engaging families in case planning

Child Welfare Information GatewayChildren’s Bureau/ACYF1250 Maryland Avenue, SWEighth FloorWashington, DC 20024800.394.3366Email: [email protected]://www.childwelfare.govUse your smartphone to

access this bulletin online.

STATE MANAGERS SERIES

BULLETIN FOR PROFESSIONALS

September 2012

Engaging Families in Case Planning

What’s Inside:

• Basicsofengagingfamiliesincaseplanning

• Caseworkerstrategiesthatsupportfamilyengagementincaseplanning

• Agencystrategiesthatsupportfamilyengagementincaseplanning

• FindingsintheChildandFamilyServicesReviews

• Stateandlocalexamples

Successfullyinvolvingfamilymembersincaseplanningmaybethemostcriticalcomponentforachievingpositiveoutcomesinchildwelfarepractice.Researchsuggeststhatwhenfamiliesareengagedandsupportedtohaveasignificantroleincaseplanning,theyaremoremotivatedtoactivelycommittoachievingthecaseplan.Additionally,familiesaremorelikelytorecognizeandagreewiththeidentifiedproblemstoberesolved,perceivegoalsasrelevantandattainable,andbesatisfiedwiththeplanninganddecision-makingprocess(Antle,Christensen,vanZyl,&Barbee,2012;Healy,Darlington,&Yellowlees,2011;Dawson&Berry,2001;Jones,McGura,&Shyne,1981).

Engaging Families in Case Planning http://www.childwelfare.gov

2This material may be freely reproduced and distributed. However, when doing so, please credit Child Welfare Information Gateway. Available online at http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/engaging_families.cfm

ChildwelfareprofessionalsattheState,Tribal,andlocallevels—includingadministrators,supervisors,andfrontlineworkers—canusethisinformationtoestablishpoliciesandencouragepracticesthatsupportfamilyengagementincaseplanning.

Collaborativecaseplanningoccurswhenthecaseworker’seffortseffectivelyandcontinuouslyengagefamilymembersandothersasappropriateincaseplanningactivities,includingthefollowing:

• Gatheringandassessinginformationinordertovisualizethefamilysystem

• Matchingstrengthsandneedswithsolutionsandservices

• Identifyingbehaviorsandconditionsthatneedtochange

• Reviewing,tracking,andacknowledgingprogressregularly

• Determiningreadinessforkeycasetransitionpoints,suchasreunification

• Preparingforcaseclosure

• Marshalingsupportsforrelapseprevention,asneeded

Basics of Engaging Families in Case Planning

Thecaseplanisalivingdocumentthatshouldreflectongoinginputfromthefamilyandbereviewedandupdatedthroughoutthelifeofthecase.Caseworkersshouldexpecttoengagethefamilyfortheinitialdraftingoftheplanaswellasthroughouttheplanningandimplementationprocess.Familyparticipationhelpsensurebuy-infromthefamilyandalsoaddsahigherdegreeofaccountabilityforthefamily.

Thefollowingaretipsthatcanhelpcaseworkerscoordinateacaseplanmeetinginawaythatenhancesfamilyparticipation:

• Assistfamilymemberswithpracticalissuesthatmaypreventthemfromattending,suchaschildcareandtransportation.

• Takeintoaccountfamilymembers’otherobligations,suchasemployment,whenschedulingmeetings.

• Ensurethatthephysicalenvironmentforthemeetingiswelcoming(e.g.,enoughspaceforallmembers,accessibilityforindividualswithdisabilities).

• Invitepeopleidentifiedbythefamilyasbeingpartofitssupportsystem,whichmayincludeotherfamilymembersorindividualsexternaltothefamily,suchasfriends,teachers,andclergy.

• Minimizethepossibilityoffamilymembersreceivingunanticipatedinformationduringthemeeting(e.g.,communicateinformationregularlytofamilymembers).

• Helpthefamilymeetconcreteneeds(e.g.,housing,food).

• Resolveacutebehavioralorhealth-relatedissuesthatmayimpedefamilyparticipation(e.g.,providehousingassistance,ifneeded).



• Preparethefamilyforthemeetingbyreviewingitemssuchasexpectations,rolesandresponsibilities,andgoals.

