erwin mcewen, director the future of il dcfs: supporting & strengthening families erwin mcewen,...

Erwin McEwen, Director

The Future of IL DCFS: Supporting & Strengthening

Families


IDCFS Director, Erwin McEwen

Strengthening Families Illinois Leadership Team


Leading ChangeLeading Change• Establish a sense of urgencyEstablish a sense of urgency

• Form a powerful guiding coalitionForm a powerful guiding coalition

• Create a visionCreate a vision

• Communicate the visionCommunicate the vision

• Empower others to act on the visionEmpower others to act on the vision

• Plan for and create short-term winsPlan for and create short-term wins

• Consolidate improvements Consolidate improvements

• Institutionalize new approachesInstitutionalize new approaches

Kotter, Leading Change: Why Transformation Efforts FailHarvard Business Review on The Tests of a Leader (2007)


Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP) 2009


ViolenceTrauma• Home

• Community

Short-term Impacts

Children 0-5 • Brain development

Youth 6-18 • Behavior• School

performance

Families • Decrease in

Protective Factors

Outcomes

Individuals • Physical and

mental health problems

• Homelessness• Incarceration• Poverty

Society• Community safety• Health and well-

being• Productivity


System Integration in Illinois System Integration in Illinois • Strengthening Families IllinoisStrengthening Families Illinois established in 2006 with the overarching established in 2006 with the overarching

framework to build:framework to build:

1.1. Parental ResilienceParental Resilience

2.2. Social ConnectionsSocial Connections

3.3. Knowledge of Parenting and Child DevelopmentKnowledge of Parenting and Child Development

4.4. Concrete Support in Times of NeedConcrete Support in Times of Need

5.5. Social and Emotional Competence of ChildrenSocial and Emotional Competence of Children

6.6. Healthy Parent-Child RelationshipsHealthy Parent-Child Relationships

• Trauma Informed Practice ProgramTrauma Informed Practice Program infused throughout rules, infused throughout rules, assessments, services plans and case work practiceassessments, services plans and case work practice


Child Welfare Innovation in Illinois: Child Welfare Innovation in Illinois:

A Coordinated Effort to Address TraumaA Coordinated Effort to Address Trauma


Building Building Protective FactorsProtective Factors Supports SupportsQuality Practice and Helps Children HealQuality Practice and Helps Children Heal

““Mentors are most effective Mentors are most effective in helping to change in helping to change thinking if they give thinking if they give

specific, concrete advice on specific, concrete advice on how to change, not merely how to change, not merely

lectures about straightening lectures about straightening up. It helps when those up. It helps when those

mentors have walked down mentors have walked down the same road.” ~ James the same road.” ~ James

Garbarino, Ph.D.Garbarino, Ph.D.


If P

aren

ts …

• Permit violence in the home

• Use illegal drugs or abuse alcohol with their children

• Sleep with people who are not their spouse within the home

• Do not fight the good fight against poverty

• Do not model and provide moral instruction and spiritual guidance

• Have children with someone they have known for less than a year

Protective Factors

Decrease

• Juvenile detention / jail• Gangs / on the street• The child welfare system

Kids End Up In

:


Foundation of Strengthening Foundation of Strengthening Families Families

Choices & Actions of

Adult Family Members (Parents)

Well-Being of Children

& Youth

Health & Safety of

Community

SFI: • Initiative /activities• Partners• Collaborative

efforts


IL DCFS FY 2010-2012IL DCFS FY 2010-2012

• Continue training and workforce developmentContinue training and workforce development• Differential ResponseDifferential Response• Collaborate with Schools (beginning with CPS)Collaborate with Schools (beginning with CPS)• Develop Family Advocacy CentersDevelop Family Advocacy Centers• Early Learning and Family Strengthening Early Learning and Family Strengthening

(ELFS) internal work group(ELFS) internal work group• Expand Strengthening FamiliesExpand Strengthening Families


Differential ResponseDifferential Response

• Alternative pathway to investigation -- family Alternative pathway to investigation -- family assessmentassessment

• Targeting “low-risk” familiesTargeting “low-risk” families

• Evidence-based practices embeddedEvidence-based practices embedded

• home visitinghome visiting• recovery coachrecovery coach• protective factorsprotective factors


In Illinois, very few families receive services In Illinois, very few families receive services following an investigation, even if maltreatment is following an investigation, even if maltreatment is substantiatedsubstantiated

Children withChildren withIndicatedIndicated

MaltreatmentMaltreatment

IllinoisIllinois

20.2%20.2%

NationallyNationally

62%62%

Children withChildren withUnsubstantiatedUnsubstantiated

MaltreatmentMaltreatment

IllinoisIllinois

6.4%6.4%

NationallyNationally

31.2%31.2%


Preliminary 2009 CFSR Findings and Trends Preliminary 2009 CFSR Findings and Trends Outcomes/Items – Outcomes/Items –

