Solution Focused Journey to Family Dependency Treatment Court

AgendaIntroductionInquiryFamily Engagement - ToolsOrganization ChallengesCommunity ForumFamily Dependency Treatment Court – Drug CourtVideo – Drug Court ParticipantVideo – Drug Court Team MemberAcknowledgements/References

Introductions

Mark WilhelmsonSocial Service SupervisorSt. Louis County Public Health & Human Serviceswilhelmsonm@co.st-louis.mn.us

Mark SnyderSocial Service SupervisorSt. Louis County Public Health & Human Servicessnyderm@co.st-louis.mn.us

Map of U.S. /Minnesota/St. Louis County

Location

DULUTH

Olympic Gold MedalsList of Countries and Medal Count

COUNTRY GOLD SILVER BRONZE TOTAL

1. USA 9 15 13 37

2.Germany 10 13 7 30

3.Canada 14 5 6 26

18. Australia 2 1 0 3

27. Estonia 0 1 0 1

Miserable finish by Curling Team From Duluth

St. Louis County Golf TeamTeam: Mark Wilhemson,

Mark Snyder, Tom Rendulich, Rick Benson, John Nachsheim, James Ellingson, Jenny Fick, Melissa Lehr

Andrew Turnell – Honorary Team Member

Golf Cap

Child Safety

Be Gentle With The Young Juvenal (55 AD-127 AD)

Children begin by loving their parents; as they grow older they judge them; sometimes they forgive them Oscar Wilde (1854 – 1900)

Always be nice to children because they are the ones who will choose your rest homePhyllis Diller (1917 - )

Change

We must become the change we want to see.Mahatma Ghandi (1869 – 1948)

A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty. Winston Churchill

There is nothing wrong with change if it is in the right direction. Winston Churchill

Inquiry - The Journey BeginsCollaboration with Key ActorsFocus on safetyLanguage ChangeSolution BuildingExploration for detailsSearch for exceptionsIndividuals

Tools

Elicit, Amplify, Reflect, Start Over3 Houses3 ColumnsSafety PlansWords and PicturesTime LineMaps

More Info: www.signsofsafety.net/Around_the_World.html - New Zealand: Child Youth and Family

‘Three Houses’ Child Protection Risk Assessment Process to use with Children and Young PeopleCreated by Nicki Weld, Wellington NZ

House of Dreams

House of Worries

House of Good Things

On 3 separate pieces of paper draw with the children their experience and vision of each house. Use these drawings with the adults in deepening the assessment and planning process.

3 ColumnsWHAT ARE WE WORRIED ABOUT

WHAT’S WORKING WELL? WHAT’S WORKING WELL?

Strengths Safety Our View Your View

Rate the situation on a scale of 0-10, where 0 means things are so bad the family can no longer care for the children and 10 means that everything that needs to happen for the children to be safe in the family is happening

Safety plan (blank)

TIME LINE

Aug 2009 Sept 2009 Oct 2009 Nov 2009 Dec 2009 Feb 2010July 2009June 2009 Mar 2010

1st report to IIU- Prenatal exposure- THC also left AMA 29weeks preg

June 28 09

Destani born Weighed 3 lbs 4 oz

June 29 09

Liana and Susan begin working with Autumn and Jacob- Destani to stay in hospital for 6 weeks

Destani discharged from hospital Autumn and Jacob successfully completed all hospital recommendationsAug 11.09

Jacob goes to NERCC on violation D.V. ADR-April 3, 2010

Safety plan developed w/ public health

Nurse- Autumn no longer wants SS involved

Sept 25. 09

PH notifys Liana that she has not seen Autumn in a few weeks- canceling appts possible drug useOct 23. 09

Concerns about Autumns ability to care for child- *police hold*March 5 2010

Domestic between Jacob and Autumn- Charged w/ domestic assaultAug 29 .09

Admin review… close case Feb 9.10

Autumn admits to using THC 2x since last visit- not going to 1st yesr- only met w/ PHN 2X

Nov 23. 09

Liana receives reports that Autumn is dealing and using meth- refused UA

H.V. @ Autumns – Patrick admits to meth relapse – states he is homicidal/ suicidal during visitDec 15, 09

Building Safety & Strengthening Families PracticeDanger/Harm

Risk Statement(s)

Complicating Factors

Safety = Strengths Demonstrated As Protection Over Time.

Genogram

Safety

Next Steps(Immediate Progress)Safety Protection Required

Current Ranking

Strengths/Protective Factors (Ahlquist 2000)

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Focus/Purpose of Consultation

Enough Safety to Close

• Judy clearly loves Sam; he goes to her, they cuddle, she responds to him being upset

• Judy’s aunt Rose lives close to her, is supportive of her and provides care for Sam so Judy & Pete can have a

breakPete usually interacts well with Sam, plays with

him and has never hurt him when caring for him

Neighbors called 911 and Pete was arrested

Aunt Rose has a spare bedroom for Judy & Sam

Pete and Judy have argued before without threats or violence.

