Can a Foster/Adoptive Parent Association Make Your Child

Welfare Job Easier?

Charles J. ParkerBoard Secretary

FSFAPA info@FloridaFAPA.org

Katie MacElroyLicensing Supervisor

Eckerd Community Alternatives kmacelroy@eckerd.org

ModelsTools to display the dynamics of complex relationships

Messaging • Communication Models (2-way) • Training Models (1-way)

Relationships • Partnerships • Military (Chain of Command)

Communication ModelsTend to be “circular” in appearance

2-way communication model

2-Way Communication

ENCODE DECODE

DECODE ENCODE

NOISE / INTERFERENCE

! !

1-Way Communication• Linear • Not Among “Equals” • Typically “Downward”

EXAMPLES: • Military • Chain of Command • Training

1-Way Communication

ENCODE

DECODE

NOISE / INTERFERENCE

!¿!

But why ….Communication is … • at the core of all interaction • integral in relationships • an example of a complex system we know/use

The models translate to what we do every day.

ENCODE DECODE

DECODE ENCODE

NOISE / INTERFERENCE

Partnership ModelANALYZE DESIGN

IMPLEMENT DEVELOP

1-Way Communication

ENCODE

DECODE

NOISE / INTERFERENCEFEDERAL

YouMe

DCFSTATE

CBC

COURT

CASE WORKER

ENGAGEDFAPAS

Test Our Theory• Theory: Areas where there are engaged FAPAs

tend to have more successful CBCs.

• Measures: DCF Scorecard; FSFAPA Board Reports

DCF ScorecardCommunity-Based Care Lead Agency Scorecard For the Quarter of January 1, 2015 to March 31, 2015

1. Rate of abuse per 100,000 days in

foster care (Federal Measure)

2. Percent of children who are not neglected or abused during in-

home services

3. Percent of children who are not neglected

or abused after receiving services

4. Percent of children under supervision who are seen every 30 days

5. Percent of children exiting foster care to a permanent home within 12

months of entering care (Federal Measure)

6. Percent of children achieving permanency in 12 months for children in

foster care 12 to 23 months (Federal Measure)

7. Percent of children who do not re-enter foster care within 12 months of

moving to a permanent home(Federal Measure)

8. Children's placement moves per 1,000 days in

foster care(Federal Measure)

9. Percent of children in out-of-home care who have received medical services in the last 12

months

10. Percent of children in out-of-home care who have

received dental services in the last 7 months

11. Percent of young adults in foster care at age 18 who have completed or are enrolled in

secondary education, vocational training, and/or adult education

12. Percent of sibling groups where all siblings are placed

together

8.50 95.0% 95.0% 99.5% 40.5% 43.6% 91.7% 4.12 95.0% 95.0% 80.0% 65.0%or less and above and above and above and above and above and above or less and above and above and above and above

Reporting Cohort

Children in Foster Care Between 02/01/2014 and

01/31/2015

Children Receiving In-Home Services Between

11/01/2014 and 01/31/2015

Children Exiting Care Between 05/01/2014 and

07/31/2014

Children in Care Between 01/01/2015 and

03/31/2015

Children Entering Foster Care Between 01/01/2014 and 03/31/2014 Children in Foster Care as of 04/01/2014 Children Entering Foster Care Between

01/01/2013 and 03/31/2013

Children Entering Foster Care Between 04/01/2014

and 03/31/2015

Children in Foster Care as of 01/01/2015

Children in Foster Care as of 01/01/2015

Young Adults Aging out of Foster Care Between 04/01/2014 and 03/31/2015

Sibling Groups in Foster Care as of 03/31/2015

Big Bend Community Based CareNorthwest Region, Circuits 2 & 14Mike Watkins, CEOReggie Johns, Chair

6.04 97.2% 96.7% 99.9% 30.4% 52.7% 90.7% 4.11 93.7% 86.2% 69.4% 66.4%

Brevard Family PartnershipCentral Region, Circuit 18, BrevardPatricia Nellius-Guthrie, CEOStockton Whitten, Chair

14.95 96.1% 92.9% 99.9% 43.4% 41.2% 87.9% 2.46 97.3% 88.4% 74.2% 61.4%

ChildNet IncSoutheast Region, Circuit 17Emilio Benitez, CEOJeffery Dwyer, Chair

13.4 94.7% 96.3% 99.9% 35.8% 42.7% 83.8% 2.76 97.8% 89.7% 93.7% 55.9%

ChildNet Palm BeachSoutheast Region, Circuit 15Emilio Benitez, CEOJeffery Dwyer, Chair

