Sacramento County Child Protective Services
The Mission of Sacramento County CPS To assess the safety of the children (abuse and/or neglect) To protect the children To strengthen and empower families To assist with social services To prevent out-of-home placement
Early Case Assignment to CS/Dep
Voluntary Involuntary Emergency Response Informal Supervision Court Services Dependency Extended Foster Care Guardianship Adoptions
Emergency Response (ER) Hotline/Intake Units - 24-hour Child Abuse Hotline (916-875-KIDS) - answer the Hotline - take referrals of suspected child abuse reports - decide the appropriate response time - IR (respond within 24 hours from Intake) - 10-day (respond within 10-days from Intake) - Eval-Out/Community Services
3 Big Risk Factors Mental Health Alcohol & Other Drugs Domestic Violence
Physical Abuse Decision Tree
Emotional Abuse Decision Tree
Sexual Abuse Decision Tree
Neglect Decision Tree
CPS Intake Process Information of the Reporting Party HIPAA Law: (Handout) The Code of Federal Regulations (45 C.F.R.164.512) provides an exception to the HIPAA Privacy Rule for reports of child abuse or neglect
Questions regarding the allegation: Physical Abuse allegation: - where is the injury? Describe the location, size, shape, and color - has the injury been treated? - any statements from the child(ren)/caretakers?
Sexual Abuse allegation: - any statements from the child(ren)? - how did you have the information? - has the child been examined? If so, by whom?
Medical Neglect: - what are the presenting symptoms? - what kind of medical/psychiatric care is needed? - what kind of actions did the parents/caretakers take in caring for the child(ren)? Was there a delay in treatment?
Neglect: Food: - did you see any food supply? - would you consider the child(ren) as malnourished? Clothing: - do the child(ren) s clothes match the weather condition? If not, please describe - are the child(ren) wearing ill-fitting clothes? Shelter: - how would you describe the home? - have you seen any health or safety hazards?
Supervision: - Is the child(ren) alone now? How long has the child(ren) been alone? Does the child(ren) know how to contact emergency personnel? - how long have you been waiting for the parents/designated caregivers? - do you know if there are arrangements being made by the parents to care for the child(ren)? - do you think the current injury is a result of inadequate supervision?
Investigation Units ER Units: - investigate complaints of child abuse - determine the family s need for services - make referrals to other CPS programs and/or community programs - remove children from high-risk unsafe and/or abusive situations - initiate Juvenile Court proceedings for the protection of the child - prepare court reports
Medical Neglect Response Unit: In addition to usual referral investigation, the SW: 1. review medical information 2. contact child s health care provider(s) - find out health condition or concern - how serious is the condition or concern - the prognosis
3. Consult with a PHN - assess the need for a joint home visit - clarify medical conditions/treatment - obtain additional medical information - bridge between SW and medical provider(s) - assess the ability for safe transportation - identify needed medical equip and meds
4. Assessment of the child - level of physical/psychological dependence on the caretaker - ability to comprehend the nature of his/her condition - willingness/ability to comply with prescribed treatment
5. Assessment of the caretaker(s) - knowledge of the child s medical history - perception of child s medical needs - compliance with the medication regimen - effort in assisting the child s non-compliance with meds regimen - assessing any underlying issues which affect their ability to follow with medication regimen
6. Prior to closing a. contact all the involved medical provider(s) b. notify all the service provider(s) - closure - child s placement info if child PC ed - plan to transfer to another SW - inability to locate - new address - family refusal/non-compliant with CPS services - change in primary caregiver/composition
c. verify child has medical coverage and is linked to any necessary medical services and providers d. schedule a Medical Neglect Review Team if: - the investigation is not conducted by a medical neglect social worker or - conflicting or differing opinions between CPS and service provider(s) or - chronic, complex, or serious medical concerns during the investigation
Outcome: - Substantiated - Inconclusive - Unfounded
Intervention: - Juvenile Court Involvement (Protective Custody Hold; Protective Custody Warrant; Removal at Detention; Non- Detaining Petition) - Voluntary Services (Informal Supervision) - Closure with Community Services - Closure
Family Engagement:
Medical Neglect Review Team Members: - CPS - Public Health Nurse - Senior and Adult Services - California Children s Services - California Alta Regional Services
- upon request: - treating physician or nurse - Department of Human Assistance representative - other service providers or potential providers associated with the child s family
