Purposeful Visitation and Family Time

7/9/2015

A child’s story

7/9/2015

Purposeful Visitation and Family Time

7/9/2015

Learning Objectives• K1. Recognize that purposeful and frequent parent-child visitation and family time is highly

correlated with successful reunification.• K2. Identify strategies for developing visitation plans based on case plan objectives and

reflect the developmental of the infants, child(ren )and youth and the skill level of the parent.

• K.3 Identify visitation plans that progressively increase parental independence and autonomy based on assessment of the case plan progress, safety and risk.

• K4. identify tools describing behaviors parents and caregivers can use to engage infants, children, youth and young adults to nurture, support, and sustain emotional connections.

• K5. Identify strategies to address potential negative reactions from caregivers, children, and youth to visitation and family time.

• V1. Value observing and documenting visitation and family time activities as part of the assessment and service planning process.

• V2. Value visitation and family time as a tool for helping children, youth and young adults in foster care maintain connectedness with parents, siblings and other extended family members.

• V3. The trainee will value engaging parents, youth and caregivers in developing visitation and family time plans.

7/9/2015

Agenda

• Defining Purposeful Supervision and Family Time• Laws• Research• Levels of Supervision• Visitation/Family Time by Developmental Level and

Needs• Roles is Visitation/Family Time Plans• Developing Visitation/Family Time Plans• Documentation of the Written Plan7/9/2015

A child’s voice

• Meet Dion Jalen Buie

7/9/2015

Defining Intentional Visitation and Family Time

• Supervised Visitation• Family Courts – agreements and services• Therapeutic Visitation• Visit Coaching

7/9/2015

Why is Supervision and Family Time Important?

• Law and County Policy• What the Research Shows

7/9/2015

Federal, State Laws, County Policy Procedure

7/9/2015

The Adoptions and Safe Families Act of 1997 (ASFA)

7/9/2015

The Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (ICWA)

7/9/2015

Child Welfare System Outcomes and Accountability Act

7/9/2015

Welfare and Institutions Code

7/9/2015

County Policy

7/9/2015

Knowledge Check

• The law that requires active efforts in working with a family towards reunification is:

a) AFSAb) MEPAc) ICWAd) PQCR

7/9/2015

A mother’s voice

• Meet Wanda Chambers

7/9/2015

What we know about visitation and outcomes

• Successful Reunification, Permanency outcomes, Well being in out-of-home care increases.

• Time in placement and behavior issues in out–of-home care decreases.

(Davis et al 1996, Farmer 1996, Hess 2003, Cantos et al 1997)

7/9/2015

What visitation and family time is about

• Providing opportunities for skill practice• Addressing feelings• Facilitating attachment• Meaningful and purposeful activities• Assessment of relationships, growth,

change, progress

Saini, et al 2012, Chen, 20107/9/2015

What visitation and family time in not about

• Using visitation and family time as a reward or punishment

• Setting up the family for failure• Imposing our own values

7/9/2015

A father’s voice

• Meet Adam Gettinger- Brizuela

7/9/2015

Purposeful Supervision and Family Time

• Family Engagement• Full Disclosure• Purpose• Frequency• Length of visits/family time• Activities

7/9/2015

Purposeful Visitation and Family Time

• Plan with parents and children• Caregivers/and or relatives are key partners• SDM Five Factors of Effective Parenting

7/9/2015

Purposeful Visitation and Family Time

• Planning meaningful activities

7/9/2015

Levels of Supervision

• Therapeutic or Coaching• Supervised• Observed or Monitored• Unsupervised

Adapted from Parenting Time Protocol, Nebraska, 20097/9/2015

Determining the Level of Supervision

7/9/2015

Safety and Supervision

• Safety is critical, document why it is unsafe• Visitation is in the best interest of the child

Chen, 2010

7/9/2015

Supervision/Family Time and Safety

7/9/2015

A foster parent’s voice

7/9/2015

Knowledge Check

• The level of supervision described in this course that consists of a parent and child are in sight and sound distance of an approved person or agency is:

a) Therapeutic or Coachingb) Supervisedc) Observed or Monitoredd) Unsupervised

7/9/2015

Phases of Visitation/Family Time

• Initial Phase• Middle Phase• Transition Phase Reunification• Transition Phase – Permanency , Adoption