12.59 96.9% 96.8% 100.0% 49.8% 51.2% 85.0% 2.67 99.1% 91.3% 94.1% 61.2%

Children’s Network of SW FloridaSC Region, Circuit 20Nadereh Salim, CEOMark Geisler, Chair

9.21 97.2% 98.4% 99.9% 42.9% 50.2% 86.6% 5.29 95.4% 82.9% 85.3% 59.3%

Community Based Care Central FlaCentral Region, Circuit 9Glen Casel, CEO/PresidentJohn Gill, Chair

9.32 96.5% 99.3% 99.9% 36.8% 48.6% 88.8% 3.35 97.7% 96.5% 78.7% 61.8%

Safety Measures Permanency Measures Well-Being Measures

Standard:

Community Based Care Central FlaCentral Region, Circuit 18, SeminoleGlen Casel, CEO/PresidentJohn Gill, Chair

7.98 92.7% 98.3% 99.9% 32.6% 61.4% 76.9% 4.05 97.6% 95.4% 83.3% 67.9%

Community Partnership for ChildrenNE Region, Flagler, Volusia, PutnamMark Jones, CEOBill Griffin, Chair

6.15 98.4% 97.6% 99.4% 20.8% 56.5% 96.4% 2.80 89.5% 80.0% 58.0% 68.4%

Devereux CBC of Okeechobee and the Treasure CoastSoutheast Region, Circuit 19Carol Deloach, CEOSteven J. Murphy, Chair

9.34 96.2% 96.7% 99.9% 42.1% 50.2% 83.5% 4.62 96.5% 88.1% 93.7% 69.0%

Eckerd Community AlternativesSunCoast Region, Circuit 6Lorita Shirley, Executive DirectorTrey Starkey, Chair

10.83 96.1% 96.5% 99.9% 54.2% 63.5% 90.2% 3.11 99.1% 95.5% 94.5% 68.2%

Eckerd Community HillsboroughSunCoast Region, Circuit 13Lorita Shirley, Executive Director

11.53 97.5% 95.0% 99.9% 59.2% 58.9% 82.9% 4.02 98.9% 97.2% 94.5% 69.6%Families First Network Northwest Region, Circuit 1Shawn Salamida, PresidentJT Young, Chair

12.54 96.4% 96.2% 99.5% 45.5% 56.5% 76.3% 4.24 93.8% 82.5% 80.5% 71.7%

Family Integrity ProgramNortheast Region, St. JohnsChris Compton, Program ManagerJoy Andrews, Director

5.11 100.0% 92.1% 99.9% 51.6% 62.5% 83.3% 4.29 93.8% 90.7% 100.0% 78.7%

Family Support Services North FlaNE Region, Circuit 4, Duval, NassauE. Lee Kaywork CEOAshley Smith Juarez, Chair

6.04 96.0% 96.8% 100.0% 47.1% 64.0% 90.5% 2.84 98.6% 93.1% 100.0% 70.9%

Heartland For ChildrenCentral Region, Circuit 10Teri Saunders, CEOTerry Borglund, Chair

6.97 98.9% 99.4% 99.9% 52.5% 64.9% 83.7% 3.28 99.0% 91.9% 82.1% 59.1%

Kids Central, Inc.Central Region, Circuit 5John Cooper, CEOStephen Spivey, Chair

11.19 99.2% 94.9% 99.7% 45.8% 60.2% 92.4% 4.12 97.9% 93.7% 77.1% 70.6%

Kids First of Florida, Inc.Northeast Region, Circuit 4, Clay 6 08 98 4% 100 0% 99 8% 44 4% 65 5% 90 9% 2 37 98 3% 97 0% 90 9% 59 0%g , , yIrene Toto, CEORobert V. Graham, Chair

6.08 98.4% 100.0% 99.8% 44.4% 65.5% 90.9% 2.37 98.3% 97.0% 90.9% 59.0%

Our Kids of Miami-Dade/Monroe, IncSouthern Region, Circuits 11 & 16Jackie Gonzalez, CEO Sandy Bohrer, Chair