• Ifthechildisunabletoparticipateorwillotherwisenotbepresent,incorporatehim/herthroughothermeans,suchasaphotographorartwork(Healy,Darlington,&Yellowlees,2011;Dawson&Berry,2001).

Thefollowingareseveralexamplesofapproachescaseworkerscanusetoenhancefamilyengagementincaseplanning.

Using Supportive BehaviorsAnumberofstudieshavesuggestedthatthefollowingcaseworkerbehaviorsmaysupportacollaborativerelationship,includingbetterengagingfamiliesincaseplanning:

• Listeningtoandaddressingissuesthatconcernthefamily

• Havinghonestdiscussionsaboutthenatureofthecaseworker’sauthorityandhowitmaybeused(thisisrequiredbyCAPTA)

• Sharingopenlywithfamilymemberswhattoexpect,particularlyregardingcourtissuesandtimelines

• Balancingdiscussionsofproblemswiththeidentificationofstrengthsandresources

Caseworker Strategies That Support Family Engagement in Case Planning

• Workingwiththefamily’sdefinitionsoftheproblems(ratherthanthecaseworker’sdefinition)

• Settinggoalsthataremutuallyagreeduponandmaybegeneratedprimarilybythefamilyandstatedintheirlanguage

• Focusingonimprovingfamilymembers’skillsratherthanprovidinginsights

• Providingfamilymemberswithchoiceswheneverpossible

• Gettingacommitmentfromfamilymembersthattheywillengageinmutuallyidentifiedtasks

• Regularlyspendingtimewiththefamilydiscussinggoalsandprogress

• Recognizingandpraisingprogress(Dawson&Berry,2001;Trotter,2002;Dawson&Berry,2002)

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“ThiswasthefirsttimesomeoneaskedmewhatIthought.”— Mother, responding to a satisfaction survey designed to elicit family members’ reactions to being involved in the child welfare system

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/laws_policies/cblaws/capta/capta2010.pdf



Visualizing and Describing the Family SystemDevelopingavisualizationordescriptionofthefamilysystemcanhelpcaseworkersgaininsightabouthowafamilyviewsitselfandhelpestablishthefamilyasanexpert.Inthisapproach,thecaseworkerasksthefamilytoshareinformationaboutfamilyrelationships,patternsoffamilyinteractions,andactivecommunitysupportsandstressors.Thefamilymayalsowanttoreflectonfamilyevents,someofwhichmayhavealastingsignificanceonfamilyandindividualdynamics.Thisinformationcanhelpthefamilyandcaseworkerdevelopamorethoroughcaseplan.Thefollowingarethreeexamplesofthisapproach:

• Genograms,whichoutlinefamilyrelationships,multigenerationalpatterns,andtherolesplayedbyindividualfamilymembers

• Ecomaps,whichdescribethefamily’sperspectiveofitselfinrelationshiptothewidercommunityandcanhelpthecaseworkerandfamilyexploreimportantspiritualandculturalconnections

• Familytimelines,whichhighlightlifeeventsthatarenoteworthytofamilymembers

Foradditionaldetailsaboutcreatingandusingthesetools,theMissouriDepartmentofSocialServices’Child Welfare Manual (2011)offersbriefdescriptions:http://www.dss.mo.gov/cd/info/cwmanual/section7/ch1_33/sec7ch25.htm

Instituting Family Teaming ModelsFamilyteamingmodelsmayincludeavarietyoffamilygroupconferencing,decision-making,andteamingapproaches.Althoughthespecifictenetsofeachapproachvary,thebasisofeachisabeliefthatfamiliesshouldbeinvolvedinastrengths-based,solution-focusedteamthatvaluesthefamilies’voiceandfocusesonthechild’ssafety,permanency,andwell-being(Annie.E.CaseyFoundation&CaseyFamilyServices,2009).Theseapproachesbringtogetherateamoffamilymembers,fictivekin,andotherindividualswhoaresignificanttothefamilyinordertodiscusstheissues,consideralternativesolutions,makedecisions,anddevelopaplan.Usingfamilyteamingapproachescanstrengthenfamilyrelationships,preventunnecessaryplacementandplacementdisruption,andhelpcaseworkersidentifyandnurtureasystemoffamilysupports(Crea&Berzin,2009;AmericanHumane,n.d.).