% Substantially Achieved% Substantially Achieved20032003 20092009 TrendTrend

Safety 1:Safety 1: Children protected from abuse/neglect Children protected from abuse/neglect

Item 2:Item 2: Repeat maltreatment Repeat maltreatment

91%91%

93%93%

86%86%

82%82%

DownDown

DownDown

Permanency 2:Permanency 2: Continuity of family relationships Continuity of family relationships

Item 14:Item 14: Preserving connections Preserving connectionsItem 16:Item 16: Relationship of child in care with parents Relationship of child in care with parents

76%76%

92%92%77%77%

55%55%

73%73%39%39%

DownDown

DownDownDownDown

Well-Being 1:Well-Being 1: Families have enhanced capacity Families have enhanced capacity

Item 18:Item 18: Family involvement in case plan Family involvement in case planItem 20:Item 20: Caseworker visits with parents Caseworker visits with parents

52%52%

57%57%55%55%

45%45%

47%47%44%44%

DownDown

DownDownDownDown


Legislation SupportingLegislation SupportingDifferential Response EnactedDifferential Response Enacted• Illinois enacted the “Differential Illinois enacted the “Differential

Response Program Act” (Public Response Program Act” (Public Act 096-0760) into law on August Act 096-0760) into law on August 25, 200925, 2009

• The Act gives the Department the The Act gives the Department the authority to proceed with a 5 year authority to proceed with a 5 year demonstration project effective demonstration project effective January 1, 2010January 1, 2010

• National Quality Improvement National Quality Improvement Center GranteeCenter Grantee


IL DCFS Pathways to IL DCFS Pathways to Strengthening and Supporting FamiliesStrengthening and Supporting Families


Families Meeting Criteria for Differential ResponseFamilies Meeting Criteria for Differential Response


50 Cases

PerSquare

Mile


DCFS Collaboration with DCFS Collaboration with Schools and EducationSchools and Education

• Short term – ameliorate the effects of community Short term – ameliorate the effects of community violence on children and families to: violence on children and families to:

• Improve school performanceImprove school performance• Decrease rates of school misconductDecrease rates of school misconduct• Decrease child welfare system involvementDecrease child welfare system involvement

• Long term - build safer communities and healthy Long term - build safer communities and healthy familiesfamilies


Community / Youth Violence and Child Welfare Cases Per MileCommunity / Youth Violence and Child Welfare Cases Per Mile


DCFS Offers Schools: DCFS Offers Schools: • Statewide Provider DatabaseStatewide Provider Database

• Parent Cafes–elementary and high Parent Cafes–elementary and high schoolsschools

• Psychological First AidPsychological First Aid


Family Advocacy CentersFamily Advocacy Centers

• Bloomington: Family Community Resource CenterBloomington: Family Community Resource Center• Champaign: Family Advocacy in Champaign CountyChampaign: Family Advocacy in Champaign County• Chicago: Chicago:

• Back of the Yards – Casa Tepeyac / Boys Town of Chicago, Back of the Yards – Casa Tepeyac / Boys Town of Chicago, Inc.Inc.

• West side – Healthy Families Chicago / Westside Family West side – Healthy Families Chicago / Westside Family Advocacy CenterAdvocacy Center

• Humboldt Park, Ukrainian Village, Logan Square, + others – Humboldt Park, Ukrainian Village, Logan Square, + others – Family Growing Intentionally: A Family Advocacy Program / Family Growing Intentionally: A Family Advocacy Program / Christian Fellowship FlockChristian Fellowship Flock

• Lower west side - Mujeres Latinas en Accion / Parent Support Lower west side - Mujeres Latinas en Accion / Parent Support ProgramProgram

• Englewood – A Knock At MidnightEnglewood – A Knock At Midnight• East St. Louis: Family Advocacy HouseEast St. Louis: Family Advocacy House• Peoria: Lifeline Family Services Peoria: Lifeline Family Services • Springfield: Primed For LifeSpringfield: Primed For Life


Parent Cafe Evaluation Results Parent Cafe Evaluation Results

General / Overview General / Overview • 99% of attendees found participating in the 99% of attendees found participating in the

café helpful café helpful • 98% would recommend cafes to friends & 98% would recommend cafes to friends &

family members family members • 97% would attend a future café 97% would attend a future café • 74% fulfilled commitment from 74% fulfilled commitment from

previous café take away cardprevious café take away card


Parent Cafe Evaluation Results (cont)Parent Cafe Evaluation Results (cont)

