National Association of State Adoption Programs Inc (NASAP)

2014 Annual Working Meeting Minutes Thursday November 20 2014 ndash 100 pm Eastern time

Webinar Registration Link httpsccreadytalkcomrc6zmh01ksx71ampeom

State Managers Present Betty Berzin New Jersey State Adoption Program Manager Catherine Meister New Hampshire Adoption Program Supervisor Connie Stevens Michigan Designee for Cathe Hoover Constance Vigil Colorado Adoption Program Manager

Courtney Smith Florida Adoption Program and Policy Manager new to this role

Deborah Goodman Oklahoma Adoption Field Administrator Erin Setla Michigan Fran George Georgia Designee for Deborah Burrus Frank Perfinski Delaware Adoption Program Manager Heather Davidson Iowa Adoption Program Specialist Jacquelyn Hill-Anderson Oklahoma Post Adoption Services Jamie Bazemore North Carolina Adoption Services Manager John Johnson Tennessee Director of Foster Care and Adoption Julie Hoffman North Dakota Adoption Manager Karen Wahlmeier Kansas Adoption Assistance Program Manager Tracey Parker Iowa Adoption Program Manager Kathy Prouty Oregon Adoption Program Manager Kristi Poole Maine Adoption Program Manager Leo Farley Massachusetts Director of Adoption Support Services

Maggie Molitor West Virginia Adoption and Legal Guardianship Policy Manager

Stephanie Miller Idaho Permanency Program Specialist Steve Obershaw Wisconsin Adoption and Consultation Manager Sue Schmelz Arizona Adoption Policy Specialist Ellie Chargueo New Mexico Adoption Specialist Designee Tracey Parker Hirst Iowa Adoption Program Manager Yvonne Hill Alaska Adoption Program Coordinator

Spaulding for Children Representative Ingrid Parks Project Manager Academy for Family Support and Preservation Childrenrsquos Bureau Representative June Dorn National Adoption Specialist

Guest Speakers

bull Allison Palmer Child Welfare Program Specialist Administration for Children and Families

bull Sarah Greenblatt Director National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

bull Melinda Lis Vice-President Academy for Family Support and Preservation and Director National Quality Improvement Center for AdoptionGuardianship Support and Preservation

bull Pam Wolf Harmony Family Center Call to Order The meeting was opened and called to order by John Johnson NASAP President John thanked the State Managers for taking time from their schedules to join us today for our annual working meeting Recording of Attendance Stephanie Miller NASAP Secretary recorded the names of the NASAP representatives participating in todayrsquos meeting Each representative was asked to identify whether they were the State Adoption Manager or the designee State Managers were also asked to identify if they are new to their role with the State NASAP Mission Statement John shared the NASAP Mission statement

ldquoThe purpose of the National Association of State Adoption Programs is to provide a forum in which State Adoption Program Managers can pool their expertise and to promote networking activities as an association with other direct child welfare entities and individual professionals so that each state can develop and maintain an efficient state-of-the-art adoption programrdquo

John asked the meeting participants to keep the NASAP Mission in mind as we move forward with todayrsquos agenda NASAP Executive Committee (EC) Members John introduced the 2014 EC members The EC currently has one vacant member-at-large position that we hope to fill after the 2014 elections

PRESIDENT John Johnson

Director of Foster Care and Adoptions State of Tennessee Department of Childrens Services

VICE-PRESIDENT

Maggie Molitor Adoption Program Policy Specialist

West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources

SECRETARY Stephanie Miller

Permanency Program Specialist Idaho Department of Health amp Welfare

INTERIM TREASURER

Steve Obershaw Adoption and Consultation Section Manager

State of Wisconsin Department of Children and Families

MEMBERS Betty Berzin

Assistant Director-Adoption Program Director New Jersey Department of Children and Families

Division of Child Protection and Permanency

Cathe Hoover Adoption Guardianship amp Permanency Manager

Michigan Department of Human Services Bureau of Child Welfare

Tracey Parker Hirst

Adoption Program Manager Iowa Department of Human Services

Division of Adult Children amp Family Services

EX-OFFICIO MEMBER Deborah Goodman

Program Administrator Oklahoma Department of Human Services

NASAP Overview NASAP was formed in 1998 with the knowledge of and encouragement from the Childrenrsquos Bureau The Association is incorporated in Utah as a non-profit entity Utah was selected only because one of the founding members resided there The Associationrsquos articles of incorporation and by-laws are were shared as handouts for todayrsquos meeting NASAP is a professional peer organization Membership is automatic for all who are identified by their respective States as the statewide adoption manager adoption specialist or state equivalent NASAP charges no membership dues ReadingApproval of the October 1 2013 Annual Working Meeting Minutes Stephanie Miller presented the minutes from last yearrsquos annual working meeting which was provided as a handout for todayrsquos meeting

Stephanie asked NASAP members for a motion to accept the minutes as presented Maggie Molitor motioned to accept the minutes Betty Berzin seconded the motion There were no oppositions or abstentions The NASAP membership unanimously voted to accept the minutes as presented ReviewApproval of the November 20 2014 Treasurerrsquos Report Steve Obershaw NASAP Interim Treasurer presented the current Treasurerrsquos Report Assets as of October 7 2014 were reported as $673312 Since the last Executive Committee Meeting there were no additions to income and no expenses were incurred Net assets as of November 20 2014 remain at $673312 Steve also reported that during the past year the NASAP EC moved the NASAP funds to an internet checking account which will make approving and assigning account administrators and providing access to funds a smoother process when EC members transition from their roles Steve asked NASAP members for a motion to accept the Treasurerrsquos Report as presented Tracey Parker motioned to accept the report Stephanie Miller seconded the motion There were no oppositions to the motion Michigan abstained from the vote The NASAP membership voted to accept the Treasurerrsquos Report as presented Goals and Strategies for 2015-2017 John discussed the identified goals and strategies which were provided as a handout for todayrsquos meeting The initial goals and strategies were developed some time ago and although they have evolved with changing priorities John stated there is a need to continue to think about how to improve upon these priorities and decide how we should lead the organization as we move forward The 1st proposed change addresses Goal 1-D which removes the reference to the NRCA (National Resource Center for Adoption) Although the EC would like to continue to explore the use of a travel agent that may be able to offer reduced fares for State Managers to travel for a NASAP Annual Working Meeting the cooperative agreement for the NRCA ended September 30 2014 so they will no longer be available to provide support The NASAP Annual Working Meetings have historically been held as in-person meetings in the Washington DC area Due to challenges with Statesrsquo travel budgets the Annual Working Meeting was held in conjunction with the Childrenrsquos Bureaursquos National Policy to Practice Meetings since 2008 NASAP has faced further challenges with holding in-person meetings since the elimination of the Childrenrsquos Bureaursquos Policy to Practice Dialogue The last two Annual Working Meetings have been held via webinar The EC will continue to seek ways to bring State Adoption Managers together and are open to suggestions from the general NASAP membership Goal 2 addresses the need to increase opportunities for informal sharingrelationship-building among NASAP members This goal is linked to planning in-person NASAP Annual Meetings which continues to be considered a priority interest of the membership

Goal 3 addresses the need to establish build or strengthen mutually supportive relationships between NASAP and other child welfare peer organizations This goal was addressed during the past year when NASAP held a webinar which included representatives of the Association of Administrators of the Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance (AAICAMA) This forum was helpful for making connections for NASAP and the webinar provided opportunities for discussing and thinking through some of shared challenges experienced by both organizations As we keep this goal in place we seek to identify different strategies Goal4 addresses the need to assure the continuity and progress toward fulfilling the stated mission and goals of the Association The strategies identified for this goal continue to viable for our Association Goal 5 addresses the need to encourage and support collaboration among individual Association members as well as with members of partner child welfare peer associations and other national organizations for the attainment of positive individual child and family county state and national outcomes Todayrsquos agenda and the professionals presenting for todayrsquos meeting reflects our ability to meet this goal There are many agencies that have a shared vision of serving children and families and todayrsquos presenters have information about new opportunities to develop innovative programs and practices to improve outcomes for children and families The final proposed change addresses Goal 6 which the EC suggests should be removed This goal continues to address the NRCA and the Childrenrsquos Bureau TampTA network The cooperative agreements for the Resource Centers ended September 30 so this goal no longer applies The Childrenrsquos Bureau is currently working to identify their strategies to support NASAP and other Peer Networks and as plans are developed and identified on what support will be provided NASAP will be better able identify strategies for supporting and building mutually beneficial relationships Sue Schmelz Adoption Specialist from Arizona serving as interim State Adoption Manager until the vacated position is filled asked if NASAP reaches out to new Managers as they are hired to provide information on who may be contacted for information and assistance John stated that NASAP reaches out to new Managers when the EC is informed of changes and orientation information about NASAP is shared along with contact information for the current Executive Committee John asked the membership to please help keep the EC informed when there are changes in State leadership NASAP also has a website which provides general information and updates about the organization Over the next few months NASAP EC will spend time reframing the goals and refining plans for moving forward The EC welcomes feedback around the priority goals and anyone with suggestionsfeedback may contact John Johnson at JohnJohnsontngov or via phone at (615) 253-6351 Review of the proposed NASAP By-Laws changes John reviewed the NASAP By-Laws which were provided as a handout for todayrsquos meeting Proposed changes include

West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources

SECRETARY Stephanie Miller

Permanency Program Specialist Idaho Department of Health amp Welfare

INTERIM TREASURER

Steve Obershaw Adoption and Consultation Section Manager

State of Wisconsin Department of Children and Families

MEMBERS Betty Berzin

Assistant Director-Adoption Program Director New Jersey Department of Children and Families

Division of Child Protection and Permanency

Cathe Hoover Adoption Guardianship amp Permanency Manager

Michigan Department of Human Services Bureau of Child Welfare

Tracey Parker Hirst

Adoption Program Manager Iowa Department of Human Services

Division of Adult Children amp Family Services

EX-OFFICIO MEMBER Deborah Goodman

Program Administrator Oklahoma Department of Human Services

NASAP Overview NASAP was formed in 1998 with the knowledge of and encouragement from the Childrenrsquos Bureau The Association is incorporated in Utah as a non-profit entity Utah was selected only because one of the founding members resided there The Associationrsquos articles of incorporation and by-laws are were shared as handouts for todayrsquos meeting NASAP is a professional peer organization Membership is automatic for all who are identified by their respective States as the statewide adoption manager adoption specialist or state equivalent NASAP charges no membership dues ReadingApproval of the October 1 2013 Annual Working Meeting Minutes Stephanie Miller presented the minutes from last yearrsquos annual working meeting which was provided as a handout for todayrsquos meeting

Stephanie asked NASAP members for a motion to accept the minutes as presented Maggie Molitor motioned to accept the minutes Betty Berzin seconded the motion There were no oppositions or abstentions The NASAP membership unanimously voted to accept the minutes as presented ReviewApproval of the November 20 2014 Treasurerrsquos Report Steve Obershaw NASAP Interim Treasurer presented the current Treasurerrsquos Report Assets as of October 7 2014 were reported as $673312 Since the last Executive Committee Meeting there were no additions to income and no expenses were incurred Net assets as of November 20 2014 remain at $673312 Steve also reported that during the past year the NASAP EC moved the NASAP funds to an internet checking account which will make approving and assigning account administrators and providing access to funds a smoother process when EC members transition from their roles Steve asked NASAP members for a motion to accept the Treasurerrsquos Report as presented Tracey Parker motioned to accept the report Stephanie Miller seconded the motion There were no oppositions to the motion Michigan abstained from the vote The NASAP membership voted to accept the Treasurerrsquos Report as presented Goals and Strategies for 2015-2017 John discussed the identified goals and strategies which were provided as a handout for todayrsquos meeting The initial goals and strategies were developed some time ago and although they have evolved with changing priorities John stated there is a need to continue to think about how to improve upon these priorities and decide how we should lead the organization as we move forward The 1st proposed change addresses Goal 1-D which removes the reference to the NRCA (National Resource Center for Adoption) Although the EC would like to continue to explore the use of a travel agent that may be able to offer reduced fares for State Managers to travel for a NASAP Annual Working Meeting the cooperative agreement for the NRCA ended September 30 2014 so they will no longer be available to provide support The NASAP Annual Working Meetings have historically been held as in-person meetings in the Washington DC area Due to challenges with Statesrsquo travel budgets the Annual Working Meeting was held in conjunction with the Childrenrsquos Bureaursquos National Policy to Practice Meetings since 2008 NASAP has faced further challenges with holding in-person meetings since the elimination of the Childrenrsquos Bureaursquos Policy to Practice Dialogue The last two Annual Working Meetings have been held via webinar The EC will continue to seek ways to bring State Adoption Managers together and are open to suggestions from the general NASAP membership Goal 2 addresses the need to increase opportunities for informal sharingrelationship-building among NASAP members This goal is linked to planning in-person NASAP Annual Meetings which continues to be considered a priority interest of the membership

Goal 3 addresses the need to establish build or strengthen mutually supportive relationships between NASAP and other child welfare peer organizations This goal was addressed during the past year when NASAP held a webinar which included representatives of the Association of Administrators of the Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance (AAICAMA) This forum was helpful for making connections for NASAP and the webinar provided opportunities for discussing and thinking through some of shared challenges experienced by both organizations As we keep this goal in place we seek to identify different strategies Goal4 addresses the need to assure the continuity and progress toward fulfilling the stated mission and goals of the Association The strategies identified for this goal continue to viable for our Association Goal 5 addresses the need to encourage and support collaboration among individual Association members as well as with members of partner child welfare peer associations and other national organizations for the attainment of positive individual child and family county state and national outcomes Todayrsquos agenda and the professionals presenting for todayrsquos meeting reflects our ability to meet this goal There are many agencies that have a shared vision of serving children and families and todayrsquos presenters have information about new opportunities to develop innovative programs and practices to improve outcomes for children and families The final proposed change addresses Goal 6 which the EC suggests should be removed This goal continues to address the NRCA and the Childrenrsquos Bureau TampTA network The cooperative agreements for the Resource Centers ended September 30 so this goal no longer applies The Childrenrsquos Bureau is currently working to identify their strategies to support NASAP and other Peer Networks and as plans are developed and identified on what support will be provided NASAP will be better able identify strategies for supporting and building mutually beneficial relationships Sue Schmelz Adoption Specialist from Arizona serving as interim State Adoption Manager until the vacated position is filled asked if NASAP reaches out to new Managers as they are hired to provide information on who may be contacted for information and assistance John stated that NASAP reaches out to new Managers when the EC is informed of changes and orientation information about NASAP is shared along with contact information for the current Executive Committee John asked the membership to please help keep the EC informed when there are changes in State leadership NASAP also has a website which provides general information and updates about the organization Over the next few months NASAP EC will spend time reframing the goals and refining plans for moving forward The EC welcomes feedback around the priority goals and anyone with suggestionsfeedback may contact John Johnson at JohnJohnsontngov or via phone at (615) 253-6351 Review of the proposed NASAP By-Laws changes John reviewed the NASAP By-Laws which were provided as a handout for todayrsquos meeting Proposed changes include

Stephanie asked NASAP members for a motion to accept the minutes as presented Maggie Molitor motioned to accept the minutes Betty Berzin seconded the motion There were no oppositions or abstentions The NASAP membership unanimously voted to accept the minutes as presented ReviewApproval of the November 20 2014 Treasurerrsquos Report Steve Obershaw NASAP Interim Treasurer presented the current Treasurerrsquos Report Assets as of October 7 2014 were reported as $673312 Since the last Executive Committee Meeting there were no additions to income and no expenses were incurred Net assets as of November 20 2014 remain at $673312 Steve also reported that during the past year the NASAP EC moved the NASAP funds to an internet checking account which will make approving and assigning account administrators and providing access to funds a smoother process when EC members transition from their roles Steve asked NASAP members for a motion to accept the Treasurerrsquos Report as presented Tracey Parker motioned to accept the report Stephanie Miller seconded the motion There were no oppositions to the motion Michigan abstained from the vote The NASAP membership voted to accept the Treasurerrsquos Report as presented Goals and Strategies for 2015-2017 John discussed the identified goals and strategies which were provided as a handout for todayrsquos meeting The initial goals and strategies were developed some time ago and although they have evolved with changing priorities John stated there is a need to continue to think about how to improve upon these priorities and decide how we should lead the organization as we move forward The 1st proposed change addresses Goal 1-D which removes the reference to the NRCA (National Resource Center for Adoption) Although the EC would like to continue to explore the use of a travel agent that may be able to offer reduced fares for State Managers to travel for a NASAP Annual Working Meeting the cooperative agreement for the NRCA ended September 30 2014 so they will no longer be available to provide support The NASAP Annual Working Meetings have historically been held as in-person meetings in the Washington DC area Due to challenges with Statesrsquo travel budgets the Annual Working Meeting was held in conjunction with the Childrenrsquos Bureaursquos National Policy to Practice Meetings since 2008 NASAP has faced further challenges with holding in-person meetings since the elimination of the Childrenrsquos Bureaursquos Policy to Practice Dialogue The last two Annual Working Meetings have been held via webinar The EC will continue to seek ways to bring State Adoption Managers together and are open to suggestions from the general NASAP membership Goal 2 addresses the need to increase opportunities for informal sharingrelationship-building among NASAP members This goal is linked to planning in-person NASAP Annual Meetings which continues to be considered a priority interest of the membership

Goal 3 addresses the need to establish build or strengthen mutually supportive relationships between NASAP and other child welfare peer organizations This goal was addressed during the past year when NASAP held a webinar which included representatives of the Association of Administrators of the Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance (AAICAMA) This forum was helpful for making connections for NASAP and the webinar provided opportunities for discussing and thinking through some of shared challenges experienced by both organizations As we keep this goal in place we seek to identify different strategies Goal4 addresses the need to assure the continuity and progress toward fulfilling the stated mission and goals of the Association The strategies identified for this goal continue to viable for our Association Goal 5 addresses the need to encourage and support collaboration among individual Association members as well as with members of partner child welfare peer associations and other national organizations for the attainment of positive individual child and family county state and national outcomes Todayrsquos agenda and the professionals presenting for todayrsquos meeting reflects our ability to meet this goal There are many agencies that have a shared vision of serving children and families and todayrsquos presenters have information about new opportunities to develop innovative programs and practices to improve outcomes for children and families The final proposed change addresses Goal 6 which the EC suggests should be removed This goal continues to address the NRCA and the Childrenrsquos Bureau TampTA network The cooperative agreements for the Resource Centers ended September 30 so this goal no longer applies The Childrenrsquos Bureau is currently working to identify their strategies to support NASAP and other Peer Networks and as plans are developed and identified on what support will be provided NASAP will be better able identify strategies for supporting and building mutually beneficial relationships Sue Schmelz Adoption Specialist from Arizona serving as interim State Adoption Manager until the vacated position is filled asked if NASAP reaches out to new Managers as they are hired to provide information on who may be contacted for information and assistance John stated that NASAP reaches out to new Managers when the EC is informed of changes and orientation information about NASAP is shared along with contact information for the current Executive Committee John asked the membership to please help keep the EC informed when there are changes in State leadership NASAP also has a website which provides general information and updates about the organization Over the next few months NASAP EC will spend time reframing the goals and refining plans for moving forward The EC welcomes feedback around the priority goals and anyone with suggestionsfeedback may contact John Johnson at JohnJohnsontngov or via phone at (615) 253-6351 Review of the proposed NASAP By-Laws changes John reviewed the NASAP By-Laws which were provided as a handout for todayrsquos meeting Proposed changes include

Goal 3 addresses the need to establish build or strengthen mutually supportive relationships between NASAP and other child welfare peer organizations This goal was addressed during the past year when NASAP held a webinar which included representatives of the Association of Administrators of the Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance (AAICAMA) This forum was helpful for making connections for NASAP and the webinar provided opportunities for discussing and thinking through some of shared challenges experienced by both organizations As we keep this goal in place we seek to identify different strategies Goal4 addresses the need to assure the continuity and progress toward fulfilling the stated mission and goals of the Association The strategies identified for this goal continue to viable for our Association Goal 5 addresses the need to encourage and support collaboration among individual Association members as well as with members of partner child welfare peer associations and other national organizations for the attainment of positive individual child and family county state and national outcomes Todayrsquos agenda and the professionals presenting for todayrsquos meeting reflects our ability to meet this goal There are many agencies that have a shared vision of serving children and families and todayrsquos presenters have information about new opportunities to develop innovative programs and practices to improve outcomes for children and families The final proposed change addresses Goal 6 which the EC suggests should be removed This goal continues to address the NRCA and the Childrenrsquos Bureau TampTA network The cooperative agreements for the Resource Centers ended September 30 so this goal no longer applies The Childrenrsquos Bureau is currently working to identify their strategies to support NASAP and other Peer Networks and as plans are developed and identified on what support will be provided NASAP will be better able identify strategies for supporting and building mutually beneficial relationships Sue Schmelz Adoption Specialist from Arizona serving as interim State Adoption Manager until the vacated position is filled asked if NASAP reaches out to new Managers as they are hired to provide information on who may be contacted for information and assistance John stated that NASAP reaches out to new Managers when the EC is informed of changes and orientation information about NASAP is shared along with contact information for the current Executive Committee John asked the membership to please help keep the EC informed when there are changes in State leadership NASAP also has a website which provides general information and updates about the organization Over the next few months NASAP EC will spend time reframing the goals and refining plans for moving forward The EC welcomes feedback around the priority goals and anyone with suggestionsfeedback may contact John Johnson at JohnJohnsontngov or via phone at (615) 253-6351 Review of the proposed NASAP By-Laws changes John reviewed the NASAP By-Laws which were provided as a handout for todayrsquos meeting Proposed changes include

bull Revise Article 4c to include in the clause that the ldquoThe Secretary shall act as clerk of all

meetings of the members and the Executive Committee The Secretary shall keep a record of all proceedings of each meeting for inspection by the members NASAP meeting minutes By-Laws and Goals and Objectives will also be archived on the NASAP websiterdquo This modification is a ldquoclean-uprdquo to the By-Laws which previously reflected involvement from the NRCA The NASAP EC will assume these responsibilities going forward

bull Revise Article 5c to state ldquoThe Association immediate past president andor an immediate

past Executive Committee member shall serve as an advisor to the President and shall have no voting rights on the Executive Committee This modification adds an opportunity to recognize an additional immediate past Executive Committee Member in addition to the immediate past President to help provide support to the current President and ensure this role is covered Steve stated that the phrase ldquoas an advisorrdquo should be changed to ldquoas advisorsrdquo to correct the proposed changes as discussed by the EC To clarify John stated the proposed change to Article 5c will be voted on as follows ldquoThe Association immediate past president andor an immediate past Executive Committee member shall serve as advisors to the President and shall have no voting rights on the Executive Committeerdquo

bull Revise Article 6c to state ldquoA representative from the Childrens Bureau andor other organizations as determined by the Executive Committee may be invited to the annual meetingrdquo This change is a ldquoclean uprdquo which maintains the opportunity to invite other organizations to provide the support previously provided by the NRCA

John asked NASAP members for a motion to accept the By-Laws changes in Articles 4c 5c and 6c as proposed Steve Obershaw motioned to accept the proposed changes Deborah Goodman seconded the motion There were no oppositions to the motion Michigan abstained from the vote The NASAP membership voted to accept the proposed By-Laws changes as presented Annual NASAP Executive Committee Elections Deborah Goodman NASAP Ex-Officio member shared that she met with Steve Obershaw as part of the NASAP nominating committee to develop the slate of candidates for this yearrsquos annual elections In consideration for the ballot the committee looked to find representatives from regions across the country Personal contact was extended to those nominated State Manager and they represented on the ballot which was emailed to the NASAP membership Deborah presented the slate of nominees as follows

bull Cathe Hoover (MI) ndash Secretary (2015-2017) bull Stephanie Miller (ID) ndash Treasurer (2015-2017) bull Marilyn Counts (AR) ndash Member-at-large (2015-2017) bull Constance Vigil (CO) ndash Member-at-large (2015-2017)

The unexpired NASAP terms are

bull John Johnson (TN) ndash President (2014-2016) bull Maggie Molitor (WV) ndash Vice-President (2014-2016) bull Betty Berzin (NJ) ndash Member-at-large (2014-2016) bull Tracey Parker Hirst (IA) ndash Member-at-large (2014-2016)

Deborah provided the NASAP membership instructions for voting

bull Ingrid Parks from the Academy for Family Support and Preservation a program of Spaulding for Children will collect ballots via email

bull You may vote for a nominee on the slate or enter a write in candidate bull All States the District of Columbia and the US Territories are each allowed one vote bull All ballots will remain confidential bull All ballots must be returned to Ingrid Parks at iparksspauldingorg by 500 pm

Eastern time on Monday November 24 2014 to be counted bull An email announcing the election results will be sent out to the NASAP membership on

Tuesday November 25 2014 John encouraged everyone to get their ballots in to Ingrid Parks at iparksspauldingorg so we may finalize the elections and introduce our new members who will begin their terms effective January 2015 Guest Presentations John introduced the guest presentations for todayrsquos meeting

bull ldquoAn Overview of Public Law 113-183 the Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Actrdquo ndash presented by Allison Lowery Palmer Child Welfare Program Specialist US Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families

bull ldquoIntroducing the National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiativerdquo ndash

presented by Sarah Greenblatt Director

bull ldquoIntroducing the National Quality Improvement Center for AdoptionGuardianship Support and Preservationrdquo ndash presented by Melinda Lis Director

bull Overview of the upcoming ldquoAdoption Support and Preservation National Post-Adoption

Conferencerdquo ndash Pamela L Wolf Founder and CEO Harmony Family Center John thanked each of the presenters specifically the Center for Adoption Support and Education (CASE) and Spaulding for Children as they reached out for support from NASAP when they pursued funding opportunities with the Childrenrsquos Bureau The NASAP EC congratulations them on their awards and looks forward to partnering with these projects John also thanked Pam Wolf and her work around helping organize the ASAP National Post-Adoption Conference and the opportunities for the event to provide support to help better

The unexpired NASAP terms are

bull John Johnson (TN) ndash President (2014-2016) bull Maggie Molitor (WV) ndash Vice-President (2014-2016) bull Betty Berzin (NJ) ndash Member-at-large (2014-2016) bull Tracey Parker Hirst (IA) ndash Member-at-large (2014-2016)

Deborah provided the NASAP membership instructions for voting

bull Ingrid Parks from the Academy for Family Support and Preservation a program of Spaulding for Children will collect ballots via email

bull You may vote for a nominee on the slate or enter a write in candidate bull All States the District of Columbia and the US Territories are each allowed one vote bull All ballots will remain confidential bull All ballots must be returned to Ingrid Parks at iparksspauldingorg by 500 pm

Eastern time on Monday November 24 2014 to be counted bull An email announcing the election results will be sent out to the NASAP membership on

Tuesday November 25 2014 John encouraged everyone to get their ballots in to Ingrid Parks at iparksspauldingorg so we may finalize the elections and introduce our new members who will begin their terms effective January 2015 Guest Presentations John introduced the guest presentations for todayrsquos meeting

bull ldquoAn Overview of Public Law 113-183 the Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Actrdquo ndash presented by Allison Lowery Palmer Child Welfare Program Specialist US Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families

bull ldquoIntroducing the National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiativerdquo ndash

presented by Sarah Greenblatt Director

bull ldquoIntroducing the National Quality Improvement Center for AdoptionGuardianship Support and Preservationrdquo ndash presented by Melinda Lis Director

bull Overview of the upcoming ldquoAdoption Support and Preservation National Post-Adoption

Conferencerdquo ndash Pamela L Wolf Founder and CEO Harmony Family Center John thanked each of the presenters specifically the Center for Adoption Support and Education (CASE) and Spaulding for Children as they reached out for support from NASAP when they pursued funding opportunities with the Childrenrsquos Bureau The NASAP EC congratulations them on their awards and looks forward to partnering with these projects John also thanked Pam Wolf and her work around helping organize the ASAP National Post-Adoption Conference and the opportunities for the event to provide support to help better

understand best practices for supporting families post-adoption As a reminder the conference is scheduled for June 1-2 2015 in Nashville Tennessee You may find more information about the upcoming conference at this link httpharmonyfamilycenterorg NEW BUSINESS Overview and Discussion of the 2014 NASAP Survey John stated the due to the discontinuation of the Childrenrsquos Bureaursquos Policy to Practice Dialogue where travel was sponsored for State Managers it becomes even more challenging for the NASAP Executive Committee to plan in-person meetings for the NASAP membership due to costs NASAP is constantly looking at ways to reinvent ourselves and the EC is seeking feedback from the membership so we can continue to provide support to State Managers and keep our organization moving in a successful direction Over the next year the NASAP EC will be looking at the possibility of hosting an in-person meeting In our attempt to gain feedback on priorities of the membership NASAP developed a survey A link to the survey was sent out to State Managers a couple of months ago requesting feedback on expectations around holding an annual meeting and also ways we may leverage technology to improve communication and the ability to share information To date there have been approximately 20 responses to the survey Some feedback received from the survey reported that State Managers are increasingly asked to do more Due to the culture and climate we work in the work is no longer just ldquoadoptionrdquo work For many of us the work includes adoption foster care ICAMA post adoption kinship care recruitment etc Time is more limited so we exploring ways NASAP can utilize your time wisely and be more supportive NASAP received good feedback about what is most beneficial to State Managers including the Peer-to-Peer Forums that were hosted via webinar this past year A topic of one these Forums focused on the issue of re-homing which was well attended The NASAP EC hopes to continue offering theses Forums in the coming year The EC also received feedback State Managers would like more information about changes in national policies programs and laws The EC hopes to hold a Forum in the future that goes more in depth about the recent Sex Trafficking Legislation and guidancedirection on how Child Welfare Agencies are to implement this legislation in their programs State Managers also provided feedback they would like information and announcements to continue to be sent out via the NASAP email listserv For those that have questions or need input for other State Managers the EC encourages you to utilize the listserv which is a great way to learn about what is occurring in other Statesagencies The NASAP EC will continue to support the use of the email listserv

The NASAP will also further explore the possibility of holding Regional Roundtables as a forum for State Managers to discuss adoption programs policies and practices with our peers During the past year the NASAP EC directed support to specific regions to engage State Managers around the activities of NASAP and also around hot topics and policy and practice challenges for additional opportunities for dialogue We look forward to increased opportunities to engage State Managers on a regional level over the next year Goal and Priorities for the Coming Year John shared that he will work closely with Maggie Molitor NASAP Vice-President over the coming year to decide how we would like to host next yearrsquos Annual Working Meeting The EC welcomes ideas and thoughts from the NASAP membership on building opportunities for engaging each other in-person meetingsactivitiesevents As more and more State Managers have the opportunity to use technology in their work the EC is also potentially looking at using Facebook Twitter or another social media platform to engage each other and provide access to information As we confirm activities for the coming year the EC is planning the next NASAP Peer-to-Peer Forum around the topic of ldquofull disclosurerdquo John shared that in the State of Tennessee they have been working with Spaulding for Children to look at how they may improve practice around full disclosure specifically how they considerrespect HIPAA while also providing sharing information about their children and providing a clear picture to prospective families about the child wersquore expecting them to parent Tennessee did not have an existing policy around full disclosure and the Technical Assistance received from Spaulding around this issue helped them develop a policy and also resulted in Tennessee submitting State legislation which was recently picked up by the Governor and will be added to his legislative packet Tennessee is currently linking legislation to policy to practice If other States have examples of rising issues or trends or promising practices around full disclosure we are would appreciate you sharing your examples with the NASAP EC The EC plans to hold three Peer-to-Peer Forums over the next year and would be interested in hearing about other ideas for topics Catherine Meister from New Hampshire stated she would be very interested in the discussion around full disclosure and she would also be interested in hearing from other States if they have specific policies and practices around determining their matching process John stated more information around the Sex Trafficking legislation could also potentially be considered as a topic for a NASAP Forum In summary as NASAP continues to move forward we are continually looking at ways to reinvent our organization and keep State Manager engaged and informed We are also looking at ways to strengthen the NASAP Executive Committee to ensure we continue to provide the needed support and adequate representation for the NASAP membership

John thank everyone for their participation in the 2014 NASAP Annual Working Meeting and asked that everyone remember to vote and send in their ballots for the NASAP elections to iparksspauldingorg by Tuesday November 25

John thank everyone for their participation in the 2014 NASAP Annual Working Meeting and asked that everyone remember to vote and send in their ballots for the NASAP elections to iparksspauldingorg by Tuesday November 25

PL 113-183 Preventing Sex

Trafficking and Strengthening

Families Act

Sponsor Rep Dave Camp [R-MI-4]

9292014- signed by the President

Provided by

The Childrenrsquos Bureau

Administration for Children and Families

US Department of Health and Human Services

Legislationrsquos Purpose

bull Amends the title IV-E program to address sex trafficking

locating missing children in foster care amends title IV-

EIV-B case review and planning requirements

reauthorizes and amends the Adoption Incentives Program

and Family Connections Grants

bull All citations are to the Social Security Act (the Act) as

amended by Public Law (PL) 113-183

bull The bill number is HR 4980 Go to Congressgov for more

information about the PL httpswwwcongressgovbill113th-

congresshouse-

bill4980q=7B22search223A5B22hr4980225D7D

2

Legislationrsquos Purpose

bull Amends the title IV-E program to address sex trafficking

locating missing children in foster care amends title IV-

EIV-B case review and planning requirements

reauthorizes and amends the Adoption Incentives Program

and Family Connections Grants

bull All citations are to the Social Security Act (the Act) as

amended by Public Law (PL) 113-183

bull The bill number is HR 4980 Go to Congressgov for more

information about the PL httpswwwcongressgovbill113th-

congresshouse-

bill4980q=7B22search223A5B22hr4980225D7D

2

PROVISIONS RELATED TO TITLE

IV-EIV-B PROGRAMS EFFECTIVE

UPON ENACTMENT

3

Title IV-E Adoption Assistance Program

savings reporting

bull Revises the existing requirement for a title IV-E

agency to spend any savings generated from

implementing the revised adoption assistance

eligibility criteria on child welfare services that may be

provided under titles IV-B and IV-E

bull Title IV-E agencies now must also

ndash calculate the savings from de-linking title IV-E adoption

assistance eligibility from the Aid to Families with Dependent

Children (AFDC) eligibility requirements and

ndash report the methodology used to calculate the savings how

savings are spent and on what services

4

Title IV-E Adoption Assistance Program

savings reporting cont

bull Title IV-E agencies must spend the savings on title IV-

B and IV-E programs including

ndash 30 on post-adoption services post-guardianship services

and services to support positive permanent outcomes for

children at risk of entering foster care

ndash Two-thirds of the 30 on post-adoption and post-

guardianship services

bull Title IV-E agencies must use the savings to

supplement and not supplant any funds used to

provide any service under title IV-B or IV-E

bull Effective 10114

5

Relative notification and sibling definition

bull Modifies the relative notification provision to include

notifying the parents of the childrsquos siblings

bull Defines siblings to mean an individual who is

considered by State law to be a sibling or who would

be considered a sibling under state law if it not were

for a disruption in parental rights such as termination

of parental rights (TPR) or death of parent

bull Effective upon enactment unless ACF approves a delayed

effective date

6

Successor guardians

bull Allows continuation of title IV-E kinship guardianship

assistance payments if the relative guardian dies or is

incapacitated and a successor legal guardian is

named in the agreement (or any amendments to the

agreement)

bull Effective upon enactment

7

Family Connection Grants Program

bull Reauthorizes Family Connection Grants at the current

level of $15 million for 2014

bull Permits HHS to make family connection grants

available to institutions of higher education

bull $5 million each FY for kinship navigator programs ndash

no longer required to reserve

bull Effective 10113

8

PROVISIONS RELATED TO TITLE

IV-EIV-B PROGRAMS EFFECTIVE

ONE YEAR OR LATER AFTER

ENACTMENT

9

Title IV-E plan requirements victims of sex

trafficking

bull Title IV-E agencies must develop and implement

procedures to identify document and determine

appropriate services for specific children who are at-

risk of becoming a sex trafficking victim or who is a

sex trafficking victim

bull Title IV-E agencies must report annually to HHS the

total number of children and youth who are sex

trafficking victims

ndash HHS must report to Congress annually beginning 4 years

after enactment (92918) the number of these children and

youth who are sex trafficking victims (defined in sec

475(9)(A))

10

Title IV-E plan requirement victims of sex

trafficking cont

bull Childrenndash In the placement and care responsibility of the IV-E agency

ndash Not removed from home with an open case file

ndash Have run away from foster care and under age 18 or such higher age elected under 475(8)

ndash Not in foster care who are receiving Chafee services

ndash Under age 26 who were or were never in foster care (optional)

bull Within 1 year of enactment (by 92915) must develop

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916) must demonstrate implementing

bull Within 3 years of enactment (by 92917) must report to HHS total numbers

11

Title IV-E plan requirement victims of sex

trafficking cont

bull Defines ldquosex trafficking victimrdquo in SSA as a victim of

sex trafficking (as defined in section 103(10) of the

Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000) or a severe

form of trafficking in persons (described in section

103(9)(A) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of

2000)

ndash Section 103(10) of TVPA Sex trafficking means the

recruitment harboring transportation provision or obtaining

of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act

ndash Section 103(9)(A) of TVPA Severe forms of trafficking in

persons means sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act

is induced by force fraud or coercion or in which the person

induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age

bull Effective upon enactment

12

Title IV-E plan requirement locate missing

children in foster care

bull Title IV-E agencies must develop and implement

protocols to locate missing children from foster care

and

ndash determine the factors that lead to the childrsquos being absent

from foster care

ndash determine the childrsquos experiences while absent from care

including whether the child is a sex trafficking victim and

ndash report any related information as required by HHS

bull Within 1 year of enactment (by 92915)

13

Title IV-E plan requirement report sex

trafficking victims missing abducted

children to law enforcement

bull Title IV-E agencies must report immediately (no later

than 24 hours) to law enforcement specific children or

youth the agency identifies as being a sex trafficking

victim

bull Title IV-E agencies must develop and implement

protocols to report specific children or youth

immediately (no later than 24 hours) on missing or

abducted children to law enforcement for entry into

the National Crime Information Center (NCIC)

database

14

Title IV-E plan requirement report sex

trafficking victims missing abducted

children to law enforcement cont

bull Children

ndash In the placement and care responsibility of the IV-E agency

ndash Not removed from home with an open case file

ndash Have run away from foster care and under age 18 or such

higher age elected under sec 475(8)

ndash Not in foster care who are receiving Chafee services

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916)

15

New APPLA requirements

bull Limits another planned permanent living arrangement

(APPLA) as a permanency plan only for youth age 16

and olderbull Effective 92915

bull Tribal title IV-EIV-B agencies have 3 years to

implement the limit on APPLA as a permanency plan

for youth age 16 and older

16

New APPLA requirements cont

bull For children in foster care with a permanency plan of

APPLA the title IV-EIV-B agency must at each

permanency hearing

ndash document the efforts to place a child permanently with a

parent relative or in a guardianship or adoptive placement

bull This requirement is similar to the existing

requirements in sec 475(5)(C)(i) of the Act that

require that the title IV-EIV-B agency document to the

court a compelling reason for APPLA as a

permanency plan

17

New APPLA requirements cont

bull For children in foster care with a permanency plan of

APPLA the title IV-E agency must at each

permanency hearing

ndash ensure that the court or administrative body asks the child

about hisher desired permanency outcome and makes a

judicial determination that

bull APPLA is the best permanency plan for the child and

bull compelling reasons why itrsquos not in the best interest of the

child to be placed permanently with a parent relative or in

a guardianship or adoptive placement

bull This requirement is similar to the requirements in sec

472(a) of the Act and 1356121(b)(2) for judicial

determinations for reasonable efforts to finalize a

permanency plan

18

New APPLA requirements cont

bull For children in foster care with a permanency plan of

APPLA the title IV-EIV-B agency must at each

permanency hearing

ndash document the steps the agency is taking to ensure that the

foster family follows the ldquoreasonable and prudent parent

standardrdquo in allowing the child to have regular opportunities to

engage in ldquoage or developmentally-appropriate activitiesrdquo (this

must also be done at the 6 month periodic review)

bull Effective 92915

19

Reasonable and prudent parent standard

bull The ldquoreasonable and prudent parent standardrdquo is defined as ldquothe

standard characterized by careful and sensible parental decisions

that maintain the health safety and best interests of a child while

at the same time encouraging the emotional and developmental

growth of the child that a caregiver (a foster parent of a child or

designated official of a child care institution in which a child in

foster care has been placed) shall use when determining whether

to allow a child in foster care under the responsibility of the title

IV-E agency to participate in extracurricular enrichment cultural

and social activitiesrdquo

20

Reasonable and prudent parent standard

contbull Title IV-E agencies must

ndash require state and tribal licensing authorities to permit the use

of the ldquoreasonable and prudent parenting standardrdquo and to

have policies to ensure appropriate caregiver liability when

approving an activity for a foster youth using the standard

ndash require child care institutions to have an on-site official

authorized to apply the standard and certify that foster

parents have skills and knowledge on the standard and

require that the authorized official have the same training as

foster parents

bull HHS must provide TA on best practices to help foster

parents in applying the reasonable and prudent parent

standard

21

New title IV-EIV-B requirements for children

age 14+

bull For children age 14 and older the title IV-BIV-E agency must ndash document the childrsquos education health visitation and court

participation rights and a signed acknowledgement that the child was provided these rights and that they were explained in an age appropriate way in the case plan

ndash develop the case plan and permanency plan in consultation with the child and at the option of the child 2 members of the case planning team who are not the caseworker or foster parent

ndash describe the services to help the youth transition to successful adulthood in the case plan and permanency hearing (formerly at age 16) and

ndash provide a copy of the childrsquos credit report annually and assist in fixing any inaccuracies (formerly age 16)

bull Effective 92915

22

Providing important documents to youth

aging out of foster care

bull Title IV-BIV-E agencies must provide a youth aging out of foster care at age 18 (or 19 20 or 21 as elected by the agency under sec 475(8) of the Act) with hisherndash birth certificate

ndash Social Security card

ndash driverrsquos license or identification card

ndash health insurance information and

ndash medical records

bull Applies to youth who are in foster care for 6 months or longer

bull Effective 92915

23

Adoption and Guardianship Incentive

Program

bull Applies to state title IV-E agencies only

bull Reauthorized at the current level of $43 million for

each FY through 2016

bull Phases in new categoriesawards in 10114 (next

slides)

bull Other requirements effective sooner

ndash Allows states to spend the money over a 36 month period

instead of a 24 month period ndash 10113

ndash States may not use incentive payments to supplant federal or

non-federal funds for services under title IV-EIV-B ndash applies

to awards for FY 14

24

Incentives cont ndash New Categories and

Awardsbull Each FY a state is eligible for incentive funds

ndash for improving the rate of foster child adoptions ndash $5000

ndash for improving the rate of older child adoptions and older foster child guardianships (age 14 and older) ndash $10000

ndash for improving the rate of pre-adolescent adoptions and pre-adolescent foster child guardianships (ages 9-13) ndash $7500

ndash for improving the rate of foster child guardianships ndash $4000

bull Base rate ndash average rate for the immediately preceding 3 fiscal years or

ndash the rate for the prior fiscal year

bull Creates an incentive for timely adoptions and guardianships finalized during any FY 2013-2015 if other incentive awards are less than the appropriation Average number of months from removal to placement in a finalized adoption must be less than 24 months for a FY

25

Incentives contbull FY 2014 ndash States receive an amount equal to half the sum

of the total award currently in effect and the total award under the new categories

bull Provides a pro rata adjustment if insufficient funds are available

bull Guardianship incentive available for a child who leaves foster care to live with a legal guardian if either

ndash child was removed from the home pursuant to a VPA or judicial determination that continuation in the home is contrary to the welfare of the child return to the home is not an appropriate option the child demonstrates a strong attachment to the legal guardian the legal guardian has a strong commitment to caring permanently for the child and if over 14 years of age the child is consulted regarding the legal guardianship arrangement or

ndash Alternative procedure used by the state to determine that the legal guardianship is an appropriate option for the child

26

Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and

Reporting System (AFCARS)

bull Title IV-E agencies must report information to

AFCARS on children in foster care

ndash who are identified as sex trafficking victims before entering

foster care and while in foster care

ndash children who entered after a finalized adoption or legal

guardianship

27

Chafee Foster Care Independence Program

(CFCIP) changes

bull Purposes of the CFCIP now includes ensuring that

children who are likely to remain in foster care until

age 18 have on-going opportunities to engage in ldquoage

or developmentally-appropriaterdquo activities

bull Effective 92915

bull Beginning FY 2020 the appropriation increases

by $3M to $143M

28

HHS REQUIREMENTS

29

Child welfare outcomes report

bull Beginning FY 2016 the outcomes report must include

state data on children in foster care who are

ndash pregnant or parenting

ndash placed in a child care institution or other non-foster family

home setting including

bull the number of children in the placement their ages and

whether they have a permanency plan of APPLA

bull their duration in placement and the type of child care

institution

bull the number of foster children in each setting and

bull any clinically diagnosed special need and the extent of

special education or services provided in the placement

30

Reports to Congress

bull HHS must report to Congress on

ndash children who run away from foster care and their risk of being

sex trafficking victims their characteristics factors associated

with running away experiences while absent from care and

trends among other things (due 92916)

ndash agenciesrsquo implementation of and best practices for the case

planning amendments regarding APPLA and children age 14+

(due 92917)

31

National Advisory Committee on the Sex

Trafficking of Children and Youth in the

United States

bull HHS must establish and appoint a National Advisory

Committee on the Sex Trafficking of Children and

Youth in the United States to among other things

advise on practical and general policies on improving

the national response to sex trafficking and develop

best practices

ndash 21 members appointed in consultation with the AG and NGA

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916) establish and

appoint members

bull Committee terminates 5 years after establishment

32

QUESTIONS

Thank you

33

A Program of Spaulding for Children

in Partnership with

The University of Texas at Austin

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hil l

NATIONAL QUALITY IMPROVEMENT CENTER

FOR ADOPTIONGUARDIANSHIP

SUPPORT AND PRESERVATION

(QIC-AG)

Spaulding for Children Lead Contact Melinda Lis

The University of Texas at Austin Lead Contact Dr Rowena Fong

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Lead Contact Dr Nancy Rolock

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Lead Contact Dr Mark Testa

2

QIC-AG PARTNERSHIP

QIC-AG is funded through a cooperative agreement with Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Childrenrsquos Bureau

The partnership includes

The QIC-AG will develop evidence-based models of support and interventions which can be replicated or adapted in other child welfare systems to achieve long-term stable permanency in adoptiveguardianship homes for waiting children as well for the general post-adoptionguardianship population

3

QIC-AG GOAL

Increased post-permanency stability

Improved behavioral health for children

Improved child and family well-being

4

EXPECTED LONG-TERM OUTCOMES

1 To build a body of knowledge of the correct combinations of supports services and interventions that work best to ensure resiliency and stability for youth in a permanent home

2 To support innovative collaborative and effective practices in the development of these supports services and interventions and the strategies for each of the project sites

3 To ensure project sites can assess and match appropriate service interventions and service-delivery mechanisms that effectively match the needs of childrenyouth and their adoptive parentslegal guardians to ensure ongoing stability and enhanced resilience

5

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

4 To assist sites to conduct comprehensive screening and functional assessments of childrenyouth to ensure appropriate service intervention Services will be available accessible culturally responsive and effective to meet behavioralmental health needs

5 To develop in partnership with the 6-8 sites a system of culturally responsive evidence-based services to improve permanency and stability outcomes for childrenyouth in adoptive guardianship homes to meet the target populations needs and extend post-permanency supports services to the general post-adoptionguardianship population in the selected sites

6 To complete an evaluation on each site and produce new evidence-based models of support and intervention that increase resiliency and assure permanency and stability for youth in adoptiveguardianship homes

6

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

Child welfare agencies should provide a continuum of services that increase permanency stabil ity and support beginning when children first enter the child welfare system and continue after adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Pre-Permanency Services and supports that engage prepare and connect families to services prior to finalization of adoptionguardianship These services focus on increasing resil iency and assuring permanency and placement stabil ity They focus on emotional-behavioral health issues and provide caregivers with education that improves their capacity to support stable permanency once adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Post-Adoption or Guardianship Services and supports that increase resil iency placement stabil ity and the capacity of caregivers to meet the needs of children in their care Services are targeted to the transitions and changing developmental and emotional needs associated with this population Recognizing that services targeted at families in crisis may be too late these services target the earliest signs of dif ficulty

7

CONTINUUM OF SERVICES amp SUPPORTS

8

ldquoThe new catch phrase is adoption-competency but what does that really meanI need services that help me understand the impact trauma has on my children and how I can change my parenting paradigm to effectively meet their needs As an adoptive parent it is difficult to meet the childrens complex needs and almost impossible if you donrsquot know what services to look for or who to call for helprdquo

ndash Quote from an adoptive parent

ADOPTION-COMPETENCY

Services need to be provided early Interventions targeting adoptive or guardianship homes nearing disruption and

dissolution are often provided too late

Services should target the earliest sign of difficulty

Preparation should begin prior to finalization and equip families with the capacity to weather unexpected difficulties and seek services and supports

Identify families most at risk Research has shown predictors of post-permanency instability that can be

assessed to determine which families to target for post permanency instability

Regular check-ins can identify families most at risk of instability and in need of services

Services should be evidence-supported Appropriate services should be culturally-responsive models that are tested to

determine their effectiveness and can be replicated with fidelity

Well-conducted RCTs measure important outcomes and distinguish services that produce sizable effects from those that do not

9

THEORY OF CHANGE

Target Group 1 Children awaiting an adoptiveguardianship placement or children that are in an identified adoptiveguardianship home but the placement has not resulted in a finalization for a significant period of time due to the childrenrsquos challenging mental health emotional or behavioral issues

Target Group 2 Children and their adoptiveguardianship families who have already finalized the adoptionguardianship and for whom stabilization may be threatened This target group includes children whom have obtained permanency through private guardianship and domestic private or international adoptions

10

TARGET POPULATIONS TO BE SERVED

11

QIC-AG TEAMING STRUCTURE

12

ADVISORY BOARD

M a r y B i s s e l lC h i l d F o c u s

V e e n o d C h u l a n i M DO r l a n d o H e a l t h

H o p e C o o p e rT r u e N o r t h G r o u p

D r J o s e p h C r u m b l e yT r a i n e r C o n s u l t a n t a n d T h e r a p i s t

A p r i l C u r t i sB e S t r o n g F a m i l i e s

D r A n g e l i q u e D a yW a y n e S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y

K a t h y D e s e r l yC a p a c i t y B u i l d i n g C e n t e r f o r T r i b e s

H e a t h e r F o r b e sB e y o n d C o n s e q u e n c e s I n s t i t u t e

F r a n k G a r r o t tG l a d n e y C e n t e r f o r A d o p t i o n

D e b o r a h G r a yN u r t u r i n g A t t a c h m e n t s

J o h n J o h n s o nT e n n e s s e e D e p a r t m e n t o f C h i l d r e n s S e r v i c e s

R o b e r t J o h n s o nA n n u i t y C o m p a n y

J o e K r o l lN o r t h A m e r i c a n C o u n c i l o n A d o p t a b l e C h i l d r e n

S h a u n L a n eH e p h z i b a h C h i l d r e n s A s s o c i a t i o n

J u d g e C i n d y L e d e r m a nE l e v e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t o f F l o r i d a

D r S h a r o n M c D a n i e lA S e c o n d C h a n c e

H o l l e e M c G i n n i sD o c t o r a l C a n d i d a t e N I M H P r e d o c t o r a l F e l l o w a n d a K o r e a n F o u n d a t i o n F e l l o w a t G e o r g e W a r r e n B r o w n S c h o o l o f S o c i a l W o r k

K a t h l e e n M c N a u g h tA m e r i c a n B a r A s s o c i a t i o n C e n t e r o n C h i l d r e n a n d t h e L a w

D r A v i d a n M i l e v s k yK u t z t o w n U n i v e r s i t y o f P e n n s y l v a n i a

D r P e t e r P e c o r aT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W a s h i n g t o n a n d C a s e y F a m i l y P r o g r a m s

D r B r u c e P e r r yC h i l d T r a u m a A c a d e m y

R u s s e l l P r e t zF o r m e r I n t e r n C o n g r e s s i o n a l C o a l i t i o n o n A d o p t i o n I n s t i t u t e

D r S c o t t R y a nT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s a t A r l i n g t o n

D r G i n a S a m u e l sT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C h i c a g o

K a r y n S c h i m m e l sC a m p t o B e l o n g

M i c h a e l S h a v e rC h i l d r e n s H o m e S o c i e t y o f F l o r i d a

D r K r i s t e n S S l a c kT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W i s c o n s i n - M a d i s o n

P a m W o l fH a r m o n y F a m i l y C e n t e r

Dr Mark F TestaAdvisory Board ChairUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Six to eight sites (state county or tribal child welfare system) will be selected to take part in a national project designed to promote permanency and improve adoption and guardianship preservation and support

Sites will work in partnership with the QIC-AG to implement and evaluate a continuum of services that support the permanence and stability of children in adoptiveguardianship homes

Financial resources intensive technical assistance and support will be available to the sites over a four year period

13

SITE SELECTION

14

SITE SELECTION

Children Bureaursquos Guidelines

Two or three of the sites with greater than 10000 children in substitute care

At least one site with fewer than 5000 children in substitute care

Urban and rural jurisdictions Binding work agreements will govern the relationships

between sites and the QIC-AG and must be executed with state or county public child welfare agencies or tribes

Sites will be selected in late springearly summer 2015

Sites will be identified through intensive assessment and preliminary research conducted by QIC-AG

Preliminary conversations will take place with sites to discuss potential collaboration including detailed discussion of the initiative benefits of being a selected site and site specific programs services and capacity currently in place and in need of development

After the initial assessment sites will be identified to participate in the full assessment process This process will focus on obtaining foundational knowledge of each sitersquos continuum of care and readiness to participate in this initiative

15

OVERVIEW OF SELECTION PROCESS

16

IMPLEMENTATION amp EVALUATION STEPS

Spaulding for Children and all of its partners are excited to be part of this critical initiative

We believe that the knowledge gained from the initiative will help child welfare agencies across the nation redefine their systems so that they provide a continuum of services that promote permanency and stability for children in custody and provide stability and support for children and families post-permanency

17

ldquoPost permanency supports are critical to the stability and well-being of adoptive families My husband and I love our adopted child but she came to us having experienced a lot of trauma which will take years and many resources to healrdquo- Jennifer Adoptive Parent

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

Title IV-E Adoption Assistance Program

savings reporting

bull Revises the existing requirement for a title IV-E

agency to spend any savings generated from

implementing the revised adoption assistance

eligibility criteria on child welfare services that may be

provided under titles IV-B and IV-E

bull Title IV-E agencies now must also

ndash calculate the savings from de-linking title IV-E adoption

assistance eligibility from the Aid to Families with Dependent

Children (AFDC) eligibility requirements and

ndash report the methodology used to calculate the savings how

savings are spent and on what services

4

Title IV-E Adoption Assistance Program

savings reporting cont

bull Title IV-E agencies must spend the savings on title IV-

B and IV-E programs including

ndash 30 on post-adoption services post-guardianship services

and services to support positive permanent outcomes for

children at risk of entering foster care

ndash Two-thirds of the 30 on post-adoption and post-

guardianship services

bull Title IV-E agencies must use the savings to

supplement and not supplant any funds used to

provide any service under title IV-B or IV-E

bull Effective 10114

5

Relative notification and sibling definition

bull Modifies the relative notification provision to include

notifying the parents of the childrsquos siblings

bull Defines siblings to mean an individual who is

considered by State law to be a sibling or who would

be considered a sibling under state law if it not were

for a disruption in parental rights such as termination

of parental rights (TPR) or death of parent

bull Effective upon enactment unless ACF approves a delayed

effective date

6

Successor guardians

bull Allows continuation of title IV-E kinship guardianship

assistance payments if the relative guardian dies or is

incapacitated and a successor legal guardian is

named in the agreement (or any amendments to the

agreement)

bull Effective upon enactment

7

Family Connection Grants Program

bull Reauthorizes Family Connection Grants at the current

level of $15 million for 2014

bull Permits HHS to make family connection grants

available to institutions of higher education

bull $5 million each FY for kinship navigator programs ndash

no longer required to reserve

bull Effective 10113

8

PROVISIONS RELATED TO TITLE

IV-EIV-B PROGRAMS EFFECTIVE

ONE YEAR OR LATER AFTER

ENACTMENT

9

Title IV-E plan requirements victims of sex

trafficking

bull Title IV-E agencies must develop and implement

procedures to identify document and determine

appropriate services for specific children who are at-

risk of becoming a sex trafficking victim or who is a

sex trafficking victim

bull Title IV-E agencies must report annually to HHS the

total number of children and youth who are sex

trafficking victims

ndash HHS must report to Congress annually beginning 4 years

after enactment (92918) the number of these children and

youth who are sex trafficking victims (defined in sec

475(9)(A))

10

Title IV-E plan requirement victims of sex

trafficking cont

bull Childrenndash In the placement and care responsibility of the IV-E agency

ndash Not removed from home with an open case file

ndash Have run away from foster care and under age 18 or such higher age elected under 475(8)

ndash Not in foster care who are receiving Chafee services

ndash Under age 26 who were or were never in foster care (optional)

bull Within 1 year of enactment (by 92915) must develop

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916) must demonstrate implementing

bull Within 3 years of enactment (by 92917) must report to HHS total numbers

11

Title IV-E plan requirement victims of sex

trafficking cont

bull Defines ldquosex trafficking victimrdquo in SSA as a victim of

sex trafficking (as defined in section 103(10) of the

Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000) or a severe

form of trafficking in persons (described in section

103(9)(A) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of

2000)

ndash Section 103(10) of TVPA Sex trafficking means the

recruitment harboring transportation provision or obtaining

of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act

ndash Section 103(9)(A) of TVPA Severe forms of trafficking in

persons means sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act

is induced by force fraud or coercion or in which the person

induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age

bull Effective upon enactment

12

Title IV-E plan requirement locate missing

children in foster care

bull Title IV-E agencies must develop and implement

protocols to locate missing children from foster care

and

ndash determine the factors that lead to the childrsquos being absent

from foster care

ndash determine the childrsquos experiences while absent from care

including whether the child is a sex trafficking victim and

ndash report any related information as required by HHS

bull Within 1 year of enactment (by 92915)

13

Title IV-E plan requirement report sex

trafficking victims missing abducted

children to law enforcement

bull Title IV-E agencies must report immediately (no later

than 24 hours) to law enforcement specific children or

youth the agency identifies as being a sex trafficking

victim

bull Title IV-E agencies must develop and implement

protocols to report specific children or youth

immediately (no later than 24 hours) on missing or

abducted children to law enforcement for entry into

the National Crime Information Center (NCIC)

database

14

Title IV-E plan requirement report sex

trafficking victims missing abducted

children to law enforcement cont

bull Children

ndash In the placement and care responsibility of the IV-E agency

ndash Not removed from home with an open case file

ndash Have run away from foster care and under age 18 or such

higher age elected under sec 475(8)

ndash Not in foster care who are receiving Chafee services

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916)

15

New APPLA requirements

bull Limits another planned permanent living arrangement

(APPLA) as a permanency plan only for youth age 16

and olderbull Effective 92915

bull Tribal title IV-EIV-B agencies have 3 years to

implement the limit on APPLA as a permanency plan

for youth age 16 and older

16

New APPLA requirements cont

bull For children in foster care with a permanency plan of

APPLA the title IV-EIV-B agency must at each

permanency hearing

ndash document the efforts to place a child permanently with a

parent relative or in a guardianship or adoptive placement

bull This requirement is similar to the existing

requirements in sec 475(5)(C)(i) of the Act that

require that the title IV-EIV-B agency document to the

court a compelling reason for APPLA as a

permanency plan

17

New APPLA requirements cont

bull For children in foster care with a permanency plan of

APPLA the title IV-E agency must at each

permanency hearing

ndash ensure that the court or administrative body asks the child

about hisher desired permanency outcome and makes a

judicial determination that

bull APPLA is the best permanency plan for the child and

bull compelling reasons why itrsquos not in the best interest of the

child to be placed permanently with a parent relative or in

a guardianship or adoptive placement

bull This requirement is similar to the requirements in sec

472(a) of the Act and 1356121(b)(2) for judicial

determinations for reasonable efforts to finalize a

permanency plan

18

New APPLA requirements cont

bull For children in foster care with a permanency plan of

APPLA the title IV-EIV-B agency must at each

permanency hearing

ndash document the steps the agency is taking to ensure that the

foster family follows the ldquoreasonable and prudent parent

standardrdquo in allowing the child to have regular opportunities to

engage in ldquoage or developmentally-appropriate activitiesrdquo (this

must also be done at the 6 month periodic review)

bull Effective 92915

19

Reasonable and prudent parent standard

bull The ldquoreasonable and prudent parent standardrdquo is defined as ldquothe

standard characterized by careful and sensible parental decisions

that maintain the health safety and best interests of a child while

at the same time encouraging the emotional and developmental

growth of the child that a caregiver (a foster parent of a child or

designated official of a child care institution in which a child in

foster care has been placed) shall use when determining whether

to allow a child in foster care under the responsibility of the title

IV-E agency to participate in extracurricular enrichment cultural

and social activitiesrdquo

20

Reasonable and prudent parent standard

contbull Title IV-E agencies must

ndash require state and tribal licensing authorities to permit the use

of the ldquoreasonable and prudent parenting standardrdquo and to

have policies to ensure appropriate caregiver liability when

approving an activity for a foster youth using the standard

ndash require child care institutions to have an on-site official

authorized to apply the standard and certify that foster

parents have skills and knowledge on the standard and

require that the authorized official have the same training as

foster parents

bull HHS must provide TA on best practices to help foster

parents in applying the reasonable and prudent parent

standard

21

New title IV-EIV-B requirements for children

age 14+

bull For children age 14 and older the title IV-BIV-E agency must ndash document the childrsquos education health visitation and court

participation rights and a signed acknowledgement that the child was provided these rights and that they were explained in an age appropriate way in the case plan

ndash develop the case plan and permanency plan in consultation with the child and at the option of the child 2 members of the case planning team who are not the caseworker or foster parent

ndash describe the services to help the youth transition to successful adulthood in the case plan and permanency hearing (formerly at age 16) and

ndash provide a copy of the childrsquos credit report annually and assist in fixing any inaccuracies (formerly age 16)

bull Effective 92915

22

Providing important documents to youth

aging out of foster care

bull Title IV-BIV-E agencies must provide a youth aging out of foster care at age 18 (or 19 20 or 21 as elected by the agency under sec 475(8) of the Act) with hisherndash birth certificate

ndash Social Security card

ndash driverrsquos license or identification card

ndash health insurance information and

ndash medical records

bull Applies to youth who are in foster care for 6 months or longer

bull Effective 92915

23

Adoption and Guardianship Incentive

Program

bull Applies to state title IV-E agencies only

bull Reauthorized at the current level of $43 million for

each FY through 2016

bull Phases in new categoriesawards in 10114 (next

slides)

bull Other requirements effective sooner

ndash Allows states to spend the money over a 36 month period

instead of a 24 month period ndash 10113

ndash States may not use incentive payments to supplant federal or

non-federal funds for services under title IV-EIV-B ndash applies

to awards for FY 14

24

Incentives cont ndash New Categories and

Awardsbull Each FY a state is eligible for incentive funds

ndash for improving the rate of foster child adoptions ndash $5000

ndash for improving the rate of older child adoptions and older foster child guardianships (age 14 and older) ndash $10000

ndash for improving the rate of pre-adolescent adoptions and pre-adolescent foster child guardianships (ages 9-13) ndash $7500

ndash for improving the rate of foster child guardianships ndash $4000

bull Base rate ndash average rate for the immediately preceding 3 fiscal years or

ndash the rate for the prior fiscal year

bull Creates an incentive for timely adoptions and guardianships finalized during any FY 2013-2015 if other incentive awards are less than the appropriation Average number of months from removal to placement in a finalized adoption must be less than 24 months for a FY

25

Incentives contbull FY 2014 ndash States receive an amount equal to half the sum

of the total award currently in effect and the total award under the new categories

bull Provides a pro rata adjustment if insufficient funds are available

bull Guardianship incentive available for a child who leaves foster care to live with a legal guardian if either

ndash child was removed from the home pursuant to a VPA or judicial determination that continuation in the home is contrary to the welfare of the child return to the home is not an appropriate option the child demonstrates a strong attachment to the legal guardian the legal guardian has a strong commitment to caring permanently for the child and if over 14 years of age the child is consulted regarding the legal guardianship arrangement or

ndash Alternative procedure used by the state to determine that the legal guardianship is an appropriate option for the child

26

Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and

Reporting System (AFCARS)

bull Title IV-E agencies must report information to

AFCARS on children in foster care

ndash who are identified as sex trafficking victims before entering

foster care and while in foster care

ndash children who entered after a finalized adoption or legal

guardianship

27

Chafee Foster Care Independence Program

(CFCIP) changes

bull Purposes of the CFCIP now includes ensuring that

children who are likely to remain in foster care until

age 18 have on-going opportunities to engage in ldquoage

or developmentally-appropriaterdquo activities

bull Effective 92915

bull Beginning FY 2020 the appropriation increases

by $3M to $143M

28

HHS REQUIREMENTS

29

Child welfare outcomes report

bull Beginning FY 2016 the outcomes report must include

state data on children in foster care who are

ndash pregnant or parenting

ndash placed in a child care institution or other non-foster family

home setting including

bull the number of children in the placement their ages and

whether they have a permanency plan of APPLA

bull their duration in placement and the type of child care

institution

bull the number of foster children in each setting and

bull any clinically diagnosed special need and the extent of

special education or services provided in the placement

30

Reports to Congress

bull HHS must report to Congress on

ndash children who run away from foster care and their risk of being

sex trafficking victims their characteristics factors associated

with running away experiences while absent from care and

trends among other things (due 92916)

ndash agenciesrsquo implementation of and best practices for the case

planning amendments regarding APPLA and children age 14+

(due 92917)

31

National Advisory Committee on the Sex

Trafficking of Children and Youth in the

United States

bull HHS must establish and appoint a National Advisory

Committee on the Sex Trafficking of Children and

Youth in the United States to among other things

advise on practical and general policies on improving

the national response to sex trafficking and develop

best practices

ndash 21 members appointed in consultation with the AG and NGA

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916) establish and

appoint members

bull Committee terminates 5 years after establishment

32

QUESTIONS

Thank you

33

A Program of Spaulding for Children

in Partnership with

The University of Texas at Austin

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hil l

NATIONAL QUALITY IMPROVEMENT CENTER

FOR ADOPTIONGUARDIANSHIP

SUPPORT AND PRESERVATION

(QIC-AG)

Spaulding for Children Lead Contact Melinda Lis

The University of Texas at Austin Lead Contact Dr Rowena Fong

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Lead Contact Dr Nancy Rolock

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Lead Contact Dr Mark Testa

2

QIC-AG PARTNERSHIP

QIC-AG is funded through a cooperative agreement with Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Childrenrsquos Bureau

The partnership includes

The QIC-AG will develop evidence-based models of support and interventions which can be replicated or adapted in other child welfare systems to achieve long-term stable permanency in adoptiveguardianship homes for waiting children as well for the general post-adoptionguardianship population

3

QIC-AG GOAL

Increased post-permanency stability

Improved behavioral health for children

Improved child and family well-being

4

EXPECTED LONG-TERM OUTCOMES

1 To build a body of knowledge of the correct combinations of supports services and interventions that work best to ensure resiliency and stability for youth in a permanent home

2 To support innovative collaborative and effective practices in the development of these supports services and interventions and the strategies for each of the project sites

3 To ensure project sites can assess and match appropriate service interventions and service-delivery mechanisms that effectively match the needs of childrenyouth and their adoptive parentslegal guardians to ensure ongoing stability and enhanced resilience

5

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

4 To assist sites to conduct comprehensive screening and functional assessments of childrenyouth to ensure appropriate service intervention Services will be available accessible culturally responsive and effective to meet behavioralmental health needs

5 To develop in partnership with the 6-8 sites a system of culturally responsive evidence-based services to improve permanency and stability outcomes for childrenyouth in adoptive guardianship homes to meet the target populations needs and extend post-permanency supports services to the general post-adoptionguardianship population in the selected sites

6 To complete an evaluation on each site and produce new evidence-based models of support and intervention that increase resiliency and assure permanency and stability for youth in adoptiveguardianship homes

6

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

Child welfare agencies should provide a continuum of services that increase permanency stabil ity and support beginning when children first enter the child welfare system and continue after adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Pre-Permanency Services and supports that engage prepare and connect families to services prior to finalization of adoptionguardianship These services focus on increasing resil iency and assuring permanency and placement stabil ity They focus on emotional-behavioral health issues and provide caregivers with education that improves their capacity to support stable permanency once adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Post-Adoption or Guardianship Services and supports that increase resil iency placement stabil ity and the capacity of caregivers to meet the needs of children in their care Services are targeted to the transitions and changing developmental and emotional needs associated with this population Recognizing that services targeted at families in crisis may be too late these services target the earliest signs of dif ficulty

7

CONTINUUM OF SERVICES amp SUPPORTS

8

ldquoThe new catch phrase is adoption-competency but what does that really meanI need services that help me understand the impact trauma has on my children and how I can change my parenting paradigm to effectively meet their needs As an adoptive parent it is difficult to meet the childrens complex needs and almost impossible if you donrsquot know what services to look for or who to call for helprdquo

ndash Quote from an adoptive parent

ADOPTION-COMPETENCY

Services need to be provided early Interventions targeting adoptive or guardianship homes nearing disruption and

dissolution are often provided too late

Services should target the earliest sign of difficulty

Preparation should begin prior to finalization and equip families with the capacity to weather unexpected difficulties and seek services and supports

Identify families most at risk Research has shown predictors of post-permanency instability that can be

assessed to determine which families to target for post permanency instability

Regular check-ins can identify families most at risk of instability and in need of services

Services should be evidence-supported Appropriate services should be culturally-responsive models that are tested to

determine their effectiveness and can be replicated with fidelity

Well-conducted RCTs measure important outcomes and distinguish services that produce sizable effects from those that do not

9

THEORY OF CHANGE

Target Group 1 Children awaiting an adoptiveguardianship placement or children that are in an identified adoptiveguardianship home but the placement has not resulted in a finalization for a significant period of time due to the childrenrsquos challenging mental health emotional or behavioral issues

Target Group 2 Children and their adoptiveguardianship families who have already finalized the adoptionguardianship and for whom stabilization may be threatened This target group includes children whom have obtained permanency through private guardianship and domestic private or international adoptions

10

TARGET POPULATIONS TO BE SERVED

11

QIC-AG TEAMING STRUCTURE

12

ADVISORY BOARD

M a r y B i s s e l lC h i l d F o c u s

V e e n o d C h u l a n i M DO r l a n d o H e a l t h

H o p e C o o p e rT r u e N o r t h G r o u p

D r J o s e p h C r u m b l e yT r a i n e r C o n s u l t a n t a n d T h e r a p i s t

A p r i l C u r t i sB e S t r o n g F a m i l i e s

D r A n g e l i q u e D a yW a y n e S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y

K a t h y D e s e r l yC a p a c i t y B u i l d i n g C e n t e r f o r T r i b e s

H e a t h e r F o r b e sB e y o n d C o n s e q u e n c e s I n s t i t u t e

F r a n k G a r r o t tG l a d n e y C e n t e r f o r A d o p t i o n

D e b o r a h G r a yN u r t u r i n g A t t a c h m e n t s

J o h n J o h n s o nT e n n e s s e e D e p a r t m e n t o f C h i l d r e n s S e r v i c e s

R o b e r t J o h n s o nA n n u i t y C o m p a n y

J o e K r o l lN o r t h A m e r i c a n C o u n c i l o n A d o p t a b l e C h i l d r e n

S h a u n L a n eH e p h z i b a h C h i l d r e n s A s s o c i a t i o n

J u d g e C i n d y L e d e r m a nE l e v e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t o f F l o r i d a

D r S h a r o n M c D a n i e lA S e c o n d C h a n c e

H o l l e e M c G i n n i sD o c t o r a l C a n d i d a t e N I M H P r e d o c t o r a l F e l l o w a n d a K o r e a n F o u n d a t i o n F e l l o w a t G e o r g e W a r r e n B r o w n S c h o o l o f S o c i a l W o r k

K a t h l e e n M c N a u g h tA m e r i c a n B a r A s s o c i a t i o n C e n t e r o n C h i l d r e n a n d t h e L a w

D r A v i d a n M i l e v s k yK u t z t o w n U n i v e r s i t y o f P e n n s y l v a n i a

D r P e t e r P e c o r aT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W a s h i n g t o n a n d C a s e y F a m i l y P r o g r a m s

D r B r u c e P e r r yC h i l d T r a u m a A c a d e m y

R u s s e l l P r e t zF o r m e r I n t e r n C o n g r e s s i o n a l C o a l i t i o n o n A d o p t i o n I n s t i t u t e

D r S c o t t R y a nT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s a t A r l i n g t o n

D r G i n a S a m u e l sT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C h i c a g o

K a r y n S c h i m m e l sC a m p t o B e l o n g

M i c h a e l S h a v e rC h i l d r e n s H o m e S o c i e t y o f F l o r i d a

D r K r i s t e n S S l a c kT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W i s c o n s i n - M a d i s o n

P a m W o l fH a r m o n y F a m i l y C e n t e r

Dr Mark F TestaAdvisory Board ChairUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Six to eight sites (state county or tribal child welfare system) will be selected to take part in a national project designed to promote permanency and improve adoption and guardianship preservation and support

Sites will work in partnership with the QIC-AG to implement and evaluate a continuum of services that support the permanence and stability of children in adoptiveguardianship homes

Financial resources intensive technical assistance and support will be available to the sites over a four year period

13

SITE SELECTION

14

SITE SELECTION

Children Bureaursquos Guidelines

Two or three of the sites with greater than 10000 children in substitute care

At least one site with fewer than 5000 children in substitute care

Urban and rural jurisdictions Binding work agreements will govern the relationships

between sites and the QIC-AG and must be executed with state or county public child welfare agencies or tribes

Sites will be selected in late springearly summer 2015

Sites will be identified through intensive assessment and preliminary research conducted by QIC-AG

Preliminary conversations will take place with sites to discuss potential collaboration including detailed discussion of the initiative benefits of being a selected site and site specific programs services and capacity currently in place and in need of development

After the initial assessment sites will be identified to participate in the full assessment process This process will focus on obtaining foundational knowledge of each sitersquos continuum of care and readiness to participate in this initiative

15

OVERVIEW OF SELECTION PROCESS

16

IMPLEMENTATION amp EVALUATION STEPS

Spaulding for Children and all of its partners are excited to be part of this critical initiative

We believe that the knowledge gained from the initiative will help child welfare agencies across the nation redefine their systems so that they provide a continuum of services that promote permanency and stability for children in custody and provide stability and support for children and families post-permanency

17

ldquoPost permanency supports are critical to the stability and well-being of adoptive families My husband and I love our adopted child but she came to us having experienced a lot of trauma which will take years and many resources to healrdquo- Jennifer Adoptive Parent

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

Title IV-E Adoption Assistance Program

savings reporting cont

bull Title IV-E agencies must spend the savings on title IV-

B and IV-E programs including

ndash 30 on post-adoption services post-guardianship services

and services to support positive permanent outcomes for

children at risk of entering foster care

ndash Two-thirds of the 30 on post-adoption and post-

guardianship services

bull Title IV-E agencies must use the savings to

supplement and not supplant any funds used to

provide any service under title IV-B or IV-E

bull Effective 10114

5

Relative notification and sibling definition

bull Modifies the relative notification provision to include

notifying the parents of the childrsquos siblings

bull Defines siblings to mean an individual who is

considered by State law to be a sibling or who would

be considered a sibling under state law if it not were

for a disruption in parental rights such as termination

of parental rights (TPR) or death of parent

bull Effective upon enactment unless ACF approves a delayed

effective date

6

Successor guardians

bull Allows continuation of title IV-E kinship guardianship

assistance payments if the relative guardian dies or is

incapacitated and a successor legal guardian is

named in the agreement (or any amendments to the

agreement)

bull Effective upon enactment

7

Family Connection Grants Program

bull Reauthorizes Family Connection Grants at the current

level of $15 million for 2014

bull Permits HHS to make family connection grants

available to institutions of higher education

bull $5 million each FY for kinship navigator programs ndash

no longer required to reserve

bull Effective 10113

8

PROVISIONS RELATED TO TITLE

IV-EIV-B PROGRAMS EFFECTIVE

ONE YEAR OR LATER AFTER

ENACTMENT

9

Title IV-E plan requirements victims of sex

trafficking

bull Title IV-E agencies must develop and implement

procedures to identify document and determine

appropriate services for specific children who are at-

risk of becoming a sex trafficking victim or who is a

sex trafficking victim

bull Title IV-E agencies must report annually to HHS the

total number of children and youth who are sex

trafficking victims

ndash HHS must report to Congress annually beginning 4 years

after enactment (92918) the number of these children and

youth who are sex trafficking victims (defined in sec

475(9)(A))

10

Title IV-E plan requirement victims of sex

trafficking cont

bull Childrenndash In the placement and care responsibility of the IV-E agency

ndash Not removed from home with an open case file

ndash Have run away from foster care and under age 18 or such higher age elected under 475(8)

ndash Not in foster care who are receiving Chafee services

ndash Under age 26 who were or were never in foster care (optional)

bull Within 1 year of enactment (by 92915) must develop

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916) must demonstrate implementing

bull Within 3 years of enactment (by 92917) must report to HHS total numbers

11

Title IV-E plan requirement victims of sex

trafficking cont

bull Defines ldquosex trafficking victimrdquo in SSA as a victim of

sex trafficking (as defined in section 103(10) of the

Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000) or a severe

form of trafficking in persons (described in section

103(9)(A) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of

2000)

ndash Section 103(10) of TVPA Sex trafficking means the

recruitment harboring transportation provision or obtaining

of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act

ndash Section 103(9)(A) of TVPA Severe forms of trafficking in

persons means sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act

is induced by force fraud or coercion or in which the person

induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age

bull Effective upon enactment

12

Title IV-E plan requirement locate missing

children in foster care

bull Title IV-E agencies must develop and implement

protocols to locate missing children from foster care

and

ndash determine the factors that lead to the childrsquos being absent

from foster care

ndash determine the childrsquos experiences while absent from care

including whether the child is a sex trafficking victim and

ndash report any related information as required by HHS

bull Within 1 year of enactment (by 92915)

