Child Welfare Information GatewayChildrens Bureau/ACYF1250 Maryland Avenue, SWEighth FloorWashington, DC 20024800.394.3366Email: info@childwelfare.govhttp://www.childwelfare.govUse your smartphone to

access this bulletin online.

STATE MANAGERS SERIES

BULLETIN FOR PROFESSIONALS

September 2012

Engaging Families in Case Planning

Whats 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).

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ChildwelfareprofessionalsattheState,Tribal,andlocallevelsincludingadministrators,supervisors,andfrontlineworkerscanusethisinformationtoestablishpoliciesandencouragepracticesthatsupportfamilyengagementincaseplanning.

Collaborativecaseplanningoccurswhenthecaseworkerseffortseffectivelyandcontinuouslyengagefamilymembersandothersasappropriateincaseplanningactivities,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.

Takeintoaccountfamilymembersotherobligations,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).

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Preparethefamilyforthemeetingbyreviewingitemssuchasexpectations,rolesandresponsibilities,andgoals.

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

Thefollowingareseveralexamplesofapproachescaseworkerscanusetoenhancefamilyengagementincaseplanning.

Using Supportive BehaviorsAnumberofstudieshavesuggestedthatthefollowingcaseworkerbehaviorsmaysupportacollaborativerelationship,includingbetterengagingfamiliesincaseplanning:

Listeningtoandaddressingissuesthatconcernthefamily

Havinghonestdiscussionsaboutthenatureofthecaseworkersauthorityandhowitmaybeused(thisisrequiredbyCAPTA)

Sharingopenlywithfamilymemberswhattoexpect,particularlyregardingcourtissuesandtimelines

Balancingdiscussionsofproblemswiththeidentificationofstrengthsandresources

Caseworker Strategies That Support Family Engagement in Case Planning

Workingwiththefamilysdefinitionsoftheproblems(ratherthanthecaseworkersdefinition)

Settinggoalsthataremutuallyagreeduponandmaybegeneratedprimarilybythefamilyandstatedintheirlanguage

Focusingonimprovingfamilymembersskillsratherthanprovidinginsights

Providingfamilymemberswithchoiceswheneverpossible

Gettingacommitmentfromfamilymembersthattheywillengageinmutuallyidentifiedtasks

Regularlyspendingtimewiththefamilydiscussinggoalsandprogress

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

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

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

Genograms,whichoutlinefamilyrelationships,multigenerationalpatterns,andtherolesplayedbyindividualfamilymembers

Ecomaps,whichdescribethefamilysperspectiveofitselfinrelationshiptothewidercommunityandcanhelpthecaseworkerandfamilyexploreimportantspiritualandculturalconnections

Familytimelines,whichhighlightlifeeventsthatarenoteworthytofamilymembers

Foradditionaldetailsaboutcreatingandusingthesetools,theMissouriDepartmentofSocialServicesChild 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-focusedteamthatvaluesthefamiliesvoiceandfocusesonthechildssafety,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

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

Formoreinformationaboutfamilyfinding,visittheNationalResourceCenterforPermanencyandFamilyConnectionswebsectiononFamilySearchandEngagement: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

Writinggoalsandobjectivesusingthefamiliesownlanguage,acknowledgingtheirculture,andsupportingtheirownership

Creatingconcrete,behaviorallyspecificgoalsandobjectivestailoredtotheindividualandfamilyneeds

Trackingprogresswiththefamilyandcelebratingsuccessesalongtheway

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

MostfamiliesinvolvedwithSBCfollowedthroughwithreferralstoservices.

Asubstantialproportionoffamilieswhoco-createdtheircaseplanwithinanSBCframeworkalsosignedtheircaseplananimportantindicatoroftheirinvolvement.

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FamiliesassignedtasksthroughanSBCcaseplanprocessweremorelikelytocompletethosetasks,comparedtofamiliesnotinvolvedinSBCcaseplans.