Formoreinformationaboutfamilyteamingmodels,visittheChildWelfareInformationGatewaywebsite:http://www.childwelfare.gov/famcentered/overview/approaches/family_group.cfm

“Thefamilygroupconferencingprocessprovidesavenueofeffectivecommunication,inaneutralplace,whereprivatefamilytimeisrespected.Ifeltthisprocesshelpedtobringourfamilytogether.”— Family member commenting on the experience of participating in a family group conference organized around a child welfare case

http://www.childwelfare.gov/famcentered/overview/approaches/family_group.cfm



http://www.dss.mo.gov/cd/info/cwmanual/section7/ch1_33/sec7ch25.htm




Incorporating Family FindingFamilyfindingincludesidentifyingandsearchingforfamilymembersandotherimportantpeopleinthelivesofchildreninfostercareandthenengagingtheminthecasedecision-makingprocess,includingthedevelopmentandfulfillmentofcaseplans.Familyfindingcanincreasethenumberofindividualswhomaybeabletoprovidelegalandemotionalpermanencyforthechild,areawareofthecaseplan,andcanassistthechildandfamilyinachievingcasegoals.Familyfindinginitiallywasviewedasatooltoenhancepermanencyforyouthagingoutoffostercare,butmanyagenciesarenowusingitforallchildrenincare(Malm&Allen,2011).

Formoreinformationaboutfamilyfinding,visittheNationalResourceCenterforPermanencyandFamilyConnections’websectiononFamilySearchandEngagement:http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/socwork/nrcfcpp/info_services/family-search.html

Employing the Solution-Based Casework ApproachSolution-BasedCasework(SBC)isachildwelfarepracticemodelbuiltonthreetheoreticalfoundations:familylifecycletheory,relapseprevention/cognitivebehavioraltherapytheory,andsolution-focusedfamilytherapy(Antleetal.,2012).ThetheoreticalfoundationsofSBCestablishaframeworkofcasepracticewithfamiliesbasedonfullpartnershipwitheveryfamilyasanessentialgoal,partnershipsforprotectionthatfocusonthepatternsofeverydaylifeofthefamily,andsolutionsthattargetpreventionskillsneededtoreducetheriskintypicallifeevents.

Fundamentally,SBCisamodelofempowermentthatdrivescaseplanningandfocuseson:

• Capitalizingonfamilystrengths

• Findingexceptionstoproblemsbysearchingwiththefamilyforwaysinwhichtheyhavesuccessfullysolvedproblemspreviously

• Writinggoalsandobjectivesusingthefamilies’ownlanguage,acknowledgingtheirculture,andsupportingtheir“ownership”

• Creatingconcrete,behaviorallyspecificgoalsandobjectivestailoredtotheindividualandfamilyneeds

• Trackingprogresswiththefamilyandcelebratingsuccessesalongtheway

SBCencouragesworkersto“walkalongsidethefamiliestomakesuretheyhavethesupportiveteamtheyneedtonavigatethesystemsuccessfully”(B.F.Antle,personalcommunication,June7,2012).ResearchonSBChasshownthatthispartnershipbetweenthecaseworkerandfamilygeneratesbetterfamilyoutcomes.Specifically,inregardtocaseplanningactivities(i.e.,referralstoservices,participatingincaseplandevelopment),severalstudiesconductedtoevaluatetheeffectivenessofSBChaveshownthefollowingresults(Antle,Barbee,Christensen,&Martin,2008):

• MostfamiliesinvolvedwithSBCfollowedthroughwithreferralstoservices.

• Asubstantialproportionoffamilieswhoco-createdtheircaseplanwithinanSBCframeworkalsosignedtheircaseplan—animportantindicatoroftheirinvolvement.

http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/socwork/nrcfcpp/info_services/family-search.html

http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/socwork/nrcfcpp/info_services/family-search.html



• FamiliesassignedtasksthroughanSBCcaseplanprocessweremorelikelytocompletethosetasks,comparedtofamiliesnotinvolvedinSBCcaseplans.

• FamiliesinanSBCgroupachievedsignificantlymoregoals/objectivesfromthecaseplancomparedtothoseinanon-SBCgroup.

