Child Abuse Prevention and Permanency Plan Monitoring Report Circuit 12 Manatee, Sarasota and DeSoto Counties

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1 Child Abuse Prevention and Permanency Plan Monitoring Report Circuit 12 Manatee, Sarasota and DeSoto Counties Submitted by Andrea Mertyris, Local Convener July 29, 2011

2 Part 2: PLAN FOR THE PREVENTION OF ABUSE, ABANDONMENT, AND NEGLECT OF CHILDREN Vision Florida s highest priority is that children are raised in healthy, safe, stable, and nurturing families. Mission To serve as a blueprint that will be implemented to provide for the care, safety, and protection of all of Florida s children in an environment that fosters healthy social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development. Outcome All families and communities ensure that children are safe and nurtured and live in stable environments that promote well-being. Circuit 12 Goal 1 Children and teenagers are free from abuse, abandonment, and neglect and have safe, loving and permanent homes as measured by a reduction in the circuit-level child abuse rate from the fiscal year of to a rate of per 1,000 children by 30 June Manatee County Goal 1.1 Children and teenagers are free from abuse, abandonment, and neglect and have safe, loving and permanent homes as measured by a reduction in the county-level child abuse rate from the fiscal year of to a rate of per 1,000 children by 30 June Sarasota County Goal 1.2 Children and teenagers are free from abuse, abandonment, and neglect and have safe, loving and permanent homes as measured by a reduction in the county-level child abuse rate from the fiscal year of to a rate of per 1,000 children by 30 June Desoto County Goal 1.3 Children and teenagers are free from abuse, abandonment, and neglect and have safe, loving and permanent homes as measured by a reduction in the county-level child abuse rate from the fiscal year of to a rate of per 1,000 children by 30 June Strategy 1: By 30 June 2015, Circuit 12 will support the statewide efforts to increase the availability and capacity of Healthy Families Florida to provide home visitation for families at high risk of abuse and neglect and in need of parenting education and support over the five year period from July 2010 June 2015 Objective 1.1: Continue, enhance and expand Healthy Families Florida in all 3 counties. Healthy Families Manatee: Executive Director and Division Director will be contacting County Commissioners and legislative candidates to educate and advocate for the program. Healthy Families Sarasota/Desoto: Agency CEO and Program Managers will be: contacting legislators to arrange meetings/shadowing of home visits; meeting with community leaders to advocate for HF; and working to increase media coverage of HF.

3 Program Managers from all 3 sites completed a strategic planning tool for Healthy Families Florida outlining our plan to advocate over the next 3 months. Healthy Families Manatee is working with Healthy Start and Family Partnership Center to enhance our partnerships in order to better serve all our clients. Healthy Families Sarasota/Desoto added seven Memorandums of Agreement with local community partners (compared to the number obtained last year). Healthy Families Manatee has been attending the Parent Education Coalition meetings and the Early Childhood Community meetings to educate community partners on the services and benefits that Healthy Families offers. Healthy Families Sarasota/Desoto: HF Sarasota Program Manager and/or other staff is involved with several community groups/task forces (Healthy Start Coalition, Substance Exposed Newborn Committee, Cyesis Advocacy Group, South County Inter-Agency Council) and presents updates on HF at all meetings. HF Desoto Program Manager is on the Early Learning Coalition Board, and also recently completed a training on Healthy Families and Shaken Baby Syndrome for Habitat for Humanity. Healthy Families Manatee has not had any participants with a current open CPS case in the recent months. Healthy Families Sarasota/Desoto staff have not requested any staffings on families involved with both systems. Direct service staff as well as supervisors maintain contact with Child Protective Investigators when there is an open case. Strategy 2: By 30 June 2015, Circuit 12 will support the statewide efforts with regard to developing and enhancing current resource directories in order to establish within communities and throughout the state a system for identification of prevention services and interventions. Objective 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3: Sarasota County to explore expansion efforts of current resource cataloging system. Manatee County to expand current Whole Child Project to include programs up to age 18 years; and to explore expansion efforts of current resource cataloging system. Desoto County to research and explore resource directory. 211 is attending the Sarasota and Desoto Consortiums. There was also discussion about blending of 211 and Whole Child program. The committee continues to work on generating data related to current usage of the 211 and Whole Child Project systems. This data to include types of services requested, frequency of contacts, demographics of client contacts, gaps and overlaps in services. We have begun including a catalogue of services provided in the Faith Based Community. Rod Myers from our local Faith Based Community has business cards expressing that Faith Based Services can now be located on 211 and Whole Child. United Way has been present and participating in all meetings related to this goal thus far. The committee has met monthly since August The intent is to continue to meet at least every other month, or more frequently (if needed). Data is being generated related to current usage of the 211 and Whole Child Project systems.