FamiliesinanSBCgroupachievedsignificantlymoregoals/objectivesfromthecaseplancomparedtothoseinanon-SBCgroup.

FamilieswithahistoryofinvolvementwithCPSachievedevenmoregoalsfromtheircaseplanwhenSBCwasusedthanthosewithoutsuchhistoriesandthoseforwhomSBCwasnotused.

FamiliesexperiencedsignificantlyfewerrecidivismreferralreportsforrepeatmaltreatmentwhenSBCwasusedincaseplanning.

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

FormoreinformationonSBC,visithttp://www.solutionbasedcasework.com,orcontactBeckyAntle:Becky.Antle@louisville.edu

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

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

Whataretheworries(e.g.,previousabuse)?

Whatsworkingwell(e.g.,familyprotectivefactors)?

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

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

ForadditionalinformationaboutSDM,visit:

TheChildrensResearchCenterathttp://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

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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),whichareFederalmonitoringevaluationsofeachStateschildwelfareservices,showthatStatesarehavingdifficultyinvolvingparentsandchildrenincaseplanning.ThisisassessedspecificallyintheCFSRItem18.InbothroundsoftheCFSRs,allStatesreceivedaratingofAreaNeedingImprovementonthisitem.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)

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Parentattitudes,behaviors,orconditionsthatimpedeactiveinvolvementincaseplanning(17States)

Difficultiescreatedbycourt-relatedrequirements(14States)

Systemissuesanddocumentationrequirementsprecludingtheproductionofawrittencaseplaninafamily-friendlyformat(17States)

Strategies to Enhance Family InvolvementTheCFSRFinalReportsindicatethatmostStates(includingtheDistrictofColumbiaandPuertoRico)havepoliciesregardingfamilyengagementincaseplanning,with28Stateshavingpoliciesrequiringfamilyengagementandanadditional12havingpoliciesthatsuggestorencourageit.Additionally,46ofthe51States(includingtheDistrictofColumbia)addressedfamilyengagementincaseplanningintheirProgramImprovementPlans(PIPs),whichwerecreatedtoaddressanydeficienciesnotedinaStatesCFSR.SomeStatesPIPsincludedveryspecificplansforimprovementinfamilyengagement,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

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

ElPasosdiversepopulationposessomechallengesforimplementingFGDM.ElPasoisabordercommunitywithalargeMexicanpopulation,anditcanbedifficulttolocateandengagefamilymembersandsupportindividualswhomayresideinMexicoorareundocumented.HavingstafffromdiversebackgroundsandwhoarebilingualhelpswiththeFGDMprocess,includingbeingabletoconductthemeetingandwritethecaseplaninthefamilyspreferredlanguage.Additionally,FederalpartnerssometimesareabletohelpparentsinMexicoobtainadaypasssotheycanattendcourtinElPaso.

ElPasoalsoishometoalargemilitarybase.Bringingfamilymembersandothersupportindividualstogetherformilitaryfamiliesoftenisachallengebecausetheparentsandchildmayhavenofamilyintheareaandmayhavenotdevelopedstrongsupportivetiesinthecommunity.

ElPasoDFPSstaffhavefoundthefollowingstaffbehaviorsandattitudestobeessentialtotheFGDMandfamilyengagementprocess:

Beingculturallycompetentandrespectfulofthefamily

Beingauthenticabouttheprocess

KeepinginmindthattheFGDMisthefamilysmeeting,notthedepartments

HavingtheDFPSinvestigatorandcaseworkerattendtheFGDMtogether,whichhelpscreateaseamlesstransitionfrominvestigationtoservices

Fairfax County (VA) Department of Family Services: Family Partnership ProgramTheFairfaxCountyDepartmentofFamilyServices(DFS)implementedtheFamilyPartnershipProgram(http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/childrenyouth/family-partnership.htm)toensurefamiliesandchildrensviewsareconsideredwhenmakingplacementdecisionsanddevelopingcaseplans.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

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thegroupunderstandwhythemeetingistakingplaceandleadsthemindevelopingacollaborativesolutionthatwillprovidesafetyforthechild.Theplandevelopedatthemeetingisthenincorporatedintotheoverallcaseplanandutilizedinapplicablecourtproceedings.Additionally,thegroupsometimesschedulesafollow-upmeetingtoensuretheplanisproceedingasdiscussed.