• FamilieswithahistoryofinvolvementwithCPSachievedevenmoregoalsfromtheircaseplanwhenSBCwasusedthanthosewithoutsuchhistoriesandthoseforwhomSBCwasnotused.

• FamiliesexperiencedsignificantlyfewerrecidivismreferralreportsforrepeatmaltreatmentwhenSBCwasusedincaseplanning.

ResearchsuggeststhatSBCisassociatedwithsignificantlygreaterfamilyengagementincaseplanningactivities,whichmayleadtobettersafety,permanency,andwell-beingoutcomesforchildrenandfamilies(Antleetal.,2008).

FormoreinformationonSBC,visithttp://www.solutionbasedcasework.com,orcontactBeckyAntle:[email protected]

Integrating Structured Decision-Making and Signs of SafetyStructureddecision-making(SDM)offerscaseworkersanapproachthatreliesontheuseofobjective,research-basedcriteriatoassessafamily’ssituation(e.g.,riskofharmtothechild),screenthecaseforinvestigation,andmakecasedecisions.Thesefactorsareincorporatedintothecaseplan.AlthoughSDMprovidesasystematicandanalyticmethodofassessingfamilysituations,itisnotintendedtobeaninterviewtoolwithfamilies.

SignsofSafety(SoS)isastrengths-based,solution-focusedapproachthatpromotesbuildingrelationshipswithfamiliesandusingasafetymappingprocesstoassessnextsteps.Safetymapping,inbrief,focusesoncaseworkersandfamiliesdeterminingtheanswerstothreequestions:

• Whataretheworries(e.g.,previousabuse)?

• What’sworkingwell(e.g.,familyprotectivefactors)?

• Whatneedstohappen(e.g.,safetyplanning)?(Turnell,2010)

BothSDMandSoSareapproachesthatcanbeusedaloneorcombined.Bycombiningthesetwomodels,caseworkerscanaddthedefinedassessmentcriteriaofSDMtothesafetymappingapproachofSoSandusethefamilyengagementandinquirytechniquesofSoStogatherinformationneededforacomprehensiveSDMassessment,allofwhichcaninformthecaseplan(Park,2010).Recently,StateshavealsobeguntointegrateSDMandSBC,furtherstrengtheningthepracticeofengagingfamiliesthroughouttheentirelifeofacase.

ForadditionalinformationaboutSDM,visit:

• TheChildren’sResearchCenterathttp://www.nccd-crc.org/crc/crc/c_sdm_about.html

• ChildWelfareInformationGatewayathttp://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/assessment/approaches/decision.cfm

FormoreinformationaboutSignsofSafety,visit:http://www.signsofsafety.net

http://www.nccd-crc.org/crc/crc/c_sdm_about.html

http://www.nccd-crc.org/crc/crc/c_sdm_about.html

http://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/assessment/approaches/decision.cfm

http://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/assessment/approaches/decision.cfm

http://www.signsofsafety.net/

http://www.solutionbasedcasework.com

mailto:[email protected]



Childwelfareadministratorsandsupervisorscanusepoliciesandpracticesalreadyshowntoimprovegeneralcaseworkpracticetosupportfamilyengagementincaseplanningwithintheiragencies,including:

• Usingfamily-centeredlanguageinpoliciesandotheragencydocuments

• Creatingafamily-friendlyenvironmentinagencyoffices

• Reducingcaseloadsinordertogivecaseworkersmoretimetoengagefamilies

• Providingsupervision,coaching,andtrainingthatencouragefamilyengagement

• Includingfamily-friendlypracticeinpositiondescriptions

• Engagingfamiliesindecision-makingprocessesandindesigningpoliciesandpractices

• Assessingwhetherchildwelfareinformationsystemssupportafamily-centeredapproach

• Includingfamilyengagementmeasuresinagencyevaluationandperformancemeasurement

• Ensuringthatcaseworkershavethenecessaryresearchtoolsandotherresourcestoaidinfindingandengagingfamilymembers