• Pete and Judy have met separately with the social workers and both

appear honest and open about what happened.• Pete views the domestic violence

as serious and believes he needs help.

Pete’s boss has tried to befriend him and is a good example for

Pete both on the job and at home

10 month old Sam was held by Judy when Pete punched Judy, she fell while holding Sam and Sam’s head hit a table causing a large bruise and bump

• We are worried because this is the second time Pete has been physical with Judy and this time was more violent.• We are worried because Pete’s father punched both he and his mother and injured them, from the time Pete was 6 years old and until his father left the home when Pete was 14

• Pete has a job that pays well and he provides most resources for the family

•Pete has no supportive family and no friends he is close to or can rely on.

Judy has decided to spend some time with Sam at Rose’s house to see if Pete takes action

Pete has told his boss about the incident & he will be part of a safety plan.Pete has contacted DAIP and will begin the Men’s education group.

Pete will visit Sam at Rose’s house and Rose will be in charge of the visit.Pete will provide financial resources to Judy and Sam, through Rose

Organizational Practice

Intake transfers to case management; 1200 intakes in 2009

Pre-petition Screening; 188 petitions for juvenile court

What is working, useful considered strengths? SOS offers different ways to look at cases with a focus on safety with some discussion

of absolute sobriety SOS methods allow an opportunity to really develop a working relationship and find

out what is going on in a family. SOS consult formats, 3 houses help develop the relationship

SOS allows to focus on impact of danger and harm on children and to set measurable behavioral goals for parents both short and long term.

Mapping forces Social Workers to focus on real concerns regarding impacts on child safety and parents behavior and helps develop goals as well as getting detail

Stronger working relationships mean better outcomes for families 3 column used with care givers helps set small goals which result in success and the

goals are generated by the care givers Mapping limits story telling about families and situations Words and pictures has been helpful for children Skillful questioning for detail allows a balance look at the family Detail helps direct case rather than formula response like placing all pre-natally

exposed children

What are the concerns, worries?

Judges, Guardian ad Litems acceptance of practices is a worry Judges may be concerned that the Social Workers relationship with care givers is more

important than the safety of children SOS takes more time than workers have ie Words and Pics, 3 houses 3 columns SOS as practiced may be too focused on short term goals than safety (strengths re concern

demonstrated over time) Coordination of the use of tools from intake to ongoing, families or children ask why are we

doing this again, we already did that? Case mapping is not a friendly process, too long, too structured, too much of a critique of the

mappee, mapper, not as purposeful as it could be There are not enough opportunities to learn SOS Safety plans are a joke...parents bring unsafe people to the network, do they really provide for

safety, do they rely too much on the child to keep themselves safe (safety objects, logs) do they create an opportunity for secrets between child and care giver? The issue of secrets with parents could be confusing and give the wrong message.

Varied use of SOS creates questions from the parents and children Lets use plain language, not buzz words like “appreciative inquiry” With words and pictures, parents get defensive re what the child will be told and negotiation is

required

Next Steps

 Specialized training should continue such as W & P DVD etc

Set up a library of resourcesTraining of the CP community, Judges, Foster

Parents, GAL etcAgency Conference as a training toolSocial Workers need materials for WP, etc.

Community Forum on Child Protection1. What strategies/methods or examples of community collaboration

for child safety are you aware of that have worked well?2. What are some of the challenges for communities collaborating

for child safety?

Intense cross training w/shelters and cps staff so we can understand each others philosophies i.c. crisis response teams in the past. As a new worker, go out to the partnering organizations i.e. a shelter worker went out to First Witness in her new employee orientation. Building relationships one on one with the client in the center of the relationship (small collaborations are significant).Advantages of being a small urban area and “recognize” each other and has a sense of each others work. Learning about each others service i.e. a mother wanted to give her child up for adoption and the “love basket.”

Monthly team meetings with Fond du Lac and SLCPHHSQuarterly dialog meetings with FDL and SLCPHHSCo-case manager (ICWA social workers from FDL & SLC)Collaboration review meetings among the ICWA Court Case parties so each has a sense and does not have “surprises.” Does not mean we always agree w/one another.

Joint Family Group Decision Making meetings for familiesProfessional community is willing to collaborate – with differences, still coming together. Important to “getting to know one another so there is less adversarial. This also helps define “who family is” to people.Community dialog initiated with cultural, professional aspects of what is going on in the community. SLC & FDL &Carlton May 22nd 1 p.m. (3rd one coming up) This session will focus on “gangs.” Networking is key and SLC is a helpful resource

After school programming w/Grant School, PATCH coordinates and has an Americorp staff person

Honoring tribal court orders in across - IV E funding available to tribes and education will need to happen. Funding is needed for all services Funding challenges also force us to change and often creates the perception we will then have “less” dollars and get locked in programs. We can get locked in our trenches….

oIf the family had know we were going to spend $150,00 collectives, would the family have wanted to purchase these services?