4 Types of services requested, frequency of contacts, demographics of client contacts, gaps and overlaps in services. We are also looking at the possibility of including a catalogue of services provided in the Faith Based Community. The committee will be looking into a similar system in another area of Florida where 211 and Whole Child are used in collaboration. The committee will be connecting with the Faith Based community to assess the current services provided within specific churches, as well as, identifying areas of need for additional services. Believers Against Abuse and Neglect of Kids (BAANK) founder and director has been engaging numerous faiths to catalogue current and needed services that can be provided through individual churches in our circuit. Safe Children Coalition, BAANK, DCF, Whole Child, Sarasota Partnership for Children s Mental Health, DJJ, 211, Sarasota County Health and Human Services, and Family Safety Alliance have been meeting regularly to discuss the best interests of the community for a cataloguing system. The committee has met monthly since August The intent is to continue to meet at least every other month, or more frequently (if needed). Data is being generated related to currant usage of the 211 and Whole Child Project systems(types of services requested, frequency of contacts, demographics of client contacts, gaps and overlaps in services. We are also looking at the possibility of including a catalogue of services provided in the Faith Based Community. The committee has met monthly since August The intent is to continue to meet at least every other month, or more frequently (if needed). Data is being generated related to currant usage of the 211 and Whole Child Project system. Types of services requested, frequency of contacts, demographics of client contacts, gaps and overlaps in services. We are also looking at the possibility of including a catalogue of services provided in the Faith Based Community. The committee is looking at the current needs of our local community based on resources requested, utilization rates, and gaps in services. A member of the DJJ program have been invited to the meetings to begin discussions on how the Whole Child Imitative can identify the DJJ service. Strategy 3: By 30 June 2015, Circuit 12 will enhance and expand upon current child abuse prevention initiatives and programs within the community. Objectives 3.1 and 3.2: Development of Media/Educational Committee Advocate and support continued efforts of agencies and programs that are already involved with prevention and educational programs. SPAARC has been in 5 schools with their I own Me program and focusing on 4 th graders. The Girl Scots are planning their 100 th Anniversary in 2/2012 they are looking at doing a huge Human Trafficking Awareness training and targeting at risk families. This is in be planning stages.

5 Child Protection Center reported they did prevention education to 1200 kids K- 12 th grade. The Bullying event was a success and they are looking at a cyber bullying training to be offered in the future. Trauma Informed Care Work Group is compromised of a Circuit wide group involving members from Mental Health providers, School Boards, Guardian Ad Litem Programs, Safe Children Coalition, Department of Children and Families, and other community partners. The work group s Strategic plan has been completed and implemented to reach targeted audience for those key professions that would benefit from information on TIC. Trainings and educational opportunities have been provided to SCC/DCF staff on multiple occasions and locations. The Work Group has put together two different power point presentations, one that is an overview and one that is more in-depth as to what Trauma Informed Care means and what it all entails. Overview has been presented to Community Consortiums, Guardian Ad Litem Program, Grant Oversight Committees, Community Alliances, SEDNET training, Adult Investigations unit and Child Investigation units, Teacher in services in Sarasota County. The in-depth presentation is intended for clinical audience. Safe Children Coalition held their 2 nd Annual Conference where attendees listened to guest speakers regarding Trauma Informed Care and Trauma-Involved Child Development Issues: Interventions and Accommodations. Attendees were not only Case Management Agencies but local Service Providers, Child Protective Investigators, and School Officials. Brena Slater, DCF and Kevin McKenney, SCC are completing a presentation on Department of Children and Families to present to the Desoto Ministries. There are several upcoming meetings and teamings to present to local community agencies issues related to child safety. SCC is looking into a PSA on the Annette Sherman show and April 10, 2011 during the Film Festival in Sarasota a movie on substance abuse is being presented. The committee is looking into working with Stuart Roth in creating a documentary on child abuse and prevention. Mr. Roth is also working with Safe Children Coalition s Independent Living program to create a documentary on children who have been raised in Foster Care and have successfully or not successfully aged out of the system. There have been several other events in our local Communities, such as the planning for April 2011 Prevention Month. One event local agencies participated was the Windmills, Paint the Town Blue, and various other events. There are several other initiatives for prevention of abuse happening within our local agencies who are members of the CAPP Committee some of these programs are: I own Me. A program through SPARRC, Sucoast Workforce, and HOPE linking domestic violence programs with workforce resources. Healthy Start has begun a program called, Child Space which is a parent education program for mom s with new born babies. This program is also open to dad s. This will allow the parent a true bonding experience with their child. Dave Potter of Family Partnership shared a program they are developing working with Manatee County Healthy Start which will provide care coordination through a wellness/health and nutrition. Dave is speaking to private vendors about implementing a Work Place