13

Title IV-E plan requirement report sex

trafficking victims missing abducted

children to law enforcement

bull Title IV-E agencies must report immediately (no later

than 24 hours) to law enforcement specific children or

youth the agency identifies as being a sex trafficking

victim

bull Title IV-E agencies must develop and implement

protocols to report specific children or youth

immediately (no later than 24 hours) on missing or

abducted children to law enforcement for entry into

the National Crime Information Center (NCIC)

database

14

Title IV-E plan requirement report sex

trafficking victims missing abducted

children to law enforcement cont

bull Children

ndash In the placement and care responsibility of the IV-E agency

ndash Not removed from home with an open case file

ndash Have run away from foster care and under age 18 or such

higher age elected under sec 475(8)

ndash Not in foster care who are receiving Chafee services

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916)

15

New APPLA requirements

bull Limits another planned permanent living arrangement

(APPLA) as a permanency plan only for youth age 16

and olderbull Effective 92915

bull Tribal title IV-EIV-B agencies have 3 years to

implement the limit on APPLA as a permanency plan

for youth age 16 and older

16

New APPLA requirements cont

bull For children in foster care with a permanency plan of

APPLA the title IV-EIV-B agency must at each

permanency hearing

ndash document the efforts to place a child permanently with a

parent relative or in a guardianship or adoptive placement

bull This requirement is similar to the existing

requirements in sec 475(5)(C)(i) of the Act that

require that the title IV-EIV-B agency document to the

court a compelling reason for APPLA as a

permanency plan

17

New APPLA requirements cont

bull For children in foster care with a permanency plan of

APPLA the title IV-E agency must at each

permanency hearing

ndash ensure that the court or administrative body asks the child

about hisher desired permanency outcome and makes a

judicial determination that

bull APPLA is the best permanency plan for the child and

bull compelling reasons why itrsquos not in the best interest of the

child to be placed permanently with a parent relative or in

a guardianship or adoptive placement

bull This requirement is similar to the requirements in sec

472(a) of the Act and 1356121(b)(2) for judicial

determinations for reasonable efforts to finalize a

permanency plan

18

New APPLA requirements cont

bull For children in foster care with a permanency plan of

APPLA the title IV-EIV-B agency must at each

permanency hearing

ndash document the steps the agency is taking to ensure that the

foster family follows the ldquoreasonable and prudent parent

standardrdquo in allowing the child to have regular opportunities to

engage in ldquoage or developmentally-appropriate activitiesrdquo (this

must also be done at the 6 month periodic review)

bull Effective 92915

19

Reasonable and prudent parent standard

bull The ldquoreasonable and prudent parent standardrdquo is defined as ldquothe

standard characterized by careful and sensible parental decisions

that maintain the health safety and best interests of a child while

at the same time encouraging the emotional and developmental

growth of the child that a caregiver (a foster parent of a child or

designated official of a child care institution in which a child in

foster care has been placed) shall use when determining whether

to allow a child in foster care under the responsibility of the title

IV-E agency to participate in extracurricular enrichment cultural

and social activitiesrdquo

20

Reasonable and prudent parent standard

contbull Title IV-E agencies must

ndash require state and tribal licensing authorities to permit the use

of the ldquoreasonable and prudent parenting standardrdquo and to

have policies to ensure appropriate caregiver liability when

approving an activity for a foster youth using the standard

ndash require child care institutions to have an on-site official

authorized to apply the standard and certify that foster

parents have skills and knowledge on the standard and

require that the authorized official have the same training as

foster parents

bull HHS must provide TA on best practices to help foster

parents in applying the reasonable and prudent parent

standard

21

New title IV-EIV-B requirements for children

age 14+

bull For children age 14 and older the title IV-BIV-E agency must ndash document the childrsquos education health visitation and court

participation rights and a signed acknowledgement that the child was provided these rights and that they were explained in an age appropriate way in the case plan

ndash develop the case plan and permanency plan in consultation with the child and at the option of the child 2 members of the case planning team who are not the caseworker or foster parent

ndash describe the services to help the youth transition to successful adulthood in the case plan and permanency hearing (formerly at age 16) and

ndash provide a copy of the childrsquos credit report annually and assist in fixing any inaccuracies (formerly age 16)

bull Effective 92915

22

Providing important documents to youth

aging out of foster care

bull Title IV-BIV-E agencies must provide a youth aging out of foster care at age 18 (or 19 20 or 21 as elected by the agency under sec 475(8) of the Act) with hisherndash birth certificate

ndash Social Security card

ndash driverrsquos license or identification card

ndash health insurance information and

ndash medical records

bull Applies to youth who are in foster care for 6 months or longer

bull Effective 92915

23

Adoption and Guardianship Incentive

Program

bull Applies to state title IV-E agencies only

bull Reauthorized at the current level of $43 million for

each FY through 2016

bull Phases in new categoriesawards in 10114 (next

slides)

bull Other requirements effective sooner

ndash Allows states to spend the money over a 36 month period

instead of a 24 month period ndash 10113

ndash States may not use incentive payments to supplant federal or

non-federal funds for services under title IV-EIV-B ndash applies

to awards for FY 14

24

Incentives cont ndash New Categories and

Awardsbull Each FY a state is eligible for incentive funds

ndash for improving the rate of foster child adoptions ndash $5000

ndash for improving the rate of older child adoptions and older foster child guardianships (age 14 and older) ndash $10000

ndash for improving the rate of pre-adolescent adoptions and pre-adolescent foster child guardianships (ages 9-13) ndash $7500

ndash for improving the rate of foster child guardianships ndash $4000

bull Base rate ndash average rate for the immediately preceding 3 fiscal years or

ndash the rate for the prior fiscal year

bull Creates an incentive for timely adoptions and guardianships finalized during any FY 2013-2015 if other incentive awards are less than the appropriation Average number of months from removal to placement in a finalized adoption must be less than 24 months for a FY

25

Incentives contbull FY 2014 ndash States receive an amount equal to half the sum

of the total award currently in effect and the total award under the new categories

bull Provides a pro rata adjustment if insufficient funds are available

bull Guardianship incentive available for a child who leaves foster care to live with a legal guardian if either

ndash child was removed from the home pursuant to a VPA or judicial determination that continuation in the home is contrary to the welfare of the child return to the home is not an appropriate option the child demonstrates a strong attachment to the legal guardian the legal guardian has a strong commitment to caring permanently for the child and if over 14 years of age the child is consulted regarding the legal guardianship arrangement or

ndash Alternative procedure used by the state to determine that the legal guardianship is an appropriate option for the child

26

Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and

Reporting System (AFCARS)

bull Title IV-E agencies must report information to

AFCARS on children in foster care

ndash who are identified as sex trafficking victims before entering

foster care and while in foster care

ndash children who entered after a finalized adoption or legal

guardianship

27

Chafee Foster Care Independence Program

(CFCIP) changes

bull Purposes of the CFCIP now includes ensuring that

children who are likely to remain in foster care until

age 18 have on-going opportunities to engage in ldquoage

or developmentally-appropriaterdquo activities

bull Effective 92915

bull Beginning FY 2020 the appropriation increases

by $3M to $143M

28

HHS REQUIREMENTS

29

Child welfare outcomes report

bull Beginning FY 2016 the outcomes report must include

state data on children in foster care who are

ndash pregnant or parenting

ndash placed in a child care institution or other non-foster family

home setting including

bull the number of children in the placement their ages and

whether they have a permanency plan of APPLA

bull their duration in placement and the type of child care

institution

bull the number of foster children in each setting and

bull any clinically diagnosed special need and the extent of

special education or services provided in the placement

30

Reports to Congress

bull HHS must report to Congress on

ndash children who run away from foster care and their risk of being

sex trafficking victims their characteristics factors associated

with running away experiences while absent from care and

trends among other things (due 92916)

ndash agenciesrsquo implementation of and best practices for the case

planning amendments regarding APPLA and children age 14+

(due 92917)

31

National Advisory Committee on the Sex

Trafficking of Children and Youth in the

United States

bull HHS must establish and appoint a National Advisory

Committee on the Sex Trafficking of Children and

Youth in the United States to among other things

advise on practical and general policies on improving

the national response to sex trafficking and develop

best practices

ndash 21 members appointed in consultation with the AG and NGA

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916) establish and

appoint members

bull Committee terminates 5 years after establishment

32

QUESTIONS

Thank you

33

A Program of Spaulding for Children

in Partnership with

The University of Texas at Austin

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hil l

NATIONAL QUALITY IMPROVEMENT CENTER

FOR ADOPTIONGUARDIANSHIP

SUPPORT AND PRESERVATION

(QIC-AG)

Spaulding for Children Lead Contact Melinda Lis

The University of Texas at Austin Lead Contact Dr Rowena Fong

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Lead Contact Dr Nancy Rolock

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Lead Contact Dr Mark Testa

2

QIC-AG PARTNERSHIP

QIC-AG is funded through a cooperative agreement with Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Childrenrsquos Bureau

The partnership includes

The QIC-AG will develop evidence-based models of support and interventions which can be replicated or adapted in other child welfare systems to achieve long-term stable permanency in adoptiveguardianship homes for waiting children as well for the general post-adoptionguardianship population

3

QIC-AG GOAL

Increased post-permanency stability

Improved behavioral health for children

Improved child and family well-being

4

EXPECTED LONG-TERM OUTCOMES

1 To build a body of knowledge of the correct combinations of supports services and interventions that work best to ensure resiliency and stability for youth in a permanent home

2 To support innovative collaborative and effective practices in the development of these supports services and interventions and the strategies for each of the project sites

3 To ensure project sites can assess and match appropriate service interventions and service-delivery mechanisms that effectively match the needs of childrenyouth and their adoptive parentslegal guardians to ensure ongoing stability and enhanced resilience

5

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

4 To assist sites to conduct comprehensive screening and functional assessments of childrenyouth to ensure appropriate service intervention Services will be available accessible culturally responsive and effective to meet behavioralmental health needs

5 To develop in partnership with the 6-8 sites a system of culturally responsive evidence-based services to improve permanency and stability outcomes for childrenyouth in adoptive guardianship homes to meet the target populations needs and extend post-permanency supports services to the general post-adoptionguardianship population in the selected sites

6 To complete an evaluation on each site and produce new evidence-based models of support and intervention that increase resiliency and assure permanency and stability for youth in adoptiveguardianship homes

6

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

Child welfare agencies should provide a continuum of services that increase permanency stabil ity and support beginning when children first enter the child welfare system and continue after adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Pre-Permanency Services and supports that engage prepare and connect families to services prior to finalization of adoptionguardianship These services focus on increasing resil iency and assuring permanency and placement stabil ity They focus on emotional-behavioral health issues and provide caregivers with education that improves their capacity to support stable permanency once adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Post-Adoption or Guardianship Services and supports that increase resil iency placement stabil ity and the capacity of caregivers to meet the needs of children in their care Services are targeted to the transitions and changing developmental and emotional needs associated with this population Recognizing that services targeted at families in crisis may be too late these services target the earliest signs of dif ficulty

7

CONTINUUM OF SERVICES amp SUPPORTS

8

ldquoThe new catch phrase is adoption-competency but what does that really meanI need services that help me understand the impact trauma has on my children and how I can change my parenting paradigm to effectively meet their needs As an adoptive parent it is difficult to meet the childrens complex needs and almost impossible if you donrsquot know what services to look for or who to call for helprdquo

ndash Quote from an adoptive parent

ADOPTION-COMPETENCY

Services need to be provided early Interventions targeting adoptive or guardianship homes nearing disruption and

dissolution are often provided too late

Services should target the earliest sign of difficulty

Preparation should begin prior to finalization and equip families with the capacity to weather unexpected difficulties and seek services and supports

Identify families most at risk Research has shown predictors of post-permanency instability that can be

assessed to determine which families to target for post permanency instability

Regular check-ins can identify families most at risk of instability and in need of services

Services should be evidence-supported Appropriate services should be culturally-responsive models that are tested to

determine their effectiveness and can be replicated with fidelity

Well-conducted RCTs measure important outcomes and distinguish services that produce sizable effects from those that do not

9

THEORY OF CHANGE

Target Group 1 Children awaiting an adoptiveguardianship placement or children that are in an identified adoptiveguardianship home but the placement has not resulted in a finalization for a significant period of time due to the childrenrsquos challenging mental health emotional or behavioral issues

Target Group 2 Children and their adoptiveguardianship families who have already finalized the adoptionguardianship and for whom stabilization may be threatened This target group includes children whom have obtained permanency through private guardianship and domestic private or international adoptions

10

TARGET POPULATIONS TO BE SERVED

11

QIC-AG TEAMING STRUCTURE

12

ADVISORY BOARD

M a r y B i s s e l lC h i l d F o c u s

V e e n o d C h u l a n i M DO r l a n d o H e a l t h

H o p e C o o p e rT r u e N o r t h G r o u p

D r J o s e p h C r u m b l e yT r a i n e r C o n s u l t a n t a n d T h e r a p i s t

A p r i l C u r t i sB e S t r o n g F a m i l i e s

D r A n g e l i q u e D a yW a y n e S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y

K a t h y D e s e r l yC a p a c i t y B u i l d i n g C e n t e r f o r T r i b e s

H e a t h e r F o r b e sB e y o n d C o n s e q u e n c e s I n s t i t u t e

F r a n k G a r r o t tG l a d n e y C e n t e r f o r A d o p t i o n

D e b o r a h G r a yN u r t u r i n g A t t a c h m e n t s

J o h n J o h n s o nT e n n e s s e e D e p a r t m e n t o f C h i l d r e n s S e r v i c e s

R o b e r t J o h n s o nA n n u i t y C o m p a n y

J o e K r o l lN o r t h A m e r i c a n C o u n c i l o n A d o p t a b l e C h i l d r e n

S h a u n L a n eH e p h z i b a h C h i l d r e n s A s s o c i a t i o n

J u d g e C i n d y L e d e r m a nE l e v e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t o f F l o r i d a

D r S h a r o n M c D a n i e lA S e c o n d C h a n c e

H o l l e e M c G i n n i sD o c t o r a l C a n d i d a t e N I M H P r e d o c t o r a l F e l l o w a n d a K o r e a n F o u n d a t i o n F e l l o w a t G e o r g e W a r r e n B r o w n S c h o o l o f S o c i a l W o r k

K a t h l e e n M c N a u g h tA m e r i c a n B a r A s s o c i a t i o n C e n t e r o n C h i l d r e n a n d t h e L a w

D r A v i d a n M i l e v s k yK u t z t o w n U n i v e r s i t y o f P e n n s y l v a n i a

D r P e t e r P e c o r aT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W a s h i n g t o n a n d C a s e y F a m i l y P r o g r a m s

D r B r u c e P e r r yC h i l d T r a u m a A c a d e m y

R u s s e l l P r e t zF o r m e r I n t e r n C o n g r e s s i o n a l C o a l i t i o n o n A d o p t i o n I n s t i t u t e

D r S c o t t R y a nT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s a t A r l i n g t o n

D r G i n a S a m u e l sT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C h i c a g o

K a r y n S c h i m m e l sC a m p t o B e l o n g

M i c h a e l S h a v e rC h i l d r e n s H o m e S o c i e t y o f F l o r i d a

D r K r i s t e n S S l a c kT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W i s c o n s i n - M a d i s o n

P a m W o l fH a r m o n y F a m i l y C e n t e r

Dr Mark F TestaAdvisory Board ChairUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Six to eight sites (state county or tribal child welfare system) will be selected to take part in a national project designed to promote permanency and improve adoption and guardianship preservation and support

Sites will work in partnership with the QIC-AG to implement and evaluate a continuum of services that support the permanence and stability of children in adoptiveguardianship homes

Financial resources intensive technical assistance and support will be available to the sites over a four year period

13

SITE SELECTION

14

SITE SELECTION

Children Bureaursquos Guidelines

Two or three of the sites with greater than 10000 children in substitute care

At least one site with fewer than 5000 children in substitute care

Urban and rural jurisdictions Binding work agreements will govern the relationships

between sites and the QIC-AG and must be executed with state or county public child welfare agencies or tribes

Sites will be selected in late springearly summer 2015

Sites will be identified through intensive assessment and preliminary research conducted by QIC-AG

Preliminary conversations will take place with sites to discuss potential collaboration including detailed discussion of the initiative benefits of being a selected site and site specific programs services and capacity currently in place and in need of development

After the initial assessment sites will be identified to participate in the full assessment process This process will focus on obtaining foundational knowledge of each sitersquos continuum of care and readiness to participate in this initiative

15

OVERVIEW OF SELECTION PROCESS

16

IMPLEMENTATION amp EVALUATION STEPS

Spaulding for Children and all of its partners are excited to be part of this critical initiative

We believe that the knowledge gained from the initiative will help child welfare agencies across the nation redefine their systems so that they provide a continuum of services that promote permanency and stability for children in custody and provide stability and support for children and families post-permanency

17

ldquoPost permanency supports are critical to the stability and well-being of adoptive families My husband and I love our adopted child but she came to us having experienced a lot of trauma which will take years and many resources to healrdquo- Jennifer Adoptive Parent

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

Relative notification and sibling definition

bull Modifies the relative notification provision to include

notifying the parents of the childrsquos siblings

bull Defines siblings to mean an individual who is

considered by State law to be a sibling or who would

be considered a sibling under state law if it not were

for a disruption in parental rights such as termination

of parental rights (TPR) or death of parent

bull Effective upon enactment unless ACF approves a delayed

effective date

6

Successor guardians

bull Allows continuation of title IV-E kinship guardianship

assistance payments if the relative guardian dies or is

incapacitated and a successor legal guardian is

named in the agreement (or any amendments to the

agreement)

bull Effective upon enactment

7

Family Connection Grants Program

bull Reauthorizes Family Connection Grants at the current

level of $15 million for 2014

bull Permits HHS to make family connection grants

available to institutions of higher education

bull $5 million each FY for kinship navigator programs ndash

no longer required to reserve

bull Effective 10113

8

PROVISIONS RELATED TO TITLE

IV-EIV-B PROGRAMS EFFECTIVE

ONE YEAR OR LATER AFTER

ENACTMENT

9

Title IV-E plan requirements victims of sex

trafficking

bull Title IV-E agencies must develop and implement

procedures to identify document and determine

appropriate services for specific children who are at-

risk of becoming a sex trafficking victim or who is a

sex trafficking victim

bull Title IV-E agencies must report annually to HHS the

total number of children and youth who are sex

trafficking victims

ndash HHS must report to Congress annually beginning 4 years

after enactment (92918) the number of these children and

youth who are sex trafficking victims (defined in sec

475(9)(A))

10

Title IV-E plan requirement victims of sex

trafficking cont

bull Childrenndash In the placement and care responsibility of the IV-E agency

ndash Not removed from home with an open case file

ndash Have run away from foster care and under age 18 or such higher age elected under 475(8)

ndash Not in foster care who are receiving Chafee services

ndash Under age 26 who were or were never in foster care (optional)

bull Within 1 year of enactment (by 92915) must develop

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916) must demonstrate implementing

bull Within 3 years of enactment (by 92917) must report to HHS total numbers

11

Title IV-E plan requirement victims of sex

trafficking cont

bull Defines ldquosex trafficking victimrdquo in SSA as a victim of

sex trafficking (as defined in section 103(10) of the

Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000) or a severe

form of trafficking in persons (described in section

103(9)(A) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of

2000)

ndash Section 103(10) of TVPA Sex trafficking means the

recruitment harboring transportation provision or obtaining

of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act

ndash Section 103(9)(A) of TVPA Severe forms of trafficking in

persons means sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act

is induced by force fraud or coercion or in which the person

induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age

bull Effective upon enactment

12

Title IV-E plan requirement locate missing

children in foster care

bull Title IV-E agencies must develop and implement

protocols to locate missing children from foster care

and

ndash determine the factors that lead to the childrsquos being absent

from foster care

ndash determine the childrsquos experiences while absent from care

including whether the child is a sex trafficking victim and

ndash report any related information as required by HHS

bull Within 1 year of enactment (by 92915)

13

Title IV-E plan requirement report sex

trafficking victims missing abducted

children to law enforcement

bull Title IV-E agencies must report immediately (no later

than 24 hours) to law enforcement specific children or

youth the agency identifies as being a sex trafficking

victim

bull Title IV-E agencies must develop and implement

protocols to report specific children or youth

immediately (no later than 24 hours) on missing or

abducted children to law enforcement for entry into

the National Crime Information Center (NCIC)

database

14

Title IV-E plan requirement report sex

trafficking victims missing abducted

children to law enforcement cont

bull Children

ndash In the placement and care responsibility of the IV-E agency

ndash Not removed from home with an open case file

ndash Have run away from foster care and under age 18 or such

higher age elected under sec 475(8)

ndash Not in foster care who are receiving Chafee services

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916)

15

New APPLA requirements

bull Limits another planned permanent living arrangement

(APPLA) as a permanency plan only for youth age 16

and olderbull Effective 92915

bull Tribal title IV-EIV-B agencies have 3 years to

implement the limit on APPLA as a permanency plan

for youth age 16 and older

16

New APPLA requirements cont

bull For children in foster care with a permanency plan of

APPLA the title IV-EIV-B agency must at each

permanency hearing

ndash document the efforts to place a child permanently with a

parent relative or in a guardianship or adoptive placement

bull This requirement is similar to the existing

requirements in sec 475(5)(C)(i) of the Act that

require that the title IV-EIV-B agency document to the

court a compelling reason for APPLA as a

permanency plan

17

New APPLA requirements cont

bull For children in foster care with a permanency plan of

APPLA the title IV-E agency must at each

permanency hearing

ndash ensure that the court or administrative body asks the child

about hisher desired permanency outcome and makes a

judicial determination that

bull APPLA is the best permanency plan for the child and

bull compelling reasons why itrsquos not in the best interest of the

child to be placed permanently with a parent relative or in

a guardianship or adoptive placement

bull This requirement is similar to the requirements in sec

472(a) of the Act and 1356121(b)(2) for judicial

determinations for reasonable efforts to finalize a

permanency plan

18

New APPLA requirements cont

bull For children in foster care with a permanency plan of

APPLA the title IV-EIV-B agency must at each

permanency hearing

ndash document the steps the agency is taking to ensure that the

foster family follows the ldquoreasonable and prudent parent

standardrdquo in allowing the child to have regular opportunities to

engage in ldquoage or developmentally-appropriate activitiesrdquo (this

must also be done at the 6 month periodic review)

bull Effective 92915

19

Reasonable and prudent parent standard

bull The ldquoreasonable and prudent parent standardrdquo is defined as ldquothe

standard characterized by careful and sensible parental decisions

that maintain the health safety and best interests of a child while

at the same time encouraging the emotional and developmental

growth of the child that a caregiver (a foster parent of a child or

designated official of a child care institution in which a child in

foster care has been placed) shall use when determining whether

to allow a child in foster care under the responsibility of the title

IV-E agency to participate in extracurricular enrichment cultural

and social activitiesrdquo

20

Reasonable and prudent parent standard

contbull Title IV-E agencies must

ndash require state and tribal licensing authorities to permit the use

of the ldquoreasonable and prudent parenting standardrdquo and to

have policies to ensure appropriate caregiver liability when

approving an activity for a foster youth using the standard

ndash require child care institutions to have an on-site official

authorized to apply the standard and certify that foster

parents have skills and knowledge on the standard and

require that the authorized official have the same training as

foster parents

bull HHS must provide TA on best practices to help foster

parents in applying the reasonable and prudent parent

standard

21

New title IV-EIV-B requirements for children

age 14+

bull For children age 14 and older the title IV-BIV-E agency must ndash document the childrsquos education health visitation and court

participation rights and a signed acknowledgement that the child was provided these rights and that they were explained in an age appropriate way in the case plan

ndash develop the case plan and permanency plan in consultation with the child and at the option of the child 2 members of the case planning team who are not the caseworker or foster parent

ndash describe the services to help the youth transition to successful adulthood in the case plan and permanency hearing (formerly at age 16) and

ndash provide a copy of the childrsquos credit report annually and assist in fixing any inaccuracies (formerly age 16)

bull Effective 92915

22

Providing important documents to youth

aging out of foster care

bull Title IV-BIV-E agencies must provide a youth aging out of foster care at age 18 (or 19 20 or 21 as elected by the agency under sec 475(8) of the Act) with hisherndash birth certificate

ndash Social Security card

ndash driverrsquos license or identification card

ndash health insurance information and

ndash medical records

bull Applies to youth who are in foster care for 6 months or longer

bull Effective 92915

23

Adoption and Guardianship Incentive

Program

bull Applies to state title IV-E agencies only

bull Reauthorized at the current level of $43 million for

each FY through 2016

bull Phases in new categoriesawards in 10114 (next

slides)

bull Other requirements effective sooner

ndash Allows states to spend the money over a 36 month period

instead of a 24 month period ndash 10113

ndash States may not use incentive payments to supplant federal or

non-federal funds for services under title IV-EIV-B ndash applies

to awards for FY 14

24

Incentives cont ndash New Categories and

Awardsbull Each FY a state is eligible for incentive funds

ndash for improving the rate of foster child adoptions ndash $5000

ndash for improving the rate of older child adoptions and older foster child guardianships (age 14 and older) ndash $10000

ndash for improving the rate of pre-adolescent adoptions and pre-adolescent foster child guardianships (ages 9-13) ndash $7500

ndash for improving the rate of foster child guardianships ndash $4000

bull Base rate ndash average rate for the immediately preceding 3 fiscal years or

ndash the rate for the prior fiscal year

bull Creates an incentive for timely adoptions and guardianships finalized during any FY 2013-2015 if other incentive awards are less than the appropriation Average number of months from removal to placement in a finalized adoption must be less than 24 months for a FY

25

Incentives contbull FY 2014 ndash States receive an amount equal to half the sum

of the total award currently in effect and the total award under the new categories

bull Provides a pro rata adjustment if insufficient funds are available

bull Guardianship incentive available for a child who leaves foster care to live with a legal guardian if either

ndash child was removed from the home pursuant to a VPA or judicial determination that continuation in the home is contrary to the welfare of the child return to the home is not an appropriate option the child demonstrates a strong attachment to the legal guardian the legal guardian has a strong commitment to caring permanently for the child and if over 14 years of age the child is consulted regarding the legal guardianship arrangement or

ndash Alternative procedure used by the state to determine that the legal guardianship is an appropriate option for the child

26

Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and

Reporting System (AFCARS)

bull Title IV-E agencies must report information to

AFCARS on children in foster care

ndash who are identified as sex trafficking victims before entering

foster care and while in foster care

ndash children who entered after a finalized adoption or legal

guardianship

27

Chafee Foster Care Independence Program

(CFCIP) changes

bull Purposes of the CFCIP now includes ensuring that

children who are likely to remain in foster care until

age 18 have on-going opportunities to engage in ldquoage

or developmentally-appropriaterdquo activities

bull Effective 92915

bull Beginning FY 2020 the appropriation increases

by $3M to $143M

28

HHS REQUIREMENTS

29

Child welfare outcomes report

bull Beginning FY 2016 the outcomes report must include

state data on children in foster care who are

ndash pregnant or parenting

ndash placed in a child care institution or other non-foster family

home setting including

bull the number of children in the placement their ages and

whether they have a permanency plan of APPLA

bull their duration in placement and the type of child care

institution

bull the number of foster children in each setting and

bull any clinically diagnosed special need and the extent of

special education or services provided in the placement

30

Reports to Congress

bull HHS must report to Congress on

ndash children who run away from foster care and their risk of being

sex trafficking victims their characteristics factors associated

with running away experiences while absent from care and

trends among other things (due 92916)

ndash agenciesrsquo implementation of and best practices for the case

planning amendments regarding APPLA and children age 14+

(due 92917)

31

National Advisory Committee on the Sex

Trafficking of Children and Youth in the

United States

bull HHS must establish and appoint a National Advisory

Committee on the Sex Trafficking of Children and

Youth in the United States to among other things

advise on practical and general policies on improving

the national response to sex trafficking and develop

best practices

ndash 21 members appointed in consultation with the AG and NGA

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916) establish and

appoint members

bull Committee terminates 5 years after establishment

32

QUESTIONS

Thank you

33

A Program of Spaulding for Children

in Partnership with

The University of Texas at Austin

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hil l

NATIONAL QUALITY IMPROVEMENT CENTER

FOR ADOPTIONGUARDIANSHIP

SUPPORT AND PRESERVATION

(QIC-AG)

Spaulding for Children Lead Contact Melinda Lis

The University of Texas at Austin Lead Contact Dr Rowena Fong

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Lead Contact Dr Nancy Rolock

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Lead Contact Dr Mark Testa

2

QIC-AG PARTNERSHIP

QIC-AG is funded through a cooperative agreement with Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Childrenrsquos Bureau

The partnership includes

The QIC-AG will develop evidence-based models of support and interventions which can be replicated or adapted in other child welfare systems to achieve long-term stable permanency in adoptiveguardianship homes for waiting children as well for the general post-adoptionguardianship population

3

QIC-AG GOAL

Increased post-permanency stability

Improved behavioral health for children

Improved child and family well-being

4

EXPECTED LONG-TERM OUTCOMES

1 To build a body of knowledge of the correct combinations of supports services and interventions that work best to ensure resiliency and stability for youth in a permanent home

2 To support innovative collaborative and effective practices in the development of these supports services and interventions and the strategies for each of the project sites

3 To ensure project sites can assess and match appropriate service interventions and service-delivery mechanisms that effectively match the needs of childrenyouth and their adoptive parentslegal guardians to ensure ongoing stability and enhanced resilience

5

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

4 To assist sites to conduct comprehensive screening and functional assessments of childrenyouth to ensure appropriate service intervention Services will be available accessible culturally responsive and effective to meet behavioralmental health needs

5 To develop in partnership with the 6-8 sites a system of culturally responsive evidence-based services to improve permanency and stability outcomes for childrenyouth in adoptive guardianship homes to meet the target populations needs and extend post-permanency supports services to the general post-adoptionguardianship population in the selected sites

6 To complete an evaluation on each site and produce new evidence-based models of support and intervention that increase resiliency and assure permanency and stability for youth in adoptiveguardianship homes

6

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

Child welfare agencies should provide a continuum of services that increase permanency stabil ity and support beginning when children first enter the child welfare system and continue after adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Pre-Permanency Services and supports that engage prepare and connect families to services prior to finalization of adoptionguardianship These services focus on increasing resil iency and assuring permanency and placement stabil ity They focus on emotional-behavioral health issues and provide caregivers with education that improves their capacity to support stable permanency once adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Post-Adoption or Guardianship Services and supports that increase resil iency placement stabil ity and the capacity of caregivers to meet the needs of children in their care Services are targeted to the transitions and changing developmental and emotional needs associated with this population Recognizing that services targeted at families in crisis may be too late these services target the earliest signs of dif ficulty

7

CONTINUUM OF SERVICES amp SUPPORTS

8

ldquoThe new catch phrase is adoption-competency but what does that really meanI need services that help me understand the impact trauma has on my children and how I can change my parenting paradigm to effectively meet their needs As an adoptive parent it is difficult to meet the childrens complex needs and almost impossible if you donrsquot know what services to look for or who to call for helprdquo

ndash Quote from an adoptive parent

ADOPTION-COMPETENCY

Services need to be provided early Interventions targeting adoptive or guardianship homes nearing disruption and

dissolution are often provided too late

Services should target the earliest sign of difficulty

Preparation should begin prior to finalization and equip families with the capacity to weather unexpected difficulties and seek services and supports

Identify families most at risk Research has shown predictors of post-permanency instability that can be

assessed to determine which families to target for post permanency instability

Regular check-ins can identify families most at risk of instability and in need of services

Services should be evidence-supported Appropriate services should be culturally-responsive models that are tested to

determine their effectiveness and can be replicated with fidelity

Well-conducted RCTs measure important outcomes and distinguish services that produce sizable effects from those that do not

9

THEORY OF CHANGE

Target Group 1 Children awaiting an adoptiveguardianship placement or children that are in an identified adoptiveguardianship home but the placement has not resulted in a finalization for a significant period of time due to the childrenrsquos challenging mental health emotional or behavioral issues

Target Group 2 Children and their adoptiveguardianship families who have already finalized the adoptionguardianship and for whom stabilization may be threatened This target group includes children whom have obtained permanency through private guardianship and domestic private or international adoptions

10

TARGET POPULATIONS TO BE SERVED

11

QIC-AG TEAMING STRUCTURE

12

ADVISORY BOARD

M a r y B i s s e l lC h i l d F o c u s

V e e n o d C h u l a n i M DO r l a n d o H e a l t h

H o p e C o o p e rT r u e N o r t h G r o u p

D r J o s e p h C r u m b l e yT r a i n e r C o n s u l t a n t a n d T h e r a p i s t

A p r i l C u r t i sB e S t r o n g F a m i l i e s

D r A n g e l i q u e D a yW a y n e S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y

K a t h y D e s e r l yC a p a c i t y B u i l d i n g C e n t e r f o r T r i b e s

H e a t h e r F o r b e sB e y o n d C o n s e q u e n c e s I n s t i t u t e

F r a n k G a r r o t tG l a d n e y C e n t e r f o r A d o p t i o n

D e b o r a h G r a yN u r t u r i n g A t t a c h m e n t s

J o h n J o h n s o nT e n n e s s e e D e p a r t m e n t o f C h i l d r e n s S e r v i c e s

R o b e r t J o h n s o nA n n u i t y C o m p a n y

J o e K r o l lN o r t h A m e r i c a n C o u n c i l o n A d o p t a b l e C h i l d r e n

S h a u n L a n eH e p h z i b a h C h i l d r e n s A s s o c i a t i o n

J u d g e C i n d y L e d e r m a nE l e v e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t o f F l o r i d a

D r S h a r o n M c D a n i e lA S e c o n d C h a n c e

H o l l e e M c G i n n i sD o c t o r a l C a n d i d a t e N I M H P r e d o c t o r a l F e l l o w a n d a K o r e a n F o u n d a t i o n F e l l o w a t G e o r g e W a r r e n B r o w n S c h o o l o f S o c i a l W o r k

K a t h l e e n M c N a u g h tA m e r i c a n B a r A s s o c i a t i o n C e n t e r o n C h i l d r e n a n d t h e L a w

D r A v i d a n M i l e v s k yK u t z t o w n U n i v e r s i t y o f P e n n s y l v a n i a

D r P e t e r P e c o r aT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W a s h i n g t o n a n d C a s e y F a m i l y P r o g r a m s

D r B r u c e P e r r yC h i l d T r a u m a A c a d e m y

R u s s e l l P r e t zF o r m e r I n t e r n C o n g r e s s i o n a l C o a l i t i o n o n A d o p t i o n I n s t i t u t e

D r S c o t t R y a nT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s a t A r l i n g t o n

D r G i n a S a m u e l sT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C h i c a g o

K a r y n S c h i m m e l sC a m p t o B e l o n g

M i c h a e l S h a v e rC h i l d r e n s H o m e S o c i e t y o f F l o r i d a

D r K r i s t e n S S l a c kT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W i s c o n s i n - M a d i s o n

P a m W o l fH a r m o n y F a m i l y C e n t e r

Dr Mark F TestaAdvisory Board ChairUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Six to eight sites (state county or tribal child welfare system) will be selected to take part in a national project designed to promote permanency and improve adoption and guardianship preservation and support

Sites will work in partnership with the QIC-AG to implement and evaluate a continuum of services that support the permanence and stability of children in adoptiveguardianship homes

Financial resources intensive technical assistance and support will be available to the sites over a four year period

13

SITE SELECTION

14

SITE SELECTION

Children Bureaursquos Guidelines

Two or three of the sites with greater than 10000 children in substitute care

At least one site with fewer than 5000 children in substitute care

Urban and rural jurisdictions Binding work agreements will govern the relationships

between sites and the QIC-AG and must be executed with state or county public child welfare agencies or tribes

Sites will be selected in late springearly summer 2015

Sites will be identified through intensive assessment and preliminary research conducted by QIC-AG

Preliminary conversations will take place with sites to discuss potential collaboration including detailed discussion of the initiative benefits of being a selected site and site specific programs services and capacity currently in place and in need of development

After the initial assessment sites will be identified to participate in the full assessment process This process will focus on obtaining foundational knowledge of each sitersquos continuum of care and readiness to participate in this initiative

15

OVERVIEW OF SELECTION PROCESS

16

IMPLEMENTATION amp EVALUATION STEPS

Spaulding for Children and all of its partners are excited to be part of this critical initiative

We believe that the knowledge gained from the initiative will help child welfare agencies across the nation redefine their systems so that they provide a continuum of services that promote permanency and stability for children in custody and provide stability and support for children and families post-permanency

17

ldquoPost permanency supports are critical to the stability and well-being of adoptive families My husband and I love our adopted child but she came to us having experienced a lot of trauma which will take years and many resources to healrdquo- Jennifer Adoptive Parent

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

Successor guardians

bull Allows continuation of title IV-E kinship guardianship

assistance payments if the relative guardian dies or is

incapacitated and a successor legal guardian is

named in the agreement (or any amendments to the

agreement)

bull Effective upon enactment

7

Family Connection Grants Program

bull Reauthorizes Family Connection Grants at the current

level of $15 million for 2014

bull Permits HHS to make family connection grants

available to institutions of higher education

bull $5 million each FY for kinship navigator programs ndash

no longer required to reserve

bull Effective 10113

8

PROVISIONS RELATED TO TITLE

IV-EIV-B PROGRAMS EFFECTIVE

ONE YEAR OR LATER AFTER

ENACTMENT

9

Title IV-E plan requirements victims of sex

trafficking

bull Title IV-E agencies must develop and implement

procedures to identify document and determine

appropriate services for specific children who are at-

risk of becoming a sex trafficking victim or who is a

sex trafficking victim

bull Title IV-E agencies must report annually to HHS the

total number of children and youth who are sex

trafficking victims

ndash HHS must report to Congress annually beginning 4 years

after enactment (92918) the number of these children and

youth who are sex trafficking victims (defined in sec

475(9)(A))

10

Title IV-E plan requirement victims of sex

trafficking cont

bull Childrenndash In the placement and care responsibility of the IV-E agency

ndash Not removed from home with an open case file

ndash Have run away from foster care and under age 18 or such higher age elected under 475(8)

ndash Not in foster care who are receiving Chafee services

ndash Under age 26 who were or were never in foster care (optional)

bull Within 1 year of enactment (by 92915) must develop

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916) must demonstrate implementing

bull Within 3 years of enactment (by 92917) must report to HHS total numbers

11

Title IV-E plan requirement victims of sex

trafficking cont

bull Defines ldquosex trafficking victimrdquo in SSA as a victim of

sex trafficking (as defined in section 103(10) of the

Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000) or a severe

form of trafficking in persons (described in section

103(9)(A) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of

2000)

ndash Section 103(10) of TVPA Sex trafficking means the

recruitment harboring transportation provision or obtaining

of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act

ndash Section 103(9)(A) of TVPA Severe forms of trafficking in

persons means sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act

is induced by force fraud or coercion or in which the person

induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age

bull Effective upon enactment

12

Title IV-E plan requirement locate missing

children in foster care

bull Title IV-E agencies must develop and implement

protocols to locate missing children from foster care

and

ndash determine the factors that lead to the childrsquos being absent

from foster care

ndash determine the childrsquos experiences while absent from care

including whether the child is a sex trafficking victim and

ndash report any related information as required by HHS

bull Within 1 year of enactment (by 92915)

13

Title IV-E plan requirement report sex

trafficking victims missing abducted

children to law enforcement

bull Title IV-E agencies must report immediately (no later

than 24 hours) to law enforcement specific children or

youth the agency identifies as being a sex trafficking

victim

bull Title IV-E agencies must develop and implement

protocols to report specific children or youth

immediately (no later than 24 hours) on missing or

abducted children to law enforcement for entry into

the National Crime Information Center (NCIC)

database

14

Title IV-E plan requirement report sex

trafficking victims missing abducted

children to law enforcement cont

bull Children

ndash In the placement and care responsibility of the IV-E agency

ndash Not removed from home with an open case file

ndash Have run away from foster care and under age 18 or such

higher age elected under sec 475(8)

ndash Not in foster care who are receiving Chafee services

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916)

15

New APPLA requirements

bull Limits another planned permanent living arrangement

(APPLA) as a permanency plan only for youth age 16

and olderbull Effective 92915

bull Tribal title IV-EIV-B agencies have 3 years to

implement the limit on APPLA as a permanency plan

for youth age 16 and older

16

New APPLA requirements cont

bull For children in foster care with a permanency plan of

APPLA the title IV-EIV-B agency must at each

permanency hearing

ndash document the efforts to place a child permanently with a

parent relative or in a guardianship or adoptive placement

bull This requirement is similar to the existing

requirements in sec 475(5)(C)(i) of the Act that

require that the title IV-EIV-B agency document to the

court a compelling reason for APPLA as a

permanency plan

17

New APPLA requirements cont

bull For children in foster care with a permanency plan of

APPLA the title IV-E agency must at each

permanency hearing

ndash ensure that the court or administrative body asks the child

about hisher desired permanency outcome and makes a

judicial determination that

bull APPLA is the best permanency plan for the child and

bull compelling reasons why itrsquos not in the best interest of the

child to be placed permanently with a parent relative or in

a guardianship or adoptive placement

bull This requirement is similar to the requirements in sec

472(a) of the Act and 1356121(b)(2) for judicial

determinations for reasonable efforts to finalize a

permanency plan

18

New APPLA requirements cont

bull For children in foster care with a permanency plan of

APPLA the title IV-EIV-B agency must at each

permanency hearing

ndash document the steps the agency is taking to ensure that the

foster family follows the ldquoreasonable and prudent parent

standardrdquo in allowing the child to have regular opportunities to

engage in ldquoage or developmentally-appropriate activitiesrdquo (this

must also be done at the 6 month periodic review)

bull Effective 92915

19

Reasonable and prudent parent standard

bull The ldquoreasonable and prudent parent standardrdquo is defined as ldquothe

standard characterized by careful and sensible parental decisions

that maintain the health safety and best interests of a child while

at the same time encouraging the emotional and developmental

growth of the child that a caregiver (a foster parent of a child or

designated official of a child care institution in which a child in

foster care has been placed) shall use when determining whether

to allow a child in foster care under the responsibility of the title

IV-E agency to participate in extracurricular enrichment cultural

and social activitiesrdquo

20

Reasonable and prudent parent standard

contbull Title IV-E agencies must

ndash require state and tribal licensing authorities to permit the use

of the ldquoreasonable and prudent parenting standardrdquo and to

have policies to ensure appropriate caregiver liability when

approving an activity for a foster youth using the standard

ndash require child care institutions to have an on-site official

authorized to apply the standard and certify that foster

parents have skills and knowledge on the standard and

require that the authorized official have the same training as

foster parents

bull HHS must provide TA on best practices to help foster

parents in applying the reasonable and prudent parent

standard

21

New title IV-EIV-B requirements for children

age 14+

bull For children age 14 and older the title IV-BIV-E agency must ndash document the childrsquos education health visitation and court

participation rights and a signed acknowledgement that the child was provided these rights and that they were explained in an age appropriate way in the case plan

ndash develop the case plan and permanency plan in consultation with the child and at the option of the child 2 members of the case planning team who are not the caseworker or foster parent

ndash describe the services to help the youth transition to successful adulthood in the case plan and permanency hearing (formerly at age 16) and

ndash provide a copy of the childrsquos credit report annually and assist in fixing any inaccuracies (formerly age 16)

bull Effective 92915

22

Providing important documents to youth

aging out of foster care

bull Title IV-BIV-E agencies must provide a youth aging out of foster care at age 18 (or 19 20 or 21 as elected by the agency under sec 475(8) of the Act) with hisherndash birth certificate

ndash Social Security card

ndash driverrsquos license or identification card

ndash health insurance information and

ndash medical records

bull Applies to youth who are in foster care for 6 months or longer

bull Effective 92915

23

Adoption and Guardianship Incentive

Program

bull Applies to state title IV-E agencies only

bull Reauthorized at the current level of $43 million for

each FY through 2016

bull Phases in new categoriesawards in 10114 (next

slides)

bull Other requirements effective sooner

ndash Allows states to spend the money over a 36 month period

instead of a 24 month period ndash 10113

ndash States may not use incentive payments to supplant federal or

non-federal funds for services under title IV-EIV-B ndash applies

to awards for FY 14

24

Incentives cont ndash New Categories and

Awardsbull Each FY a state is eligible for incentive funds

ndash for improving the rate of foster child adoptions ndash $5000

ndash for improving the rate of older child adoptions and older foster child guardianships (age 14 and older) ndash $10000

ndash for improving the rate of pre-adolescent adoptions and pre-adolescent foster child guardianships (ages 9-13) ndash $7500

ndash for improving the rate of foster child guardianships ndash $4000

bull Base rate ndash average rate for the immediately preceding 3 fiscal years or

ndash the rate for the prior fiscal year

bull Creates an incentive for timely adoptions and guardianships finalized during any FY 2013-2015 if other incentive awards are less than the appropriation Average number of months from removal to placement in a finalized adoption must be less than 24 months for a FY

25

Incentives contbull FY 2014 ndash States receive an amount equal to half the sum

of the total award currently in effect and the total award under the new categories

bull Provides a pro rata adjustment if insufficient funds are available

bull Guardianship incentive available for a child who leaves foster care to live with a legal guardian if either

ndash child was removed from the home pursuant to a VPA or judicial determination that continuation in the home is contrary to the welfare of the child return to the home is not an appropriate option the child demonstrates a strong attachment to the legal guardian the legal guardian has a strong commitment to caring permanently for the child and if over 14 years of age the child is consulted regarding the legal guardianship arrangement or

ndash Alternative procedure used by the state to determine that the legal guardianship is an appropriate option for the child

26

Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and

Reporting System (AFCARS)

bull Title IV-E agencies must report information to

AFCARS on children in foster care

ndash who are identified as sex trafficking victims before entering

foster care and while in foster care

ndash children who entered after a finalized adoption or legal

guardianship

27

Chafee Foster Care Independence Program

(CFCIP) changes

bull Purposes of the CFCIP now includes ensuring that

children who are likely to remain in foster care until

age 18 have on-going opportunities to engage in ldquoage

or developmentally-appropriaterdquo activities

bull Effective 92915

bull Beginning FY 2020 the appropriation increases

by $3M to $143M

28

HHS REQUIREMENTS

29

Child welfare outcomes report

bull Beginning FY 2016 the outcomes report must include

state data on children in foster care who are

ndash pregnant or parenting

ndash placed in a child care institution or other non-foster family

home setting including

bull the number of children in the placement their ages and

whether they have a permanency plan of APPLA

bull their duration in placement and the type of child care

institution

bull the number of foster children in each setting and

bull any clinically diagnosed special need and the extent of

special education or services provided in the placement

30

Reports to Congress

bull HHS must report to Congress on

ndash children who run away from foster care and their risk of being

sex trafficking victims their characteristics factors associated

with running away experiences while absent from care and

trends among other things (due 92916)

ndash agenciesrsquo implementation of and best practices for the case

planning amendments regarding APPLA and children age 14+

(due 92917)

31

National Advisory Committee on the Sex

Trafficking of Children and Youth in the

United States

bull HHS must establish and appoint a National Advisory

Committee on the Sex Trafficking of Children and

Youth in the United States to among other things

advise on practical and general policies on improving

the national response to sex trafficking and develop

best practices

ndash 21 members appointed in consultation with the AG and NGA

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916) establish and

appoint members

bull Committee terminates 5 years after establishment

32

QUESTIONS

Thank you

33

A Program of Spaulding for Children

in Partnership with

The University of Texas at Austin

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hil l

NATIONAL QUALITY IMPROVEMENT CENTER

FOR ADOPTIONGUARDIANSHIP

SUPPORT AND PRESERVATION

(QIC-AG)

Spaulding for Children Lead Contact Melinda Lis

The University of Texas at Austin Lead Contact Dr Rowena Fong

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Lead Contact Dr Nancy Rolock

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Lead Contact Dr Mark Testa

2

QIC-AG PARTNERSHIP

QIC-AG is funded through a cooperative agreement with Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Childrenrsquos Bureau

The partnership includes

The QIC-AG will develop evidence-based models of support and interventions which can be replicated or adapted in other child welfare systems to achieve long-term stable permanency in adoptiveguardianship homes for waiting children as well for the general post-adoptionguardianship population

3

QIC-AG GOAL

Increased post-permanency stability

Improved behavioral health for children

Improved child and family well-being

4

EXPECTED LONG-TERM OUTCOMES

1 To build a body of knowledge of the correct combinations of supports services and interventions that work best to ensure resiliency and stability for youth in a permanent home

2 To support innovative collaborative and effective practices in the development of these supports services and interventions and the strategies for each of the project sites

3 To ensure project sites can assess and match appropriate service interventions and service-delivery mechanisms that effectively match the needs of childrenyouth and their adoptive parentslegal guardians to ensure ongoing stability and enhanced resilience

5

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

4 To assist sites to conduct comprehensive screening and functional assessments of childrenyouth to ensure appropriate service intervention Services will be available accessible culturally responsive and effective to meet behavioralmental health needs

5 To develop in partnership with the 6-8 sites a system of culturally responsive evidence-based services to improve permanency and stability outcomes for childrenyouth in adoptive guardianship homes to meet the target populations needs and extend post-permanency supports services to the general post-adoptionguardianship population in the selected sites

6 To complete an evaluation on each site and produce new evidence-based models of support and intervention that increase resiliency and assure permanency and stability for youth in adoptiveguardianship homes

6

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

Child welfare agencies should provide a continuum of services that increase permanency stabil ity and support beginning when children first enter the child welfare system and continue after adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Pre-Permanency Services and supports that engage prepare and connect families to services prior to finalization of adoptionguardianship These services focus on increasing resil iency and assuring permanency and placement stabil ity They focus on emotional-behavioral health issues and provide caregivers with education that improves their capacity to support stable permanency once adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Post-Adoption or Guardianship Services and supports that increase resil iency placement stabil ity and the capacity of caregivers to meet the needs of children in their care Services are targeted to the transitions and changing developmental and emotional needs associated with this population Recognizing that services targeted at families in crisis may be too late these services target the earliest signs of dif ficulty

7

CONTINUUM OF SERVICES amp SUPPORTS

8

ldquoThe new catch phrase is adoption-competency but what does that really meanI need services that help me understand the impact trauma has on my children and how I can change my parenting paradigm to effectively meet their needs As an adoptive parent it is difficult to meet the childrens complex needs and almost impossible if you donrsquot know what services to look for or who to call for helprdquo

ndash Quote from an adoptive parent

ADOPTION-COMPETENCY

Services need to be provided early Interventions targeting adoptive or guardianship homes nearing disruption and

dissolution are often provided too late

Services should target the earliest sign of difficulty

Preparation should begin prior to finalization and equip families with the capacity to weather unexpected difficulties and seek services and supports

Identify families most at risk Research has shown predictors of post-permanency instability that can be

assessed to determine which families to target for post permanency instability

Regular check-ins can identify families most at risk of instability and in need of services

Services should be evidence-supported Appropriate services should be culturally-responsive models that are tested to

determine their effectiveness and can be replicated with fidelity

Well-conducted RCTs measure important outcomes and distinguish services that produce sizable effects from those that do not

9

THEORY OF CHANGE

Target Group 1 Children awaiting an adoptiveguardianship placement or children that are in an identified adoptiveguardianship home but the placement has not resulted in a finalization for a significant period of time due to the childrenrsquos challenging mental health emotional or behavioral issues

Target Group 2 Children and their adoptiveguardianship families who have already finalized the adoptionguardianship and for whom stabilization may be threatened This target group includes children whom have obtained permanency through private guardianship and domestic private or international adoptions

10

TARGET POPULATIONS TO BE SERVED

11

QIC-AG TEAMING STRUCTURE

12

ADVISORY BOARD

M a r y B i s s e l lC h i l d F o c u s

V e e n o d C h u l a n i M DO r l a n d o H e a l t h

H o p e C o o p e rT r u e N o r t h G r o u p

D r J o s e p h C r u m b l e yT r a i n e r C o n s u l t a n t a n d T h e r a p i s t

A p r i l C u r t i sB e S t r o n g F a m i l i e s

D r A n g e l i q u e D a yW a y n e S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y

K a t h y D e s e r l yC a p a c i t y B u i l d i n g C e n t e r f o r T r i b e s

H e a t h e r F o r b e sB e y o n d C o n s e q u e n c e s I n s t i t u t e

F r a n k G a r r o t tG l a d n e y C e n t e r f o r A d o p t i o n

D e b o r a h G r a yN u r t u r i n g A t t a c h m e n t s

J o h n J o h n s o nT e n n e s s e e D e p a r t m e n t o f C h i l d r e n s S e r v i c e s

R o b e r t J o h n s o nA n n u i t y C o m p a n y

J o e K r o l lN o r t h A m e r i c a n C o u n c i l o n A d o p t a b l e C h i l d r e n

S h a u n L a n eH e p h z i b a h C h i l d r e n s A s s o c i a t i o n

J u d g e C i n d y L e d e r m a nE l e v e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t o f F l o r i d a

D r S h a r o n M c D a n i e lA S e c o n d C h a n c e

H o l l e e M c G i n n i sD o c t o r a l C a n d i d a t e N I M H P r e d o c t o r a l F e l l o w a n d a K o r e a n F o u n d a t i o n F e l l o w a t G e o r g e W a r r e n B r o w n S c h o o l o f S o c i a l W o r k

K a t h l e e n M c N a u g h tA m e r i c a n B a r A s s o c i a t i o n C e n t e r o n C h i l d r e n a n d t h e L a w

D r A v i d a n M i l e v s k yK u t z t o w n U n i v e r s i t y o f P e n n s y l v a n i a

D r P e t e r P e c o r aT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W a s h i n g t o n a n d C a s e y F a m i l y P r o g r a m s

D r B r u c e P e r r yC h i l d T r a u m a A c a d e m y

R u s s e l l P r e t zF o r m e r I n t e r n C o n g r e s s i o n a l C o a l i t i o n o n A d o p t i o n I n s t i t u t e

D r S c o t t R y a nT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s a t A r l i n g t o n

D r G i n a S a m u e l sT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C h i c a g o

K a r y n S c h i m m e l sC a m p t o B e l o n g

M i c h a e l S h a v e rC h i l d r e n s H o m e S o c i e t y o f F l o r i d a

D r K r i s t e n S S l a c kT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W i s c o n s i n - M a d i s o n

P a m W o l fH a r m o n y F a m i l y C e n t e r

Dr Mark F TestaAdvisory Board ChairUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Six to eight sites (state county or tribal child welfare system) will be selected to take part in a national project designed to promote permanency and improve adoption and guardianship preservation and support

Sites will work in partnership with the QIC-AG to implement and evaluate a continuum of services that support the permanence and stability of children in adoptiveguardianship homes

Financial resources intensive technical assistance and support will be available to the sites over a four year period

13

SITE SELECTION

14

SITE SELECTION

Children Bureaursquos Guidelines

Two or three of the sites with greater than 10000 children in substitute care

At least one site with fewer than 5000 children in substitute care

Urban and rural jurisdictions Binding work agreements will govern the relationships

between sites and the QIC-AG and must be executed with state or county public child welfare agencies or tribes

Sites will be selected in late springearly summer 2015

Sites will be identified through intensive assessment and preliminary research conducted by QIC-AG

Preliminary conversations will take place with sites to discuss potential collaboration including detailed discussion of the initiative benefits of being a selected site and site specific programs services and capacity currently in place and in need of development

After the initial assessment sites will be identified to participate in the full assessment process This process will focus on obtaining foundational knowledge of each sitersquos continuum of care and readiness to participate in this initiative

15

OVERVIEW OF SELECTION PROCESS

16

IMPLEMENTATION amp EVALUATION STEPS

Spaulding for Children and all of its partners are excited to be part of this critical initiative

We believe that the knowledge gained from the initiative will help child welfare agencies across the nation redefine their systems so that they provide a continuum of services that promote permanency and stability for children in custody and provide stability and support for children and families post-permanency

17

ldquoPost permanency supports are critical to the stability and well-being of adoptive families My husband and I love our adopted child but she came to us having experienced a lot of trauma which will take years and many resources to healrdquo- Jennifer Adoptive Parent

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

Family Connection Grants Program

bull Reauthorizes Family Connection Grants at the current

level of $15 million for 2014

bull Permits HHS to make family connection grants

available to institutions of higher education

bull $5 million each FY for kinship navigator programs ndash

no longer required to reserve

bull Effective 10113

8

PROVISIONS RELATED TO TITLE

IV-EIV-B PROGRAMS EFFECTIVE

ONE YEAR OR LATER AFTER

ENACTMENT

9

Title IV-E plan requirements victims of sex

trafficking

bull Title IV-E agencies must develop and implement

procedures to identify document and determine

appropriate services for specific children who are at-

risk of becoming a sex trafficking victim or who is a

sex trafficking victim

bull Title IV-E agencies must report annually to HHS the

total number of children and youth who are sex

trafficking victims

ndash HHS must report to Congress annually beginning 4 years

after enactment (92918) the number of these children and

youth who are sex trafficking victims (defined in sec

475(9)(A))

10

Title IV-E plan requirement victims of sex

trafficking cont

bull Childrenndash In the placement and care responsibility of the IV-E agency

ndash Not removed from home with an open case file

ndash Have run away from foster care and under age 18 or such higher age elected under 475(8)

ndash Not in foster care who are receiving Chafee services

ndash Under age 26 who were or were never in foster care (optional)

bull Within 1 year of enactment (by 92915) must develop

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916) must demonstrate implementing

bull Within 3 years of enactment (by 92917) must report to HHS total numbers

11

Title IV-E plan requirement victims of sex

trafficking cont

bull Defines ldquosex trafficking victimrdquo in SSA as a victim of

sex trafficking (as defined in section 103(10) of the

Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000) or a severe

form of trafficking in persons (described in section

103(9)(A) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of

2000)

ndash Section 103(10) of TVPA Sex trafficking means the

recruitment harboring transportation provision or obtaining

of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act

ndash Section 103(9)(A) of TVPA Severe forms of trafficking in

persons means sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act

is induced by force fraud or coercion or in which the person

induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age

bull Effective upon enactment

12

Title IV-E plan requirement locate missing

children in foster care

bull Title IV-E agencies must develop and implement

protocols to locate missing children from foster care

and

ndash determine the factors that lead to the childrsquos being absent

from foster care

ndash determine the childrsquos experiences while absent from care

including whether the child is a sex trafficking victim and

ndash report any related information as required by HHS

bull Within 1 year of enactment (by 92915)

13

Title IV-E plan requirement report sex

trafficking victims missing abducted

children to law enforcement

bull Title IV-E agencies must report immediately (no later

than 24 hours) to law enforcement specific children or

youth the agency identifies as being a sex trafficking

victim

bull Title IV-E agencies must develop and implement

protocols to report specific children or youth

immediately (no later than 24 hours) on missing or

abducted children to law enforcement for entry into

the National Crime Information Center (NCIC)

database

14

Title IV-E plan requirement report sex

trafficking victims missing abducted

children to law enforcement cont

bull Children

ndash In the placement and care responsibility of the IV-E agency

ndash Not removed from home with an open case file

ndash Have run away from foster care and under age 18 or such

higher age elected under sec 475(8)

ndash Not in foster care who are receiving Chafee services

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916)

15

New APPLA requirements

bull Limits another planned permanent living arrangement

(APPLA) as a permanency plan only for youth age 16

and olderbull Effective 92915

bull Tribal title IV-EIV-B agencies have 3 years to

implement the limit on APPLA as a permanency plan

for youth age 16 and older

16

New APPLA requirements cont

bull For children in foster care with a permanency plan of

APPLA the title IV-EIV-B agency must at each

permanency hearing

ndash document the efforts to place a child permanently with a

parent relative or in a guardianship or adoptive placement

bull This requirement is similar to the existing

requirements in sec 475(5)(C)(i) of the Act that

require that the title IV-EIV-B agency document to the

court a compelling reason for APPLA as a

permanency plan

17

New APPLA requirements cont

bull For children in foster care with a permanency plan of

APPLA the title IV-E agency must at each

permanency hearing

ndash ensure that the court or administrative body asks the child

about hisher desired permanency outcome and makes a

judicial determination that

bull APPLA is the best permanency plan for the child and

bull compelling reasons why itrsquos not in the best interest of the

child to be placed permanently with a parent relative or in

a guardianship or adoptive placement

bull This requirement is similar to the requirements in sec

472(a) of the Act and 1356121(b)(2) for judicial

determinations for reasonable efforts to finalize a

permanency plan

18

New APPLA requirements cont

bull For children in foster care with a permanency plan of

APPLA the title IV-EIV-B agency must at each

permanency hearing

ndash document the steps the agency is taking to ensure that the

foster family follows the ldquoreasonable and prudent parent

standardrdquo in allowing the child to have regular opportunities to

engage in ldquoage or developmentally-appropriate activitiesrdquo (this

must also be done at the 6 month periodic review)

bull Effective 92915

19

Reasonable and prudent parent standard

bull The ldquoreasonable and prudent parent standardrdquo is defined as ldquothe

standard characterized by careful and sensible parental decisions

that maintain the health safety and best interests of a child while

at the same time encouraging the emotional and developmental

growth of the child that a caregiver (a foster parent of a child or

designated official of a child care institution in which a child in

foster care has been placed) shall use when determining whether

to allow a child in foster care under the responsibility of the title

IV-E agency to participate in extracurricular enrichment cultural

and social activitiesrdquo

20

Reasonable and prudent parent standard

contbull Title IV-E agencies must

ndash require state and tribal licensing authorities to permit the use

of the ldquoreasonable and prudent parenting standardrdquo and to

have policies to ensure appropriate caregiver liability when

approving an activity for a foster youth using the standard

ndash require child care institutions to have an on-site official

authorized to apply the standard and certify that foster

parents have skills and knowledge on the standard and

require that the authorized official have the same training as

foster parents

bull HHS must provide TA on best practices to help foster

parents in applying the reasonable and prudent parent

standard

21

New title IV-EIV-B requirements for children

age 14+

bull For children age 14 and older the title IV-BIV-E agency must ndash document the childrsquos education health visitation and court

participation rights and a signed acknowledgement that the child was provided these rights and that they were explained in an age appropriate way in the case plan

ndash develop the case plan and permanency plan in consultation with the child and at the option of the child 2 members of the case planning team who are not the caseworker or foster parent

ndash describe the services to help the youth transition to successful adulthood in the case plan and permanency hearing (formerly at age 16) and

ndash provide a copy of the childrsquos credit report annually and assist in fixing any inaccuracies (formerly age 16)

bull Effective 92915

22

Providing important documents to youth

aging out of foster care

bull Title IV-BIV-E agencies must provide a youth aging out of foster care at age 18 (or 19 20 or 21 as elected by the agency under sec 475(8) of the Act) with hisherndash birth certificate

ndash Social Security card

ndash driverrsquos license or identification card

ndash health insurance information and

ndash medical records

bull Applies to youth who are in foster care for 6 months or longer

bull Effective 92915

23

Adoption and Guardianship Incentive

Program

bull Applies to state title IV-E agencies only

bull Reauthorized at the current level of $43 million for

each FY through 2016

bull Phases in new categoriesawards in 10114 (next

slides)

bull Other requirements effective sooner

ndash Allows states to spend the money over a 36 month period

instead of a 24 month period ndash 10113

ndash States may not use incentive payments to supplant federal or

non-federal funds for services under title IV-EIV-B ndash applies

to awards for FY 14

24

Incentives cont ndash New Categories and

Awardsbull Each FY a state is eligible for incentive funds

ndash for improving the rate of foster child adoptions ndash $5000

ndash for improving the rate of older child adoptions and older foster child guardianships (age 14 and older) ndash $10000

ndash for improving the rate of pre-adolescent adoptions and pre-adolescent foster child guardianships (ages 9-13) ndash $7500

ndash for improving the rate of foster child guardianships ndash $4000

bull Base rate ndash average rate for the immediately preceding 3 fiscal years or

ndash the rate for the prior fiscal year

bull Creates an incentive for timely adoptions and guardianships finalized during any FY 2013-2015 if other incentive awards are less than the appropriation Average number of months from removal to placement in a finalized adoption must be less than 24 months for a FY

25

Incentives contbull FY 2014 ndash States receive an amount equal to half the sum

of the total award currently in effect and the total award under the new categories

bull Provides a pro rata adjustment if insufficient funds are available

bull Guardianship incentive available for a child who leaves foster care to live with a legal guardian if either

ndash child was removed from the home pursuant to a VPA or judicial determination that continuation in the home is contrary to the welfare of the child return to the home is not an appropriate option the child demonstrates a strong attachment to the legal guardian the legal guardian has a strong commitment to caring permanently for the child and if over 14 years of age the child is consulted regarding the legal guardianship arrangement or

ndash Alternative procedure used by the state to determine that the legal guardianship is an appropriate option for the child

26

Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and

Reporting System (AFCARS)

bull Title IV-E agencies must report information to

AFCARS on children in foster care

ndash who are identified as sex trafficking victims before entering

foster care and while in foster care

ndash children who entered after a finalized adoption or legal

guardianship

27

Chafee Foster Care Independence Program

(CFCIP) changes

bull Purposes of the CFCIP now includes ensuring that

children who are likely to remain in foster care until

age 18 have on-going opportunities to engage in ldquoage

or developmentally-appropriaterdquo activities

bull Effective 92915

bull Beginning FY 2020 the appropriation increases

by $3M to $143M

28

HHS REQUIREMENTS

29

Child welfare outcomes report

bull Beginning FY 2016 the outcomes report must include

state data on children in foster care who are

ndash pregnant or parenting

ndash placed in a child care institution or other non-foster family

home setting including

bull the number of children in the placement their ages and

whether they have a permanency plan of APPLA

bull their duration in placement and the type of child care

institution

bull the number of foster children in each setting and

bull any clinically diagnosed special need and the extent of

special education or services provided in the placement

30

Reports to Congress

bull HHS must report to Congress on

ndash children who run away from foster care and their risk of being

sex trafficking victims their characteristics factors associated

with running away experiences while absent from care and

trends among other things (due 92916)

ndash agenciesrsquo implementation of and best practices for the case

planning amendments regarding APPLA and children age 14+

(due 92917)

31

National Advisory Committee on the Sex

Trafficking of Children and Youth in the

United States

bull HHS must establish and appoint a National Advisory

Committee on the Sex Trafficking of Children and

Youth in the United States to among other things

advise on practical and general policies on improving

the national response to sex trafficking and develop

best practices

ndash 21 members appointed in consultation with the AG and NGA

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916) establish and

appoint members

bull Committee terminates 5 years after establishment

32

QUESTIONS

Thank you

33

A Program of Spaulding for Children

in Partnership with

The University of Texas at Austin

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hil l

NATIONAL QUALITY IMPROVEMENT CENTER

FOR ADOPTIONGUARDIANSHIP

SUPPORT AND PRESERVATION

(QIC-AG)

Spaulding for Children Lead Contact Melinda Lis

The University of Texas at Austin Lead Contact Dr Rowena Fong

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Lead Contact Dr Nancy Rolock

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Lead Contact Dr Mark Testa

2

QIC-AG PARTNERSHIP

QIC-AG is funded through a cooperative agreement with Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Childrenrsquos Bureau

The partnership includes

The QIC-AG will develop evidence-based models of support and interventions which can be replicated or adapted in other child welfare systems to achieve long-term stable permanency in adoptiveguardianship homes for waiting children as well for the general post-adoptionguardianship population

3

QIC-AG GOAL

Increased post-permanency stability

Improved behavioral health for children

Improved child and family well-being

4

EXPECTED LONG-TERM OUTCOMES

1 To build a body of knowledge of the correct combinations of supports services and interventions that work best to ensure resiliency and stability for youth in a permanent home

2 To support innovative collaborative and effective practices in the development of these supports services and interventions and the strategies for each of the project sites

3 To ensure project sites can assess and match appropriate service interventions and service-delivery mechanisms that effectively match the needs of childrenyouth and their adoptive parentslegal guardians to ensure ongoing stability and enhanced resilience

5

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

4 To assist sites to conduct comprehensive screening and functional assessments of childrenyouth to ensure appropriate service intervention Services will be available accessible culturally responsive and effective to meet behavioralmental health needs

5 To develop in partnership with the 6-8 sites a system of culturally responsive evidence-based services to improve permanency and stability outcomes for childrenyouth in adoptive guardianship homes to meet the target populations needs and extend post-permanency supports services to the general post-adoptionguardianship population in the selected sites

6 To complete an evaluation on each site and produce new evidence-based models of support and intervention that increase resiliency and assure permanency and stability for youth in adoptiveguardianship homes

6

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

Child welfare agencies should provide a continuum of services that increase permanency stabil ity and support beginning when children first enter the child welfare system and continue after adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Pre-Permanency Services and supports that engage prepare and connect families to services prior to finalization of adoptionguardianship These services focus on increasing resil iency and assuring permanency and placement stabil ity They focus on emotional-behavioral health issues and provide caregivers with education that improves their capacity to support stable permanency once adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Post-Adoption or Guardianship Services and supports that increase resil iency placement stabil ity and the capacity of caregivers to meet the needs of children in their care Services are targeted to the transitions and changing developmental and emotional needs associated with this population Recognizing that services targeted at families in crisis may be too late these services target the earliest signs of dif ficulty

7

CONTINUUM OF SERVICES amp SUPPORTS

8

ldquoThe new catch phrase is adoption-competency but what does that really meanI need services that help me understand the impact trauma has on my children and how I can change my parenting paradigm to effectively meet their needs As an adoptive parent it is difficult to meet the childrens complex needs and almost impossible if you donrsquot know what services to look for or who to call for helprdquo

ndash Quote from an adoptive parent

ADOPTION-COMPETENCY

Services need to be provided early Interventions targeting adoptive or guardianship homes nearing disruption and

dissolution are often provided too late

Services should target the earliest sign of difficulty

Preparation should begin prior to finalization and equip families with the capacity to weather unexpected difficulties and seek services and supports

Identify families most at risk Research has shown predictors of post-permanency instability that can be

assessed to determine which families to target for post permanency instability

Regular check-ins can identify families most at risk of instability and in need of services

Services should be evidence-supported Appropriate services should be culturally-responsive models that are tested to

determine their effectiveness and can be replicated with fidelity

Well-conducted RCTs measure important outcomes and distinguish services that produce sizable effects from those that do not

9

THEORY OF CHANGE

Target Group 1 Children awaiting an adoptiveguardianship placement or children that are in an identified adoptiveguardianship home but the placement has not resulted in a finalization for a significant period of time due to the childrenrsquos challenging mental health emotional or behavioral issues

Target Group 2 Children and their adoptiveguardianship families who have already finalized the adoptionguardianship and for whom stabilization may be threatened This target group includes children whom have obtained permanency through private guardianship and domestic private or international adoptions

10

TARGET POPULATIONS TO BE SERVED

11

QIC-AG TEAMING STRUCTURE

12

ADVISORY BOARD

M a r y B i s s e l lC h i l d F o c u s

V e e n o d C h u l a n i M DO r l a n d o H e a l t h

H o p e C o o p e rT r u e N o r t h G r o u p

D r J o s e p h C r u m b l e yT r a i n e r C o n s u l t a n t a n d T h e r a p i s t

A p r i l C u r t i sB e S t r o n g F a m i l i e s

D r A n g e l i q u e D a yW a y n e S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y

K a t h y D e s e r l yC a p a c i t y B u i l d i n g C e n t e r f o r T r i b e s

H e a t h e r F o r b e sB e y o n d C o n s e q u e n c e s I n s t i t u t e

F r a n k G a r r o t tG l a d n e y C e n t e r f o r A d o p t i o n

D e b o r a h G r a yN u r t u r i n g A t t a c h m e n t s

J o h n J o h n s o nT e n n e s s e e D e p a r t m e n t o f C h i l d r e n s S e r v i c e s

R o b e r t J o h n s o nA n n u i t y C o m p a n y

J o e K r o l lN o r t h A m e r i c a n C o u n c i l o n A d o p t a b l e C h i l d r e n

S h a u n L a n eH e p h z i b a h C h i l d r e n s A s s o c i a t i o n

J u d g e C i n d y L e d e r m a nE l e v e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t o f F l o r i d a

D r S h a r o n M c D a n i e lA S e c o n d C h a n c e

H o l l e e M c G i n n i sD o c t o r a l C a n d i d a t e N I M H P r e d o c t o r a l F e l l o w a n d a K o r e a n F o u n d a t i o n F e l l o w a t G e o r g e W a r r e n B r o w n S c h o o l o f S o c i a l W o r k

K a t h l e e n M c N a u g h tA m e r i c a n B a r A s s o c i a t i o n C e n t e r o n C h i l d r e n a n d t h e L a w

D r A v i d a n M i l e v s k yK u t z t o w n U n i v e r s i t y o f P e n n s y l v a n i a

D r P e t e r P e c o r aT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W a s h i n g t o n a n d C a s e y F a m i l y P r o g r a m s

D r B r u c e P e r r yC h i l d T r a u m a A c a d e m y

R u s s e l l P r e t zF o r m e r I n t e r n C o n g r e s s i o n a l C o a l i t i o n o n A d o p t i o n I n s t i t u t e

D r S c o t t R y a nT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s a t A r l i n g t o n

D r G i n a S a m u e l sT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C h i c a g o

K a r y n S c h i m m e l sC a m p t o B e l o n g

M i c h a e l S h a v e rC h i l d r e n s H o m e S o c i e t y o f F l o r i d a

D r K r i s t e n S S l a c kT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W i s c o n s i n - M a d i s o n

P a m W o l fH a r m o n y F a m i l y C e n t e r

Dr Mark F TestaAdvisory Board ChairUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Six to eight sites (state county or tribal child welfare system) will be selected to take part in a national project designed to promote permanency and improve adoption and guardianship preservation and support

Sites will work in partnership with the QIC-AG to implement and evaluate a continuum of services that support the permanence and stability of children in adoptiveguardianship homes

Financial resources intensive technical assistance and support will be available to the sites over a four year period

13

SITE SELECTION

14

SITE SELECTION

Children Bureaursquos Guidelines

Two or three of the sites with greater than 10000 children in substitute care

At least one site with fewer than 5000 children in substitute care

Urban and rural jurisdictions Binding work agreements will govern the relationships

between sites and the QIC-AG and must be executed with state or county public child welfare agencies or tribes

Sites will be selected in late springearly summer 2015

Sites will be identified through intensive assessment and preliminary research conducted by QIC-AG

Preliminary conversations will take place with sites to discuss potential collaboration including detailed discussion of the initiative benefits of being a selected site and site specific programs services and capacity currently in place and in need of development

After the initial assessment sites will be identified to participate in the full assessment process This process will focus on obtaining foundational knowledge of each sitersquos continuum of care and readiness to participate in this initiative

15

OVERVIEW OF SELECTION PROCESS

16

IMPLEMENTATION amp EVALUATION STEPS

Spaulding for Children and all of its partners are excited to be part of this critical initiative

We believe that the knowledge gained from the initiative will help child welfare agencies across the nation redefine their systems so that they provide a continuum of services that promote permanency and stability for children in custody and provide stability and support for children and families post-permanency

17

ldquoPost permanency supports are critical to the stability and well-being of adoptive families My husband and I love our adopted child but she came to us having experienced a lot of trauma which will take years and many resources to healrdquo- Jennifer Adoptive Parent

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

PROVISIONS RELATED TO TITLE

IV-EIV-B PROGRAMS EFFECTIVE

ONE YEAR OR LATER AFTER

ENACTMENT

9

Title IV-E plan requirements victims of sex

trafficking

bull Title IV-E agencies must develop and implement

procedures to identify document and determine

appropriate services for specific children who are at-

risk of becoming a sex trafficking victim or who is a

sex trafficking victim

bull Title IV-E agencies must report annually to HHS the

total number of children and youth who are sex

trafficking victims

ndash HHS must report to Congress annually beginning 4 years

after enactment (92918) the number of these children and

youth who are sex trafficking victims (defined in sec

475(9)(A))

10

Title IV-E plan requirement victims of sex

trafficking cont

bull Childrenndash In the placement and care responsibility of the IV-E agency

ndash Not removed from home with an open case file

ndash Have run away from foster care and under age 18 or such higher age elected under 475(8)

ndash Not in foster care who are receiving Chafee services

ndash Under age 26 who were or were never in foster care (optional)

bull Within 1 year of enactment (by 92915) must develop

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916) must demonstrate implementing

bull Within 3 years of enactment (by 92917) must report to HHS total numbers

11

Title IV-E plan requirement victims of sex

trafficking cont

bull Defines ldquosex trafficking victimrdquo in SSA as a victim of

sex trafficking (as defined in section 103(10) of the

Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000) or a severe

form of trafficking in persons (described in section

103(9)(A) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of

2000)

ndash Section 103(10) of TVPA Sex trafficking means the

recruitment harboring transportation provision or obtaining

of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act

ndash Section 103(9)(A) of TVPA Severe forms of trafficking in

persons means sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act

is induced by force fraud or coercion or in which the person

induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age

bull Effective upon enactment

12

Title IV-E plan requirement locate missing

children in foster care

bull Title IV-E agencies must develop and implement

protocols to locate missing children from foster care

and

ndash determine the factors that lead to the childrsquos being absent

from foster care

ndash determine the childrsquos experiences while absent from care

including whether the child is a sex trafficking victim and

ndash report any related information as required by HHS

bull Within 1 year of enactment (by 92915)

13

Title IV-E plan requirement report sex

trafficking victims missing abducted

children to law enforcement

bull Title IV-E agencies must report immediately (no later

than 24 hours) to law enforcement specific children or

youth the agency identifies as being a sex trafficking

victim

bull Title IV-E agencies must develop and implement

protocols to report specific children or youth

immediately (no later than 24 hours) on missing or

abducted children to law enforcement for entry into

the National Crime Information Center (NCIC)

database

14

Title IV-E plan requirement report sex

trafficking victims missing abducted

children to law enforcement cont

bull Children

ndash In the placement and care responsibility of the IV-E agency

ndash Not removed from home with an open case file

ndash Have run away from foster care and under age 18 or such

higher age elected under sec 475(8)

ndash Not in foster care who are receiving Chafee services

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916)

