Child Welfare and EducationTwo Systems Working Together for Foster Youth.

Department of Public Social Services

•Self Sufficiency•Administration•Adult Protective Services•Children’s Services

CSD Organizational Structure

Assistant DirectorJennie Pettet

Deputy DirectorsRyan UhlenkottRosemary JironTodd Bellanca

Regional ManagersAssistant Reg. Managers

SupervisorsSocial Workers

Lay of the Land •3 Administrative Regions •7 Operation Regions- geographic

•3 Centralized Regions- specialty▫Permanency (aka Adoptions)▫Enhanced Services- medical needs & outside CA▫Youth & Community Resources- teens, young

adults, group home care, ILP, transitional housing

How We Serve the Community

Child Abuse Hotline 800.442.4918•Investigative Services

▫In-person interviews ▫Preventative services▫Protective action

How We Serve Families

Decision for Juvenile Court Involvement

•Family Maintenance ▫Children remain in a parent’s home

•Family Reunification ▫Children placed in out- of- home care

Next Steps in a Case

Court orders a

Case Plan

Social worker Provide

s Services

Review of

Safety & Risk

Report Prepare

d for Court

6 mos. Review Hearing

What Comes Next

Reassess &

Review

Services(6

mos.)

TimeTerm

Move to PermanencyAdoptions & Safe Families Act•Court Selects a Permanent Plan

▫Family First▫Current Caregiver▫Matching Adoption

• Within 1 year

Legal Guardiansh

ip

• Within 90 days

Living Arrangeme

nt

• Immediate

Children and Youth in Care

Family

• Preferred

Foster Home

• Consider for permanency

Congregate Care

• Limited & Monitored

Well-Being for Youth in Care

Eating Humble Pie!

•Mental Health▫Pathways to Wellness

•K-12 Education▫LCAP & LCFF

•Emancipation▫Extended Foster Care

Values for Youth & Young Adults

• Always consider a safe return home!

• Continued search for permanency!

• Young Adults need a safety net & support!

• Youth have a voice & choice!

Overview of Extended Foster Care

Education

• Complete HS

• Attend College

Employment

• Working 80+ hours per month

• Volunteering

Barriers

• Addressing Barriers

• Disability Prevents above

Transitional Age Services

•Independent Living Program (ILP) 16+▫THRIVE

•Youth Partners•Consortium & partnerships

▫YOCs▫Secondary Education▫Conservation Corp & Job Corp▫Private providers for services & housing▫Faith in Motion

Mental Health Services for Youth

•Mental health screening & assessment•Services specific to the youth

▫Wraparound▫Intensive Home Based Services▫Culturally appropriate services

•Child & Family Team Meetings

Education Support

That’s why we are here!

• Education Liaisons (RCOE/DPSS)• Educational Representatives• Volunteer Program• Project Graduate (Riv. County Bar)

• District level support

Who are our youth?

• Interested in Education• Changing placements at high rate• Parenting• Identify having support from caregivers or

family• Facing academic challenges• Opting to remain in foster care • In need of our collaboration!

Cal YOUTH Study (M.Courtney, et al., 2014)

Next Steps

•What is something new you learned?•What is something you hope to achieve or

contribute?

How Do I Reach Out?

Michelle Wohl358-7915 Desk

809-5972 Cell