Purpose- assist SW to: - identify relevant questions for family/provider(s) - identify additional medical info during investigation - identify and obtain relevant medical condition - assess and evaluate medical information and resources
Team Decision Making (TDM) Principles: - Children need families - Families need the help of strong, nurturing communities - Child welfare agencies and communities are more able to help children and families when they work together
Goals: - focuses on the safety and needs of the child(ren) and family - brings together birth families, caregivers, social workers, and others who are involved with the family to make decisions about the child(ren) - ensure everyone who plays a role in the child(ren) s life has a voice in deciding the most appropriate home for the child(ren)- with parents, a relative, family, friend, or foster home
Members: - child(ren) who are age 10 or older - parents, family members, and caregivers - Team Decision Making facilitator - social workers and supervisors - teachers, neighbors, family friends, community representatives, and church members - service providers - other people identified by the family or social worker
Informal Supervision (IS) - intensive services to children and their families in lieu of filing a petition in Juvenile Court - gateway to Early Intervention Family Drug Court (EIFDC) - length of service may vary between 6 to 12 months, might be based upon clients graduation date from EIFDC
EIDFC: EIFDC- federal grant intended to increase the well-being and improve permanency outcomes for children affected by prenatal drug use. Target population: - families where the mother and baby tested positive for drugs and alcohol at the time of the child s birth - include the mother, father, and members of the household
EIFDC Services include, but are not limited to the followings: Timely access to residential and outpatient treatment Specialized Treatment and Recovery Services Program (STARS) Aftercare Services Drug Court Hearings
Eligibility for IS: Have a petition ready to be filed with the Juvenile Court Parental agreement Safety plan in place Risk level is high or very high Child(ren) is under 6 years old or Victim child is over 5 and is medically fragile or has a substantiated medical neglect allegation Pos-tox infant * Family not eligible if they had prior participation, unless the case was closed more than 1 year with successful completion
IS Services include, but are not limited to: Case management Counseling Emergency shelter Respite care Teaching and demonstrating parenting skills AOD testing AOD services Mental health Parent coaching PHN support/assessment Transportation
Child placed in custody: (Handout: Sacramento County Juvenile Court Information for Parents- JV-050) Detention/Initial Hearing: (Handout: Juvenile Court Information for Parents) (Handout: CPS Parent Orientation)
Court Services (CS) - Petition sustained Jurisdictional/Dispositional Hearing
Jurisdictional/Dispositional Hearing - 15 days after the Det/Initial Hearing if petition sustained - Intervention: - Non-Reunification (usually involve severe injuries/death) - Adoption - Permanent Services - Extended Foster Care (Supportive Transition) - Reunification Dependency Services
Dependency Services Intervention/Components: - Family Reunification - Dependent Supervision - Permanency Services
Family Reunification Provided after children have been declared as dependents of the Juvenile Court Children are placed out of the home Placement Resources for Children - relative placement - non-related extended family member (NREFM) - county foster home - certified foster home, foster family agency (FFA) - group home
Process of reconnecting the children with their parents Provide intensive services to address issues that brought the children into CPS. Services range from 6-18 months
Services include, but are not limited to: - treatment for drug and alcohol abuse - anger management classes - parenting classes - family and/or individual counseling - referrals for housing - employment resources - emergency medical services for children - emergency food and shelter services - treatment/counseling for domestic violence - other community resource referrals
Dependency Services Concurrent Planning CA law requires concurrent planning services Working towards reunification while looking for a permanent home for the children should reunification efforts fail Identify a family member or a non-extended family member who will commit to adoption or guardianship
Dependent Supervision Provided after children have been declared as dependents of the Juvenile Court Children are placed in the home of the parent(s) under a court-ordered plan of services Services range from 6-18 months
Permanency Services Children cannot safely return to the home and a permanent plan is not available Children remain as Court dependents Children continue to be placed in foster placements Continue effort to locate a family who are willing to commit to guardianship or adoption Older youth (16 or above)- refer to Independent Living Program Youth 18-21- Extended Foster Care