BenefitsoftheFamilyPartnershipProgramincludethediscoveryofadditionalfamilysupportsandtheincreasedengagementoffathersandpaternalrelativesincaseplandevelopment.

New York Agency Uses SBC to Achieve Family-Driven Case PlanningInlate2010,GrahamWindham,aprivateNewYorkCityagencyofferinganarrayofservicesfrompreventiontopostadoption,conductedanationalsearchforanewapproachtopractice.TheagencywaslookingforamodelthatwouldprovidetheirdirectpractitionerswithapracticeframeworkconsistentwithGrahamWindhamscommitmenttopartneringwithfamiliesinawaythatstrengthensfamiliesabilitytocaresafelyfortheirchildren.

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

empathicconversationswithfamilies,whilesupportingearlieridentificationofkinaspotentialsupportstothefamily.

GrahamWindhamsupervisorshavefoundthatleadingSBCrequiresintensivestudy,alongwithconsistentsupervisionandcoachingtoensurestafffollowprotocolsandsafeguardmodelfidelity.Thishasledtoanewfocusonassessingtheissuesthatprecededthemaltreatmentandtotrackingbehaviorinsteadofservicecompliance.ThesechangesareechoedinremarksfromasupervisorintheBronxofficewhosaid,SBChasalsoallowedmetobemorecompassionate.InthepastthepaperworksaysthefamilydidX,YandZandsotheyneedtodoA,B,andCservices.Butnow,wehearthebuildupofcircumstancesandemotionsthatprecededthemaltreatment.

Workersandsupervisorsalsoperceivefamiliesastakingmoreownershipincaseplanning.Asoneworkercommented,Itsempowering.Theyreexcitedtocometotheagency.Theyrenotcominginscreamingandyellingandwerenotgettingintothatoldtypeofrelationshipandwecelebratewecelebratewithkidsandfamilieswhentheymakeprogressintheiractionplans,butstaffarecelebratingthentoo.Theyrejustasexcitedasthefamiliesare.

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

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

Additional Resources

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

12This 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

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),197227.

Antle,B.F.,Christensen,D.N.,vanZyl,M.A.,&Barbee,A.(2012).TheimpactofSolutionBasedCasework(SBC)practicemodelonfederaloutcomesinpublicchildwelfare.Child Abuse & Neglect, 36(4),342353.doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2011.10.009

Crea,T.,&Berzin,S.(2009).Familyinvolvementinchildwelfaredecision-making:Strategiesandresearchoninclusivepractices.Journal of Public Child Welfare, 3,305327.

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, 81,293317.

Healy,K.,Darlington,Y.,&Yellowlees,J.(2011).Familyparticipationinchildprotectionpractice:Anobservationalstudyoffamilygroupmeetings.Child and Family Social Work, 17(1),112.

Jones,M.A.,McGura,S.,&Shyne,A.(1981).Effectivepracticewithfamiliesinprotectiveandpreventiveservices:Whatworks?Child Welfare, 60(2),6780.

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

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

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

Administration on Children, Youth and Families Childrens 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, 3850.

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, Childrens Bureau. (2011). Federal Child and Family Services Reviews: Aggregate report: Round 2: Fiscal years 20072010. Retrieved from http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/cwmonitoring/results/fcfsr_report.pdf

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Childrens 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, Childrens Bureau.

IntroductionBasics of Engaging Families in Case PlanningCaseworker Strategies That Support Family Engagement in Case PlanningAgency Strategies That Support Family Engagement in Case PlanningFindings in the Child and Family Services Reviews State and Local ExamplesConclusion