11.18 97.4% 96.2% 99.7% 46.0% 48.1% 90.0% 4.81 96.5% 81.7% 88.4% 56.5%

Partnership for Strong FamiliesNortheast Region, Circuits 3 & 8Stephen Pennypacker, CEODr. Michael Bowie, Chair

13.12 94.4% 94.7% 99.8% 54.6% 70.2% 80.3% 3.86 97.9% 94.4% 89.4% 64.4%

Sarasota Y/Safe Children CoalitionSunCoast Region, Circuit 12Brena Slater, Vice PresidentEd Landis, Chair

8.12 96.3% 98.0% 100.0% 50.0% 72.0% 95.9% 4.22 100.0% 92.2% 100.0% 70.6%

Statewide 10.41 96.8% 96.5% 99.8% 46.0% 55.2% 87.0% 3.73 97.2% 89.8% 87.0% 64.2%8.85 92.9% 92.9% 98.9% 36.3% 39.2% 90.8% 4.54 89.9% 89.9% 69.9% 60.0%

and above or less or less or less or less or less or less and above or less or less or less or less

The standards for Measures 1, 5, and 6 were updated in June 2015 due to corrections in calculations by the Administration for Children and Families.

Red Zone:

Most Engaged FAPAs

• Historically active FAPAs

• Consistent or increasing membership

• Relationship with CBC

• Representation with other CW entities

Overlay the Data

• Break Scorecard into Points (Green=2, Yellow=1) and total

• No scores below 12. Eight CBCs scored 18 or higher (green on map.)

• Engaged FAPAs outlined in yellow.

Overlap of RolesCBCs

• Train

• Recruit

• Support/Inform/Retain

• Engage Bio Parents

• Keep Kids Safe

FAPAs

• Train

• Recruit

• Support/Inform/Retain

• Keep Kids Safe

+QPI: Engage Bios

Late Night Calls?

Reaffirmed

Solution offered

Resolved

Reaffirmed

Solution offered

Resolved

13 minutes to resolution.

No late night calls.

Contact established directly with resource.

FAPA Support Functions• Material support, resources

• Emotional support, mentoring

• Troubleshooting, help others navigate

• Provide voice of experience from same perspective

Ideally the social worker becomes a resource, not the

channel for all resources.

Force Multiplier• Becomes a source for manpower

(I.e. GAL; one pro leads many volunteers)

• Foster parents prioritize advice from those they know have had similar experiences

• Reality check vs. clinical reality

• Knowledge base: Who knows more, 1 professional or 150 experienced volunteers?

Why rely on FAPAs?• Case manager turnover averages 37% annually

• 90% of your colleagues are actively looking for other jobs

• We all know the impact of a caseworker leaving their position — on kids and coworker

Why rely on FAPAs?Statewide survey of caseworkers identified 5 characteristics caseworkers claimed were vital:

• Strong organizational skills • Compassion for children and families • A strong work ethic • Teamwork • FlexibilityResiliency/stress management skills

Why rely on FAPAs?Statewide survey of caseworkers identified 5 characteristics caseworkers claimed were vital:

• Strong organizational skills• Compassion for children and families • A strong work ethic • Teamwork• FlexibilityResiliency/stress management skills

DELEGATE!

What can be delegated?DIRECTLY

• Resource calls

• Visitation supervision

• Transportation

• Q&As

INDIRECTLY

• Policy/Rule questions

• Leadership

• Representation

• Modeling

What is working in C6Professionals attend FAPA meetings

To foster optimal communication and ensure customer needs are met, Case Management Organization Program Directors, CMO Supervisors, Licensing Supervisors, Licensing Specialist, CBC Directors attend monthly FAPA meetings

What is working in C6Developed a “Task Force” to identify and act on issues as they emerge

Comprised of CBC leadership staff, foster/adoptive parents, the Guardian Ad Litem program, child protective investigations, state attorney and youth that have aged out of foster care. This task force is strength based solution focused on problem solving the systemic challenges as they emerge.

What is working in C6Cross-training between professionals and foster parents

Each explore duties of Licensing, CM, FPs to demonstrate everyone's busy schedules and responsibilities.