15

New APPLA requirements

bull Limits another planned permanent living arrangement

(APPLA) as a permanency plan only for youth age 16

and olderbull Effective 92915

bull Tribal title IV-EIV-B agencies have 3 years to

implement the limit on APPLA as a permanency plan

for youth age 16 and older

16

New APPLA requirements cont

bull For children in foster care with a permanency plan of

APPLA the title IV-EIV-B agency must at each

permanency hearing

ndash document the efforts to place a child permanently with a

parent relative or in a guardianship or adoptive placement

bull This requirement is similar to the existing

requirements in sec 475(5)(C)(i) of the Act that

require that the title IV-EIV-B agency document to the

court a compelling reason for APPLA as a

permanency plan

17

New APPLA requirements cont

bull For children in foster care with a permanency plan of

APPLA the title IV-E agency must at each

permanency hearing

ndash ensure that the court or administrative body asks the child

about hisher desired permanency outcome and makes a

judicial determination that

bull APPLA is the best permanency plan for the child and

bull compelling reasons why itrsquos not in the best interest of the

child to be placed permanently with a parent relative or in

a guardianship or adoptive placement

bull This requirement is similar to the requirements in sec

472(a) of the Act and 1356121(b)(2) for judicial

determinations for reasonable efforts to finalize a

permanency plan

18

New APPLA requirements cont

bull For children in foster care with a permanency plan of

APPLA the title IV-EIV-B agency must at each

permanency hearing

ndash document the steps the agency is taking to ensure that the

foster family follows the ldquoreasonable and prudent parent

standardrdquo in allowing the child to have regular opportunities to

engage in ldquoage or developmentally-appropriate activitiesrdquo (this

must also be done at the 6 month periodic review)

bull Effective 92915

19

Reasonable and prudent parent standard

bull The ldquoreasonable and prudent parent standardrdquo is defined as ldquothe

standard characterized by careful and sensible parental decisions

that maintain the health safety and best interests of a child while

at the same time encouraging the emotional and developmental

growth of the child that a caregiver (a foster parent of a child or

designated official of a child care institution in which a child in

foster care has been placed) shall use when determining whether

to allow a child in foster care under the responsibility of the title

IV-E agency to participate in extracurricular enrichment cultural

and social activitiesrdquo

20

Reasonable and prudent parent standard

contbull Title IV-E agencies must

ndash require state and tribal licensing authorities to permit the use

of the ldquoreasonable and prudent parenting standardrdquo and to

have policies to ensure appropriate caregiver liability when

approving an activity for a foster youth using the standard

ndash require child care institutions to have an on-site official

authorized to apply the standard and certify that foster

parents have skills and knowledge on the standard and

require that the authorized official have the same training as

foster parents

bull HHS must provide TA on best practices to help foster

parents in applying the reasonable and prudent parent

standard

21

New title IV-EIV-B requirements for children

age 14+

bull For children age 14 and older the title IV-BIV-E agency must ndash document the childrsquos education health visitation and court

participation rights and a signed acknowledgement that the child was provided these rights and that they were explained in an age appropriate way in the case plan

ndash develop the case plan and permanency plan in consultation with the child and at the option of the child 2 members of the case planning team who are not the caseworker or foster parent

ndash describe the services to help the youth transition to successful adulthood in the case plan and permanency hearing (formerly at age 16) and

ndash provide a copy of the childrsquos credit report annually and assist in fixing any inaccuracies (formerly age 16)

bull Effective 92915

22

Providing important documents to youth

aging out of foster care

bull Title IV-BIV-E agencies must provide a youth aging out of foster care at age 18 (or 19 20 or 21 as elected by the agency under sec 475(8) of the Act) with hisherndash birth certificate

ndash Social Security card

ndash driverrsquos license or identification card

ndash health insurance information and

ndash medical records

bull Applies to youth who are in foster care for 6 months or longer

bull Effective 92915

23

Adoption and Guardianship Incentive

Program

bull Applies to state title IV-E agencies only

bull Reauthorized at the current level of $43 million for

each FY through 2016

bull Phases in new categoriesawards in 10114 (next

slides)

bull Other requirements effective sooner

ndash Allows states to spend the money over a 36 month period

instead of a 24 month period ndash 10113

ndash States may not use incentive payments to supplant federal or

non-federal funds for services under title IV-EIV-B ndash applies

to awards for FY 14

24

Incentives cont ndash New Categories and

Awardsbull Each FY a state is eligible for incentive funds

ndash for improving the rate of foster child adoptions ndash $5000

ndash for improving the rate of older child adoptions and older foster child guardianships (age 14 and older) ndash $10000

ndash for improving the rate of pre-adolescent adoptions and pre-adolescent foster child guardianships (ages 9-13) ndash $7500

ndash for improving the rate of foster child guardianships ndash $4000

bull Base rate ndash average rate for the immediately preceding 3 fiscal years or

ndash the rate for the prior fiscal year

bull Creates an incentive for timely adoptions and guardianships finalized during any FY 2013-2015 if other incentive awards are less than the appropriation Average number of months from removal to placement in a finalized adoption must be less than 24 months for a FY

25

Incentives contbull FY 2014 ndash States receive an amount equal to half the sum

of the total award currently in effect and the total award under the new categories

bull Provides a pro rata adjustment if insufficient funds are available

bull Guardianship incentive available for a child who leaves foster care to live with a legal guardian if either

ndash child was removed from the home pursuant to a VPA or judicial determination that continuation in the home is contrary to the welfare of the child return to the home is not an appropriate option the child demonstrates a strong attachment to the legal guardian the legal guardian has a strong commitment to caring permanently for the child and if over 14 years of age the child is consulted regarding the legal guardianship arrangement or

ndash Alternative procedure used by the state to determine that the legal guardianship is an appropriate option for the child

26

Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and

Reporting System (AFCARS)

bull Title IV-E agencies must report information to

AFCARS on children in foster care

ndash who are identified as sex trafficking victims before entering

foster care and while in foster care

ndash children who entered after a finalized adoption or legal

guardianship

27

Chafee Foster Care Independence Program

(CFCIP) changes

bull Purposes of the CFCIP now includes ensuring that

children who are likely to remain in foster care until

age 18 have on-going opportunities to engage in ldquoage

or developmentally-appropriaterdquo activities

bull Effective 92915

bull Beginning FY 2020 the appropriation increases

by $3M to $143M

28

HHS REQUIREMENTS

29

Child welfare outcomes report

bull Beginning FY 2016 the outcomes report must include

state data on children in foster care who are

ndash pregnant or parenting

ndash placed in a child care institution or other non-foster family

home setting including

bull the number of children in the placement their ages and

whether they have a permanency plan of APPLA

bull their duration in placement and the type of child care

institution

bull the number of foster children in each setting and

bull any clinically diagnosed special need and the extent of

special education or services provided in the placement

30

Reports to Congress

bull HHS must report to Congress on

ndash children who run away from foster care and their risk of being

sex trafficking victims their characteristics factors associated

with running away experiences while absent from care and

trends among other things (due 92916)

ndash agenciesrsquo implementation of and best practices for the case

planning amendments regarding APPLA and children age 14+

(due 92917)

31

National Advisory Committee on the Sex

Trafficking of Children and Youth in the

United States

bull HHS must establish and appoint a National Advisory

Committee on the Sex Trafficking of Children and

Youth in the United States to among other things

advise on practical and general policies on improving

the national response to sex trafficking and develop

best practices

ndash 21 members appointed in consultation with the AG and NGA

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916) establish and

appoint members

bull Committee terminates 5 years after establishment

32

QUESTIONS

Thank you

33

A Program of Spaulding for Children

in Partnership with

The University of Texas at Austin

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hil l

NATIONAL QUALITY IMPROVEMENT CENTER

FOR ADOPTIONGUARDIANSHIP

SUPPORT AND PRESERVATION

(QIC-AG)

Spaulding for Children Lead Contact Melinda Lis

The University of Texas at Austin Lead Contact Dr Rowena Fong

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Lead Contact Dr Nancy Rolock

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Lead Contact Dr Mark Testa

2

QIC-AG PARTNERSHIP

QIC-AG is funded through a cooperative agreement with Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Childrenrsquos Bureau

The partnership includes

The QIC-AG will develop evidence-based models of support and interventions which can be replicated or adapted in other child welfare systems to achieve long-term stable permanency in adoptiveguardianship homes for waiting children as well for the general post-adoptionguardianship population

3

QIC-AG GOAL

Increased post-permanency stability

Improved behavioral health for children

Improved child and family well-being

4

EXPECTED LONG-TERM OUTCOMES

1 To build a body of knowledge of the correct combinations of supports services and interventions that work best to ensure resiliency and stability for youth in a permanent home

2 To support innovative collaborative and effective practices in the development of these supports services and interventions and the strategies for each of the project sites

3 To ensure project sites can assess and match appropriate service interventions and service-delivery mechanisms that effectively match the needs of childrenyouth and their adoptive parentslegal guardians to ensure ongoing stability and enhanced resilience

5

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

4 To assist sites to conduct comprehensive screening and functional assessments of childrenyouth to ensure appropriate service intervention Services will be available accessible culturally responsive and effective to meet behavioralmental health needs

5 To develop in partnership with the 6-8 sites a system of culturally responsive evidence-based services to improve permanency and stability outcomes for childrenyouth in adoptive guardianship homes to meet the target populations needs and extend post-permanency supports services to the general post-adoptionguardianship population in the selected sites

6 To complete an evaluation on each site and produce new evidence-based models of support and intervention that increase resiliency and assure permanency and stability for youth in adoptiveguardianship homes

6

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

Child welfare agencies should provide a continuum of services that increase permanency stabil ity and support beginning when children first enter the child welfare system and continue after adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Pre-Permanency Services and supports that engage prepare and connect families to services prior to finalization of adoptionguardianship These services focus on increasing resil iency and assuring permanency and placement stabil ity They focus on emotional-behavioral health issues and provide caregivers with education that improves their capacity to support stable permanency once adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Post-Adoption or Guardianship Services and supports that increase resil iency placement stabil ity and the capacity of caregivers to meet the needs of children in their care Services are targeted to the transitions and changing developmental and emotional needs associated with this population Recognizing that services targeted at families in crisis may be too late these services target the earliest signs of dif ficulty

7

CONTINUUM OF SERVICES amp SUPPORTS

8

ldquoThe new catch phrase is adoption-competency but what does that really meanI need services that help me understand the impact trauma has on my children and how I can change my parenting paradigm to effectively meet their needs As an adoptive parent it is difficult to meet the childrens complex needs and almost impossible if you donrsquot know what services to look for or who to call for helprdquo

ndash Quote from an adoptive parent

ADOPTION-COMPETENCY

Services need to be provided early Interventions targeting adoptive or guardianship homes nearing disruption and

dissolution are often provided too late

Services should target the earliest sign of difficulty

Preparation should begin prior to finalization and equip families with the capacity to weather unexpected difficulties and seek services and supports

Identify families most at risk Research has shown predictors of post-permanency instability that can be

assessed to determine which families to target for post permanency instability

Regular check-ins can identify families most at risk of instability and in need of services

Services should be evidence-supported Appropriate services should be culturally-responsive models that are tested to

determine their effectiveness and can be replicated with fidelity

Well-conducted RCTs measure important outcomes and distinguish services that produce sizable effects from those that do not

9

THEORY OF CHANGE

Target Group 1 Children awaiting an adoptiveguardianship placement or children that are in an identified adoptiveguardianship home but the placement has not resulted in a finalization for a significant period of time due to the childrenrsquos challenging mental health emotional or behavioral issues

Target Group 2 Children and their adoptiveguardianship families who have already finalized the adoptionguardianship and for whom stabilization may be threatened This target group includes children whom have obtained permanency through private guardianship and domestic private or international adoptions

10

TARGET POPULATIONS TO BE SERVED

11

QIC-AG TEAMING STRUCTURE

12

ADVISORY BOARD

M a r y B i s s e l lC h i l d F o c u s

V e e n o d C h u l a n i M DO r l a n d o H e a l t h

H o p e C o o p e rT r u e N o r t h G r o u p

D r J o s e p h C r u m b l e yT r a i n e r C o n s u l t a n t a n d T h e r a p i s t

A p r i l C u r t i sB e S t r o n g F a m i l i e s

D r A n g e l i q u e D a yW a y n e S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y

K a t h y D e s e r l yC a p a c i t y B u i l d i n g C e n t e r f o r T r i b e s

H e a t h e r F o r b e sB e y o n d C o n s e q u e n c e s I n s t i t u t e

F r a n k G a r r o t tG l a d n e y C e n t e r f o r A d o p t i o n

D e b o r a h G r a yN u r t u r i n g A t t a c h m e n t s

J o h n J o h n s o nT e n n e s s e e D e p a r t m e n t o f C h i l d r e n s S e r v i c e s

R o b e r t J o h n s o nA n n u i t y C o m p a n y

J o e K r o l lN o r t h A m e r i c a n C o u n c i l o n A d o p t a b l e C h i l d r e n

S h a u n L a n eH e p h z i b a h C h i l d r e n s A s s o c i a t i o n

J u d g e C i n d y L e d e r m a nE l e v e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t o f F l o r i d a

D r S h a r o n M c D a n i e lA S e c o n d C h a n c e

H o l l e e M c G i n n i sD o c t o r a l C a n d i d a t e N I M H P r e d o c t o r a l F e l l o w a n d a K o r e a n F o u n d a t i o n F e l l o w a t G e o r g e W a r r e n B r o w n S c h o o l o f S o c i a l W o r k

K a t h l e e n M c N a u g h tA m e r i c a n B a r A s s o c i a t i o n C e n t e r o n C h i l d r e n a n d t h e L a w

D r A v i d a n M i l e v s k yK u t z t o w n U n i v e r s i t y o f P e n n s y l v a n i a

D r P e t e r P e c o r aT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W a s h i n g t o n a n d C a s e y F a m i l y P r o g r a m s

D r B r u c e P e r r yC h i l d T r a u m a A c a d e m y

R u s s e l l P r e t zF o r m e r I n t e r n C o n g r e s s i o n a l C o a l i t i o n o n A d o p t i o n I n s t i t u t e

D r S c o t t R y a nT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s a t A r l i n g t o n

D r G i n a S a m u e l sT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C h i c a g o

K a r y n S c h i m m e l sC a m p t o B e l o n g

M i c h a e l S h a v e rC h i l d r e n s H o m e S o c i e t y o f F l o r i d a

D r K r i s t e n S S l a c kT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W i s c o n s i n - M a d i s o n

P a m W o l fH a r m o n y F a m i l y C e n t e r

Dr Mark F TestaAdvisory Board ChairUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Six to eight sites (state county or tribal child welfare system) will be selected to take part in a national project designed to promote permanency and improve adoption and guardianship preservation and support

Sites will work in partnership with the QIC-AG to implement and evaluate a continuum of services that support the permanence and stability of children in adoptiveguardianship homes

Financial resources intensive technical assistance and support will be available to the sites over a four year period

13

SITE SELECTION

14

SITE SELECTION

Children Bureaursquos Guidelines

Two or three of the sites with greater than 10000 children in substitute care

At least one site with fewer than 5000 children in substitute care

Urban and rural jurisdictions Binding work agreements will govern the relationships

between sites and the QIC-AG and must be executed with state or county public child welfare agencies or tribes

Sites will be selected in late springearly summer 2015

Sites will be identified through intensive assessment and preliminary research conducted by QIC-AG

Preliminary conversations will take place with sites to discuss potential collaboration including detailed discussion of the initiative benefits of being a selected site and site specific programs services and capacity currently in place and in need of development

After the initial assessment sites will be identified to participate in the full assessment process This process will focus on obtaining foundational knowledge of each sitersquos continuum of care and readiness to participate in this initiative

15

OVERVIEW OF SELECTION PROCESS

16

IMPLEMENTATION amp EVALUATION STEPS

Spaulding for Children and all of its partners are excited to be part of this critical initiative

We believe that the knowledge gained from the initiative will help child welfare agencies across the nation redefine their systems so that they provide a continuum of services that promote permanency and stability for children in custody and provide stability and support for children and families post-permanency

17

ldquoPost permanency supports are critical to the stability and well-being of adoptive families My husband and I love our adopted child but she came to us having experienced a lot of trauma which will take years and many resources to healrdquo- Jennifer Adoptive Parent

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

Title IV-E plan requirements victims of sex

trafficking

bull Title IV-E agencies must develop and implement

procedures to identify document and determine

appropriate services for specific children who are at-

risk of becoming a sex trafficking victim or who is a

sex trafficking victim

bull Title IV-E agencies must report annually to HHS the

total number of children and youth who are sex

trafficking victims

ndash HHS must report to Congress annually beginning 4 years

after enactment (92918) the number of these children and

youth who are sex trafficking victims (defined in sec

475(9)(A))

10

Title IV-E plan requirement victims of sex

trafficking cont

bull Childrenndash In the placement and care responsibility of the IV-E agency

ndash Not removed from home with an open case file

ndash Have run away from foster care and under age 18 or such higher age elected under 475(8)

ndash Not in foster care who are receiving Chafee services

ndash Under age 26 who were or were never in foster care (optional)

bull Within 1 year of enactment (by 92915) must develop

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916) must demonstrate implementing

bull Within 3 years of enactment (by 92917) must report to HHS total numbers

11

Title IV-E plan requirement victims of sex

trafficking cont

bull Defines ldquosex trafficking victimrdquo in SSA as a victim of

sex trafficking (as defined in section 103(10) of the

Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000) or a severe

form of trafficking in persons (described in section

103(9)(A) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of

2000)

ndash Section 103(10) of TVPA Sex trafficking means the

recruitment harboring transportation provision or obtaining

of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act

ndash Section 103(9)(A) of TVPA Severe forms of trafficking in

persons means sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act

is induced by force fraud or coercion or in which the person

induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age

bull Effective upon enactment

12

Title IV-E plan requirement locate missing

children in foster care

bull Title IV-E agencies must develop and implement

protocols to locate missing children from foster care

and

ndash determine the factors that lead to the childrsquos being absent

from foster care

ndash determine the childrsquos experiences while absent from care

including whether the child is a sex trafficking victim and

ndash report any related information as required by HHS

bull Within 1 year of enactment (by 92915)

13

Title IV-E plan requirement report sex

trafficking victims missing abducted

children to law enforcement

bull Title IV-E agencies must report immediately (no later

than 24 hours) to law enforcement specific children or

youth the agency identifies as being a sex trafficking

victim

bull Title IV-E agencies must develop and implement

protocols to report specific children or youth

immediately (no later than 24 hours) on missing or

abducted children to law enforcement for entry into

the National Crime Information Center (NCIC)

database

14

Title IV-E plan requirement report sex

trafficking victims missing abducted

children to law enforcement cont

bull Children

ndash In the placement and care responsibility of the IV-E agency

ndash Not removed from home with an open case file

ndash Have run away from foster care and under age 18 or such

higher age elected under sec 475(8)

ndash Not in foster care who are receiving Chafee services

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916)

15

New APPLA requirements

bull Limits another planned permanent living arrangement

(APPLA) as a permanency plan only for youth age 16

and olderbull Effective 92915

bull Tribal title IV-EIV-B agencies have 3 years to

implement the limit on APPLA as a permanency plan

for youth age 16 and older

16

New APPLA requirements cont

bull For children in foster care with a permanency plan of

APPLA the title IV-EIV-B agency must at each

permanency hearing

ndash document the efforts to place a child permanently with a

parent relative or in a guardianship or adoptive placement

bull This requirement is similar to the existing

requirements in sec 475(5)(C)(i) of the Act that

require that the title IV-EIV-B agency document to the

court a compelling reason for APPLA as a

permanency plan

17

New APPLA requirements cont

bull For children in foster care with a permanency plan of

APPLA the title IV-E agency must at each

permanency hearing

ndash ensure that the court or administrative body asks the child

about hisher desired permanency outcome and makes a

judicial determination that

bull APPLA is the best permanency plan for the child and

bull compelling reasons why itrsquos not in the best interest of the

child to be placed permanently with a parent relative or in

a guardianship or adoptive placement

bull This requirement is similar to the requirements in sec

472(a) of the Act and 1356121(b)(2) for judicial

determinations for reasonable efforts to finalize a

permanency plan

18

New APPLA requirements cont

bull For children in foster care with a permanency plan of

APPLA the title IV-EIV-B agency must at each

permanency hearing

ndash document the steps the agency is taking to ensure that the

foster family follows the ldquoreasonable and prudent parent

standardrdquo in allowing the child to have regular opportunities to

engage in ldquoage or developmentally-appropriate activitiesrdquo (this

must also be done at the 6 month periodic review)

bull Effective 92915

19

Reasonable and prudent parent standard

bull The ldquoreasonable and prudent parent standardrdquo is defined as ldquothe

standard characterized by careful and sensible parental decisions

that maintain the health safety and best interests of a child while

at the same time encouraging the emotional and developmental

growth of the child that a caregiver (a foster parent of a child or

designated official of a child care institution in which a child in

foster care has been placed) shall use when determining whether

to allow a child in foster care under the responsibility of the title

IV-E agency to participate in extracurricular enrichment cultural

and social activitiesrdquo

20

Reasonable and prudent parent standard

contbull Title IV-E agencies must

ndash require state and tribal licensing authorities to permit the use

of the ldquoreasonable and prudent parenting standardrdquo and to

have policies to ensure appropriate caregiver liability when

approving an activity for a foster youth using the standard

ndash require child care institutions to have an on-site official

authorized to apply the standard and certify that foster

parents have skills and knowledge on the standard and

require that the authorized official have the same training as

foster parents

bull HHS must provide TA on best practices to help foster

parents in applying the reasonable and prudent parent

standard

21

New title IV-EIV-B requirements for children

age 14+

bull For children age 14 and older the title IV-BIV-E agency must ndash document the childrsquos education health visitation and court

participation rights and a signed acknowledgement that the child was provided these rights and that they were explained in an age appropriate way in the case plan

ndash develop the case plan and permanency plan in consultation with the child and at the option of the child 2 members of the case planning team who are not the caseworker or foster parent

ndash describe the services to help the youth transition to successful adulthood in the case plan and permanency hearing (formerly at age 16) and

ndash provide a copy of the childrsquos credit report annually and assist in fixing any inaccuracies (formerly age 16)

bull Effective 92915

22

Providing important documents to youth

aging out of foster care

bull Title IV-BIV-E agencies must provide a youth aging out of foster care at age 18 (or 19 20 or 21 as elected by the agency under sec 475(8) of the Act) with hisherndash birth certificate

ndash Social Security card

ndash driverrsquos license or identification card

ndash health insurance information and

ndash medical records

bull Applies to youth who are in foster care for 6 months or longer

bull Effective 92915

23

Adoption and Guardianship Incentive

Program

bull Applies to state title IV-E agencies only

bull Reauthorized at the current level of $43 million for

each FY through 2016

bull Phases in new categoriesawards in 10114 (next

slides)

bull Other requirements effective sooner

ndash Allows states to spend the money over a 36 month period

instead of a 24 month period ndash 10113

ndash States may not use incentive payments to supplant federal or

non-federal funds for services under title IV-EIV-B ndash applies

to awards for FY 14

24

Incentives cont ndash New Categories and

Awardsbull Each FY a state is eligible for incentive funds

ndash for improving the rate of foster child adoptions ndash $5000

ndash for improving the rate of older child adoptions and older foster child guardianships (age 14 and older) ndash $10000

ndash for improving the rate of pre-adolescent adoptions and pre-adolescent foster child guardianships (ages 9-13) ndash $7500

ndash for improving the rate of foster child guardianships ndash $4000

bull Base rate ndash average rate for the immediately preceding 3 fiscal years or

ndash the rate for the prior fiscal year

bull Creates an incentive for timely adoptions and guardianships finalized during any FY 2013-2015 if other incentive awards are less than the appropriation Average number of months from removal to placement in a finalized adoption must be less than 24 months for a FY

25

Incentives contbull FY 2014 ndash States receive an amount equal to half the sum

of the total award currently in effect and the total award under the new categories

bull Provides a pro rata adjustment if insufficient funds are available

bull Guardianship incentive available for a child who leaves foster care to live with a legal guardian if either

ndash child was removed from the home pursuant to a VPA or judicial determination that continuation in the home is contrary to the welfare of the child return to the home is not an appropriate option the child demonstrates a strong attachment to the legal guardian the legal guardian has a strong commitment to caring permanently for the child and if over 14 years of age the child is consulted regarding the legal guardianship arrangement or

ndash Alternative procedure used by the state to determine that the legal guardianship is an appropriate option for the child

26

Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and

Reporting System (AFCARS)

bull Title IV-E agencies must report information to

AFCARS on children in foster care

ndash who are identified as sex trafficking victims before entering

foster care and while in foster care

ndash children who entered after a finalized adoption or legal

guardianship

27

Chafee Foster Care Independence Program

(CFCIP) changes

bull Purposes of the CFCIP now includes ensuring that

children who are likely to remain in foster care until

age 18 have on-going opportunities to engage in ldquoage

or developmentally-appropriaterdquo activities

bull Effective 92915

bull Beginning FY 2020 the appropriation increases

by $3M to $143M

28

HHS REQUIREMENTS

29

Child welfare outcomes report

bull Beginning FY 2016 the outcomes report must include

state data on children in foster care who are

ndash pregnant or parenting

ndash placed in a child care institution or other non-foster family

home setting including

bull the number of children in the placement their ages and

whether they have a permanency plan of APPLA

bull their duration in placement and the type of child care

institution

bull the number of foster children in each setting and

bull any clinically diagnosed special need and the extent of

special education or services provided in the placement

30

Reports to Congress

bull HHS must report to Congress on

ndash children who run away from foster care and their risk of being

sex trafficking victims their characteristics factors associated

with running away experiences while absent from care and

trends among other things (due 92916)

ndash agenciesrsquo implementation of and best practices for the case

planning amendments regarding APPLA and children age 14+

(due 92917)

31

National Advisory Committee on the Sex

Trafficking of Children and Youth in the

United States

bull HHS must establish and appoint a National Advisory

Committee on the Sex Trafficking of Children and

Youth in the United States to among other things

advise on practical and general policies on improving

the national response to sex trafficking and develop

best practices

ndash 21 members appointed in consultation with the AG and NGA

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916) establish and

appoint members

bull Committee terminates 5 years after establishment

32

QUESTIONS

Thank you

33

A Program of Spaulding for Children

in Partnership with

The University of Texas at Austin

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hil l

NATIONAL QUALITY IMPROVEMENT CENTER

FOR ADOPTIONGUARDIANSHIP

SUPPORT AND PRESERVATION

(QIC-AG)

Spaulding for Children Lead Contact Melinda Lis

The University of Texas at Austin Lead Contact Dr Rowena Fong

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Lead Contact Dr Nancy Rolock

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Lead Contact Dr Mark Testa

2

QIC-AG PARTNERSHIP

QIC-AG is funded through a cooperative agreement with Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Childrenrsquos Bureau

The partnership includes

The QIC-AG will develop evidence-based models of support and interventions which can be replicated or adapted in other child welfare systems to achieve long-term stable permanency in adoptiveguardianship homes for waiting children as well for the general post-adoptionguardianship population

3

QIC-AG GOAL

Increased post-permanency stability

Improved behavioral health for children

Improved child and family well-being

4

EXPECTED LONG-TERM OUTCOMES

1 To build a body of knowledge of the correct combinations of supports services and interventions that work best to ensure resiliency and stability for youth in a permanent home

2 To support innovative collaborative and effective practices in the development of these supports services and interventions and the strategies for each of the project sites

3 To ensure project sites can assess and match appropriate service interventions and service-delivery mechanisms that effectively match the needs of childrenyouth and their adoptive parentslegal guardians to ensure ongoing stability and enhanced resilience

5

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

4 To assist sites to conduct comprehensive screening and functional assessments of childrenyouth to ensure appropriate service intervention Services will be available accessible culturally responsive and effective to meet behavioralmental health needs

5 To develop in partnership with the 6-8 sites a system of culturally responsive evidence-based services to improve permanency and stability outcomes for childrenyouth in adoptive guardianship homes to meet the target populations needs and extend post-permanency supports services to the general post-adoptionguardianship population in the selected sites

6 To complete an evaluation on each site and produce new evidence-based models of support and intervention that increase resiliency and assure permanency and stability for youth in adoptiveguardianship homes

6

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

Child welfare agencies should provide a continuum of services that increase permanency stabil ity and support beginning when children first enter the child welfare system and continue after adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Pre-Permanency Services and supports that engage prepare and connect families to services prior to finalization of adoptionguardianship These services focus on increasing resil iency and assuring permanency and placement stabil ity They focus on emotional-behavioral health issues and provide caregivers with education that improves their capacity to support stable permanency once adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Post-Adoption or Guardianship Services and supports that increase resil iency placement stabil ity and the capacity of caregivers to meet the needs of children in their care Services are targeted to the transitions and changing developmental and emotional needs associated with this population Recognizing that services targeted at families in crisis may be too late these services target the earliest signs of dif ficulty

7

CONTINUUM OF SERVICES amp SUPPORTS

8

ldquoThe new catch phrase is adoption-competency but what does that really meanI need services that help me understand the impact trauma has on my children and how I can change my parenting paradigm to effectively meet their needs As an adoptive parent it is difficult to meet the childrens complex needs and almost impossible if you donrsquot know what services to look for or who to call for helprdquo

ndash Quote from an adoptive parent

ADOPTION-COMPETENCY

Services need to be provided early Interventions targeting adoptive or guardianship homes nearing disruption and

dissolution are often provided too late

Services should target the earliest sign of difficulty

Preparation should begin prior to finalization and equip families with the capacity to weather unexpected difficulties and seek services and supports

Identify families most at risk Research has shown predictors of post-permanency instability that can be

assessed to determine which families to target for post permanency instability

Regular check-ins can identify families most at risk of instability and in need of services

Services should be evidence-supported Appropriate services should be culturally-responsive models that are tested to

determine their effectiveness and can be replicated with fidelity

Well-conducted RCTs measure important outcomes and distinguish services that produce sizable effects from those that do not

9

THEORY OF CHANGE

Target Group 1 Children awaiting an adoptiveguardianship placement or children that are in an identified adoptiveguardianship home but the placement has not resulted in a finalization for a significant period of time due to the childrenrsquos challenging mental health emotional or behavioral issues

Target Group 2 Children and their adoptiveguardianship families who have already finalized the adoptionguardianship and for whom stabilization may be threatened This target group includes children whom have obtained permanency through private guardianship and domestic private or international adoptions

10

TARGET POPULATIONS TO BE SERVED

11

QIC-AG TEAMING STRUCTURE

12

ADVISORY BOARD

M a r y B i s s e l lC h i l d F o c u s

V e e n o d C h u l a n i M DO r l a n d o H e a l t h

H o p e C o o p e rT r u e N o r t h G r o u p

D r J o s e p h C r u m b l e yT r a i n e r C o n s u l t a n t a n d T h e r a p i s t

A p r i l C u r t i sB e S t r o n g F a m i l i e s

D r A n g e l i q u e D a yW a y n e S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y

K a t h y D e s e r l yC a p a c i t y B u i l d i n g C e n t e r f o r T r i b e s

H e a t h e r F o r b e sB e y o n d C o n s e q u e n c e s I n s t i t u t e

F r a n k G a r r o t tG l a d n e y C e n t e r f o r A d o p t i o n

D e b o r a h G r a yN u r t u r i n g A t t a c h m e n t s

J o h n J o h n s o nT e n n e s s e e D e p a r t m e n t o f C h i l d r e n s S e r v i c e s

R o b e r t J o h n s o nA n n u i t y C o m p a n y

J o e K r o l lN o r t h A m e r i c a n C o u n c i l o n A d o p t a b l e C h i l d r e n

S h a u n L a n eH e p h z i b a h C h i l d r e n s A s s o c i a t i o n

J u d g e C i n d y L e d e r m a nE l e v e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t o f F l o r i d a

D r S h a r o n M c D a n i e lA S e c o n d C h a n c e

H o l l e e M c G i n n i sD o c t o r a l C a n d i d a t e N I M H P r e d o c t o r a l F e l l o w a n d a K o r e a n F o u n d a t i o n F e l l o w a t G e o r g e W a r r e n B r o w n S c h o o l o f S o c i a l W o r k

K a t h l e e n M c N a u g h tA m e r i c a n B a r A s s o c i a t i o n C e n t e r o n C h i l d r e n a n d t h e L a w

D r A v i d a n M i l e v s k yK u t z t o w n U n i v e r s i t y o f P e n n s y l v a n i a

D r P e t e r P e c o r aT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W a s h i n g t o n a n d C a s e y F a m i l y P r o g r a m s

D r B r u c e P e r r yC h i l d T r a u m a A c a d e m y

R u s s e l l P r e t zF o r m e r I n t e r n C o n g r e s s i o n a l C o a l i t i o n o n A d o p t i o n I n s t i t u t e

D r S c o t t R y a nT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s a t A r l i n g t o n

D r G i n a S a m u e l sT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C h i c a g o

K a r y n S c h i m m e l sC a m p t o B e l o n g

M i c h a e l S h a v e rC h i l d r e n s H o m e S o c i e t y o f F l o r i d a

D r K r i s t e n S S l a c kT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W i s c o n s i n - M a d i s o n

P a m W o l fH a r m o n y F a m i l y C e n t e r

Dr Mark F TestaAdvisory Board ChairUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Six to eight sites (state county or tribal child welfare system) will be selected to take part in a national project designed to promote permanency and improve adoption and guardianship preservation and support

Sites will work in partnership with the QIC-AG to implement and evaluate a continuum of services that support the permanence and stability of children in adoptiveguardianship homes

Financial resources intensive technical assistance and support will be available to the sites over a four year period

13

SITE SELECTION

14

SITE SELECTION

Children Bureaursquos Guidelines

Two or three of the sites with greater than 10000 children in substitute care

At least one site with fewer than 5000 children in substitute care

Urban and rural jurisdictions Binding work agreements will govern the relationships

between sites and the QIC-AG and must be executed with state or county public child welfare agencies or tribes

Sites will be selected in late springearly summer 2015

Sites will be identified through intensive assessment and preliminary research conducted by QIC-AG

Preliminary conversations will take place with sites to discuss potential collaboration including detailed discussion of the initiative benefits of being a selected site and site specific programs services and capacity currently in place and in need of development

After the initial assessment sites will be identified to participate in the full assessment process This process will focus on obtaining foundational knowledge of each sitersquos continuum of care and readiness to participate in this initiative

15

OVERVIEW OF SELECTION PROCESS

16

IMPLEMENTATION amp EVALUATION STEPS

Spaulding for Children and all of its partners are excited to be part of this critical initiative

We believe that the knowledge gained from the initiative will help child welfare agencies across the nation redefine their systems so that they provide a continuum of services that promote permanency and stability for children in custody and provide stability and support for children and families post-permanency

17

ldquoPost permanency supports are critical to the stability and well-being of adoptive families My husband and I love our adopted child but she came to us having experienced a lot of trauma which will take years and many resources to healrdquo- Jennifer Adoptive Parent

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

Title IV-E plan requirement victims of sex

trafficking cont

bull Childrenndash In the placement and care responsibility of the IV-E agency

ndash Not removed from home with an open case file

ndash Have run away from foster care and under age 18 or such higher age elected under 475(8)

ndash Not in foster care who are receiving Chafee services

ndash Under age 26 who were or were never in foster care (optional)

bull Within 1 year of enactment (by 92915) must develop

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916) must demonstrate implementing

bull Within 3 years of enactment (by 92917) must report to HHS total numbers

11

Title IV-E plan requirement victims of sex

trafficking cont

bull Defines ldquosex trafficking victimrdquo in SSA as a victim of

sex trafficking (as defined in section 103(10) of the

Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000) or a severe

form of trafficking in persons (described in section

103(9)(A) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of

2000)

ndash Section 103(10) of TVPA Sex trafficking means the

recruitment harboring transportation provision or obtaining

of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act

ndash Section 103(9)(A) of TVPA Severe forms of trafficking in

persons means sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act

is induced by force fraud or coercion or in which the person

induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age

bull Effective upon enactment

12

Title IV-E plan requirement locate missing

children in foster care

bull Title IV-E agencies must develop and implement

protocols to locate missing children from foster care

and

ndash determine the factors that lead to the childrsquos being absent

from foster care

ndash determine the childrsquos experiences while absent from care

including whether the child is a sex trafficking victim and

ndash report any related information as required by HHS

bull Within 1 year of enactment (by 92915)

13

Title IV-E plan requirement report sex

trafficking victims missing abducted

children to law enforcement

bull Title IV-E agencies must report immediately (no later

than 24 hours) to law enforcement specific children or

youth the agency identifies as being a sex trafficking

victim

bull Title IV-E agencies must develop and implement

protocols to report specific children or youth

immediately (no later than 24 hours) on missing or

abducted children to law enforcement for entry into

the National Crime Information Center (NCIC)

database

14

Title IV-E plan requirement report sex

trafficking victims missing abducted

children to law enforcement cont

bull Children

ndash In the placement and care responsibility of the IV-E agency

ndash Not removed from home with an open case file

ndash Have run away from foster care and under age 18 or such

higher age elected under sec 475(8)

ndash Not in foster care who are receiving Chafee services

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916)

15

New APPLA requirements

bull Limits another planned permanent living arrangement

(APPLA) as a permanency plan only for youth age 16

and olderbull Effective 92915

bull Tribal title IV-EIV-B agencies have 3 years to

implement the limit on APPLA as a permanency plan

for youth age 16 and older

16

New APPLA requirements cont

bull For children in foster care with a permanency plan of

APPLA the title IV-EIV-B agency must at each

permanency hearing

ndash document the efforts to place a child permanently with a

parent relative or in a guardianship or adoptive placement

bull This requirement is similar to the existing

requirements in sec 475(5)(C)(i) of the Act that

require that the title IV-EIV-B agency document to the

court a compelling reason for APPLA as a

permanency plan

17

New APPLA requirements cont

bull For children in foster care with a permanency plan of

APPLA the title IV-E agency must at each

permanency hearing

ndash ensure that the court or administrative body asks the child

about hisher desired permanency outcome and makes a

judicial determination that

bull APPLA is the best permanency plan for the child and

bull compelling reasons why itrsquos not in the best interest of the

child to be placed permanently with a parent relative or in

a guardianship or adoptive placement

bull This requirement is similar to the requirements in sec

472(a) of the Act and 1356121(b)(2) for judicial

determinations for reasonable efforts to finalize a

permanency plan

18

New APPLA requirements cont

bull For children in foster care with a permanency plan of

APPLA the title IV-EIV-B agency must at each

permanency hearing

ndash document the steps the agency is taking to ensure that the

foster family follows the ldquoreasonable and prudent parent

standardrdquo in allowing the child to have regular opportunities to

engage in ldquoage or developmentally-appropriate activitiesrdquo (this

must also be done at the 6 month periodic review)

bull Effective 92915

19

Reasonable and prudent parent standard

bull The ldquoreasonable and prudent parent standardrdquo is defined as ldquothe

standard characterized by careful and sensible parental decisions

that maintain the health safety and best interests of a child while

at the same time encouraging the emotional and developmental

growth of the child that a caregiver (a foster parent of a child or

designated official of a child care institution in which a child in

foster care has been placed) shall use when determining whether

to allow a child in foster care under the responsibility of the title

IV-E agency to participate in extracurricular enrichment cultural

and social activitiesrdquo

20

Reasonable and prudent parent standard

contbull Title IV-E agencies must

ndash require state and tribal licensing authorities to permit the use

of the ldquoreasonable and prudent parenting standardrdquo and to

have policies to ensure appropriate caregiver liability when

approving an activity for a foster youth using the standard

ndash require child care institutions to have an on-site official

authorized to apply the standard and certify that foster

parents have skills and knowledge on the standard and

require that the authorized official have the same training as

foster parents

bull HHS must provide TA on best practices to help foster

parents in applying the reasonable and prudent parent

standard

21

New title IV-EIV-B requirements for children

age 14+

bull For children age 14 and older the title IV-BIV-E agency must ndash document the childrsquos education health visitation and court

participation rights and a signed acknowledgement that the child was provided these rights and that they were explained in an age appropriate way in the case plan

ndash develop the case plan and permanency plan in consultation with the child and at the option of the child 2 members of the case planning team who are not the caseworker or foster parent

ndash describe the services to help the youth transition to successful adulthood in the case plan and permanency hearing (formerly at age 16) and

ndash provide a copy of the childrsquos credit report annually and assist in fixing any inaccuracies (formerly age 16)

bull Effective 92915

22

Providing important documents to youth

aging out of foster care

bull Title IV-BIV-E agencies must provide a youth aging out of foster care at age 18 (or 19 20 or 21 as elected by the agency under sec 475(8) of the Act) with hisherndash birth certificate

ndash Social Security card

ndash driverrsquos license or identification card

ndash health insurance information and

ndash medical records

bull Applies to youth who are in foster care for 6 months or longer

bull Effective 92915

23

Adoption and Guardianship Incentive

Program

bull Applies to state title IV-E agencies only

bull Reauthorized at the current level of $43 million for

each FY through 2016

bull Phases in new categoriesawards in 10114 (next

slides)

bull Other requirements effective sooner

ndash Allows states to spend the money over a 36 month period

instead of a 24 month period ndash 10113

ndash States may not use incentive payments to supplant federal or

non-federal funds for services under title IV-EIV-B ndash applies

to awards for FY 14

24

Incentives cont ndash New Categories and

Awardsbull Each FY a state is eligible for incentive funds

ndash for improving the rate of foster child adoptions ndash $5000

ndash for improving the rate of older child adoptions and older foster child guardianships (age 14 and older) ndash $10000

ndash for improving the rate of pre-adolescent adoptions and pre-adolescent foster child guardianships (ages 9-13) ndash $7500

ndash for improving the rate of foster child guardianships ndash $4000

bull Base rate ndash average rate for the immediately preceding 3 fiscal years or

ndash the rate for the prior fiscal year

bull Creates an incentive for timely adoptions and guardianships finalized during any FY 2013-2015 if other incentive awards are less than the appropriation Average number of months from removal to placement in a finalized adoption must be less than 24 months for a FY

25

Incentives contbull FY 2014 ndash States receive an amount equal to half the sum

of the total award currently in effect and the total award under the new categories

bull Provides a pro rata adjustment if insufficient funds are available

bull Guardianship incentive available for a child who leaves foster care to live with a legal guardian if either

ndash child was removed from the home pursuant to a VPA or judicial determination that continuation in the home is contrary to the welfare of the child return to the home is not an appropriate option the child demonstrates a strong attachment to the legal guardian the legal guardian has a strong commitment to caring permanently for the child and if over 14 years of age the child is consulted regarding the legal guardianship arrangement or

ndash Alternative procedure used by the state to determine that the legal guardianship is an appropriate option for the child

26

Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and

Reporting System (AFCARS)

bull Title IV-E agencies must report information to

AFCARS on children in foster care

ndash who are identified as sex trafficking victims before entering

foster care and while in foster care

ndash children who entered after a finalized adoption or legal

guardianship

27

Chafee Foster Care Independence Program

(CFCIP) changes

bull Purposes of the CFCIP now includes ensuring that

children who are likely to remain in foster care until

age 18 have on-going opportunities to engage in ldquoage

or developmentally-appropriaterdquo activities

bull Effective 92915

bull Beginning FY 2020 the appropriation increases

by $3M to $143M

28

HHS REQUIREMENTS

29

Child welfare outcomes report

bull Beginning FY 2016 the outcomes report must include

state data on children in foster care who are

ndash pregnant or parenting

ndash placed in a child care institution or other non-foster family

home setting including

bull the number of children in the placement their ages and

whether they have a permanency plan of APPLA

bull their duration in placement and the type of child care

institution

bull the number of foster children in each setting and

bull any clinically diagnosed special need and the extent of

special education or services provided in the placement

30

Reports to Congress

bull HHS must report to Congress on

ndash children who run away from foster care and their risk of being

sex trafficking victims their characteristics factors associated

with running away experiences while absent from care and

trends among other things (due 92916)

ndash agenciesrsquo implementation of and best practices for the case

planning amendments regarding APPLA and children age 14+

(due 92917)

31

National Advisory Committee on the Sex

Trafficking of Children and Youth in the

United States

bull HHS must establish and appoint a National Advisory

Committee on the Sex Trafficking of Children and

Youth in the United States to among other things

advise on practical and general policies on improving

the national response to sex trafficking and develop

best practices

ndash 21 members appointed in consultation with the AG and NGA

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916) establish and

appoint members

bull Committee terminates 5 years after establishment

32

QUESTIONS

Thank you

33

A Program of Spaulding for Children

in Partnership with

The University of Texas at Austin

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hil l

NATIONAL QUALITY IMPROVEMENT CENTER

FOR ADOPTIONGUARDIANSHIP

SUPPORT AND PRESERVATION

(QIC-AG)

Spaulding for Children Lead Contact Melinda Lis

The University of Texas at Austin Lead Contact Dr Rowena Fong

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Lead Contact Dr Nancy Rolock

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Lead Contact Dr Mark Testa

2

QIC-AG PARTNERSHIP

QIC-AG is funded through a cooperative agreement with Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Childrenrsquos Bureau

The partnership includes

The QIC-AG will develop evidence-based models of support and interventions which can be replicated or adapted in other child welfare systems to achieve long-term stable permanency in adoptiveguardianship homes for waiting children as well for the general post-adoptionguardianship population

3

QIC-AG GOAL

Increased post-permanency stability

Improved behavioral health for children

Improved child and family well-being

4

EXPECTED LONG-TERM OUTCOMES

1 To build a body of knowledge of the correct combinations of supports services and interventions that work best to ensure resiliency and stability for youth in a permanent home

2 To support innovative collaborative and effective practices in the development of these supports services and interventions and the strategies for each of the project sites

3 To ensure project sites can assess and match appropriate service interventions and service-delivery mechanisms that effectively match the needs of childrenyouth and their adoptive parentslegal guardians to ensure ongoing stability and enhanced resilience

5

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

4 To assist sites to conduct comprehensive screening and functional assessments of childrenyouth to ensure appropriate service intervention Services will be available accessible culturally responsive and effective to meet behavioralmental health needs

5 To develop in partnership with the 6-8 sites a system of culturally responsive evidence-based services to improve permanency and stability outcomes for childrenyouth in adoptive guardianship homes to meet the target populations needs and extend post-permanency supports services to the general post-adoptionguardianship population in the selected sites

6 To complete an evaluation on each site and produce new evidence-based models of support and intervention that increase resiliency and assure permanency and stability for youth in adoptiveguardianship homes

6

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

Child welfare agencies should provide a continuum of services that increase permanency stabil ity and support beginning when children first enter the child welfare system and continue after adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Pre-Permanency Services and supports that engage prepare and connect families to services prior to finalization of adoptionguardianship These services focus on increasing resil iency and assuring permanency and placement stabil ity They focus on emotional-behavioral health issues and provide caregivers with education that improves their capacity to support stable permanency once adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Post-Adoption or Guardianship Services and supports that increase resil iency placement stabil ity and the capacity of caregivers to meet the needs of children in their care Services are targeted to the transitions and changing developmental and emotional needs associated with this population Recognizing that services targeted at families in crisis may be too late these services target the earliest signs of dif ficulty

7

CONTINUUM OF SERVICES amp SUPPORTS

8

ldquoThe new catch phrase is adoption-competency but what does that really meanI need services that help me understand the impact trauma has on my children and how I can change my parenting paradigm to effectively meet their needs As an adoptive parent it is difficult to meet the childrens complex needs and almost impossible if you donrsquot know what services to look for or who to call for helprdquo

ndash Quote from an adoptive parent

ADOPTION-COMPETENCY

Services need to be provided early Interventions targeting adoptive or guardianship homes nearing disruption and

dissolution are often provided too late

Services should target the earliest sign of difficulty

Preparation should begin prior to finalization and equip families with the capacity to weather unexpected difficulties and seek services and supports

Identify families most at risk Research has shown predictors of post-permanency instability that can be

assessed to determine which families to target for post permanency instability

Regular check-ins can identify families most at risk of instability and in need of services

Services should be evidence-supported Appropriate services should be culturally-responsive models that are tested to

determine their effectiveness and can be replicated with fidelity

Well-conducted RCTs measure important outcomes and distinguish services that produce sizable effects from those that do not

9

THEORY OF CHANGE

Target Group 1 Children awaiting an adoptiveguardianship placement or children that are in an identified adoptiveguardianship home but the placement has not resulted in a finalization for a significant period of time due to the childrenrsquos challenging mental health emotional or behavioral issues

Target Group 2 Children and their adoptiveguardianship families who have already finalized the adoptionguardianship and for whom stabilization may be threatened This target group includes children whom have obtained permanency through private guardianship and domestic private or international adoptions

10

TARGET POPULATIONS TO BE SERVED

11

QIC-AG TEAMING STRUCTURE

12

ADVISORY BOARD

M a r y B i s s e l lC h i l d F o c u s

V e e n o d C h u l a n i M DO r l a n d o H e a l t h

H o p e C o o p e rT r u e N o r t h G r o u p

D r J o s e p h C r u m b l e yT r a i n e r C o n s u l t a n t a n d T h e r a p i s t

A p r i l C u r t i sB e S t r o n g F a m i l i e s

D r A n g e l i q u e D a yW a y n e S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y

K a t h y D e s e r l yC a p a c i t y B u i l d i n g C e n t e r f o r T r i b e s

H e a t h e r F o r b e sB e y o n d C o n s e q u e n c e s I n s t i t u t e

F r a n k G a r r o t tG l a d n e y C e n t e r f o r A d o p t i o n

D e b o r a h G r a yN u r t u r i n g A t t a c h m e n t s

J o h n J o h n s o nT e n n e s s e e D e p a r t m e n t o f C h i l d r e n s S e r v i c e s

R o b e r t J o h n s o nA n n u i t y C o m p a n y

J o e K r o l lN o r t h A m e r i c a n C o u n c i l o n A d o p t a b l e C h i l d r e n

S h a u n L a n eH e p h z i b a h C h i l d r e n s A s s o c i a t i o n

J u d g e C i n d y L e d e r m a nE l e v e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t o f F l o r i d a

D r S h a r o n M c D a n i e lA S e c o n d C h a n c e

H o l l e e M c G i n n i sD o c t o r a l C a n d i d a t e N I M H P r e d o c t o r a l F e l l o w a n d a K o r e a n F o u n d a t i o n F e l l o w a t G e o r g e W a r r e n B r o w n S c h o o l o f S o c i a l W o r k

K a t h l e e n M c N a u g h tA m e r i c a n B a r A s s o c i a t i o n C e n t e r o n C h i l d r e n a n d t h e L a w

D r A v i d a n M i l e v s k yK u t z t o w n U n i v e r s i t y o f P e n n s y l v a n i a

D r P e t e r P e c o r aT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W a s h i n g t o n a n d C a s e y F a m i l y P r o g r a m s

D r B r u c e P e r r yC h i l d T r a u m a A c a d e m y

R u s s e l l P r e t zF o r m e r I n t e r n C o n g r e s s i o n a l C o a l i t i o n o n A d o p t i o n I n s t i t u t e

D r S c o t t R y a nT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s a t A r l i n g t o n

D r G i n a S a m u e l sT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C h i c a g o

K a r y n S c h i m m e l sC a m p t o B e l o n g

M i c h a e l S h a v e rC h i l d r e n s H o m e S o c i e t y o f F l o r i d a

D r K r i s t e n S S l a c kT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W i s c o n s i n - M a d i s o n

P a m W o l fH a r m o n y F a m i l y C e n t e r

Dr Mark F TestaAdvisory Board ChairUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Six to eight sites (state county or tribal child welfare system) will be selected to take part in a national project designed to promote permanency and improve adoption and guardianship preservation and support

Sites will work in partnership with the QIC-AG to implement and evaluate a continuum of services that support the permanence and stability of children in adoptiveguardianship homes

Financial resources intensive technical assistance and support will be available to the sites over a four year period

13

SITE SELECTION

14

SITE SELECTION

Children Bureaursquos Guidelines

Two or three of the sites with greater than 10000 children in substitute care

At least one site with fewer than 5000 children in substitute care

Urban and rural jurisdictions Binding work agreements will govern the relationships

between sites and the QIC-AG and must be executed with state or county public child welfare agencies or tribes

Sites will be selected in late springearly summer 2015

Sites will be identified through intensive assessment and preliminary research conducted by QIC-AG

Preliminary conversations will take place with sites to discuss potential collaboration including detailed discussion of the initiative benefits of being a selected site and site specific programs services and capacity currently in place and in need of development

After the initial assessment sites will be identified to participate in the full assessment process This process will focus on obtaining foundational knowledge of each sitersquos continuum of care and readiness to participate in this initiative

15

OVERVIEW OF SELECTION PROCESS

16

IMPLEMENTATION amp EVALUATION STEPS

Spaulding for Children and all of its partners are excited to be part of this critical initiative

We believe that the knowledge gained from the initiative will help child welfare agencies across the nation redefine their systems so that they provide a continuum of services that promote permanency and stability for children in custody and provide stability and support for children and families post-permanency

17

ldquoPost permanency supports are critical to the stability and well-being of adoptive families My husband and I love our adopted child but she came to us having experienced a lot of trauma which will take years and many resources to healrdquo- Jennifer Adoptive Parent

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

Title IV-E plan requirement victims of sex

trafficking cont

bull Defines ldquosex trafficking victimrdquo in SSA as a victim of

sex trafficking (as defined in section 103(10) of the

Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000) or a severe

form of trafficking in persons (described in section

103(9)(A) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of

2000)

ndash Section 103(10) of TVPA Sex trafficking means the

recruitment harboring transportation provision or obtaining

of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act

ndash Section 103(9)(A) of TVPA Severe forms of trafficking in

persons means sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act

is induced by force fraud or coercion or in which the person

induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age

bull Effective upon enactment

12

Title IV-E plan requirement locate missing

children in foster care

bull Title IV-E agencies must develop and implement

protocols to locate missing children from foster care

and

ndash determine the factors that lead to the childrsquos being absent

from foster care

ndash determine the childrsquos experiences while absent from care

including whether the child is a sex trafficking victim and

ndash report any related information as required by HHS

bull Within 1 year of enactment (by 92915)

13

Title IV-E plan requirement report sex

trafficking victims missing abducted

children to law enforcement

bull Title IV-E agencies must report immediately (no later

than 24 hours) to law enforcement specific children or

youth the agency identifies as being a sex trafficking

victim

bull Title IV-E agencies must develop and implement

protocols to report specific children or youth

immediately (no later than 24 hours) on missing or

abducted children to law enforcement for entry into

the National Crime Information Center (NCIC)

database

14

Title IV-E plan requirement report sex

trafficking victims missing abducted

children to law enforcement cont

bull Children

ndash In the placement and care responsibility of the IV-E agency

ndash Not removed from home with an open case file

ndash Have run away from foster care and under age 18 or such

higher age elected under sec 475(8)

ndash Not in foster care who are receiving Chafee services

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916)

15

New APPLA requirements

bull Limits another planned permanent living arrangement

(APPLA) as a permanency plan only for youth age 16

and olderbull Effective 92915

bull Tribal title IV-EIV-B agencies have 3 years to

implement the limit on APPLA as a permanency plan

for youth age 16 and older

16

New APPLA requirements cont

bull For children in foster care with a permanency plan of

APPLA the title IV-EIV-B agency must at each

permanency hearing

ndash document the efforts to place a child permanently with a

parent relative or in a guardianship or adoptive placement

bull This requirement is similar to the existing

requirements in sec 475(5)(C)(i) of the Act that

require that the title IV-EIV-B agency document to the

court a compelling reason for APPLA as a

permanency plan

17

New APPLA requirements cont

bull For children in foster care with a permanency plan of

APPLA the title IV-E agency must at each

permanency hearing

ndash ensure that the court or administrative body asks the child

about hisher desired permanency outcome and makes a

judicial determination that

bull APPLA is the best permanency plan for the child and

bull compelling reasons why itrsquos not in the best interest of the

child to be placed permanently with a parent relative or in

a guardianship or adoptive placement

bull This requirement is similar to the requirements in sec

472(a) of the Act and 1356121(b)(2) for judicial

determinations for reasonable efforts to finalize a

permanency plan

18

New APPLA requirements cont

bull For children in foster care with a permanency plan of

APPLA the title IV-EIV-B agency must at each

permanency hearing

ndash document the steps the agency is taking to ensure that the

foster family follows the ldquoreasonable and prudent parent

standardrdquo in allowing the child to have regular opportunities to

engage in ldquoage or developmentally-appropriate activitiesrdquo (this

must also be done at the 6 month periodic review)

bull Effective 92915

19

Reasonable and prudent parent standard

bull The ldquoreasonable and prudent parent standardrdquo is defined as ldquothe

standard characterized by careful and sensible parental decisions

that maintain the health safety and best interests of a child while

at the same time encouraging the emotional and developmental

growth of the child that a caregiver (a foster parent of a child or

designated official of a child care institution in which a child in

foster care has been placed) shall use when determining whether

to allow a child in foster care under the responsibility of the title

IV-E agency to participate in extracurricular enrichment cultural

and social activitiesrdquo

20

Reasonable and prudent parent standard

contbull Title IV-E agencies must

ndash require state and tribal licensing authorities to permit the use

of the ldquoreasonable and prudent parenting standardrdquo and to

have policies to ensure appropriate caregiver liability when

approving an activity for a foster youth using the standard

ndash require child care institutions to have an on-site official

authorized to apply the standard and certify that foster

parents have skills and knowledge on the standard and

require that the authorized official have the same training as

foster parents

bull HHS must provide TA on best practices to help foster

parents in applying the reasonable and prudent parent

standard

21

New title IV-EIV-B requirements for children

age 14+

bull For children age 14 and older the title IV-BIV-E agency must ndash document the childrsquos education health visitation and court

participation rights and a signed acknowledgement that the child was provided these rights and that they were explained in an age appropriate way in the case plan

ndash develop the case plan and permanency plan in consultation with the child and at the option of the child 2 members of the case planning team who are not the caseworker or foster parent

ndash describe the services to help the youth transition to successful adulthood in the case plan and permanency hearing (formerly at age 16) and

ndash provide a copy of the childrsquos credit report annually and assist in fixing any inaccuracies (formerly age 16)

bull Effective 92915

22

Providing important documents to youth

aging out of foster care

bull Title IV-BIV-E agencies must provide a youth aging out of foster care at age 18 (or 19 20 or 21 as elected by the agency under sec 475(8) of the Act) with hisherndash birth certificate

ndash Social Security card

ndash driverrsquos license or identification card

ndash health insurance information and

ndash medical records

bull Applies to youth who are in foster care for 6 months or longer

bull Effective 92915

23

Adoption and Guardianship Incentive

Program

bull Applies to state title IV-E agencies only

bull Reauthorized at the current level of $43 million for

each FY through 2016

bull Phases in new categoriesawards in 10114 (next

slides)

bull Other requirements effective sooner

ndash Allows states to spend the money over a 36 month period

instead of a 24 month period ndash 10113

ndash States may not use incentive payments to supplant federal or

non-federal funds for services under title IV-EIV-B ndash applies

to awards for FY 14

24

Incentives cont ndash New Categories and

Awardsbull Each FY a state is eligible for incentive funds

ndash for improving the rate of foster child adoptions ndash $5000

ndash for improving the rate of older child adoptions and older foster child guardianships (age 14 and older) ndash $10000

ndash for improving the rate of pre-adolescent adoptions and pre-adolescent foster child guardianships (ages 9-13) ndash $7500

ndash for improving the rate of foster child guardianships ndash $4000

bull Base rate ndash average rate for the immediately preceding 3 fiscal years or

ndash the rate for the prior fiscal year

bull Creates an incentive for timely adoptions and guardianships finalized during any FY 2013-2015 if other incentive awards are less than the appropriation Average number of months from removal to placement in a finalized adoption must be less than 24 months for a FY

25

Incentives contbull FY 2014 ndash States receive an amount equal to half the sum

of the total award currently in effect and the total award under the new categories

bull Provides a pro rata adjustment if insufficient funds are available

bull Guardianship incentive available for a child who leaves foster care to live with a legal guardian if either

ndash child was removed from the home pursuant to a VPA or judicial determination that continuation in the home is contrary to the welfare of the child return to the home is not an appropriate option the child demonstrates a strong attachment to the legal guardian the legal guardian has a strong commitment to caring permanently for the child and if over 14 years of age the child is consulted regarding the legal guardianship arrangement or

ndash Alternative procedure used by the state to determine that the legal guardianship is an appropriate option for the child

26

Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and

Reporting System (AFCARS)

bull Title IV-E agencies must report information to

AFCARS on children in foster care

ndash who are identified as sex trafficking victims before entering

foster care and while in foster care

ndash children who entered after a finalized adoption or legal

guardianship

27

Chafee Foster Care Independence Program

(CFCIP) changes

bull Purposes of the CFCIP now includes ensuring that

children who are likely to remain in foster care until

age 18 have on-going opportunities to engage in ldquoage

or developmentally-appropriaterdquo activities

bull Effective 92915

bull Beginning FY 2020 the appropriation increases

by $3M to $143M

28

HHS REQUIREMENTS

29

Child welfare outcomes report

bull Beginning FY 2016 the outcomes report must include

state data on children in foster care who are

ndash pregnant or parenting

ndash placed in a child care institution or other non-foster family

home setting including

bull the number of children in the placement their ages and

whether they have a permanency plan of APPLA

bull their duration in placement and the type of child care

institution

bull the number of foster children in each setting and

bull any clinically diagnosed special need and the extent of

special education or services provided in the placement

30

Reports to Congress

bull HHS must report to Congress on

ndash children who run away from foster care and their risk of being

sex trafficking victims their characteristics factors associated

with running away experiences while absent from care and

trends among other things (due 92916)

ndash agenciesrsquo implementation of and best practices for the case

planning amendments regarding APPLA and children age 14+

(due 92917)

31

National Advisory Committee on the Sex

Trafficking of Children and Youth in the

United States

bull HHS must establish and appoint a National Advisory

Committee on the Sex Trafficking of Children and

Youth in the United States to among other things

advise on practical and general policies on improving

the national response to sex trafficking and develop

best practices

ndash 21 members appointed in consultation with the AG and NGA

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916) establish and

appoint members

bull Committee terminates 5 years after establishment

32

QUESTIONS

Thank you

33

A Program of Spaulding for Children

in Partnership with

The University of Texas at Austin

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hil l

NATIONAL QUALITY IMPROVEMENT CENTER

FOR ADOPTIONGUARDIANSHIP

SUPPORT AND PRESERVATION

(QIC-AG)

Spaulding for Children Lead Contact Melinda Lis

The University of Texas at Austin Lead Contact Dr Rowena Fong

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Lead Contact Dr Nancy Rolock

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Lead Contact Dr Mark Testa

2

QIC-AG PARTNERSHIP

QIC-AG is funded through a cooperative agreement with Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Childrenrsquos Bureau

The partnership includes

The QIC-AG will develop evidence-based models of support and interventions which can be replicated or adapted in other child welfare systems to achieve long-term stable permanency in adoptiveguardianship homes for waiting children as well for the general post-adoptionguardianship population

3

QIC-AG GOAL

Increased post-permanency stability

Improved behavioral health for children

Improved child and family well-being

4

EXPECTED LONG-TERM OUTCOMES

1 To build a body of knowledge of the correct combinations of supports services and interventions that work best to ensure resiliency and stability for youth in a permanent home

2 To support innovative collaborative and effective practices in the development of these supports services and interventions and the strategies for each of the project sites

3 To ensure project sites can assess and match appropriate service interventions and service-delivery mechanisms that effectively match the needs of childrenyouth and their adoptive parentslegal guardians to ensure ongoing stability and enhanced resilience

5

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

4 To assist sites to conduct comprehensive screening and functional assessments of childrenyouth to ensure appropriate service intervention Services will be available accessible culturally responsive and effective to meet behavioralmental health needs

5 To develop in partnership with the 6-8 sites a system of culturally responsive evidence-based services to improve permanency and stability outcomes for childrenyouth in adoptive guardianship homes to meet the target populations needs and extend post-permanency supports services to the general post-adoptionguardianship population in the selected sites

6 To complete an evaluation on each site and produce new evidence-based models of support and intervention that increase resiliency and assure permanency and stability for youth in adoptiveguardianship homes

6

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

Child welfare agencies should provide a continuum of services that increase permanency stabil ity and support beginning when children first enter the child welfare system and continue after adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Pre-Permanency Services and supports that engage prepare and connect families to services prior to finalization of adoptionguardianship These services focus on increasing resil iency and assuring permanency and placement stabil ity They focus on emotional-behavioral health issues and provide caregivers with education that improves their capacity to support stable permanency once adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Post-Adoption or Guardianship Services and supports that increase resil iency placement stabil ity and the capacity of caregivers to meet the needs of children in their care Services are targeted to the transitions and changing developmental and emotional needs associated with this population Recognizing that services targeted at families in crisis may be too late these services target the earliest signs of dif ficulty

7

CONTINUUM OF SERVICES amp SUPPORTS

8

ldquoThe new catch phrase is adoption-competency but what does that really meanI need services that help me understand the impact trauma has on my children and how I can change my parenting paradigm to effectively meet their needs As an adoptive parent it is difficult to meet the childrens complex needs and almost impossible if you donrsquot know what services to look for or who to call for helprdquo

ndash Quote from an adoptive parent

ADOPTION-COMPETENCY

Services need to be provided early Interventions targeting adoptive or guardianship homes nearing disruption and

dissolution are often provided too late

Services should target the earliest sign of difficulty

Preparation should begin prior to finalization and equip families with the capacity to weather unexpected difficulties and seek services and supports

Identify families most at risk Research has shown predictors of post-permanency instability that can be

assessed to determine which families to target for post permanency instability

Regular check-ins can identify families most at risk of instability and in need of services

Services should be evidence-supported Appropriate services should be culturally-responsive models that are tested to

determine their effectiveness and can be replicated with fidelity

Well-conducted RCTs measure important outcomes and distinguish services that produce sizable effects from those that do not

9

THEORY OF CHANGE

Target Group 1 Children awaiting an adoptiveguardianship placement or children that are in an identified adoptiveguardianship home but the placement has not resulted in a finalization for a significant period of time due to the childrenrsquos challenging mental health emotional or behavioral issues

Target Group 2 Children and their adoptiveguardianship families who have already finalized the adoptionguardianship and for whom stabilization may be threatened This target group includes children whom have obtained permanency through private guardianship and domestic private or international adoptions

10

TARGET POPULATIONS TO BE SERVED

11

QIC-AG TEAMING STRUCTURE

12

ADVISORY BOARD

M a r y B i s s e l lC h i l d F o c u s

V e e n o d C h u l a n i M DO r l a n d o H e a l t h

H o p e C o o p e rT r u e N o r t h G r o u p

D r J o s e p h C r u m b l e yT r a i n e r C o n s u l t a n t a n d T h e r a p i s t

A p r i l C u r t i sB e S t r o n g F a m i l i e s

D r A n g e l i q u e D a yW a y n e S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y

K a t h y D e s e r l yC a p a c i t y B u i l d i n g C e n t e r f o r T r i b e s

H e a t h e r F o r b e sB e y o n d C o n s e q u e n c e s I n s t i t u t e

F r a n k G a r r o t tG l a d n e y C e n t e r f o r A d o p t i o n

D e b o r a h G r a yN u r t u r i n g A t t a c h m e n t s

J o h n J o h n s o nT e n n e s s e e D e p a r t m e n t o f C h i l d r e n s S e r v i c e s

R o b e r t J o h n s o nA n n u i t y C o m p a n y

J o e K r o l lN o r t h A m e r i c a n C o u n c i l o n A d o p t a b l e C h i l d r e n

S h a u n L a n eH e p h z i b a h C h i l d r e n s A s s o c i a t i o n

J u d g e C i n d y L e d e r m a nE l e v e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t o f F l o r i d a

D r S h a r o n M c D a n i e lA S e c o n d C h a n c e

H o l l e e M c G i n n i sD o c t o r a l C a n d i d a t e N I M H P r e d o c t o r a l F e l l o w a n d a K o r e a n F o u n d a t i o n F e l l o w a t G e o r g e W a r r e n B r o w n S c h o o l o f S o c i a l W o r k

K a t h l e e n M c N a u g h tA m e r i c a n B a r A s s o c i a t i o n C e n t e r o n C h i l d r e n a n d t h e L a w

D r A v i d a n M i l e v s k yK u t z t o w n U n i v e r s i t y o f P e n n s y l v a n i a

D r P e t e r P e c o r aT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W a s h i n g t o n a n d C a s e y F a m i l y P r o g r a m s

D r B r u c e P e r r yC h i l d T r a u m a A c a d e m y

R u s s e l l P r e t zF o r m e r I n t e r n C o n g r e s s i o n a l C o a l i t i o n o n A d o p t i o n I n s t i t u t e

D r S c o t t R y a nT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s a t A r l i n g t o n

D r G i n a S a m u e l sT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C h i c a g o

K a r y n S c h i m m e l sC a m p t o B e l o n g

M i c h a e l S h a v e rC h i l d r e n s H o m e S o c i e t y o f F l o r i d a

D r K r i s t e n S S l a c kT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W i s c o n s i n - M a d i s o n

P a m W o l fH a r m o n y F a m i l y C e n t e r

Dr Mark F TestaAdvisory Board ChairUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Six to eight sites (state county or tribal child welfare system) will be selected to take part in a national project designed to promote permanency and improve adoption and guardianship preservation and support

Sites will work in partnership with the QIC-AG to implement and evaluate a continuum of services that support the permanence and stability of children in adoptiveguardianship homes

Financial resources intensive technical assistance and support will be available to the sites over a four year period

13

SITE SELECTION

14

SITE SELECTION

Children Bureaursquos Guidelines

Two or three of the sites with greater than 10000 children in substitute care

At least one site with fewer than 5000 children in substitute care

Urban and rural jurisdictions Binding work agreements will govern the relationships

between sites and the QIC-AG and must be executed with state or county public child welfare agencies or tribes

Sites will be selected in late springearly summer 2015

Sites will be identified through intensive assessment and preliminary research conducted by QIC-AG

Preliminary conversations will take place with sites to discuss potential collaboration including detailed discussion of the initiative benefits of being a selected site and site specific programs services and capacity currently in place and in need of development

After the initial assessment sites will be identified to participate in the full assessment process This process will focus on obtaining foundational knowledge of each sitersquos continuum of care and readiness to participate in this initiative

15

OVERVIEW OF SELECTION PROCESS

16

IMPLEMENTATION amp EVALUATION STEPS

Spaulding for Children and all of its partners are excited to be part of this critical initiative

We believe that the knowledge gained from the initiative will help child welfare agencies across the nation redefine their systems so that they provide a continuum of services that promote permanency and stability for children in custody and provide stability and support for children and families post-permanency

17

ldquoPost permanency supports are critical to the stability and well-being of adoptive families My husband and I love our adopted child but she came to us having experienced a lot of trauma which will take years and many resources to healrdquo- Jennifer Adoptive Parent

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

Title IV-E plan requirement locate missing

children in foster care

bull Title IV-E agencies must develop and implement

protocols to locate missing children from foster care

and

ndash determine the factors that lead to the childrsquos being absent

from foster care

ndash determine the childrsquos experiences while absent from care

including whether the child is a sex trafficking victim and

ndash report any related information as required by HHS

bull Within 1 year of enactment (by 92915)

13

Title IV-E plan requirement report sex

trafficking victims missing abducted

children to law enforcement

bull Title IV-E agencies must report immediately (no later

than 24 hours) to law enforcement specific children or

youth the agency identifies as being a sex trafficking

victim

bull Title IV-E agencies must develop and implement

protocols to report specific children or youth

immediately (no later than 24 hours) on missing or

abducted children to law enforcement for entry into

the National Crime Information Center (NCIC)

database

14

Title IV-E plan requirement report sex

trafficking victims missing abducted

children to law enforcement cont

bull Children

ndash In the placement and care responsibility of the IV-E agency

ndash Not removed from home with an open case file

ndash Have run away from foster care and under age 18 or such

higher age elected under sec 475(8)

ndash Not in foster care who are receiving Chafee services

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916)

15

New APPLA requirements

bull Limits another planned permanent living arrangement

(APPLA) as a permanency plan only for youth age 16

and olderbull Effective 92915

bull Tribal title IV-EIV-B agencies have 3 years to

implement the limit on APPLA as a permanency plan

for youth age 16 and older

16

New APPLA requirements cont

bull For children in foster care with a permanency plan of

APPLA the title IV-EIV-B agency must at each

permanency hearing

ndash document the efforts to place a child permanently with a

parent relative or in a guardianship or adoptive placement

bull This requirement is similar to the existing

requirements in sec 475(5)(C)(i) of the Act that

require that the title IV-EIV-B agency document to the

court a compelling reason for APPLA as a

permanency plan

17

New APPLA requirements cont

bull For children in foster care with a permanency plan of

APPLA the title IV-E agency must at each

permanency hearing

ndash ensure that the court or administrative body asks the child

about hisher desired permanency outcome and makes a

judicial determination that

bull APPLA is the best permanency plan for the child and

bull compelling reasons why itrsquos not in the best interest of the

child to be placed permanently with a parent relative or in

a guardianship or adoptive placement

bull This requirement is similar to the requirements in sec

472(a) of the Act and 1356121(b)(2) for judicial

determinations for reasonable efforts to finalize a

permanency plan

18

New APPLA requirements cont

bull For children in foster care with a permanency plan of

APPLA the title IV-EIV-B agency must at each

permanency hearing

ndash document the steps the agency is taking to ensure that the

foster family follows the ldquoreasonable and prudent parent

standardrdquo in allowing the child to have regular opportunities to

engage in ldquoage or developmentally-appropriate activitiesrdquo (this

must also be done at the 6 month periodic review)

bull Effective 92915

19

Reasonable and prudent parent standard

bull The ldquoreasonable and prudent parent standardrdquo is defined as ldquothe

standard characterized by careful and sensible parental decisions

that maintain the health safety and best interests of a child while

at the same time encouraging the emotional and developmental

growth of the child that a caregiver (a foster parent of a child or

designated official of a child care institution in which a child in

foster care has been placed) shall use when determining whether

to allow a child in foster care under the responsibility of the title

IV-E agency to participate in extracurricular enrichment cultural

and social activitiesrdquo

20

Reasonable and prudent parent standard

contbull Title IV-E agencies must

ndash require state and tribal licensing authorities to permit the use

of the ldquoreasonable and prudent parenting standardrdquo and to

have policies to ensure appropriate caregiver liability when

approving an activity for a foster youth using the standard

ndash require child care institutions to have an on-site official

authorized to apply the standard and certify that foster

parents have skills and knowledge on the standard and

require that the authorized official have the same training as

foster parents

bull HHS must provide TA on best practices to help foster

parents in applying the reasonable and prudent parent

standard

21

New title IV-EIV-B requirements for children

age 14+

bull For children age 14 and older the title IV-BIV-E agency must ndash document the childrsquos education health visitation and court

participation rights and a signed acknowledgement that the child was provided these rights and that they were explained in an age appropriate way in the case plan

ndash develop the case plan and permanency plan in consultation with the child and at the option of the child 2 members of the case planning team who are not the caseworker or foster parent

ndash describe the services to help the youth transition to successful adulthood in the case plan and permanency hearing (formerly at age 16) and

ndash provide a copy of the childrsquos credit report annually and assist in fixing any inaccuracies (formerly age 16)

bull Effective 92915

22

Providing important documents to youth

aging out of foster care

bull Title IV-BIV-E agencies must provide a youth aging out of foster care at age 18 (or 19 20 or 21 as elected by the agency under sec 475(8) of the Act) with hisherndash birth certificate

ndash Social Security card

ndash driverrsquos license or identification card

ndash health insurance information and

ndash medical records

bull Applies to youth who are in foster care for 6 months or longer

bull Effective 92915

23

Adoption and Guardianship Incentive

Program

bull Applies to state title IV-E agencies only

bull Reauthorized at the current level of $43 million for

each FY through 2016

bull Phases in new categoriesawards in 10114 (next

slides)

bull Other requirements effective sooner

ndash Allows states to spend the money over a 36 month period

instead of a 24 month period ndash 10113

ndash States may not use incentive payments to supplant federal or

non-federal funds for services under title IV-EIV-B ndash applies

to awards for FY 14

24

Incentives cont ndash New Categories and

Awardsbull Each FY a state is eligible for incentive funds

ndash for improving the rate of foster child adoptions ndash $5000

ndash for improving the rate of older child adoptions and older foster child guardianships (age 14 and older) ndash $10000

ndash for improving the rate of pre-adolescent adoptions and pre-adolescent foster child guardianships (ages 9-13) ndash $7500

ndash for improving the rate of foster child guardianships ndash $4000

bull Base rate ndash average rate for the immediately preceding 3 fiscal years or

ndash the rate for the prior fiscal year

bull Creates an incentive for timely adoptions and guardianships finalized during any FY 2013-2015 if other incentive awards are less than the appropriation Average number of months from removal to placement in a finalized adoption must be less than 24 months for a FY

25

Incentives contbull FY 2014 ndash States receive an amount equal to half the sum

of the total award currently in effect and the total award under the new categories

bull Provides a pro rata adjustment if insufficient funds are available

bull Guardianship incentive available for a child who leaves foster care to live with a legal guardian if either

ndash child was removed from the home pursuant to a VPA or judicial determination that continuation in the home is contrary to the welfare of the child return to the home is not an appropriate option the child demonstrates a strong attachment to the legal guardian the legal guardian has a strong commitment to caring permanently for the child and if over 14 years of age the child is consulted regarding the legal guardianship arrangement or

ndash Alternative procedure used by the state to determine that the legal guardianship is an appropriate option for the child

26

Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and

Reporting System (AFCARS)

bull Title IV-E agencies must report information to

AFCARS on children in foster care

ndash who are identified as sex trafficking victims before entering

foster care and while in foster care

ndash children who entered after a finalized adoption or legal

guardianship

27

Chafee Foster Care Independence Program

(CFCIP) changes

bull Purposes of the CFCIP now includes ensuring that

children who are likely to remain in foster care until

age 18 have on-going opportunities to engage in ldquoage

or developmentally-appropriaterdquo activities

bull Effective 92915

bull Beginning FY 2020 the appropriation increases

by $3M to $143M

28

HHS REQUIREMENTS

29

Child welfare outcomes report

bull Beginning FY 2016 the outcomes report must include

state data on children in foster care who are

ndash pregnant or parenting

ndash placed in a child care institution or other non-foster family

home setting including

bull the number of children in the placement their ages and

whether they have a permanency plan of APPLA

bull their duration in placement and the type of child care

institution

bull the number of foster children in each setting and

bull any clinically diagnosed special need and the extent of

special education or services provided in the placement

30

Reports to Congress

bull HHS must report to Congress on

ndash children who run away from foster care and their risk of being

sex trafficking victims their characteristics factors associated

with running away experiences while absent from care and

trends among other things (due 92916)

ndash agenciesrsquo implementation of and best practices for the case

planning amendments regarding APPLA and children age 14+

(due 92917)

31

National Advisory Committee on the Sex

Trafficking of Children and Youth in the

United States

bull HHS must establish and appoint a National Advisory

Committee on the Sex Trafficking of Children and

Youth in the United States to among other things

advise on practical and general policies on improving

the national response to sex trafficking and develop

best practices

ndash 21 members appointed in consultation with the AG and NGA

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916) establish and

appoint members

bull Committee terminates 5 years after establishment

32

QUESTIONS

Thank you

33

A Program of Spaulding for Children

in Partnership with

The University of Texas at Austin

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hil l

NATIONAL QUALITY IMPROVEMENT CENTER

FOR ADOPTIONGUARDIANSHIP

SUPPORT AND PRESERVATION

(QIC-AG)

Spaulding for Children Lead Contact Melinda Lis

The University of Texas at Austin Lead Contact Dr Rowena Fong

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Lead Contact Dr Nancy Rolock

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Lead Contact Dr Mark Testa

2

QIC-AG PARTNERSHIP

QIC-AG is funded through a cooperative agreement with Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Childrenrsquos Bureau