Agency Strategies That Support Family Engagement in Case Planning

Findings in the Child and Family Services Reviews

TheresultsoftheChildandFamilyServicesReviews(CFSRs),whichareFederalmonitoringevaluationsofeachState’schildwelfareservices,showthatStatesarehavingdifficultyinvolvingparentsandchildrenincaseplanning.ThisisassessedspecificallyintheCFSRItem18.InbothroundsoftheCFSRs,allStatesreceivedaratingof“AreaNeedingImprovement”onthisitem.AcrosstheStates,CFSRcasereviewersfoundthatallparentsandchildrenwereinvolvedincaseplanningin21to75percentofcases,withanaverageof50percent.Theinvolvementoffathersincaseplanning,however,wasconsistentlylowerthantheinvolvementofmothersandchildren.Additionally,familiesweremoreoftenincludedincaseplanningincaseswherethechildwasinfostercareratherthanreceivingin-homeservices(U.S.DepartmentofHealthandHumanServices,2011;U.S.DepartmentofHealthandHumanServices,n.d.).

ChallengesAreviewofStatewideAssessmentspreparedforthesecondroundoftheCFSRsfoundthatStatesidentifiedthefollowingchallengestoengagingfamiliesincaseplanning:

• Stafflackingtheskillsneededforfamilyengagementincaseplanning(42States)

• Staffattitudesandbehaviors(25States)

• Organizationalissues(e.g.,highworkloads)(21States)



• Parentattitudes,behaviors,orconditionsthatimpedeactiveinvolvementincaseplanning(17States)

• Difficultiescreatedbycourt-relatedrequirements(14States)

• Systemissuesanddocumentationrequirementsprecludingtheproductionofawrittencaseplaninafamily-friendlyformat(17States)

Strategies to Enhance Family InvolvementTheCFSRFinalReportsindicatethatmostStates(includingtheDistrictofColumbiaandPuertoRico)havepoliciesregardingfamilyengagementincaseplanning,with28Stateshavingpoliciesrequiringfamilyengagementandanadditional12havingpoliciesthatsuggestorencourageit.Additionally,46ofthe51States(includingtheDistrictofColumbia)addressedfamilyengagementincaseplanningintheirProgramImprovementPlans(PIPs),whichwerecreatedtoaddressanydeficienciesnotedinaState’sCFSR.SomeStates’PIPsincludedveryspecificplansforimprovementinfamilyengagement,whileotherstangentiallymentionedit.ThefollowingarestrategieslistedintheCFSRFinalReportsasfacilitatingfamilyengagementincaseplanning:

• Familygroupdecision-making(29States)

• Diligentsearches(9States)

• Videoorteleconferencestoallowtheparticipationoffamilymemberswhootherwisecouldnotattendduetotravelissuesorincarceration(6States)

• Trainingforcaseworkers(3States)

• Mediation(3States)

ThestrategiesmostfrequentlymentionedinthePIPstoaddressdeficienciesinfamilyengagementincaseplanningwereenhancedfamilygroupdecision-makingmeetings(9States)andtraining(6States).Examplesofotherstrategiesincludeequippingcaseworkerswithsmartphonesandlaptopsthatwouldenablethemtocompleteassessmentsandcaseplanswithclientsoutsideoftheagency(Vermont),developinganddisseminatingachecklisttocaseworkersaboutengagingfamiliesincaseplanning(NorthDakota),andaddingormodifyingquestionsinitscasereviewinstrumenttomonitorcompliance(Kansas).

Thefollowingarethreeexamplesofhowjurisdictionsareimplementingstrategiestoengagefamiliesincaseplanning.

Texas Department of Family and Protective Services: Family Group Decision-MakingTheElPasoRegionalOfficeoftheTexasDepartmentofFamilyandProtectiveServices(DFPS)usesfamilygroupdecision-making(FGDM)asawayofinvolvingparentsandchildrenincaseplanninganddecision-making.TexasDFPSimplementedfamilygroupdecision-makingthroughouttheStateinresponsetoissuesraisedinits2002CFSR.

State and Local Examples



ElPasoDFPShasateamofcoordinatorsthatplanandfacilitatethemeetings.ThepurposeoftheFGDMmeetingsistoreachconsensusonhowtheywillsafelypreventremovaloronthebestplacementresourcethatwillprotectthechild.Afterconsensusisachieved,theparticipantsdeterminethenextstepsforthecase,witheachfamilymembercommentingonthetasks(e.g.,whethertheyareachievable).Theresultingcaseplanthenisputintowritingandsignedbytheparticipants.