6 Parenting about Nutrition / Employee Assistance Program to assist in developing parenting skills. Through the CAPP plan a relationships have been built with our local churches. Members of these churches have committed to working on different Committees of the CAPP plan and have become a support to the regarding child safety issues. There has been a relationship developed with the local media agents in the community. They provide us with PSA s for local events and support at events. Development of a relationship with educational communities is continuing to be built. The Committee has been working with local schools and building relationships through participation in different events. The Inter Agency Educational Agreement has opened doors to various programs and events within the school system to be able to educate students and parents, even teaching professionals on programs to prevent abuse. Strategy 4: By 30 June 2015, Circuit 12 will support the statewide initiative to identify and seek informal support systems of support within the community, specifically related to the faith based communities. Objective 4.1: Engagement of Faith Based communities regarding current services that are offered to community at large. BAANK Rod Myers was present and talked about a 9/22 Child Abuse Prevention sampler that is looking to coordinate with Faith Based Community. He is looking for 6 strategic Agencies to come and present to the clergy/ministerial staff about the child welfare system and a synopsis of the system. He is thinking that one such speaker could look at foster recruitment. It is a half a day event, and is hoping that this will get other churches aware of what is going on in their communities. Rod Myers from BAANK has been involved with speaking to Local Churches and is going to be teaming up with Laura McIntyre, FSA to team up together and identify five local churches to take on educational curriculum that will be developed by the media/education committee. Laura and Rod will also team up to network to expand the resource catalogue and develop more programs within other local churches in the Community. Discussion was held on holding an event to let churches know of the community services involved in Prevention Child Abuse this event is to be determined at this time. BAANK held a Safety Rally there were approximately 40 agencies from within the local community represented and about people who were in attendance. BAANK has started an initiative that allows for respite care for foster care and a program titled, Nest Keepers. The program is developed for young mothers to build a relationship with their children through mentors. Sarasota County Jail has a faith based program now offering parents incarcerated parenting, stress management, and anger management. SCC will be looking into these programs meeting the criteria for these programs to be recognized by the court system.

7 We continue the process of identifying supports and programs and will be working on a way to input this information into the BAANK database. This has in turn been used to forward information on to community systems like 211 and Whole Child. We have identified Sarasota Christian Church and Central Church of Christ who have provided a list of supports/programs they have available for their church. Part 3: PLAN OF ACTION FOR THE PROMOTION OF ADOPTION Vision Florida s highest priority is that children are raised in healthy, safe, stable, and nurturing families. Mission To serve as a blueprint that will be implemented to provide for the care, safety, and protection of all of Florida s children in an environment that fosters healthy social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development. Outcome All families and communities ensure that children are safe and nurtured and live in stable environments that promote well-being. Manatee County Goal 1.1 The percent of children adopted within 12 months of becoming legally free for adoption will increase from the fiscal year rate of 56 percent to 79 percent by 30 June Sarasota County Goal 1.2 The percent of children adopted within 12 months of becoming legally free for adoption will increase from the fiscal year rate of 48 percent to 75 percent by 30 June Desoto County Goal 1.3 The percent of children adopted within 12 months of becoming legally free for adoption will increase from the fiscal year rate of 73 percent to 75 percent by 30 June Manatee County Goal 2.1 The percent of children legally free for adoption who have been waiting for adoption since the date of termination of parental rights (TPR) for more than 12 months will be reduced from the June 2009 rate of 43.3 percent to 20.8 percent by 30 June 2015.