The partnership includes

The QIC-AG will develop evidence-based models of support and interventions which can be replicated or adapted in other child welfare systems to achieve long-term stable permanency in adoptiveguardianship homes for waiting children as well for the general post-adoptionguardianship population

3

QIC-AG GOAL

Increased post-permanency stability

Improved behavioral health for children

Improved child and family well-being

4

EXPECTED LONG-TERM OUTCOMES

1 To build a body of knowledge of the correct combinations of supports services and interventions that work best to ensure resiliency and stability for youth in a permanent home

2 To support innovative collaborative and effective practices in the development of these supports services and interventions and the strategies for each of the project sites

3 To ensure project sites can assess and match appropriate service interventions and service-delivery mechanisms that effectively match the needs of childrenyouth and their adoptive parentslegal guardians to ensure ongoing stability and enhanced resilience

5

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

4 To assist sites to conduct comprehensive screening and functional assessments of childrenyouth to ensure appropriate service intervention Services will be available accessible culturally responsive and effective to meet behavioralmental health needs

5 To develop in partnership with the 6-8 sites a system of culturally responsive evidence-based services to improve permanency and stability outcomes for childrenyouth in adoptive guardianship homes to meet the target populations needs and extend post-permanency supports services to the general post-adoptionguardianship population in the selected sites

6 To complete an evaluation on each site and produce new evidence-based models of support and intervention that increase resiliency and assure permanency and stability for youth in adoptiveguardianship homes

6

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

Child welfare agencies should provide a continuum of services that increase permanency stabil ity and support beginning when children first enter the child welfare system and continue after adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Pre-Permanency Services and supports that engage prepare and connect families to services prior to finalization of adoptionguardianship These services focus on increasing resil iency and assuring permanency and placement stabil ity They focus on emotional-behavioral health issues and provide caregivers with education that improves their capacity to support stable permanency once adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Post-Adoption or Guardianship Services and supports that increase resil iency placement stabil ity and the capacity of caregivers to meet the needs of children in their care Services are targeted to the transitions and changing developmental and emotional needs associated with this population Recognizing that services targeted at families in crisis may be too late these services target the earliest signs of dif ficulty

7

CONTINUUM OF SERVICES amp SUPPORTS

8

ldquoThe new catch phrase is adoption-competency but what does that really meanI need services that help me understand the impact trauma has on my children and how I can change my parenting paradigm to effectively meet their needs As an adoptive parent it is difficult to meet the childrens complex needs and almost impossible if you donrsquot know what services to look for or who to call for helprdquo

ndash Quote from an adoptive parent

ADOPTION-COMPETENCY

Services need to be provided early Interventions targeting adoptive or guardianship homes nearing disruption and

dissolution are often provided too late

Services should target the earliest sign of difficulty

Preparation should begin prior to finalization and equip families with the capacity to weather unexpected difficulties and seek services and supports

Identify families most at risk Research has shown predictors of post-permanency instability that can be

assessed to determine which families to target for post permanency instability

Regular check-ins can identify families most at risk of instability and in need of services

Services should be evidence-supported Appropriate services should be culturally-responsive models that are tested to

determine their effectiveness and can be replicated with fidelity

Well-conducted RCTs measure important outcomes and distinguish services that produce sizable effects from those that do not

9

THEORY OF CHANGE

Target Group 1 Children awaiting an adoptiveguardianship placement or children that are in an identified adoptiveguardianship home but the placement has not resulted in a finalization for a significant period of time due to the childrenrsquos challenging mental health emotional or behavioral issues

Target Group 2 Children and their adoptiveguardianship families who have already finalized the adoptionguardianship and for whom stabilization may be threatened This target group includes children whom have obtained permanency through private guardianship and domestic private or international adoptions

10

TARGET POPULATIONS TO BE SERVED

11

QIC-AG TEAMING STRUCTURE

12

ADVISORY BOARD

M a r y B i s s e l lC h i l d F o c u s

V e e n o d C h u l a n i M DO r l a n d o H e a l t h

H o p e C o o p e rT r u e N o r t h G r o u p

D r J o s e p h C r u m b l e yT r a i n e r C o n s u l t a n t a n d T h e r a p i s t

A p r i l C u r t i sB e S t r o n g F a m i l i e s

D r A n g e l i q u e D a yW a y n e S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y

K a t h y D e s e r l yC a p a c i t y B u i l d i n g C e n t e r f o r T r i b e s

H e a t h e r F o r b e sB e y o n d C o n s e q u e n c e s I n s t i t u t e

F r a n k G a r r o t tG l a d n e y C e n t e r f o r A d o p t i o n

D e b o r a h G r a yN u r t u r i n g A t t a c h m e n t s

J o h n J o h n s o nT e n n e s s e e D e p a r t m e n t o f C h i l d r e n s S e r v i c e s

R o b e r t J o h n s o nA n n u i t y C o m p a n y

J o e K r o l lN o r t h A m e r i c a n C o u n c i l o n A d o p t a b l e C h i l d r e n

S h a u n L a n eH e p h z i b a h C h i l d r e n s A s s o c i a t i o n

J u d g e C i n d y L e d e r m a nE l e v e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t o f F l o r i d a

D r S h a r o n M c D a n i e lA S e c o n d C h a n c e

H o l l e e M c G i n n i sD o c t o r a l C a n d i d a t e N I M H P r e d o c t o r a l F e l l o w a n d a K o r e a n F o u n d a t i o n F e l l o w a t G e o r g e W a r r e n B r o w n S c h o o l o f S o c i a l W o r k

K a t h l e e n M c N a u g h tA m e r i c a n B a r A s s o c i a t i o n C e n t e r o n C h i l d r e n a n d t h e L a w

D r A v i d a n M i l e v s k yK u t z t o w n U n i v e r s i t y o f P e n n s y l v a n i a

D r P e t e r P e c o r aT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W a s h i n g t o n a n d C a s e y F a m i l y P r o g r a m s

D r B r u c e P e r r yC h i l d T r a u m a A c a d e m y

R u s s e l l P r e t zF o r m e r I n t e r n C o n g r e s s i o n a l C o a l i t i o n o n A d o p t i o n I n s t i t u t e

D r S c o t t R y a nT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s a t A r l i n g t o n

D r G i n a S a m u e l sT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C h i c a g o

K a r y n S c h i m m e l sC a m p t o B e l o n g

M i c h a e l S h a v e rC h i l d r e n s H o m e S o c i e t y o f F l o r i d a

D r K r i s t e n S S l a c kT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W i s c o n s i n - M a d i s o n

P a m W o l fH a r m o n y F a m i l y C e n t e r

Dr Mark F TestaAdvisory Board ChairUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Six to eight sites (state county or tribal child welfare system) will be selected to take part in a national project designed to promote permanency and improve adoption and guardianship preservation and support

Sites will work in partnership with the QIC-AG to implement and evaluate a continuum of services that support the permanence and stability of children in adoptiveguardianship homes

Financial resources intensive technical assistance and support will be available to the sites over a four year period

13

SITE SELECTION

14

SITE SELECTION

Children Bureaursquos Guidelines

Two or three of the sites with greater than 10000 children in substitute care

At least one site with fewer than 5000 children in substitute care

Urban and rural jurisdictions Binding work agreements will govern the relationships

between sites and the QIC-AG and must be executed with state or county public child welfare agencies or tribes

Sites will be selected in late springearly summer 2015

Sites will be identified through intensive assessment and preliminary research conducted by QIC-AG

Preliminary conversations will take place with sites to discuss potential collaboration including detailed discussion of the initiative benefits of being a selected site and site specific programs services and capacity currently in place and in need of development

After the initial assessment sites will be identified to participate in the full assessment process This process will focus on obtaining foundational knowledge of each sitersquos continuum of care and readiness to participate in this initiative

15

OVERVIEW OF SELECTION PROCESS

16

IMPLEMENTATION amp EVALUATION STEPS

Spaulding for Children and all of its partners are excited to be part of this critical initiative

We believe that the knowledge gained from the initiative will help child welfare agencies across the nation redefine their systems so that they provide a continuum of services that promote permanency and stability for children in custody and provide stability and support for children and families post-permanency

17

ldquoPost permanency supports are critical to the stability and well-being of adoptive families My husband and I love our adopted child but she came to us having experienced a lot of trauma which will take years and many resources to healrdquo- Jennifer Adoptive Parent

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

Title IV-E plan requirement report sex

trafficking victims missing abducted

children to law enforcement

bull Title IV-E agencies must report immediately (no later

than 24 hours) to law enforcement specific children or

youth the agency identifies as being a sex trafficking

victim

bull Title IV-E agencies must develop and implement

protocols to report specific children or youth

immediately (no later than 24 hours) on missing or

abducted children to law enforcement for entry into

the National Crime Information Center (NCIC)

database

14

Title IV-E plan requirement report sex

trafficking victims missing abducted

children to law enforcement cont

bull Children

ndash In the placement and care responsibility of the IV-E agency

ndash Not removed from home with an open case file

ndash Have run away from foster care and under age 18 or such

higher age elected under sec 475(8)

ndash Not in foster care who are receiving Chafee services

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916)

15

New APPLA requirements

bull Limits another planned permanent living arrangement

(APPLA) as a permanency plan only for youth age 16

and olderbull Effective 92915

bull Tribal title IV-EIV-B agencies have 3 years to

implement the limit on APPLA as a permanency plan

for youth age 16 and older

16

New APPLA requirements cont

bull For children in foster care with a permanency plan of

APPLA the title IV-EIV-B agency must at each

permanency hearing

ndash document the efforts to place a child permanently with a

parent relative or in a guardianship or adoptive placement

bull This requirement is similar to the existing

requirements in sec 475(5)(C)(i) of the Act that

require that the title IV-EIV-B agency document to the

court a compelling reason for APPLA as a

permanency plan

17

New APPLA requirements cont

bull For children in foster care with a permanency plan of

APPLA the title IV-E agency must at each

permanency hearing

ndash ensure that the court or administrative body asks the child

about hisher desired permanency outcome and makes a

judicial determination that

bull APPLA is the best permanency plan for the child and

bull compelling reasons why itrsquos not in the best interest of the

child to be placed permanently with a parent relative or in

a guardianship or adoptive placement

bull This requirement is similar to the requirements in sec

472(a) of the Act and 1356121(b)(2) for judicial

determinations for reasonable efforts to finalize a

permanency plan

18

New APPLA requirements cont

bull For children in foster care with a permanency plan of

APPLA the title IV-EIV-B agency must at each

permanency hearing

ndash document the steps the agency is taking to ensure that the

foster family follows the ldquoreasonable and prudent parent

standardrdquo in allowing the child to have regular opportunities to

engage in ldquoage or developmentally-appropriate activitiesrdquo (this

must also be done at the 6 month periodic review)

bull Effective 92915

19

Reasonable and prudent parent standard

bull The ldquoreasonable and prudent parent standardrdquo is defined as ldquothe

standard characterized by careful and sensible parental decisions

that maintain the health safety and best interests of a child while

at the same time encouraging the emotional and developmental

growth of the child that a caregiver (a foster parent of a child or

designated official of a child care institution in which a child in

foster care has been placed) shall use when determining whether

to allow a child in foster care under the responsibility of the title

IV-E agency to participate in extracurricular enrichment cultural

and social activitiesrdquo

20

Reasonable and prudent parent standard

contbull Title IV-E agencies must

ndash require state and tribal licensing authorities to permit the use

of the ldquoreasonable and prudent parenting standardrdquo and to

have policies to ensure appropriate caregiver liability when

approving an activity for a foster youth using the standard

ndash require child care institutions to have an on-site official

authorized to apply the standard and certify that foster

parents have skills and knowledge on the standard and

require that the authorized official have the same training as

foster parents

bull HHS must provide TA on best practices to help foster

parents in applying the reasonable and prudent parent

standard

21

New title IV-EIV-B requirements for children

age 14+

bull For children age 14 and older the title IV-BIV-E agency must ndash document the childrsquos education health visitation and court

participation rights and a signed acknowledgement that the child was provided these rights and that they were explained in an age appropriate way in the case plan

ndash develop the case plan and permanency plan in consultation with the child and at the option of the child 2 members of the case planning team who are not the caseworker or foster parent

ndash describe the services to help the youth transition to successful adulthood in the case plan and permanency hearing (formerly at age 16) and

ndash provide a copy of the childrsquos credit report annually and assist in fixing any inaccuracies (formerly age 16)

bull Effective 92915

22

Providing important documents to youth

aging out of foster care

bull Title IV-BIV-E agencies must provide a youth aging out of foster care at age 18 (or 19 20 or 21 as elected by the agency under sec 475(8) of the Act) with hisherndash birth certificate

ndash Social Security card

ndash driverrsquos license or identification card

ndash health insurance information and

ndash medical records

bull Applies to youth who are in foster care for 6 months or longer

bull Effective 92915

23

Adoption and Guardianship Incentive

Program

bull Applies to state title IV-E agencies only

bull Reauthorized at the current level of $43 million for

each FY through 2016

bull Phases in new categoriesawards in 10114 (next

slides)

bull Other requirements effective sooner

ndash Allows states to spend the money over a 36 month period

instead of a 24 month period ndash 10113

ndash States may not use incentive payments to supplant federal or

non-federal funds for services under title IV-EIV-B ndash applies

to awards for FY 14

24

Incentives cont ndash New Categories and

Awardsbull Each FY a state is eligible for incentive funds

ndash for improving the rate of foster child adoptions ndash $5000

ndash for improving the rate of older child adoptions and older foster child guardianships (age 14 and older) ndash $10000

ndash for improving the rate of pre-adolescent adoptions and pre-adolescent foster child guardianships (ages 9-13) ndash $7500

ndash for improving the rate of foster child guardianships ndash $4000

bull Base rate ndash average rate for the immediately preceding 3 fiscal years or

ndash the rate for the prior fiscal year

bull Creates an incentive for timely adoptions and guardianships finalized during any FY 2013-2015 if other incentive awards are less than the appropriation Average number of months from removal to placement in a finalized adoption must be less than 24 months for a FY

25

Incentives contbull FY 2014 ndash States receive an amount equal to half the sum

of the total award currently in effect and the total award under the new categories

bull Provides a pro rata adjustment if insufficient funds are available

bull Guardianship incentive available for a child who leaves foster care to live with a legal guardian if either

ndash child was removed from the home pursuant to a VPA or judicial determination that continuation in the home is contrary to the welfare of the child return to the home is not an appropriate option the child demonstrates a strong attachment to the legal guardian the legal guardian has a strong commitment to caring permanently for the child and if over 14 years of age the child is consulted regarding the legal guardianship arrangement or

ndash Alternative procedure used by the state to determine that the legal guardianship is an appropriate option for the child

26

Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and

Reporting System (AFCARS)

bull Title IV-E agencies must report information to

AFCARS on children in foster care

ndash who are identified as sex trafficking victims before entering

foster care and while in foster care

ndash children who entered after a finalized adoption or legal

guardianship

27

Chafee Foster Care Independence Program

(CFCIP) changes

bull Purposes of the CFCIP now includes ensuring that

children who are likely to remain in foster care until

age 18 have on-going opportunities to engage in ldquoage

or developmentally-appropriaterdquo activities

bull Effective 92915

bull Beginning FY 2020 the appropriation increases

by $3M to $143M

28

HHS REQUIREMENTS

29

Child welfare outcomes report

bull Beginning FY 2016 the outcomes report must include

state data on children in foster care who are

ndash pregnant or parenting

ndash placed in a child care institution or other non-foster family

home setting including

bull the number of children in the placement their ages and

whether they have a permanency plan of APPLA

bull their duration in placement and the type of child care

institution

bull the number of foster children in each setting and

bull any clinically diagnosed special need and the extent of

special education or services provided in the placement

30

Reports to Congress

bull HHS must report to Congress on

ndash children who run away from foster care and their risk of being

sex trafficking victims their characteristics factors associated

with running away experiences while absent from care and

trends among other things (due 92916)

ndash agenciesrsquo implementation of and best practices for the case

planning amendments regarding APPLA and children age 14+

(due 92917)

31

National Advisory Committee on the Sex

Trafficking of Children and Youth in the

United States

bull HHS must establish and appoint a National Advisory

Committee on the Sex Trafficking of Children and

Youth in the United States to among other things

advise on practical and general policies on improving

the national response to sex trafficking and develop

best practices

ndash 21 members appointed in consultation with the AG and NGA

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916) establish and

appoint members

bull Committee terminates 5 years after establishment

32

QUESTIONS

Thank you

33

A Program of Spaulding for Children

in Partnership with

The University of Texas at Austin

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hil l

NATIONAL QUALITY IMPROVEMENT CENTER

FOR ADOPTIONGUARDIANSHIP

SUPPORT AND PRESERVATION

(QIC-AG)

Spaulding for Children Lead Contact Melinda Lis

The University of Texas at Austin Lead Contact Dr Rowena Fong

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Lead Contact Dr Nancy Rolock

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Lead Contact Dr Mark Testa

2

QIC-AG PARTNERSHIP

QIC-AG is funded through a cooperative agreement with Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Childrenrsquos Bureau

The partnership includes

The QIC-AG will develop evidence-based models of support and interventions which can be replicated or adapted in other child welfare systems to achieve long-term stable permanency in adoptiveguardianship homes for waiting children as well for the general post-adoptionguardianship population

3

QIC-AG GOAL

Increased post-permanency stability

Improved behavioral health for children

Improved child and family well-being

4

EXPECTED LONG-TERM OUTCOMES

1 To build a body of knowledge of the correct combinations of supports services and interventions that work best to ensure resiliency and stability for youth in a permanent home

2 To support innovative collaborative and effective practices in the development of these supports services and interventions and the strategies for each of the project sites

3 To ensure project sites can assess and match appropriate service interventions and service-delivery mechanisms that effectively match the needs of childrenyouth and their adoptive parentslegal guardians to ensure ongoing stability and enhanced resilience

5

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

4 To assist sites to conduct comprehensive screening and functional assessments of childrenyouth to ensure appropriate service intervention Services will be available accessible culturally responsive and effective to meet behavioralmental health needs

5 To develop in partnership with the 6-8 sites a system of culturally responsive evidence-based services to improve permanency and stability outcomes for childrenyouth in adoptive guardianship homes to meet the target populations needs and extend post-permanency supports services to the general post-adoptionguardianship population in the selected sites

6 To complete an evaluation on each site and produce new evidence-based models of support and intervention that increase resiliency and assure permanency and stability for youth in adoptiveguardianship homes

6

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

Child welfare agencies should provide a continuum of services that increase permanency stabil ity and support beginning when children first enter the child welfare system and continue after adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Pre-Permanency Services and supports that engage prepare and connect families to services prior to finalization of adoptionguardianship These services focus on increasing resil iency and assuring permanency and placement stabil ity They focus on emotional-behavioral health issues and provide caregivers with education that improves their capacity to support stable permanency once adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Post-Adoption or Guardianship Services and supports that increase resil iency placement stabil ity and the capacity of caregivers to meet the needs of children in their care Services are targeted to the transitions and changing developmental and emotional needs associated with this population Recognizing that services targeted at families in crisis may be too late these services target the earliest signs of dif ficulty

7

CONTINUUM OF SERVICES amp SUPPORTS

8

ldquoThe new catch phrase is adoption-competency but what does that really meanI need services that help me understand the impact trauma has on my children and how I can change my parenting paradigm to effectively meet their needs As an adoptive parent it is difficult to meet the childrens complex needs and almost impossible if you donrsquot know what services to look for or who to call for helprdquo

ndash Quote from an adoptive parent

ADOPTION-COMPETENCY

Services need to be provided early Interventions targeting adoptive or guardianship homes nearing disruption and

dissolution are often provided too late

Services should target the earliest sign of difficulty

Preparation should begin prior to finalization and equip families with the capacity to weather unexpected difficulties and seek services and supports

Identify families most at risk Research has shown predictors of post-permanency instability that can be

assessed to determine which families to target for post permanency instability

Regular check-ins can identify families most at risk of instability and in need of services

Services should be evidence-supported Appropriate services should be culturally-responsive models that are tested to

determine their effectiveness and can be replicated with fidelity

Well-conducted RCTs measure important outcomes and distinguish services that produce sizable effects from those that do not

9

THEORY OF CHANGE

Target Group 1 Children awaiting an adoptiveguardianship placement or children that are in an identified adoptiveguardianship home but the placement has not resulted in a finalization for a significant period of time due to the childrenrsquos challenging mental health emotional or behavioral issues

Target Group 2 Children and their adoptiveguardianship families who have already finalized the adoptionguardianship and for whom stabilization may be threatened This target group includes children whom have obtained permanency through private guardianship and domestic private or international adoptions

10

TARGET POPULATIONS TO BE SERVED

11

QIC-AG TEAMING STRUCTURE

12

ADVISORY BOARD

M a r y B i s s e l lC h i l d F o c u s

V e e n o d C h u l a n i M DO r l a n d o H e a l t h

H o p e C o o p e rT r u e N o r t h G r o u p

D r J o s e p h C r u m b l e yT r a i n e r C o n s u l t a n t a n d T h e r a p i s t

A p r i l C u r t i sB e S t r o n g F a m i l i e s

D r A n g e l i q u e D a yW a y n e S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y

K a t h y D e s e r l yC a p a c i t y B u i l d i n g C e n t e r f o r T r i b e s

H e a t h e r F o r b e sB e y o n d C o n s e q u e n c e s I n s t i t u t e

F r a n k G a r r o t tG l a d n e y C e n t e r f o r A d o p t i o n

D e b o r a h G r a yN u r t u r i n g A t t a c h m e n t s

J o h n J o h n s o nT e n n e s s e e D e p a r t m e n t o f C h i l d r e n s S e r v i c e s

R o b e r t J o h n s o nA n n u i t y C o m p a n y

J o e K r o l lN o r t h A m e r i c a n C o u n c i l o n A d o p t a b l e C h i l d r e n

S h a u n L a n eH e p h z i b a h C h i l d r e n s A s s o c i a t i o n

J u d g e C i n d y L e d e r m a nE l e v e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t o f F l o r i d a

D r S h a r o n M c D a n i e lA S e c o n d C h a n c e

H o l l e e M c G i n n i sD o c t o r a l C a n d i d a t e N I M H P r e d o c t o r a l F e l l o w a n d a K o r e a n F o u n d a t i o n F e l l o w a t G e o r g e W a r r e n B r o w n S c h o o l o f S o c i a l W o r k

K a t h l e e n M c N a u g h tA m e r i c a n B a r A s s o c i a t i o n C e n t e r o n C h i l d r e n a n d t h e L a w

D r A v i d a n M i l e v s k yK u t z t o w n U n i v e r s i t y o f P e n n s y l v a n i a

D r P e t e r P e c o r aT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W a s h i n g t o n a n d C a s e y F a m i l y P r o g r a m s

D r B r u c e P e r r yC h i l d T r a u m a A c a d e m y

R u s s e l l P r e t zF o r m e r I n t e r n C o n g r e s s i o n a l C o a l i t i o n o n A d o p t i o n I n s t i t u t e

D r S c o t t R y a nT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s a t A r l i n g t o n

D r G i n a S a m u e l sT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C h i c a g o

K a r y n S c h i m m e l sC a m p t o B e l o n g

M i c h a e l S h a v e rC h i l d r e n s H o m e S o c i e t y o f F l o r i d a

D r K r i s t e n S S l a c kT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W i s c o n s i n - M a d i s o n

P a m W o l fH a r m o n y F a m i l y C e n t e r

Dr Mark F TestaAdvisory Board ChairUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Six to eight sites (state county or tribal child welfare system) will be selected to take part in a national project designed to promote permanency and improve adoption and guardianship preservation and support

Sites will work in partnership with the QIC-AG to implement and evaluate a continuum of services that support the permanence and stability of children in adoptiveguardianship homes

Financial resources intensive technical assistance and support will be available to the sites over a four year period

13

SITE SELECTION

14

SITE SELECTION

Children Bureaursquos Guidelines

Two or three of the sites with greater than 10000 children in substitute care

At least one site with fewer than 5000 children in substitute care

Urban and rural jurisdictions Binding work agreements will govern the relationships

between sites and the QIC-AG and must be executed with state or county public child welfare agencies or tribes

Sites will be selected in late springearly summer 2015

Sites will be identified through intensive assessment and preliminary research conducted by QIC-AG

Preliminary conversations will take place with sites to discuss potential collaboration including detailed discussion of the initiative benefits of being a selected site and site specific programs services and capacity currently in place and in need of development

After the initial assessment sites will be identified to participate in the full assessment process This process will focus on obtaining foundational knowledge of each sitersquos continuum of care and readiness to participate in this initiative

15

OVERVIEW OF SELECTION PROCESS

16

IMPLEMENTATION amp EVALUATION STEPS

Spaulding for Children and all of its partners are excited to be part of this critical initiative

We believe that the knowledge gained from the initiative will help child welfare agencies across the nation redefine their systems so that they provide a continuum of services that promote permanency and stability for children in custody and provide stability and support for children and families post-permanency

17

ldquoPost permanency supports are critical to the stability and well-being of adoptive families My husband and I love our adopted child but she came to us having experienced a lot of trauma which will take years and many resources to healrdquo- Jennifer Adoptive Parent

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

Title IV-E plan requirement report sex

trafficking victims missing abducted

children to law enforcement cont

bull Children

ndash In the placement and care responsibility of the IV-E agency

ndash Not removed from home with an open case file

ndash Have run away from foster care and under age 18 or such

higher age elected under sec 475(8)

ndash Not in foster care who are receiving Chafee services

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916)

15

New APPLA requirements

bull Limits another planned permanent living arrangement

(APPLA) as a permanency plan only for youth age 16

and olderbull Effective 92915

bull Tribal title IV-EIV-B agencies have 3 years to

implement the limit on APPLA as a permanency plan

for youth age 16 and older

16

New APPLA requirements cont

bull For children in foster care with a permanency plan of

APPLA the title IV-EIV-B agency must at each

permanency hearing

ndash document the efforts to place a child permanently with a

parent relative or in a guardianship or adoptive placement

bull This requirement is similar to the existing

requirements in sec 475(5)(C)(i) of the Act that

require that the title IV-EIV-B agency document to the

court a compelling reason for APPLA as a

permanency plan

17

New APPLA requirements cont

bull For children in foster care with a permanency plan of

APPLA the title IV-E agency must at each

permanency hearing

ndash ensure that the court or administrative body asks the child

about hisher desired permanency outcome and makes a

judicial determination that

bull APPLA is the best permanency plan for the child and

bull compelling reasons why itrsquos not in the best interest of the

child to be placed permanently with a parent relative or in

a guardianship or adoptive placement

bull This requirement is similar to the requirements in sec

472(a) of the Act and 1356121(b)(2) for judicial

determinations for reasonable efforts to finalize a

permanency plan

18

New APPLA requirements cont

bull For children in foster care with a permanency plan of

APPLA the title IV-EIV-B agency must at each

permanency hearing

ndash document the steps the agency is taking to ensure that the

foster family follows the ldquoreasonable and prudent parent

standardrdquo in allowing the child to have regular opportunities to

engage in ldquoage or developmentally-appropriate activitiesrdquo (this

must also be done at the 6 month periodic review)

bull Effective 92915

19

Reasonable and prudent parent standard

bull The ldquoreasonable and prudent parent standardrdquo is defined as ldquothe

standard characterized by careful and sensible parental decisions

that maintain the health safety and best interests of a child while

at the same time encouraging the emotional and developmental

growth of the child that a caregiver (a foster parent of a child or

designated official of a child care institution in which a child in

foster care has been placed) shall use when determining whether

to allow a child in foster care under the responsibility of the title

IV-E agency to participate in extracurricular enrichment cultural

and social activitiesrdquo

20

Reasonable and prudent parent standard

contbull Title IV-E agencies must

ndash require state and tribal licensing authorities to permit the use

of the ldquoreasonable and prudent parenting standardrdquo and to

have policies to ensure appropriate caregiver liability when

approving an activity for a foster youth using the standard

ndash require child care institutions to have an on-site official

authorized to apply the standard and certify that foster

parents have skills and knowledge on the standard and

require that the authorized official have the same training as

foster parents

bull HHS must provide TA on best practices to help foster

parents in applying the reasonable and prudent parent

standard

21

New title IV-EIV-B requirements for children

age 14+

bull For children age 14 and older the title IV-BIV-E agency must ndash document the childrsquos education health visitation and court

participation rights and a signed acknowledgement that the child was provided these rights and that they were explained in an age appropriate way in the case plan

ndash develop the case plan and permanency plan in consultation with the child and at the option of the child 2 members of the case planning team who are not the caseworker or foster parent

ndash describe the services to help the youth transition to successful adulthood in the case plan and permanency hearing (formerly at age 16) and

ndash provide a copy of the childrsquos credit report annually and assist in fixing any inaccuracies (formerly age 16)

bull Effective 92915

22

Providing important documents to youth

aging out of foster care

bull Title IV-BIV-E agencies must provide a youth aging out of foster care at age 18 (or 19 20 or 21 as elected by the agency under sec 475(8) of the Act) with hisherndash birth certificate

ndash Social Security card

ndash driverrsquos license or identification card

ndash health insurance information and

ndash medical records

bull Applies to youth who are in foster care for 6 months or longer

bull Effective 92915

23

Adoption and Guardianship Incentive

Program

bull Applies to state title IV-E agencies only

bull Reauthorized at the current level of $43 million for

each FY through 2016

bull Phases in new categoriesawards in 10114 (next

slides)

bull Other requirements effective sooner

ndash Allows states to spend the money over a 36 month period

instead of a 24 month period ndash 10113

ndash States may not use incentive payments to supplant federal or

non-federal funds for services under title IV-EIV-B ndash applies

to awards for FY 14

24

Incentives cont ndash New Categories and

Awardsbull Each FY a state is eligible for incentive funds

ndash for improving the rate of foster child adoptions ndash $5000

ndash for improving the rate of older child adoptions and older foster child guardianships (age 14 and older) ndash $10000

ndash for improving the rate of pre-adolescent adoptions and pre-adolescent foster child guardianships (ages 9-13) ndash $7500

ndash for improving the rate of foster child guardianships ndash $4000

bull Base rate ndash average rate for the immediately preceding 3 fiscal years or

ndash the rate for the prior fiscal year

bull Creates an incentive for timely adoptions and guardianships finalized during any FY 2013-2015 if other incentive awards are less than the appropriation Average number of months from removal to placement in a finalized adoption must be less than 24 months for a FY

25

Incentives contbull FY 2014 ndash States receive an amount equal to half the sum

of the total award currently in effect and the total award under the new categories

bull Provides a pro rata adjustment if insufficient funds are available

bull Guardianship incentive available for a child who leaves foster care to live with a legal guardian if either

ndash child was removed from the home pursuant to a VPA or judicial determination that continuation in the home is contrary to the welfare of the child return to the home is not an appropriate option the child demonstrates a strong attachment to the legal guardian the legal guardian has a strong commitment to caring permanently for the child and if over 14 years of age the child is consulted regarding the legal guardianship arrangement or

ndash Alternative procedure used by the state to determine that the legal guardianship is an appropriate option for the child

26

Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and

Reporting System (AFCARS)

bull Title IV-E agencies must report information to

AFCARS on children in foster care

ndash who are identified as sex trafficking victims before entering

foster care and while in foster care

ndash children who entered after a finalized adoption or legal

guardianship

27

Chafee Foster Care Independence Program

(CFCIP) changes

bull Purposes of the CFCIP now includes ensuring that

children who are likely to remain in foster care until

age 18 have on-going opportunities to engage in ldquoage

or developmentally-appropriaterdquo activities

bull Effective 92915

bull Beginning FY 2020 the appropriation increases

by $3M to $143M

28

HHS REQUIREMENTS

29

Child welfare outcomes report

bull Beginning FY 2016 the outcomes report must include

state data on children in foster care who are

ndash pregnant or parenting

ndash placed in a child care institution or other non-foster family

home setting including

bull the number of children in the placement their ages and

whether they have a permanency plan of APPLA

bull their duration in placement and the type of child care

institution

bull the number of foster children in each setting and

bull any clinically diagnosed special need and the extent of

special education or services provided in the placement

30

Reports to Congress

bull HHS must report to Congress on

ndash children who run away from foster care and their risk of being

sex trafficking victims their characteristics factors associated

with running away experiences while absent from care and

trends among other things (due 92916)

ndash agenciesrsquo implementation of and best practices for the case

planning amendments regarding APPLA and children age 14+

(due 92917)

31

National Advisory Committee on the Sex

Trafficking of Children and Youth in the

United States

bull HHS must establish and appoint a National Advisory

Committee on the Sex Trafficking of Children and

Youth in the United States to among other things

advise on practical and general policies on improving

the national response to sex trafficking and develop

best practices

ndash 21 members appointed in consultation with the AG and NGA

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916) establish and

appoint members

bull Committee terminates 5 years after establishment

32

QUESTIONS

Thank you

33

A Program of Spaulding for Children

in Partnership with

The University of Texas at Austin

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hil l

NATIONAL QUALITY IMPROVEMENT CENTER

FOR ADOPTIONGUARDIANSHIP

SUPPORT AND PRESERVATION

(QIC-AG)

Spaulding for Children Lead Contact Melinda Lis

The University of Texas at Austin Lead Contact Dr Rowena Fong

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Lead Contact Dr Nancy Rolock

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Lead Contact Dr Mark Testa

2

QIC-AG PARTNERSHIP

QIC-AG is funded through a cooperative agreement with Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Childrenrsquos Bureau

The partnership includes

The QIC-AG will develop evidence-based models of support and interventions which can be replicated or adapted in other child welfare systems to achieve long-term stable permanency in adoptiveguardianship homes for waiting children as well for the general post-adoptionguardianship population

3

QIC-AG GOAL

Increased post-permanency stability

Improved behavioral health for children

Improved child and family well-being

4

EXPECTED LONG-TERM OUTCOMES

1 To build a body of knowledge of the correct combinations of supports services and interventions that work best to ensure resiliency and stability for youth in a permanent home

2 To support innovative collaborative and effective practices in the development of these supports services and interventions and the strategies for each of the project sites

3 To ensure project sites can assess and match appropriate service interventions and service-delivery mechanisms that effectively match the needs of childrenyouth and their adoptive parentslegal guardians to ensure ongoing stability and enhanced resilience

5

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

4 To assist sites to conduct comprehensive screening and functional assessments of childrenyouth to ensure appropriate service intervention Services will be available accessible culturally responsive and effective to meet behavioralmental health needs

5 To develop in partnership with the 6-8 sites a system of culturally responsive evidence-based services to improve permanency and stability outcomes for childrenyouth in adoptive guardianship homes to meet the target populations needs and extend post-permanency supports services to the general post-adoptionguardianship population in the selected sites

6 To complete an evaluation on each site and produce new evidence-based models of support and intervention that increase resiliency and assure permanency and stability for youth in adoptiveguardianship homes

6

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

Child welfare agencies should provide a continuum of services that increase permanency stabil ity and support beginning when children first enter the child welfare system and continue after adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Pre-Permanency Services and supports that engage prepare and connect families to services prior to finalization of adoptionguardianship These services focus on increasing resil iency and assuring permanency and placement stabil ity They focus on emotional-behavioral health issues and provide caregivers with education that improves their capacity to support stable permanency once adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Post-Adoption or Guardianship Services and supports that increase resil iency placement stabil ity and the capacity of caregivers to meet the needs of children in their care Services are targeted to the transitions and changing developmental and emotional needs associated with this population Recognizing that services targeted at families in crisis may be too late these services target the earliest signs of dif ficulty

7

CONTINUUM OF SERVICES amp SUPPORTS

8

ldquoThe new catch phrase is adoption-competency but what does that really meanI need services that help me understand the impact trauma has on my children and how I can change my parenting paradigm to effectively meet their needs As an adoptive parent it is difficult to meet the childrens complex needs and almost impossible if you donrsquot know what services to look for or who to call for helprdquo

ndash Quote from an adoptive parent

ADOPTION-COMPETENCY

Services need to be provided early Interventions targeting adoptive or guardianship homes nearing disruption and

dissolution are often provided too late

Services should target the earliest sign of difficulty

Preparation should begin prior to finalization and equip families with the capacity to weather unexpected difficulties and seek services and supports

Identify families most at risk Research has shown predictors of post-permanency instability that can be

assessed to determine which families to target for post permanency instability

Regular check-ins can identify families most at risk of instability and in need of services

Services should be evidence-supported Appropriate services should be culturally-responsive models that are tested to

determine their effectiveness and can be replicated with fidelity

Well-conducted RCTs measure important outcomes and distinguish services that produce sizable effects from those that do not

9

THEORY OF CHANGE

Target Group 1 Children awaiting an adoptiveguardianship placement or children that are in an identified adoptiveguardianship home but the placement has not resulted in a finalization for a significant period of time due to the childrenrsquos challenging mental health emotional or behavioral issues

Target Group 2 Children and their adoptiveguardianship families who have already finalized the adoptionguardianship and for whom stabilization may be threatened This target group includes children whom have obtained permanency through private guardianship and domestic private or international adoptions

10

TARGET POPULATIONS TO BE SERVED

11

QIC-AG TEAMING STRUCTURE

12

ADVISORY BOARD

M a r y B i s s e l lC h i l d F o c u s

V e e n o d C h u l a n i M DO r l a n d o H e a l t h

H o p e C o o p e rT r u e N o r t h G r o u p

D r J o s e p h C r u m b l e yT r a i n e r C o n s u l t a n t a n d T h e r a p i s t

A p r i l C u r t i sB e S t r o n g F a m i l i e s

D r A n g e l i q u e D a yW a y n e S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y

K a t h y D e s e r l yC a p a c i t y B u i l d i n g C e n t e r f o r T r i b e s

H e a t h e r F o r b e sB e y o n d C o n s e q u e n c e s I n s t i t u t e

F r a n k G a r r o t tG l a d n e y C e n t e r f o r A d o p t i o n

D e b o r a h G r a yN u r t u r i n g A t t a c h m e n t s

J o h n J o h n s o nT e n n e s s e e D e p a r t m e n t o f C h i l d r e n s S e r v i c e s

R o b e r t J o h n s o nA n n u i t y C o m p a n y

J o e K r o l lN o r t h A m e r i c a n C o u n c i l o n A d o p t a b l e C h i l d r e n

S h a u n L a n eH e p h z i b a h C h i l d r e n s A s s o c i a t i o n

J u d g e C i n d y L e d e r m a nE l e v e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t o f F l o r i d a

D r S h a r o n M c D a n i e lA S e c o n d C h a n c e

H o l l e e M c G i n n i sD o c t o r a l C a n d i d a t e N I M H P r e d o c t o r a l F e l l o w a n d a K o r e a n F o u n d a t i o n F e l l o w a t G e o r g e W a r r e n B r o w n S c h o o l o f S o c i a l W o r k

K a t h l e e n M c N a u g h tA m e r i c a n B a r A s s o c i a t i o n C e n t e r o n C h i l d r e n a n d t h e L a w

D r A v i d a n M i l e v s k yK u t z t o w n U n i v e r s i t y o f P e n n s y l v a n i a

D r P e t e r P e c o r aT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W a s h i n g t o n a n d C a s e y F a m i l y P r o g r a m s

D r B r u c e P e r r yC h i l d T r a u m a A c a d e m y

R u s s e l l P r e t zF o r m e r I n t e r n C o n g r e s s i o n a l C o a l i t i o n o n A d o p t i o n I n s t i t u t e

D r S c o t t R y a nT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s a t A r l i n g t o n

D r G i n a S a m u e l sT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C h i c a g o

K a r y n S c h i m m e l sC a m p t o B e l o n g

M i c h a e l S h a v e rC h i l d r e n s H o m e S o c i e t y o f F l o r i d a

D r K r i s t e n S S l a c kT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W i s c o n s i n - M a d i s o n

P a m W o l fH a r m o n y F a m i l y C e n t e r

Dr Mark F TestaAdvisory Board ChairUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Six to eight sites (state county or tribal child welfare system) will be selected to take part in a national project designed to promote permanency and improve adoption and guardianship preservation and support

Sites will work in partnership with the QIC-AG to implement and evaluate a continuum of services that support the permanence and stability of children in adoptiveguardianship homes

Financial resources intensive technical assistance and support will be available to the sites over a four year period

13

SITE SELECTION

14

SITE SELECTION

Children Bureaursquos Guidelines

Two or three of the sites with greater than 10000 children in substitute care

At least one site with fewer than 5000 children in substitute care

Urban and rural jurisdictions Binding work agreements will govern the relationships

between sites and the QIC-AG and must be executed with state or county public child welfare agencies or tribes

Sites will be selected in late springearly summer 2015

Sites will be identified through intensive assessment and preliminary research conducted by QIC-AG

Preliminary conversations will take place with sites to discuss potential collaboration including detailed discussion of the initiative benefits of being a selected site and site specific programs services and capacity currently in place and in need of development

After the initial assessment sites will be identified to participate in the full assessment process This process will focus on obtaining foundational knowledge of each sitersquos continuum of care and readiness to participate in this initiative

15

OVERVIEW OF SELECTION PROCESS

16

IMPLEMENTATION amp EVALUATION STEPS

Spaulding for Children and all of its partners are excited to be part of this critical initiative

We believe that the knowledge gained from the initiative will help child welfare agencies across the nation redefine their systems so that they provide a continuum of services that promote permanency and stability for children in custody and provide stability and support for children and families post-permanency

17

ldquoPost permanency supports are critical to the stability and well-being of adoptive families My husband and I love our adopted child but she came to us having experienced a lot of trauma which will take years and many resources to healrdquo- Jennifer Adoptive Parent

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

New APPLA requirements

bull Limits another planned permanent living arrangement

(APPLA) as a permanency plan only for youth age 16

and olderbull Effective 92915

bull Tribal title IV-EIV-B agencies have 3 years to

implement the limit on APPLA as a permanency plan

for youth age 16 and older

16

New APPLA requirements cont

bull For children in foster care with a permanency plan of

APPLA the title IV-EIV-B agency must at each

permanency hearing

ndash document the efforts to place a child permanently with a

parent relative or in a guardianship or adoptive placement

bull This requirement is similar to the existing

requirements in sec 475(5)(C)(i) of the Act that

require that the title IV-EIV-B agency document to the

court a compelling reason for APPLA as a

permanency plan

17

New APPLA requirements cont

bull For children in foster care with a permanency plan of

APPLA the title IV-E agency must at each

permanency hearing

ndash ensure that the court or administrative body asks the child

about hisher desired permanency outcome and makes a

judicial determination that

bull APPLA is the best permanency plan for the child and

bull compelling reasons why itrsquos not in the best interest of the

child to be placed permanently with a parent relative or in

a guardianship or adoptive placement

bull This requirement is similar to the requirements in sec

472(a) of the Act and 1356121(b)(2) for judicial

determinations for reasonable efforts to finalize a

permanency plan

18

New APPLA requirements cont

bull For children in foster care with a permanency plan of

APPLA the title IV-EIV-B agency must at each

permanency hearing

ndash document the steps the agency is taking to ensure that the

foster family follows the ldquoreasonable and prudent parent

standardrdquo in allowing the child to have regular opportunities to

engage in ldquoage or developmentally-appropriate activitiesrdquo (this

must also be done at the 6 month periodic review)

bull Effective 92915

19

Reasonable and prudent parent standard

bull The ldquoreasonable and prudent parent standardrdquo is defined as ldquothe

standard characterized by careful and sensible parental decisions

that maintain the health safety and best interests of a child while

at the same time encouraging the emotional and developmental

growth of the child that a caregiver (a foster parent of a child or

designated official of a child care institution in which a child in

foster care has been placed) shall use when determining whether

to allow a child in foster care under the responsibility of the title

IV-E agency to participate in extracurricular enrichment cultural

and social activitiesrdquo

20

Reasonable and prudent parent standard

contbull Title IV-E agencies must

ndash require state and tribal licensing authorities to permit the use

of the ldquoreasonable and prudent parenting standardrdquo and to

have policies to ensure appropriate caregiver liability when

approving an activity for a foster youth using the standard

ndash require child care institutions to have an on-site official

authorized to apply the standard and certify that foster

parents have skills and knowledge on the standard and

require that the authorized official have the same training as

foster parents

bull HHS must provide TA on best practices to help foster

parents in applying the reasonable and prudent parent

standard

21

New title IV-EIV-B requirements for children

age 14+

bull For children age 14 and older the title IV-BIV-E agency must ndash document the childrsquos education health visitation and court

participation rights and a signed acknowledgement that the child was provided these rights and that they were explained in an age appropriate way in the case plan

ndash develop the case plan and permanency plan in consultation with the child and at the option of the child 2 members of the case planning team who are not the caseworker or foster parent

ndash describe the services to help the youth transition to successful adulthood in the case plan and permanency hearing (formerly at age 16) and

ndash provide a copy of the childrsquos credit report annually and assist in fixing any inaccuracies (formerly age 16)

bull Effective 92915

22

Providing important documents to youth

aging out of foster care

bull Title IV-BIV-E agencies must provide a youth aging out of foster care at age 18 (or 19 20 or 21 as elected by the agency under sec 475(8) of the Act) with hisherndash birth certificate

ndash Social Security card

ndash driverrsquos license or identification card

ndash health insurance information and

ndash medical records

bull Applies to youth who are in foster care for 6 months or longer

bull Effective 92915

23

Adoption and Guardianship Incentive

Program

bull Applies to state title IV-E agencies only

bull Reauthorized at the current level of $43 million for

each FY through 2016

bull Phases in new categoriesawards in 10114 (next

slides)

bull Other requirements effective sooner

ndash Allows states to spend the money over a 36 month period

instead of a 24 month period ndash 10113

ndash States may not use incentive payments to supplant federal or

non-federal funds for services under title IV-EIV-B ndash applies

to awards for FY 14

24

Incentives cont ndash New Categories and

Awardsbull Each FY a state is eligible for incentive funds

ndash for improving the rate of foster child adoptions ndash $5000

ndash for improving the rate of older child adoptions and older foster child guardianships (age 14 and older) ndash $10000

ndash for improving the rate of pre-adolescent adoptions and pre-adolescent foster child guardianships (ages 9-13) ndash $7500

ndash for improving the rate of foster child guardianships ndash $4000

bull Base rate ndash average rate for the immediately preceding 3 fiscal years or

ndash the rate for the prior fiscal year

bull Creates an incentive for timely adoptions and guardianships finalized during any FY 2013-2015 if other incentive awards are less than the appropriation Average number of months from removal to placement in a finalized adoption must be less than 24 months for a FY

25

Incentives contbull FY 2014 ndash States receive an amount equal to half the sum

of the total award currently in effect and the total award under the new categories

bull Provides a pro rata adjustment if insufficient funds are available

bull Guardianship incentive available for a child who leaves foster care to live with a legal guardian if either

ndash child was removed from the home pursuant to a VPA or judicial determination that continuation in the home is contrary to the welfare of the child return to the home is not an appropriate option the child demonstrates a strong attachment to the legal guardian the legal guardian has a strong commitment to caring permanently for the child and if over 14 years of age the child is consulted regarding the legal guardianship arrangement or

ndash Alternative procedure used by the state to determine that the legal guardianship is an appropriate option for the child

26

Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and

Reporting System (AFCARS)

bull Title IV-E agencies must report information to

AFCARS on children in foster care

ndash who are identified as sex trafficking victims before entering

foster care and while in foster care

ndash children who entered after a finalized adoption or legal

guardianship

27

Chafee Foster Care Independence Program

(CFCIP) changes

bull Purposes of the CFCIP now includes ensuring that

children who are likely to remain in foster care until

age 18 have on-going opportunities to engage in ldquoage

or developmentally-appropriaterdquo activities

bull Effective 92915

bull Beginning FY 2020 the appropriation increases

by $3M to $143M

28

HHS REQUIREMENTS

29

Child welfare outcomes report

bull Beginning FY 2016 the outcomes report must include

state data on children in foster care who are

ndash pregnant or parenting

ndash placed in a child care institution or other non-foster family

home setting including

bull the number of children in the placement their ages and

whether they have a permanency plan of APPLA

bull their duration in placement and the type of child care

institution

bull the number of foster children in each setting and

bull any clinically diagnosed special need and the extent of

special education or services provided in the placement

30

Reports to Congress

bull HHS must report to Congress on

ndash children who run away from foster care and their risk of being

sex trafficking victims their characteristics factors associated

with running away experiences while absent from care and

trends among other things (due 92916)

ndash agenciesrsquo implementation of and best practices for the case

planning amendments regarding APPLA and children age 14+

(due 92917)

31

National Advisory Committee on the Sex

Trafficking of Children and Youth in the

United States

bull HHS must establish and appoint a National Advisory

Committee on the Sex Trafficking of Children and

Youth in the United States to among other things

advise on practical and general policies on improving

the national response to sex trafficking and develop

best practices

ndash 21 members appointed in consultation with the AG and NGA

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916) establish and

appoint members

bull Committee terminates 5 years after establishment

32

QUESTIONS

Thank you

33

A Program of Spaulding for Children

in Partnership with

The University of Texas at Austin

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hil l

NATIONAL QUALITY IMPROVEMENT CENTER

FOR ADOPTIONGUARDIANSHIP

SUPPORT AND PRESERVATION

(QIC-AG)

Spaulding for Children Lead Contact Melinda Lis

The University of Texas at Austin Lead Contact Dr Rowena Fong

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Lead Contact Dr Nancy Rolock

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Lead Contact Dr Mark Testa

2

QIC-AG PARTNERSHIP

QIC-AG is funded through a cooperative agreement with Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Childrenrsquos Bureau

The partnership includes

The QIC-AG will develop evidence-based models of support and interventions which can be replicated or adapted in other child welfare systems to achieve long-term stable permanency in adoptiveguardianship homes for waiting children as well for the general post-adoptionguardianship population

3

QIC-AG GOAL

Increased post-permanency stability

Improved behavioral health for children

Improved child and family well-being

4

EXPECTED LONG-TERM OUTCOMES

1 To build a body of knowledge of the correct combinations of supports services and interventions that work best to ensure resiliency and stability for youth in a permanent home

2 To support innovative collaborative and effective practices in the development of these supports services and interventions and the strategies for each of the project sites

3 To ensure project sites can assess and match appropriate service interventions and service-delivery mechanisms that effectively match the needs of childrenyouth and their adoptive parentslegal guardians to ensure ongoing stability and enhanced resilience

5

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

4 To assist sites to conduct comprehensive screening and functional assessments of childrenyouth to ensure appropriate service intervention Services will be available accessible culturally responsive and effective to meet behavioralmental health needs

5 To develop in partnership with the 6-8 sites a system of culturally responsive evidence-based services to improve permanency and stability outcomes for childrenyouth in adoptive guardianship homes to meet the target populations needs and extend post-permanency supports services to the general post-adoptionguardianship population in the selected sites

6 To complete an evaluation on each site and produce new evidence-based models of support and intervention that increase resiliency and assure permanency and stability for youth in adoptiveguardianship homes

6

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

Child welfare agencies should provide a continuum of services that increase permanency stabil ity and support beginning when children first enter the child welfare system and continue after adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Pre-Permanency Services and supports that engage prepare and connect families to services prior to finalization of adoptionguardianship These services focus on increasing resil iency and assuring permanency and placement stabil ity They focus on emotional-behavioral health issues and provide caregivers with education that improves their capacity to support stable permanency once adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Post-Adoption or Guardianship Services and supports that increase resil iency placement stabil ity and the capacity of caregivers to meet the needs of children in their care Services are targeted to the transitions and changing developmental and emotional needs associated with this population Recognizing that services targeted at families in crisis may be too late these services target the earliest signs of dif ficulty

7

CONTINUUM OF SERVICES amp SUPPORTS

8

ldquoThe new catch phrase is adoption-competency but what does that really meanI need services that help me understand the impact trauma has on my children and how I can change my parenting paradigm to effectively meet their needs As an adoptive parent it is difficult to meet the childrens complex needs and almost impossible if you donrsquot know what services to look for or who to call for helprdquo

ndash Quote from an adoptive parent

ADOPTION-COMPETENCY

Services need to be provided early Interventions targeting adoptive or guardianship homes nearing disruption and

dissolution are often provided too late

Services should target the earliest sign of difficulty

Preparation should begin prior to finalization and equip families with the capacity to weather unexpected difficulties and seek services and supports

Identify families most at risk Research has shown predictors of post-permanency instability that can be

assessed to determine which families to target for post permanency instability

Regular check-ins can identify families most at risk of instability and in need of services

Services should be evidence-supported Appropriate services should be culturally-responsive models that are tested to

determine their effectiveness and can be replicated with fidelity

Well-conducted RCTs measure important outcomes and distinguish services that produce sizable effects from those that do not

9

THEORY OF CHANGE

Target Group 1 Children awaiting an adoptiveguardianship placement or children that are in an identified adoptiveguardianship home but the placement has not resulted in a finalization for a significant period of time due to the childrenrsquos challenging mental health emotional or behavioral issues

Target Group 2 Children and their adoptiveguardianship families who have already finalized the adoptionguardianship and for whom stabilization may be threatened This target group includes children whom have obtained permanency through private guardianship and domestic private or international adoptions

10

TARGET POPULATIONS TO BE SERVED

11

QIC-AG TEAMING STRUCTURE

12

ADVISORY BOARD

M a r y B i s s e l lC h i l d F o c u s

V e e n o d C h u l a n i M DO r l a n d o H e a l t h

H o p e C o o p e rT r u e N o r t h G r o u p

D r J o s e p h C r u m b l e yT r a i n e r C o n s u l t a n t a n d T h e r a p i s t

A p r i l C u r t i sB e S t r o n g F a m i l i e s

D r A n g e l i q u e D a yW a y n e S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y

K a t h y D e s e r l yC a p a c i t y B u i l d i n g C e n t e r f o r T r i b e s

H e a t h e r F o r b e sB e y o n d C o n s e q u e n c e s I n s t i t u t e

F r a n k G a r r o t tG l a d n e y C e n t e r f o r A d o p t i o n

D e b o r a h G r a yN u r t u r i n g A t t a c h m e n t s

J o h n J o h n s o nT e n n e s s e e D e p a r t m e n t o f C h i l d r e n s S e r v i c e s

R o b e r t J o h n s o nA n n u i t y C o m p a n y

J o e K r o l lN o r t h A m e r i c a n C o u n c i l o n A d o p t a b l e C h i l d r e n

S h a u n L a n eH e p h z i b a h C h i l d r e n s A s s o c i a t i o n

J u d g e C i n d y L e d e r m a nE l e v e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t o f F l o r i d a

D r S h a r o n M c D a n i e lA S e c o n d C h a n c e

H o l l e e M c G i n n i sD o c t o r a l C a n d i d a t e N I M H P r e d o c t o r a l F e l l o w a n d a K o r e a n F o u n d a t i o n F e l l o w a t G e o r g e W a r r e n B r o w n S c h o o l o f S o c i a l W o r k

K a t h l e e n M c N a u g h tA m e r i c a n B a r A s s o c i a t i o n C e n t e r o n C h i l d r e n a n d t h e L a w

D r A v i d a n M i l e v s k yK u t z t o w n U n i v e r s i t y o f P e n n s y l v a n i a

D r P e t e r P e c o r aT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W a s h i n g t o n a n d C a s e y F a m i l y P r o g r a m s

D r B r u c e P e r r yC h i l d T r a u m a A c a d e m y

R u s s e l l P r e t zF o r m e r I n t e r n C o n g r e s s i o n a l C o a l i t i o n o n A d o p t i o n I n s t i t u t e

D r S c o t t R y a nT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s a t A r l i n g t o n

D r G i n a S a m u e l sT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C h i c a g o

K a r y n S c h i m m e l sC a m p t o B e l o n g

M i c h a e l S h a v e rC h i l d r e n s H o m e S o c i e t y o f F l o r i d a

D r K r i s t e n S S l a c kT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W i s c o n s i n - M a d i s o n

P a m W o l fH a r m o n y F a m i l y C e n t e r

Dr Mark F TestaAdvisory Board ChairUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Six to eight sites (state county or tribal child welfare system) will be selected to take part in a national project designed to promote permanency and improve adoption and guardianship preservation and support

Sites will work in partnership with the QIC-AG to implement and evaluate a continuum of services that support the permanence and stability of children in adoptiveguardianship homes

Financial resources intensive technical assistance and support will be available to the sites over a four year period

13

SITE SELECTION

14

SITE SELECTION

Children Bureaursquos Guidelines

Two or three of the sites with greater than 10000 children in substitute care

At least one site with fewer than 5000 children in substitute care

Urban and rural jurisdictions Binding work agreements will govern the relationships

between sites and the QIC-AG and must be executed with state or county public child welfare agencies or tribes

Sites will be selected in late springearly summer 2015

Sites will be identified through intensive assessment and preliminary research conducted by QIC-AG

Preliminary conversations will take place with sites to discuss potential collaboration including detailed discussion of the initiative benefits of being a selected site and site specific programs services and capacity currently in place and in need of development

After the initial assessment sites will be identified to participate in the full assessment process This process will focus on obtaining foundational knowledge of each sitersquos continuum of care and readiness to participate in this initiative

15

OVERVIEW OF SELECTION PROCESS

16

IMPLEMENTATION amp EVALUATION STEPS

Spaulding for Children and all of its partners are excited to be part of this critical initiative

We believe that the knowledge gained from the initiative will help child welfare agencies across the nation redefine their systems so that they provide a continuum of services that promote permanency and stability for children in custody and provide stability and support for children and families post-permanency

17

ldquoPost permanency supports are critical to the stability and well-being of adoptive families My husband and I love our adopted child but she came to us having experienced a lot of trauma which will take years and many resources to healrdquo- Jennifer Adoptive Parent

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

New APPLA requirements cont

bull For children in foster care with a permanency plan of

APPLA the title IV-EIV-B agency must at each

permanency hearing

ndash document the efforts to place a child permanently with a

parent relative or in a guardianship or adoptive placement

bull This requirement is similar to the existing

requirements in sec 475(5)(C)(i) of the Act that

require that the title IV-EIV-B agency document to the

court a compelling reason for APPLA as a

permanency plan

17

New APPLA requirements cont

bull For children in foster care with a permanency plan of

APPLA the title IV-E agency must at each

permanency hearing

ndash ensure that the court or administrative body asks the child

about hisher desired permanency outcome and makes a

judicial determination that

bull APPLA is the best permanency plan for the child and

bull compelling reasons why itrsquos not in the best interest of the

child to be placed permanently with a parent relative or in

a guardianship or adoptive placement

bull This requirement is similar to the requirements in sec

472(a) of the Act and 1356121(b)(2) for judicial

determinations for reasonable efforts to finalize a

permanency plan

18

New APPLA requirements cont

bull For children in foster care with a permanency plan of

APPLA the title IV-EIV-B agency must at each

permanency hearing

ndash document the steps the agency is taking to ensure that the

foster family follows the ldquoreasonable and prudent parent

standardrdquo in allowing the child to have regular opportunities to

engage in ldquoage or developmentally-appropriate activitiesrdquo (this

must also be done at the 6 month periodic review)

bull Effective 92915

19

Reasonable and prudent parent standard

bull The ldquoreasonable and prudent parent standardrdquo is defined as ldquothe

standard characterized by careful and sensible parental decisions

that maintain the health safety and best interests of a child while

at the same time encouraging the emotional and developmental

growth of the child that a caregiver (a foster parent of a child or

designated official of a child care institution in which a child in

foster care has been placed) shall use when determining whether

to allow a child in foster care under the responsibility of the title

IV-E agency to participate in extracurricular enrichment cultural

and social activitiesrdquo

20

Reasonable and prudent parent standard

contbull Title IV-E agencies must

ndash require state and tribal licensing authorities to permit the use

of the ldquoreasonable and prudent parenting standardrdquo and to

have policies to ensure appropriate caregiver liability when

approving an activity for a foster youth using the standard

ndash require child care institutions to have an on-site official

authorized to apply the standard and certify that foster

parents have skills and knowledge on the standard and

require that the authorized official have the same training as

foster parents

bull HHS must provide TA on best practices to help foster

parents in applying the reasonable and prudent parent

standard

21

New title IV-EIV-B requirements for children

age 14+

bull For children age 14 and older the title IV-BIV-E agency must ndash document the childrsquos education health visitation and court

participation rights and a signed acknowledgement that the child was provided these rights and that they were explained in an age appropriate way in the case plan

ndash develop the case plan and permanency plan in consultation with the child and at the option of the child 2 members of the case planning team who are not the caseworker or foster parent

ndash describe the services to help the youth transition to successful adulthood in the case plan and permanency hearing (formerly at age 16) and

ndash provide a copy of the childrsquos credit report annually and assist in fixing any inaccuracies (formerly age 16)

bull Effective 92915

22

Providing important documents to youth

aging out of foster care

bull Title IV-BIV-E agencies must provide a youth aging out of foster care at age 18 (or 19 20 or 21 as elected by the agency under sec 475(8) of the Act) with hisherndash birth certificate

ndash Social Security card

ndash driverrsquos license or identification card

ndash health insurance information and

ndash medical records

bull Applies to youth who are in foster care for 6 months or longer

bull Effective 92915

23

Adoption and Guardianship Incentive

Program

bull Applies to state title IV-E agencies only

bull Reauthorized at the current level of $43 million for

each FY through 2016

bull Phases in new categoriesawards in 10114 (next

slides)

bull Other requirements effective sooner

ndash Allows states to spend the money over a 36 month period

instead of a 24 month period ndash 10113

ndash States may not use incentive payments to supplant federal or

non-federal funds for services under title IV-EIV-B ndash applies

to awards for FY 14

24

Incentives cont ndash New Categories and

Awardsbull Each FY a state is eligible for incentive funds

ndash for improving the rate of foster child adoptions ndash $5000

ndash for improving the rate of older child adoptions and older foster child guardianships (age 14 and older) ndash $10000

ndash for improving the rate of pre-adolescent adoptions and pre-adolescent foster child guardianships (ages 9-13) ndash $7500

ndash for improving the rate of foster child guardianships ndash $4000

bull Base rate ndash average rate for the immediately preceding 3 fiscal years or

ndash the rate for the prior fiscal year

bull Creates an incentive for timely adoptions and guardianships finalized during any FY 2013-2015 if other incentive awards are less than the appropriation Average number of months from removal to placement in a finalized adoption must be less than 24 months for a FY

25

Incentives contbull FY 2014 ndash States receive an amount equal to half the sum

of the total award currently in effect and the total award under the new categories

bull Provides a pro rata adjustment if insufficient funds are available

bull Guardianship incentive available for a child who leaves foster care to live with a legal guardian if either

ndash child was removed from the home pursuant to a VPA or judicial determination that continuation in the home is contrary to the welfare of the child return to the home is not an appropriate option the child demonstrates a strong attachment to the legal guardian the legal guardian has a strong commitment to caring permanently for the child and if over 14 years of age the child is consulted regarding the legal guardianship arrangement or

ndash Alternative procedure used by the state to determine that the legal guardianship is an appropriate option for the child

26

Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and

Reporting System (AFCARS)

bull Title IV-E agencies must report information to

AFCARS on children in foster care

ndash who are identified as sex trafficking victims before entering

foster care and while in foster care

ndash children who entered after a finalized adoption or legal

guardianship

27

Chafee Foster Care Independence Program

(CFCIP) changes

bull Purposes of the CFCIP now includes ensuring that

children who are likely to remain in foster care until

age 18 have on-going opportunities to engage in ldquoage

or developmentally-appropriaterdquo activities

bull Effective 92915

bull Beginning FY 2020 the appropriation increases

by $3M to $143M

28

HHS REQUIREMENTS

29

Child welfare outcomes report

bull Beginning FY 2016 the outcomes report must include

state data on children in foster care who are

ndash pregnant or parenting

ndash placed in a child care institution or other non-foster family

home setting including

bull the number of children in the placement their ages and

whether they have a permanency plan of APPLA

bull their duration in placement and the type of child care

institution

bull the number of foster children in each setting and

bull any clinically diagnosed special need and the extent of

special education or services provided in the placement

30

Reports to Congress

bull HHS must report to Congress on

ndash children who run away from foster care and their risk of being

sex trafficking victims their characteristics factors associated

with running away experiences while absent from care and

trends among other things (due 92916)

ndash agenciesrsquo implementation of and best practices for the case

planning amendments regarding APPLA and children age 14+

(due 92917)

31

National Advisory Committee on the Sex

Trafficking of Children and Youth in the

United States

bull HHS must establish and appoint a National Advisory

Committee on the Sex Trafficking of Children and

Youth in the United States to among other things

advise on practical and general policies on improving

the national response to sex trafficking and develop

best practices

ndash 21 members appointed in consultation with the AG and NGA

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916) establish and

appoint members

bull Committee terminates 5 years after establishment

32

QUESTIONS

Thank you

33

A Program of Spaulding for Children

in Partnership with

The University of Texas at Austin

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hil l

NATIONAL QUALITY IMPROVEMENT CENTER

FOR ADOPTIONGUARDIANSHIP

SUPPORT AND PRESERVATION

(QIC-AG)

Spaulding for Children Lead Contact Melinda Lis

The University of Texas at Austin Lead Contact Dr Rowena Fong

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Lead Contact Dr Nancy Rolock

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Lead Contact Dr Mark Testa

2

QIC-AG PARTNERSHIP

QIC-AG is funded through a cooperative agreement with Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Childrenrsquos Bureau

The partnership includes

The QIC-AG will develop evidence-based models of support and interventions which can be replicated or adapted in other child welfare systems to achieve long-term stable permanency in adoptiveguardianship homes for waiting children as well for the general post-adoptionguardianship population

3

QIC-AG GOAL

Increased post-permanency stability

Improved behavioral health for children

Improved child and family well-being

4

EXPECTED LONG-TERM OUTCOMES

1 To build a body of knowledge of the correct combinations of supports services and interventions that work best to ensure resiliency and stability for youth in a permanent home

2 To support innovative collaborative and effective practices in the development of these supports services and interventions and the strategies for each of the project sites

3 To ensure project sites can assess and match appropriate service interventions and service-delivery mechanisms that effectively match the needs of childrenyouth and their adoptive parentslegal guardians to ensure ongoing stability and enhanced resilience

5

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

4 To assist sites to conduct comprehensive screening and functional assessments of childrenyouth to ensure appropriate service intervention Services will be available accessible culturally responsive and effective to meet behavioralmental health needs

5 To develop in partnership with the 6-8 sites a system of culturally responsive evidence-based services to improve permanency and stability outcomes for childrenyouth in adoptive guardianship homes to meet the target populations needs and extend post-permanency supports services to the general post-adoptionguardianship population in the selected sites

6 To complete an evaluation on each site and produce new evidence-based models of support and intervention that increase resiliency and assure permanency and stability for youth in adoptiveguardianship homes

6

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

Child welfare agencies should provide a continuum of services that increase permanency stabil ity and support beginning when children first enter the child welfare system and continue after adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Pre-Permanency Services and supports that engage prepare and connect families to services prior to finalization of adoptionguardianship These services focus on increasing resil iency and assuring permanency and placement stabil ity They focus on emotional-behavioral health issues and provide caregivers with education that improves their capacity to support stable permanency once adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Post-Adoption or Guardianship Services and supports that increase resil iency placement stabil ity and the capacity of caregivers to meet the needs of children in their care Services are targeted to the transitions and changing developmental and emotional needs associated with this population Recognizing that services targeted at families in crisis may be too late these services target the earliest signs of dif ficulty

7

CONTINUUM OF SERVICES amp SUPPORTS

8

ldquoThe new catch phrase is adoption-competency but what does that really meanI need services that help me understand the impact trauma has on my children and how I can change my parenting paradigm to effectively meet their needs As an adoptive parent it is difficult to meet the childrens complex needs and almost impossible if you donrsquot know what services to look for or who to call for helprdquo

ndash Quote from an adoptive parent

ADOPTION-COMPETENCY

Services need to be provided early Interventions targeting adoptive or guardianship homes nearing disruption and

dissolution are often provided too late

Services should target the earliest sign of difficulty

Preparation should begin prior to finalization and equip families with the capacity to weather unexpected difficulties and seek services and supports

Identify families most at risk Research has shown predictors of post-permanency instability that can be

assessed to determine which families to target for post permanency instability

Regular check-ins can identify families most at risk of instability and in need of services

Services should be evidence-supported Appropriate services should be culturally-responsive models that are tested to

determine their effectiveness and can be replicated with fidelity

Well-conducted RCTs measure important outcomes and distinguish services that produce sizable effects from those that do not

9

THEORY OF CHANGE

Target Group 1 Children awaiting an adoptiveguardianship placement or children that are in an identified adoptiveguardianship home but the placement has not resulted in a finalization for a significant period of time due to the childrenrsquos challenging mental health emotional or behavioral issues

Target Group 2 Children and their adoptiveguardianship families who have already finalized the adoptionguardianship and for whom stabilization may be threatened This target group includes children whom have obtained permanency through private guardianship and domestic private or international adoptions

10

TARGET POPULATIONS TO BE SERVED

11

QIC-AG TEAMING STRUCTURE

12

ADVISORY BOARD

M a r y B i s s e l lC h i l d F o c u s

V e e n o d C h u l a n i M DO r l a n d o H e a l t h

H o p e C o o p e rT r u e N o r t h G r o u p

D r J o s e p h C r u m b l e yT r a i n e r C o n s u l t a n t a n d T h e r a p i s t

A p r i l C u r t i sB e S t r o n g F a m i l i e s

D r A n g e l i q u e D a yW a y n e S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y

K a t h y D e s e r l yC a p a c i t y B u i l d i n g C e n t e r f o r T r i b e s

H e a t h e r F o r b e sB e y o n d C o n s e q u e n c e s I n s t i t u t e

F r a n k G a r r o t tG l a d n e y C e n t e r f o r A d o p t i o n

D e b o r a h G r a yN u r t u r i n g A t t a c h m e n t s

J o h n J o h n s o nT e n n e s s e e D e p a r t m e n t o f C h i l d r e n s S e r v i c e s

R o b e r t J o h n s o nA n n u i t y C o m p a n y

J o e K r o l lN o r t h A m e r i c a n C o u n c i l o n A d o p t a b l e C h i l d r e n

S h a u n L a n eH e p h z i b a h C h i l d r e n s A s s o c i a t i o n

J u d g e C i n d y L e d e r m a nE l e v e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t o f F l o r i d a

D r S h a r o n M c D a n i e lA S e c o n d C h a n c e

H o l l e e M c G i n n i sD o c t o r a l C a n d i d a t e N I M H P r e d o c t o r a l F e l l o w a n d a K o r e a n F o u n d a t i o n F e l l o w a t G e o r g e W a r r e n B r o w n S c h o o l o f S o c i a l W o r k

K a t h l e e n M c N a u g h tA m e r i c a n B a r A s s o c i a t i o n C e n t e r o n C h i l d r e n a n d t h e L a w

D r A v i d a n M i l e v s k yK u t z t o w n U n i v e r s i t y o f P e n n s y l v a n i a

D r P e t e r P e c o r aT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W a s h i n g t o n a n d C a s e y F a m i l y P r o g r a m s

D r B r u c e P e r r yC h i l d T r a u m a A c a d e m y

R u s s e l l P r e t zF o r m e r I n t e r n C o n g r e s s i o n a l C o a l i t i o n o n A d o p t i o n I n s t i t u t e

D r S c o t t R y a nT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s a t A r l i n g t o n

D r G i n a S a m u e l sT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C h i c a g o

K a r y n S c h i m m e l sC a m p t o B e l o n g

M i c h a e l S h a v e rC h i l d r e n s H o m e S o c i e t y o f F l o r i d a

D r K r i s t e n S S l a c kT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W i s c o n s i n - M a d i s o n

P a m W o l fH a r m o n y F a m i l y C e n t e r

Dr Mark F TestaAdvisory Board ChairUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Six to eight sites (state county or tribal child welfare system) will be selected to take part in a national project designed to promote permanency and improve adoption and guardianship preservation and support

Sites will work in partnership with the QIC-AG to implement and evaluate a continuum of services that support the permanence and stability of children in adoptiveguardianship homes

Financial resources intensive technical assistance and support will be available to the sites over a four year period

13

SITE SELECTION

14

SITE SELECTION

Children Bureaursquos Guidelines

Two or three of the sites with greater than 10000 children in substitute care

At least one site with fewer than 5000 children in substitute care

Urban and rural jurisdictions Binding work agreements will govern the relationships

between sites and the QIC-AG and must be executed with state or county public child welfare agencies or tribes

Sites will be selected in late springearly summer 2015

Sites will be identified through intensive assessment and preliminary research conducted by QIC-AG

Preliminary conversations will take place with sites to discuss potential collaboration including detailed discussion of the initiative benefits of being a selected site and site specific programs services and capacity currently in place and in need of development

After the initial assessment sites will be identified to participate in the full assessment process This process will focus on obtaining foundational knowledge of each sitersquos continuum of care and readiness to participate in this initiative

15

OVERVIEW OF SELECTION PROCESS

16

IMPLEMENTATION amp EVALUATION STEPS

Spaulding for Children and all of its partners are excited to be part of this critical initiative

We believe that the knowledge gained from the initiative will help child welfare agencies across the nation redefine their systems so that they provide a continuum of services that promote permanency and stability for children in custody and provide stability and support for children and families post-permanency

17

ldquoPost permanency supports are critical to the stability and well-being of adoptive families My husband and I love our adopted child but she came to us having experienced a lot of trauma which will take years and many resources to healrdquo- Jennifer Adoptive Parent

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

New APPLA requirements cont

bull For children in foster care with a permanency plan of

APPLA the title IV-E agency must at each

permanency hearing

ndash ensure that the court or administrative body asks the child

about hisher desired permanency outcome and makes a

judicial determination that

bull APPLA is the best permanency plan for the child and

bull compelling reasons why itrsquos not in the best interest of the

child to be placed permanently with a parent relative or in

a guardianship or adoptive placement

bull This requirement is similar to the requirements in sec

472(a) of the Act and 1356121(b)(2) for judicial

determinations for reasonable efforts to finalize a

permanency plan

18

New APPLA requirements cont

bull For children in foster care with a permanency plan of

APPLA the title IV-EIV-B agency must at each

permanency hearing

ndash document the steps the agency is taking to ensure that the

foster family follows the ldquoreasonable and prudent parent

standardrdquo in allowing the child to have regular opportunities to

engage in ldquoage or developmentally-appropriate activitiesrdquo (this

must also be done at the 6 month periodic review)

bull Effective 92915

19

Reasonable and prudent parent standard

bull The ldquoreasonable and prudent parent standardrdquo is defined as ldquothe

standard characterized by careful and sensible parental decisions

that maintain the health safety and best interests of a child while

at the same time encouraging the emotional and developmental

growth of the child that a caregiver (a foster parent of a child or

designated official of a child care institution in which a child in

foster care has been placed) shall use when determining whether

to allow a child in foster care under the responsibility of the title

IV-E agency to participate in extracurricular enrichment cultural

and social activitiesrdquo

20

Reasonable and prudent parent standard

contbull Title IV-E agencies must

ndash require state and tribal licensing authorities to permit the use

of the ldquoreasonable and prudent parenting standardrdquo and to

have policies to ensure appropriate caregiver liability when

approving an activity for a foster youth using the standard

ndash require child care institutions to have an on-site official

authorized to apply the standard and certify that foster

parents have skills and knowledge on the standard and

require that the authorized official have the same training as

foster parents

bull HHS must provide TA on best practices to help foster

parents in applying the reasonable and prudent parent

standard

21

New title IV-EIV-B requirements for children

age 14+

bull For children age 14 and older the title IV-BIV-E agency must ndash document the childrsquos education health visitation and court

participation rights and a signed acknowledgement that the child was provided these rights and that they were explained in an age appropriate way in the case plan

ndash develop the case plan and permanency plan in consultation with the child and at the option of the child 2 members of the case planning team who are not the caseworker or foster parent

ndash describe the services to help the youth transition to successful adulthood in the case plan and permanency hearing (formerly at age 16) and

ndash provide a copy of the childrsquos credit report annually and assist in fixing any inaccuracies (formerly age 16)

bull Effective 92915

22

Providing important documents to youth

aging out of foster care

bull Title IV-BIV-E agencies must provide a youth aging out of foster care at age 18 (or 19 20 or 21 as elected by the agency under sec 475(8) of the Act) with hisherndash birth certificate

ndash Social Security card

ndash driverrsquos license or identification card

ndash health insurance information and

ndash medical records

bull Applies to youth who are in foster care for 6 months or longer

bull Effective 92915

23

Adoption and Guardianship Incentive

Program

bull Applies to state title IV-E agencies only

bull Reauthorized at the current level of $43 million for

each FY through 2016

bull Phases in new categoriesawards in 10114 (next

slides)

bull Other requirements effective sooner

ndash Allows states to spend the money over a 36 month period

instead of a 24 month period ndash 10113

ndash States may not use incentive payments to supplant federal or

non-federal funds for services under title IV-EIV-B ndash applies

to awards for FY 14

24

Incentives cont ndash New Categories and

Awardsbull Each FY a state is eligible for incentive funds

ndash for improving the rate of foster child adoptions ndash $5000

ndash for improving the rate of older child adoptions and older foster child guardianships (age 14 and older) ndash $10000

ndash for improving the rate of pre-adolescent adoptions and pre-adolescent foster child guardianships (ages 9-13) ndash $7500

ndash for improving the rate of foster child guardianships ndash $4000

bull Base rate ndash average rate for the immediately preceding 3 fiscal years or

ndash the rate for the prior fiscal year

bull Creates an incentive for timely adoptions and guardianships finalized during any FY 2013-2015 if other incentive awards are less than the appropriation Average number of months from removal to placement in a finalized adoption must be less than 24 months for a FY

25

Incentives contbull FY 2014 ndash States receive an amount equal to half the sum

of the total award currently in effect and the total award under the new categories

bull Provides a pro rata adjustment if insufficient funds are available

bull Guardianship incentive available for a child who leaves foster care to live with a legal guardian if either

ndash child was removed from the home pursuant to a VPA or judicial determination that continuation in the home is contrary to the welfare of the child return to the home is not an appropriate option the child demonstrates a strong attachment to the legal guardian the legal guardian has a strong commitment to caring permanently for the child and if over 14 years of age the child is consulted regarding the legal guardianship arrangement or

ndash Alternative procedure used by the state to determine that the legal guardianship is an appropriate option for the child

26

Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and

Reporting System (AFCARS)

bull Title IV-E agencies must report information to

AFCARS on children in foster care

ndash who are identified as sex trafficking victims before entering

foster care and while in foster care

ndash children who entered after a finalized adoption or legal

guardianship

27

Chafee Foster Care Independence Program

(CFCIP) changes

bull Purposes of the CFCIP now includes ensuring that

children who are likely to remain in foster care until

age 18 have on-going opportunities to engage in ldquoage

or developmentally-appropriaterdquo activities

bull Effective 92915

bull Beginning FY 2020 the appropriation increases

by $3M to $143M

28

HHS REQUIREMENTS

29

Child welfare outcomes report

bull Beginning FY 2016 the outcomes report must include

state data on children in foster care who are

ndash pregnant or parenting

ndash placed in a child care institution or other non-foster family

home setting including

bull the number of children in the placement their ages and

whether they have a permanency plan of APPLA

bull their duration in placement and the type of child care

institution

bull the number of foster children in each setting and

bull any clinically diagnosed special need and the extent of

special education or services provided in the placement

30

Reports to Congress

bull HHS must report to Congress on

ndash children who run away from foster care and their risk of being

sex trafficking victims their characteristics factors associated

with running away experiences while absent from care and

trends among other things (due 92916)

ndash agenciesrsquo implementation of and best practices for the case

planning amendments regarding APPLA and children age 14+

(due 92917)