Has helped mitigate questions and offer up quick solutions/ideas when there is recognition of the expectations of others. (Communication)

What is working in C6Example: Cross-training “Day in the Life - FP”• 6am Wake up 5 kids, diapers,

dress for day, breakfast, infant feedings

• GAL and Case Manager home visit

• 8am Drop off children (3-4 locations)

• Extracurricular activities such as ballet, cub scouts, soccer get rotated among children

• 9a-5p Work • Homework and baths

• 9a-5p Emails and calls to case manager, GAL, Parents, Doctors, School (this is also the time for staffings, court hearings, doctor visits, WIC appointments, school conferences, and sick days)

• Family time, infant feedings • 4-5p Pick up children (3-4

locations) • Cook dinner, infant feedings • Reading and tuck in to bed • Prepare for following day

What is working in C6Ex: Cross-training “Licensing Responsibilities”• Recruitment

• Community Events, Business Cards

• Training • Orientation, MAPP, Annual 16

hours • Initial Licensing

• Home Study, Background Checks, References, Paperwork

• Relicensing • Home study, Backgrounds, Staff

Inquiries, Community Input, CES

• Retention • HVs, 24/7 Support, Task

Force, FAPA, Mentoring, Respite

• Miscellaneous • On-call, Addressing

Concerns • Our Duty to Foster Families:

• Support, Educate, and Guide

• Ensure Compliance

What is working in C6Ex: Cross-training “Case Management”• 7:00am Home Visit • 8:00am Check emails • 8:30am Enter notes in FSFN • 9:30am Request documentation from

service providers • 10:00am Staffing • 11:00am Supervision • 12:00pm Daily tasks • 12:30pm Meet with a parent • 1:00pm Contact community partners

and case participants

• 1:30pm Write a court report • 2:30pm Attend court hearing • 3:00pm Supervise a parent

visit • 4:30pm Return phone calls • 5:00pm More home visits • 7:30pm Enter more notes in

FSFN • 8:30pm Drive home

What is working in C6Fostering Respect Initiative

An Accessibility/Support hotline that provides foster parents with options to immediately connect with a member of the leadership team within the Lead Agency, whenever a situation is believed to warrant this level of intervention.

Email: FosteringRespect@eckerd-eca.org

Phone Line: 727-433-7109

What is working in C6Accessibility - www.fostercarephonebook.com

Started by a former foster parent, it is an online tool that allows agencies to upload and update all their contact info and provide common documents

What is working in C6FPs represented within CBC functions

• Quality Assurance Reviews - FAPA Presidents on committee

• Task force attendance and Co-chairingSubcommittee participation

• Co-training Professional Parenting (FP preservice training)

What is working in C6FPs represented within CBC functions (Con’t)

• Co-training Case ManagersAll pre-service case managers are teamed up with a licensing specialist and they visit a foster home. This home visit is a teaching visit to familiarize the case manager with how a foster home operates and the partnership plan that we all sign.

What is working in C6FPs represented within CBC functions (Con’t)

• Recruitment • FPs are a leading source of recruitment. • CBC offers financial incentive to recruit.

• GAL training with Licensing Specialist

What is working in C6FP Mentors

• Upon initial licensing, a mentor is assigned to the for 3-6 months. The mentors make contact with new foster families a minimum of once a week, teach families how to navigate the system and utilize the chain of command, model how to interact with biological parents and attend court/staffing for support. The mentor is available by phone and can provide answers based on their own experience.

What is working in C6Scavenger Hunt!

• Things to “hunt down” during preservice training to help build resources and connections for when licensed.

What is working in C6Scavenger Hunt!

• Things to “hunt down” during preservice training to help build resources and connections for when licensed.

What is working in C6Scavenger Hunt!

• Things to “hunt down” during preservice training to help build resources and connections for when licensed.

Other Positives • FAPAs offer benefits to adoptive families beyond

typical CBC offerings; many remain engaged

• Social activities build bonds among caregivers and professionals

• Holiday & back-to-school programs are common

• Some offer tutoring, food distribution, date nights

Change the dynamicThink of your relationship to foster parents in the same terms as your relationship with your parents:

Once you were no longer absolutely dependent on your parents, did your relationship with your parents change?

Did it improve?

But the problem is …… foster parents don’t have a MSW.

Only 14% of caseworkers do, and 52% have degrees in something other than social work.

… foster parents can’t be trusted/not dependable.

YOU HAVE A RECRUITMENT PROBLEM!