8 Sarasota County Goal 2.2 The percent of children legally free for adoption who have been waiting for adoption since the date of termination of parental rights (TPR) for more than 12 months will be reduced from the June 2009 rate of 51.1 percent to 20.5 percent by 30 June Desoto County Goal 2.3 The percent of children legally free for adoption who have been waiting for adoption since the date of termination of parental rights (TPR) for more than 12 months will be reduced from the June 2009 rate of 26.7 percent to 20.3 percent by 30 June Strategy 1: By 30 June 2015, Circuit 12 will have provided training to key Leads, Partners, Champions, and Case Management Organizations in Family Finders, Family Centered Practice, and Family Team Conferencing in an effort to ensure all are operating from the same knowledge base, using the same language, and working towards achieving the adoption promotion goals. Objective 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3:Train key Leads, Partners, Champions, and Case Management Organizations in Family Finders. Train key Leads, Partners, Champions, and Case Management Organizations in Family Centered Practice. Train key Leads, Partners, Champions, and Case Management Organizations in Family Team Conferencing. Licensing Specialist position has been restructured to allow for a.5 FT employee to become trained on the Family Finder model. They, in turn, work with the Case Management agencies, to identify and locate family connections. Another function of this position is to train case management staff on this model. Missing Children s specialist along with her supervisor, Quality Management/Training Coordinator were trained on the Family Finder model. The Missing Children s specialist began using the model to work with teens who were more frequent runaways and a struggle to bring back from being on the run. There have been several permanent placements made through use of the model with Non Relatives. Representatives from case management staff, Children s Legal Services, Office of Attorney General, Guardian Ad Litems and the Sarasota YMCA lead agency staff participated in a training on APPLA children. The training was provided by DCF staff and incorporated many of the same tenets of the Family Finders training. Three training days were established to train CMO staff, GAL s, Legal, and other outside service providers regarding Family Centered Practice these trainings were held on January 11, January 18, and January 25, March 9, 2010 Family Centered Practice Training was offered to the local Child Protection Investigators. Family Centered Practice is an ongoing training offered to new staff entering the Case Management agencies. Family Centered Practice has been added to Pre- Service as well as trained by job coaches and mentors as best practice Beginning in January 2010 three training days were established to train CMO staff, GAL s, Legal, and other outside service providers regarding Family Centered Practice. March 9, 2010 Family Centered Practice Training was offered to the local Child Protection Investigators.

9 Case Management agency staff and supervisors have been trained on the use of Family Team Conferencing. They have begun using this process within their systems of care. Lead Agency and Child Welfare Staff have been trained in Family Team Conferencing and have begun using the process in meetings with the families. Case Management agencies have implemented the use of Family Team Meetings. All new employees are trained on the benefits as well as the use of Family Team Meetings. Strategy 2: By 30 June 2015, Circuit 12 will work with key Leads, Partners, Champions, and Case Management Organizations to put into practice the evidence based models of permanency (Family Finders and Family Centered Practice) with a philosophy of family and community connections. Objective 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3: Implement and put into practice the Family Finders modality. Implement and put into practice the Family Centered Practice modality. Implement the use of the Targeted Recruitment tools to target TPR cases with no identified placement. The development of task force as a subgroup of the Family Safety Alliance to identify system barriers to timely permanency and decision making for sibling placement options. There are regularly scheduled FSA meetings to discuss system issues and to suggest options. Family Centered Practice is continuously discussed in best Practice situations. The new case manager s entering the field are trained on Family Centered Practice. Strategy 3: By 30 June 2015, Circuit 12 will support the statewide initiatives to identify and seek support systems within the community, specifically related to the faith based communities, for our challenging population of children awaiting identified adoptive homes and in efforts of enhancing and maintaining sibling relationships within the community. Objective 3.1: Engage the faith based community and build a strong working relationship. Continuously working on identify churches in the community and at this time we have 2 churches who are both non denominational. We identified churches in the community and at this time have identified 2 churches who are both non denominational. We continue to make attempts to contact churches of different denominations.