31

National Advisory Committee on the Sex

Trafficking of Children and Youth in the

United States

bull HHS must establish and appoint a National Advisory

Committee on the Sex Trafficking of Children and

Youth in the United States to among other things

advise on practical and general policies on improving

the national response to sex trafficking and develop

best practices

ndash 21 members appointed in consultation with the AG and NGA

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916) establish and

appoint members

bull Committee terminates 5 years after establishment

32

QUESTIONS

Thank you

33

A Program of Spaulding for Children

in Partnership with

The University of Texas at Austin

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hil l

NATIONAL QUALITY IMPROVEMENT CENTER

FOR ADOPTIONGUARDIANSHIP

SUPPORT AND PRESERVATION

(QIC-AG)

Spaulding for Children Lead Contact Melinda Lis

The University of Texas at Austin Lead Contact Dr Rowena Fong

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Lead Contact Dr Nancy Rolock

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Lead Contact Dr Mark Testa

2

QIC-AG PARTNERSHIP

QIC-AG is funded through a cooperative agreement with Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Childrenrsquos Bureau

The partnership includes

The QIC-AG will develop evidence-based models of support and interventions which can be replicated or adapted in other child welfare systems to achieve long-term stable permanency in adoptiveguardianship homes for waiting children as well for the general post-adoptionguardianship population

3

QIC-AG GOAL

Increased post-permanency stability

Improved behavioral health for children

Improved child and family well-being

4

EXPECTED LONG-TERM OUTCOMES

1 To build a body of knowledge of the correct combinations of supports services and interventions that work best to ensure resiliency and stability for youth in a permanent home

2 To support innovative collaborative and effective practices in the development of these supports services and interventions and the strategies for each of the project sites

3 To ensure project sites can assess and match appropriate service interventions and service-delivery mechanisms that effectively match the needs of childrenyouth and their adoptive parentslegal guardians to ensure ongoing stability and enhanced resilience

5

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

4 To assist sites to conduct comprehensive screening and functional assessments of childrenyouth to ensure appropriate service intervention Services will be available accessible culturally responsive and effective to meet behavioralmental health needs

5 To develop in partnership with the 6-8 sites a system of culturally responsive evidence-based services to improve permanency and stability outcomes for childrenyouth in adoptive guardianship homes to meet the target populations needs and extend post-permanency supports services to the general post-adoptionguardianship population in the selected sites

6 To complete an evaluation on each site and produce new evidence-based models of support and intervention that increase resiliency and assure permanency and stability for youth in adoptiveguardianship homes

6

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

Child welfare agencies should provide a continuum of services that increase permanency stabil ity and support beginning when children first enter the child welfare system and continue after adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Pre-Permanency Services and supports that engage prepare and connect families to services prior to finalization of adoptionguardianship These services focus on increasing resil iency and assuring permanency and placement stabil ity They focus on emotional-behavioral health issues and provide caregivers with education that improves their capacity to support stable permanency once adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Post-Adoption or Guardianship Services and supports that increase resil iency placement stabil ity and the capacity of caregivers to meet the needs of children in their care Services are targeted to the transitions and changing developmental and emotional needs associated with this population Recognizing that services targeted at families in crisis may be too late these services target the earliest signs of dif ficulty

7

CONTINUUM OF SERVICES amp SUPPORTS

8

ldquoThe new catch phrase is adoption-competency but what does that really meanI need services that help me understand the impact trauma has on my children and how I can change my parenting paradigm to effectively meet their needs As an adoptive parent it is difficult to meet the childrens complex needs and almost impossible if you donrsquot know what services to look for or who to call for helprdquo

ndash Quote from an adoptive parent

ADOPTION-COMPETENCY

Services need to be provided early Interventions targeting adoptive or guardianship homes nearing disruption and

dissolution are often provided too late

Services should target the earliest sign of difficulty

Preparation should begin prior to finalization and equip families with the capacity to weather unexpected difficulties and seek services and supports

Identify families most at risk Research has shown predictors of post-permanency instability that can be

assessed to determine which families to target for post permanency instability

Regular check-ins can identify families most at risk of instability and in need of services

Services should be evidence-supported Appropriate services should be culturally-responsive models that are tested to

determine their effectiveness and can be replicated with fidelity

Well-conducted RCTs measure important outcomes and distinguish services that produce sizable effects from those that do not

9

THEORY OF CHANGE

Target Group 1 Children awaiting an adoptiveguardianship placement or children that are in an identified adoptiveguardianship home but the placement has not resulted in a finalization for a significant period of time due to the childrenrsquos challenging mental health emotional or behavioral issues

Target Group 2 Children and their adoptiveguardianship families who have already finalized the adoptionguardianship and for whom stabilization may be threatened This target group includes children whom have obtained permanency through private guardianship and domestic private or international adoptions

10

TARGET POPULATIONS TO BE SERVED

11

QIC-AG TEAMING STRUCTURE

12

ADVISORY BOARD

M a r y B i s s e l lC h i l d F o c u s

V e e n o d C h u l a n i M DO r l a n d o H e a l t h

H o p e C o o p e rT r u e N o r t h G r o u p

D r J o s e p h C r u m b l e yT r a i n e r C o n s u l t a n t a n d T h e r a p i s t

A p r i l C u r t i sB e S t r o n g F a m i l i e s

D r A n g e l i q u e D a yW a y n e S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y

K a t h y D e s e r l yC a p a c i t y B u i l d i n g C e n t e r f o r T r i b e s

H e a t h e r F o r b e sB e y o n d C o n s e q u e n c e s I n s t i t u t e

F r a n k G a r r o t tG l a d n e y C e n t e r f o r A d o p t i o n

D e b o r a h G r a yN u r t u r i n g A t t a c h m e n t s

J o h n J o h n s o nT e n n e s s e e D e p a r t m e n t o f C h i l d r e n s S e r v i c e s

R o b e r t J o h n s o nA n n u i t y C o m p a n y

J o e K r o l lN o r t h A m e r i c a n C o u n c i l o n A d o p t a b l e C h i l d r e n

S h a u n L a n eH e p h z i b a h C h i l d r e n s A s s o c i a t i o n

J u d g e C i n d y L e d e r m a nE l e v e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t o f F l o r i d a

D r S h a r o n M c D a n i e lA S e c o n d C h a n c e

H o l l e e M c G i n n i sD o c t o r a l C a n d i d a t e N I M H P r e d o c t o r a l F e l l o w a n d a K o r e a n F o u n d a t i o n F e l l o w a t G e o r g e W a r r e n B r o w n S c h o o l o f S o c i a l W o r k

K a t h l e e n M c N a u g h tA m e r i c a n B a r A s s o c i a t i o n C e n t e r o n C h i l d r e n a n d t h e L a w

D r A v i d a n M i l e v s k yK u t z t o w n U n i v e r s i t y o f P e n n s y l v a n i a

D r P e t e r P e c o r aT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W a s h i n g t o n a n d C a s e y F a m i l y P r o g r a m s

D r B r u c e P e r r yC h i l d T r a u m a A c a d e m y

R u s s e l l P r e t zF o r m e r I n t e r n C o n g r e s s i o n a l C o a l i t i o n o n A d o p t i o n I n s t i t u t e

D r S c o t t R y a nT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s a t A r l i n g t o n

D r G i n a S a m u e l sT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C h i c a g o

K a r y n S c h i m m e l sC a m p t o B e l o n g

M i c h a e l S h a v e rC h i l d r e n s H o m e S o c i e t y o f F l o r i d a

D r K r i s t e n S S l a c kT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W i s c o n s i n - M a d i s o n

P a m W o l fH a r m o n y F a m i l y C e n t e r

Dr Mark F TestaAdvisory Board ChairUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Six to eight sites (state county or tribal child welfare system) will be selected to take part in a national project designed to promote permanency and improve adoption and guardianship preservation and support

Sites will work in partnership with the QIC-AG to implement and evaluate a continuum of services that support the permanence and stability of children in adoptiveguardianship homes

Financial resources intensive technical assistance and support will be available to the sites over a four year period

13

SITE SELECTION

14

SITE SELECTION

Children Bureaursquos Guidelines

Two or three of the sites with greater than 10000 children in substitute care

At least one site with fewer than 5000 children in substitute care

Urban and rural jurisdictions Binding work agreements will govern the relationships

between sites and the QIC-AG and must be executed with state or county public child welfare agencies or tribes

Sites will be selected in late springearly summer 2015

Sites will be identified through intensive assessment and preliminary research conducted by QIC-AG

Preliminary conversations will take place with sites to discuss potential collaboration including detailed discussion of the initiative benefits of being a selected site and site specific programs services and capacity currently in place and in need of development

After the initial assessment sites will be identified to participate in the full assessment process This process will focus on obtaining foundational knowledge of each sitersquos continuum of care and readiness to participate in this initiative

15

OVERVIEW OF SELECTION PROCESS

16

IMPLEMENTATION amp EVALUATION STEPS

Spaulding for Children and all of its partners are excited to be part of this critical initiative

We believe that the knowledge gained from the initiative will help child welfare agencies across the nation redefine their systems so that they provide a continuum of services that promote permanency and stability for children in custody and provide stability and support for children and families post-permanency

17

ldquoPost permanency supports are critical to the stability and well-being of adoptive families My husband and I love our adopted child but she came to us having experienced a lot of trauma which will take years and many resources to healrdquo- Jennifer Adoptive Parent

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

New APPLA requirements cont

bull For children in foster care with a permanency plan of

APPLA the title IV-EIV-B agency must at each

permanency hearing

ndash document the steps the agency is taking to ensure that the

foster family follows the ldquoreasonable and prudent parent

standardrdquo in allowing the child to have regular opportunities to

engage in ldquoage or developmentally-appropriate activitiesrdquo (this

must also be done at the 6 month periodic review)

bull Effective 92915

19

Reasonable and prudent parent standard

bull The ldquoreasonable and prudent parent standardrdquo is defined as ldquothe

standard characterized by careful and sensible parental decisions

that maintain the health safety and best interests of a child while

at the same time encouraging the emotional and developmental

growth of the child that a caregiver (a foster parent of a child or

designated official of a child care institution in which a child in

foster care has been placed) shall use when determining whether

to allow a child in foster care under the responsibility of the title

IV-E agency to participate in extracurricular enrichment cultural

and social activitiesrdquo

20

Reasonable and prudent parent standard

contbull Title IV-E agencies must

ndash require state and tribal licensing authorities to permit the use

of the ldquoreasonable and prudent parenting standardrdquo and to

have policies to ensure appropriate caregiver liability when

approving an activity for a foster youth using the standard

ndash require child care institutions to have an on-site official

authorized to apply the standard and certify that foster

parents have skills and knowledge on the standard and

require that the authorized official have the same training as

foster parents

bull HHS must provide TA on best practices to help foster

parents in applying the reasonable and prudent parent

standard

21

New title IV-EIV-B requirements for children

age 14+

bull For children age 14 and older the title IV-BIV-E agency must ndash document the childrsquos education health visitation and court

participation rights and a signed acknowledgement that the child was provided these rights and that they were explained in an age appropriate way in the case plan

ndash develop the case plan and permanency plan in consultation with the child and at the option of the child 2 members of the case planning team who are not the caseworker or foster parent

ndash describe the services to help the youth transition to successful adulthood in the case plan and permanency hearing (formerly at age 16) and

ndash provide a copy of the childrsquos credit report annually and assist in fixing any inaccuracies (formerly age 16)

bull Effective 92915

22

Providing important documents to youth

aging out of foster care

bull Title IV-BIV-E agencies must provide a youth aging out of foster care at age 18 (or 19 20 or 21 as elected by the agency under sec 475(8) of the Act) with hisherndash birth certificate

ndash Social Security card

ndash driverrsquos license or identification card

ndash health insurance information and

ndash medical records

bull Applies to youth who are in foster care for 6 months or longer

bull Effective 92915

23

Adoption and Guardianship Incentive

Program

bull Applies to state title IV-E agencies only

bull Reauthorized at the current level of $43 million for

each FY through 2016

bull Phases in new categoriesawards in 10114 (next

slides)

bull Other requirements effective sooner

ndash Allows states to spend the money over a 36 month period

instead of a 24 month period ndash 10113

ndash States may not use incentive payments to supplant federal or

non-federal funds for services under title IV-EIV-B ndash applies

to awards for FY 14

24

Incentives cont ndash New Categories and

Awardsbull Each FY a state is eligible for incentive funds

ndash for improving the rate of foster child adoptions ndash $5000

ndash for improving the rate of older child adoptions and older foster child guardianships (age 14 and older) ndash $10000

ndash for improving the rate of pre-adolescent adoptions and pre-adolescent foster child guardianships (ages 9-13) ndash $7500

ndash for improving the rate of foster child guardianships ndash $4000

bull Base rate ndash average rate for the immediately preceding 3 fiscal years or

ndash the rate for the prior fiscal year

bull Creates an incentive for timely adoptions and guardianships finalized during any FY 2013-2015 if other incentive awards are less than the appropriation Average number of months from removal to placement in a finalized adoption must be less than 24 months for a FY

25

Incentives contbull FY 2014 ndash States receive an amount equal to half the sum

of the total award currently in effect and the total award under the new categories

bull Provides a pro rata adjustment if insufficient funds are available

bull Guardianship incentive available for a child who leaves foster care to live with a legal guardian if either

ndash child was removed from the home pursuant to a VPA or judicial determination that continuation in the home is contrary to the welfare of the child return to the home is not an appropriate option the child demonstrates a strong attachment to the legal guardian the legal guardian has a strong commitment to caring permanently for the child and if over 14 years of age the child is consulted regarding the legal guardianship arrangement or

ndash Alternative procedure used by the state to determine that the legal guardianship is an appropriate option for the child

26

Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and

Reporting System (AFCARS)

bull Title IV-E agencies must report information to

AFCARS on children in foster care

ndash who are identified as sex trafficking victims before entering

foster care and while in foster care

ndash children who entered after a finalized adoption or legal

guardianship

27

Chafee Foster Care Independence Program

(CFCIP) changes

bull Purposes of the CFCIP now includes ensuring that

children who are likely to remain in foster care until

age 18 have on-going opportunities to engage in ldquoage

or developmentally-appropriaterdquo activities

bull Effective 92915

bull Beginning FY 2020 the appropriation increases

by $3M to $143M

28

HHS REQUIREMENTS

29

Child welfare outcomes report

bull Beginning FY 2016 the outcomes report must include

state data on children in foster care who are

ndash pregnant or parenting

ndash placed in a child care institution or other non-foster family

home setting including

bull the number of children in the placement their ages and

whether they have a permanency plan of APPLA

bull their duration in placement and the type of child care

institution

bull the number of foster children in each setting and

bull any clinically diagnosed special need and the extent of

special education or services provided in the placement

30

Reports to Congress

bull HHS must report to Congress on

ndash children who run away from foster care and their risk of being

sex trafficking victims their characteristics factors associated

with running away experiences while absent from care and

trends among other things (due 92916)

ndash agenciesrsquo implementation of and best practices for the case

planning amendments regarding APPLA and children age 14+

(due 92917)

31

National Advisory Committee on the Sex

Trafficking of Children and Youth in the

United States

bull HHS must establish and appoint a National Advisory

Committee on the Sex Trafficking of Children and

Youth in the United States to among other things

advise on practical and general policies on improving

the national response to sex trafficking and develop

best practices

ndash 21 members appointed in consultation with the AG and NGA

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916) establish and

appoint members

bull Committee terminates 5 years after establishment

32

QUESTIONS

Thank you

33

A Program of Spaulding for Children

in Partnership with

The University of Texas at Austin

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hil l

NATIONAL QUALITY IMPROVEMENT CENTER

FOR ADOPTIONGUARDIANSHIP

SUPPORT AND PRESERVATION

(QIC-AG)

Spaulding for Children Lead Contact Melinda Lis

The University of Texas at Austin Lead Contact Dr Rowena Fong

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Lead Contact Dr Nancy Rolock

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Lead Contact Dr Mark Testa

2

QIC-AG PARTNERSHIP

QIC-AG is funded through a cooperative agreement with Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Childrenrsquos Bureau

The partnership includes

The QIC-AG will develop evidence-based models of support and interventions which can be replicated or adapted in other child welfare systems to achieve long-term stable permanency in adoptiveguardianship homes for waiting children as well for the general post-adoptionguardianship population

3

QIC-AG GOAL

Increased post-permanency stability

Improved behavioral health for children

Improved child and family well-being

4

EXPECTED LONG-TERM OUTCOMES

1 To build a body of knowledge of the correct combinations of supports services and interventions that work best to ensure resiliency and stability for youth in a permanent home

2 To support innovative collaborative and effective practices in the development of these supports services and interventions and the strategies for each of the project sites

3 To ensure project sites can assess and match appropriate service interventions and service-delivery mechanisms that effectively match the needs of childrenyouth and their adoptive parentslegal guardians to ensure ongoing stability and enhanced resilience

5

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

4 To assist sites to conduct comprehensive screening and functional assessments of childrenyouth to ensure appropriate service intervention Services will be available accessible culturally responsive and effective to meet behavioralmental health needs

5 To develop in partnership with the 6-8 sites a system of culturally responsive evidence-based services to improve permanency and stability outcomes for childrenyouth in adoptive guardianship homes to meet the target populations needs and extend post-permanency supports services to the general post-adoptionguardianship population in the selected sites

6 To complete an evaluation on each site and produce new evidence-based models of support and intervention that increase resiliency and assure permanency and stability for youth in adoptiveguardianship homes

6

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

Child welfare agencies should provide a continuum of services that increase permanency stabil ity and support beginning when children first enter the child welfare system and continue after adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Pre-Permanency Services and supports that engage prepare and connect families to services prior to finalization of adoptionguardianship These services focus on increasing resil iency and assuring permanency and placement stabil ity They focus on emotional-behavioral health issues and provide caregivers with education that improves their capacity to support stable permanency once adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Post-Adoption or Guardianship Services and supports that increase resil iency placement stabil ity and the capacity of caregivers to meet the needs of children in their care Services are targeted to the transitions and changing developmental and emotional needs associated with this population Recognizing that services targeted at families in crisis may be too late these services target the earliest signs of dif ficulty

7

CONTINUUM OF SERVICES amp SUPPORTS

8

ldquoThe new catch phrase is adoption-competency but what does that really meanI need services that help me understand the impact trauma has on my children and how I can change my parenting paradigm to effectively meet their needs As an adoptive parent it is difficult to meet the childrens complex needs and almost impossible if you donrsquot know what services to look for or who to call for helprdquo

ndash Quote from an adoptive parent

ADOPTION-COMPETENCY

Services need to be provided early Interventions targeting adoptive or guardianship homes nearing disruption and

dissolution are often provided too late

Services should target the earliest sign of difficulty

Preparation should begin prior to finalization and equip families with the capacity to weather unexpected difficulties and seek services and supports

Identify families most at risk Research has shown predictors of post-permanency instability that can be

assessed to determine which families to target for post permanency instability

Regular check-ins can identify families most at risk of instability and in need of services

Services should be evidence-supported Appropriate services should be culturally-responsive models that are tested to

determine their effectiveness and can be replicated with fidelity

Well-conducted RCTs measure important outcomes and distinguish services that produce sizable effects from those that do not

9

THEORY OF CHANGE

Target Group 1 Children awaiting an adoptiveguardianship placement or children that are in an identified adoptiveguardianship home but the placement has not resulted in a finalization for a significant period of time due to the childrenrsquos challenging mental health emotional or behavioral issues

Target Group 2 Children and their adoptiveguardianship families who have already finalized the adoptionguardianship and for whom stabilization may be threatened This target group includes children whom have obtained permanency through private guardianship and domestic private or international adoptions

10

TARGET POPULATIONS TO BE SERVED

11

QIC-AG TEAMING STRUCTURE

12

ADVISORY BOARD

M a r y B i s s e l lC h i l d F o c u s

V e e n o d C h u l a n i M DO r l a n d o H e a l t h

H o p e C o o p e rT r u e N o r t h G r o u p

D r J o s e p h C r u m b l e yT r a i n e r C o n s u l t a n t a n d T h e r a p i s t

A p r i l C u r t i sB e S t r o n g F a m i l i e s

D r A n g e l i q u e D a yW a y n e S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y

K a t h y D e s e r l yC a p a c i t y B u i l d i n g C e n t e r f o r T r i b e s

H e a t h e r F o r b e sB e y o n d C o n s e q u e n c e s I n s t i t u t e

F r a n k G a r r o t tG l a d n e y C e n t e r f o r A d o p t i o n

D e b o r a h G r a yN u r t u r i n g A t t a c h m e n t s

J o h n J o h n s o nT e n n e s s e e D e p a r t m e n t o f C h i l d r e n s S e r v i c e s

R o b e r t J o h n s o nA n n u i t y C o m p a n y

J o e K r o l lN o r t h A m e r i c a n C o u n c i l o n A d o p t a b l e C h i l d r e n

S h a u n L a n eH e p h z i b a h C h i l d r e n s A s s o c i a t i o n

J u d g e C i n d y L e d e r m a nE l e v e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t o f F l o r i d a

D r S h a r o n M c D a n i e lA S e c o n d C h a n c e

H o l l e e M c G i n n i sD o c t o r a l C a n d i d a t e N I M H P r e d o c t o r a l F e l l o w a n d a K o r e a n F o u n d a t i o n F e l l o w a t G e o r g e W a r r e n B r o w n S c h o o l o f S o c i a l W o r k

K a t h l e e n M c N a u g h tA m e r i c a n B a r A s s o c i a t i o n C e n t e r o n C h i l d r e n a n d t h e L a w

D r A v i d a n M i l e v s k yK u t z t o w n U n i v e r s i t y o f P e n n s y l v a n i a

D r P e t e r P e c o r aT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W a s h i n g t o n a n d C a s e y F a m i l y P r o g r a m s

D r B r u c e P e r r yC h i l d T r a u m a A c a d e m y

R u s s e l l P r e t zF o r m e r I n t e r n C o n g r e s s i o n a l C o a l i t i o n o n A d o p t i o n I n s t i t u t e

D r S c o t t R y a nT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s a t A r l i n g t o n

D r G i n a S a m u e l sT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C h i c a g o

K a r y n S c h i m m e l sC a m p t o B e l o n g

M i c h a e l S h a v e rC h i l d r e n s H o m e S o c i e t y o f F l o r i d a

D r K r i s t e n S S l a c kT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W i s c o n s i n - M a d i s o n

P a m W o l fH a r m o n y F a m i l y C e n t e r

Dr Mark F TestaAdvisory Board ChairUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Six to eight sites (state county or tribal child welfare system) will be selected to take part in a national project designed to promote permanency and improve adoption and guardianship preservation and support

Sites will work in partnership with the QIC-AG to implement and evaluate a continuum of services that support the permanence and stability of children in adoptiveguardianship homes

Financial resources intensive technical assistance and support will be available to the sites over a four year period

13

SITE SELECTION

14

SITE SELECTION

Children Bureaursquos Guidelines

Two or three of the sites with greater than 10000 children in substitute care

At least one site with fewer than 5000 children in substitute care

Urban and rural jurisdictions Binding work agreements will govern the relationships

between sites and the QIC-AG and must be executed with state or county public child welfare agencies or tribes

Sites will be selected in late springearly summer 2015

Sites will be identified through intensive assessment and preliminary research conducted by QIC-AG

Preliminary conversations will take place with sites to discuss potential collaboration including detailed discussion of the initiative benefits of being a selected site and site specific programs services and capacity currently in place and in need of development

After the initial assessment sites will be identified to participate in the full assessment process This process will focus on obtaining foundational knowledge of each sitersquos continuum of care and readiness to participate in this initiative

15

OVERVIEW OF SELECTION PROCESS

16

IMPLEMENTATION amp EVALUATION STEPS

Spaulding for Children and all of its partners are excited to be part of this critical initiative

We believe that the knowledge gained from the initiative will help child welfare agencies across the nation redefine their systems so that they provide a continuum of services that promote permanency and stability for children in custody and provide stability and support for children and families post-permanency

17

ldquoPost permanency supports are critical to the stability and well-being of adoptive families My husband and I love our adopted child but she came to us having experienced a lot of trauma which will take years and many resources to healrdquo- Jennifer Adoptive Parent

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

Reasonable and prudent parent standard

bull The ldquoreasonable and prudent parent standardrdquo is defined as ldquothe

standard characterized by careful and sensible parental decisions

that maintain the health safety and best interests of a child while

at the same time encouraging the emotional and developmental

growth of the child that a caregiver (a foster parent of a child or

designated official of a child care institution in which a child in

foster care has been placed) shall use when determining whether

to allow a child in foster care under the responsibility of the title

IV-E agency to participate in extracurricular enrichment cultural

and social activitiesrdquo

20

Reasonable and prudent parent standard

contbull Title IV-E agencies must

ndash require state and tribal licensing authorities to permit the use

of the ldquoreasonable and prudent parenting standardrdquo and to

have policies to ensure appropriate caregiver liability when

approving an activity for a foster youth using the standard

ndash require child care institutions to have an on-site official

authorized to apply the standard and certify that foster

parents have skills and knowledge on the standard and

require that the authorized official have the same training as

foster parents

bull HHS must provide TA on best practices to help foster

parents in applying the reasonable and prudent parent

standard

21

New title IV-EIV-B requirements for children

age 14+

bull For children age 14 and older the title IV-BIV-E agency must ndash document the childrsquos education health visitation and court

participation rights and a signed acknowledgement that the child was provided these rights and that they were explained in an age appropriate way in the case plan

ndash develop the case plan and permanency plan in consultation with the child and at the option of the child 2 members of the case planning team who are not the caseworker or foster parent

ndash describe the services to help the youth transition to successful adulthood in the case plan and permanency hearing (formerly at age 16) and

ndash provide a copy of the childrsquos credit report annually and assist in fixing any inaccuracies (formerly age 16)

bull Effective 92915

22

Providing important documents to youth

aging out of foster care

bull Title IV-BIV-E agencies must provide a youth aging out of foster care at age 18 (or 19 20 or 21 as elected by the agency under sec 475(8) of the Act) with hisherndash birth certificate

ndash Social Security card

ndash driverrsquos license or identification card

ndash health insurance information and

ndash medical records

bull Applies to youth who are in foster care for 6 months or longer

bull Effective 92915

23

Adoption and Guardianship Incentive

Program

bull Applies to state title IV-E agencies only

bull Reauthorized at the current level of $43 million for

each FY through 2016

bull Phases in new categoriesawards in 10114 (next

slides)

bull Other requirements effective sooner

ndash Allows states to spend the money over a 36 month period

instead of a 24 month period ndash 10113

ndash States may not use incentive payments to supplant federal or

non-federal funds for services under title IV-EIV-B ndash applies

to awards for FY 14

24

Incentives cont ndash New Categories and

Awardsbull Each FY a state is eligible for incentive funds

ndash for improving the rate of foster child adoptions ndash $5000

ndash for improving the rate of older child adoptions and older foster child guardianships (age 14 and older) ndash $10000

ndash for improving the rate of pre-adolescent adoptions and pre-adolescent foster child guardianships (ages 9-13) ndash $7500

ndash for improving the rate of foster child guardianships ndash $4000

bull Base rate ndash average rate for the immediately preceding 3 fiscal years or

ndash the rate for the prior fiscal year

bull Creates an incentive for timely adoptions and guardianships finalized during any FY 2013-2015 if other incentive awards are less than the appropriation Average number of months from removal to placement in a finalized adoption must be less than 24 months for a FY

25

Incentives contbull FY 2014 ndash States receive an amount equal to half the sum

of the total award currently in effect and the total award under the new categories

bull Provides a pro rata adjustment if insufficient funds are available

bull Guardianship incentive available for a child who leaves foster care to live with a legal guardian if either

ndash child was removed from the home pursuant to a VPA or judicial determination that continuation in the home is contrary to the welfare of the child return to the home is not an appropriate option the child demonstrates a strong attachment to the legal guardian the legal guardian has a strong commitment to caring permanently for the child and if over 14 years of age the child is consulted regarding the legal guardianship arrangement or

ndash Alternative procedure used by the state to determine that the legal guardianship is an appropriate option for the child

26

Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and

Reporting System (AFCARS)

bull Title IV-E agencies must report information to

AFCARS on children in foster care

ndash who are identified as sex trafficking victims before entering

foster care and while in foster care

ndash children who entered after a finalized adoption or legal

guardianship

27

Chafee Foster Care Independence Program

(CFCIP) changes

bull Purposes of the CFCIP now includes ensuring that

children who are likely to remain in foster care until

age 18 have on-going opportunities to engage in ldquoage

or developmentally-appropriaterdquo activities

bull Effective 92915

bull Beginning FY 2020 the appropriation increases

by $3M to $143M

28

HHS REQUIREMENTS

29

Child welfare outcomes report

bull Beginning FY 2016 the outcomes report must include

state data on children in foster care who are

ndash pregnant or parenting

ndash placed in a child care institution or other non-foster family

home setting including

bull the number of children in the placement their ages and

whether they have a permanency plan of APPLA

bull their duration in placement and the type of child care

institution

bull the number of foster children in each setting and

bull any clinically diagnosed special need and the extent of

special education or services provided in the placement

30

Reports to Congress

bull HHS must report to Congress on

ndash children who run away from foster care and their risk of being

sex trafficking victims their characteristics factors associated

with running away experiences while absent from care and

trends among other things (due 92916)

ndash agenciesrsquo implementation of and best practices for the case

planning amendments regarding APPLA and children age 14+

(due 92917)

31

National Advisory Committee on the Sex

Trafficking of Children and Youth in the

United States

bull HHS must establish and appoint a National Advisory

Committee on the Sex Trafficking of Children and

Youth in the United States to among other things

advise on practical and general policies on improving

the national response to sex trafficking and develop

best practices

ndash 21 members appointed in consultation with the AG and NGA

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916) establish and

appoint members

bull Committee terminates 5 years after establishment

32

QUESTIONS

Thank you

33

A Program of Spaulding for Children

in Partnership with

The University of Texas at Austin

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hil l

NATIONAL QUALITY IMPROVEMENT CENTER

FOR ADOPTIONGUARDIANSHIP

SUPPORT AND PRESERVATION

(QIC-AG)

Spaulding for Children Lead Contact Melinda Lis

The University of Texas at Austin Lead Contact Dr Rowena Fong

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Lead Contact Dr Nancy Rolock

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Lead Contact Dr Mark Testa

2

QIC-AG PARTNERSHIP

QIC-AG is funded through a cooperative agreement with Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Childrenrsquos Bureau

The partnership includes

The QIC-AG will develop evidence-based models of support and interventions which can be replicated or adapted in other child welfare systems to achieve long-term stable permanency in adoptiveguardianship homes for waiting children as well for the general post-adoptionguardianship population

3

QIC-AG GOAL

Increased post-permanency stability

Improved behavioral health for children

Improved child and family well-being

4

EXPECTED LONG-TERM OUTCOMES

1 To build a body of knowledge of the correct combinations of supports services and interventions that work best to ensure resiliency and stability for youth in a permanent home

2 To support innovative collaborative and effective practices in the development of these supports services and interventions and the strategies for each of the project sites

3 To ensure project sites can assess and match appropriate service interventions and service-delivery mechanisms that effectively match the needs of childrenyouth and their adoptive parentslegal guardians to ensure ongoing stability and enhanced resilience

5

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

4 To assist sites to conduct comprehensive screening and functional assessments of childrenyouth to ensure appropriate service intervention Services will be available accessible culturally responsive and effective to meet behavioralmental health needs

5 To develop in partnership with the 6-8 sites a system of culturally responsive evidence-based services to improve permanency and stability outcomes for childrenyouth in adoptive guardianship homes to meet the target populations needs and extend post-permanency supports services to the general post-adoptionguardianship population in the selected sites

6 To complete an evaluation on each site and produce new evidence-based models of support and intervention that increase resiliency and assure permanency and stability for youth in adoptiveguardianship homes

6

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

Child welfare agencies should provide a continuum of services that increase permanency stabil ity and support beginning when children first enter the child welfare system and continue after adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Pre-Permanency Services and supports that engage prepare and connect families to services prior to finalization of adoptionguardianship These services focus on increasing resil iency and assuring permanency and placement stabil ity They focus on emotional-behavioral health issues and provide caregivers with education that improves their capacity to support stable permanency once adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Post-Adoption or Guardianship Services and supports that increase resil iency placement stabil ity and the capacity of caregivers to meet the needs of children in their care Services are targeted to the transitions and changing developmental and emotional needs associated with this population Recognizing that services targeted at families in crisis may be too late these services target the earliest signs of dif ficulty

7

CONTINUUM OF SERVICES amp SUPPORTS

8

ldquoThe new catch phrase is adoption-competency but what does that really meanI need services that help me understand the impact trauma has on my children and how I can change my parenting paradigm to effectively meet their needs As an adoptive parent it is difficult to meet the childrens complex needs and almost impossible if you donrsquot know what services to look for or who to call for helprdquo

ndash Quote from an adoptive parent

ADOPTION-COMPETENCY

Services need to be provided early Interventions targeting adoptive or guardianship homes nearing disruption and

dissolution are often provided too late

Services should target the earliest sign of difficulty

Preparation should begin prior to finalization and equip families with the capacity to weather unexpected difficulties and seek services and supports

Identify families most at risk Research has shown predictors of post-permanency instability that can be

assessed to determine which families to target for post permanency instability

Regular check-ins can identify families most at risk of instability and in need of services

Services should be evidence-supported Appropriate services should be culturally-responsive models that are tested to

determine their effectiveness and can be replicated with fidelity

Well-conducted RCTs measure important outcomes and distinguish services that produce sizable effects from those that do not

9

THEORY OF CHANGE

Target Group 1 Children awaiting an adoptiveguardianship placement or children that are in an identified adoptiveguardianship home but the placement has not resulted in a finalization for a significant period of time due to the childrenrsquos challenging mental health emotional or behavioral issues

Target Group 2 Children and their adoptiveguardianship families who have already finalized the adoptionguardianship and for whom stabilization may be threatened This target group includes children whom have obtained permanency through private guardianship and domestic private or international adoptions

10

TARGET POPULATIONS TO BE SERVED

11

QIC-AG TEAMING STRUCTURE

12

ADVISORY BOARD

M a r y B i s s e l lC h i l d F o c u s

V e e n o d C h u l a n i M DO r l a n d o H e a l t h

H o p e C o o p e rT r u e N o r t h G r o u p

D r J o s e p h C r u m b l e yT r a i n e r C o n s u l t a n t a n d T h e r a p i s t

A p r i l C u r t i sB e S t r o n g F a m i l i e s

D r A n g e l i q u e D a yW a y n e S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y

K a t h y D e s e r l yC a p a c i t y B u i l d i n g C e n t e r f o r T r i b e s

H e a t h e r F o r b e sB e y o n d C o n s e q u e n c e s I n s t i t u t e

F r a n k G a r r o t tG l a d n e y C e n t e r f o r A d o p t i o n

D e b o r a h G r a yN u r t u r i n g A t t a c h m e n t s

J o h n J o h n s o nT e n n e s s e e D e p a r t m e n t o f C h i l d r e n s S e r v i c e s

R o b e r t J o h n s o nA n n u i t y C o m p a n y

J o e K r o l lN o r t h A m e r i c a n C o u n c i l o n A d o p t a b l e C h i l d r e n

S h a u n L a n eH e p h z i b a h C h i l d r e n s A s s o c i a t i o n

J u d g e C i n d y L e d e r m a nE l e v e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t o f F l o r i d a

D r S h a r o n M c D a n i e lA S e c o n d C h a n c e

H o l l e e M c G i n n i sD o c t o r a l C a n d i d a t e N I M H P r e d o c t o r a l F e l l o w a n d a K o r e a n F o u n d a t i o n F e l l o w a t G e o r g e W a r r e n B r o w n S c h o o l o f S o c i a l W o r k

K a t h l e e n M c N a u g h tA m e r i c a n B a r A s s o c i a t i o n C e n t e r o n C h i l d r e n a n d t h e L a w

D r A v i d a n M i l e v s k yK u t z t o w n U n i v e r s i t y o f P e n n s y l v a n i a

D r P e t e r P e c o r aT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W a s h i n g t o n a n d C a s e y F a m i l y P r o g r a m s

D r B r u c e P e r r yC h i l d T r a u m a A c a d e m y

R u s s e l l P r e t zF o r m e r I n t e r n C o n g r e s s i o n a l C o a l i t i o n o n A d o p t i o n I n s t i t u t e

D r S c o t t R y a nT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s a t A r l i n g t o n

D r G i n a S a m u e l sT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C h i c a g o

K a r y n S c h i m m e l sC a m p t o B e l o n g

M i c h a e l S h a v e rC h i l d r e n s H o m e S o c i e t y o f F l o r i d a

D r K r i s t e n S S l a c kT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W i s c o n s i n - M a d i s o n

P a m W o l fH a r m o n y F a m i l y C e n t e r

Dr Mark F TestaAdvisory Board ChairUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Six to eight sites (state county or tribal child welfare system) will be selected to take part in a national project designed to promote permanency and improve adoption and guardianship preservation and support

Sites will work in partnership with the QIC-AG to implement and evaluate a continuum of services that support the permanence and stability of children in adoptiveguardianship homes

Financial resources intensive technical assistance and support will be available to the sites over a four year period

13

SITE SELECTION

14

SITE SELECTION

Children Bureaursquos Guidelines

Two or three of the sites with greater than 10000 children in substitute care

At least one site with fewer than 5000 children in substitute care

Urban and rural jurisdictions Binding work agreements will govern the relationships

between sites and the QIC-AG and must be executed with state or county public child welfare agencies or tribes

Sites will be selected in late springearly summer 2015

Sites will be identified through intensive assessment and preliminary research conducted by QIC-AG

Preliminary conversations will take place with sites to discuss potential collaboration including detailed discussion of the initiative benefits of being a selected site and site specific programs services and capacity currently in place and in need of development

After the initial assessment sites will be identified to participate in the full assessment process This process will focus on obtaining foundational knowledge of each sitersquos continuum of care and readiness to participate in this initiative

15

OVERVIEW OF SELECTION PROCESS

16

IMPLEMENTATION amp EVALUATION STEPS

Spaulding for Children and all of its partners are excited to be part of this critical initiative

We believe that the knowledge gained from the initiative will help child welfare agencies across the nation redefine their systems so that they provide a continuum of services that promote permanency and stability for children in custody and provide stability and support for children and families post-permanency

17

ldquoPost permanency supports are critical to the stability and well-being of adoptive families My husband and I love our adopted child but she came to us having experienced a lot of trauma which will take years and many resources to healrdquo- Jennifer Adoptive Parent

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

Reasonable and prudent parent standard

contbull Title IV-E agencies must

ndash require state and tribal licensing authorities to permit the use

of the ldquoreasonable and prudent parenting standardrdquo and to

have policies to ensure appropriate caregiver liability when

approving an activity for a foster youth using the standard

ndash require child care institutions to have an on-site official

authorized to apply the standard and certify that foster

parents have skills and knowledge on the standard and

require that the authorized official have the same training as

foster parents

bull HHS must provide TA on best practices to help foster

parents in applying the reasonable and prudent parent

standard

21

New title IV-EIV-B requirements for children

age 14+

bull For children age 14 and older the title IV-BIV-E agency must ndash document the childrsquos education health visitation and court

participation rights and a signed acknowledgement that the child was provided these rights and that they were explained in an age appropriate way in the case plan

ndash develop the case plan and permanency plan in consultation with the child and at the option of the child 2 members of the case planning team who are not the caseworker or foster parent

ndash describe the services to help the youth transition to successful adulthood in the case plan and permanency hearing (formerly at age 16) and

ndash provide a copy of the childrsquos credit report annually and assist in fixing any inaccuracies (formerly age 16)

bull Effective 92915

22

Providing important documents to youth

aging out of foster care

bull Title IV-BIV-E agencies must provide a youth aging out of foster care at age 18 (or 19 20 or 21 as elected by the agency under sec 475(8) of the Act) with hisherndash birth certificate

ndash Social Security card

ndash driverrsquos license or identification card

ndash health insurance information and

ndash medical records

bull Applies to youth who are in foster care for 6 months or longer

bull Effective 92915

23

Adoption and Guardianship Incentive

Program

bull Applies to state title IV-E agencies only

bull Reauthorized at the current level of $43 million for

each FY through 2016

bull Phases in new categoriesawards in 10114 (next

slides)

bull Other requirements effective sooner

ndash Allows states to spend the money over a 36 month period

instead of a 24 month period ndash 10113

ndash States may not use incentive payments to supplant federal or

non-federal funds for services under title IV-EIV-B ndash applies

to awards for FY 14

24

Incentives cont ndash New Categories and

Awardsbull Each FY a state is eligible for incentive funds

ndash for improving the rate of foster child adoptions ndash $5000

ndash for improving the rate of older child adoptions and older foster child guardianships (age 14 and older) ndash $10000

ndash for improving the rate of pre-adolescent adoptions and pre-adolescent foster child guardianships (ages 9-13) ndash $7500

ndash for improving the rate of foster child guardianships ndash $4000

bull Base rate ndash average rate for the immediately preceding 3 fiscal years or

ndash the rate for the prior fiscal year

bull Creates an incentive for timely adoptions and guardianships finalized during any FY 2013-2015 if other incentive awards are less than the appropriation Average number of months from removal to placement in a finalized adoption must be less than 24 months for a FY

25

Incentives contbull FY 2014 ndash States receive an amount equal to half the sum

of the total award currently in effect and the total award under the new categories

bull Provides a pro rata adjustment if insufficient funds are available

bull Guardianship incentive available for a child who leaves foster care to live with a legal guardian if either

ndash child was removed from the home pursuant to a VPA or judicial determination that continuation in the home is contrary to the welfare of the child return to the home is not an appropriate option the child demonstrates a strong attachment to the legal guardian the legal guardian has a strong commitment to caring permanently for the child and if over 14 years of age the child is consulted regarding the legal guardianship arrangement or

ndash Alternative procedure used by the state to determine that the legal guardianship is an appropriate option for the child

26

Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and

Reporting System (AFCARS)

bull Title IV-E agencies must report information to

AFCARS on children in foster care

ndash who are identified as sex trafficking victims before entering

foster care and while in foster care

ndash children who entered after a finalized adoption or legal

guardianship

27

Chafee Foster Care Independence Program

(CFCIP) changes

bull Purposes of the CFCIP now includes ensuring that

children who are likely to remain in foster care until

age 18 have on-going opportunities to engage in ldquoage

or developmentally-appropriaterdquo activities

bull Effective 92915

bull Beginning FY 2020 the appropriation increases

by $3M to $143M

28

HHS REQUIREMENTS

29

Child welfare outcomes report

bull Beginning FY 2016 the outcomes report must include

state data on children in foster care who are

ndash pregnant or parenting

ndash placed in a child care institution or other non-foster family

home setting including

bull the number of children in the placement their ages and

whether they have a permanency plan of APPLA

bull their duration in placement and the type of child care

institution

bull the number of foster children in each setting and

bull any clinically diagnosed special need and the extent of

special education or services provided in the placement

30

Reports to Congress

bull HHS must report to Congress on

ndash children who run away from foster care and their risk of being

sex trafficking victims their characteristics factors associated

with running away experiences while absent from care and

trends among other things (due 92916)

ndash agenciesrsquo implementation of and best practices for the case

planning amendments regarding APPLA and children age 14+

(due 92917)

31

National Advisory Committee on the Sex

Trafficking of Children and Youth in the

United States

bull HHS must establish and appoint a National Advisory

Committee on the Sex Trafficking of Children and

Youth in the United States to among other things

advise on practical and general policies on improving

the national response to sex trafficking and develop

best practices

ndash 21 members appointed in consultation with the AG and NGA

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916) establish and

appoint members

bull Committee terminates 5 years after establishment

32

QUESTIONS

Thank you

33

A Program of Spaulding for Children

in Partnership with

The University of Texas at Austin

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hil l

NATIONAL QUALITY IMPROVEMENT CENTER

FOR ADOPTIONGUARDIANSHIP

SUPPORT AND PRESERVATION

(QIC-AG)

Spaulding for Children Lead Contact Melinda Lis

The University of Texas at Austin Lead Contact Dr Rowena Fong

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Lead Contact Dr Nancy Rolock

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Lead Contact Dr Mark Testa

2

QIC-AG PARTNERSHIP

QIC-AG is funded through a cooperative agreement with Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Childrenrsquos Bureau

The partnership includes

The QIC-AG will develop evidence-based models of support and interventions which can be replicated or adapted in other child welfare systems to achieve long-term stable permanency in adoptiveguardianship homes for waiting children as well for the general post-adoptionguardianship population

3

QIC-AG GOAL

Increased post-permanency stability

Improved behavioral health for children

Improved child and family well-being

4

EXPECTED LONG-TERM OUTCOMES

1 To build a body of knowledge of the correct combinations of supports services and interventions that work best to ensure resiliency and stability for youth in a permanent home

2 To support innovative collaborative and effective practices in the development of these supports services and interventions and the strategies for each of the project sites

3 To ensure project sites can assess and match appropriate service interventions and service-delivery mechanisms that effectively match the needs of childrenyouth and their adoptive parentslegal guardians to ensure ongoing stability and enhanced resilience

5

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

4 To assist sites to conduct comprehensive screening and functional assessments of childrenyouth to ensure appropriate service intervention Services will be available accessible culturally responsive and effective to meet behavioralmental health needs

5 To develop in partnership with the 6-8 sites a system of culturally responsive evidence-based services to improve permanency and stability outcomes for childrenyouth in adoptive guardianship homes to meet the target populations needs and extend post-permanency supports services to the general post-adoptionguardianship population in the selected sites

6 To complete an evaluation on each site and produce new evidence-based models of support and intervention that increase resiliency and assure permanency and stability for youth in adoptiveguardianship homes

6

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

Child welfare agencies should provide a continuum of services that increase permanency stabil ity and support beginning when children first enter the child welfare system and continue after adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Pre-Permanency Services and supports that engage prepare and connect families to services prior to finalization of adoptionguardianship These services focus on increasing resil iency and assuring permanency and placement stabil ity They focus on emotional-behavioral health issues and provide caregivers with education that improves their capacity to support stable permanency once adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Post-Adoption or Guardianship Services and supports that increase resil iency placement stabil ity and the capacity of caregivers to meet the needs of children in their care Services are targeted to the transitions and changing developmental and emotional needs associated with this population Recognizing that services targeted at families in crisis may be too late these services target the earliest signs of dif ficulty

7

CONTINUUM OF SERVICES amp SUPPORTS

8

ldquoThe new catch phrase is adoption-competency but what does that really meanI need services that help me understand the impact trauma has on my children and how I can change my parenting paradigm to effectively meet their needs As an adoptive parent it is difficult to meet the childrens complex needs and almost impossible if you donrsquot know what services to look for or who to call for helprdquo

ndash Quote from an adoptive parent

ADOPTION-COMPETENCY

Services need to be provided early Interventions targeting adoptive or guardianship homes nearing disruption and

dissolution are often provided too late

Services should target the earliest sign of difficulty

Preparation should begin prior to finalization and equip families with the capacity to weather unexpected difficulties and seek services and supports

Identify families most at risk Research has shown predictors of post-permanency instability that can be

assessed to determine which families to target for post permanency instability

Regular check-ins can identify families most at risk of instability and in need of services

Services should be evidence-supported Appropriate services should be culturally-responsive models that are tested to

determine their effectiveness and can be replicated with fidelity

Well-conducted RCTs measure important outcomes and distinguish services that produce sizable effects from those that do not

9

THEORY OF CHANGE

Target Group 1 Children awaiting an adoptiveguardianship placement or children that are in an identified adoptiveguardianship home but the placement has not resulted in a finalization for a significant period of time due to the childrenrsquos challenging mental health emotional or behavioral issues

Target Group 2 Children and their adoptiveguardianship families who have already finalized the adoptionguardianship and for whom stabilization may be threatened This target group includes children whom have obtained permanency through private guardianship and domestic private or international adoptions

10

TARGET POPULATIONS TO BE SERVED

11

QIC-AG TEAMING STRUCTURE

12

ADVISORY BOARD

M a r y B i s s e l lC h i l d F o c u s

V e e n o d C h u l a n i M DO r l a n d o H e a l t h

H o p e C o o p e rT r u e N o r t h G r o u p

D r J o s e p h C r u m b l e yT r a i n e r C o n s u l t a n t a n d T h e r a p i s t

A p r i l C u r t i sB e S t r o n g F a m i l i e s

D r A n g e l i q u e D a yW a y n e S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y

K a t h y D e s e r l yC a p a c i t y B u i l d i n g C e n t e r f o r T r i b e s

H e a t h e r F o r b e sB e y o n d C o n s e q u e n c e s I n s t i t u t e

F r a n k G a r r o t tG l a d n e y C e n t e r f o r A d o p t i o n

D e b o r a h G r a yN u r t u r i n g A t t a c h m e n t s

J o h n J o h n s o nT e n n e s s e e D e p a r t m e n t o f C h i l d r e n s S e r v i c e s

R o b e r t J o h n s o nA n n u i t y C o m p a n y

J o e K r o l lN o r t h A m e r i c a n C o u n c i l o n A d o p t a b l e C h i l d r e n

S h a u n L a n eH e p h z i b a h C h i l d r e n s A s s o c i a t i o n

J u d g e C i n d y L e d e r m a nE l e v e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t o f F l o r i d a

D r S h a r o n M c D a n i e lA S e c o n d C h a n c e

H o l l e e M c G i n n i sD o c t o r a l C a n d i d a t e N I M H P r e d o c t o r a l F e l l o w a n d a K o r e a n F o u n d a t i o n F e l l o w a t G e o r g e W a r r e n B r o w n S c h o o l o f S o c i a l W o r k

K a t h l e e n M c N a u g h tA m e r i c a n B a r A s s o c i a t i o n C e n t e r o n C h i l d r e n a n d t h e L a w

D r A v i d a n M i l e v s k yK u t z t o w n U n i v e r s i t y o f P e n n s y l v a n i a

D r P e t e r P e c o r aT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W a s h i n g t o n a n d C a s e y F a m i l y P r o g r a m s

D r B r u c e P e r r yC h i l d T r a u m a A c a d e m y

R u s s e l l P r e t zF o r m e r I n t e r n C o n g r e s s i o n a l C o a l i t i o n o n A d o p t i o n I n s t i t u t e

D r S c o t t R y a nT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s a t A r l i n g t o n

D r G i n a S a m u e l sT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C h i c a g o

K a r y n S c h i m m e l sC a m p t o B e l o n g

M i c h a e l S h a v e rC h i l d r e n s H o m e S o c i e t y o f F l o r i d a

D r K r i s t e n S S l a c kT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W i s c o n s i n - M a d i s o n

P a m W o l fH a r m o n y F a m i l y C e n t e r

Dr Mark F TestaAdvisory Board ChairUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Six to eight sites (state county or tribal child welfare system) will be selected to take part in a national project designed to promote permanency and improve adoption and guardianship preservation and support

Sites will work in partnership with the QIC-AG to implement and evaluate a continuum of services that support the permanence and stability of children in adoptiveguardianship homes

Financial resources intensive technical assistance and support will be available to the sites over a four year period

13

SITE SELECTION

14

SITE SELECTION

Children Bureaursquos Guidelines

Two or three of the sites with greater than 10000 children in substitute care

At least one site with fewer than 5000 children in substitute care

Urban and rural jurisdictions Binding work agreements will govern the relationships

between sites and the QIC-AG and must be executed with state or county public child welfare agencies or tribes

Sites will be selected in late springearly summer 2015

Sites will be identified through intensive assessment and preliminary research conducted by QIC-AG

Preliminary conversations will take place with sites to discuss potential collaboration including detailed discussion of the initiative benefits of being a selected site and site specific programs services and capacity currently in place and in need of development

After the initial assessment sites will be identified to participate in the full assessment process This process will focus on obtaining foundational knowledge of each sitersquos continuum of care and readiness to participate in this initiative

15

OVERVIEW OF SELECTION PROCESS

16

IMPLEMENTATION amp EVALUATION STEPS

Spaulding for Children and all of its partners are excited to be part of this critical initiative

We believe that the knowledge gained from the initiative will help child welfare agencies across the nation redefine their systems so that they provide a continuum of services that promote permanency and stability for children in custody and provide stability and support for children and families post-permanency

17

ldquoPost permanency supports are critical to the stability and well-being of adoptive families My husband and I love our adopted child but she came to us having experienced a lot of trauma which will take years and many resources to healrdquo- Jennifer Adoptive Parent

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

New title IV-EIV-B requirements for children

age 14+

bull For children age 14 and older the title IV-BIV-E agency must ndash document the childrsquos education health visitation and court

participation rights and a signed acknowledgement that the child was provided these rights and that they were explained in an age appropriate way in the case plan

ndash develop the case plan and permanency plan in consultation with the child and at the option of the child 2 members of the case planning team who are not the caseworker or foster parent

ndash describe the services to help the youth transition to successful adulthood in the case plan and permanency hearing (formerly at age 16) and

ndash provide a copy of the childrsquos credit report annually and assist in fixing any inaccuracies (formerly age 16)

bull Effective 92915

22

Providing important documents to youth

aging out of foster care

bull Title IV-BIV-E agencies must provide a youth aging out of foster care at age 18 (or 19 20 or 21 as elected by the agency under sec 475(8) of the Act) with hisherndash birth certificate

ndash Social Security card

ndash driverrsquos license or identification card

ndash health insurance information and

ndash medical records

bull Applies to youth who are in foster care for 6 months or longer

bull Effective 92915

23

Adoption and Guardianship Incentive

Program

bull Applies to state title IV-E agencies only

bull Reauthorized at the current level of $43 million for

each FY through 2016

bull Phases in new categoriesawards in 10114 (next

slides)

bull Other requirements effective sooner

ndash Allows states to spend the money over a 36 month period

instead of a 24 month period ndash 10113

ndash States may not use incentive payments to supplant federal or

non-federal funds for services under title IV-EIV-B ndash applies

to awards for FY 14

24

Incentives cont ndash New Categories and

Awardsbull Each FY a state is eligible for incentive funds

ndash for improving the rate of foster child adoptions ndash $5000

ndash for improving the rate of older child adoptions and older foster child guardianships (age 14 and older) ndash $10000

ndash for improving the rate of pre-adolescent adoptions and pre-adolescent foster child guardianships (ages 9-13) ndash $7500

ndash for improving the rate of foster child guardianships ndash $4000

bull Base rate ndash average rate for the immediately preceding 3 fiscal years or

ndash the rate for the prior fiscal year

bull Creates an incentive for timely adoptions and guardianships finalized during any FY 2013-2015 if other incentive awards are less than the appropriation Average number of months from removal to placement in a finalized adoption must be less than 24 months for a FY

25

Incentives contbull FY 2014 ndash States receive an amount equal to half the sum

of the total award currently in effect and the total award under the new categories

bull Provides a pro rata adjustment if insufficient funds are available

bull Guardianship incentive available for a child who leaves foster care to live with a legal guardian if either

ndash child was removed from the home pursuant to a VPA or judicial determination that continuation in the home is contrary to the welfare of the child return to the home is not an appropriate option the child demonstrates a strong attachment to the legal guardian the legal guardian has a strong commitment to caring permanently for the child and if over 14 years of age the child is consulted regarding the legal guardianship arrangement or

ndash Alternative procedure used by the state to determine that the legal guardianship is an appropriate option for the child

26

Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and

Reporting System (AFCARS)

bull Title IV-E agencies must report information to

AFCARS on children in foster care

ndash who are identified as sex trafficking victims before entering

foster care and while in foster care

ndash children who entered after a finalized adoption or legal

guardianship

27

Chafee Foster Care Independence Program

(CFCIP) changes

bull Purposes of the CFCIP now includes ensuring that

children who are likely to remain in foster care until

age 18 have on-going opportunities to engage in ldquoage

or developmentally-appropriaterdquo activities

bull Effective 92915

bull Beginning FY 2020 the appropriation increases

by $3M to $143M

28

HHS REQUIREMENTS

29

Child welfare outcomes report

bull Beginning FY 2016 the outcomes report must include

state data on children in foster care who are

ndash pregnant or parenting

ndash placed in a child care institution or other non-foster family

home setting including

bull the number of children in the placement their ages and

whether they have a permanency plan of APPLA

bull their duration in placement and the type of child care

institution

bull the number of foster children in each setting and

bull any clinically diagnosed special need and the extent of

special education or services provided in the placement

30

Reports to Congress

bull HHS must report to Congress on

ndash children who run away from foster care and their risk of being

sex trafficking victims their characteristics factors associated

with running away experiences while absent from care and

trends among other things (due 92916)

ndash agenciesrsquo implementation of and best practices for the case

planning amendments regarding APPLA and children age 14+

(due 92917)

31

National Advisory Committee on the Sex

Trafficking of Children and Youth in the

United States

bull HHS must establish and appoint a National Advisory

Committee on the Sex Trafficking of Children and

Youth in the United States to among other things

advise on practical and general policies on improving

the national response to sex trafficking and develop

best practices

ndash 21 members appointed in consultation with the AG and NGA

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916) establish and

appoint members

bull Committee terminates 5 years after establishment

32

QUESTIONS

Thank you

33

A Program of Spaulding for Children

in Partnership with

The University of Texas at Austin

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hil l

NATIONAL QUALITY IMPROVEMENT CENTER

FOR ADOPTIONGUARDIANSHIP

SUPPORT AND PRESERVATION

(QIC-AG)

Spaulding for Children Lead Contact Melinda Lis

The University of Texas at Austin Lead Contact Dr Rowena Fong

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Lead Contact Dr Nancy Rolock

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Lead Contact Dr Mark Testa

2

QIC-AG PARTNERSHIP

QIC-AG is funded through a cooperative agreement with Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Childrenrsquos Bureau

The partnership includes

The QIC-AG will develop evidence-based models of support and interventions which can be replicated or adapted in other child welfare systems to achieve long-term stable permanency in adoptiveguardianship homes for waiting children as well for the general post-adoptionguardianship population

3

QIC-AG GOAL

Increased post-permanency stability

Improved behavioral health for children

Improved child and family well-being

4

EXPECTED LONG-TERM OUTCOMES

1 To build a body of knowledge of the correct combinations of supports services and interventions that work best to ensure resiliency and stability for youth in a permanent home

2 To support innovative collaborative and effective practices in the development of these supports services and interventions and the strategies for each of the project sites

3 To ensure project sites can assess and match appropriate service interventions and service-delivery mechanisms that effectively match the needs of childrenyouth and their adoptive parentslegal guardians to ensure ongoing stability and enhanced resilience

5

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

4 To assist sites to conduct comprehensive screening and functional assessments of childrenyouth to ensure appropriate service intervention Services will be available accessible culturally responsive and effective to meet behavioralmental health needs

5 To develop in partnership with the 6-8 sites a system of culturally responsive evidence-based services to improve permanency and stability outcomes for childrenyouth in adoptive guardianship homes to meet the target populations needs and extend post-permanency supports services to the general post-adoptionguardianship population in the selected sites

6 To complete an evaluation on each site and produce new evidence-based models of support and intervention that increase resiliency and assure permanency and stability for youth in adoptiveguardianship homes

6

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

Child welfare agencies should provide a continuum of services that increase permanency stabil ity and support beginning when children first enter the child welfare system and continue after adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Pre-Permanency Services and supports that engage prepare and connect families to services prior to finalization of adoptionguardianship These services focus on increasing resil iency and assuring permanency and placement stabil ity They focus on emotional-behavioral health issues and provide caregivers with education that improves their capacity to support stable permanency once adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Post-Adoption or Guardianship Services and supports that increase resil iency placement stabil ity and the capacity of caregivers to meet the needs of children in their care Services are targeted to the transitions and changing developmental and emotional needs associated with this population Recognizing that services targeted at families in crisis may be too late these services target the earliest signs of dif ficulty

7

CONTINUUM OF SERVICES amp SUPPORTS

8

ldquoThe new catch phrase is adoption-competency but what does that really meanI need services that help me understand the impact trauma has on my children and how I can change my parenting paradigm to effectively meet their needs As an adoptive parent it is difficult to meet the childrens complex needs and almost impossible if you donrsquot know what services to look for or who to call for helprdquo

ndash Quote from an adoptive parent

ADOPTION-COMPETENCY

Services need to be provided early Interventions targeting adoptive or guardianship homes nearing disruption and

dissolution are often provided too late

Services should target the earliest sign of difficulty

Preparation should begin prior to finalization and equip families with the capacity to weather unexpected difficulties and seek services and supports

Identify families most at risk Research has shown predictors of post-permanency instability that can be

assessed to determine which families to target for post permanency instability

Regular check-ins can identify families most at risk of instability and in need of services

Services should be evidence-supported Appropriate services should be culturally-responsive models that are tested to

determine their effectiveness and can be replicated with fidelity

Well-conducted RCTs measure important outcomes and distinguish services that produce sizable effects from those that do not

9

THEORY OF CHANGE

Target Group 1 Children awaiting an adoptiveguardianship placement or children that are in an identified adoptiveguardianship home but the placement has not resulted in a finalization for a significant period of time due to the childrenrsquos challenging mental health emotional or behavioral issues

Target Group 2 Children and their adoptiveguardianship families who have already finalized the adoptionguardianship and for whom stabilization may be threatened This target group includes children whom have obtained permanency through private guardianship and domestic private or international adoptions

10

TARGET POPULATIONS TO BE SERVED

11

QIC-AG TEAMING STRUCTURE

12

ADVISORY BOARD

M a r y B i s s e l lC h i l d F o c u s

V e e n o d C h u l a n i M DO r l a n d o H e a l t h

H o p e C o o p e rT r u e N o r t h G r o u p

D r J o s e p h C r u m b l e yT r a i n e r C o n s u l t a n t a n d T h e r a p i s t

A p r i l C u r t i sB e S t r o n g F a m i l i e s

D r A n g e l i q u e D a yW a y n e S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y

K a t h y D e s e r l yC a p a c i t y B u i l d i n g C e n t e r f o r T r i b e s

H e a t h e r F o r b e sB e y o n d C o n s e q u e n c e s I n s t i t u t e

F r a n k G a r r o t tG l a d n e y C e n t e r f o r A d o p t i o n

D e b o r a h G r a yN u r t u r i n g A t t a c h m e n t s

J o h n J o h n s o nT e n n e s s e e D e p a r t m e n t o f C h i l d r e n s S e r v i c e s

R o b e r t J o h n s o nA n n u i t y C o m p a n y

J o e K r o l lN o r t h A m e r i c a n C o u n c i l o n A d o p t a b l e C h i l d r e n

S h a u n L a n eH e p h z i b a h C h i l d r e n s A s s o c i a t i o n

J u d g e C i n d y L e d e r m a nE l e v e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t o f F l o r i d a

D r S h a r o n M c D a n i e lA S e c o n d C h a n c e

H o l l e e M c G i n n i sD o c t o r a l C a n d i d a t e N I M H P r e d o c t o r a l F e l l o w a n d a K o r e a n F o u n d a t i o n F e l l o w a t G e o r g e W a r r e n B r o w n S c h o o l o f S o c i a l W o r k

K a t h l e e n M c N a u g h tA m e r i c a n B a r A s s o c i a t i o n C e n t e r o n C h i l d r e n a n d t h e L a w

D r A v i d a n M i l e v s k yK u t z t o w n U n i v e r s i t y o f P e n n s y l v a n i a

D r P e t e r P e c o r aT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W a s h i n g t o n a n d C a s e y F a m i l y P r o g r a m s

D r B r u c e P e r r yC h i l d T r a u m a A c a d e m y

R u s s e l l P r e t zF o r m e r I n t e r n C o n g r e s s i o n a l C o a l i t i o n o n A d o p t i o n I n s t i t u t e

D r S c o t t R y a nT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s a t A r l i n g t o n

D r G i n a S a m u e l sT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C h i c a g o

K a r y n S c h i m m e l sC a m p t o B e l o n g

M i c h a e l S h a v e rC h i l d r e n s H o m e S o c i e t y o f F l o r i d a

D r K r i s t e n S S l a c kT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W i s c o n s i n - M a d i s o n

P a m W o l fH a r m o n y F a m i l y C e n t e r

Dr Mark F TestaAdvisory Board ChairUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Six to eight sites (state county or tribal child welfare system) will be selected to take part in a national project designed to promote permanency and improve adoption and guardianship preservation and support

Sites will work in partnership with the QIC-AG to implement and evaluate a continuum of services that support the permanence and stability of children in adoptiveguardianship homes

Financial resources intensive technical assistance and support will be available to the sites over a four year period

13

SITE SELECTION

14

SITE SELECTION

Children Bureaursquos Guidelines

Two or three of the sites with greater than 10000 children in substitute care

At least one site with fewer than 5000 children in substitute care

Urban and rural jurisdictions Binding work agreements will govern the relationships

between sites and the QIC-AG and must be executed with state or county public child welfare agencies or tribes

Sites will be selected in late springearly summer 2015

Sites will be identified through intensive assessment and preliminary research conducted by QIC-AG

Preliminary conversations will take place with sites to discuss potential collaboration including detailed discussion of the initiative benefits of being a selected site and site specific programs services and capacity currently in place and in need of development

After the initial assessment sites will be identified to participate in the full assessment process This process will focus on obtaining foundational knowledge of each sitersquos continuum of care and readiness to participate in this initiative

15

OVERVIEW OF SELECTION PROCESS

16

IMPLEMENTATION amp EVALUATION STEPS

Spaulding for Children and all of its partners are excited to be part of this critical initiative

We believe that the knowledge gained from the initiative will help child welfare agencies across the nation redefine their systems so that they provide a continuum of services that promote permanency and stability for children in custody and provide stability and support for children and families post-permanency

17

ldquoPost permanency supports are critical to the stability and well-being of adoptive families My husband and I love our adopted child but she came to us having experienced a lot of trauma which will take years and many resources to healrdquo- Jennifer Adoptive Parent

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

Providing important documents to youth

aging out of foster care

bull Title IV-BIV-E agencies must provide a youth aging out of foster care at age 18 (or 19 20 or 21 as elected by the agency under sec 475(8) of the Act) with hisherndash birth certificate

ndash Social Security card

ndash driverrsquos license or identification card

ndash health insurance information and

ndash medical records

bull Applies to youth who are in foster care for 6 months or longer

bull Effective 92915

23

Adoption and Guardianship Incentive

Program

bull Applies to state title IV-E agencies only

bull Reauthorized at the current level of $43 million for

each FY through 2016

bull Phases in new categoriesawards in 10114 (next

slides)

bull Other requirements effective sooner

ndash Allows states to spend the money over a 36 month period

instead of a 24 month period ndash 10113

ndash States may not use incentive payments to supplant federal or

non-federal funds for services under title IV-EIV-B ndash applies

to awards for FY 14

24

Incentives cont ndash New Categories and

Awardsbull Each FY a state is eligible for incentive funds

ndash for improving the rate of foster child adoptions ndash $5000

ndash for improving the rate of older child adoptions and older foster child guardianships (age 14 and older) ndash $10000

ndash for improving the rate of pre-adolescent adoptions and pre-adolescent foster child guardianships (ages 9-13) ndash $7500

ndash for improving the rate of foster child guardianships ndash $4000

bull Base rate ndash average rate for the immediately preceding 3 fiscal years or

ndash the rate for the prior fiscal year

bull Creates an incentive for timely adoptions and guardianships finalized during any FY 2013-2015 if other incentive awards are less than the appropriation Average number of months from removal to placement in a finalized adoption must be less than 24 months for a FY

25

Incentives contbull FY 2014 ndash States receive an amount equal to half the sum

of the total award currently in effect and the total award under the new categories

bull Provides a pro rata adjustment if insufficient funds are available

bull Guardianship incentive available for a child who leaves foster care to live with a legal guardian if either

ndash child was removed from the home pursuant to a VPA or judicial determination that continuation in the home is contrary to the welfare of the child return to the home is not an appropriate option the child demonstrates a strong attachment to the legal guardian the legal guardian has a strong commitment to caring permanently for the child and if over 14 years of age the child is consulted regarding the legal guardianship arrangement or

ndash Alternative procedure used by the state to determine that the legal guardianship is an appropriate option for the child

26

Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and

Reporting System (AFCARS)

bull Title IV-E agencies must report information to

AFCARS on children in foster care

ndash who are identified as sex trafficking victims before entering

foster care and while in foster care

ndash children who entered after a finalized adoption or legal

guardianship

27

Chafee Foster Care Independence Program

(CFCIP) changes

bull Purposes of the CFCIP now includes ensuring that

children who are likely to remain in foster care until

age 18 have on-going opportunities to engage in ldquoage

or developmentally-appropriaterdquo activities

bull Effective 92915

bull Beginning FY 2020 the appropriation increases

by $3M to $143M

28

HHS REQUIREMENTS

29

Child welfare outcomes report

bull Beginning FY 2016 the outcomes report must include

state data on children in foster care who are

ndash pregnant or parenting

ndash placed in a child care institution or other non-foster family

home setting including

bull the number of children in the placement their ages and

whether they have a permanency plan of APPLA

bull their duration in placement and the type of child care

institution

bull the number of foster children in each setting and

bull any clinically diagnosed special need and the extent of

special education or services provided in the placement

30

Reports to Congress

bull HHS must report to Congress on

ndash children who run away from foster care and their risk of being

sex trafficking victims their characteristics factors associated

with running away experiences while absent from care and

trends among other things (due 92916)

ndash agenciesrsquo implementation of and best practices for the case

planning amendments regarding APPLA and children age 14+

(due 92917)

31

National Advisory Committee on the Sex

Trafficking of Children and Youth in the

United States

bull HHS must establish and appoint a National Advisory

Committee on the Sex Trafficking of Children and

Youth in the United States to among other things

advise on practical and general policies on improving

the national response to sex trafficking and develop

best practices

ndash 21 members appointed in consultation with the AG and NGA

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916) establish and

appoint members

bull Committee terminates 5 years after establishment

32

QUESTIONS

Thank you

33

A Program of Spaulding for Children

in Partnership with

The University of Texas at Austin

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hil l

NATIONAL QUALITY IMPROVEMENT CENTER

FOR ADOPTIONGUARDIANSHIP

SUPPORT AND PRESERVATION

(QIC-AG)

Spaulding for Children Lead Contact Melinda Lis

The University of Texas at Austin Lead Contact Dr Rowena Fong

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Lead Contact Dr Nancy Rolock

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Lead Contact Dr Mark Testa

2

QIC-AG PARTNERSHIP

QIC-AG is funded through a cooperative agreement with Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Childrenrsquos Bureau

The partnership includes

The QIC-AG will develop evidence-based models of support and interventions which can be replicated or adapted in other child welfare systems to achieve long-term stable permanency in adoptiveguardianship homes for waiting children as well for the general post-adoptionguardianship population

3

QIC-AG GOAL

Increased post-permanency stability

Improved behavioral health for children

Improved child and family well-being

4

EXPECTED LONG-TERM OUTCOMES

1 To build a body of knowledge of the correct combinations of supports services and interventions that work best to ensure resiliency and stability for youth in a permanent home

2 To support innovative collaborative and effective practices in the development of these supports services and interventions and the strategies for each of the project sites

3 To ensure project sites can assess and match appropriate service interventions and service-delivery mechanisms that effectively match the needs of childrenyouth and their adoptive parentslegal guardians to ensure ongoing stability and enhanced resilience

5

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

4 To assist sites to conduct comprehensive screening and functional assessments of childrenyouth to ensure appropriate service intervention Services will be available accessible culturally responsive and effective to meet behavioralmental health needs

5 To develop in partnership with the 6-8 sites a system of culturally responsive evidence-based services to improve permanency and stability outcomes for childrenyouth in adoptive guardianship homes to meet the target populations needs and extend post-permanency supports services to the general post-adoptionguardianship population in the selected sites

6 To complete an evaluation on each site and produce new evidence-based models of support and intervention that increase resiliency and assure permanency and stability for youth in adoptiveguardianship homes

6

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

Child welfare agencies should provide a continuum of services that increase permanency stabil ity and support beginning when children first enter the child welfare system and continue after adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Pre-Permanency Services and supports that engage prepare and connect families to services prior to finalization of adoptionguardianship These services focus on increasing resil iency and assuring permanency and placement stabil ity They focus on emotional-behavioral health issues and provide caregivers with education that improves their capacity to support stable permanency once adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Post-Adoption or Guardianship Services and supports that increase resil iency placement stabil ity and the capacity of caregivers to meet the needs of children in their care Services are targeted to the transitions and changing developmental and emotional needs associated with this population Recognizing that services targeted at families in crisis may be too late these services target the earliest signs of dif ficulty

7

CONTINUUM OF SERVICES amp SUPPORTS

8

ldquoThe new catch phrase is adoption-competency but what does that really meanI need services that help me understand the impact trauma has on my children and how I can change my parenting paradigm to effectively meet their needs As an adoptive parent it is difficult to meet the childrens complex needs and almost impossible if you donrsquot know what services to look for or who to call for helprdquo

ndash Quote from an adoptive parent

ADOPTION-COMPETENCY

Services need to be provided early Interventions targeting adoptive or guardianship homes nearing disruption and

dissolution are often provided too late

Services should target the earliest sign of difficulty

Preparation should begin prior to finalization and equip families with the capacity to weather unexpected difficulties and seek services and supports

Identify families most at risk Research has shown predictors of post-permanency instability that can be

assessed to determine which families to target for post permanency instability

Regular check-ins can identify families most at risk of instability and in need of services

Services should be evidence-supported Appropriate services should be culturally-responsive models that are tested to

determine their effectiveness and can be replicated with fidelity

Well-conducted RCTs measure important outcomes and distinguish services that produce sizable effects from those that do not

9

THEORY OF CHANGE

Target Group 1 Children awaiting an adoptiveguardianship placement or children that are in an identified adoptiveguardianship home but the placement has not resulted in a finalization for a significant period of time due to the childrenrsquos challenging mental health emotional or behavioral issues

Target Group 2 Children and their adoptiveguardianship families who have already finalized the adoptionguardianship and for whom stabilization may be threatened This target group includes children whom have obtained permanency through private guardianship and domestic private or international adoptions

10

TARGET POPULATIONS TO BE SERVED

11

QIC-AG TEAMING STRUCTURE

12

ADVISORY BOARD

M a r y B i s s e l lC h i l d F o c u s

V e e n o d C h u l a n i M DO r l a n d o H e a l t h

H o p e C o o p e rT r u e N o r t h G r o u p

D r J o s e p h C r u m b l e yT r a i n e r C o n s u l t a n t a n d T h e r a p i s t

A p r i l C u r t i sB e S t r o n g F a m i l i e s

D r A n g e l i q u e D a yW a y n e S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y

K a t h y D e s e r l yC a p a c i t y B u i l d i n g C e n t e r f o r T r i b e s

H e a t h e r F o r b e sB e y o n d C o n s e q u e n c e s I n s t i t u t e

F r a n k G a r r o t tG l a d n e y C e n t e r f o r A d o p t i o n

D e b o r a h G r a yN u r t u r i n g A t t a c h m e n t s

J o h n J o h n s o nT e n n e s s e e D e p a r t m e n t o f C h i l d r e n s S e r v i c e s

R o b e r t J o h n s o nA n n u i t y C o m p a n y

J o e K r o l lN o r t h A m e r i c a n C o u n c i l o n A d o p t a b l e C h i l d r e n

S h a u n L a n eH e p h z i b a h C h i l d r e n s A s s o c i a t i o n

J u d g e C i n d y L e d e r m a nE l e v e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t o f F l o r i d a

D r S h a r o n M c D a n i e lA S e c o n d C h a n c e

H o l l e e M c G i n n i sD o c t o r a l C a n d i d a t e N I M H P r e d o c t o r a l F e l l o w a n d a K o r e a n F o u n d a t i o n F e l l o w a t G e o r g e W a r r e n B r o w n S c h o o l o f S o c i a l W o r k

K a t h l e e n M c N a u g h tA m e r i c a n B a r A s s o c i a t i o n C e n t e r o n C h i l d r e n a n d t h e L a w

D r A v i d a n M i l e v s k yK u t z t o w n U n i v e r s i t y o f P e n n s y l v a n i a

D r P e t e r P e c o r aT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W a s h i n g t o n a n d C a s e y F a m i l y P r o g r a m s

D r B r u c e P e r r yC h i l d T r a u m a A c a d e m y

R u s s e l l P r e t zF o r m e r I n t e r n C o n g r e s s i o n a l C o a l i t i o n o n A d o p t i o n I n s t i t u t e

D r S c o t t R y a nT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s a t A r l i n g t o n

D r G i n a S a m u e l sT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C h i c a g o

K a r y n S c h i m m e l sC a m p t o B e l o n g

M i c h a e l S h a v e rC h i l d r e n s H o m e S o c i e t y o f F l o r i d a

D r K r i s t e n S S l a c kT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W i s c o n s i n - M a d i s o n

P a m W o l fH a r m o n y F a m i l y C e n t e r

Dr Mark F TestaAdvisory Board ChairUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Six to eight sites (state county or tribal child welfare system) will be selected to take part in a national project designed to promote permanency and improve adoption and guardianship preservation and support

Sites will work in partnership with the QIC-AG to implement and evaluate a continuum of services that support the permanence and stability of children in adoptiveguardianship homes

Financial resources intensive technical assistance and support will be available to the sites over a four year period

13

SITE SELECTION

14

SITE SELECTION

Children Bureaursquos Guidelines

Two or three of the sites with greater than 10000 children in substitute care

At least one site with fewer than 5000 children in substitute care

Urban and rural jurisdictions Binding work agreements will govern the relationships

between sites and the QIC-AG and must be executed with state or county public child welfare agencies or tribes

Sites will be selected in late springearly summer 2015

Sites will be identified through intensive assessment and preliminary research conducted by QIC-AG

Preliminary conversations will take place with sites to discuss potential collaboration including detailed discussion of the initiative benefits of being a selected site and site specific programs services and capacity currently in place and in need of development

After the initial assessment sites will be identified to participate in the full assessment process This process will focus on obtaining foundational knowledge of each sitersquos continuum of care and readiness to participate in this initiative

15

OVERVIEW OF SELECTION PROCESS

16

IMPLEMENTATION amp EVALUATION STEPS

Spaulding for Children and all of its partners are excited to be part of this critical initiative

