
New Questions from Supervisors

• What everyday tasks is the family dealing with?
• What is the familys understanding of why you are
  working with them?
• What does the family want?
• How are you building a consensus with the family?
  
• When were things better for this family?
• What is the familys plan of action?
• What is the Mothers individual plan?
• On a scale of 1-5 where does the family feel they
  are towards achievement of their action plans?

12
What is the Research Supporting SBC?

• The following data is based on studies that
  compared families in Kentucky who had been
  assigned to social workers who were trained in
  Solution Based Casework with those who were
  assigned to social workers who had not been
  trained in SBC.

13
Research Findings

• Case plans were more complete
• Families were more likely to follow-through with
  referrals for services and complete assigned
  tasks
• Fewer legal actions were filed
• Social workers were more likely to have direct
  contact with collaterals

14
Family Strengths Identified

• The average number of strengths identified by
  workers in the SBC were 2.63.
• The average number of strengths identified in the
  non-SBC group were 1.67.

15
Case Outcomes Goals Reached

• The mean number of goals achieved by the SBC
  group was 6.
• The mean number for the non-SBC groups was 1.09.

16
Case Outcomes Goals Reached

• SBC was especially successful with families in
  which there had been previous CPS involvement.

17
Families with an SBC-Trained SW Were More Likely
to Say

• My family is safer and more secure with the help
  of this agency or by referrals made by this
  agency.
• My family is better able to care for themselves
  because of services provided by this agency.
• If I had a crisis in my family I would consider
  asking for services provided by this agency.
• The staff were professional and polite.
• I feel that this agency treats me with respect
  and dignity.

18
Foster Parents and Pre-Adoptive Parents Working
with SBC-Trained Social Workers

• Were More Likely To Say
• Their foster child received quality visits from
  the social worker.
• Families in the community are helped to be more
  independent, safe and secure.
• They are provided with the resources needed to
  care for the children.
• The staff are professional and courteous.
• The agency values my work with families and
  children.

19
Implementation Plan

• Solution Focused Management training and ongoing
  peer consultation
• Solution Based Casework classroom training for
  supervisors
• Coaching for supervisors
• Training of three pilot offices
• Peer consultation and support for supervisors in
  providing clinical supervision in the SBC model
• FamLink tools

20
Implementation Time Line
21

• We must adjust to changing times and still hold
  to unchanging principles.
• Jimmy Carter