7/9/2015

Initial PhasePurpose Safety Consideration Worker Considerations

• Assessment• Goal Planning• Identify Strengths,

Resources and Capacities

• Engage parents and children in the development of the plan

• Build relationship with parent, child and caregiver

• Assess and determine parents’ ability to provide for child’s safety

• Observe if child is being coerced

• Ensure visits are at the appropriate level of supervision for needed safety

• Determine child’s attachments and relationships

• Structure of visits• Frequency needed to

sustain and improve relationships

• What relationships are important to maintain or build

• How to minimize stress and conflict

• Plan for cancelled, unannounced visits

• Cultural considerations• Sibling connections

Minnesota DHS,CSP Division, 20097/9/2015

Middle PhasePurpose Safety Considerations Worker Considerations

• Visits are a forum for building new skills and attachment

• Parent use new behaviors to respond the child

• Facilitate towards safety permanency and well being

• Continued assessment• Does visitation plan need

to be revised?• Plan shift or responsibility

back to parents

• Are parents demonstrating new skills to improve their capacity to keep the child safe?

• Is child safe without visitation supervision?

• Is child safe for overnight visits?

• Do parents activities match the child’s developmental needs?

• Are there positive changes in behavior in the child and the parents?

• Do parents use visit as an opportunity to increase their understanding of the child’s needs?

• Are parents involved in daily activities, activities in child’s life?

• Are parents and caregiver supporting child before and after visitation?

• Sibling connections and visitation?

• Do visits maintain cultural connections?

7/9/2015

Transition Phase - ReunificationPurpose Safety Considerations Worker Considerations

• Decision made to reunify

• Structure visit s to ensure planned reunification

• Structure visits to identify any remaining stress points in the relationship

• Structure visit so that upon evaluation, it is clear to worker and the family reunification is definite

• Assess safety needs and develop a plan to reduce likelihood or re-entry into care

• Ensure parents and caregiver share significant information about child’s individual medical and mental health needs

• Have visits demonstrated parent(s) enhanced capacity to care safely for their child?

• Does visitation plan support child’s cultural and community connections?

• Have sibling relationships been considered in visitation and reunification plan?

7/9/2015

Transition Phase – Adoption of Transfer of Custody

Purpose Safety Considerations Worker Considerations

• Decision has been made to seek permanency with alternative family

• Ongoing assessment of the family relationships to support alternate plan of permanency

• What role will visitation play during the transition period to alternate plan of permanency?

• Structure visits to preserve child’s connections to family, relatives, community and culture

• Assess safety needs ad develop a plan to reduce risk and likelihood of re-entry into care

• Ensure caregivers are sharing significant information about the child’s individual medical and mental health needs.

• Does the visitation plan support child’s cultural and community connections?

• If’ reunification is not possible, is a visitation routine in place that will develop relationships with the adoptive or permanent caregivers that will preserve on-going connections after the permanency plan is finalized?

• Are sibling relationships considered and a need for on-going contact?

7/9/2015

Visitation/Family Time by Developmental Level and Needs

• Resource for families

7/9/2015

Visitation Brainstorm: ReflectionActivity

Daniel is a 4 year old who has been determined to be ICWA eligible, has been placed with an aunt who is not Native American, nor a tribal member. Daniel was removed from his father because of medical neglect. The father who belongs to the Pechanga Band of Indians, has monitored supervision with Daniel.

Please list visitation ideas that are:• Tailored to the child’s age and development• Culturally relevant• Structured to encourage positive interaction• Related to case plan objectivesIn the box below

7/9/2015

Visitation and Family Time Activities for Daniel and his Father

• The father attend medical appointments with Daniel and demonstrate how to care for Daniel’s medical condition.

• The father prepare a picnic and have lunch at a park with Daniel and the aunt

• The aunt, Daniel and the father visit the elders of the tribal band• The father read a story to Daniel at the aunt’s home at bedtime• The father teach Daniel about his tribal heritage and customs• The father plays soccer with Daniel• The father and Daniel draw and color together• Attend a tribal pow wow together.

7/9/2015

A Tribal Voice

Misty Taylor, The Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel

7/9/2015

Preparation for Supervised Visitation/Family Time

• Prior to the Visit• During the Visit• Ending the Visit

Minnesota DHS,CSP Division, 20097/9/2015

Social Worker RoleBefore During After

• If possible, place child in a home that will support visitation and family connections

• Provide everyone with written visitation/family time plan

• Prepare parents to SUCCEED at visits

• Explain t the child the purpose, safety rules, how long visits will be

• Practice with child what he/she may want to say during visit

• Arrange location and transportation

• Ask parents, child and caregiver what they are worried about.