ElPaso’sdiversepopulationposessomechallengesforimplementingFGDM.ElPasoisabordercommunitywithalargeMexicanpopulation,anditcanbedifficulttolocateandengagefamilymembersandsupportindividualswhomayresideinMexicoorareundocumented.HavingstafffromdiversebackgroundsandwhoarebilingualhelpswiththeFGDMprocess,includingbeingabletoconductthemeetingandwritethecaseplaninthefamily’spreferredlanguage.Additionally,FederalpartnerssometimesareabletohelpparentsinMexicoobtainadaypasssotheycanattendcourtinElPaso.

ElPasoalsoishometoalargemilitarybase.Bringingfamilymembersandothersupportindividualstogetherformilitaryfamiliesoftenisachallengebecausetheparentsandchildmayhavenofamilyintheareaandmayhavenotdevelopedstrongsupportivetiesinthecommunity.

ElPasoDFPSstaffhavefoundthefollowingstaffbehaviorsandattitudestobeessentialtotheFGDMandfamilyengagementprocess:

• Beingculturallycompetentandrespectfulofthefamily

• Beingauthenticabouttheprocess

• KeepinginmindthattheFGDMisthefamily’smeeting,notthedepartment’s

• HavingtheDFPSinvestigatorandcaseworkerattendtheFGDMtogether,whichhelpscreateaseamlesstransitionfrominvestigationtoservices

Fairfax County (VA) Department of Family Services: Family Partnership ProgramTheFairfaxCountyDepartmentofFamilyServices(DFS)implementedtheFamilyPartnershipProgram(http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/childrenyouth/family-partnership.htm)toensurefamilies’andchildren’sviewsareconsideredwhenmakingplacementdecisionsanddevelopingcaseplans.FamilyPartnershipmeetingsuseafacilitatedteamapproachandareledbyoneofseventrainedfacilitators,whootherwisearenotassociatedwiththecaseanddonotcarryacaseload.FamilyPartnershipmeetingscanbeconvenedquickly(within24hours,ifnecessary)andarearrangedinresponsetoanyofthefollowingfivedesignatedevents:anemergencyremovalorder,thehighriskofoutofhomeplacement,beforeagoalchange,beforeaplacementchange,orattherequestoffamilyorstaff.DFSstrivestoreducebarrierstofamilyparticipationandprovidestransportation,childcare,andphoneconferencelines,asneeded.Additionally,DFSstaffareabletotravelforameeting.Inonecase,DFSarrangedforanout-of-Statemeetingthatresultedinachievingpermanenceforalargesiblinggroupwiththeirpaternalrelatives.

Duringthemeeting,whichincludestheparents,children,extendedfamilymembers,serviceproviders,andotherindividualssignificanttothefamily,thefacilitatorhelps



thegroupunderstandwhythemeetingistakingplaceandleadsthemindevelopingacollaborativesolutionthatwillprovidesafetyforthechild.Theplandevelopedatthemeetingisthenincorporatedintotheoverallcaseplanandutilizedinapplicablecourtproceedings.Additionally,thegroupsometimesschedulesafollow-upmeetingtoensuretheplanisproceedingasdiscussed.

BenefitsoftheFamilyPartnershipProgramincludethediscoveryofadditionalfamilysupportsandtheincreasedengagementoffathersandpaternalrelativesincaseplandevelopment.

New York Agency Uses SBC to Achieve Family-Driven Case PlanningInlate2010,GrahamWindham,aprivateNewYorkCityagencyofferinganarrayofservicesfrompreventiontopostadoption,conductedanationalsearchforanewapproachtopractice.TheagencywaslookingforamodelthatwouldprovidetheirdirectpractitionerswithapracticeframeworkconsistentwithGrahamWindham’scommitmenttopartneringwithfamiliesinawaythatstrengthensfamilies’abilitytocaresafelyfortheirchildren.