We believe that the knowledge gained from the initiative will help child welfare agencies across the nation redefine their systems so that they provide a continuum of services that promote permanency and stability for children in custody and provide stability and support for children and families post-permanency

17

ldquoPost permanency supports are critical to the stability and well-being of adoptive families My husband and I love our adopted child but she came to us having experienced a lot of trauma which will take years and many resources to healrdquo- Jennifer Adoptive Parent

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

Adoption and Guardianship Incentive

Program

bull Applies to state title IV-E agencies only

bull Reauthorized at the current level of $43 million for

each FY through 2016

bull Phases in new categoriesawards in 10114 (next

slides)

bull Other requirements effective sooner

ndash Allows states to spend the money over a 36 month period

instead of a 24 month period ndash 10113

ndash States may not use incentive payments to supplant federal or

non-federal funds for services under title IV-EIV-B ndash applies

to awards for FY 14

24

Incentives cont ndash New Categories and

Awardsbull Each FY a state is eligible for incentive funds

ndash for improving the rate of foster child adoptions ndash $5000

ndash for improving the rate of older child adoptions and older foster child guardianships (age 14 and older) ndash $10000

ndash for improving the rate of pre-adolescent adoptions and pre-adolescent foster child guardianships (ages 9-13) ndash $7500

ndash for improving the rate of foster child guardianships ndash $4000

bull Base rate ndash average rate for the immediately preceding 3 fiscal years or

ndash the rate for the prior fiscal year

bull Creates an incentive for timely adoptions and guardianships finalized during any FY 2013-2015 if other incentive awards are less than the appropriation Average number of months from removal to placement in a finalized adoption must be less than 24 months for a FY

25

Incentives contbull FY 2014 ndash States receive an amount equal to half the sum

of the total award currently in effect and the total award under the new categories

bull Provides a pro rata adjustment if insufficient funds are available

bull Guardianship incentive available for a child who leaves foster care to live with a legal guardian if either

ndash child was removed from the home pursuant to a VPA or judicial determination that continuation in the home is contrary to the welfare of the child return to the home is not an appropriate option the child demonstrates a strong attachment to the legal guardian the legal guardian has a strong commitment to caring permanently for the child and if over 14 years of age the child is consulted regarding the legal guardianship arrangement or

ndash Alternative procedure used by the state to determine that the legal guardianship is an appropriate option for the child

26

Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and

Reporting System (AFCARS)

bull Title IV-E agencies must report information to

AFCARS on children in foster care

ndash who are identified as sex trafficking victims before entering

foster care and while in foster care

ndash children who entered after a finalized adoption or legal

guardianship

27

Chafee Foster Care Independence Program

(CFCIP) changes

bull Purposes of the CFCIP now includes ensuring that

children who are likely to remain in foster care until

age 18 have on-going opportunities to engage in ldquoage

or developmentally-appropriaterdquo activities

bull Effective 92915

bull Beginning FY 2020 the appropriation increases

by $3M to $143M

28

HHS REQUIREMENTS

29

Child welfare outcomes report

bull Beginning FY 2016 the outcomes report must include

state data on children in foster care who are

ndash pregnant or parenting

ndash placed in a child care institution or other non-foster family

home setting including

bull the number of children in the placement their ages and

whether they have a permanency plan of APPLA

bull their duration in placement and the type of child care

institution

bull the number of foster children in each setting and

bull any clinically diagnosed special need and the extent of

special education or services provided in the placement

30

Reports to Congress

bull HHS must report to Congress on

ndash children who run away from foster care and their risk of being

sex trafficking victims their characteristics factors associated

with running away experiences while absent from care and

trends among other things (due 92916)

ndash agenciesrsquo implementation of and best practices for the case

planning amendments regarding APPLA and children age 14+

(due 92917)

31

National Advisory Committee on the Sex

Trafficking of Children and Youth in the

United States

bull HHS must establish and appoint a National Advisory

Committee on the Sex Trafficking of Children and

Youth in the United States to among other things

advise on practical and general policies on improving

the national response to sex trafficking and develop

best practices

ndash 21 members appointed in consultation with the AG and NGA

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916) establish and

appoint members

bull Committee terminates 5 years after establishment

32

QUESTIONS

Thank you

33

A Program of Spaulding for Children

in Partnership with

The University of Texas at Austin

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hil l

NATIONAL QUALITY IMPROVEMENT CENTER

FOR ADOPTIONGUARDIANSHIP

SUPPORT AND PRESERVATION

(QIC-AG)

Spaulding for Children Lead Contact Melinda Lis

The University of Texas at Austin Lead Contact Dr Rowena Fong

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Lead Contact Dr Nancy Rolock

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Lead Contact Dr Mark Testa

2

QIC-AG PARTNERSHIP

QIC-AG is funded through a cooperative agreement with Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Childrenrsquos Bureau

The partnership includes

The QIC-AG will develop evidence-based models of support and interventions which can be replicated or adapted in other child welfare systems to achieve long-term stable permanency in adoptiveguardianship homes for waiting children as well for the general post-adoptionguardianship population

3

QIC-AG GOAL

Increased post-permanency stability

Improved behavioral health for children

Improved child and family well-being

4

EXPECTED LONG-TERM OUTCOMES

1 To build a body of knowledge of the correct combinations of supports services and interventions that work best to ensure resiliency and stability for youth in a permanent home

2 To support innovative collaborative and effective practices in the development of these supports services and interventions and the strategies for each of the project sites

3 To ensure project sites can assess and match appropriate service interventions and service-delivery mechanisms that effectively match the needs of childrenyouth and their adoptive parentslegal guardians to ensure ongoing stability and enhanced resilience

5

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

4 To assist sites to conduct comprehensive screening and functional assessments of childrenyouth to ensure appropriate service intervention Services will be available accessible culturally responsive and effective to meet behavioralmental health needs

5 To develop in partnership with the 6-8 sites a system of culturally responsive evidence-based services to improve permanency and stability outcomes for childrenyouth in adoptive guardianship homes to meet the target populations needs and extend post-permanency supports services to the general post-adoptionguardianship population in the selected sites

6 To complete an evaluation on each site and produce new evidence-based models of support and intervention that increase resiliency and assure permanency and stability for youth in adoptiveguardianship homes

6

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

Child welfare agencies should provide a continuum of services that increase permanency stabil ity and support beginning when children first enter the child welfare system and continue after adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Pre-Permanency Services and supports that engage prepare and connect families to services prior to finalization of adoptionguardianship These services focus on increasing resil iency and assuring permanency and placement stabil ity They focus on emotional-behavioral health issues and provide caregivers with education that improves their capacity to support stable permanency once adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Post-Adoption or Guardianship Services and supports that increase resil iency placement stabil ity and the capacity of caregivers to meet the needs of children in their care Services are targeted to the transitions and changing developmental and emotional needs associated with this population Recognizing that services targeted at families in crisis may be too late these services target the earliest signs of dif ficulty

7

CONTINUUM OF SERVICES amp SUPPORTS

8

ldquoThe new catch phrase is adoption-competency but what does that really meanI need services that help me understand the impact trauma has on my children and how I can change my parenting paradigm to effectively meet their needs As an adoptive parent it is difficult to meet the childrens complex needs and almost impossible if you donrsquot know what services to look for or who to call for helprdquo

ndash Quote from an adoptive parent

ADOPTION-COMPETENCY

Services need to be provided early Interventions targeting adoptive or guardianship homes nearing disruption and

dissolution are often provided too late

Services should target the earliest sign of difficulty

Preparation should begin prior to finalization and equip families with the capacity to weather unexpected difficulties and seek services and supports

Identify families most at risk Research has shown predictors of post-permanency instability that can be

assessed to determine which families to target for post permanency instability

Regular check-ins can identify families most at risk of instability and in need of services

Services should be evidence-supported Appropriate services should be culturally-responsive models that are tested to

determine their effectiveness and can be replicated with fidelity

Well-conducted RCTs measure important outcomes and distinguish services that produce sizable effects from those that do not

9

THEORY OF CHANGE

Target Group 1 Children awaiting an adoptiveguardianship placement or children that are in an identified adoptiveguardianship home but the placement has not resulted in a finalization for a significant period of time due to the childrenrsquos challenging mental health emotional or behavioral issues

Target Group 2 Children and their adoptiveguardianship families who have already finalized the adoptionguardianship and for whom stabilization may be threatened This target group includes children whom have obtained permanency through private guardianship and domestic private or international adoptions

10

TARGET POPULATIONS TO BE SERVED

11

QIC-AG TEAMING STRUCTURE

12

ADVISORY BOARD

M a r y B i s s e l lC h i l d F o c u s

V e e n o d C h u l a n i M DO r l a n d o H e a l t h

H o p e C o o p e rT r u e N o r t h G r o u p

D r J o s e p h C r u m b l e yT r a i n e r C o n s u l t a n t a n d T h e r a p i s t

A p r i l C u r t i sB e S t r o n g F a m i l i e s

D r A n g e l i q u e D a yW a y n e S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y

K a t h y D e s e r l yC a p a c i t y B u i l d i n g C e n t e r f o r T r i b e s

H e a t h e r F o r b e sB e y o n d C o n s e q u e n c e s I n s t i t u t e

F r a n k G a r r o t tG l a d n e y C e n t e r f o r A d o p t i o n

D e b o r a h G r a yN u r t u r i n g A t t a c h m e n t s

J o h n J o h n s o nT e n n e s s e e D e p a r t m e n t o f C h i l d r e n s S e r v i c e s

R o b e r t J o h n s o nA n n u i t y C o m p a n y

J o e K r o l lN o r t h A m e r i c a n C o u n c i l o n A d o p t a b l e C h i l d r e n

S h a u n L a n eH e p h z i b a h C h i l d r e n s A s s o c i a t i o n

J u d g e C i n d y L e d e r m a nE l e v e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t o f F l o r i d a

D r S h a r o n M c D a n i e lA S e c o n d C h a n c e

H o l l e e M c G i n n i sD o c t o r a l C a n d i d a t e N I M H P r e d o c t o r a l F e l l o w a n d a K o r e a n F o u n d a t i o n F e l l o w a t G e o r g e W a r r e n B r o w n S c h o o l o f S o c i a l W o r k

K a t h l e e n M c N a u g h tA m e r i c a n B a r A s s o c i a t i o n C e n t e r o n C h i l d r e n a n d t h e L a w

D r A v i d a n M i l e v s k yK u t z t o w n U n i v e r s i t y o f P e n n s y l v a n i a

D r P e t e r P e c o r aT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W a s h i n g t o n a n d C a s e y F a m i l y P r o g r a m s

D r B r u c e P e r r yC h i l d T r a u m a A c a d e m y

R u s s e l l P r e t zF o r m e r I n t e r n C o n g r e s s i o n a l C o a l i t i o n o n A d o p t i o n I n s t i t u t e

D r S c o t t R y a nT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s a t A r l i n g t o n

D r G i n a S a m u e l sT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C h i c a g o

K a r y n S c h i m m e l sC a m p t o B e l o n g

M i c h a e l S h a v e rC h i l d r e n s H o m e S o c i e t y o f F l o r i d a

D r K r i s t e n S S l a c kT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W i s c o n s i n - M a d i s o n

P a m W o l fH a r m o n y F a m i l y C e n t e r

Dr Mark F TestaAdvisory Board ChairUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Six to eight sites (state county or tribal child welfare system) will be selected to take part in a national project designed to promote permanency and improve adoption and guardianship preservation and support

Sites will work in partnership with the QIC-AG to implement and evaluate a continuum of services that support the permanence and stability of children in adoptiveguardianship homes

Financial resources intensive technical assistance and support will be available to the sites over a four year period

13

SITE SELECTION

14

SITE SELECTION

Children Bureaursquos Guidelines

Two or three of the sites with greater than 10000 children in substitute care

At least one site with fewer than 5000 children in substitute care

Urban and rural jurisdictions Binding work agreements will govern the relationships

between sites and the QIC-AG and must be executed with state or county public child welfare agencies or tribes

Sites will be selected in late springearly summer 2015

Sites will be identified through intensive assessment and preliminary research conducted by QIC-AG

Preliminary conversations will take place with sites to discuss potential collaboration including detailed discussion of the initiative benefits of being a selected site and site specific programs services and capacity currently in place and in need of development

After the initial assessment sites will be identified to participate in the full assessment process This process will focus on obtaining foundational knowledge of each sitersquos continuum of care and readiness to participate in this initiative

15

OVERVIEW OF SELECTION PROCESS

16

IMPLEMENTATION amp EVALUATION STEPS

Spaulding for Children and all of its partners are excited to be part of this critical initiative

We believe that the knowledge gained from the initiative will help child welfare agencies across the nation redefine their systems so that they provide a continuum of services that promote permanency and stability for children in custody and provide stability and support for children and families post-permanency

17

ldquoPost permanency supports are critical to the stability and well-being of adoptive families My husband and I love our adopted child but she came to us having experienced a lot of trauma which will take years and many resources to healrdquo- Jennifer Adoptive Parent

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

Incentives cont ndash New Categories and

Awardsbull Each FY a state is eligible for incentive funds

ndash for improving the rate of foster child adoptions ndash $5000

ndash for improving the rate of older child adoptions and older foster child guardianships (age 14 and older) ndash $10000

ndash for improving the rate of pre-adolescent adoptions and pre-adolescent foster child guardianships (ages 9-13) ndash $7500

ndash for improving the rate of foster child guardianships ndash $4000

bull Base rate ndash average rate for the immediately preceding 3 fiscal years or

ndash the rate for the prior fiscal year

bull Creates an incentive for timely adoptions and guardianships finalized during any FY 2013-2015 if other incentive awards are less than the appropriation Average number of months from removal to placement in a finalized adoption must be less than 24 months for a FY

25

Incentives contbull FY 2014 ndash States receive an amount equal to half the sum

of the total award currently in effect and the total award under the new categories

bull Provides a pro rata adjustment if insufficient funds are available

bull Guardianship incentive available for a child who leaves foster care to live with a legal guardian if either

ndash child was removed from the home pursuant to a VPA or judicial determination that continuation in the home is contrary to the welfare of the child return to the home is not an appropriate option the child demonstrates a strong attachment to the legal guardian the legal guardian has a strong commitment to caring permanently for the child and if over 14 years of age the child is consulted regarding the legal guardianship arrangement or

ndash Alternative procedure used by the state to determine that the legal guardianship is an appropriate option for the child

26

Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and

Reporting System (AFCARS)

bull Title IV-E agencies must report information to

AFCARS on children in foster care

ndash who are identified as sex trafficking victims before entering

foster care and while in foster care

ndash children who entered after a finalized adoption or legal

guardianship

27

Chafee Foster Care Independence Program

(CFCIP) changes

bull Purposes of the CFCIP now includes ensuring that

children who are likely to remain in foster care until

age 18 have on-going opportunities to engage in ldquoage

or developmentally-appropriaterdquo activities

bull Effective 92915

bull Beginning FY 2020 the appropriation increases

by $3M to $143M

28

HHS REQUIREMENTS

29

Child welfare outcomes report

bull Beginning FY 2016 the outcomes report must include

state data on children in foster care who are

ndash pregnant or parenting

ndash placed in a child care institution or other non-foster family

home setting including

bull the number of children in the placement their ages and

whether they have a permanency plan of APPLA

bull their duration in placement and the type of child care

institution

bull the number of foster children in each setting and

bull any clinically diagnosed special need and the extent of

special education or services provided in the placement

30

Reports to Congress

bull HHS must report to Congress on

ndash children who run away from foster care and their risk of being

sex trafficking victims their characteristics factors associated

with running away experiences while absent from care and

trends among other things (due 92916)

ndash agenciesrsquo implementation of and best practices for the case

planning amendments regarding APPLA and children age 14+

(due 92917)

31

National Advisory Committee on the Sex

Trafficking of Children and Youth in the

United States

bull HHS must establish and appoint a National Advisory

Committee on the Sex Trafficking of Children and

Youth in the United States to among other things

advise on practical and general policies on improving

the national response to sex trafficking and develop

best practices

ndash 21 members appointed in consultation with the AG and NGA

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916) establish and

appoint members

bull Committee terminates 5 years after establishment

32

QUESTIONS

Thank you

33

A Program of Spaulding for Children

in Partnership with

The University of Texas at Austin

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hil l

NATIONAL QUALITY IMPROVEMENT CENTER

FOR ADOPTIONGUARDIANSHIP

SUPPORT AND PRESERVATION

(QIC-AG)

Spaulding for Children Lead Contact Melinda Lis

The University of Texas at Austin Lead Contact Dr Rowena Fong

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Lead Contact Dr Nancy Rolock

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Lead Contact Dr Mark Testa

2

QIC-AG PARTNERSHIP

QIC-AG is funded through a cooperative agreement with Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Childrenrsquos Bureau

The partnership includes

The QIC-AG will develop evidence-based models of support and interventions which can be replicated or adapted in other child welfare systems to achieve long-term stable permanency in adoptiveguardianship homes for waiting children as well for the general post-adoptionguardianship population

3

QIC-AG GOAL

Increased post-permanency stability

Improved behavioral health for children

Improved child and family well-being

4

EXPECTED LONG-TERM OUTCOMES

1 To build a body of knowledge of the correct combinations of supports services and interventions that work best to ensure resiliency and stability for youth in a permanent home

2 To support innovative collaborative and effective practices in the development of these supports services and interventions and the strategies for each of the project sites

3 To ensure project sites can assess and match appropriate service interventions and service-delivery mechanisms that effectively match the needs of childrenyouth and their adoptive parentslegal guardians to ensure ongoing stability and enhanced resilience

5

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

4 To assist sites to conduct comprehensive screening and functional assessments of childrenyouth to ensure appropriate service intervention Services will be available accessible culturally responsive and effective to meet behavioralmental health needs

5 To develop in partnership with the 6-8 sites a system of culturally responsive evidence-based services to improve permanency and stability outcomes for childrenyouth in adoptive guardianship homes to meet the target populations needs and extend post-permanency supports services to the general post-adoptionguardianship population in the selected sites

6 To complete an evaluation on each site and produce new evidence-based models of support and intervention that increase resiliency and assure permanency and stability for youth in adoptiveguardianship homes

6

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

Child welfare agencies should provide a continuum of services that increase permanency stabil ity and support beginning when children first enter the child welfare system and continue after adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Pre-Permanency Services and supports that engage prepare and connect families to services prior to finalization of adoptionguardianship These services focus on increasing resil iency and assuring permanency and placement stabil ity They focus on emotional-behavioral health issues and provide caregivers with education that improves their capacity to support stable permanency once adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Post-Adoption or Guardianship Services and supports that increase resil iency placement stabil ity and the capacity of caregivers to meet the needs of children in their care Services are targeted to the transitions and changing developmental and emotional needs associated with this population Recognizing that services targeted at families in crisis may be too late these services target the earliest signs of dif ficulty

7

CONTINUUM OF SERVICES amp SUPPORTS

8

ldquoThe new catch phrase is adoption-competency but what does that really meanI need services that help me understand the impact trauma has on my children and how I can change my parenting paradigm to effectively meet their needs As an adoptive parent it is difficult to meet the childrens complex needs and almost impossible if you donrsquot know what services to look for or who to call for helprdquo

ndash Quote from an adoptive parent

ADOPTION-COMPETENCY

Services need to be provided early Interventions targeting adoptive or guardianship homes nearing disruption and

dissolution are often provided too late

Services should target the earliest sign of difficulty

Preparation should begin prior to finalization and equip families with the capacity to weather unexpected difficulties and seek services and supports

Identify families most at risk Research has shown predictors of post-permanency instability that can be

assessed to determine which families to target for post permanency instability

Regular check-ins can identify families most at risk of instability and in need of services

Services should be evidence-supported Appropriate services should be culturally-responsive models that are tested to

determine their effectiveness and can be replicated with fidelity

Well-conducted RCTs measure important outcomes and distinguish services that produce sizable effects from those that do not

9

THEORY OF CHANGE

Target Group 1 Children awaiting an adoptiveguardianship placement or children that are in an identified adoptiveguardianship home but the placement has not resulted in a finalization for a significant period of time due to the childrenrsquos challenging mental health emotional or behavioral issues

Target Group 2 Children and their adoptiveguardianship families who have already finalized the adoptionguardianship and for whom stabilization may be threatened This target group includes children whom have obtained permanency through private guardianship and domestic private or international adoptions

10

TARGET POPULATIONS TO BE SERVED

11

QIC-AG TEAMING STRUCTURE

12

ADVISORY BOARD

M a r y B i s s e l lC h i l d F o c u s

V e e n o d C h u l a n i M DO r l a n d o H e a l t h

H o p e C o o p e rT r u e N o r t h G r o u p

D r J o s e p h C r u m b l e yT r a i n e r C o n s u l t a n t a n d T h e r a p i s t

A p r i l C u r t i sB e S t r o n g F a m i l i e s

D r A n g e l i q u e D a yW a y n e S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y

K a t h y D e s e r l yC a p a c i t y B u i l d i n g C e n t e r f o r T r i b e s

H e a t h e r F o r b e sB e y o n d C o n s e q u e n c e s I n s t i t u t e

F r a n k G a r r o t tG l a d n e y C e n t e r f o r A d o p t i o n

D e b o r a h G r a yN u r t u r i n g A t t a c h m e n t s

J o h n J o h n s o nT e n n e s s e e D e p a r t m e n t o f C h i l d r e n s S e r v i c e s

R o b e r t J o h n s o nA n n u i t y C o m p a n y

J o e K r o l lN o r t h A m e r i c a n C o u n c i l o n A d o p t a b l e C h i l d r e n

S h a u n L a n eH e p h z i b a h C h i l d r e n s A s s o c i a t i o n

J u d g e C i n d y L e d e r m a nE l e v e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t o f F l o r i d a

D r S h a r o n M c D a n i e lA S e c o n d C h a n c e

H o l l e e M c G i n n i sD o c t o r a l C a n d i d a t e N I M H P r e d o c t o r a l F e l l o w a n d a K o r e a n F o u n d a t i o n F e l l o w a t G e o r g e W a r r e n B r o w n S c h o o l o f S o c i a l W o r k

K a t h l e e n M c N a u g h tA m e r i c a n B a r A s s o c i a t i o n C e n t e r o n C h i l d r e n a n d t h e L a w

D r A v i d a n M i l e v s k yK u t z t o w n U n i v e r s i t y o f P e n n s y l v a n i a

D r P e t e r P e c o r aT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W a s h i n g t o n a n d C a s e y F a m i l y P r o g r a m s

D r B r u c e P e r r yC h i l d T r a u m a A c a d e m y

R u s s e l l P r e t zF o r m e r I n t e r n C o n g r e s s i o n a l C o a l i t i o n o n A d o p t i o n I n s t i t u t e

D r S c o t t R y a nT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s a t A r l i n g t o n

D r G i n a S a m u e l sT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C h i c a g o

K a r y n S c h i m m e l sC a m p t o B e l o n g

M i c h a e l S h a v e rC h i l d r e n s H o m e S o c i e t y o f F l o r i d a

D r K r i s t e n S S l a c kT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W i s c o n s i n - M a d i s o n

P a m W o l fH a r m o n y F a m i l y C e n t e r

Dr Mark F TestaAdvisory Board ChairUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Six to eight sites (state county or tribal child welfare system) will be selected to take part in a national project designed to promote permanency and improve adoption and guardianship preservation and support

Sites will work in partnership with the QIC-AG to implement and evaluate a continuum of services that support the permanence and stability of children in adoptiveguardianship homes

Financial resources intensive technical assistance and support will be available to the sites over a four year period

13

SITE SELECTION

14

SITE SELECTION

Children Bureaursquos Guidelines

Two or three of the sites with greater than 10000 children in substitute care

At least one site with fewer than 5000 children in substitute care

Urban and rural jurisdictions Binding work agreements will govern the relationships

between sites and the QIC-AG and must be executed with state or county public child welfare agencies or tribes

Sites will be selected in late springearly summer 2015

Sites will be identified through intensive assessment and preliminary research conducted by QIC-AG

Preliminary conversations will take place with sites to discuss potential collaboration including detailed discussion of the initiative benefits of being a selected site and site specific programs services and capacity currently in place and in need of development

After the initial assessment sites will be identified to participate in the full assessment process This process will focus on obtaining foundational knowledge of each sitersquos continuum of care and readiness to participate in this initiative

15

OVERVIEW OF SELECTION PROCESS

16

IMPLEMENTATION amp EVALUATION STEPS

Spaulding for Children and all of its partners are excited to be part of this critical initiative

We believe that the knowledge gained from the initiative will help child welfare agencies across the nation redefine their systems so that they provide a continuum of services that promote permanency and stability for children in custody and provide stability and support for children and families post-permanency

17

ldquoPost permanency supports are critical to the stability and well-being of adoptive families My husband and I love our adopted child but she came to us having experienced a lot of trauma which will take years and many resources to healrdquo- Jennifer Adoptive Parent

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

Incentives contbull FY 2014 ndash States receive an amount equal to half the sum

of the total award currently in effect and the total award under the new categories

bull Provides a pro rata adjustment if insufficient funds are available

bull Guardianship incentive available for a child who leaves foster care to live with a legal guardian if either

ndash child was removed from the home pursuant to a VPA or judicial determination that continuation in the home is contrary to the welfare of the child return to the home is not an appropriate option the child demonstrates a strong attachment to the legal guardian the legal guardian has a strong commitment to caring permanently for the child and if over 14 years of age the child is consulted regarding the legal guardianship arrangement or

ndash Alternative procedure used by the state to determine that the legal guardianship is an appropriate option for the child

26

Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and

Reporting System (AFCARS)

bull Title IV-E agencies must report information to

AFCARS on children in foster care

ndash who are identified as sex trafficking victims before entering

foster care and while in foster care

ndash children who entered after a finalized adoption or legal

guardianship

27

Chafee Foster Care Independence Program

(CFCIP) changes

bull Purposes of the CFCIP now includes ensuring that

children who are likely to remain in foster care until

age 18 have on-going opportunities to engage in ldquoage

or developmentally-appropriaterdquo activities

bull Effective 92915

bull Beginning FY 2020 the appropriation increases

by $3M to $143M

28

HHS REQUIREMENTS

29

Child welfare outcomes report

bull Beginning FY 2016 the outcomes report must include

state data on children in foster care who are

ndash pregnant or parenting

ndash placed in a child care institution or other non-foster family

home setting including

bull the number of children in the placement their ages and

whether they have a permanency plan of APPLA

bull their duration in placement and the type of child care

institution

bull the number of foster children in each setting and

bull any clinically diagnosed special need and the extent of

special education or services provided in the placement

30

Reports to Congress

bull HHS must report to Congress on

ndash children who run away from foster care and their risk of being

sex trafficking victims their characteristics factors associated

with running away experiences while absent from care and

trends among other things (due 92916)

ndash agenciesrsquo implementation of and best practices for the case

planning amendments regarding APPLA and children age 14+

(due 92917)

31

National Advisory Committee on the Sex

Trafficking of Children and Youth in the

United States

bull HHS must establish and appoint a National Advisory

Committee on the Sex Trafficking of Children and

Youth in the United States to among other things

advise on practical and general policies on improving

the national response to sex trafficking and develop

best practices

ndash 21 members appointed in consultation with the AG and NGA

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916) establish and

appoint members

bull Committee terminates 5 years after establishment

32

QUESTIONS

Thank you

33

A Program of Spaulding for Children

in Partnership with

The University of Texas at Austin

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hil l

NATIONAL QUALITY IMPROVEMENT CENTER

FOR ADOPTIONGUARDIANSHIP

SUPPORT AND PRESERVATION

(QIC-AG)

Spaulding for Children Lead Contact Melinda Lis

The University of Texas at Austin Lead Contact Dr Rowena Fong

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Lead Contact Dr Nancy Rolock

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Lead Contact Dr Mark Testa

2

QIC-AG PARTNERSHIP

QIC-AG is funded through a cooperative agreement with Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Childrenrsquos Bureau

The partnership includes

The QIC-AG will develop evidence-based models of support and interventions which can be replicated or adapted in other child welfare systems to achieve long-term stable permanency in adoptiveguardianship homes for waiting children as well for the general post-adoptionguardianship population

3

QIC-AG GOAL

Increased post-permanency stability

Improved behavioral health for children

Improved child and family well-being

4

EXPECTED LONG-TERM OUTCOMES

1 To build a body of knowledge of the correct combinations of supports services and interventions that work best to ensure resiliency and stability for youth in a permanent home

2 To support innovative collaborative and effective practices in the development of these supports services and interventions and the strategies for each of the project sites

3 To ensure project sites can assess and match appropriate service interventions and service-delivery mechanisms that effectively match the needs of childrenyouth and their adoptive parentslegal guardians to ensure ongoing stability and enhanced resilience

5

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

4 To assist sites to conduct comprehensive screening and functional assessments of childrenyouth to ensure appropriate service intervention Services will be available accessible culturally responsive and effective to meet behavioralmental health needs

5 To develop in partnership with the 6-8 sites a system of culturally responsive evidence-based services to improve permanency and stability outcomes for childrenyouth in adoptive guardianship homes to meet the target populations needs and extend post-permanency supports services to the general post-adoptionguardianship population in the selected sites

6 To complete an evaluation on each site and produce new evidence-based models of support and intervention that increase resiliency and assure permanency and stability for youth in adoptiveguardianship homes

6

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

Child welfare agencies should provide a continuum of services that increase permanency stabil ity and support beginning when children first enter the child welfare system and continue after adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Pre-Permanency Services and supports that engage prepare and connect families to services prior to finalization of adoptionguardianship These services focus on increasing resil iency and assuring permanency and placement stabil ity They focus on emotional-behavioral health issues and provide caregivers with education that improves their capacity to support stable permanency once adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Post-Adoption or Guardianship Services and supports that increase resil iency placement stabil ity and the capacity of caregivers to meet the needs of children in their care Services are targeted to the transitions and changing developmental and emotional needs associated with this population Recognizing that services targeted at families in crisis may be too late these services target the earliest signs of dif ficulty

7

CONTINUUM OF SERVICES amp SUPPORTS

8

ldquoThe new catch phrase is adoption-competency but what does that really meanI need services that help me understand the impact trauma has on my children and how I can change my parenting paradigm to effectively meet their needs As an adoptive parent it is difficult to meet the childrens complex needs and almost impossible if you donrsquot know what services to look for or who to call for helprdquo

ndash Quote from an adoptive parent

ADOPTION-COMPETENCY

Services need to be provided early Interventions targeting adoptive or guardianship homes nearing disruption and

dissolution are often provided too late

Services should target the earliest sign of difficulty

Preparation should begin prior to finalization and equip families with the capacity to weather unexpected difficulties and seek services and supports

Identify families most at risk Research has shown predictors of post-permanency instability that can be

assessed to determine which families to target for post permanency instability

Regular check-ins can identify families most at risk of instability and in need of services

Services should be evidence-supported Appropriate services should be culturally-responsive models that are tested to

determine their effectiveness and can be replicated with fidelity

Well-conducted RCTs measure important outcomes and distinguish services that produce sizable effects from those that do not

9

THEORY OF CHANGE

Target Group 1 Children awaiting an adoptiveguardianship placement or children that are in an identified adoptiveguardianship home but the placement has not resulted in a finalization for a significant period of time due to the childrenrsquos challenging mental health emotional or behavioral issues

Target Group 2 Children and their adoptiveguardianship families who have already finalized the adoptionguardianship and for whom stabilization may be threatened This target group includes children whom have obtained permanency through private guardianship and domestic private or international adoptions

10

TARGET POPULATIONS TO BE SERVED

11

QIC-AG TEAMING STRUCTURE

12

ADVISORY BOARD

M a r y B i s s e l lC h i l d F o c u s

V e e n o d C h u l a n i M DO r l a n d o H e a l t h

H o p e C o o p e rT r u e N o r t h G r o u p

D r J o s e p h C r u m b l e yT r a i n e r C o n s u l t a n t a n d T h e r a p i s t

A p r i l C u r t i sB e S t r o n g F a m i l i e s

D r A n g e l i q u e D a yW a y n e S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y

K a t h y D e s e r l yC a p a c i t y B u i l d i n g C e n t e r f o r T r i b e s

H e a t h e r F o r b e sB e y o n d C o n s e q u e n c e s I n s t i t u t e

F r a n k G a r r o t tG l a d n e y C e n t e r f o r A d o p t i o n

D e b o r a h G r a yN u r t u r i n g A t t a c h m e n t s

J o h n J o h n s o nT e n n e s s e e D e p a r t m e n t o f C h i l d r e n s S e r v i c e s

R o b e r t J o h n s o nA n n u i t y C o m p a n y

J o e K r o l lN o r t h A m e r i c a n C o u n c i l o n A d o p t a b l e C h i l d r e n

S h a u n L a n eH e p h z i b a h C h i l d r e n s A s s o c i a t i o n

J u d g e C i n d y L e d e r m a nE l e v e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t o f F l o r i d a

D r S h a r o n M c D a n i e lA S e c o n d C h a n c e

H o l l e e M c G i n n i sD o c t o r a l C a n d i d a t e N I M H P r e d o c t o r a l F e l l o w a n d a K o r e a n F o u n d a t i o n F e l l o w a t G e o r g e W a r r e n B r o w n S c h o o l o f S o c i a l W o r k

K a t h l e e n M c N a u g h tA m e r i c a n B a r A s s o c i a t i o n C e n t e r o n C h i l d r e n a n d t h e L a w

D r A v i d a n M i l e v s k yK u t z t o w n U n i v e r s i t y o f P e n n s y l v a n i a

D r P e t e r P e c o r aT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W a s h i n g t o n a n d C a s e y F a m i l y P r o g r a m s

D r B r u c e P e r r yC h i l d T r a u m a A c a d e m y

R u s s e l l P r e t zF o r m e r I n t e r n C o n g r e s s i o n a l C o a l i t i o n o n A d o p t i o n I n s t i t u t e

D r S c o t t R y a nT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s a t A r l i n g t o n

D r G i n a S a m u e l sT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C h i c a g o

K a r y n S c h i m m e l sC a m p t o B e l o n g

M i c h a e l S h a v e rC h i l d r e n s H o m e S o c i e t y o f F l o r i d a

D r K r i s t e n S S l a c kT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W i s c o n s i n - M a d i s o n

P a m W o l fH a r m o n y F a m i l y C e n t e r

Dr Mark F TestaAdvisory Board ChairUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Six to eight sites (state county or tribal child welfare system) will be selected to take part in a national project designed to promote permanency and improve adoption and guardianship preservation and support

Sites will work in partnership with the QIC-AG to implement and evaluate a continuum of services that support the permanence and stability of children in adoptiveguardianship homes

Financial resources intensive technical assistance and support will be available to the sites over a four year period

13

SITE SELECTION

14

SITE SELECTION

Children Bureaursquos Guidelines

Two or three of the sites with greater than 10000 children in substitute care

At least one site with fewer than 5000 children in substitute care

Urban and rural jurisdictions Binding work agreements will govern the relationships

between sites and the QIC-AG and must be executed with state or county public child welfare agencies or tribes

Sites will be selected in late springearly summer 2015

Sites will be identified through intensive assessment and preliminary research conducted by QIC-AG

Preliminary conversations will take place with sites to discuss potential collaboration including detailed discussion of the initiative benefits of being a selected site and site specific programs services and capacity currently in place and in need of development

After the initial assessment sites will be identified to participate in the full assessment process This process will focus on obtaining foundational knowledge of each sitersquos continuum of care and readiness to participate in this initiative

15

OVERVIEW OF SELECTION PROCESS

16

IMPLEMENTATION amp EVALUATION STEPS

Spaulding for Children and all of its partners are excited to be part of this critical initiative

We believe that the knowledge gained from the initiative will help child welfare agencies across the nation redefine their systems so that they provide a continuum of services that promote permanency and stability for children in custody and provide stability and support for children and families post-permanency

17

ldquoPost permanency supports are critical to the stability and well-being of adoptive families My husband and I love our adopted child but she came to us having experienced a lot of trauma which will take years and many resources to healrdquo- Jennifer Adoptive Parent

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and

Reporting System (AFCARS)

bull Title IV-E agencies must report information to

AFCARS on children in foster care

ndash who are identified as sex trafficking victims before entering

foster care and while in foster care

ndash children who entered after a finalized adoption or legal

guardianship

27

Chafee Foster Care Independence Program

(CFCIP) changes

bull Purposes of the CFCIP now includes ensuring that

children who are likely to remain in foster care until

age 18 have on-going opportunities to engage in ldquoage

or developmentally-appropriaterdquo activities

bull Effective 92915

bull Beginning FY 2020 the appropriation increases

by $3M to $143M

28

HHS REQUIREMENTS

29

Child welfare outcomes report

bull Beginning FY 2016 the outcomes report must include

state data on children in foster care who are

ndash pregnant or parenting

ndash placed in a child care institution or other non-foster family

home setting including

bull the number of children in the placement their ages and

whether they have a permanency plan of APPLA

bull their duration in placement and the type of child care

institution

bull the number of foster children in each setting and

bull any clinically diagnosed special need and the extent of

special education or services provided in the placement

30

Reports to Congress

bull HHS must report to Congress on

ndash children who run away from foster care and their risk of being

sex trafficking victims their characteristics factors associated

with running away experiences while absent from care and

trends among other things (due 92916)

ndash agenciesrsquo implementation of and best practices for the case

planning amendments regarding APPLA and children age 14+

(due 92917)

31

National Advisory Committee on the Sex

Trafficking of Children and Youth in the

United States

bull HHS must establish and appoint a National Advisory

Committee on the Sex Trafficking of Children and

Youth in the United States to among other things

advise on practical and general policies on improving

the national response to sex trafficking and develop

best practices

ndash 21 members appointed in consultation with the AG and NGA

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916) establish and

appoint members

bull Committee terminates 5 years after establishment

32

QUESTIONS

Thank you

33

A Program of Spaulding for Children

in Partnership with

The University of Texas at Austin

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hil l

NATIONAL QUALITY IMPROVEMENT CENTER

FOR ADOPTIONGUARDIANSHIP

SUPPORT AND PRESERVATION

(QIC-AG)

Spaulding for Children Lead Contact Melinda Lis

The University of Texas at Austin Lead Contact Dr Rowena Fong

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Lead Contact Dr Nancy Rolock

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Lead Contact Dr Mark Testa

2

QIC-AG PARTNERSHIP

QIC-AG is funded through a cooperative agreement with Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Childrenrsquos Bureau

The partnership includes

The QIC-AG will develop evidence-based models of support and interventions which can be replicated or adapted in other child welfare systems to achieve long-term stable permanency in adoptiveguardianship homes for waiting children as well for the general post-adoptionguardianship population

3

QIC-AG GOAL

Increased post-permanency stability

Improved behavioral health for children

Improved child and family well-being

4

EXPECTED LONG-TERM OUTCOMES

1 To build a body of knowledge of the correct combinations of supports services and interventions that work best to ensure resiliency and stability for youth in a permanent home

2 To support innovative collaborative and effective practices in the development of these supports services and interventions and the strategies for each of the project sites

3 To ensure project sites can assess and match appropriate service interventions and service-delivery mechanisms that effectively match the needs of childrenyouth and their adoptive parentslegal guardians to ensure ongoing stability and enhanced resilience

5

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

4 To assist sites to conduct comprehensive screening and functional assessments of childrenyouth to ensure appropriate service intervention Services will be available accessible culturally responsive and effective to meet behavioralmental health needs

5 To develop in partnership with the 6-8 sites a system of culturally responsive evidence-based services to improve permanency and stability outcomes for childrenyouth in adoptive guardianship homes to meet the target populations needs and extend post-permanency supports services to the general post-adoptionguardianship population in the selected sites

6 To complete an evaluation on each site and produce new evidence-based models of support and intervention that increase resiliency and assure permanency and stability for youth in adoptiveguardianship homes

6

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

Child welfare agencies should provide a continuum of services that increase permanency stabil ity and support beginning when children first enter the child welfare system and continue after adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Pre-Permanency Services and supports that engage prepare and connect families to services prior to finalization of adoptionguardianship These services focus on increasing resil iency and assuring permanency and placement stabil ity They focus on emotional-behavioral health issues and provide caregivers with education that improves their capacity to support stable permanency once adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Post-Adoption or Guardianship Services and supports that increase resil iency placement stabil ity and the capacity of caregivers to meet the needs of children in their care Services are targeted to the transitions and changing developmental and emotional needs associated with this population Recognizing that services targeted at families in crisis may be too late these services target the earliest signs of dif ficulty

7

CONTINUUM OF SERVICES amp SUPPORTS

8

ldquoThe new catch phrase is adoption-competency but what does that really meanI need services that help me understand the impact trauma has on my children and how I can change my parenting paradigm to effectively meet their needs As an adoptive parent it is difficult to meet the childrens complex needs and almost impossible if you donrsquot know what services to look for or who to call for helprdquo

ndash Quote from an adoptive parent

ADOPTION-COMPETENCY

Services need to be provided early Interventions targeting adoptive or guardianship homes nearing disruption and

dissolution are often provided too late

Services should target the earliest sign of difficulty

Preparation should begin prior to finalization and equip families with the capacity to weather unexpected difficulties and seek services and supports

Identify families most at risk Research has shown predictors of post-permanency instability that can be

assessed to determine which families to target for post permanency instability

Regular check-ins can identify families most at risk of instability and in need of services

Services should be evidence-supported Appropriate services should be culturally-responsive models that are tested to

determine their effectiveness and can be replicated with fidelity

Well-conducted RCTs measure important outcomes and distinguish services that produce sizable effects from those that do not

9

THEORY OF CHANGE

Target Group 1 Children awaiting an adoptiveguardianship placement or children that are in an identified adoptiveguardianship home but the placement has not resulted in a finalization for a significant period of time due to the childrenrsquos challenging mental health emotional or behavioral issues

Target Group 2 Children and their adoptiveguardianship families who have already finalized the adoptionguardianship and for whom stabilization may be threatened This target group includes children whom have obtained permanency through private guardianship and domestic private or international adoptions

10

TARGET POPULATIONS TO BE SERVED

11

QIC-AG TEAMING STRUCTURE

12

ADVISORY BOARD

M a r y B i s s e l lC h i l d F o c u s

V e e n o d C h u l a n i M DO r l a n d o H e a l t h

H o p e C o o p e rT r u e N o r t h G r o u p

D r J o s e p h C r u m b l e yT r a i n e r C o n s u l t a n t a n d T h e r a p i s t

A p r i l C u r t i sB e S t r o n g F a m i l i e s

D r A n g e l i q u e D a yW a y n e S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y

K a t h y D e s e r l yC a p a c i t y B u i l d i n g C e n t e r f o r T r i b e s

H e a t h e r F o r b e sB e y o n d C o n s e q u e n c e s I n s t i t u t e

F r a n k G a r r o t tG l a d n e y C e n t e r f o r A d o p t i o n

D e b o r a h G r a yN u r t u r i n g A t t a c h m e n t s

J o h n J o h n s o nT e n n e s s e e D e p a r t m e n t o f C h i l d r e n s S e r v i c e s

R o b e r t J o h n s o nA n n u i t y C o m p a n y

J o e K r o l lN o r t h A m e r i c a n C o u n c i l o n A d o p t a b l e C h i l d r e n

S h a u n L a n eH e p h z i b a h C h i l d r e n s A s s o c i a t i o n

J u d g e C i n d y L e d e r m a nE l e v e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t o f F l o r i d a

D r S h a r o n M c D a n i e lA S e c o n d C h a n c e

H o l l e e M c G i n n i sD o c t o r a l C a n d i d a t e N I M H P r e d o c t o r a l F e l l o w a n d a K o r e a n F o u n d a t i o n F e l l o w a t G e o r g e W a r r e n B r o w n S c h o o l o f S o c i a l W o r k

K a t h l e e n M c N a u g h tA m e r i c a n B a r A s s o c i a t i o n C e n t e r o n C h i l d r e n a n d t h e L a w

D r A v i d a n M i l e v s k yK u t z t o w n U n i v e r s i t y o f P e n n s y l v a n i a

D r P e t e r P e c o r aT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W a s h i n g t o n a n d C a s e y F a m i l y P r o g r a m s

D r B r u c e P e r r yC h i l d T r a u m a A c a d e m y

R u s s e l l P r e t zF o r m e r I n t e r n C o n g r e s s i o n a l C o a l i t i o n o n A d o p t i o n I n s t i t u t e

D r S c o t t R y a nT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s a t A r l i n g t o n

D r G i n a S a m u e l sT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C h i c a g o

K a r y n S c h i m m e l sC a m p t o B e l o n g

M i c h a e l S h a v e rC h i l d r e n s H o m e S o c i e t y o f F l o r i d a

D r K r i s t e n S S l a c kT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W i s c o n s i n - M a d i s o n

P a m W o l fH a r m o n y F a m i l y C e n t e r

Dr Mark F TestaAdvisory Board ChairUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Six to eight sites (state county or tribal child welfare system) will be selected to take part in a national project designed to promote permanency and improve adoption and guardianship preservation and support

Sites will work in partnership with the QIC-AG to implement and evaluate a continuum of services that support the permanence and stability of children in adoptiveguardianship homes

Financial resources intensive technical assistance and support will be available to the sites over a four year period

13

SITE SELECTION

14

SITE SELECTION

Children Bureaursquos Guidelines

Two or three of the sites with greater than 10000 children in substitute care

At least one site with fewer than 5000 children in substitute care

Urban and rural jurisdictions Binding work agreements will govern the relationships

between sites and the QIC-AG and must be executed with state or county public child welfare agencies or tribes

Sites will be selected in late springearly summer 2015

Sites will be identified through intensive assessment and preliminary research conducted by QIC-AG

Preliminary conversations will take place with sites to discuss potential collaboration including detailed discussion of the initiative benefits of being a selected site and site specific programs services and capacity currently in place and in need of development

After the initial assessment sites will be identified to participate in the full assessment process This process will focus on obtaining foundational knowledge of each sitersquos continuum of care and readiness to participate in this initiative

15

OVERVIEW OF SELECTION PROCESS

16

IMPLEMENTATION amp EVALUATION STEPS

Spaulding for Children and all of its partners are excited to be part of this critical initiative

We believe that the knowledge gained from the initiative will help child welfare agencies across the nation redefine their systems so that they provide a continuum of services that promote permanency and stability for children in custody and provide stability and support for children and families post-permanency

17

ldquoPost permanency supports are critical to the stability and well-being of adoptive families My husband and I love our adopted child but she came to us having experienced a lot of trauma which will take years and many resources to healrdquo- Jennifer Adoptive Parent

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

Chafee Foster Care Independence Program

(CFCIP) changes

bull Purposes of the CFCIP now includes ensuring that

children who are likely to remain in foster care until

age 18 have on-going opportunities to engage in ldquoage

or developmentally-appropriaterdquo activities

bull Effective 92915

bull Beginning FY 2020 the appropriation increases

by $3M to $143M

28

HHS REQUIREMENTS

29

Child welfare outcomes report

bull Beginning FY 2016 the outcomes report must include

state data on children in foster care who are

ndash pregnant or parenting

ndash placed in a child care institution or other non-foster family

home setting including

bull the number of children in the placement their ages and

whether they have a permanency plan of APPLA

bull their duration in placement and the type of child care

institution

bull the number of foster children in each setting and

bull any clinically diagnosed special need and the extent of

special education or services provided in the placement

30

Reports to Congress

bull HHS must report to Congress on

ndash children who run away from foster care and their risk of being

sex trafficking victims their characteristics factors associated

with running away experiences while absent from care and

trends among other things (due 92916)

ndash agenciesrsquo implementation of and best practices for the case

planning amendments regarding APPLA and children age 14+

(due 92917)

31

National Advisory Committee on the Sex

Trafficking of Children and Youth in the

United States

bull HHS must establish and appoint a National Advisory

Committee on the Sex Trafficking of Children and

Youth in the United States to among other things

advise on practical and general policies on improving

the national response to sex trafficking and develop

best practices

ndash 21 members appointed in consultation with the AG and NGA

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916) establish and

appoint members

bull Committee terminates 5 years after establishment

32

QUESTIONS

Thank you

33

A Program of Spaulding for Children

in Partnership with

The University of Texas at Austin

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hil l

NATIONAL QUALITY IMPROVEMENT CENTER

FOR ADOPTIONGUARDIANSHIP

SUPPORT AND PRESERVATION

(QIC-AG)

Spaulding for Children Lead Contact Melinda Lis

The University of Texas at Austin Lead Contact Dr Rowena Fong

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Lead Contact Dr Nancy Rolock

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Lead Contact Dr Mark Testa

2

QIC-AG PARTNERSHIP

QIC-AG is funded through a cooperative agreement with Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Childrenrsquos Bureau

The partnership includes

The QIC-AG will develop evidence-based models of support and interventions which can be replicated or adapted in other child welfare systems to achieve long-term stable permanency in adoptiveguardianship homes for waiting children as well for the general post-adoptionguardianship population

3

QIC-AG GOAL

Increased post-permanency stability

Improved behavioral health for children

Improved child and family well-being

4

EXPECTED LONG-TERM OUTCOMES

1 To build a body of knowledge of the correct combinations of supports services and interventions that work best to ensure resiliency and stability for youth in a permanent home

2 To support innovative collaborative and effective practices in the development of these supports services and interventions and the strategies for each of the project sites

3 To ensure project sites can assess and match appropriate service interventions and service-delivery mechanisms that effectively match the needs of childrenyouth and their adoptive parentslegal guardians to ensure ongoing stability and enhanced resilience

5

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

4 To assist sites to conduct comprehensive screening and functional assessments of childrenyouth to ensure appropriate service intervention Services will be available accessible culturally responsive and effective to meet behavioralmental health needs

5 To develop in partnership with the 6-8 sites a system of culturally responsive evidence-based services to improve permanency and stability outcomes for childrenyouth in adoptive guardianship homes to meet the target populations needs and extend post-permanency supports services to the general post-adoptionguardianship population in the selected sites

6 To complete an evaluation on each site and produce new evidence-based models of support and intervention that increase resiliency and assure permanency and stability for youth in adoptiveguardianship homes

6

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

Child welfare agencies should provide a continuum of services that increase permanency stabil ity and support beginning when children first enter the child welfare system and continue after adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Pre-Permanency Services and supports that engage prepare and connect families to services prior to finalization of adoptionguardianship These services focus on increasing resil iency and assuring permanency and placement stabil ity They focus on emotional-behavioral health issues and provide caregivers with education that improves their capacity to support stable permanency once adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Post-Adoption or Guardianship Services and supports that increase resil iency placement stabil ity and the capacity of caregivers to meet the needs of children in their care Services are targeted to the transitions and changing developmental and emotional needs associated with this population Recognizing that services targeted at families in crisis may be too late these services target the earliest signs of dif ficulty

7

CONTINUUM OF SERVICES amp SUPPORTS

8

ldquoThe new catch phrase is adoption-competency but what does that really meanI need services that help me understand the impact trauma has on my children and how I can change my parenting paradigm to effectively meet their needs As an adoptive parent it is difficult to meet the childrens complex needs and almost impossible if you donrsquot know what services to look for or who to call for helprdquo

ndash Quote from an adoptive parent

ADOPTION-COMPETENCY

Services need to be provided early Interventions targeting adoptive or guardianship homes nearing disruption and

dissolution are often provided too late

Services should target the earliest sign of difficulty

Preparation should begin prior to finalization and equip families with the capacity to weather unexpected difficulties and seek services and supports

Identify families most at risk Research has shown predictors of post-permanency instability that can be

assessed to determine which families to target for post permanency instability

Regular check-ins can identify families most at risk of instability and in need of services

Services should be evidence-supported Appropriate services should be culturally-responsive models that are tested to

determine their effectiveness and can be replicated with fidelity

Well-conducted RCTs measure important outcomes and distinguish services that produce sizable effects from those that do not

9

THEORY OF CHANGE

Target Group 1 Children awaiting an adoptiveguardianship placement or children that are in an identified adoptiveguardianship home but the placement has not resulted in a finalization for a significant period of time due to the childrenrsquos challenging mental health emotional or behavioral issues

Target Group 2 Children and their adoptiveguardianship families who have already finalized the adoptionguardianship and for whom stabilization may be threatened This target group includes children whom have obtained permanency through private guardianship and domestic private or international adoptions

10

TARGET POPULATIONS TO BE SERVED

11

QIC-AG TEAMING STRUCTURE

12

ADVISORY BOARD

M a r y B i s s e l lC h i l d F o c u s

V e e n o d C h u l a n i M DO r l a n d o H e a l t h

H o p e C o o p e rT r u e N o r t h G r o u p

D r J o s e p h C r u m b l e yT r a i n e r C o n s u l t a n t a n d T h e r a p i s t

A p r i l C u r t i sB e S t r o n g F a m i l i e s

D r A n g e l i q u e D a yW a y n e S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y

K a t h y D e s e r l yC a p a c i t y B u i l d i n g C e n t e r f o r T r i b e s

H e a t h e r F o r b e sB e y o n d C o n s e q u e n c e s I n s t i t u t e

F r a n k G a r r o t tG l a d n e y C e n t e r f o r A d o p t i o n

D e b o r a h G r a yN u r t u r i n g A t t a c h m e n t s

J o h n J o h n s o nT e n n e s s e e D e p a r t m e n t o f C h i l d r e n s S e r v i c e s

R o b e r t J o h n s o nA n n u i t y C o m p a n y

J o e K r o l lN o r t h A m e r i c a n C o u n c i l o n A d o p t a b l e C h i l d r e n

S h a u n L a n eH e p h z i b a h C h i l d r e n s A s s o c i a t i o n

J u d g e C i n d y L e d e r m a nE l e v e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t o f F l o r i d a

D r S h a r o n M c D a n i e lA S e c o n d C h a n c e

H o l l e e M c G i n n i sD o c t o r a l C a n d i d a t e N I M H P r e d o c t o r a l F e l l o w a n d a K o r e a n F o u n d a t i o n F e l l o w a t G e o r g e W a r r e n B r o w n S c h o o l o f S o c i a l W o r k

K a t h l e e n M c N a u g h tA m e r i c a n B a r A s s o c i a t i o n C e n t e r o n C h i l d r e n a n d t h e L a w

D r A v i d a n M i l e v s k yK u t z t o w n U n i v e r s i t y o f P e n n s y l v a n i a

D r P e t e r P e c o r aT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W a s h i n g t o n a n d C a s e y F a m i l y P r o g r a m s

D r B r u c e P e r r yC h i l d T r a u m a A c a d e m y

R u s s e l l P r e t zF o r m e r I n t e r n C o n g r e s s i o n a l C o a l i t i o n o n A d o p t i o n I n s t i t u t e

D r S c o t t R y a nT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s a t A r l i n g t o n

D r G i n a S a m u e l sT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C h i c a g o

K a r y n S c h i m m e l sC a m p t o B e l o n g

M i c h a e l S h a v e rC h i l d r e n s H o m e S o c i e t y o f F l o r i d a

D r K r i s t e n S S l a c kT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W i s c o n s i n - M a d i s o n

P a m W o l fH a r m o n y F a m i l y C e n t e r

Dr Mark F TestaAdvisory Board ChairUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Six to eight sites (state county or tribal child welfare system) will be selected to take part in a national project designed to promote permanency and improve adoption and guardianship preservation and support

Sites will work in partnership with the QIC-AG to implement and evaluate a continuum of services that support the permanence and stability of children in adoptiveguardianship homes

Financial resources intensive technical assistance and support will be available to the sites over a four year period

13

SITE SELECTION

14

SITE SELECTION

Children Bureaursquos Guidelines

Two or three of the sites with greater than 10000 children in substitute care

At least one site with fewer than 5000 children in substitute care

Urban and rural jurisdictions Binding work agreements will govern the relationships

between sites and the QIC-AG and must be executed with state or county public child welfare agencies or tribes

Sites will be selected in late springearly summer 2015

Sites will be identified through intensive assessment and preliminary research conducted by QIC-AG

Preliminary conversations will take place with sites to discuss potential collaboration including detailed discussion of the initiative benefits of being a selected site and site specific programs services and capacity currently in place and in need of development

After the initial assessment sites will be identified to participate in the full assessment process This process will focus on obtaining foundational knowledge of each sitersquos continuum of care and readiness to participate in this initiative

15

OVERVIEW OF SELECTION PROCESS

16

IMPLEMENTATION amp EVALUATION STEPS

Spaulding for Children and all of its partners are excited to be part of this critical initiative

We believe that the knowledge gained from the initiative will help child welfare agencies across the nation redefine their systems so that they provide a continuum of services that promote permanency and stability for children in custody and provide stability and support for children and families post-permanency

17

ldquoPost permanency supports are critical to the stability and well-being of adoptive families My husband and I love our adopted child but she came to us having experienced a lot of trauma which will take years and many resources to healrdquo- Jennifer Adoptive Parent

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

HHS REQUIREMENTS

29

Child welfare outcomes report

bull Beginning FY 2016 the outcomes report must include

state data on children in foster care who are

ndash pregnant or parenting

ndash placed in a child care institution or other non-foster family

home setting including

bull the number of children in the placement their ages and

whether they have a permanency plan of APPLA

bull their duration in placement and the type of child care

institution

bull the number of foster children in each setting and

bull any clinically diagnosed special need and the extent of

special education or services provided in the placement

30

Reports to Congress

bull HHS must report to Congress on

ndash children who run away from foster care and their risk of being

sex trafficking victims their characteristics factors associated

with running away experiences while absent from care and

trends among other things (due 92916)

ndash agenciesrsquo implementation of and best practices for the case

planning amendments regarding APPLA and children age 14+

(due 92917)

31

National Advisory Committee on the Sex

Trafficking of Children and Youth in the

United States

bull HHS must establish and appoint a National Advisory

Committee on the Sex Trafficking of Children and

Youth in the United States to among other things

advise on practical and general policies on improving

the national response to sex trafficking and develop

best practices

ndash 21 members appointed in consultation with the AG and NGA

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916) establish and

appoint members

bull Committee terminates 5 years after establishment

32

QUESTIONS

Thank you

33

A Program of Spaulding for Children

in Partnership with

The University of Texas at Austin

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hil l

NATIONAL QUALITY IMPROVEMENT CENTER

FOR ADOPTIONGUARDIANSHIP

SUPPORT AND PRESERVATION

(QIC-AG)

Spaulding for Children Lead Contact Melinda Lis

The University of Texas at Austin Lead Contact Dr Rowena Fong

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Lead Contact Dr Nancy Rolock

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Lead Contact Dr Mark Testa

2

QIC-AG PARTNERSHIP

QIC-AG is funded through a cooperative agreement with Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Childrenrsquos Bureau

The partnership includes

The QIC-AG will develop evidence-based models of support and interventions which can be replicated or adapted in other child welfare systems to achieve long-term stable permanency in adoptiveguardianship homes for waiting children as well for the general post-adoptionguardianship population

3

QIC-AG GOAL

Increased post-permanency stability

Improved behavioral health for children

Improved child and family well-being

4

EXPECTED LONG-TERM OUTCOMES

1 To build a body of knowledge of the correct combinations of supports services and interventions that work best to ensure resiliency and stability for youth in a permanent home

2 To support innovative collaborative and effective practices in the development of these supports services and interventions and the strategies for each of the project sites

3 To ensure project sites can assess and match appropriate service interventions and service-delivery mechanisms that effectively match the needs of childrenyouth and their adoptive parentslegal guardians to ensure ongoing stability and enhanced resilience

5

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

4 To assist sites to conduct comprehensive screening and functional assessments of childrenyouth to ensure appropriate service intervention Services will be available accessible culturally responsive and effective to meet behavioralmental health needs

5 To develop in partnership with the 6-8 sites a system of culturally responsive evidence-based services to improve permanency and stability outcomes for childrenyouth in adoptive guardianship homes to meet the target populations needs and extend post-permanency supports services to the general post-adoptionguardianship population in the selected sites

6 To complete an evaluation on each site and produce new evidence-based models of support and intervention that increase resiliency and assure permanency and stability for youth in adoptiveguardianship homes

6

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

Child welfare agencies should provide a continuum of services that increase permanency stabil ity and support beginning when children first enter the child welfare system and continue after adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Pre-Permanency Services and supports that engage prepare and connect families to services prior to finalization of adoptionguardianship These services focus on increasing resil iency and assuring permanency and placement stabil ity They focus on emotional-behavioral health issues and provide caregivers with education that improves their capacity to support stable permanency once adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Post-Adoption or Guardianship Services and supports that increase resil iency placement stabil ity and the capacity of caregivers to meet the needs of children in their care Services are targeted to the transitions and changing developmental and emotional needs associated with this population Recognizing that services targeted at families in crisis may be too late these services target the earliest signs of dif ficulty

7

CONTINUUM OF SERVICES amp SUPPORTS

8

ldquoThe new catch phrase is adoption-competency but what does that really meanI need services that help me understand the impact trauma has on my children and how I can change my parenting paradigm to effectively meet their needs As an adoptive parent it is difficult to meet the childrens complex needs and almost impossible if you donrsquot know what services to look for or who to call for helprdquo

ndash Quote from an adoptive parent

ADOPTION-COMPETENCY

Services need to be provided early Interventions targeting adoptive or guardianship homes nearing disruption and

dissolution are often provided too late

Services should target the earliest sign of difficulty

Preparation should begin prior to finalization and equip families with the capacity to weather unexpected difficulties and seek services and supports

Identify families most at risk Research has shown predictors of post-permanency instability that can be

assessed to determine which families to target for post permanency instability

Regular check-ins can identify families most at risk of instability and in need of services

Services should be evidence-supported Appropriate services should be culturally-responsive models that are tested to

determine their effectiveness and can be replicated with fidelity

Well-conducted RCTs measure important outcomes and distinguish services that produce sizable effects from those that do not

9

THEORY OF CHANGE

Target Group 1 Children awaiting an adoptiveguardianship placement or children that are in an identified adoptiveguardianship home but the placement has not resulted in a finalization for a significant period of time due to the childrenrsquos challenging mental health emotional or behavioral issues

Target Group 2 Children and their adoptiveguardianship families who have already finalized the adoptionguardianship and for whom stabilization may be threatened This target group includes children whom have obtained permanency through private guardianship and domestic private or international adoptions

10

TARGET POPULATIONS TO BE SERVED

11

QIC-AG TEAMING STRUCTURE

12

ADVISORY BOARD

M a r y B i s s e l lC h i l d F o c u s

V e e n o d C h u l a n i M DO r l a n d o H e a l t h

H o p e C o o p e rT r u e N o r t h G r o u p

D r J o s e p h C r u m b l e yT r a i n e r C o n s u l t a n t a n d T h e r a p i s t

A p r i l C u r t i sB e S t r o n g F a m i l i e s

D r A n g e l i q u e D a yW a y n e S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y

K a t h y D e s e r l yC a p a c i t y B u i l d i n g C e n t e r f o r T r i b e s

H e a t h e r F o r b e sB e y o n d C o n s e q u e n c e s I n s t i t u t e

F r a n k G a r r o t tG l a d n e y C e n t e r f o r A d o p t i o n

D e b o r a h G r a yN u r t u r i n g A t t a c h m e n t s

J o h n J o h n s o nT e n n e s s e e D e p a r t m e n t o f C h i l d r e n s S e r v i c e s

R o b e r t J o h n s o nA n n u i t y C o m p a n y

J o e K r o l lN o r t h A m e r i c a n C o u n c i l o n A d o p t a b l e C h i l d r e n

S h a u n L a n eH e p h z i b a h C h i l d r e n s A s s o c i a t i o n

J u d g e C i n d y L e d e r m a nE l e v e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t o f F l o r i d a

D r S h a r o n M c D a n i e lA S e c o n d C h a n c e

H o l l e e M c G i n n i sD o c t o r a l C a n d i d a t e N I M H P r e d o c t o r a l F e l l o w a n d a K o r e a n F o u n d a t i o n F e l l o w a t G e o r g e W a r r e n B r o w n S c h o o l o f S o c i a l W o r k

K a t h l e e n M c N a u g h tA m e r i c a n B a r A s s o c i a t i o n C e n t e r o n C h i l d r e n a n d t h e L a w

D r A v i d a n M i l e v s k yK u t z t o w n U n i v e r s i t y o f P e n n s y l v a n i a

D r P e t e r P e c o r aT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W a s h i n g t o n a n d C a s e y F a m i l y P r o g r a m s

D r B r u c e P e r r yC h i l d T r a u m a A c a d e m y

R u s s e l l P r e t zF o r m e r I n t e r n C o n g r e s s i o n a l C o a l i t i o n o n A d o p t i o n I n s t i t u t e

D r S c o t t R y a nT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s a t A r l i n g t o n

D r G i n a S a m u e l sT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C h i c a g o

K a r y n S c h i m m e l sC a m p t o B e l o n g

M i c h a e l S h a v e rC h i l d r e n s H o m e S o c i e t y o f F l o r i d a

D r K r i s t e n S S l a c kT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W i s c o n s i n - M a d i s o n

P a m W o l fH a r m o n y F a m i l y C e n t e r

Dr Mark F TestaAdvisory Board ChairUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Six to eight sites (state county or tribal child welfare system) will be selected to take part in a national project designed to promote permanency and improve adoption and guardianship preservation and support

Sites will work in partnership with the QIC-AG to implement and evaluate a continuum of services that support the permanence and stability of children in adoptiveguardianship homes

Financial resources intensive technical assistance and support will be available to the sites over a four year period

13

SITE SELECTION

14

SITE SELECTION

Children Bureaursquos Guidelines

Two or three of the sites with greater than 10000 children in substitute care

At least one site with fewer than 5000 children in substitute care

Urban and rural jurisdictions Binding work agreements will govern the relationships

between sites and the QIC-AG and must be executed with state or county public child welfare agencies or tribes

Sites will be selected in late springearly summer 2015

Sites will be identified through intensive assessment and preliminary research conducted by QIC-AG

Preliminary conversations will take place with sites to discuss potential collaboration including detailed discussion of the initiative benefits of being a selected site and site specific programs services and capacity currently in place and in need of development

After the initial assessment sites will be identified to participate in the full assessment process This process will focus on obtaining foundational knowledge of each sitersquos continuum of care and readiness to participate in this initiative

15

OVERVIEW OF SELECTION PROCESS

16

IMPLEMENTATION amp EVALUATION STEPS

Spaulding for Children and all of its partners are excited to be part of this critical initiative

We believe that the knowledge gained from the initiative will help child welfare agencies across the nation redefine their systems so that they provide a continuum of services that promote permanency and stability for children in custody and provide stability and support for children and families post-permanency

17

ldquoPost permanency supports are critical to the stability and well-being of adoptive families My husband and I love our adopted child but she came to us having experienced a lot of trauma which will take years and many resources to healrdquo- Jennifer Adoptive Parent

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

Child welfare outcomes report

bull Beginning FY 2016 the outcomes report must include

state data on children in foster care who are

ndash pregnant or parenting

ndash placed in a child care institution or other non-foster family

home setting including

bull the number of children in the placement their ages and

whether they have a permanency plan of APPLA

bull their duration in placement and the type of child care

institution

bull the number of foster children in each setting and

bull any clinically diagnosed special need and the extent of

special education or services provided in the placement

30

Reports to Congress

bull HHS must report to Congress on

ndash children who run away from foster care and their risk of being

sex trafficking victims their characteristics factors associated

with running away experiences while absent from care and

trends among other things (due 92916)

ndash agenciesrsquo implementation of and best practices for the case

planning amendments regarding APPLA and children age 14+

(due 92917)

31

National Advisory Committee on the Sex

Trafficking of Children and Youth in the

United States

bull HHS must establish and appoint a National Advisory

Committee on the Sex Trafficking of Children and

Youth in the United States to among other things

advise on practical and general policies on improving

the national response to sex trafficking and develop

best practices

ndash 21 members appointed in consultation with the AG and NGA

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916) establish and

appoint members

bull Committee terminates 5 years after establishment

32

QUESTIONS

Thank you

33

A Program of Spaulding for Children

in Partnership with

The University of Texas at Austin

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hil l

NATIONAL QUALITY IMPROVEMENT CENTER

FOR ADOPTIONGUARDIANSHIP

SUPPORT AND PRESERVATION

(QIC-AG)

Spaulding for Children Lead Contact Melinda Lis

The University of Texas at Austin Lead Contact Dr Rowena Fong

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Lead Contact Dr Nancy Rolock

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Lead Contact Dr Mark Testa

2

QIC-AG PARTNERSHIP

QIC-AG is funded through a cooperative agreement with Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Childrenrsquos Bureau

The partnership includes

The QIC-AG will develop evidence-based models of support and interventions which can be replicated or adapted in other child welfare systems to achieve long-term stable permanency in adoptiveguardianship homes for waiting children as well for the general post-adoptionguardianship population

3

QIC-AG GOAL

Increased post-permanency stability

Improved behavioral health for children

Improved child and family well-being

4

EXPECTED LONG-TERM OUTCOMES

1 To build a body of knowledge of the correct combinations of supports services and interventions that work best to ensure resiliency and stability for youth in a permanent home

2 To support innovative collaborative and effective practices in the development of these supports services and interventions and the strategies for each of the project sites

3 To ensure project sites can assess and match appropriate service interventions and service-delivery mechanisms that effectively match the needs of childrenyouth and their adoptive parentslegal guardians to ensure ongoing stability and enhanced resilience

5

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

4 To assist sites to conduct comprehensive screening and functional assessments of childrenyouth to ensure appropriate service intervention Services will be available accessible culturally responsive and effective to meet behavioralmental health needs

5 To develop in partnership with the 6-8 sites a system of culturally responsive evidence-based services to improve permanency and stability outcomes for childrenyouth in adoptive guardianship homes to meet the target populations needs and extend post-permanency supports services to the general post-adoptionguardianship population in the selected sites

6 To complete an evaluation on each site and produce new evidence-based models of support and intervention that increase resiliency and assure permanency and stability for youth in adoptiveguardianship homes

6

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

Child welfare agencies should provide a continuum of services that increase permanency stabil ity and support beginning when children first enter the child welfare system and continue after adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Pre-Permanency Services and supports that engage prepare and connect families to services prior to finalization of adoptionguardianship These services focus on increasing resil iency and assuring permanency and placement stabil ity They focus on emotional-behavioral health issues and provide caregivers with education that improves their capacity to support stable permanency once adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Post-Adoption or Guardianship Services and supports that increase resil iency placement stabil ity and the capacity of caregivers to meet the needs of children in their care Services are targeted to the transitions and changing developmental and emotional needs associated with this population Recognizing that services targeted at families in crisis may be too late these services target the earliest signs of dif ficulty

7

CONTINUUM OF SERVICES amp SUPPORTS

8

ldquoThe new catch phrase is adoption-competency but what does that really meanI need services that help me understand the impact trauma has on my children and how I can change my parenting paradigm to effectively meet their needs As an adoptive parent it is difficult to meet the childrens complex needs and almost impossible if you donrsquot know what services to look for or who to call for helprdquo

ndash Quote from an adoptive parent

ADOPTION-COMPETENCY

Services need to be provided early Interventions targeting adoptive or guardianship homes nearing disruption and

dissolution are often provided too late

Services should target the earliest sign of difficulty

Preparation should begin prior to finalization and equip families with the capacity to weather unexpected difficulties and seek services and supports

Identify families most at risk Research has shown predictors of post-permanency instability that can be

assessed to determine which families to target for post permanency instability

Regular check-ins can identify families most at risk of instability and in need of services

Services should be evidence-supported Appropriate services should be culturally-responsive models that are tested to

determine their effectiveness and can be replicated with fidelity

Well-conducted RCTs measure important outcomes and distinguish services that produce sizable effects from those that do not

9

THEORY OF CHANGE

Target Group 1 Children awaiting an adoptiveguardianship placement or children that are in an identified adoptiveguardianship home but the placement has not resulted in a finalization for a significant period of time due to the childrenrsquos challenging mental health emotional or behavioral issues

Target Group 2 Children and their adoptiveguardianship families who have already finalized the adoptionguardianship and for whom stabilization may be threatened This target group includes children whom have obtained permanency through private guardianship and domestic private or international adoptions

10

TARGET POPULATIONS TO BE SERVED

11

QIC-AG TEAMING STRUCTURE

12

ADVISORY BOARD

M a r y B i s s e l lC h i l d F o c u s

V e e n o d C h u l a n i M DO r l a n d o H e a l t h

H o p e C o o p e rT r u e N o r t h G r o u p

D r J o s e p h C r u m b l e yT r a i n e r C o n s u l t a n t a n d T h e r a p i s t

A p r i l C u r t i sB e S t r o n g F a m i l i e s

D r A n g e l i q u e D a yW a y n e S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y

K a t h y D e s e r l yC a p a c i t y B u i l d i n g C e n t e r f o r T r i b e s

H e a t h e r F o r b e sB e y o n d C o n s e q u e n c e s I n s t i t u t e

F r a n k G a r r o t tG l a d n e y C e n t e r f o r A d o p t i o n

D e b o r a h G r a yN u r t u r i n g A t t a c h m e n t s

J o h n J o h n s o nT e n n e s s e e D e p a r t m e n t o f C h i l d r e n s S e r v i c e s

R o b e r t J o h n s o nA n n u i t y C o m p a n y

J o e K r o l lN o r t h A m e r i c a n C o u n c i l o n A d o p t a b l e C h i l d r e n

S h a u n L a n eH e p h z i b a h C h i l d r e n s A s s o c i a t i o n

J u d g e C i n d y L e d e r m a nE l e v e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t o f F l o r i d a

D r S h a r o n M c D a n i e lA S e c o n d C h a n c e

H o l l e e M c G i n n i sD o c t o r a l C a n d i d a t e N I M H P r e d o c t o r a l F e l l o w a n d a K o r e a n F o u n d a t i o n F e l l o w a t G e o r g e W a r r e n B r o w n S c h o o l o f S o c i a l W o r k

K a t h l e e n M c N a u g h tA m e r i c a n B a r A s s o c i a t i o n C e n t e r o n C h i l d r e n a n d t h e L a w

D r A v i d a n M i l e v s k yK u t z t o w n U n i v e r s i t y o f P e n n s y l v a n i a

D r P e t e r P e c o r aT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W a s h i n g t o n a n d C a s e y F a m i l y P r o g r a m s

D r B r u c e P e r r yC h i l d T r a u m a A c a d e m y

R u s s e l l P r e t zF o r m e r I n t e r n C o n g r e s s i o n a l C o a l i t i o n o n A d o p t i o n I n s t i t u t e

D r S c o t t R y a nT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s a t A r l i n g t o n

D r G i n a S a m u e l sT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C h i c a g o

K a r y n S c h i m m e l sC a m p t o B e l o n g

M i c h a e l S h a v e rC h i l d r e n s H o m e S o c i e t y o f F l o r i d a

D r K r i s t e n S S l a c kT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W i s c o n s i n - M a d i s o n

P a m W o l fH a r m o n y F a m i l y C e n t e r

Dr Mark F TestaAdvisory Board ChairUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Six to eight sites (state county or tribal child welfare system) will be selected to take part in a national project designed to promote permanency and improve adoption and guardianship preservation and support

Sites will work in partnership with the QIC-AG to implement and evaluate a continuum of services that support the permanence and stability of children in adoptiveguardianship homes

Financial resources intensive technical assistance and support will be available to the sites over a four year period

13

SITE SELECTION

14

SITE SELECTION

Children Bureaursquos Guidelines

Two or three of the sites with greater than 10000 children in substitute care

At least one site with fewer than 5000 children in substitute care

Urban and rural jurisdictions Binding work agreements will govern the relationships

between sites and the QIC-AG and must be executed with state or county public child welfare agencies or tribes

Sites will be selected in late springearly summer 2015

Sites will be identified through intensive assessment and preliminary research conducted by QIC-AG

Preliminary conversations will take place with sites to discuss potential collaboration including detailed discussion of the initiative benefits of being a selected site and site specific programs services and capacity currently in place and in need of development

After the initial assessment sites will be identified to participate in the full assessment process This process will focus on obtaining foundational knowledge of each sitersquos continuum of care and readiness to participate in this initiative

15

OVERVIEW OF SELECTION PROCESS

16

IMPLEMENTATION amp EVALUATION STEPS

Spaulding for Children and all of its partners are excited to be part of this critical initiative

We believe that the knowledge gained from the initiative will help child welfare agencies across the nation redefine their systems so that they provide a continuum of services that promote permanency and stability for children in custody and provide stability and support for children and families post-permanency

17

ldquoPost permanency supports are critical to the stability and well-being of adoptive families My husband and I love our adopted child but she came to us having experienced a lot of trauma which will take years and many resources to healrdquo- Jennifer Adoptive Parent

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

Reports to Congress

bull HHS must report to Congress on

ndash children who run away from foster care and their risk of being

sex trafficking victims their characteristics factors associated

with running away experiences while absent from care and

trends among other things (due 92916)

ndash agenciesrsquo implementation of and best practices for the case

planning amendments regarding APPLA and children age 14+

(due 92917)

31

National Advisory Committee on the Sex

Trafficking of Children and Youth in the

United States

bull HHS must establish and appoint a National Advisory

Committee on the Sex Trafficking of Children and

Youth in the United States to among other things

advise on practical and general policies on improving

the national response to sex trafficking and develop

best practices

ndash 21 members appointed in consultation with the AG and NGA

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916) establish and

appoint members

bull Committee terminates 5 years after establishment

32

QUESTIONS

Thank you

33

A Program of Spaulding for Children

in Partnership with

The University of Texas at Austin

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hil l

NATIONAL QUALITY IMPROVEMENT CENTER

FOR ADOPTIONGUARDIANSHIP

SUPPORT AND PRESERVATION

(QIC-AG)

Spaulding for Children Lead Contact Melinda Lis

The University of Texas at Austin Lead Contact Dr Rowena Fong

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Lead Contact Dr Nancy Rolock

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Lead Contact Dr Mark Testa

2

QIC-AG PARTNERSHIP

QIC-AG is funded through a cooperative agreement with Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Childrenrsquos Bureau

The partnership includes

The QIC-AG will develop evidence-based models of support and interventions which can be replicated or adapted in other child welfare systems to achieve long-term stable permanency in adoptiveguardianship homes for waiting children as well for the general post-adoptionguardianship population

3

QIC-AG GOAL

Increased post-permanency stability

Improved behavioral health for children

Improved child and family well-being

4

EXPECTED LONG-TERM OUTCOMES

1 To build a body of knowledge of the correct combinations of supports services and interventions that work best to ensure resiliency and stability for youth in a permanent home

2 To support innovative collaborative and effective practices in the development of these supports services and interventions and the strategies for each of the project sites

3 To ensure project sites can assess and match appropriate service interventions and service-delivery mechanisms that effectively match the needs of childrenyouth and their adoptive parentslegal guardians to ensure ongoing stability and enhanced resilience

5

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

4 To assist sites to conduct comprehensive screening and functional assessments of childrenyouth to ensure appropriate service intervention Services will be available accessible culturally responsive and effective to meet behavioralmental health needs

5 To develop in partnership with the 6-8 sites a system of culturally responsive evidence-based services to improve permanency and stability outcomes for childrenyouth in adoptive guardianship homes to meet the target populations needs and extend post-permanency supports services to the general post-adoptionguardianship population in the selected sites

