New Mexico Family Infant Toddler Program

1
New MexicoFamily Infant Toddler Program

• CAPTA and referrals of children at risk

2
Background

• New Mexico is one of only a few states serving
  children at-risk and their families
• Biological / Medical Risk (diagnosed condition
  incl. low birth weight, prematurity, chronic
  otitis etc.)
• Environmental Risk (2 or more factors incl.
  substance abuse, abuse / neglect, mental illness,
  domestic violence, homelessness etc.)

3
Background (cont.)

• Referrals prior to CAPTA from Children Youth and
  Families (CYFD) have doubled from 319 in 2004 to
  613 in 2005
• Potential CAPTA referrals is 1,300 (number of
  substantiated abuse / neglect of children
• birth to three)

4
Environmental Risk initiative

• ICC focus area within strategic plan
• NECTAC work plan process
• Initiative included
• Eligibility and risk assessment tool
• Recommended practices and TA document
• CAPTA referral process

5
CAPTA work (thus far)

• Draft Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Children
  Youth Families Department (CYFD)
• Joint memo to Child Protective Service workers
  and FIT Providers
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document
• Referral form developed
• Decision to conduct full developmental evaluation
  on all children referred (not screening)

6
CAPTA work (in progress)

• Joint training planned for March 2006
• CAPTA the referral process MOA
• Breakout sessions for CYFD and FIT Program
• Small group work on case study scenarios
• Development of web based course or self study (in
  order to train new staff ongoing)
• Flowchart of child welfare process
• Implications of mandated referrals related to
  substance abuse (new IDEA requirement)

7
CAPTA opportunities

• CAPTA is more than just the referral
• it promotes the need to address issues related
  to the ongoing relationship between child welfare
  and Part C, incl
• Surrogate parents / custody issues
• Court issues / testimony and subpoena of child
  record
• Visitation and role of biological parent in early
  intervention
• Release of information / confidentiality / privacy

8
Lessons Learned

• Develop relationships with key child welfare
  personnel at the State level
• Promote opportunities for communication at the
  community level
• The partnership benefits both parties
• CAPTA brings to the surface a lot of issues about
  working jointly at the local level with children
  in the child welfare system

9
Lessons Learned (cont.)

• Promote CAPTA in the context of brain development
  and child development research that recognize
  that abuse and neglect and multiple placements
  can impact a childs development NOT this is
  Federal mandate that we now have to follow
• CAPTA and IDEA 2004 provide an opportunity to
  promote a focus on child development within the
  child welfare system