TheagencybeganimplementingSBCinearly2011,providingintensivetrainingandcoachingtosupervisorsandcaseworkers.Caseworkersbegantouseconcreteandspecificplansofaction,whichwereco-developedwithfamilies.Caseplanstargetedneededskillsincriticalriskareasthatcouldbedemonstratedanddocumented.Familyaccomplishmentswerecelebratedregularlyandinwaysmeaningfultofamilies.Additionally,toolssuchasgenogramsintegratedintothecaseplanningprocesshelpedpromptstafftohavemoremeaningful,

empathicconversationswithfamilies,whilesupportingearlieridentificationofkinaspotentialsupportstothefamily.

GrahamWindhamsupervisorshavefoundthatleadingSBCrequiresintensivestudy,alongwithconsistentsupervisionandcoachingtoensurestafffollowprotocolsandsafeguardmodelfidelity.Thishasledtoanewfocusonassessingtheissuesthatprecededthemaltreatmentandtotrackingbehaviorinsteadofservicecompliance.ThesechangesareechoedinremarksfromasupervisorintheBronxofficewhosaid,“SBChasalsoallowedmetobemorecompassionate.Inthepast…thepaperworksaysthefamilydidX,YandZandsotheyneedtodoA,B,andCservices.Butnow,wehearthebuildupofcircumstancesandemotionsthatprecededthemaltreatment.”

Workersandsupervisorsalsoperceivefamiliesastakingmoreownershipincaseplanning.Asoneworkercommented,“It’sempowering.They’reexcitedtocometotheagency.They’renotcominginscreamingandyellingandwe’renotgettingintothatoldtypeofrelationship…andwecelebrate–wecelebratewithkidsandfamilieswhentheymakeprogressintheiractionplans,butstaffarecelebratingthentoo.They’rejustasexcitedasthefamiliesare.”

AgencysupervisorsarenowworkingtowardSBCcertification,andthisgoalhasresultedinbroadorganizationalchange.WhenaskedhowSBChasaffectedpracticewithfamilies,GrahamWindhamPresidentJessDannhauserstated,“Itchangestheentireframeworkofourinteractionwithfamiliesbyfocusingtheintentionofourworkandprovidingtoolstodeliveronthatintention”(personalcommunication,June7,2012).



Formoreinformation,contactJessDannhauseratGrahamWindhamatDannhauserj@graham-windham.orgorvisitthewebsiteathttp://www.graham-windham.org/contact-us/

Therearemyriadwaysinwhichcaseworkersandagenciescanimprovethemannerinwhichtheyengagefamiliesincaseplanning,rangingfromlarge-scalepolicychangestosimplechangesinday-to-daypracticeandattitudes.Whenfamiliesareprovidedwiththeopportunitytoparticipateincaseplanning,theyaremorelikelytobuyintotheplanandworktowarditsrequirements.Thiseasesandenhancestheeffortsofcaseworkers,andmostimportantly,helpsimproveoutcomesforchildrenandfamilies.Byreviewingtheconceptspresentedinthisissuebrief,childwelfareprofessionalscanassesshowwelltheirownagenciesengagefamiliesincaseplanningandinitiatechangestoimprovetheirworkinthisarea.

Conclusion

Child Welfare Information GatewayTheFamily-CenteredPracticesectionoftheInformationGatewaywebsiteprovidesresourcesonfamily-centeredpracticeapproaches,includingengagingfamiliesincaseplanning.http://www.childwelfare.gov/famcentered/

National Resource Center for Permanency and Family Connections (NRCPFC) TheNRCPFCdevelopedaweb-basedtoolkitonfamilyengagementthatprovidespromisingpractices,programs,andresourcesforprograms,States,andtribes.http://www.nrcpfc.org/fewpt/introduction.htm

California Social Work Education Center (CalSWEC) CalSWEC’sFamilyEngagementinCasePlanningandCaseManagementcurriculumisdesignedtohelpcaseworkersbetterunderstandthedynamicsofengagingfamiliesincaseplanning.http://calswec.berkeley.edu/family-engagement-case-planning-and-casemanagement-version-21

Additional Resources

http://www.childwelfare.gov/famcentered/

http://www.childwelfare.gov/famcentered/

http://www.nrcpfc.org/fewpt/introduction.htm

http://www.nrcpfc.org/fewpt/introduction.htm

http://calswec.berkeley.edu/family-engagement-case-planning-and-casemanagement-version-21



mailto:[email protected]

http://www.graham-windham.org/contact-us/



AmericanHumane.(n.d.).Quick reference guide: Various approaches and models to engage the family group in child welfare decision making.RetrievedAugust25,2011,fromhttp://www.americanhumane.org/assets/pdfs/children/fgdm/quick-reference.pdf