6 To complete an evaluation on each site and produce new evidence-based models of support and intervention that increase resiliency and assure permanency and stability for youth in adoptiveguardianship homes

6

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

Child welfare agencies should provide a continuum of services that increase permanency stabil ity and support beginning when children first enter the child welfare system and continue after adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Pre-Permanency Services and supports that engage prepare and connect families to services prior to finalization of adoptionguardianship These services focus on increasing resil iency and assuring permanency and placement stabil ity They focus on emotional-behavioral health issues and provide caregivers with education that improves their capacity to support stable permanency once adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Post-Adoption or Guardianship Services and supports that increase resil iency placement stabil ity and the capacity of caregivers to meet the needs of children in their care Services are targeted to the transitions and changing developmental and emotional needs associated with this population Recognizing that services targeted at families in crisis may be too late these services target the earliest signs of dif ficulty

7

CONTINUUM OF SERVICES amp SUPPORTS

8

ldquoThe new catch phrase is adoption-competency but what does that really meanI need services that help me understand the impact trauma has on my children and how I can change my parenting paradigm to effectively meet their needs As an adoptive parent it is difficult to meet the childrens complex needs and almost impossible if you donrsquot know what services to look for or who to call for helprdquo

ndash Quote from an adoptive parent

ADOPTION-COMPETENCY

Services need to be provided early Interventions targeting adoptive or guardianship homes nearing disruption and

dissolution are often provided too late

Services should target the earliest sign of difficulty

Preparation should begin prior to finalization and equip families with the capacity to weather unexpected difficulties and seek services and supports

Identify families most at risk Research has shown predictors of post-permanency instability that can be

assessed to determine which families to target for post permanency instability

Regular check-ins can identify families most at risk of instability and in need of services

Services should be evidence-supported Appropriate services should be culturally-responsive models that are tested to

determine their effectiveness and can be replicated with fidelity

Well-conducted RCTs measure important outcomes and distinguish services that produce sizable effects from those that do not

9

THEORY OF CHANGE

Target Group 1 Children awaiting an adoptiveguardianship placement or children that are in an identified adoptiveguardianship home but the placement has not resulted in a finalization for a significant period of time due to the childrenrsquos challenging mental health emotional or behavioral issues

Target Group 2 Children and their adoptiveguardianship families who have already finalized the adoptionguardianship and for whom stabilization may be threatened This target group includes children whom have obtained permanency through private guardianship and domestic private or international adoptions

10

TARGET POPULATIONS TO BE SERVED

11

QIC-AG TEAMING STRUCTURE

12

ADVISORY BOARD

M a r y B i s s e l lC h i l d F o c u s

V e e n o d C h u l a n i M DO r l a n d o H e a l t h

H o p e C o o p e rT r u e N o r t h G r o u p

D r J o s e p h C r u m b l e yT r a i n e r C o n s u l t a n t a n d T h e r a p i s t

A p r i l C u r t i sB e S t r o n g F a m i l i e s

D r A n g e l i q u e D a yW a y n e S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y

K a t h y D e s e r l yC a p a c i t y B u i l d i n g C e n t e r f o r T r i b e s

H e a t h e r F o r b e sB e y o n d C o n s e q u e n c e s I n s t i t u t e

F r a n k G a r r o t tG l a d n e y C e n t e r f o r A d o p t i o n

D e b o r a h G r a yN u r t u r i n g A t t a c h m e n t s

J o h n J o h n s o nT e n n e s s e e D e p a r t m e n t o f C h i l d r e n s S e r v i c e s

R o b e r t J o h n s o nA n n u i t y C o m p a n y

J o e K r o l lN o r t h A m e r i c a n C o u n c i l o n A d o p t a b l e C h i l d r e n

S h a u n L a n eH e p h z i b a h C h i l d r e n s A s s o c i a t i o n

J u d g e C i n d y L e d e r m a nE l e v e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t o f F l o r i d a

D r S h a r o n M c D a n i e lA S e c o n d C h a n c e

H o l l e e M c G i n n i sD o c t o r a l C a n d i d a t e N I M H P r e d o c t o r a l F e l l o w a n d a K o r e a n F o u n d a t i o n F e l l o w a t G e o r g e W a r r e n B r o w n S c h o o l o f S o c i a l W o r k

K a t h l e e n M c N a u g h tA m e r i c a n B a r A s s o c i a t i o n C e n t e r o n C h i l d r e n a n d t h e L a w

D r A v i d a n M i l e v s k yK u t z t o w n U n i v e r s i t y o f P e n n s y l v a n i a

D r P e t e r P e c o r aT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W a s h i n g t o n a n d C a s e y F a m i l y P r o g r a m s

D r B r u c e P e r r yC h i l d T r a u m a A c a d e m y

R u s s e l l P r e t zF o r m e r I n t e r n C o n g r e s s i o n a l C o a l i t i o n o n A d o p t i o n I n s t i t u t e

D r S c o t t R y a nT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s a t A r l i n g t o n

D r G i n a S a m u e l sT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C h i c a g o

K a r y n S c h i m m e l sC a m p t o B e l o n g

M i c h a e l S h a v e rC h i l d r e n s H o m e S o c i e t y o f F l o r i d a

D r K r i s t e n S S l a c kT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W i s c o n s i n - M a d i s o n

P a m W o l fH a r m o n y F a m i l y C e n t e r

Dr Mark F TestaAdvisory Board ChairUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Six to eight sites (state county or tribal child welfare system) will be selected to take part in a national project designed to promote permanency and improve adoption and guardianship preservation and support

Sites will work in partnership with the QIC-AG to implement and evaluate a continuum of services that support the permanence and stability of children in adoptiveguardianship homes

Financial resources intensive technical assistance and support will be available to the sites over a four year period

13

SITE SELECTION

14

SITE SELECTION

Children Bureaursquos Guidelines

Two or three of the sites with greater than 10000 children in substitute care

At least one site with fewer than 5000 children in substitute care

Urban and rural jurisdictions Binding work agreements will govern the relationships

between sites and the QIC-AG and must be executed with state or county public child welfare agencies or tribes

Sites will be selected in late springearly summer 2015

Sites will be identified through intensive assessment and preliminary research conducted by QIC-AG

Preliminary conversations will take place with sites to discuss potential collaboration including detailed discussion of the initiative benefits of being a selected site and site specific programs services and capacity currently in place and in need of development

After the initial assessment sites will be identified to participate in the full assessment process This process will focus on obtaining foundational knowledge of each sitersquos continuum of care and readiness to participate in this initiative

15

OVERVIEW OF SELECTION PROCESS

16

IMPLEMENTATION amp EVALUATION STEPS

Spaulding for Children and all of its partners are excited to be part of this critical initiative

We believe that the knowledge gained from the initiative will help child welfare agencies across the nation redefine their systems so that they provide a continuum of services that promote permanency and stability for children in custody and provide stability and support for children and families post-permanency

17

ldquoPost permanency supports are critical to the stability and well-being of adoptive families My husband and I love our adopted child but she came to us having experienced a lot of trauma which will take years and many resources to healrdquo- Jennifer Adoptive Parent

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

National Advisory Committee on the Sex

Trafficking of Children and Youth in the

United States

bull HHS must establish and appoint a National Advisory

Committee on the Sex Trafficking of Children and

Youth in the United States to among other things

advise on practical and general policies on improving

the national response to sex trafficking and develop

best practices

ndash 21 members appointed in consultation with the AG and NGA

bull Within 2 years of enactment (by 92916) establish and

appoint members

bull Committee terminates 5 years after establishment

32

QUESTIONS

Thank you

33

A Program of Spaulding for Children

in Partnership with

The University of Texas at Austin

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hil l

NATIONAL QUALITY IMPROVEMENT CENTER

FOR ADOPTIONGUARDIANSHIP

SUPPORT AND PRESERVATION

(QIC-AG)

Spaulding for Children Lead Contact Melinda Lis

The University of Texas at Austin Lead Contact Dr Rowena Fong

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Lead Contact Dr Nancy Rolock

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Lead Contact Dr Mark Testa

2

QIC-AG PARTNERSHIP

QIC-AG is funded through a cooperative agreement with Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Childrenrsquos Bureau

The partnership includes

The QIC-AG will develop evidence-based models of support and interventions which can be replicated or adapted in other child welfare systems to achieve long-term stable permanency in adoptiveguardianship homes for waiting children as well for the general post-adoptionguardianship population

3

QIC-AG GOAL

Increased post-permanency stability

Improved behavioral health for children

Improved child and family well-being

4

EXPECTED LONG-TERM OUTCOMES

1 To build a body of knowledge of the correct combinations of supports services and interventions that work best to ensure resiliency and stability for youth in a permanent home

2 To support innovative collaborative and effective practices in the development of these supports services and interventions and the strategies for each of the project sites

3 To ensure project sites can assess and match appropriate service interventions and service-delivery mechanisms that effectively match the needs of childrenyouth and their adoptive parentslegal guardians to ensure ongoing stability and enhanced resilience

5

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

4 To assist sites to conduct comprehensive screening and functional assessments of childrenyouth to ensure appropriate service intervention Services will be available accessible culturally responsive and effective to meet behavioralmental health needs

5 To develop in partnership with the 6-8 sites a system of culturally responsive evidence-based services to improve permanency and stability outcomes for childrenyouth in adoptive guardianship homes to meet the target populations needs and extend post-permanency supports services to the general post-adoptionguardianship population in the selected sites

6 To complete an evaluation on each site and produce new evidence-based models of support and intervention that increase resiliency and assure permanency and stability for youth in adoptiveguardianship homes

6

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

Child welfare agencies should provide a continuum of services that increase permanency stabil ity and support beginning when children first enter the child welfare system and continue after adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Pre-Permanency Services and supports that engage prepare and connect families to services prior to finalization of adoptionguardianship These services focus on increasing resil iency and assuring permanency and placement stabil ity They focus on emotional-behavioral health issues and provide caregivers with education that improves their capacity to support stable permanency once adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Post-Adoption or Guardianship Services and supports that increase resil iency placement stabil ity and the capacity of caregivers to meet the needs of children in their care Services are targeted to the transitions and changing developmental and emotional needs associated with this population Recognizing that services targeted at families in crisis may be too late these services target the earliest signs of dif ficulty

7

CONTINUUM OF SERVICES amp SUPPORTS

8

ldquoThe new catch phrase is adoption-competency but what does that really meanI need services that help me understand the impact trauma has on my children and how I can change my parenting paradigm to effectively meet their needs As an adoptive parent it is difficult to meet the childrens complex needs and almost impossible if you donrsquot know what services to look for or who to call for helprdquo

ndash Quote from an adoptive parent

ADOPTION-COMPETENCY

Services need to be provided early Interventions targeting adoptive or guardianship homes nearing disruption and

dissolution are often provided too late

Services should target the earliest sign of difficulty

Preparation should begin prior to finalization and equip families with the capacity to weather unexpected difficulties and seek services and supports

Identify families most at risk Research has shown predictors of post-permanency instability that can be

assessed to determine which families to target for post permanency instability

Regular check-ins can identify families most at risk of instability and in need of services

Services should be evidence-supported Appropriate services should be culturally-responsive models that are tested to

determine their effectiveness and can be replicated with fidelity

Well-conducted RCTs measure important outcomes and distinguish services that produce sizable effects from those that do not

9

THEORY OF CHANGE

Target Group 1 Children awaiting an adoptiveguardianship placement or children that are in an identified adoptiveguardianship home but the placement has not resulted in a finalization for a significant period of time due to the childrenrsquos challenging mental health emotional or behavioral issues

Target Group 2 Children and their adoptiveguardianship families who have already finalized the adoptionguardianship and for whom stabilization may be threatened This target group includes children whom have obtained permanency through private guardianship and domestic private or international adoptions

10

TARGET POPULATIONS TO BE SERVED

11

QIC-AG TEAMING STRUCTURE

12

ADVISORY BOARD

M a r y B i s s e l lC h i l d F o c u s

V e e n o d C h u l a n i M DO r l a n d o H e a l t h

H o p e C o o p e rT r u e N o r t h G r o u p

D r J o s e p h C r u m b l e yT r a i n e r C o n s u l t a n t a n d T h e r a p i s t

A p r i l C u r t i sB e S t r o n g F a m i l i e s

D r A n g e l i q u e D a yW a y n e S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y

K a t h y D e s e r l yC a p a c i t y B u i l d i n g C e n t e r f o r T r i b e s

H e a t h e r F o r b e sB e y o n d C o n s e q u e n c e s I n s t i t u t e

F r a n k G a r r o t tG l a d n e y C e n t e r f o r A d o p t i o n

D e b o r a h G r a yN u r t u r i n g A t t a c h m e n t s

J o h n J o h n s o nT e n n e s s e e D e p a r t m e n t o f C h i l d r e n s S e r v i c e s

R o b e r t J o h n s o nA n n u i t y C o m p a n y

J o e K r o l lN o r t h A m e r i c a n C o u n c i l o n A d o p t a b l e C h i l d r e n

S h a u n L a n eH e p h z i b a h C h i l d r e n s A s s o c i a t i o n

J u d g e C i n d y L e d e r m a nE l e v e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t o f F l o r i d a

D r S h a r o n M c D a n i e lA S e c o n d C h a n c e

H o l l e e M c G i n n i sD o c t o r a l C a n d i d a t e N I M H P r e d o c t o r a l F e l l o w a n d a K o r e a n F o u n d a t i o n F e l l o w a t G e o r g e W a r r e n B r o w n S c h o o l o f S o c i a l W o r k

K a t h l e e n M c N a u g h tA m e r i c a n B a r A s s o c i a t i o n C e n t e r o n C h i l d r e n a n d t h e L a w

D r A v i d a n M i l e v s k yK u t z t o w n U n i v e r s i t y o f P e n n s y l v a n i a

D r P e t e r P e c o r aT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W a s h i n g t o n a n d C a s e y F a m i l y P r o g r a m s

D r B r u c e P e r r yC h i l d T r a u m a A c a d e m y

R u s s e l l P r e t zF o r m e r I n t e r n C o n g r e s s i o n a l C o a l i t i o n o n A d o p t i o n I n s t i t u t e

D r S c o t t R y a nT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s a t A r l i n g t o n

D r G i n a S a m u e l sT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C h i c a g o

K a r y n S c h i m m e l sC a m p t o B e l o n g

M i c h a e l S h a v e rC h i l d r e n s H o m e S o c i e t y o f F l o r i d a

D r K r i s t e n S S l a c kT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W i s c o n s i n - M a d i s o n

P a m W o l fH a r m o n y F a m i l y C e n t e r

Dr Mark F TestaAdvisory Board ChairUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Six to eight sites (state county or tribal child welfare system) will be selected to take part in a national project designed to promote permanency and improve adoption and guardianship preservation and support

Sites will work in partnership with the QIC-AG to implement and evaluate a continuum of services that support the permanence and stability of children in adoptiveguardianship homes

Financial resources intensive technical assistance and support will be available to the sites over a four year period

13

SITE SELECTION

14

SITE SELECTION

Children Bureaursquos Guidelines

Two or three of the sites with greater than 10000 children in substitute care

At least one site with fewer than 5000 children in substitute care

Urban and rural jurisdictions Binding work agreements will govern the relationships

between sites and the QIC-AG and must be executed with state or county public child welfare agencies or tribes

Sites will be selected in late springearly summer 2015

Sites will be identified through intensive assessment and preliminary research conducted by QIC-AG

Preliminary conversations will take place with sites to discuss potential collaboration including detailed discussion of the initiative benefits of being a selected site and site specific programs services and capacity currently in place and in need of development

After the initial assessment sites will be identified to participate in the full assessment process This process will focus on obtaining foundational knowledge of each sitersquos continuum of care and readiness to participate in this initiative

15

OVERVIEW OF SELECTION PROCESS

16

IMPLEMENTATION amp EVALUATION STEPS

Spaulding for Children and all of its partners are excited to be part of this critical initiative

We believe that the knowledge gained from the initiative will help child welfare agencies across the nation redefine their systems so that they provide a continuum of services that promote permanency and stability for children in custody and provide stability and support for children and families post-permanency

17

ldquoPost permanency supports are critical to the stability and well-being of adoptive families My husband and I love our adopted child but she came to us having experienced a lot of trauma which will take years and many resources to healrdquo- Jennifer Adoptive Parent

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

QUESTIONS

Thank you

33

A Program of Spaulding for Children

in Partnership with

The University of Texas at Austin

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hil l

NATIONAL QUALITY IMPROVEMENT CENTER

FOR ADOPTIONGUARDIANSHIP

SUPPORT AND PRESERVATION

(QIC-AG)

Spaulding for Children Lead Contact Melinda Lis

The University of Texas at Austin Lead Contact Dr Rowena Fong

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Lead Contact Dr Nancy Rolock

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Lead Contact Dr Mark Testa

2

QIC-AG PARTNERSHIP

QIC-AG is funded through a cooperative agreement with Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Childrenrsquos Bureau

The partnership includes

The QIC-AG will develop evidence-based models of support and interventions which can be replicated or adapted in other child welfare systems to achieve long-term stable permanency in adoptiveguardianship homes for waiting children as well for the general post-adoptionguardianship population

3

QIC-AG GOAL

Increased post-permanency stability

Improved behavioral health for children

Improved child and family well-being

4

EXPECTED LONG-TERM OUTCOMES

1 To build a body of knowledge of the correct combinations of supports services and interventions that work best to ensure resiliency and stability for youth in a permanent home

2 To support innovative collaborative and effective practices in the development of these supports services and interventions and the strategies for each of the project sites

3 To ensure project sites can assess and match appropriate service interventions and service-delivery mechanisms that effectively match the needs of childrenyouth and their adoptive parentslegal guardians to ensure ongoing stability and enhanced resilience

5

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

4 To assist sites to conduct comprehensive screening and functional assessments of childrenyouth to ensure appropriate service intervention Services will be available accessible culturally responsive and effective to meet behavioralmental health needs

5 To develop in partnership with the 6-8 sites a system of culturally responsive evidence-based services to improve permanency and stability outcomes for childrenyouth in adoptive guardianship homes to meet the target populations needs and extend post-permanency supports services to the general post-adoptionguardianship population in the selected sites

6 To complete an evaluation on each site and produce new evidence-based models of support and intervention that increase resiliency and assure permanency and stability for youth in adoptiveguardianship homes

6

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

Child welfare agencies should provide a continuum of services that increase permanency stabil ity and support beginning when children first enter the child welfare system and continue after adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Pre-Permanency Services and supports that engage prepare and connect families to services prior to finalization of adoptionguardianship These services focus on increasing resil iency and assuring permanency and placement stabil ity They focus on emotional-behavioral health issues and provide caregivers with education that improves their capacity to support stable permanency once adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Post-Adoption or Guardianship Services and supports that increase resil iency placement stabil ity and the capacity of caregivers to meet the needs of children in their care Services are targeted to the transitions and changing developmental and emotional needs associated with this population Recognizing that services targeted at families in crisis may be too late these services target the earliest signs of dif ficulty

7

CONTINUUM OF SERVICES amp SUPPORTS

8

ldquoThe new catch phrase is adoption-competency but what does that really meanI need services that help me understand the impact trauma has on my children and how I can change my parenting paradigm to effectively meet their needs As an adoptive parent it is difficult to meet the childrens complex needs and almost impossible if you donrsquot know what services to look for or who to call for helprdquo

ndash Quote from an adoptive parent

ADOPTION-COMPETENCY

Services need to be provided early Interventions targeting adoptive or guardianship homes nearing disruption and

dissolution are often provided too late

Services should target the earliest sign of difficulty

Preparation should begin prior to finalization and equip families with the capacity to weather unexpected difficulties and seek services and supports

Identify families most at risk Research has shown predictors of post-permanency instability that can be

assessed to determine which families to target for post permanency instability

Regular check-ins can identify families most at risk of instability and in need of services

Services should be evidence-supported Appropriate services should be culturally-responsive models that are tested to

determine their effectiveness and can be replicated with fidelity

Well-conducted RCTs measure important outcomes and distinguish services that produce sizable effects from those that do not

9

THEORY OF CHANGE

Target Group 1 Children awaiting an adoptiveguardianship placement or children that are in an identified adoptiveguardianship home but the placement has not resulted in a finalization for a significant period of time due to the childrenrsquos challenging mental health emotional or behavioral issues

Target Group 2 Children and their adoptiveguardianship families who have already finalized the adoptionguardianship and for whom stabilization may be threatened This target group includes children whom have obtained permanency through private guardianship and domestic private or international adoptions

10

TARGET POPULATIONS TO BE SERVED

11

QIC-AG TEAMING STRUCTURE

12

ADVISORY BOARD

M a r y B i s s e l lC h i l d F o c u s

V e e n o d C h u l a n i M DO r l a n d o H e a l t h

H o p e C o o p e rT r u e N o r t h G r o u p

D r J o s e p h C r u m b l e yT r a i n e r C o n s u l t a n t a n d T h e r a p i s t

A p r i l C u r t i sB e S t r o n g F a m i l i e s

D r A n g e l i q u e D a yW a y n e S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y

K a t h y D e s e r l yC a p a c i t y B u i l d i n g C e n t e r f o r T r i b e s

H e a t h e r F o r b e sB e y o n d C o n s e q u e n c e s I n s t i t u t e

F r a n k G a r r o t tG l a d n e y C e n t e r f o r A d o p t i o n

D e b o r a h G r a yN u r t u r i n g A t t a c h m e n t s

J o h n J o h n s o nT e n n e s s e e D e p a r t m e n t o f C h i l d r e n s S e r v i c e s

R o b e r t J o h n s o nA n n u i t y C o m p a n y

J o e K r o l lN o r t h A m e r i c a n C o u n c i l o n A d o p t a b l e C h i l d r e n

S h a u n L a n eH e p h z i b a h C h i l d r e n s A s s o c i a t i o n

J u d g e C i n d y L e d e r m a nE l e v e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t o f F l o r i d a

D r S h a r o n M c D a n i e lA S e c o n d C h a n c e

H o l l e e M c G i n n i sD o c t o r a l C a n d i d a t e N I M H P r e d o c t o r a l F e l l o w a n d a K o r e a n F o u n d a t i o n F e l l o w a t G e o r g e W a r r e n B r o w n S c h o o l o f S o c i a l W o r k

K a t h l e e n M c N a u g h tA m e r i c a n B a r A s s o c i a t i o n C e n t e r o n C h i l d r e n a n d t h e L a w

D r A v i d a n M i l e v s k yK u t z t o w n U n i v e r s i t y o f P e n n s y l v a n i a

D r P e t e r P e c o r aT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W a s h i n g t o n a n d C a s e y F a m i l y P r o g r a m s

D r B r u c e P e r r yC h i l d T r a u m a A c a d e m y

R u s s e l l P r e t zF o r m e r I n t e r n C o n g r e s s i o n a l C o a l i t i o n o n A d o p t i o n I n s t i t u t e

D r S c o t t R y a nT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s a t A r l i n g t o n

D r G i n a S a m u e l sT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C h i c a g o

K a r y n S c h i m m e l sC a m p t o B e l o n g

M i c h a e l S h a v e rC h i l d r e n s H o m e S o c i e t y o f F l o r i d a

D r K r i s t e n S S l a c kT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W i s c o n s i n - M a d i s o n

P a m W o l fH a r m o n y F a m i l y C e n t e r

Dr Mark F TestaAdvisory Board ChairUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Six to eight sites (state county or tribal child welfare system) will be selected to take part in a national project designed to promote permanency and improve adoption and guardianship preservation and support

Sites will work in partnership with the QIC-AG to implement and evaluate a continuum of services that support the permanence and stability of children in adoptiveguardianship homes

Financial resources intensive technical assistance and support will be available to the sites over a four year period

13

SITE SELECTION

14

SITE SELECTION

Children Bureaursquos Guidelines

Two or three of the sites with greater than 10000 children in substitute care

At least one site with fewer than 5000 children in substitute care

Urban and rural jurisdictions Binding work agreements will govern the relationships

between sites and the QIC-AG and must be executed with state or county public child welfare agencies or tribes

Sites will be selected in late springearly summer 2015

Sites will be identified through intensive assessment and preliminary research conducted by QIC-AG

Preliminary conversations will take place with sites to discuss potential collaboration including detailed discussion of the initiative benefits of being a selected site and site specific programs services and capacity currently in place and in need of development

After the initial assessment sites will be identified to participate in the full assessment process This process will focus on obtaining foundational knowledge of each sitersquos continuum of care and readiness to participate in this initiative

15

OVERVIEW OF SELECTION PROCESS

16

IMPLEMENTATION amp EVALUATION STEPS

Spaulding for Children and all of its partners are excited to be part of this critical initiative

We believe that the knowledge gained from the initiative will help child welfare agencies across the nation redefine their systems so that they provide a continuum of services that promote permanency and stability for children in custody and provide stability and support for children and families post-permanency

17

ldquoPost permanency supports are critical to the stability and well-being of adoptive families My husband and I love our adopted child but she came to us having experienced a lot of trauma which will take years and many resources to healrdquo- Jennifer Adoptive Parent

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

A Program of Spaulding for Children

in Partnership with

The University of Texas at Austin

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hil l

NATIONAL QUALITY IMPROVEMENT CENTER

FOR ADOPTIONGUARDIANSHIP

SUPPORT AND PRESERVATION

(QIC-AG)

Spaulding for Children Lead Contact Melinda Lis

The University of Texas at Austin Lead Contact Dr Rowena Fong

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Lead Contact Dr Nancy Rolock

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Lead Contact Dr Mark Testa

2

QIC-AG PARTNERSHIP

QIC-AG is funded through a cooperative agreement with Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Childrenrsquos Bureau

The partnership includes

The QIC-AG will develop evidence-based models of support and interventions which can be replicated or adapted in other child welfare systems to achieve long-term stable permanency in adoptiveguardianship homes for waiting children as well for the general post-adoptionguardianship population

3

QIC-AG GOAL

Increased post-permanency stability

Improved behavioral health for children

Improved child and family well-being

4

EXPECTED LONG-TERM OUTCOMES

1 To build a body of knowledge of the correct combinations of supports services and interventions that work best to ensure resiliency and stability for youth in a permanent home

2 To support innovative collaborative and effective practices in the development of these supports services and interventions and the strategies for each of the project sites

3 To ensure project sites can assess and match appropriate service interventions and service-delivery mechanisms that effectively match the needs of childrenyouth and their adoptive parentslegal guardians to ensure ongoing stability and enhanced resilience

5

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

4 To assist sites to conduct comprehensive screening and functional assessments of childrenyouth to ensure appropriate service intervention Services will be available accessible culturally responsive and effective to meet behavioralmental health needs

5 To develop in partnership with the 6-8 sites a system of culturally responsive evidence-based services to improve permanency and stability outcomes for childrenyouth in adoptive guardianship homes to meet the target populations needs and extend post-permanency supports services to the general post-adoptionguardianship population in the selected sites

6 To complete an evaluation on each site and produce new evidence-based models of support and intervention that increase resiliency and assure permanency and stability for youth in adoptiveguardianship homes

6

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

Child welfare agencies should provide a continuum of services that increase permanency stabil ity and support beginning when children first enter the child welfare system and continue after adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Pre-Permanency Services and supports that engage prepare and connect families to services prior to finalization of adoptionguardianship These services focus on increasing resil iency and assuring permanency and placement stabil ity They focus on emotional-behavioral health issues and provide caregivers with education that improves their capacity to support stable permanency once adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Post-Adoption or Guardianship Services and supports that increase resil iency placement stabil ity and the capacity of caregivers to meet the needs of children in their care Services are targeted to the transitions and changing developmental and emotional needs associated with this population Recognizing that services targeted at families in crisis may be too late these services target the earliest signs of dif ficulty

7

CONTINUUM OF SERVICES amp SUPPORTS

8

ldquoThe new catch phrase is adoption-competency but what does that really meanI need services that help me understand the impact trauma has on my children and how I can change my parenting paradigm to effectively meet their needs As an adoptive parent it is difficult to meet the childrens complex needs and almost impossible if you donrsquot know what services to look for or who to call for helprdquo

ndash Quote from an adoptive parent

ADOPTION-COMPETENCY

Services need to be provided early Interventions targeting adoptive or guardianship homes nearing disruption and

dissolution are often provided too late

Services should target the earliest sign of difficulty

Preparation should begin prior to finalization and equip families with the capacity to weather unexpected difficulties and seek services and supports

Identify families most at risk Research has shown predictors of post-permanency instability that can be

assessed to determine which families to target for post permanency instability

Regular check-ins can identify families most at risk of instability and in need of services

Services should be evidence-supported Appropriate services should be culturally-responsive models that are tested to

determine their effectiveness and can be replicated with fidelity

Well-conducted RCTs measure important outcomes and distinguish services that produce sizable effects from those that do not

9

THEORY OF CHANGE

Target Group 1 Children awaiting an adoptiveguardianship placement or children that are in an identified adoptiveguardianship home but the placement has not resulted in a finalization for a significant period of time due to the childrenrsquos challenging mental health emotional or behavioral issues

Target Group 2 Children and their adoptiveguardianship families who have already finalized the adoptionguardianship and for whom stabilization may be threatened This target group includes children whom have obtained permanency through private guardianship and domestic private or international adoptions

10

TARGET POPULATIONS TO BE SERVED

11

QIC-AG TEAMING STRUCTURE

12

ADVISORY BOARD

M a r y B i s s e l lC h i l d F o c u s

V e e n o d C h u l a n i M DO r l a n d o H e a l t h

H o p e C o o p e rT r u e N o r t h G r o u p

D r J o s e p h C r u m b l e yT r a i n e r C o n s u l t a n t a n d T h e r a p i s t

A p r i l C u r t i sB e S t r o n g F a m i l i e s

D r A n g e l i q u e D a yW a y n e S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y

K a t h y D e s e r l yC a p a c i t y B u i l d i n g C e n t e r f o r T r i b e s

H e a t h e r F o r b e sB e y o n d C o n s e q u e n c e s I n s t i t u t e

F r a n k G a r r o t tG l a d n e y C e n t e r f o r A d o p t i o n

D e b o r a h G r a yN u r t u r i n g A t t a c h m e n t s

J o h n J o h n s o nT e n n e s s e e D e p a r t m e n t o f C h i l d r e n s S e r v i c e s

R o b e r t J o h n s o nA n n u i t y C o m p a n y

J o e K r o l lN o r t h A m e r i c a n C o u n c i l o n A d o p t a b l e C h i l d r e n

S h a u n L a n eH e p h z i b a h C h i l d r e n s A s s o c i a t i o n

J u d g e C i n d y L e d e r m a nE l e v e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t o f F l o r i d a

D r S h a r o n M c D a n i e lA S e c o n d C h a n c e

H o l l e e M c G i n n i sD o c t o r a l C a n d i d a t e N I M H P r e d o c t o r a l F e l l o w a n d a K o r e a n F o u n d a t i o n F e l l o w a t G e o r g e W a r r e n B r o w n S c h o o l o f S o c i a l W o r k

K a t h l e e n M c N a u g h tA m e r i c a n B a r A s s o c i a t i o n C e n t e r o n C h i l d r e n a n d t h e L a w

D r A v i d a n M i l e v s k yK u t z t o w n U n i v e r s i t y o f P e n n s y l v a n i a

D r P e t e r P e c o r aT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W a s h i n g t o n a n d C a s e y F a m i l y P r o g r a m s

D r B r u c e P e r r yC h i l d T r a u m a A c a d e m y

R u s s e l l P r e t zF o r m e r I n t e r n C o n g r e s s i o n a l C o a l i t i o n o n A d o p t i o n I n s t i t u t e

D r S c o t t R y a nT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s a t A r l i n g t o n

D r G i n a S a m u e l sT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C h i c a g o

K a r y n S c h i m m e l sC a m p t o B e l o n g

M i c h a e l S h a v e rC h i l d r e n s H o m e S o c i e t y o f F l o r i d a

D r K r i s t e n S S l a c kT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W i s c o n s i n - M a d i s o n

P a m W o l fH a r m o n y F a m i l y C e n t e r

Dr Mark F TestaAdvisory Board ChairUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Six to eight sites (state county or tribal child welfare system) will be selected to take part in a national project designed to promote permanency and improve adoption and guardianship preservation and support

Sites will work in partnership with the QIC-AG to implement and evaluate a continuum of services that support the permanence and stability of children in adoptiveguardianship homes

Financial resources intensive technical assistance and support will be available to the sites over a four year period

13

SITE SELECTION

14

SITE SELECTION

Children Bureaursquos Guidelines

Two or three of the sites with greater than 10000 children in substitute care

At least one site with fewer than 5000 children in substitute care

Urban and rural jurisdictions Binding work agreements will govern the relationships

between sites and the QIC-AG and must be executed with state or county public child welfare agencies or tribes

Sites will be selected in late springearly summer 2015

Sites will be identified through intensive assessment and preliminary research conducted by QIC-AG

Preliminary conversations will take place with sites to discuss potential collaboration including detailed discussion of the initiative benefits of being a selected site and site specific programs services and capacity currently in place and in need of development

After the initial assessment sites will be identified to participate in the full assessment process This process will focus on obtaining foundational knowledge of each sitersquos continuum of care and readiness to participate in this initiative

15

OVERVIEW OF SELECTION PROCESS

16

IMPLEMENTATION amp EVALUATION STEPS

Spaulding for Children and all of its partners are excited to be part of this critical initiative

We believe that the knowledge gained from the initiative will help child welfare agencies across the nation redefine their systems so that they provide a continuum of services that promote permanency and stability for children in custody and provide stability and support for children and families post-permanency

17

ldquoPost permanency supports are critical to the stability and well-being of adoptive families My husband and I love our adopted child but she came to us having experienced a lot of trauma which will take years and many resources to healrdquo- Jennifer Adoptive Parent

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

Spaulding for Children Lead Contact Melinda Lis

The University of Texas at Austin Lead Contact Dr Rowena Fong

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Lead Contact Dr Nancy Rolock

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Lead Contact Dr Mark Testa

2

QIC-AG PARTNERSHIP

QIC-AG is funded through a cooperative agreement with Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Childrenrsquos Bureau

The partnership includes

The QIC-AG will develop evidence-based models of support and interventions which can be replicated or adapted in other child welfare systems to achieve long-term stable permanency in adoptiveguardianship homes for waiting children as well for the general post-adoptionguardianship population

3

QIC-AG GOAL

Increased post-permanency stability

Improved behavioral health for children

Improved child and family well-being

4

EXPECTED LONG-TERM OUTCOMES

1 To build a body of knowledge of the correct combinations of supports services and interventions that work best to ensure resiliency and stability for youth in a permanent home

2 To support innovative collaborative and effective practices in the development of these supports services and interventions and the strategies for each of the project sites

3 To ensure project sites can assess and match appropriate service interventions and service-delivery mechanisms that effectively match the needs of childrenyouth and their adoptive parentslegal guardians to ensure ongoing stability and enhanced resilience

5

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

4 To assist sites to conduct comprehensive screening and functional assessments of childrenyouth to ensure appropriate service intervention Services will be available accessible culturally responsive and effective to meet behavioralmental health needs

5 To develop in partnership with the 6-8 sites a system of culturally responsive evidence-based services to improve permanency and stability outcomes for childrenyouth in adoptive guardianship homes to meet the target populations needs and extend post-permanency supports services to the general post-adoptionguardianship population in the selected sites

6 To complete an evaluation on each site and produce new evidence-based models of support and intervention that increase resiliency and assure permanency and stability for youth in adoptiveguardianship homes

6

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

Child welfare agencies should provide a continuum of services that increase permanency stabil ity and support beginning when children first enter the child welfare system and continue after adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Pre-Permanency Services and supports that engage prepare and connect families to services prior to finalization of adoptionguardianship These services focus on increasing resil iency and assuring permanency and placement stabil ity They focus on emotional-behavioral health issues and provide caregivers with education that improves their capacity to support stable permanency once adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Post-Adoption or Guardianship Services and supports that increase resil iency placement stabil ity and the capacity of caregivers to meet the needs of children in their care Services are targeted to the transitions and changing developmental and emotional needs associated with this population Recognizing that services targeted at families in crisis may be too late these services target the earliest signs of dif ficulty

7

CONTINUUM OF SERVICES amp SUPPORTS

8

ldquoThe new catch phrase is adoption-competency but what does that really meanI need services that help me understand the impact trauma has on my children and how I can change my parenting paradigm to effectively meet their needs As an adoptive parent it is difficult to meet the childrens complex needs and almost impossible if you donrsquot know what services to look for or who to call for helprdquo

ndash Quote from an adoptive parent

ADOPTION-COMPETENCY

Services need to be provided early Interventions targeting adoptive or guardianship homes nearing disruption and

dissolution are often provided too late

Services should target the earliest sign of difficulty

Preparation should begin prior to finalization and equip families with the capacity to weather unexpected difficulties and seek services and supports

Identify families most at risk Research has shown predictors of post-permanency instability that can be

assessed to determine which families to target for post permanency instability

Regular check-ins can identify families most at risk of instability and in need of services

Services should be evidence-supported Appropriate services should be culturally-responsive models that are tested to

determine their effectiveness and can be replicated with fidelity

Well-conducted RCTs measure important outcomes and distinguish services that produce sizable effects from those that do not

9

THEORY OF CHANGE

Target Group 1 Children awaiting an adoptiveguardianship placement or children that are in an identified adoptiveguardianship home but the placement has not resulted in a finalization for a significant period of time due to the childrenrsquos challenging mental health emotional or behavioral issues

Target Group 2 Children and their adoptiveguardianship families who have already finalized the adoptionguardianship and for whom stabilization may be threatened This target group includes children whom have obtained permanency through private guardianship and domestic private or international adoptions

10

TARGET POPULATIONS TO BE SERVED

11

QIC-AG TEAMING STRUCTURE

12

ADVISORY BOARD

M a r y B i s s e l lC h i l d F o c u s

V e e n o d C h u l a n i M DO r l a n d o H e a l t h

H o p e C o o p e rT r u e N o r t h G r o u p

D r J o s e p h C r u m b l e yT r a i n e r C o n s u l t a n t a n d T h e r a p i s t

A p r i l C u r t i sB e S t r o n g F a m i l i e s

D r A n g e l i q u e D a yW a y n e S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y

K a t h y D e s e r l yC a p a c i t y B u i l d i n g C e n t e r f o r T r i b e s

H e a t h e r F o r b e sB e y o n d C o n s e q u e n c e s I n s t i t u t e

F r a n k G a r r o t tG l a d n e y C e n t e r f o r A d o p t i o n

D e b o r a h G r a yN u r t u r i n g A t t a c h m e n t s

J o h n J o h n s o nT e n n e s s e e D e p a r t m e n t o f C h i l d r e n s S e r v i c e s

R o b e r t J o h n s o nA n n u i t y C o m p a n y

J o e K r o l lN o r t h A m e r i c a n C o u n c i l o n A d o p t a b l e C h i l d r e n

S h a u n L a n eH e p h z i b a h C h i l d r e n s A s s o c i a t i o n

J u d g e C i n d y L e d e r m a nE l e v e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t o f F l o r i d a

D r S h a r o n M c D a n i e lA S e c o n d C h a n c e

H o l l e e M c G i n n i sD o c t o r a l C a n d i d a t e N I M H P r e d o c t o r a l F e l l o w a n d a K o r e a n F o u n d a t i o n F e l l o w a t G e o r g e W a r r e n B r o w n S c h o o l o f S o c i a l W o r k

K a t h l e e n M c N a u g h tA m e r i c a n B a r A s s o c i a t i o n C e n t e r o n C h i l d r e n a n d t h e L a w

D r A v i d a n M i l e v s k yK u t z t o w n U n i v e r s i t y o f P e n n s y l v a n i a

D r P e t e r P e c o r aT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W a s h i n g t o n a n d C a s e y F a m i l y P r o g r a m s

D r B r u c e P e r r yC h i l d T r a u m a A c a d e m y

R u s s e l l P r e t zF o r m e r I n t e r n C o n g r e s s i o n a l C o a l i t i o n o n A d o p t i o n I n s t i t u t e

D r S c o t t R y a nT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s a t A r l i n g t o n

D r G i n a S a m u e l sT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C h i c a g o

K a r y n S c h i m m e l sC a m p t o B e l o n g

M i c h a e l S h a v e rC h i l d r e n s H o m e S o c i e t y o f F l o r i d a

D r K r i s t e n S S l a c kT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W i s c o n s i n - M a d i s o n

P a m W o l fH a r m o n y F a m i l y C e n t e r

Dr Mark F TestaAdvisory Board ChairUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Six to eight sites (state county or tribal child welfare system) will be selected to take part in a national project designed to promote permanency and improve adoption and guardianship preservation and support

Sites will work in partnership with the QIC-AG to implement and evaluate a continuum of services that support the permanence and stability of children in adoptiveguardianship homes

Financial resources intensive technical assistance and support will be available to the sites over a four year period

13

SITE SELECTION

14

SITE SELECTION

Children Bureaursquos Guidelines

Two or three of the sites with greater than 10000 children in substitute care

At least one site with fewer than 5000 children in substitute care

Urban and rural jurisdictions Binding work agreements will govern the relationships

between sites and the QIC-AG and must be executed with state or county public child welfare agencies or tribes

Sites will be selected in late springearly summer 2015

Sites will be identified through intensive assessment and preliminary research conducted by QIC-AG

Preliminary conversations will take place with sites to discuss potential collaboration including detailed discussion of the initiative benefits of being a selected site and site specific programs services and capacity currently in place and in need of development

After the initial assessment sites will be identified to participate in the full assessment process This process will focus on obtaining foundational knowledge of each sitersquos continuum of care and readiness to participate in this initiative

15

OVERVIEW OF SELECTION PROCESS

16

IMPLEMENTATION amp EVALUATION STEPS

Spaulding for Children and all of its partners are excited to be part of this critical initiative

We believe that the knowledge gained from the initiative will help child welfare agencies across the nation redefine their systems so that they provide a continuum of services that promote permanency and stability for children in custody and provide stability and support for children and families post-permanency

17

ldquoPost permanency supports are critical to the stability and well-being of adoptive families My husband and I love our adopted child but she came to us having experienced a lot of trauma which will take years and many resources to healrdquo- Jennifer Adoptive Parent

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

The QIC-AG will develop evidence-based models of support and interventions which can be replicated or adapted in other child welfare systems to achieve long-term stable permanency in adoptiveguardianship homes for waiting children as well for the general post-adoptionguardianship population

3

QIC-AG GOAL

Increased post-permanency stability

Improved behavioral health for children

Improved child and family well-being

4

EXPECTED LONG-TERM OUTCOMES

1 To build a body of knowledge of the correct combinations of supports services and interventions that work best to ensure resiliency and stability for youth in a permanent home

2 To support innovative collaborative and effective practices in the development of these supports services and interventions and the strategies for each of the project sites

3 To ensure project sites can assess and match appropriate service interventions and service-delivery mechanisms that effectively match the needs of childrenyouth and their adoptive parentslegal guardians to ensure ongoing stability and enhanced resilience

5

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

4 To assist sites to conduct comprehensive screening and functional assessments of childrenyouth to ensure appropriate service intervention Services will be available accessible culturally responsive and effective to meet behavioralmental health needs

5 To develop in partnership with the 6-8 sites a system of culturally responsive evidence-based services to improve permanency and stability outcomes for childrenyouth in adoptive guardianship homes to meet the target populations needs and extend post-permanency supports services to the general post-adoptionguardianship population in the selected sites

6 To complete an evaluation on each site and produce new evidence-based models of support and intervention that increase resiliency and assure permanency and stability for youth in adoptiveguardianship homes

6

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

Child welfare agencies should provide a continuum of services that increase permanency stabil ity and support beginning when children first enter the child welfare system and continue after adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Pre-Permanency Services and supports that engage prepare and connect families to services prior to finalization of adoptionguardianship These services focus on increasing resil iency and assuring permanency and placement stabil ity They focus on emotional-behavioral health issues and provide caregivers with education that improves their capacity to support stable permanency once adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Post-Adoption or Guardianship Services and supports that increase resil iency placement stabil ity and the capacity of caregivers to meet the needs of children in their care Services are targeted to the transitions and changing developmental and emotional needs associated with this population Recognizing that services targeted at families in crisis may be too late these services target the earliest signs of dif ficulty

7

CONTINUUM OF SERVICES amp SUPPORTS

8

ldquoThe new catch phrase is adoption-competency but what does that really meanI need services that help me understand the impact trauma has on my children and how I can change my parenting paradigm to effectively meet their needs As an adoptive parent it is difficult to meet the childrens complex needs and almost impossible if you donrsquot know what services to look for or who to call for helprdquo

ndash Quote from an adoptive parent

ADOPTION-COMPETENCY

Services need to be provided early Interventions targeting adoptive or guardianship homes nearing disruption and

dissolution are often provided too late

Services should target the earliest sign of difficulty

Preparation should begin prior to finalization and equip families with the capacity to weather unexpected difficulties and seek services and supports

Identify families most at risk Research has shown predictors of post-permanency instability that can be

assessed to determine which families to target for post permanency instability

Regular check-ins can identify families most at risk of instability and in need of services

Services should be evidence-supported Appropriate services should be culturally-responsive models that are tested to

determine their effectiveness and can be replicated with fidelity

Well-conducted RCTs measure important outcomes and distinguish services that produce sizable effects from those that do not

9

THEORY OF CHANGE

Target Group 1 Children awaiting an adoptiveguardianship placement or children that are in an identified adoptiveguardianship home but the placement has not resulted in a finalization for a significant period of time due to the childrenrsquos challenging mental health emotional or behavioral issues

Target Group 2 Children and their adoptiveguardianship families who have already finalized the adoptionguardianship and for whom stabilization may be threatened This target group includes children whom have obtained permanency through private guardianship and domestic private or international adoptions

10

TARGET POPULATIONS TO BE SERVED

11

QIC-AG TEAMING STRUCTURE

12

ADVISORY BOARD

M a r y B i s s e l lC h i l d F o c u s

V e e n o d C h u l a n i M DO r l a n d o H e a l t h

H o p e C o o p e rT r u e N o r t h G r o u p

D r J o s e p h C r u m b l e yT r a i n e r C o n s u l t a n t a n d T h e r a p i s t

A p r i l C u r t i sB e S t r o n g F a m i l i e s

D r A n g e l i q u e D a yW a y n e S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y

K a t h y D e s e r l yC a p a c i t y B u i l d i n g C e n t e r f o r T r i b e s

H e a t h e r F o r b e sB e y o n d C o n s e q u e n c e s I n s t i t u t e

F r a n k G a r r o t tG l a d n e y C e n t e r f o r A d o p t i o n

D e b o r a h G r a yN u r t u r i n g A t t a c h m e n t s

J o h n J o h n s o nT e n n e s s e e D e p a r t m e n t o f C h i l d r e n s S e r v i c e s

R o b e r t J o h n s o nA n n u i t y C o m p a n y

J o e K r o l lN o r t h A m e r i c a n C o u n c i l o n A d o p t a b l e C h i l d r e n

S h a u n L a n eH e p h z i b a h C h i l d r e n s A s s o c i a t i o n

J u d g e C i n d y L e d e r m a nE l e v e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t o f F l o r i d a

D r S h a r o n M c D a n i e lA S e c o n d C h a n c e

H o l l e e M c G i n n i sD o c t o r a l C a n d i d a t e N I M H P r e d o c t o r a l F e l l o w a n d a K o r e a n F o u n d a t i o n F e l l o w a t G e o r g e W a r r e n B r o w n S c h o o l o f S o c i a l W o r k

K a t h l e e n M c N a u g h tA m e r i c a n B a r A s s o c i a t i o n C e n t e r o n C h i l d r e n a n d t h e L a w

D r A v i d a n M i l e v s k yK u t z t o w n U n i v e r s i t y o f P e n n s y l v a n i a

D r P e t e r P e c o r aT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W a s h i n g t o n a n d C a s e y F a m i l y P r o g r a m s

D r B r u c e P e r r yC h i l d T r a u m a A c a d e m y

R u s s e l l P r e t zF o r m e r I n t e r n C o n g r e s s i o n a l C o a l i t i o n o n A d o p t i o n I n s t i t u t e

D r S c o t t R y a nT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s a t A r l i n g t o n

D r G i n a S a m u e l sT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C h i c a g o

K a r y n S c h i m m e l sC a m p t o B e l o n g

M i c h a e l S h a v e rC h i l d r e n s H o m e S o c i e t y o f F l o r i d a

D r K r i s t e n S S l a c kT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W i s c o n s i n - M a d i s o n

P a m W o l fH a r m o n y F a m i l y C e n t e r

Dr Mark F TestaAdvisory Board ChairUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Six to eight sites (state county or tribal child welfare system) will be selected to take part in a national project designed to promote permanency and improve adoption and guardianship preservation and support

Sites will work in partnership with the QIC-AG to implement and evaluate a continuum of services that support the permanence and stability of children in adoptiveguardianship homes

Financial resources intensive technical assistance and support will be available to the sites over a four year period

13

SITE SELECTION

14

SITE SELECTION

Children Bureaursquos Guidelines

Two or three of the sites with greater than 10000 children in substitute care

At least one site with fewer than 5000 children in substitute care

Urban and rural jurisdictions Binding work agreements will govern the relationships

between sites and the QIC-AG and must be executed with state or county public child welfare agencies or tribes

Sites will be selected in late springearly summer 2015

Sites will be identified through intensive assessment and preliminary research conducted by QIC-AG

Preliminary conversations will take place with sites to discuss potential collaboration including detailed discussion of the initiative benefits of being a selected site and site specific programs services and capacity currently in place and in need of development

After the initial assessment sites will be identified to participate in the full assessment process This process will focus on obtaining foundational knowledge of each sitersquos continuum of care and readiness to participate in this initiative

15

OVERVIEW OF SELECTION PROCESS

16

IMPLEMENTATION amp EVALUATION STEPS

Spaulding for Children and all of its partners are excited to be part of this critical initiative

We believe that the knowledge gained from the initiative will help child welfare agencies across the nation redefine their systems so that they provide a continuum of services that promote permanency and stability for children in custody and provide stability and support for children and families post-permanency

17

ldquoPost permanency supports are critical to the stability and well-being of adoptive families My husband and I love our adopted child but she came to us having experienced a lot of trauma which will take years and many resources to healrdquo- Jennifer Adoptive Parent

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

Increased post-permanency stability

Improved behavioral health for children

Improved child and family well-being

4

EXPECTED LONG-TERM OUTCOMES

1 To build a body of knowledge of the correct combinations of supports services and interventions that work best to ensure resiliency and stability for youth in a permanent home

2 To support innovative collaborative and effective practices in the development of these supports services and interventions and the strategies for each of the project sites

3 To ensure project sites can assess and match appropriate service interventions and service-delivery mechanisms that effectively match the needs of childrenyouth and their adoptive parentslegal guardians to ensure ongoing stability and enhanced resilience

5

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

4 To assist sites to conduct comprehensive screening and functional assessments of childrenyouth to ensure appropriate service intervention Services will be available accessible culturally responsive and effective to meet behavioralmental health needs

5 To develop in partnership with the 6-8 sites a system of culturally responsive evidence-based services to improve permanency and stability outcomes for childrenyouth in adoptive guardianship homes to meet the target populations needs and extend post-permanency supports services to the general post-adoptionguardianship population in the selected sites

6 To complete an evaluation on each site and produce new evidence-based models of support and intervention that increase resiliency and assure permanency and stability for youth in adoptiveguardianship homes

6

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

Child welfare agencies should provide a continuum of services that increase permanency stabil ity and support beginning when children first enter the child welfare system and continue after adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Pre-Permanency Services and supports that engage prepare and connect families to services prior to finalization of adoptionguardianship These services focus on increasing resil iency and assuring permanency and placement stabil ity They focus on emotional-behavioral health issues and provide caregivers with education that improves their capacity to support stable permanency once adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Post-Adoption or Guardianship Services and supports that increase resil iency placement stabil ity and the capacity of caregivers to meet the needs of children in their care Services are targeted to the transitions and changing developmental and emotional needs associated with this population Recognizing that services targeted at families in crisis may be too late these services target the earliest signs of dif ficulty

7

CONTINUUM OF SERVICES amp SUPPORTS

8

ldquoThe new catch phrase is adoption-competency but what does that really meanI need services that help me understand the impact trauma has on my children and how I can change my parenting paradigm to effectively meet their needs As an adoptive parent it is difficult to meet the childrens complex needs and almost impossible if you donrsquot know what services to look for or who to call for helprdquo

ndash Quote from an adoptive parent

ADOPTION-COMPETENCY

Services need to be provided early Interventions targeting adoptive or guardianship homes nearing disruption and

dissolution are often provided too late

Services should target the earliest sign of difficulty

Preparation should begin prior to finalization and equip families with the capacity to weather unexpected difficulties and seek services and supports

Identify families most at risk Research has shown predictors of post-permanency instability that can be

assessed to determine which families to target for post permanency instability

Regular check-ins can identify families most at risk of instability and in need of services

Services should be evidence-supported Appropriate services should be culturally-responsive models that are tested to

determine their effectiveness and can be replicated with fidelity

Well-conducted RCTs measure important outcomes and distinguish services that produce sizable effects from those that do not

9

THEORY OF CHANGE

Target Group 1 Children awaiting an adoptiveguardianship placement or children that are in an identified adoptiveguardianship home but the placement has not resulted in a finalization for a significant period of time due to the childrenrsquos challenging mental health emotional or behavioral issues

Target Group 2 Children and their adoptiveguardianship families who have already finalized the adoptionguardianship and for whom stabilization may be threatened This target group includes children whom have obtained permanency through private guardianship and domestic private or international adoptions

10

TARGET POPULATIONS TO BE SERVED

11

QIC-AG TEAMING STRUCTURE

12

ADVISORY BOARD

M a r y B i s s e l lC h i l d F o c u s

V e e n o d C h u l a n i M DO r l a n d o H e a l t h

H o p e C o o p e rT r u e N o r t h G r o u p

D r J o s e p h C r u m b l e yT r a i n e r C o n s u l t a n t a n d T h e r a p i s t

A p r i l C u r t i sB e S t r o n g F a m i l i e s

D r A n g e l i q u e D a yW a y n e S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y

K a t h y D e s e r l yC a p a c i t y B u i l d i n g C e n t e r f o r T r i b e s

H e a t h e r F o r b e sB e y o n d C o n s e q u e n c e s I n s t i t u t e

F r a n k G a r r o t tG l a d n e y C e n t e r f o r A d o p t i o n

D e b o r a h G r a yN u r t u r i n g A t t a c h m e n t s

J o h n J o h n s o nT e n n e s s e e D e p a r t m e n t o f C h i l d r e n s S e r v i c e s

R o b e r t J o h n s o nA n n u i t y C o m p a n y

J o e K r o l lN o r t h A m e r i c a n C o u n c i l o n A d o p t a b l e C h i l d r e n

S h a u n L a n eH e p h z i b a h C h i l d r e n s A s s o c i a t i o n

J u d g e C i n d y L e d e r m a nE l e v e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t o f F l o r i d a

D r S h a r o n M c D a n i e lA S e c o n d C h a n c e

H o l l e e M c G i n n i sD o c t o r a l C a n d i d a t e N I M H P r e d o c t o r a l F e l l o w a n d a K o r e a n F o u n d a t i o n F e l l o w a t G e o r g e W a r r e n B r o w n S c h o o l o f S o c i a l W o r k

K a t h l e e n M c N a u g h tA m e r i c a n B a r A s s o c i a t i o n C e n t e r o n C h i l d r e n a n d t h e L a w

D r A v i d a n M i l e v s k yK u t z t o w n U n i v e r s i t y o f P e n n s y l v a n i a

D r P e t e r P e c o r aT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W a s h i n g t o n a n d C a s e y F a m i l y P r o g r a m s

D r B r u c e P e r r yC h i l d T r a u m a A c a d e m y

R u s s e l l P r e t zF o r m e r I n t e r n C o n g r e s s i o n a l C o a l i t i o n o n A d o p t i o n I n s t i t u t e

D r S c o t t R y a nT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s a t A r l i n g t o n

D r G i n a S a m u e l sT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C h i c a g o

K a r y n S c h i m m e l sC a m p t o B e l o n g

M i c h a e l S h a v e rC h i l d r e n s H o m e S o c i e t y o f F l o r i d a

D r K r i s t e n S S l a c kT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W i s c o n s i n - M a d i s o n

P a m W o l fH a r m o n y F a m i l y C e n t e r

Dr Mark F TestaAdvisory Board ChairUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Six to eight sites (state county or tribal child welfare system) will be selected to take part in a national project designed to promote permanency and improve adoption and guardianship preservation and support

Sites will work in partnership with the QIC-AG to implement and evaluate a continuum of services that support the permanence and stability of children in adoptiveguardianship homes

Financial resources intensive technical assistance and support will be available to the sites over a four year period

13

SITE SELECTION

14

SITE SELECTION

Children Bureaursquos Guidelines

Two or three of the sites with greater than 10000 children in substitute care

At least one site with fewer than 5000 children in substitute care

Urban and rural jurisdictions Binding work agreements will govern the relationships

between sites and the QIC-AG and must be executed with state or county public child welfare agencies or tribes

Sites will be selected in late springearly summer 2015

Sites will be identified through intensive assessment and preliminary research conducted by QIC-AG

Preliminary conversations will take place with sites to discuss potential collaboration including detailed discussion of the initiative benefits of being a selected site and site specific programs services and capacity currently in place and in need of development

After the initial assessment sites will be identified to participate in the full assessment process This process will focus on obtaining foundational knowledge of each sitersquos continuum of care and readiness to participate in this initiative

15

OVERVIEW OF SELECTION PROCESS

16

IMPLEMENTATION amp EVALUATION STEPS

Spaulding for Children and all of its partners are excited to be part of this critical initiative

We believe that the knowledge gained from the initiative will help child welfare agencies across the nation redefine their systems so that they provide a continuum of services that promote permanency and stability for children in custody and provide stability and support for children and families post-permanency

17

ldquoPost permanency supports are critical to the stability and well-being of adoptive families My husband and I love our adopted child but she came to us having experienced a lot of trauma which will take years and many resources to healrdquo- Jennifer Adoptive Parent

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

1 To build a body of knowledge of the correct combinations of supports services and interventions that work best to ensure resiliency and stability for youth in a permanent home

2 To support innovative collaborative and effective practices in the development of these supports services and interventions and the strategies for each of the project sites

3 To ensure project sites can assess and match appropriate service interventions and service-delivery mechanisms that effectively match the needs of childrenyouth and their adoptive parentslegal guardians to ensure ongoing stability and enhanced resilience

5

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

4 To assist sites to conduct comprehensive screening and functional assessments of childrenyouth to ensure appropriate service intervention Services will be available accessible culturally responsive and effective to meet behavioralmental health needs

5 To develop in partnership with the 6-8 sites a system of culturally responsive evidence-based services to improve permanency and stability outcomes for childrenyouth in adoptive guardianship homes to meet the target populations needs and extend post-permanency supports services to the general post-adoptionguardianship population in the selected sites

6 To complete an evaluation on each site and produce new evidence-based models of support and intervention that increase resiliency and assure permanency and stability for youth in adoptiveguardianship homes

6

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

Child welfare agencies should provide a continuum of services that increase permanency stabil ity and support beginning when children first enter the child welfare system and continue after adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Pre-Permanency Services and supports that engage prepare and connect families to services prior to finalization of adoptionguardianship These services focus on increasing resil iency and assuring permanency and placement stabil ity They focus on emotional-behavioral health issues and provide caregivers with education that improves their capacity to support stable permanency once adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Post-Adoption or Guardianship Services and supports that increase resil iency placement stabil ity and the capacity of caregivers to meet the needs of children in their care Services are targeted to the transitions and changing developmental and emotional needs associated with this population Recognizing that services targeted at families in crisis may be too late these services target the earliest signs of dif ficulty

7

CONTINUUM OF SERVICES amp SUPPORTS

8

ldquoThe new catch phrase is adoption-competency but what does that really meanI need services that help me understand the impact trauma has on my children and how I can change my parenting paradigm to effectively meet their needs As an adoptive parent it is difficult to meet the childrens complex needs and almost impossible if you donrsquot know what services to look for or who to call for helprdquo

ndash Quote from an adoptive parent

ADOPTION-COMPETENCY

Services need to be provided early Interventions targeting adoptive or guardianship homes nearing disruption and

dissolution are often provided too late

Services should target the earliest sign of difficulty

Preparation should begin prior to finalization and equip families with the capacity to weather unexpected difficulties and seek services and supports

Identify families most at risk Research has shown predictors of post-permanency instability that can be

assessed to determine which families to target for post permanency instability

Regular check-ins can identify families most at risk of instability and in need of services

Services should be evidence-supported Appropriate services should be culturally-responsive models that are tested to

determine their effectiveness and can be replicated with fidelity

Well-conducted RCTs measure important outcomes and distinguish services that produce sizable effects from those that do not

9

THEORY OF CHANGE

Target Group 1 Children awaiting an adoptiveguardianship placement or children that are in an identified adoptiveguardianship home but the placement has not resulted in a finalization for a significant period of time due to the childrenrsquos challenging mental health emotional or behavioral issues

Target Group 2 Children and their adoptiveguardianship families who have already finalized the adoptionguardianship and for whom stabilization may be threatened This target group includes children whom have obtained permanency through private guardianship and domestic private or international adoptions

10

TARGET POPULATIONS TO BE SERVED

11

QIC-AG TEAMING STRUCTURE

12

ADVISORY BOARD

M a r y B i s s e l lC h i l d F o c u s

V e e n o d C h u l a n i M DO r l a n d o H e a l t h

H o p e C o o p e rT r u e N o r t h G r o u p

D r J o s e p h C r u m b l e yT r a i n e r C o n s u l t a n t a n d T h e r a p i s t

A p r i l C u r t i sB e S t r o n g F a m i l i e s

D r A n g e l i q u e D a yW a y n e S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y

K a t h y D e s e r l yC a p a c i t y B u i l d i n g C e n t e r f o r T r i b e s

H e a t h e r F o r b e sB e y o n d C o n s e q u e n c e s I n s t i t u t e

F r a n k G a r r o t tG l a d n e y C e n t e r f o r A d o p t i o n

D e b o r a h G r a yN u r t u r i n g A t t a c h m e n t s

J o h n J o h n s o nT e n n e s s e e D e p a r t m e n t o f C h i l d r e n s S e r v i c e s

R o b e r t J o h n s o nA n n u i t y C o m p a n y

J o e K r o l lN o r t h A m e r i c a n C o u n c i l o n A d o p t a b l e C h i l d r e n

S h a u n L a n eH e p h z i b a h C h i l d r e n s A s s o c i a t i o n

J u d g e C i n d y L e d e r m a nE l e v e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t o f F l o r i d a

D r S h a r o n M c D a n i e lA S e c o n d C h a n c e

H o l l e e M c G i n n i sD o c t o r a l C a n d i d a t e N I M H P r e d o c t o r a l F e l l o w a n d a K o r e a n F o u n d a t i o n F e l l o w a t G e o r g e W a r r e n B r o w n S c h o o l o f S o c i a l W o r k

K a t h l e e n M c N a u g h tA m e r i c a n B a r A s s o c i a t i o n C e n t e r o n C h i l d r e n a n d t h e L a w

D r A v i d a n M i l e v s k yK u t z t o w n U n i v e r s i t y o f P e n n s y l v a n i a

D r P e t e r P e c o r aT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W a s h i n g t o n a n d C a s e y F a m i l y P r o g r a m s

D r B r u c e P e r r yC h i l d T r a u m a A c a d e m y

R u s s e l l P r e t zF o r m e r I n t e r n C o n g r e s s i o n a l C o a l i t i o n o n A d o p t i o n I n s t i t u t e

D r S c o t t R y a nT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s a t A r l i n g t o n

D r G i n a S a m u e l sT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C h i c a g o

K a r y n S c h i m m e l sC a m p t o B e l o n g

M i c h a e l S h a v e rC h i l d r e n s H o m e S o c i e t y o f F l o r i d a

D r K r i s t e n S S l a c kT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W i s c o n s i n - M a d i s o n

P a m W o l fH a r m o n y F a m i l y C e n t e r

Dr Mark F TestaAdvisory Board ChairUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Six to eight sites (state county or tribal child welfare system) will be selected to take part in a national project designed to promote permanency and improve adoption and guardianship preservation and support

Sites will work in partnership with the QIC-AG to implement and evaluate a continuum of services that support the permanence and stability of children in adoptiveguardianship homes

Financial resources intensive technical assistance and support will be available to the sites over a four year period

13

SITE SELECTION

14

SITE SELECTION

Children Bureaursquos Guidelines

Two or three of the sites with greater than 10000 children in substitute care

At least one site with fewer than 5000 children in substitute care

Urban and rural jurisdictions Binding work agreements will govern the relationships

between sites and the QIC-AG and must be executed with state or county public child welfare agencies or tribes

Sites will be selected in late springearly summer 2015

Sites will be identified through intensive assessment and preliminary research conducted by QIC-AG

Preliminary conversations will take place with sites to discuss potential collaboration including detailed discussion of the initiative benefits of being a selected site and site specific programs services and capacity currently in place and in need of development

After the initial assessment sites will be identified to participate in the full assessment process This process will focus on obtaining foundational knowledge of each sitersquos continuum of care and readiness to participate in this initiative

15

OVERVIEW OF SELECTION PROCESS

16

IMPLEMENTATION amp EVALUATION STEPS

Spaulding for Children and all of its partners are excited to be part of this critical initiative

We believe that the knowledge gained from the initiative will help child welfare agencies across the nation redefine their systems so that they provide a continuum of services that promote permanency and stability for children in custody and provide stability and support for children and families post-permanency

17

ldquoPost permanency supports are critical to the stability and well-being of adoptive families My husband and I love our adopted child but she came to us having experienced a lot of trauma which will take years and many resources to healrdquo- Jennifer Adoptive Parent

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

4 To assist sites to conduct comprehensive screening and functional assessments of childrenyouth to ensure appropriate service intervention Services will be available accessible culturally responsive and effective to meet behavioralmental health needs

5 To develop in partnership with the 6-8 sites a system of culturally responsive evidence-based services to improve permanency and stability outcomes for childrenyouth in adoptive guardianship homes to meet the target populations needs and extend post-permanency supports services to the general post-adoptionguardianship population in the selected sites

6 To complete an evaluation on each site and produce new evidence-based models of support and intervention that increase resiliency and assure permanency and stability for youth in adoptiveguardianship homes

6

QIC-AG OBJECTIVES

Child welfare agencies should provide a continuum of services that increase permanency stabil ity and support beginning when children first enter the child welfare system and continue after adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Pre-Permanency Services and supports that engage prepare and connect families to services prior to finalization of adoptionguardianship These services focus on increasing resil iency and assuring permanency and placement stabil ity They focus on emotional-behavioral health issues and provide caregivers with education that improves their capacity to support stable permanency once adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Post-Adoption or Guardianship Services and supports that increase resil iency placement stabil ity and the capacity of caregivers to meet the needs of children in their care Services are targeted to the transitions and changing developmental and emotional needs associated with this population Recognizing that services targeted at families in crisis may be too late these services target the earliest signs of dif ficulty

7

CONTINUUM OF SERVICES amp SUPPORTS

8

ldquoThe new catch phrase is adoption-competency but what does that really meanI need services that help me understand the impact trauma has on my children and how I can change my parenting paradigm to effectively meet their needs As an adoptive parent it is difficult to meet the childrens complex needs and almost impossible if you donrsquot know what services to look for or who to call for helprdquo

ndash Quote from an adoptive parent

ADOPTION-COMPETENCY

Services need to be provided early Interventions targeting adoptive or guardianship homes nearing disruption and

dissolution are often provided too late

Services should target the earliest sign of difficulty

Preparation should begin prior to finalization and equip families with the capacity to weather unexpected difficulties and seek services and supports

Identify families most at risk Research has shown predictors of post-permanency instability that can be

assessed to determine which families to target for post permanency instability

Regular check-ins can identify families most at risk of instability and in need of services

Services should be evidence-supported Appropriate services should be culturally-responsive models that are tested to

determine their effectiveness and can be replicated with fidelity

Well-conducted RCTs measure important outcomes and distinguish services that produce sizable effects from those that do not

9

THEORY OF CHANGE

Target Group 1 Children awaiting an adoptiveguardianship placement or children that are in an identified adoptiveguardianship home but the placement has not resulted in a finalization for a significant period of time due to the childrenrsquos challenging mental health emotional or behavioral issues

Target Group 2 Children and their adoptiveguardianship families who have already finalized the adoptionguardianship and for whom stabilization may be threatened This target group includes children whom have obtained permanency through private guardianship and domestic private or international adoptions

10

TARGET POPULATIONS TO BE SERVED

11

QIC-AG TEAMING STRUCTURE

12

ADVISORY BOARD

M a r y B i s s e l lC h i l d F o c u s

V e e n o d C h u l a n i M DO r l a n d o H e a l t h

H o p e C o o p e rT r u e N o r t h G r o u p

D r J o s e p h C r u m b l e yT r a i n e r C o n s u l t a n t a n d T h e r a p i s t

A p r i l C u r t i sB e S t r o n g F a m i l i e s

D r A n g e l i q u e D a yW a y n e S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y

K a t h y D e s e r l yC a p a c i t y B u i l d i n g C e n t e r f o r T r i b e s

H e a t h e r F o r b e sB e y o n d C o n s e q u e n c e s I n s t i t u t e

F r a n k G a r r o t tG l a d n e y C e n t e r f o r A d o p t i o n

D e b o r a h G r a yN u r t u r i n g A t t a c h m e n t s

J o h n J o h n s o nT e n n e s s e e D e p a r t m e n t o f C h i l d r e n s S e r v i c e s

R o b e r t J o h n s o nA n n u i t y C o m p a n y

J o e K r o l lN o r t h A m e r i c a n C o u n c i l o n A d o p t a b l e C h i l d r e n

S h a u n L a n eH e p h z i b a h C h i l d r e n s A s s o c i a t i o n

J u d g e C i n d y L e d e r m a nE l e v e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t o f F l o r i d a

D r S h a r o n M c D a n i e lA S e c o n d C h a n c e

H o l l e e M c G i n n i sD o c t o r a l C a n d i d a t e N I M H P r e d o c t o r a l F e l l o w a n d a K o r e a n F o u n d a t i o n F e l l o w a t G e o r g e W a r r e n B r o w n S c h o o l o f S o c i a l W o r k

K a t h l e e n M c N a u g h tA m e r i c a n B a r A s s o c i a t i o n C e n t e r o n C h i l d r e n a n d t h e L a w

D r A v i d a n M i l e v s k yK u t z t o w n U n i v e r s i t y o f P e n n s y l v a n i a

D r P e t e r P e c o r aT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W a s h i n g t o n a n d C a s e y F a m i l y P r o g r a m s

D r B r u c e P e r r yC h i l d T r a u m a A c a d e m y

R u s s e l l P r e t zF o r m e r I n t e r n C o n g r e s s i o n a l C o a l i t i o n o n A d o p t i o n I n s t i t u t e

D r S c o t t R y a nT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s a t A r l i n g t o n

D r G i n a S a m u e l sT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C h i c a g o

K a r y n S c h i m m e l sC a m p t o B e l o n g

M i c h a e l S h a v e rC h i l d r e n s H o m e S o c i e t y o f F l o r i d a

D r K r i s t e n S S l a c kT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W i s c o n s i n - M a d i s o n

P a m W o l fH a r m o n y F a m i l y C e n t e r

Dr Mark F TestaAdvisory Board ChairUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Six to eight sites (state county or tribal child welfare system) will be selected to take part in a national project designed to promote permanency and improve adoption and guardianship preservation and support

Sites will work in partnership with the QIC-AG to implement and evaluate a continuum of services that support the permanence and stability of children in adoptiveguardianship homes

Financial resources intensive technical assistance and support will be available to the sites over a four year period

13

SITE SELECTION

14

SITE SELECTION

Children Bureaursquos Guidelines

Two or three of the sites with greater than 10000 children in substitute care

At least one site with fewer than 5000 children in substitute care

Urban and rural jurisdictions Binding work agreements will govern the relationships

between sites and the QIC-AG and must be executed with state or county public child welfare agencies or tribes

Sites will be selected in late springearly summer 2015

Sites will be identified through intensive assessment and preliminary research conducted by QIC-AG

Preliminary conversations will take place with sites to discuss potential collaboration including detailed discussion of the initiative benefits of being a selected site and site specific programs services and capacity currently in place and in need of development

After the initial assessment sites will be identified to participate in the full assessment process This process will focus on obtaining foundational knowledge of each sitersquos continuum of care and readiness to participate in this initiative

15

OVERVIEW OF SELECTION PROCESS

16

IMPLEMENTATION amp EVALUATION STEPS

Spaulding for Children and all of its partners are excited to be part of this critical initiative

We believe that the knowledge gained from the initiative will help child welfare agencies across the nation redefine their systems so that they provide a continuum of services that promote permanency and stability for children in custody and provide stability and support for children and families post-permanency

17

ldquoPost permanency supports are critical to the stability and well-being of adoptive families My husband and I love our adopted child but she came to us having experienced a lot of trauma which will take years and many resources to healrdquo- Jennifer Adoptive Parent

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

Child welfare agencies should provide a continuum of services that increase permanency stabil ity and support beginning when children first enter the child welfare system and continue after adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Pre-Permanency Services and supports that engage prepare and connect families to services prior to finalization of adoptionguardianship These services focus on increasing resil iency and assuring permanency and placement stabil ity They focus on emotional-behavioral health issues and provide caregivers with education that improves their capacity to support stable permanency once adoptionguardianship has been finalized

Post-Adoption or Guardianship Services and supports that increase resil iency placement stabil ity and the capacity of caregivers to meet the needs of children in their care Services are targeted to the transitions and changing developmental and emotional needs associated with this population Recognizing that services targeted at families in crisis may be too late these services target the earliest signs of dif ficulty

7

CONTINUUM OF SERVICES amp SUPPORTS

8

ldquoThe new catch phrase is adoption-competency but what does that really meanI need services that help me understand the impact trauma has on my children and how I can change my parenting paradigm to effectively meet their needs As an adoptive parent it is difficult to meet the childrens complex needs and almost impossible if you donrsquot know what services to look for or who to call for helprdquo

ndash Quote from an adoptive parent

ADOPTION-COMPETENCY

Services need to be provided early Interventions targeting adoptive or guardianship homes nearing disruption and

dissolution are often provided too late

Services should target the earliest sign of difficulty

Preparation should begin prior to finalization and equip families with the capacity to weather unexpected difficulties and seek services and supports

Identify families most at risk Research has shown predictors of post-permanency instability that can be

assessed to determine which families to target for post permanency instability

Regular check-ins can identify families most at risk of instability and in need of services

Services should be evidence-supported Appropriate services should be culturally-responsive models that are tested to

determine their effectiveness and can be replicated with fidelity

Well-conducted RCTs measure important outcomes and distinguish services that produce sizable effects from those that do not

9

THEORY OF CHANGE

Target Group 1 Children awaiting an adoptiveguardianship placement or children that are in an identified adoptiveguardianship home but the placement has not resulted in a finalization for a significant period of time due to the childrenrsquos challenging mental health emotional or behavioral issues

Target Group 2 Children and their adoptiveguardianship families who have already finalized the adoptionguardianship and for whom stabilization may be threatened This target group includes children whom have obtained permanency through private guardianship and domestic private or international adoptions

10

TARGET POPULATIONS TO BE SERVED

11

QIC-AG TEAMING STRUCTURE

12

ADVISORY BOARD

M a r y B i s s e l lC h i l d F o c u s

V e e n o d C h u l a n i M DO r l a n d o H e a l t h

H o p e C o o p e rT r u e N o r t h G r o u p

D r J o s e p h C r u m b l e yT r a i n e r C o n s u l t a n t a n d T h e r a p i s t

A p r i l C u r t i sB e S t r o n g F a m i l i e s

D r A n g e l i q u e D a yW a y n e S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y

K a t h y D e s e r l yC a p a c i t y B u i l d i n g C e n t e r f o r T r i b e s

H e a t h e r F o r b e sB e y o n d C o n s e q u e n c e s I n s t i t u t e

F r a n k G a r r o t tG l a d n e y C e n t e r f o r A d o p t i o n

D e b o r a h G r a yN u r t u r i n g A t t a c h m e n t s

J o h n J o h n s o nT e n n e s s e e D e p a r t m e n t o f C h i l d r e n s S e r v i c e s

R o b e r t J o h n s o nA n n u i t y C o m p a n y

J o e K r o l lN o r t h A m e r i c a n C o u n c i l o n A d o p t a b l e C h i l d r e n

S h a u n L a n eH e p h z i b a h C h i l d r e n s A s s o c i a t i o n

J u d g e C i n d y L e d e r m a nE l e v e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t o f F l o r i d a

D r S h a r o n M c D a n i e lA S e c o n d C h a n c e

H o l l e e M c G i n n i sD o c t o r a l C a n d i d a t e N I M H P r e d o c t o r a l F e l l o w a n d a K o r e a n F o u n d a t i o n F e l l o w a t G e o r g e W a r r e n B r o w n S c h o o l o f S o c i a l W o r k

K a t h l e e n M c N a u g h tA m e r i c a n B a r A s s o c i a t i o n C e n t e r o n C h i l d r e n a n d t h e L a w

D r A v i d a n M i l e v s k yK u t z t o w n U n i v e r s i t y o f P e n n s y l v a n i a

D r P e t e r P e c o r aT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W a s h i n g t o n a n d C a s e y F a m i l y P r o g r a m s

D r B r u c e P e r r yC h i l d T r a u m a A c a d e m y

R u s s e l l P r e t zF o r m e r I n t e r n C o n g r e s s i o n a l C o a l i t i o n o n A d o p t i o n I n s t i t u t e

D r S c o t t R y a nT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s a t A r l i n g t o n

D r G i n a S a m u e l sT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C h i c a g o

K a r y n S c h i m m e l sC a m p t o B e l o n g

M i c h a e l S h a v e rC h i l d r e n s H o m e S o c i e t y o f F l o r i d a

D r K r i s t e n S S l a c kT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W i s c o n s i n - M a d i s o n

P a m W o l fH a r m o n y F a m i l y C e n t e r

Dr Mark F TestaAdvisory Board ChairUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Six to eight sites (state county or tribal child welfare system) will be selected to take part in a national project designed to promote permanency and improve adoption and guardianship preservation and support

Sites will work in partnership with the QIC-AG to implement and evaluate a continuum of services that support the permanence and stability of children in adoptiveguardianship homes

Financial resources intensive technical assistance and support will be available to the sites over a four year period

13

SITE SELECTION

14

SITE SELECTION

Children Bureaursquos Guidelines

Two or three of the sites with greater than 10000 children in substitute care

At least one site with fewer than 5000 children in substitute care

Urban and rural jurisdictions Binding work agreements will govern the relationships

between sites and the QIC-AG and must be executed with state or county public child welfare agencies or tribes