Timeframe: - 6-month Review Hearing - 12-month Review Hearing - 18-month Review Hearing - 24-month Review Hearing terminate dependency VS re-entry in the system
Independent Living & Extended Foster Care Independent Living Program (ILP) Federally funded Assists current and former foster youth 16-21 Achieve self-sufficiency prior to and after exiting the foster care system ILP phone number (916) 874-9308 Facebook- SacramentoCountyILP Twitter- @SacCountyILP
Eligibility for ILP: Youth was/is in foster care between their 16 th and 19 th birthday Youth was/is between 16 and 18 and in receipt of the Kinship Guardianship Assistance Payment Program (KinGap) Referrals made by social workers, probation officers, foster parents, other county ILP coordinators or by selfreferral Social worker assigned as a case manager Develop a joint Transitional Independent Living Skill Plan
Services include, but are not limited to: - Independent life skill classes - daily living skills - education resources - assistance with applications for student aid - help in getting a job - housing resources - money management - decision making - building of self-esteem - support and advocacy
Extended Foster Care AB12- Supportive Transition Assist foster youth (18-21) to be independent Prepare for a successful transition into adulthood Self-sufficiency through education and employment training
Eligibility for Extended Foster Care: A dependent or ward of the court Reside in an eligible placement Agree to work with a social worker/ probation officer Have a Transitional Independent Living Skill Plan Youth who exited foster care to Adoptions or relative Guardianship after their 16 th birthday Youth who exited to a non-related Guardianshipregardless of the age they exited the system
In addition, the youth must meet one of the 5 conditions: In the process of completing high school or an equivalent program (GED) Be enrolled in a university, vocational school, or community college Participating in a program designed to promote or remove barriers to employment Employed at least 80 hours a month Unable to do the above due to a medical condition
Guardianship A part of the concurrent planning for permanency Court order giving a person authority of taking care of child Grandparents Sisters or brothers Aunts or uncles Other relatives Friends of the family Foster Parents Someone Else who knows the child
Suspends but does not terminate the parental rights Can be terminated at any time through the court. Legal guardians have a lot of the same rights and responsibilities as a parents.
Guardianship Court Hearing (366.26 Hearing): - is set 120 days from whenever the court order is made changing the child s plan to guardianship. - a guardianship intake social worker is assigned - the social worker complete the assessment and prepare a report to the court
Probate Guardianships Brought by the person seeking to be appointed guardian or someone else in the family asking the court to appoint a guardian. Probate Court involved Guardians have the full legal and physical custody of the child Responsible for food, clothing, shelter safety and protection, physical and emotional growth, medical and dental care and education or any special needs of the child.
Adoptions Part of the concurrent planning for Permanency Sacramento County is a state licensed adoption agency Children available have been removed from their parents Fee for Adoption?
Adoption Hearing (366.26 Hearing): is set 120 days from whenever the court ordered an assessment of a permanent plan Termination of parental rights and adoption of the child guardianship for the child Identified placement with a specific goal an adoption social worker is assigned the social worker completes an assessment and prepares a report to the court
Eligibility for Adoption: The child must be in the home for six months Parental rights are terminated (appeal process over) The adopting family has an approved home-study Adoptive placement papers are signed
Services include, but are not limited to: assessment of the child s needs and capabilities compiling the child s social and medical history determining and recommending to the Juvenile Court that parental rights should be terminated establishing if the child is legally free for adoption conducting home study evaluations of adoptive parents coordinating placement of a child in a family that will meet the child s needs evaluation for financial assistance for adoptive parents
Tribal Customary Adoption Effective July 1, 2010 Option for Dependent Indian Children Adoption by and through the laws, traditions and customs of the child s tribe without requiring termination of the parental rights of the biological parents
Resources available after adoption: Adoption Assistance Program (AAP) Funds to adoptive parent(s) Recertified every 2 years Assist in meeting the basic and special needs of the adoptive child(ren) Regardless of income Effective from the date the family signs the Adoptive Placement Agreement until the child(ren) turns 18 (if documented disability, might still be eligible past the child(ren) s 18 th birthday) Adoptions Main number (916) 875-5967