AnnieE.CaseyFoundation,&CaseyFamilyServices.(n.d.).Family teaming: Comparing approaches.RetrievedFebruary6,2012,fromhttp://www.caseyfamilyservices.org/userfiles/pdf/teaming-comparing-approaches-2009.pdf

Antle,B.F.,Barbee,A.P.,Christensen,D.,&Martin,M.H.(2008).Solution-basedcasework:Preliminaryevaluationresearch.Journal of Public Child Welfare, 2(2),197–227.

Antle,B.F.,Christensen,D.N.,vanZyl,M.A.,&Barbee,A.(2012).TheimpactofSolutionBasedCasework(SBC)practicemodelonfederaloutcomesinpublicchildwelfare.Child Abuse & Neglect, 36(4),342–353.doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2011.10.009

Crea,T.,&Berzin,S.(2009).Familyinvolvementinchildwelfaredecision-making:Strategiesandresearchoninclusivepractices.Journal of Public Child Welfare, 3,305–327.

Dawson,K.,&Berry,M.(2001).Evidence-based best practices in the engagement of families.Topeka,KS:StateofKansasCommissionofSocialandRehabilitationServices.

Dawson,K.,&Berry,M.(2002).Engagingfamiliesinchildwelfareservices:Anevidence-basedapproachtobestpractice.Child Welfare, 81,293–317.

Healy,K.,Darlington,Y.,&Yellowlees,J.(2011).Familyparticipationinchildprotectionpractice:Anobservationalstudyoffamilygroupmeetings.Child and Family Social Work, 17(1),1–12.

Jones,M.A.,McGura,S.,&Shyne,A.(1981).Effectivepracticewithfamiliesinprotectiveandpreventiveservices:Whatworks?Child Welfare, 60(2),67–80.

Malm,K.,&Allen,T.(2011).Family finding: Does implementation differ when serving different child welfare populations?RetrievedFebruary6,2012,fromhttp://www.childtrends.org/Files/Child_Trends-2011_10_17_RB_FamilyFinding.pdf

MissouriDepartmentofSocialServices.(2011).Childwelfaremanual,section7,chapter25.Retrievedfromhttp://www.dss.mo.gov/cd/info/cwmanual/section7/ch1_33/sec7ch25.htm

References

http://www.americanhumane.org/assets/pdfs/children/fgdm/quick-reference.pdf

http://www.caseyfamilyservices.org/userfiles/pdf/teaming-comparing-approaches-2009.pdf

http://www.caseyfamilyservices.org/userfiles/pdf/teaming-comparing-approaches-2009.pdf

http://www.childtrends.org/Files/Child_Trends-2011_10_17_RB_FamilyFinding.pdf

http://www.childtrends.org/Files/Child_Trends-2011_10_17_RB_FamilyFinding.pdf



U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families

Administration on Children, Youth and Families Children’s Bureau

Park, K. (2010, April). Assessing child safety through an integrated practice model: The Structured Decision Making System and Signs of Safety. SDM News. Retrieved February 6, 2012, from http://www.nccd-crc.org/crc/crc/pubs/sdm_news_apr10.pdf

Trotter, C. (2002). Worker skill and client outcome in child protection. Child Abuse Review, 11, 38–50.

Turnell, A. (2010). The Signs of Safety: A comprehensive briefing paper. Retrieved February 6, 2012, from http://signsofsafety-stuff.s3.amazonaws.com/Signs%20of%20Safety%20Briefing%20Paper%20v1-03.pdf

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Children’s Bureau. (2011). Federal Child and Family Services Reviews: Aggregate report: Round 2: Fiscal years 2007–2010. Retrieved from http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/cwmonitoring/results/fcfsr_report.pdf

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Children’s Bureau. (n.d.). General findings from the federal Child and Family Services Reviews. Retrieved from http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/cwmonitoring/results/genfindings04/genfindings04.pdf

Suggested Citation: Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2012). Engaging families in case planning. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Children’s Bureau.

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