10 Part 4: PLAN OF ACTION FOR THE SUPPORT OF ADOPTIVE FAMILIES A plan for steps to be taken in meeting identified needs, including the coordination and integration of services to avoid unnecessary duplication and cost, and for alternative funding strategies for meeting needs through the reallocation of existing resources, utilization of volunteers, contracting with local universities for services, and local government or private agency Vision Florida s highest priority is that children are raised in healthy, safe, stable, and nurturing families. Mission To serve as a blueprint that will be implemented to provide for the care, safety, and protection of all of Florida s children in an environment that fosters healthy social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development. Outcome All families and communities ensure that children are safe and nurtured and live in stable environments that promote well-being. Goal 1 The number of adopted children who were returned to foster care (regardless of when the adoption was finalized) in the circuit will be reduced from 5 during the fiscal year to less than 1 during the fiscal year. Strategy 1: By 30 June 2015, Circuit 12 will expand the number of providers that are trained in the Adoption Competency model and expand the training opportunities available to adoptive parents. Objective 1.1 and 1.2: Train and implement the Adoption Competency model in an effort in increase the number of providers trained and able to work with adoptive families in this model. Expand the training opportunities for adoptive parents through partnering with the Foster Parent Associations, making PAIRS training more accessible, and increasing the number of adoptive parents attending DCF/CBC adoption focused conferences. Combined trainings produced 18 mental health providers certified and 17 local adoption workers and outside providers educated in the area of Adoption Mental Health Competency. April 8, 2011 a training was held for Adoptions on implementing Adoption Competency within case management. Adoptions Meeting was held on February 22, 2011 with Child Legal Services and Guardian Ad Litems, along with case management to discuss reaching adoptions

11 within twelve months and reducing the number of case plan extensions to allow for permanency quicker. Adoptive families are provided adoption related materials and supports through child welfare topic provided through, tips of the week (completed twice per month), quarterly Adoption Newsletters and through speakers at local area adoption support groups. Training calendars are now sent out to all foster parents. Quality Parenting Initiative is established and running under the direction of Alex Kamberis, SCC. Strategy 2: By 30 June 2015, Circuit 12 will develop a committee, to include formal and informal participants, who will focus on issues affecting adoptive families and identifying needs/solutions to gaps in services. Objectives 2.1: Establish a committee that will include formal and informal participants that will focus on issues affecting adoptive families and identify needs/solutions to gaps in services. A meeting was held with community partners who meet the needs of the therapeutic children we serve. Discussion was based around the therapeutic providers assistance to transition a child to an adoptive placement. Then provide stabilization of the child once in the adoptive home. Services such as TBOSS which is a six month post placement therapeutic service who can work with the Prospective Adoptive Parents and the child. Certification for Therapist in regards to Adoptions. Currently, in our three counties we have three therapist who have been certified. Manatee County had a designated Adoptions Program through a County Grant. The therapist begins working with the child and the Prospective Adoptive Family at time of the match. Recruiting for Medically needy children people to focus an interest would be Nurses, School Boards, LEO, Fire Men, and Valuable Agencies, such as Cerebral Palsy. During transition of medically needy children to adoptive placements WATCH Nurses can assist. The partners have been identified to dialog as to barriers and maintenance of children with a goal of adoption. Community meetings have been conducted thus far to determine committee participants. Committee has started collaboration of identifying communication gaps and barriers for public and private entities. Foster/Adoptive Parent Night Out committee met to discuss respite activities and engaging other Circuit 12 churches (3 in Manatee; 6 in Sarasota) wanting to partner with giving both foster and adoptive parent respite opportunities. Community meeting with BAANK members discussed expansion of other Sarasota church contacts with partnership with SCC adoption staff and Heart Gallery to impress upon the need for adoptive families for waiting children and tangible support needs for adoptive families within the church community.