• If the visitation monitor, see tips for role of the monitor.

• Ensure visits are a high priority, so that they occur

• Do not use visits as rewards or punishment

• Give the parent’s feedback on interactions, behaviors, parenting skills or other issues in a strength based manner

• Use progressive visit planning to increase or decrease an item in the visit ( length, location, visitors, etc) in order to meet the needs of the child and determine parenting skills

• Call and check with caregiver and child

• Ask everyone what went well and how improve the visit.

7/9/2015

Before the VisitParents Child Caregiver Family Time

SupervisorTransporter

• Ask about any rules/expecta-tions. Follow the rules.

• Find items to bring

• Call as soon as possible if cancelling

• Ask for help in handling child’s emotions if needed

• Tell adults what you prefer: location, frequency, who attends, safety

• Ask questions• Tell adults

about feelings you can’t handle

• Have a backpack with things you’d like to share

• Prepare child for the visit

• Pack food, clothes, medicine, comfort item

• Say positive things about the parent(s)

• Give information to the SW and parent abut the child

• Support contact by other family members

• Be willing to put child’s best interest first

• Have skills required to implement the plan

• Assess, model, observe

• If appropriate, complete any training, especially for high level supervision

• Be on time• Safe driving

and car seats• Listen to

child(ren) during ride

• Report concerns to SW

• May be asked to provide information from caregiver to SW or child’s parents

7/9/2015

During VisitParents Child Caregiver Family Time

SupervisorTransporter

• Follow the rules/expectations

• Only bring persons who have been given permission to visit

• Follow child’s cues, provide comfort, set boundaries

• Come to visit clean and sober

• Have fun• Follow the

rules• Use your

safety plan, ask for help.

• Share your backpack

• Have visits in caregiver’s home

• Model and teach the child’s parent

• Help with transitioning the child before and after visit

• Be willing to meet with parents before and after visit

• Model• Help with

transitions• Be unobtrusive,

unless therapeutic supervision

• Monitor for violations of rules , safety and intervene

• End visit if parent is intoxicated, aggressive, mental health issues

• If also monitor see monitor’s role

7/9/2015

After the VisitParents Child Caregiver Family Time

SupervisorTransporter

• State concerns to SW

• Provide suggestions for next visit

• Take care of your self

• Talk to a friend, SW or therapist and debrief

• Listen for feedback and ask questions on how to improve

• Tell adults if you have questions, feelings, reactions or concerns about the visit

• Tell adults what you think would make visits better

• Have a routine to comfort child, allow for emotions to be expressed safely

• Discuss “out of the ordinary” concerns with SW

• Document visit if you are supervising

• Take care of your self and your family

• If approved by SW, provide immediate feedback to parent – out of hearing of child

• Document strengths and challenges

• Contact SW if special needs to be addressed

• If approved, check with child , out of hearing of the parent

• Be on time• Safe driving

and car seats• Listen to child

during the ride

• Provide reassurance

• Report concerns to SW

• May be asked to provide information to caregiver

7/9/2015

Additional Tools

• For the Child• For the Parent• For the Caregiver

7/9/2015

A social worker’s voice

• Meet Michele Sanchez, a social worker

7/9/2015

Visitation and Family TimeFrequency and Location of Activities

7/9/2015

Visitation and Family Time

• Incarcerated Parent– Complex process– Consult with California Department of Corrections

and Rehabilitation– Consult with your supervisor on local facilities

http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/Visitors/index.html

7/9/2015

Visitation and Family Time

• Siblings– Visits required by law unless detrimental to the

child– Develop a plan

(Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2013)

7/9/2015

Case ScenarioA one month old baby has been removed from her mother for general neglect ‐and substance abuse. The child was born with a positive toxicology for methamphetamine and was losing weight. The baby is in relative placement with the maternal grandmother. The young mother has enrolled in an outpatient substance abuse treatment program and is on the waitlist for inpatient treatment.The maternal grandmother has been ensuring that the mother is never alone with the mother and is cooperative with the Department. She states she want to protect her grandchild, but also wants to see her daughter be able to reunify and appropriately care for her baby. The mother has been complying with random drug testing. She is currently residing with another family member who agreed to let her stay if she remains clean and until she gets into inpatient treatment.The Court ordered frequent and liberal visitation to be supervised as directed by the Department at the Detention Hearing.