Selective Questions Per Café: Selective Questions Per Café: • Taking Care Of Yourself – Cafe 1: Taking Care Of Yourself – Cafe 1:

• 98% plan to take better care of themselves 98% plan to take better care of themselves • 93% plan to try a different way/learned a new way to handle stress 93% plan to try a different way/learned a new way to handle stress

or challenges or challenges • Being a Strong Parent – Café 2:Being a Strong Parent – Café 2:

• 87% plan to change something about their parenting 87% plan to change something about their parenting • 88% plan to change how they listen to their children 88% plan to change how they listen to their children • 86% plan to change how they talk to their children 86% plan to change how they talk to their children

• Building Healthy Relationships With Your Children – Café 3Building Healthy Relationships With Your Children – Café 3• 91% plan to spend more time with their children 91% plan to spend more time with their children • 100% plan to make sure they understand their child(ren’s) feelings 100% plan to make sure they understand their child(ren’s) feelings


Parent Cafe Evaluation Results (cont.)Parent Cafe Evaluation Results (cont.)Comments From ParentsComments From Parents

• ““It opened my eyes to different situations that I’m in. I’m not alone.”It opened my eyes to different situations that I’m in. I’m not alone.”

• ““This café today has kept me from going to jail”This café today has kept me from going to jail”

• ““I love being able to express myself in a comfortable setting. I don’t I love being able to express myself in a comfortable setting. I don’t feel judged or pressured.”feel judged or pressured.”

• ““It’s very helpful to me to come out and hear everyone else’s It’s very helpful to me to come out and hear everyone else’s experiences on their parenting and to learn new ideas about my experiences on their parenting and to learn new ideas about my parenting and how I teach my kids.parenting and how I teach my kids.

• ““I’m growing as a person.”I’m growing as a person.”


Strengthening Families IllinoisStrengthening Families Illinois

• Launch 6 New SFI Early Childhood Learning Networks Launch 6 New SFI Early Childhood Learning Networks • Expand team of parents leaders regionally to serve Chicago Public Expand team of parents leaders regionally to serve Chicago Public

Schools and Differential Response with cafes and leadership training – Schools and Differential Response with cafes and leadership training – adapt resources for Foster Parents, Birth Parents, teens (through the adapt resources for Foster Parents, Birth Parents, teens (through the pregnant and parenting teens program) and the Youth Advisory Boardpregnant and parenting teens program) and the Youth Advisory Board

• Develop new questions and train parents to develop questions to Develop new questions and train parents to develop questions to sustain cafes in communitiessustain cafes in communities

• Collaborate to develop home visiting / parent training in Differential Collaborate to develop home visiting / parent training in Differential ResponseResponse

• Identify parent leaders to serve on Differential Response Advisory Identify parent leaders to serve on Differential Response Advisory CouncilCouncil

• Continue working with internal DCFS workgroup and Clinical and Continue working with internal DCFS workgroup and Clinical and Service Intervention staff to embed Strengthening Families and early Service Intervention staff to embed Strengthening Families and early childhood collaboration practicechildhood collaboration practice


Identified Challenges for IllinoisIdentified Challenges for Illinois• Overcoming stakeholders’ fears about the safety of children using Overcoming stakeholders’ fears about the safety of children using

Differential ResponseDifferential Response• Dealing with entrenched organizational culture which does not Dealing with entrenched organizational culture which does not

prioritize engaging familiesprioritize engaging families• Shifting the paradigm from compliance with case plan tasks to the Shifting the paradigm from compliance with case plan tasks to the

needs of families and empowers the families with “how” to meet needs of families and empowers the families with “how” to meet those needsthose needs

• Budgetary crisis of 2009 had an impact on the morale of the Budgetary crisis of 2009 had an impact on the morale of the human service system as a wholehuman service system as a whole


Long Term VisionLong Term Vision

• Child welfare – continuously define and refine child Child welfare – continuously define and refine child welfare so that it becomes more closely aligned to child welfare so that it becomes more closely aligned to child well-being (Don’t always achieve child well-being using well-being (Don’t always achieve child well-being using best child welfare tools.) best child welfare tools.)

• Broad-based community impact around: Broad-based community impact around: • school performanceschool performance• school misconductschool misconduct• youth violenceyouth violence• community violencecommunity violence• family well-beingfamily well-being

• Requires all of us! Requires all of us!


“ “ Even if you are on the Even if you are on the right track, you’ll get run right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there” over if you just sit there”

~ Will Rogers, Jr.~ Will Rogers, Jr.

erwin mcewen, director the future of il dcfs: supporting & strengthening families erwin mcewen,...

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