Sites will be selected in late springearly summer 2015

Sites will be identified through intensive assessment and preliminary research conducted by QIC-AG

Preliminary conversations will take place with sites to discuss potential collaboration including detailed discussion of the initiative benefits of being a selected site and site specific programs services and capacity currently in place and in need of development

After the initial assessment sites will be identified to participate in the full assessment process This process will focus on obtaining foundational knowledge of each sitersquos continuum of care and readiness to participate in this initiative

15

OVERVIEW OF SELECTION PROCESS

16

IMPLEMENTATION amp EVALUATION STEPS

Spaulding for Children and all of its partners are excited to be part of this critical initiative

We believe that the knowledge gained from the initiative will help child welfare agencies across the nation redefine their systems so that they provide a continuum of services that promote permanency and stability for children in custody and provide stability and support for children and families post-permanency

17

ldquoPost permanency supports are critical to the stability and well-being of adoptive families My husband and I love our adopted child but she came to us having experienced a lot of trauma which will take years and many resources to healrdquo- Jennifer Adoptive Parent

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

8

ldquoThe new catch phrase is adoption-competency but what does that really meanI need services that help me understand the impact trauma has on my children and how I can change my parenting paradigm to effectively meet their needs As an adoptive parent it is difficult to meet the childrens complex needs and almost impossible if you donrsquot know what services to look for or who to call for helprdquo

ndash Quote from an adoptive parent

ADOPTION-COMPETENCY

Services need to be provided early Interventions targeting adoptive or guardianship homes nearing disruption and

dissolution are often provided too late

Services should target the earliest sign of difficulty

Preparation should begin prior to finalization and equip families with the capacity to weather unexpected difficulties and seek services and supports

Identify families most at risk Research has shown predictors of post-permanency instability that can be

assessed to determine which families to target for post permanency instability

Regular check-ins can identify families most at risk of instability and in need of services

Services should be evidence-supported Appropriate services should be culturally-responsive models that are tested to

determine their effectiveness and can be replicated with fidelity

Well-conducted RCTs measure important outcomes and distinguish services that produce sizable effects from those that do not

9

THEORY OF CHANGE

Target Group 1 Children awaiting an adoptiveguardianship placement or children that are in an identified adoptiveguardianship home but the placement has not resulted in a finalization for a significant period of time due to the childrenrsquos challenging mental health emotional or behavioral issues

Target Group 2 Children and their adoptiveguardianship families who have already finalized the adoptionguardianship and for whom stabilization may be threatened This target group includes children whom have obtained permanency through private guardianship and domestic private or international adoptions

10

TARGET POPULATIONS TO BE SERVED

11

QIC-AG TEAMING STRUCTURE

12

ADVISORY BOARD

M a r y B i s s e l lC h i l d F o c u s

V e e n o d C h u l a n i M DO r l a n d o H e a l t h

H o p e C o o p e rT r u e N o r t h G r o u p

D r J o s e p h C r u m b l e yT r a i n e r C o n s u l t a n t a n d T h e r a p i s t

A p r i l C u r t i sB e S t r o n g F a m i l i e s

D r A n g e l i q u e D a yW a y n e S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y

K a t h y D e s e r l yC a p a c i t y B u i l d i n g C e n t e r f o r T r i b e s

H e a t h e r F o r b e sB e y o n d C o n s e q u e n c e s I n s t i t u t e

F r a n k G a r r o t tG l a d n e y C e n t e r f o r A d o p t i o n

D e b o r a h G r a yN u r t u r i n g A t t a c h m e n t s

J o h n J o h n s o nT e n n e s s e e D e p a r t m e n t o f C h i l d r e n s S e r v i c e s

R o b e r t J o h n s o nA n n u i t y C o m p a n y

J o e K r o l lN o r t h A m e r i c a n C o u n c i l o n A d o p t a b l e C h i l d r e n

S h a u n L a n eH e p h z i b a h C h i l d r e n s A s s o c i a t i o n

J u d g e C i n d y L e d e r m a nE l e v e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t o f F l o r i d a

D r S h a r o n M c D a n i e lA S e c o n d C h a n c e

H o l l e e M c G i n n i sD o c t o r a l C a n d i d a t e N I M H P r e d o c t o r a l F e l l o w a n d a K o r e a n F o u n d a t i o n F e l l o w a t G e o r g e W a r r e n B r o w n S c h o o l o f S o c i a l W o r k

K a t h l e e n M c N a u g h tA m e r i c a n B a r A s s o c i a t i o n C e n t e r o n C h i l d r e n a n d t h e L a w

D r A v i d a n M i l e v s k yK u t z t o w n U n i v e r s i t y o f P e n n s y l v a n i a

D r P e t e r P e c o r aT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W a s h i n g t o n a n d C a s e y F a m i l y P r o g r a m s

D r B r u c e P e r r yC h i l d T r a u m a A c a d e m y

R u s s e l l P r e t zF o r m e r I n t e r n C o n g r e s s i o n a l C o a l i t i o n o n A d o p t i o n I n s t i t u t e

D r S c o t t R y a nT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s a t A r l i n g t o n

D r G i n a S a m u e l sT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C h i c a g o

K a r y n S c h i m m e l sC a m p t o B e l o n g

M i c h a e l S h a v e rC h i l d r e n s H o m e S o c i e t y o f F l o r i d a

D r K r i s t e n S S l a c kT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W i s c o n s i n - M a d i s o n

P a m W o l fH a r m o n y F a m i l y C e n t e r

Dr Mark F TestaAdvisory Board ChairUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Six to eight sites (state county or tribal child welfare system) will be selected to take part in a national project designed to promote permanency and improve adoption and guardianship preservation and support

Sites will work in partnership with the QIC-AG to implement and evaluate a continuum of services that support the permanence and stability of children in adoptiveguardianship homes

Financial resources intensive technical assistance and support will be available to the sites over a four year period

13

SITE SELECTION

14

SITE SELECTION

Children Bureaursquos Guidelines

Two or three of the sites with greater than 10000 children in substitute care

At least one site with fewer than 5000 children in substitute care

Urban and rural jurisdictions Binding work agreements will govern the relationships

between sites and the QIC-AG and must be executed with state or county public child welfare agencies or tribes

Sites will be selected in late springearly summer 2015

Sites will be identified through intensive assessment and preliminary research conducted by QIC-AG

Preliminary conversations will take place with sites to discuss potential collaboration including detailed discussion of the initiative benefits of being a selected site and site specific programs services and capacity currently in place and in need of development

After the initial assessment sites will be identified to participate in the full assessment process This process will focus on obtaining foundational knowledge of each sitersquos continuum of care and readiness to participate in this initiative

15

OVERVIEW OF SELECTION PROCESS

16

IMPLEMENTATION amp EVALUATION STEPS

Spaulding for Children and all of its partners are excited to be part of this critical initiative

We believe that the knowledge gained from the initiative will help child welfare agencies across the nation redefine their systems so that they provide a continuum of services that promote permanency and stability for children in custody and provide stability and support for children and families post-permanency

17

ldquoPost permanency supports are critical to the stability and well-being of adoptive families My husband and I love our adopted child but she came to us having experienced a lot of trauma which will take years and many resources to healrdquo- Jennifer Adoptive Parent

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

Services need to be provided early Interventions targeting adoptive or guardianship homes nearing disruption and

dissolution are often provided too late

Services should target the earliest sign of difficulty

Preparation should begin prior to finalization and equip families with the capacity to weather unexpected difficulties and seek services and supports

Identify families most at risk Research has shown predictors of post-permanency instability that can be

assessed to determine which families to target for post permanency instability

Regular check-ins can identify families most at risk of instability and in need of services

Services should be evidence-supported Appropriate services should be culturally-responsive models that are tested to

determine their effectiveness and can be replicated with fidelity

Well-conducted RCTs measure important outcomes and distinguish services that produce sizable effects from those that do not

9

THEORY OF CHANGE

Target Group 1 Children awaiting an adoptiveguardianship placement or children that are in an identified adoptiveguardianship home but the placement has not resulted in a finalization for a significant period of time due to the childrenrsquos challenging mental health emotional or behavioral issues

Target Group 2 Children and their adoptiveguardianship families who have already finalized the adoptionguardianship and for whom stabilization may be threatened This target group includes children whom have obtained permanency through private guardianship and domestic private or international adoptions

10

TARGET POPULATIONS TO BE SERVED

11

QIC-AG TEAMING STRUCTURE

12

ADVISORY BOARD

M a r y B i s s e l lC h i l d F o c u s

V e e n o d C h u l a n i M DO r l a n d o H e a l t h

H o p e C o o p e rT r u e N o r t h G r o u p

D r J o s e p h C r u m b l e yT r a i n e r C o n s u l t a n t a n d T h e r a p i s t

A p r i l C u r t i sB e S t r o n g F a m i l i e s

D r A n g e l i q u e D a yW a y n e S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y

K a t h y D e s e r l yC a p a c i t y B u i l d i n g C e n t e r f o r T r i b e s

H e a t h e r F o r b e sB e y o n d C o n s e q u e n c e s I n s t i t u t e

F r a n k G a r r o t tG l a d n e y C e n t e r f o r A d o p t i o n

D e b o r a h G r a yN u r t u r i n g A t t a c h m e n t s

J o h n J o h n s o nT e n n e s s e e D e p a r t m e n t o f C h i l d r e n s S e r v i c e s

R o b e r t J o h n s o nA n n u i t y C o m p a n y

J o e K r o l lN o r t h A m e r i c a n C o u n c i l o n A d o p t a b l e C h i l d r e n

S h a u n L a n eH e p h z i b a h C h i l d r e n s A s s o c i a t i o n

J u d g e C i n d y L e d e r m a nE l e v e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t o f F l o r i d a

D r S h a r o n M c D a n i e lA S e c o n d C h a n c e

H o l l e e M c G i n n i sD o c t o r a l C a n d i d a t e N I M H P r e d o c t o r a l F e l l o w a n d a K o r e a n F o u n d a t i o n F e l l o w a t G e o r g e W a r r e n B r o w n S c h o o l o f S o c i a l W o r k

K a t h l e e n M c N a u g h tA m e r i c a n B a r A s s o c i a t i o n C e n t e r o n C h i l d r e n a n d t h e L a w

D r A v i d a n M i l e v s k yK u t z t o w n U n i v e r s i t y o f P e n n s y l v a n i a

D r P e t e r P e c o r aT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W a s h i n g t o n a n d C a s e y F a m i l y P r o g r a m s

D r B r u c e P e r r yC h i l d T r a u m a A c a d e m y

R u s s e l l P r e t zF o r m e r I n t e r n C o n g r e s s i o n a l C o a l i t i o n o n A d o p t i o n I n s t i t u t e

D r S c o t t R y a nT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s a t A r l i n g t o n

D r G i n a S a m u e l sT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C h i c a g o

K a r y n S c h i m m e l sC a m p t o B e l o n g

M i c h a e l S h a v e rC h i l d r e n s H o m e S o c i e t y o f F l o r i d a

D r K r i s t e n S S l a c kT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W i s c o n s i n - M a d i s o n

P a m W o l fH a r m o n y F a m i l y C e n t e r

Dr Mark F TestaAdvisory Board ChairUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Six to eight sites (state county or tribal child welfare system) will be selected to take part in a national project designed to promote permanency and improve adoption and guardianship preservation and support

Sites will work in partnership with the QIC-AG to implement and evaluate a continuum of services that support the permanence and stability of children in adoptiveguardianship homes

Financial resources intensive technical assistance and support will be available to the sites over a four year period

13

SITE SELECTION

14

SITE SELECTION

Children Bureaursquos Guidelines

Two or three of the sites with greater than 10000 children in substitute care

At least one site with fewer than 5000 children in substitute care

Urban and rural jurisdictions Binding work agreements will govern the relationships

between sites and the QIC-AG and must be executed with state or county public child welfare agencies or tribes

Sites will be selected in late springearly summer 2015

Sites will be identified through intensive assessment and preliminary research conducted by QIC-AG

Preliminary conversations will take place with sites to discuss potential collaboration including detailed discussion of the initiative benefits of being a selected site and site specific programs services and capacity currently in place and in need of development

After the initial assessment sites will be identified to participate in the full assessment process This process will focus on obtaining foundational knowledge of each sitersquos continuum of care and readiness to participate in this initiative

15

OVERVIEW OF SELECTION PROCESS

16

IMPLEMENTATION amp EVALUATION STEPS

Spaulding for Children and all of its partners are excited to be part of this critical initiative

We believe that the knowledge gained from the initiative will help child welfare agencies across the nation redefine their systems so that they provide a continuum of services that promote permanency and stability for children in custody and provide stability and support for children and families post-permanency

17

ldquoPost permanency supports are critical to the stability and well-being of adoptive families My husband and I love our adopted child but she came to us having experienced a lot of trauma which will take years and many resources to healrdquo- Jennifer Adoptive Parent

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

Target Group 1 Children awaiting an adoptiveguardianship placement or children that are in an identified adoptiveguardianship home but the placement has not resulted in a finalization for a significant period of time due to the childrenrsquos challenging mental health emotional or behavioral issues

Target Group 2 Children and their adoptiveguardianship families who have already finalized the adoptionguardianship and for whom stabilization may be threatened This target group includes children whom have obtained permanency through private guardianship and domestic private or international adoptions

10

TARGET POPULATIONS TO BE SERVED

11

QIC-AG TEAMING STRUCTURE

12

ADVISORY BOARD

M a r y B i s s e l lC h i l d F o c u s

V e e n o d C h u l a n i M DO r l a n d o H e a l t h

H o p e C o o p e rT r u e N o r t h G r o u p

D r J o s e p h C r u m b l e yT r a i n e r C o n s u l t a n t a n d T h e r a p i s t

A p r i l C u r t i sB e S t r o n g F a m i l i e s

D r A n g e l i q u e D a yW a y n e S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y

K a t h y D e s e r l yC a p a c i t y B u i l d i n g C e n t e r f o r T r i b e s

H e a t h e r F o r b e sB e y o n d C o n s e q u e n c e s I n s t i t u t e

F r a n k G a r r o t tG l a d n e y C e n t e r f o r A d o p t i o n

D e b o r a h G r a yN u r t u r i n g A t t a c h m e n t s

J o h n J o h n s o nT e n n e s s e e D e p a r t m e n t o f C h i l d r e n s S e r v i c e s

R o b e r t J o h n s o nA n n u i t y C o m p a n y

J o e K r o l lN o r t h A m e r i c a n C o u n c i l o n A d o p t a b l e C h i l d r e n

S h a u n L a n eH e p h z i b a h C h i l d r e n s A s s o c i a t i o n

J u d g e C i n d y L e d e r m a nE l e v e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t o f F l o r i d a

D r S h a r o n M c D a n i e lA S e c o n d C h a n c e

H o l l e e M c G i n n i sD o c t o r a l C a n d i d a t e N I M H P r e d o c t o r a l F e l l o w a n d a K o r e a n F o u n d a t i o n F e l l o w a t G e o r g e W a r r e n B r o w n S c h o o l o f S o c i a l W o r k

K a t h l e e n M c N a u g h tA m e r i c a n B a r A s s o c i a t i o n C e n t e r o n C h i l d r e n a n d t h e L a w

D r A v i d a n M i l e v s k yK u t z t o w n U n i v e r s i t y o f P e n n s y l v a n i a

D r P e t e r P e c o r aT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W a s h i n g t o n a n d C a s e y F a m i l y P r o g r a m s

D r B r u c e P e r r yC h i l d T r a u m a A c a d e m y

R u s s e l l P r e t zF o r m e r I n t e r n C o n g r e s s i o n a l C o a l i t i o n o n A d o p t i o n I n s t i t u t e

D r S c o t t R y a nT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s a t A r l i n g t o n

D r G i n a S a m u e l sT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C h i c a g o

K a r y n S c h i m m e l sC a m p t o B e l o n g

M i c h a e l S h a v e rC h i l d r e n s H o m e S o c i e t y o f F l o r i d a

D r K r i s t e n S S l a c kT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W i s c o n s i n - M a d i s o n

P a m W o l fH a r m o n y F a m i l y C e n t e r

Dr Mark F TestaAdvisory Board ChairUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Six to eight sites (state county or tribal child welfare system) will be selected to take part in a national project designed to promote permanency and improve adoption and guardianship preservation and support

Sites will work in partnership with the QIC-AG to implement and evaluate a continuum of services that support the permanence and stability of children in adoptiveguardianship homes

Financial resources intensive technical assistance and support will be available to the sites over a four year period

13

SITE SELECTION

14

SITE SELECTION

Children Bureaursquos Guidelines

Two or three of the sites with greater than 10000 children in substitute care

At least one site with fewer than 5000 children in substitute care

Urban and rural jurisdictions Binding work agreements will govern the relationships

between sites and the QIC-AG and must be executed with state or county public child welfare agencies or tribes

Sites will be selected in late springearly summer 2015

Sites will be identified through intensive assessment and preliminary research conducted by QIC-AG

Preliminary conversations will take place with sites to discuss potential collaboration including detailed discussion of the initiative benefits of being a selected site and site specific programs services and capacity currently in place and in need of development

After the initial assessment sites will be identified to participate in the full assessment process This process will focus on obtaining foundational knowledge of each sitersquos continuum of care and readiness to participate in this initiative

15

OVERVIEW OF SELECTION PROCESS

16

IMPLEMENTATION amp EVALUATION STEPS

Spaulding for Children and all of its partners are excited to be part of this critical initiative

We believe that the knowledge gained from the initiative will help child welfare agencies across the nation redefine their systems so that they provide a continuum of services that promote permanency and stability for children in custody and provide stability and support for children and families post-permanency

17

ldquoPost permanency supports are critical to the stability and well-being of adoptive families My husband and I love our adopted child but she came to us having experienced a lot of trauma which will take years and many resources to healrdquo- Jennifer Adoptive Parent

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

11

QIC-AG TEAMING STRUCTURE

12

ADVISORY BOARD

M a r y B i s s e l lC h i l d F o c u s

V e e n o d C h u l a n i M DO r l a n d o H e a l t h

H o p e C o o p e rT r u e N o r t h G r o u p

D r J o s e p h C r u m b l e yT r a i n e r C o n s u l t a n t a n d T h e r a p i s t

A p r i l C u r t i sB e S t r o n g F a m i l i e s

D r A n g e l i q u e D a yW a y n e S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y

K a t h y D e s e r l yC a p a c i t y B u i l d i n g C e n t e r f o r T r i b e s

H e a t h e r F o r b e sB e y o n d C o n s e q u e n c e s I n s t i t u t e

F r a n k G a r r o t tG l a d n e y C e n t e r f o r A d o p t i o n

D e b o r a h G r a yN u r t u r i n g A t t a c h m e n t s

J o h n J o h n s o nT e n n e s s e e D e p a r t m e n t o f C h i l d r e n s S e r v i c e s

R o b e r t J o h n s o nA n n u i t y C o m p a n y

J o e K r o l lN o r t h A m e r i c a n C o u n c i l o n A d o p t a b l e C h i l d r e n

S h a u n L a n eH e p h z i b a h C h i l d r e n s A s s o c i a t i o n

J u d g e C i n d y L e d e r m a nE l e v e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t o f F l o r i d a

D r S h a r o n M c D a n i e lA S e c o n d C h a n c e

H o l l e e M c G i n n i sD o c t o r a l C a n d i d a t e N I M H P r e d o c t o r a l F e l l o w a n d a K o r e a n F o u n d a t i o n F e l l o w a t G e o r g e W a r r e n B r o w n S c h o o l o f S o c i a l W o r k

K a t h l e e n M c N a u g h tA m e r i c a n B a r A s s o c i a t i o n C e n t e r o n C h i l d r e n a n d t h e L a w

D r A v i d a n M i l e v s k yK u t z t o w n U n i v e r s i t y o f P e n n s y l v a n i a

D r P e t e r P e c o r aT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W a s h i n g t o n a n d C a s e y F a m i l y P r o g r a m s

D r B r u c e P e r r yC h i l d T r a u m a A c a d e m y

R u s s e l l P r e t zF o r m e r I n t e r n C o n g r e s s i o n a l C o a l i t i o n o n A d o p t i o n I n s t i t u t e

D r S c o t t R y a nT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s a t A r l i n g t o n

D r G i n a S a m u e l sT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C h i c a g o

K a r y n S c h i m m e l sC a m p t o B e l o n g

M i c h a e l S h a v e rC h i l d r e n s H o m e S o c i e t y o f F l o r i d a

D r K r i s t e n S S l a c kT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W i s c o n s i n - M a d i s o n

P a m W o l fH a r m o n y F a m i l y C e n t e r

Dr Mark F TestaAdvisory Board ChairUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Six to eight sites (state county or tribal child welfare system) will be selected to take part in a national project designed to promote permanency and improve adoption and guardianship preservation and support

Sites will work in partnership with the QIC-AG to implement and evaluate a continuum of services that support the permanence and stability of children in adoptiveguardianship homes

Financial resources intensive technical assistance and support will be available to the sites over a four year period

13

SITE SELECTION

14

SITE SELECTION

Children Bureaursquos Guidelines

Two or three of the sites with greater than 10000 children in substitute care

At least one site with fewer than 5000 children in substitute care

Urban and rural jurisdictions Binding work agreements will govern the relationships

between sites and the QIC-AG and must be executed with state or county public child welfare agencies or tribes

Sites will be selected in late springearly summer 2015

Sites will be identified through intensive assessment and preliminary research conducted by QIC-AG

Preliminary conversations will take place with sites to discuss potential collaboration including detailed discussion of the initiative benefits of being a selected site and site specific programs services and capacity currently in place and in need of development

After the initial assessment sites will be identified to participate in the full assessment process This process will focus on obtaining foundational knowledge of each sitersquos continuum of care and readiness to participate in this initiative

15

OVERVIEW OF SELECTION PROCESS

16

IMPLEMENTATION amp EVALUATION STEPS

Spaulding for Children and all of its partners are excited to be part of this critical initiative

We believe that the knowledge gained from the initiative will help child welfare agencies across the nation redefine their systems so that they provide a continuum of services that promote permanency and stability for children in custody and provide stability and support for children and families post-permanency

17

ldquoPost permanency supports are critical to the stability and well-being of adoptive families My husband and I love our adopted child but she came to us having experienced a lot of trauma which will take years and many resources to healrdquo- Jennifer Adoptive Parent

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

12

ADVISORY BOARD

M a r y B i s s e l lC h i l d F o c u s

V e e n o d C h u l a n i M DO r l a n d o H e a l t h

H o p e C o o p e rT r u e N o r t h G r o u p

D r J o s e p h C r u m b l e yT r a i n e r C o n s u l t a n t a n d T h e r a p i s t

A p r i l C u r t i sB e S t r o n g F a m i l i e s

D r A n g e l i q u e D a yW a y n e S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y

K a t h y D e s e r l yC a p a c i t y B u i l d i n g C e n t e r f o r T r i b e s

H e a t h e r F o r b e sB e y o n d C o n s e q u e n c e s I n s t i t u t e

F r a n k G a r r o t tG l a d n e y C e n t e r f o r A d o p t i o n

D e b o r a h G r a yN u r t u r i n g A t t a c h m e n t s

J o h n J o h n s o nT e n n e s s e e D e p a r t m e n t o f C h i l d r e n s S e r v i c e s

R o b e r t J o h n s o nA n n u i t y C o m p a n y

J o e K r o l lN o r t h A m e r i c a n C o u n c i l o n A d o p t a b l e C h i l d r e n

S h a u n L a n eH e p h z i b a h C h i l d r e n s A s s o c i a t i o n

J u d g e C i n d y L e d e r m a nE l e v e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t o f F l o r i d a

D r S h a r o n M c D a n i e lA S e c o n d C h a n c e

H o l l e e M c G i n n i sD o c t o r a l C a n d i d a t e N I M H P r e d o c t o r a l F e l l o w a n d a K o r e a n F o u n d a t i o n F e l l o w a t G e o r g e W a r r e n B r o w n S c h o o l o f S o c i a l W o r k

K a t h l e e n M c N a u g h tA m e r i c a n B a r A s s o c i a t i o n C e n t e r o n C h i l d r e n a n d t h e L a w

D r A v i d a n M i l e v s k yK u t z t o w n U n i v e r s i t y o f P e n n s y l v a n i a

D r P e t e r P e c o r aT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W a s h i n g t o n a n d C a s e y F a m i l y P r o g r a m s

D r B r u c e P e r r yC h i l d T r a u m a A c a d e m y

R u s s e l l P r e t zF o r m e r I n t e r n C o n g r e s s i o n a l C o a l i t i o n o n A d o p t i o n I n s t i t u t e

D r S c o t t R y a nT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s a t A r l i n g t o n

D r G i n a S a m u e l sT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C h i c a g o

K a r y n S c h i m m e l sC a m p t o B e l o n g

M i c h a e l S h a v e rC h i l d r e n s H o m e S o c i e t y o f F l o r i d a

D r K r i s t e n S S l a c kT h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W i s c o n s i n - M a d i s o n

P a m W o l fH a r m o n y F a m i l y C e n t e r

Dr Mark F TestaAdvisory Board ChairUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Six to eight sites (state county or tribal child welfare system) will be selected to take part in a national project designed to promote permanency and improve adoption and guardianship preservation and support

Sites will work in partnership with the QIC-AG to implement and evaluate a continuum of services that support the permanence and stability of children in adoptiveguardianship homes

Financial resources intensive technical assistance and support will be available to the sites over a four year period

13

SITE SELECTION

14

SITE SELECTION

Children Bureaursquos Guidelines

Two or three of the sites with greater than 10000 children in substitute care

At least one site with fewer than 5000 children in substitute care

Urban and rural jurisdictions Binding work agreements will govern the relationships

between sites and the QIC-AG and must be executed with state or county public child welfare agencies or tribes

Sites will be selected in late springearly summer 2015

Sites will be identified through intensive assessment and preliminary research conducted by QIC-AG

Preliminary conversations will take place with sites to discuss potential collaboration including detailed discussion of the initiative benefits of being a selected site and site specific programs services and capacity currently in place and in need of development

After the initial assessment sites will be identified to participate in the full assessment process This process will focus on obtaining foundational knowledge of each sitersquos continuum of care and readiness to participate in this initiative

15

OVERVIEW OF SELECTION PROCESS

16

IMPLEMENTATION amp EVALUATION STEPS

Spaulding for Children and all of its partners are excited to be part of this critical initiative

We believe that the knowledge gained from the initiative will help child welfare agencies across the nation redefine their systems so that they provide a continuum of services that promote permanency and stability for children in custody and provide stability and support for children and families post-permanency

17

ldquoPost permanency supports are critical to the stability and well-being of adoptive families My husband and I love our adopted child but she came to us having experienced a lot of trauma which will take years and many resources to healrdquo- Jennifer Adoptive Parent

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

Six to eight sites (state county or tribal child welfare system) will be selected to take part in a national project designed to promote permanency and improve adoption and guardianship preservation and support

Sites will work in partnership with the QIC-AG to implement and evaluate a continuum of services that support the permanence and stability of children in adoptiveguardianship homes

Financial resources intensive technical assistance and support will be available to the sites over a four year period

13

SITE SELECTION

14

SITE SELECTION

Children Bureaursquos Guidelines

Two or three of the sites with greater than 10000 children in substitute care

At least one site with fewer than 5000 children in substitute care

Urban and rural jurisdictions Binding work agreements will govern the relationships

between sites and the QIC-AG and must be executed with state or county public child welfare agencies or tribes

Sites will be selected in late springearly summer 2015

Sites will be identified through intensive assessment and preliminary research conducted by QIC-AG

Preliminary conversations will take place with sites to discuss potential collaboration including detailed discussion of the initiative benefits of being a selected site and site specific programs services and capacity currently in place and in need of development

After the initial assessment sites will be identified to participate in the full assessment process This process will focus on obtaining foundational knowledge of each sitersquos continuum of care and readiness to participate in this initiative

15

OVERVIEW OF SELECTION PROCESS

16

IMPLEMENTATION amp EVALUATION STEPS

Spaulding for Children and all of its partners are excited to be part of this critical initiative

We believe that the knowledge gained from the initiative will help child welfare agencies across the nation redefine their systems so that they provide a continuum of services that promote permanency and stability for children in custody and provide stability and support for children and families post-permanency

17

ldquoPost permanency supports are critical to the stability and well-being of adoptive families My husband and I love our adopted child but she came to us having experienced a lot of trauma which will take years and many resources to healrdquo- Jennifer Adoptive Parent

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

14

SITE SELECTION

Children Bureaursquos Guidelines

Two or three of the sites with greater than 10000 children in substitute care

At least one site with fewer than 5000 children in substitute care

Urban and rural jurisdictions Binding work agreements will govern the relationships

between sites and the QIC-AG and must be executed with state or county public child welfare agencies or tribes

Sites will be selected in late springearly summer 2015

Sites will be identified through intensive assessment and preliminary research conducted by QIC-AG

Preliminary conversations will take place with sites to discuss potential collaboration including detailed discussion of the initiative benefits of being a selected site and site specific programs services and capacity currently in place and in need of development

After the initial assessment sites will be identified to participate in the full assessment process This process will focus on obtaining foundational knowledge of each sitersquos continuum of care and readiness to participate in this initiative

15

OVERVIEW OF SELECTION PROCESS

16

IMPLEMENTATION amp EVALUATION STEPS

Spaulding for Children and all of its partners are excited to be part of this critical initiative

We believe that the knowledge gained from the initiative will help child welfare agencies across the nation redefine their systems so that they provide a continuum of services that promote permanency and stability for children in custody and provide stability and support for children and families post-permanency

17

ldquoPost permanency supports are critical to the stability and well-being of adoptive families My husband and I love our adopted child but she came to us having experienced a lot of trauma which will take years and many resources to healrdquo- Jennifer Adoptive Parent

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

Sites will be identified through intensive assessment and preliminary research conducted by QIC-AG

Preliminary conversations will take place with sites to discuss potential collaboration including detailed discussion of the initiative benefits of being a selected site and site specific programs services and capacity currently in place and in need of development

After the initial assessment sites will be identified to participate in the full assessment process This process will focus on obtaining foundational knowledge of each sitersquos continuum of care and readiness to participate in this initiative

15

OVERVIEW OF SELECTION PROCESS

16

IMPLEMENTATION amp EVALUATION STEPS

Spaulding for Children and all of its partners are excited to be part of this critical initiative

We believe that the knowledge gained from the initiative will help child welfare agencies across the nation redefine their systems so that they provide a continuum of services that promote permanency and stability for children in custody and provide stability and support for children and families post-permanency

17

ldquoPost permanency supports are critical to the stability and well-being of adoptive families My husband and I love our adopted child but she came to us having experienced a lot of trauma which will take years and many resources to healrdquo- Jennifer Adoptive Parent

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

16

IMPLEMENTATION amp EVALUATION STEPS

Spaulding for Children and all of its partners are excited to be part of this critical initiative

We believe that the knowledge gained from the initiative will help child welfare agencies across the nation redefine their systems so that they provide a continuum of services that promote permanency and stability for children in custody and provide stability and support for children and families post-permanency

17

ldquoPost permanency supports are critical to the stability and well-being of adoptive families My husband and I love our adopted child but she came to us having experienced a lot of trauma which will take years and many resources to healrdquo- Jennifer Adoptive Parent

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

Spaulding for Children and all of its partners are excited to be part of this critical initiative

We believe that the knowledge gained from the initiative will help child welfare agencies across the nation redefine their systems so that they provide a continuum of services that promote permanency and stability for children in custody and provide stability and support for children and families post-permanency

17

ldquoPost permanency supports are critical to the stability and well-being of adoptive families My husband and I love our adopted child but she came to us having experienced a lot of trauma which will take years and many resources to healrdquo- Jennifer Adoptive Parent

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

Sites that are interested in obtaining more information about this initiative should contact Melinda Lis at

mlisspauldingorg or 773-848-6880

18

FOLLOW UP

F u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d F a m i l i e s C h i l d r e n rsquo s B u r e a u G r a n t 9 0 C O 1 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e

v i e w s o r p o l i c i e s o f t h e f u n d e r s n o r d o e s m e n t i o n o f t r a d e n a m e s c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t s o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i m p l y e n d o r s e m e n t b y t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n

R e a d e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o p y a n d s h a r e i t b u t p l e a s e c r e d i t S p a u l d i n g f o r C h i l d r e n

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

National Association of State Adoption Programs

Annual Webinar

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

Cooperative Agreement (Grant 90CO1121) Between

The DHHS Administration on Children Youth and FamiliesChildrenrsquos Bureau

and

The Center for Adoption Support and Education 4000 Blackburn Lane ndash Suite 260 ndash Burtonsville MD 20866

wwwadoptionsupportorg

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash Purpose

To establish a web-based National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative (NIT) that will build the capacity of state tribe and territory child welfare professionals and mental health practitioners serving youth moving toward permanency through adoption or guardianship as well as youth already achieving permanency in adoptive or guardianship families

To infuse new web-based curricula in training systems of all states tribes amp territories

To improve well-being outcomes for the children moving to adoptionguardianship as well as providing support and the appropriate therapeutic interventions to assure stable and secure post-permanency experiences for these youth

To build on previous adoption competency models and complement existing initiatives aimed at strengthening the capacity of child welfare staff and mental health practitioners serving the population of the childrenyouth with goals of adoptionguardianship as well as those already living with adoptiveguardianship families

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash Partners (1)

Center for Adoption Support amp Education ndash Management amp Oversight Debbie B Riley CEO Sarah B Greenblatt Initiative Director

University of Maryland School of Social Work ndash Web-based Training amp Technical Assistance NTI Evaluation The Institute for Innovation amp ImplementationOnline Training Center Rick Barth Dean Marlene Matarese amp Meredith Waudby Web-based Curricula Delivery amp Related TA Bethany Lee and Devon Brooks (University of Southern California) Evaluation

PolicyWorks - Initial Adoption-Competency amp Jurisdictional Scans to Inform Curriculum Content and State Tribal amp Territory Profiles Project Management QA Systems amp Informational Products Anne J Atkinson President amp Principal Evaluator

Curriculum Content Consultants ndash Definitions competencies content Susan Smith amp Carol Bishop

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash Partners (2) National Indian Child Welfare Association ndash Cultural

responsiveness consultation linkages within tribal CWMH providers amp training programs development amp implementation consultation Terry Cross ndash Executive Director

Alliance for Strong Families amp Communities ndashLinkages within private provider networks and organizations resource scans Patrice A Heinz Resource Development Director

The Dave Thomas Foundation ndash Linkages within Wendyrsquos Wonderful Kids national networks consultation related to development and implementation of web-based training Rita Soronen ndash President amp CEO

Lilliput Childrenrsquos Services ndash Coaching Network development and oversight Edythe Swindler ndash Clinical and Training Manager

Rudd Adoption Research ProgramUmass Amherst ndash Dissemination efforts Work Group participation Hal Grotevant Director

Kentucky Partnership for Families amp Children ndashSubject matter expertise for curricula development Carol Cecil adoptive parent

Family Involvement CenterPheonix AZ ndash Subject matter expertise for curricula development Dawn Schoenstadt adoptive parent

Cassandra KisielNorthwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine ndash Trauma consultation Co-Director for Treatment Services amp Adaptation Center of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash National Network Partners

National Association of State Adoption Programs ndash Linkages with state adoption program managers and other state program and training leaders development implementation amp sustainability consultation

National Association of State Mental Health Program Managers ndash Linkages with state mental health program directors development implementation amp sustainability consultation

New England Association of Child Welfare Commissioners amp Directors ndash Linkages to New England state child welfare leaders development implementation amp sustainability consultation

National Public Human Services AssociationNational Association of Public Child Welfare Agencies ndash Linkages re development implementation amp sustainability with state child welfare program amp training leadership

North American Council on Adoptable Children ndash Linkages with national networks of adoptivekinship families and child welfaremental health providers

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndashSubject Matter Experts

Uma Ahlawalia ndash Public CW Training Implementation

Karen Alford ndash Private CW MH Training Implementation

Mary Lee Allen ndash CW and MH

David Brodzinzky ndash CW MH Training Certification

Carol Cecil ndash Adoptive Parent

Stephanie Chambers ndash Certification

Joseph Crumbley ndash CW MH Training Kinship Transracial Adoption

Colleen Ellingson - Private CW MH Training

Lauren Frey ndash CW Training Implementation Adoptive Parent

Sarah Gerstenzang ndash CW MH

Hal Grotevant ndash MH Dissemination

Michelle Hanna ndash CW MH Training Certification

Darla Henry ndash CW MH Training

Claudia Hutchinson ndash Implementation

DeJuana Jernigan ndash Private CW Implementation

Regina Kepecky ndash CW Training

Margaret Holland McDuff ndash CW MH Implementation

Ruth McRoy ndash CW Implementation

Lisa Maynard ndash CW MH

Allison Metz ndash Implementation

Deb Roberts ndash CW MH

Dawn Schoenfeld ndash Adoptive Parent

Deborah Siegel ndash CW MH

Additional Experts to be Recruited

State Tribal Territories Private Agencies

Youth Guardians

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash Initial Pilot Sites

Minnesota Department of Human Services

California Department of Social Services

Vermont Department of Children and Families

2 Additional Sites

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash ObjectivesObjective 1

Create a state of the art evidence-informed adoption competent mental health web-based curriculum for Child Welfare Professionals (CWPs) and Mental Health Practitioners (MHPs) with quality improvement components for infusing within all states tribes amp territoriesrsquo training systems

Objective 2

Deliver state of the art evidence informed curricula in a web-based format for CWPs (workers and supervisors) and MHPs in all states tribes and territories

Objective 3

Develop and implement a national certificate process for adoption-competent CWPs and MHPs designating successful completion of the web-based training and develop a blueprint for a national certification process

Objective 4

Evaluate rigorously NTI performance the effectiveness and outcomes of training and related costs

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash Preliminary Web-Based Training Curricula

Work with states tribes and territories to develop state of the art evidence-informed curricula in a web-based format for CWPs amp Supervisors and MHPs using WBT development amp best implementation amp sustainability practices Preliminary Web-Based Training FrameworkMental Health Practitioners10 modules x 5 lessons x 5 hours per session = 25 hours

Child Welfare Workers8 modules x 5 lessons x 5 hours per session = 20 hours

Child Welfare Supervisors8 CW worker modules + 2 supervisor-specific modules x 3 lessons x 5 hours per session = 23 hours

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash Approach amp Timelines

Phase I ndash Years 1 amp 2 Relationships with States Tribes amp

Territories to inform curricula content implementation amp sustainability

Scans ndash adoption-competency training programsresources definitions amp competencies jurisdictional profiles

CW amp MH Work Groups ndash Definitions amp Competencies to inform curriculum content

Curricula Content amp Web-based Conversion

Quality Improvement Systems

Pilot Test with 5 States Tribes andor Territories

Phase II ndash Years 2-5 Pilots evaluation and revisions build

coaching components

Continue leadership relationships to build implementation amp sustainability plans in States Tribes amp Territories

Implementation of TA with additional States Tribes amp Territories to infuse web-based curricula in training systems

Build Certification Competency Process

Evaluate effectiveness of web-based curriculum implementation with selected sites

Determine costs of development implementation evaluation revision sustainability

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash Sustainability Strategies with States Tribes amp Territories

Infusing Curricula into required pre- amp in-service agency training systems

Developing training policies amp resources requiring staff to complete training

Developing strategies to promote the curricula widely through agency training

Promoting the curricula in meeting with the contract agencies particularly those that provide mental health services with child welfare populations

Promoting the training in partnering agency amp parent network newsletters

Developing systems of preferred provider status for mental health service providers who have earned an adoption-competency certificate

National Adoption Competency

Mental Health Training Initiative

Outcomes

Short Term

Increase in of CWPs amp MHPs with increased adoption competencies

Increase in of States Tribe amp Territories with CWPs amp MHPs participating in WBT

Increase in of localities that received TA in implementationinfusion of WBT

Increase in of CWPs amp MHPs demonstrating a transfer of knowledge from training amp TA activities (by specific activity)

Interim

CWPs amp MHPs will provide Adoption Competent services to served children amp families

CW systems will systematically include adoption competency content in training

MH amp CW organizations will highlight availability of certified adoption-competent professionals

Long Term

Children amp families served by CWPs amp MHPs experience improved stability amp well-being

Web-Based Curricula infused in training

systems of all states tribes and territories

Through our partnership with NASAP we can support you to achieve these outcomeshellip

Thank youSarah B Greenblatt NTI Director

203-836-6022 - greenblattadoptionsupportorg

The Center for Adoption Support amp Education ndash wwwadoptionsupportorg

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash Partners (1)

Center for Adoption Support amp Education ndash Management amp Oversight Debbie B Riley CEO Sarah B Greenblatt Initiative Director

University of Maryland School of Social Work ndash Web-based Training amp Technical Assistance NTI Evaluation The Institute for Innovation amp ImplementationOnline Training Center Rick Barth Dean Marlene Matarese amp Meredith Waudby Web-based Curricula Delivery amp Related TA Bethany Lee and Devon Brooks (University of Southern California) Evaluation

PolicyWorks - Initial Adoption-Competency amp Jurisdictional Scans to Inform Curriculum Content and State Tribal amp Territory Profiles Project Management QA Systems amp Informational Products Anne J Atkinson President amp Principal Evaluator

Curriculum Content Consultants ndash Definitions competencies content Susan Smith amp Carol Bishop

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash Partners (2) National Indian Child Welfare Association ndash Cultural

responsiveness consultation linkages within tribal CWMH providers amp training programs development amp implementation consultation Terry Cross ndash Executive Director

Alliance for Strong Families amp Communities ndashLinkages within private provider networks and organizations resource scans Patrice A Heinz Resource Development Director

The Dave Thomas Foundation ndash Linkages within Wendyrsquos Wonderful Kids national networks consultation related to development and implementation of web-based training Rita Soronen ndash President amp CEO

Lilliput Childrenrsquos Services ndash Coaching Network development and oversight Edythe Swindler ndash Clinical and Training Manager

Rudd Adoption Research ProgramUmass Amherst ndash Dissemination efforts Work Group participation Hal Grotevant Director

Kentucky Partnership for Families amp Children ndashSubject matter expertise for curricula development Carol Cecil adoptive parent

Family Involvement CenterPheonix AZ ndash Subject matter expertise for curricula development Dawn Schoenstadt adoptive parent

Cassandra KisielNorthwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine ndash Trauma consultation Co-Director for Treatment Services amp Adaptation Center of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash National Network Partners

National Association of State Adoption Programs ndash Linkages with state adoption program managers and other state program and training leaders development implementation amp sustainability consultation

National Association of State Mental Health Program Managers ndash Linkages with state mental health program directors development implementation amp sustainability consultation

New England Association of Child Welfare Commissioners amp Directors ndash Linkages to New England state child welfare leaders development implementation amp sustainability consultation

National Public Human Services AssociationNational Association of Public Child Welfare Agencies ndash Linkages re development implementation amp sustainability with state child welfare program amp training leadership

North American Council on Adoptable Children ndash Linkages with national networks of adoptivekinship families and child welfaremental health providers

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndashSubject Matter Experts

Uma Ahlawalia ndash Public CW Training Implementation

Karen Alford ndash Private CW MH Training Implementation

Mary Lee Allen ndash CW and MH

David Brodzinzky ndash CW MH Training Certification

Carol Cecil ndash Adoptive Parent

Stephanie Chambers ndash Certification

Joseph Crumbley ndash CW MH Training Kinship Transracial Adoption

Colleen Ellingson - Private CW MH Training

Lauren Frey ndash CW Training Implementation Adoptive Parent

Sarah Gerstenzang ndash CW MH

Hal Grotevant ndash MH Dissemination

Michelle Hanna ndash CW MH Training Certification

Darla Henry ndash CW MH Training

Claudia Hutchinson ndash Implementation

DeJuana Jernigan ndash Private CW Implementation

Regina Kepecky ndash CW Training

Margaret Holland McDuff ndash CW MH Implementation

Ruth McRoy ndash CW Implementation

Lisa Maynard ndash CW MH

Allison Metz ndash Implementation

Deb Roberts ndash CW MH

Dawn Schoenfeld ndash Adoptive Parent

Deborah Siegel ndash CW MH

Additional Experts to be Recruited

State Tribal Territories Private Agencies

Youth Guardians

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash Initial Pilot Sites

Minnesota Department of Human Services

California Department of Social Services

Vermont Department of Children and Families

2 Additional Sites

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash ObjectivesObjective 1

Create a state of the art evidence-informed adoption competent mental health web-based curriculum for Child Welfare Professionals (CWPs) and Mental Health Practitioners (MHPs) with quality improvement components for infusing within all states tribes amp territoriesrsquo training systems

Objective 2

Deliver state of the art evidence informed curricula in a web-based format for CWPs (workers and supervisors) and MHPs in all states tribes and territories

Objective 3

Develop and implement a national certificate process for adoption-competent CWPs and MHPs designating successful completion of the web-based training and develop a blueprint for a national certification process

Objective 4

Evaluate rigorously NTI performance the effectiveness and outcomes of training and related costs

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash Preliminary Web-Based Training Curricula

Work with states tribes and territories to develop state of the art evidence-informed curricula in a web-based format for CWPs amp Supervisors and MHPs using WBT development amp best implementation amp sustainability practices Preliminary Web-Based Training FrameworkMental Health Practitioners10 modules x 5 lessons x 5 hours per session = 25 hours

Child Welfare Workers8 modules x 5 lessons x 5 hours per session = 20 hours

Child Welfare Supervisors8 CW worker modules + 2 supervisor-specific modules x 3 lessons x 5 hours per session = 23 hours

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash Approach amp Timelines

Phase I ndash Years 1 amp 2 Relationships with States Tribes amp

Territories to inform curricula content implementation amp sustainability

Scans ndash adoption-competency training programsresources definitions amp competencies jurisdictional profiles

CW amp MH Work Groups ndash Definitions amp Competencies to inform curriculum content

Curricula Content amp Web-based Conversion

Quality Improvement Systems

Pilot Test with 5 States Tribes andor Territories

Phase II ndash Years 2-5 Pilots evaluation and revisions build

coaching components

Continue leadership relationships to build implementation amp sustainability plans in States Tribes amp Territories

Implementation of TA with additional States Tribes amp Territories to infuse web-based curricula in training systems

Build Certification Competency Process

Evaluate effectiveness of web-based curriculum implementation with selected sites

Determine costs of development implementation evaluation revision sustainability

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash Sustainability Strategies with States Tribes amp Territories

Infusing Curricula into required pre- amp in-service agency training systems

Developing training policies amp resources requiring staff to complete training

Developing strategies to promote the curricula widely through agency training

Promoting the curricula in meeting with the contract agencies particularly those that provide mental health services with child welfare populations

Promoting the training in partnering agency amp parent network newsletters

Developing systems of preferred provider status for mental health service providers who have earned an adoption-competency certificate

National Adoption Competency

Mental Health Training Initiative

Outcomes

Short Term

Increase in of CWPs amp MHPs with increased adoption competencies

Increase in of States Tribe amp Territories with CWPs amp MHPs participating in WBT

Increase in of localities that received TA in implementationinfusion of WBT

Increase in of CWPs amp MHPs demonstrating a transfer of knowledge from training amp TA activities (by specific activity)

Interim

CWPs amp MHPs will provide Adoption Competent services to served children amp families

CW systems will systematically include adoption competency content in training

MH amp CW organizations will highlight availability of certified adoption-competent professionals

Long Term

Children amp families served by CWPs amp MHPs experience improved stability amp well-being

Web-Based Curricula infused in training

systems of all states tribes and territories

Through our partnership with NASAP we can support you to achieve these outcomeshellip

Thank youSarah B Greenblatt NTI Director

203-836-6022 - greenblattadoptionsupportorg

The Center for Adoption Support amp Education ndash wwwadoptionsupportorg

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash Partners (2) National Indian Child Welfare Association ndash Cultural

responsiveness consultation linkages within tribal CWMH providers amp training programs development amp implementation consultation Terry Cross ndash Executive Director

Alliance for Strong Families amp Communities ndashLinkages within private provider networks and organizations resource scans Patrice A Heinz Resource Development Director

The Dave Thomas Foundation ndash Linkages within Wendyrsquos Wonderful Kids national networks consultation related to development and implementation of web-based training Rita Soronen ndash President amp CEO

Lilliput Childrenrsquos Services ndash Coaching Network development and oversight Edythe Swindler ndash Clinical and Training Manager

Rudd Adoption Research ProgramUmass Amherst ndash Dissemination efforts Work Group participation Hal Grotevant Director

Kentucky Partnership for Families amp Children ndashSubject matter expertise for curricula development Carol Cecil adoptive parent

Family Involvement CenterPheonix AZ ndash Subject matter expertise for curricula development Dawn Schoenstadt adoptive parent

Cassandra KisielNorthwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine ndash Trauma consultation Co-Director for Treatment Services amp Adaptation Center of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash National Network Partners

National Association of State Adoption Programs ndash Linkages with state adoption program managers and other state program and training leaders development implementation amp sustainability consultation

National Association of State Mental Health Program Managers ndash Linkages with state mental health program directors development implementation amp sustainability consultation

New England Association of Child Welfare Commissioners amp Directors ndash Linkages to New England state child welfare leaders development implementation amp sustainability consultation

National Public Human Services AssociationNational Association of Public Child Welfare Agencies ndash Linkages re development implementation amp sustainability with state child welfare program amp training leadership

North American Council on Adoptable Children ndash Linkages with national networks of adoptivekinship families and child welfaremental health providers

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndashSubject Matter Experts

Uma Ahlawalia ndash Public CW Training Implementation

Karen Alford ndash Private CW MH Training Implementation

Mary Lee Allen ndash CW and MH

David Brodzinzky ndash CW MH Training Certification

Carol Cecil ndash Adoptive Parent

Stephanie Chambers ndash Certification

Joseph Crumbley ndash CW MH Training Kinship Transracial Adoption

Colleen Ellingson - Private CW MH Training

Lauren Frey ndash CW Training Implementation Adoptive Parent

Sarah Gerstenzang ndash CW MH

Hal Grotevant ndash MH Dissemination

Michelle Hanna ndash CW MH Training Certification

Darla Henry ndash CW MH Training

Claudia Hutchinson ndash Implementation

DeJuana Jernigan ndash Private CW Implementation

Regina Kepecky ndash CW Training

Margaret Holland McDuff ndash CW MH Implementation

Ruth McRoy ndash CW Implementation

Lisa Maynard ndash CW MH

Allison Metz ndash Implementation

Deb Roberts ndash CW MH

Dawn Schoenfeld ndash Adoptive Parent

Deborah Siegel ndash CW MH

Additional Experts to be Recruited

State Tribal Territories Private Agencies

Youth Guardians

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash Initial Pilot Sites

Minnesota Department of Human Services

California Department of Social Services

Vermont Department of Children and Families

2 Additional Sites

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash ObjectivesObjective 1

Create a state of the art evidence-informed adoption competent mental health web-based curriculum for Child Welfare Professionals (CWPs) and Mental Health Practitioners (MHPs) with quality improvement components for infusing within all states tribes amp territoriesrsquo training systems

Objective 2

Deliver state of the art evidence informed curricula in a web-based format for CWPs (workers and supervisors) and MHPs in all states tribes and territories

Objective 3

Develop and implement a national certificate process for adoption-competent CWPs and MHPs designating successful completion of the web-based training and develop a blueprint for a national certification process

Objective 4

Evaluate rigorously NTI performance the effectiveness and outcomes of training and related costs

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash Preliminary Web-Based Training Curricula

Work with states tribes and territories to develop state of the art evidence-informed curricula in a web-based format for CWPs amp Supervisors and MHPs using WBT development amp best implementation amp sustainability practices Preliminary Web-Based Training FrameworkMental Health Practitioners10 modules x 5 lessons x 5 hours per session = 25 hours

Child Welfare Workers8 modules x 5 lessons x 5 hours per session = 20 hours

Child Welfare Supervisors8 CW worker modules + 2 supervisor-specific modules x 3 lessons x 5 hours per session = 23 hours

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash Approach amp Timelines

Phase I ndash Years 1 amp 2 Relationships with States Tribes amp

Territories to inform curricula content implementation amp sustainability

Scans ndash adoption-competency training programsresources definitions amp competencies jurisdictional profiles

CW amp MH Work Groups ndash Definitions amp Competencies to inform curriculum content

Curricula Content amp Web-based Conversion

Quality Improvement Systems

Pilot Test with 5 States Tribes andor Territories

Phase II ndash Years 2-5 Pilots evaluation and revisions build

coaching components

Continue leadership relationships to build implementation amp sustainability plans in States Tribes amp Territories

Implementation of TA with additional States Tribes amp Territories to infuse web-based curricula in training systems

Build Certification Competency Process

Evaluate effectiveness of web-based curriculum implementation with selected sites

Determine costs of development implementation evaluation revision sustainability

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash Sustainability Strategies with States Tribes amp Territories

Infusing Curricula into required pre- amp in-service agency training systems

Developing training policies amp resources requiring staff to complete training

Developing strategies to promote the curricula widely through agency training

Promoting the curricula in meeting with the contract agencies particularly those that provide mental health services with child welfare populations

Promoting the training in partnering agency amp parent network newsletters

Developing systems of preferred provider status for mental health service providers who have earned an adoption-competency certificate

National Adoption Competency

Mental Health Training Initiative

Outcomes

Short Term

Increase in of CWPs amp MHPs with increased adoption competencies

Increase in of States Tribe amp Territories with CWPs amp MHPs participating in WBT

Increase in of localities that received TA in implementationinfusion of WBT

Increase in of CWPs amp MHPs demonstrating a transfer of knowledge from training amp TA activities (by specific activity)

Interim

CWPs amp MHPs will provide Adoption Competent services to served children amp families

CW systems will systematically include adoption competency content in training

MH amp CW organizations will highlight availability of certified adoption-competent professionals

Long Term

Children amp families served by CWPs amp MHPs experience improved stability amp well-being

Web-Based Curricula infused in training

systems of all states tribes and territories

Through our partnership with NASAP we can support you to achieve these outcomeshellip

Thank youSarah B Greenblatt NTI Director

203-836-6022 - greenblattadoptionsupportorg

The Center for Adoption Support amp Education ndash wwwadoptionsupportorg

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash National Network Partners

National Association of State Adoption Programs ndash Linkages with state adoption program managers and other state program and training leaders development implementation amp sustainability consultation

National Association of State Mental Health Program Managers ndash Linkages with state mental health program directors development implementation amp sustainability consultation

New England Association of Child Welfare Commissioners amp Directors ndash Linkages to New England state child welfare leaders development implementation amp sustainability consultation

National Public Human Services AssociationNational Association of Public Child Welfare Agencies ndash Linkages re development implementation amp sustainability with state child welfare program amp training leadership

North American Council on Adoptable Children ndash Linkages with national networks of adoptivekinship families and child welfaremental health providers

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndashSubject Matter Experts

Uma Ahlawalia ndash Public CW Training Implementation

Karen Alford ndash Private CW MH Training Implementation

Mary Lee Allen ndash CW and MH

David Brodzinzky ndash CW MH Training Certification

Carol Cecil ndash Adoptive Parent

Stephanie Chambers ndash Certification

Joseph Crumbley ndash CW MH Training Kinship Transracial Adoption

Colleen Ellingson - Private CW MH Training

Lauren Frey ndash CW Training Implementation Adoptive Parent

Sarah Gerstenzang ndash CW MH

Hal Grotevant ndash MH Dissemination

Michelle Hanna ndash CW MH Training Certification

Darla Henry ndash CW MH Training

Claudia Hutchinson ndash Implementation

DeJuana Jernigan ndash Private CW Implementation

Regina Kepecky ndash CW Training

Margaret Holland McDuff ndash CW MH Implementation

Ruth McRoy ndash CW Implementation

Lisa Maynard ndash CW MH

Allison Metz ndash Implementation

Deb Roberts ndash CW MH

Dawn Schoenfeld ndash Adoptive Parent

Deborah Siegel ndash CW MH

Additional Experts to be Recruited

State Tribal Territories Private Agencies

Youth Guardians

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash Initial Pilot Sites

Minnesota Department of Human Services

California Department of Social Services

Vermont Department of Children and Families

2 Additional Sites

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash ObjectivesObjective 1

Create a state of the art evidence-informed adoption competent mental health web-based curriculum for Child Welfare Professionals (CWPs) and Mental Health Practitioners (MHPs) with quality improvement components for infusing within all states tribes amp territoriesrsquo training systems

Objective 2

Deliver state of the art evidence informed curricula in a web-based format for CWPs (workers and supervisors) and MHPs in all states tribes and territories

Objective 3

Develop and implement a national certificate process for adoption-competent CWPs and MHPs designating successful completion of the web-based training and develop a blueprint for a national certification process

Objective 4

Evaluate rigorously NTI performance the effectiveness and outcomes of training and related costs

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash Preliminary Web-Based Training Curricula

Work with states tribes and territories to develop state of the art evidence-informed curricula in a web-based format for CWPs amp Supervisors and MHPs using WBT development amp best implementation amp sustainability practices Preliminary Web-Based Training FrameworkMental Health Practitioners10 modules x 5 lessons x 5 hours per session = 25 hours

Child Welfare Workers8 modules x 5 lessons x 5 hours per session = 20 hours

Child Welfare Supervisors8 CW worker modules + 2 supervisor-specific modules x 3 lessons x 5 hours per session = 23 hours

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash Approach amp Timelines

Phase I ndash Years 1 amp 2 Relationships with States Tribes amp

Territories to inform curricula content implementation amp sustainability

Scans ndash adoption-competency training programsresources definitions amp competencies jurisdictional profiles

CW amp MH Work Groups ndash Definitions amp Competencies to inform curriculum content

Curricula Content amp Web-based Conversion

Quality Improvement Systems

Pilot Test with 5 States Tribes andor Territories

Phase II ndash Years 2-5 Pilots evaluation and revisions build

coaching components

Continue leadership relationships to build implementation amp sustainability plans in States Tribes amp Territories

Implementation of TA with additional States Tribes amp Territories to infuse web-based curricula in training systems

Build Certification Competency Process

Evaluate effectiveness of web-based curriculum implementation with selected sites

Determine costs of development implementation evaluation revision sustainability

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash Sustainability Strategies with States Tribes amp Territories

Infusing Curricula into required pre- amp in-service agency training systems

Developing training policies amp resources requiring staff to complete training

Developing strategies to promote the curricula widely through agency training

Promoting the curricula in meeting with the contract agencies particularly those that provide mental health services with child welfare populations

Promoting the training in partnering agency amp parent network newsletters

Developing systems of preferred provider status for mental health service providers who have earned an adoption-competency certificate

National Adoption Competency

Mental Health Training Initiative

Outcomes

Short Term

Increase in of CWPs amp MHPs with increased adoption competencies

Increase in of States Tribe amp Territories with CWPs amp MHPs participating in WBT

Increase in of localities that received TA in implementationinfusion of WBT

Increase in of CWPs amp MHPs demonstrating a transfer of knowledge from training amp TA activities (by specific activity)

Interim

CWPs amp MHPs will provide Adoption Competent services to served children amp families

CW systems will systematically include adoption competency content in training

MH amp CW organizations will highlight availability of certified adoption-competent professionals

Long Term

Children amp families served by CWPs amp MHPs experience improved stability amp well-being

Web-Based Curricula infused in training

systems of all states tribes and territories

Through our partnership with NASAP we can support you to achieve these outcomeshellip

Thank youSarah B Greenblatt NTI Director

203-836-6022 - greenblattadoptionsupportorg

The Center for Adoption Support amp Education ndash wwwadoptionsupportorg

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndashSubject Matter Experts

Uma Ahlawalia ndash Public CW Training Implementation

Karen Alford ndash Private CW MH Training Implementation

Mary Lee Allen ndash CW and MH

David Brodzinzky ndash CW MH Training Certification

Carol Cecil ndash Adoptive Parent

Stephanie Chambers ndash Certification

Joseph Crumbley ndash CW MH Training Kinship Transracial Adoption

Colleen Ellingson - Private CW MH Training

Lauren Frey ndash CW Training Implementation Adoptive Parent

Sarah Gerstenzang ndash CW MH

Hal Grotevant ndash MH Dissemination

Michelle Hanna ndash CW MH Training Certification

Darla Henry ndash CW MH Training

Claudia Hutchinson ndash Implementation

DeJuana Jernigan ndash Private CW Implementation

Regina Kepecky ndash CW Training

Margaret Holland McDuff ndash CW MH Implementation

Ruth McRoy ndash CW Implementation

Lisa Maynard ndash CW MH

Allison Metz ndash Implementation

Deb Roberts ndash CW MH

Dawn Schoenfeld ndash Adoptive Parent

Deborah Siegel ndash CW MH

Additional Experts to be Recruited

State Tribal Territories Private Agencies

Youth Guardians

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash Initial Pilot Sites

Minnesota Department of Human Services

California Department of Social Services

Vermont Department of Children and Families

2 Additional Sites

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash ObjectivesObjective 1

Create a state of the art evidence-informed adoption competent mental health web-based curriculum for Child Welfare Professionals (CWPs) and Mental Health Practitioners (MHPs) with quality improvement components for infusing within all states tribes amp territoriesrsquo training systems

Objective 2

Deliver state of the art evidence informed curricula in a web-based format for CWPs (workers and supervisors) and MHPs in all states tribes and territories

Objective 3

Develop and implement a national certificate process for adoption-competent CWPs and MHPs designating successful completion of the web-based training and develop a blueprint for a national certification process

Objective 4

Evaluate rigorously NTI performance the effectiveness and outcomes of training and related costs

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash Preliminary Web-Based Training Curricula

Work with states tribes and territories to develop state of the art evidence-informed curricula in a web-based format for CWPs amp Supervisors and MHPs using WBT development amp best implementation amp sustainability practices Preliminary Web-Based Training FrameworkMental Health Practitioners10 modules x 5 lessons x 5 hours per session = 25 hours

Child Welfare Workers8 modules x 5 lessons x 5 hours per session = 20 hours

Child Welfare Supervisors8 CW worker modules + 2 supervisor-specific modules x 3 lessons x 5 hours per session = 23 hours

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash Approach amp Timelines

Phase I ndash Years 1 amp 2 Relationships with States Tribes amp

Territories to inform curricula content implementation amp sustainability

Scans ndash adoption-competency training programsresources definitions amp competencies jurisdictional profiles

CW amp MH Work Groups ndash Definitions amp Competencies to inform curriculum content

Curricula Content amp Web-based Conversion

Quality Improvement Systems

Pilot Test with 5 States Tribes andor Territories

Phase II ndash Years 2-5 Pilots evaluation and revisions build

coaching components

Continue leadership relationships to build implementation amp sustainability plans in States Tribes amp Territories

Implementation of TA with additional States Tribes amp Territories to infuse web-based curricula in training systems

Build Certification Competency Process

Evaluate effectiveness of web-based curriculum implementation with selected sites

Determine costs of development implementation evaluation revision sustainability

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash Sustainability Strategies with States Tribes amp Territories

Infusing Curricula into required pre- amp in-service agency training systems

Developing training policies amp resources requiring staff to complete training

Developing strategies to promote the curricula widely through agency training

Promoting the curricula in meeting with the contract agencies particularly those that provide mental health services with child welfare populations

Promoting the training in partnering agency amp parent network newsletters

Developing systems of preferred provider status for mental health service providers who have earned an adoption-competency certificate

National Adoption Competency

Mental Health Training Initiative

Outcomes

Short Term

Increase in of CWPs amp MHPs with increased adoption competencies

Increase in of States Tribe amp Territories with CWPs amp MHPs participating in WBT

Increase in of localities that received TA in implementationinfusion of WBT

Increase in of CWPs amp MHPs demonstrating a transfer of knowledge from training amp TA activities (by specific activity)

Interim

CWPs amp MHPs will provide Adoption Competent services to served children amp families

CW systems will systematically include adoption competency content in training

MH amp CW organizations will highlight availability of certified adoption-competent professionals

Long Term

Children amp families served by CWPs amp MHPs experience improved stability amp well-being

Web-Based Curricula infused in training

systems of all states tribes and territories

Through our partnership with NASAP we can support you to achieve these outcomeshellip

Thank youSarah B Greenblatt NTI Director

203-836-6022 - greenblattadoptionsupportorg

The Center for Adoption Support amp Education ndash wwwadoptionsupportorg

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash Initial Pilot Sites

Minnesota Department of Human Services

California Department of Social Services

Vermont Department of Children and Families

2 Additional Sites

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash ObjectivesObjective 1

Create a state of the art evidence-informed adoption competent mental health web-based curriculum for Child Welfare Professionals (CWPs) and Mental Health Practitioners (MHPs) with quality improvement components for infusing within all states tribes amp territoriesrsquo training systems

Objective 2

Deliver state of the art evidence informed curricula in a web-based format for CWPs (workers and supervisors) and MHPs in all states tribes and territories

Objective 3

Develop and implement a national certificate process for adoption-competent CWPs and MHPs designating successful completion of the web-based training and develop a blueprint for a national certification process

Objective 4

Evaluate rigorously NTI performance the effectiveness and outcomes of training and related costs

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash Preliminary Web-Based Training Curricula

Work with states tribes and territories to develop state of the art evidence-informed curricula in a web-based format for CWPs amp Supervisors and MHPs using WBT development amp best implementation amp sustainability practices Preliminary Web-Based Training FrameworkMental Health Practitioners10 modules x 5 lessons x 5 hours per session = 25 hours

Child Welfare Workers8 modules x 5 lessons x 5 hours per session = 20 hours

Child Welfare Supervisors8 CW worker modules + 2 supervisor-specific modules x 3 lessons x 5 hours per session = 23 hours

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash Approach amp Timelines

Phase I ndash Years 1 amp 2 Relationships with States Tribes amp

Territories to inform curricula content implementation amp sustainability

Scans ndash adoption-competency training programsresources definitions amp competencies jurisdictional profiles

CW amp MH Work Groups ndash Definitions amp Competencies to inform curriculum content

Curricula Content amp Web-based Conversion

Quality Improvement Systems

Pilot Test with 5 States Tribes andor Territories

Phase II ndash Years 2-5 Pilots evaluation and revisions build

coaching components

Continue leadership relationships to build implementation amp sustainability plans in States Tribes amp Territories

Implementation of TA with additional States Tribes amp Territories to infuse web-based curricula in training systems

Build Certification Competency Process

Evaluate effectiveness of web-based curriculum implementation with selected sites

Determine costs of development implementation evaluation revision sustainability

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash Sustainability Strategies with States Tribes amp Territories

Infusing Curricula into required pre- amp in-service agency training systems

Developing training policies amp resources requiring staff to complete training

Developing strategies to promote the curricula widely through agency training

Promoting the curricula in meeting with the contract agencies particularly those that provide mental health services with child welfare populations

Promoting the training in partnering agency amp parent network newsletters

Developing systems of preferred provider status for mental health service providers who have earned an adoption-competency certificate

National Adoption Competency

Mental Health Training Initiative

Outcomes

Short Term

Increase in of CWPs amp MHPs with increased adoption competencies

Increase in of States Tribe amp Territories with CWPs amp MHPs participating in WBT

Increase in of localities that received TA in implementationinfusion of WBT

Increase in of CWPs amp MHPs demonstrating a transfer of knowledge from training amp TA activities (by specific activity)

Interim

CWPs amp MHPs will provide Adoption Competent services to served children amp families

CW systems will systematically include adoption competency content in training

MH amp CW organizations will highlight availability of certified adoption-competent professionals

Long Term

Children amp families served by CWPs amp MHPs experience improved stability amp well-being

Web-Based Curricula infused in training

systems of all states tribes and territories

Through our partnership with NASAP we can support you to achieve these outcomeshellip

Thank youSarah B Greenblatt NTI Director

203-836-6022 - greenblattadoptionsupportorg

The Center for Adoption Support amp Education ndash wwwadoptionsupportorg

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash ObjectivesObjective 1

Create a state of the art evidence-informed adoption competent mental health web-based curriculum for Child Welfare Professionals (CWPs) and Mental Health Practitioners (MHPs) with quality improvement components for infusing within all states tribes amp territoriesrsquo training systems

Objective 2

Deliver state of the art evidence informed curricula in a web-based format for CWPs (workers and supervisors) and MHPs in all states tribes and territories

Objective 3

Develop and implement a national certificate process for adoption-competent CWPs and MHPs designating successful completion of the web-based training and develop a blueprint for a national certification process

Objective 4

Evaluate rigorously NTI performance the effectiveness and outcomes of training and related costs

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash Preliminary Web-Based Training Curricula

Work with states tribes and territories to develop state of the art evidence-informed curricula in a web-based format for CWPs amp Supervisors and MHPs using WBT development amp best implementation amp sustainability practices Preliminary Web-Based Training FrameworkMental Health Practitioners10 modules x 5 lessons x 5 hours per session = 25 hours

Child Welfare Workers8 modules x 5 lessons x 5 hours per session = 20 hours

Child Welfare Supervisors8 CW worker modules + 2 supervisor-specific modules x 3 lessons x 5 hours per session = 23 hours

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash Approach amp Timelines

Phase I ndash Years 1 amp 2 Relationships with States Tribes amp

Territories to inform curricula content implementation amp sustainability

Scans ndash adoption-competency training programsresources definitions amp competencies jurisdictional profiles

CW amp MH Work Groups ndash Definitions amp Competencies to inform curriculum content

Curricula Content amp Web-based Conversion

Quality Improvement Systems

Pilot Test with 5 States Tribes andor Territories

Phase II ndash Years 2-5 Pilots evaluation and revisions build

coaching components

Continue leadership relationships to build implementation amp sustainability plans in States Tribes amp Territories

Implementation of TA with additional States Tribes amp Territories to infuse web-based curricula in training systems

Build Certification Competency Process

Evaluate effectiveness of web-based curriculum implementation with selected sites

Determine costs of development implementation evaluation revision sustainability

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash Sustainability Strategies with States Tribes amp Territories

Infusing Curricula into required pre- amp in-service agency training systems

Developing training policies amp resources requiring staff to complete training

Developing strategies to promote the curricula widely through agency training

Promoting the curricula in meeting with the contract agencies particularly those that provide mental health services with child welfare populations

Promoting the training in partnering agency amp parent network newsletters

Developing systems of preferred provider status for mental health service providers who have earned an adoption-competency certificate

National Adoption Competency

Mental Health Training Initiative

Outcomes

Short Term

Increase in of CWPs amp MHPs with increased adoption competencies

Increase in of States Tribe amp Territories with CWPs amp MHPs participating in WBT

Increase in of localities that received TA in implementationinfusion of WBT

Increase in of CWPs amp MHPs demonstrating a transfer of knowledge from training amp TA activities (by specific activity)

Interim

CWPs amp MHPs will provide Adoption Competent services to served children amp families

CW systems will systematically include adoption competency content in training

MH amp CW organizations will highlight availability of certified adoption-competent professionals

Long Term

Children amp families served by CWPs amp MHPs experience improved stability amp well-being

Web-Based Curricula infused in training

systems of all states tribes and territories

Through our partnership with NASAP we can support you to achieve these outcomeshellip

Thank youSarah B Greenblatt NTI Director

203-836-6022 - greenblattadoptionsupportorg

The Center for Adoption Support amp Education ndash wwwadoptionsupportorg

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash Preliminary Web-Based Training Curricula

Work with states tribes and territories to develop state of the art evidence-informed curricula in a web-based format for CWPs amp Supervisors and MHPs using WBT development amp best implementation amp sustainability practices Preliminary Web-Based Training FrameworkMental Health Practitioners10 modules x 5 lessons x 5 hours per session = 25 hours

Child Welfare Workers8 modules x 5 lessons x 5 hours per session = 20 hours

Child Welfare Supervisors8 CW worker modules + 2 supervisor-specific modules x 3 lessons x 5 hours per session = 23 hours

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash Approach amp Timelines

Phase I ndash Years 1 amp 2 Relationships with States Tribes amp

Territories to inform curricula content implementation amp sustainability

Scans ndash adoption-competency training programsresources definitions amp competencies jurisdictional profiles

CW amp MH Work Groups ndash Definitions amp Competencies to inform curriculum content

Curricula Content amp Web-based Conversion

Quality Improvement Systems

Pilot Test with 5 States Tribes andor Territories

Phase II ndash Years 2-5 Pilots evaluation and revisions build

coaching components

Continue leadership relationships to build implementation amp sustainability plans in States Tribes amp Territories

Implementation of TA with additional States Tribes amp Territories to infuse web-based curricula in training systems

Build Certification Competency Process

Evaluate effectiveness of web-based curriculum implementation with selected sites

Determine costs of development implementation evaluation revision sustainability

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash Sustainability Strategies with States Tribes amp Territories

Infusing Curricula into required pre- amp in-service agency training systems

Developing training policies amp resources requiring staff to complete training

Developing strategies to promote the curricula widely through agency training

Promoting the curricula in meeting with the contract agencies particularly those that provide mental health services with child welfare populations

Promoting the training in partnering agency amp parent network newsletters

Developing systems of preferred provider status for mental health service providers who have earned an adoption-competency certificate

National Adoption Competency

Mental Health Training Initiative

Outcomes

Short Term

Increase in of CWPs amp MHPs with increased adoption competencies

Increase in of States Tribe amp Territories with CWPs amp MHPs participating in WBT

Increase in of localities that received TA in implementationinfusion of WBT

Increase in of CWPs amp MHPs demonstrating a transfer of knowledge from training amp TA activities (by specific activity)

Interim

CWPs amp MHPs will provide Adoption Competent services to served children amp families

CW systems will systematically include adoption competency content in training

MH amp CW organizations will highlight availability of certified adoption-competent professionals

Long Term

Children amp families served by CWPs amp MHPs experience improved stability amp well-being

Web-Based Curricula infused in training

systems of all states tribes and territories

Through our partnership with NASAP we can support you to achieve these outcomeshellip

Thank youSarah B Greenblatt NTI Director

203-836-6022 - greenblattadoptionsupportorg

The Center for Adoption Support amp Education ndash wwwadoptionsupportorg

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash Approach amp Timelines

Phase I ndash Years 1 amp 2 Relationships with States Tribes amp

Territories to inform curricula content implementation amp sustainability

Scans ndash adoption-competency training programsresources definitions amp competencies jurisdictional profiles

CW amp MH Work Groups ndash Definitions amp Competencies to inform curriculum content

Curricula Content amp Web-based Conversion

Quality Improvement Systems

Pilot Test with 5 States Tribes andor Territories

Phase II ndash Years 2-5 Pilots evaluation and revisions build

coaching components

Continue leadership relationships to build implementation amp sustainability plans in States Tribes amp Territories

Implementation of TA with additional States Tribes amp Territories to infuse web-based curricula in training systems

Build Certification Competency Process

Evaluate effectiveness of web-based curriculum implementation with selected sites

Determine costs of development implementation evaluation revision sustainability

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash Sustainability Strategies with States Tribes amp Territories

Infusing Curricula into required pre- amp in-service agency training systems

Developing training policies amp resources requiring staff to complete training

Developing strategies to promote the curricula widely through agency training

Promoting the curricula in meeting with the contract agencies particularly those that provide mental health services with child welfare populations

Promoting the training in partnering agency amp parent network newsletters

Developing systems of preferred provider status for mental health service providers who have earned an adoption-competency certificate

National Adoption Competency

Mental Health Training Initiative

Outcomes

Short Term

Increase in of CWPs amp MHPs with increased adoption competencies

Increase in of States Tribe amp Territories with CWPs amp MHPs participating in WBT

Increase in of localities that received TA in implementationinfusion of WBT

Increase in of CWPs amp MHPs demonstrating a transfer of knowledge from training amp TA activities (by specific activity)

Interim

CWPs amp MHPs will provide Adoption Competent services to served children amp families

CW systems will systematically include adoption competency content in training

MH amp CW organizations will highlight availability of certified adoption-competent professionals

Long Term

Children amp families served by CWPs amp MHPs experience improved stability amp well-being

Web-Based Curricula infused in training

systems of all states tribes and territories

Through our partnership with NASAP we can support you to achieve these outcomeshellip

Thank youSarah B Greenblatt NTI Director

203-836-6022 - greenblattadoptionsupportorg

The Center for Adoption Support amp Education ndash wwwadoptionsupportorg

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative ndash Sustainability Strategies with States Tribes amp Territories

Infusing Curricula into required pre- amp in-service agency training systems

Developing training policies amp resources requiring staff to complete training

Developing strategies to promote the curricula widely through agency training

Promoting the curricula in meeting with the contract agencies particularly those that provide mental health services with child welfare populations

Promoting the training in partnering agency amp parent network newsletters

Developing systems of preferred provider status for mental health service providers who have earned an adoption-competency certificate

National Adoption Competency

Mental Health Training Initiative

Outcomes

Short Term

Increase in of CWPs amp MHPs with increased adoption competencies

Increase in of States Tribe amp Territories with CWPs amp MHPs participating in WBT

Increase in of localities that received TA in implementationinfusion of WBT

Increase in of CWPs amp MHPs demonstrating a transfer of knowledge from training amp TA activities (by specific activity)

Interim

CWPs amp MHPs will provide Adoption Competent services to served children amp families

CW systems will systematically include adoption competency content in training

MH amp CW organizations will highlight availability of certified adoption-competent professionals

Long Term

Children amp families served by CWPs amp MHPs experience improved stability amp well-being

Web-Based Curricula infused in training

systems of all states tribes and territories

Through our partnership with NASAP we can support you to achieve these outcomeshellip

Thank youSarah B Greenblatt NTI Director

203-836-6022 - greenblattadoptionsupportorg

The Center for Adoption Support amp Education ndash wwwadoptionsupportorg

National Adoption Competency

Mental Health Training Initiative

Outcomes

Short Term

Increase in of CWPs amp MHPs with increased adoption competencies

Increase in of States Tribe amp Territories with CWPs amp MHPs participating in WBT

Increase in of localities that received TA in implementationinfusion of WBT

Increase in of CWPs amp MHPs demonstrating a transfer of knowledge from training amp TA activities (by specific activity)

Interim

CWPs amp MHPs will provide Adoption Competent services to served children amp families

CW systems will systematically include adoption competency content in training

MH amp CW organizations will highlight availability of certified adoption-competent professionals

Long Term

Children amp families served by CWPs amp MHPs experience improved stability amp well-being

Web-Based Curricula infused in training

systems of all states tribes and territories

Through our partnership with NASAP we can support you to achieve these outcomeshellip

Thank youSarah B Greenblatt NTI Director

203-836-6022 - greenblattadoptionsupportorg

The Center for Adoption Support amp Education ndash wwwadoptionsupportorg

Through our partnership with NASAP we can support you to achieve these outcomeshellip

Thank youSarah B Greenblatt NTI Director

203-836-6022 - greenblattadoptionsupportorg

The Center for Adoption Support amp Education ndash wwwadoptionsupportorg