7/9/2015

• Based on the scenario, where would the ideal place for the visit and family time to take place, taking into account the developmental needs for the child?

a)At a parkb)At the maternal grandmother’s homec)At the social worker’s officed)At the relative’s home where the mother is

temporarily residing7/9/2015

7/9/2015

7/9/2015

7/9/2015

7/9/2015

The Written Plan

• Documenting in CWS/CMS

7/9/2015

Writing the Plan

• Documenting in the Delivered Service Log

7/9/2015

Visitation and Structured Decision Making

• SDM Tool

7/9/2015

Case Plan Example• Visitation and family time with the father, Mr. Smith and child, Amy, is to

occur no less than twice per week at the paternal aunt’s home with the paternal aunt present to supervise. The Department may also be present to supervise in order to assess the father-child relationship and assess progress in the case plan including Mr. Smith’s benefit from parenting classes. Mr. Smith will use and practice age appropriate parenting techniques and interactions during the visitation. Visits are not to be overnight as this time, but no less than two hours at length. The exact length of each visit will be determined between Mr. Smith , the paternal aunt and the Department, with the paternal aunt’s or Amy’s routine, appointments or school expectations taking priority. Mr. Smith is to be sober at the time of the visits and should the paternal aunt suspect he is under the influence, she may deny the visit and immediately inform the social worker. If at any time, Mr. Smith, paternal aunt or the Department are uncomfortable with the visitation arrangement, a new arrangement will be made with the input of all parties.

7/9/2015

Documentation and Progress of Visitation and Family Time

• Document what happens during the visitation and family time

• Statements from family, child, caregiver• Your own observations• Understand attachment

7/9/2015

Documentation and Progress of Visitation and Family Time

7/9/2015

Summary

7/9/2015

Question 1: A directive experience during visitation/family time may be called: Select all that apply

a) Unsupervised visitationb) Monitored visitationc) Therapeutic visitationd) Coaching visitation

7/9/2015

Question 2:What are the components of planning a purposeful visitation and family time?

a) Purpose, frequency, length, location, activities, supervision, who is involved, and documentation

b) Time, length, location, action items, who is involved, communication and documentation

c) Frequency, supervision, location, transportation and documentation

d) Time, location, duration, supervision, friends and family, responsibilities and documentation

7/9/2015

Question 3: Who should you support before, during and after the visit?

a) Parent, child and social workerb) Parent, child and caregiverc) Parent and childd) Child

7/9/2015

Question 4: Having open, honest communication with the family about their case, throughout the life of the

case is the practice of:

a) Planned and purposeful visitation and family time

b) Full Disclosurec) Covering requirementsd) Strength based perspective

7/9/2015

Question 5: what are the safety factors that should be considered in visitation and family time planning? Select all that

apply

a) Level of supervision in sex abuse casesb) Controlled setting when mental health

issues are not addressedc) Parties present in Intimate Partner Violence

casesd) Definition of “appears under the influence”

is substance abuse cases

7/9/2015

Question 6: Documentation of the visitation and family time plan should include which of the following? Select all that apply

a) Family and caregiver engagement in the process

b) Social worker’s opinion about the planc) Prognosis of how the visit will turn outd) Components of the plan

7/9/2015

Question 7:The written visitation and family plan should be: Select all that apply

a) Signed by all parties when applicableb) Reviewed and discussed with the family

more than once during the review periodc) Entered into CWS/CMSd) Reviewed by the Court

7/9/2015

Question 8: Visitation and Family Time IS about: Select all that apply

a) Providing opportunities for skill practiceb) Imposing our own valuesc) Facilitating attachmentd) Using it as a reward

7/9/2015

Question 9: Determining the level of supervision and family time is tied to:

a) Well beingb) Permanencyc) Safetyd) Mental health

7/9/2015

Question 10: The transition phase of supervision and family time can be opportunities for:

a) Ongoing assessment of family relationships in as the alternate permanent plan is implemented

b) Engaging the parent in the development of the plan

c) Building relationships with the temporary caregiver

d) Observing the child being coerced

7/9/2015

Bibliography

7/9/2015

Resources

7/9/2015

Curriculum Developers –see notes below

• Irene Becker, LCSW• Crystal Shackleford, MSW

7/9/2015

This is an example only – do not include in final product

7/9/2015