Funding driving “quotas”

Challenges of “entrenched thinking.”Breaking out of old patterns/molds i.e. break out of old histories and generalizations about services and people within systems. These relationships have to begin a new with the heart of safety for the child as most important. Network w/culturally appropriate services for the clientServices needs to be culturally appropriatePTSD and other emotional distresses is devastating but does not drive the system – we need legislative mandates around emotional abuse of children. We are so use to looking to the County for “abc…” answer we need to look creatively, we need to “challenge”

Information sharing – defining/committing to this..Professionals time

3. What are some ideas or solutions to the challenges you have considered? 4. What action steps could the group recommend today?In Alaska I had all the e-mails of critical people across systems – a big address book. i.e. SLCPHHS www.stlouiscounty.org and isd709….Creation of our first Family Justice Center – it will reduce barriers for women once they leave the shelter ….Family Justice Center will wrap around women, probation, prosecutors, Shelter, therapists, minor medical treatment, child care, transportation in the old Water and Gas Building with goal of opening 2008. American Indian Advisory Board is working w/DHS and others to help make a difference with specific concerns with native people. Building networks and bridges: Formal Cross training with one another; Formal network over a case together, a short term program together or more longer term.Carlton Co. Collaboratin w/FDL to discover what the “left and right hand is doing” which grew to a “wrap around” program called a “Children’s Collaborative.” To address “our own silos” we need to have training together or problem-solving with further “focus groups.” Go back to work and take a risk to get your “foot stepped on” and we can each “choose our mindset.” As a person in the trenches, it would be great to have “one release” to work together. HIPAA is a barrier to this work – can we do a “multidisciplinary team release.”

A model for working collaboratively with the child at the center - FLC Educational team calls a meeting to get a common release form for the student through a meeting. Crisis Response team could model this with a multi

Training done jointlyDialog between PHHS and partnersRelationship gathering/quarterly, same time, place, topic could change. Could be a brown-bag, lunch. Traditionally, food provided means “forgiveness” is part of the offering.When meeting collaboratively, don’t take things personally.

Regular MFIP, Social Worker: Shared caseload

Family Dependency Tx Court Purpose/Goal

National Model

Promote recovery through a coordinated response to participants dependent on alcohol and other drugs

Improve outcomes for alcohol and other drug addicted individuals in the courts through collaboration, thereby:Enhancing public safety, ensuring participant

accountability, and reducing costs to society system

FDTC – Team MembersJudgeDrug Court CoordinatorCounty AttorneyPublic DefenderGuardian ad LitemPublic Social Services – Social Worker & SupervisorTribal Social Services – Social WorkerClinical Providers

FDTC - Participants

Currently open in Juvenile CourtScreened by the Family Drug Court TeamVolunteers to participate in good faithSigns terms of participation

FDTC Process - Phases

ONE: Assessment; Detox; Primary Treatment; Random Urinalysis; 12 weeks sobriety; weekly court attendance

TWO: Sobriety; After care; Relapse Prevention; Random Urinalysis; 12 weeks sobriety; every other week court appearance

THREE: Sobriety; Cognitive Behavioral Skills; Sober Parenting; Random Urinalysis; complete 52 weeks; ever third week court appearance

FDTC - IncentivesPraise/recognition by the CourtGift certificatesBus passesTreatment medallionsCertificates of accomplishmentClothing vouchersGas cards, Respite careRecognition of birthdays; birthdays of children

SanctionsCivil Contempt of Court: reprimand – community

service - incarcerationGraduation from FDC requires 52 consecutive weeks

of clean Urinalyses Any positive Urinalysis or documented use – back to

phase one reportingAny failure to call in for a Urinalysis, failure to report

for a Urinalysis or failure to provide a Urinalysis will be deemed a positive and will result in sanctions.

St. Louis County Family Drug Court

Participant: Date: March 18, 2010

Danger/Harm/Worries: History: Mother using methamphetamines, methadone, pot, adderral; connected to criminal element; arrested for possession of Meth; assaulted and abused by her partner; Daughter exposed; witnessed violence; expressed fear of mom’s partner and concern for her mother. Mom re-engaged with violent partner – phone calls & visit at jail; lied to drug court team; jailed. Ticketed for shoplifting. Recently: No concerns.

Safety/Strengths/Working Well: Strong family support ties: Regular contact and visits with parents; honest discussion about relationships and addiction; reconnected with daughter’s father – their relationship appears amiable and supportive; He has been providing primary care for his daughter at times. All reports indicate complete sobriety – even in light of reconnection with ex-partner. Actively seeking employment. Engaged with daughter: baking, crafts, trips to events, shopping in the community, valentines day party at school. Purchased a puppy for daughter – teaching her to provide care. Daughter – regular attendance in pre-school – mom transports. Mom attending individual therapy - expresses anger, frustration, and some gratitude with team and family – this is a change. Developing a stronger relationship with sober graduate of family Drug Court Completed a court ordered peer review. Advanced to Phase II. Safety Team: Mother, Father, Brother, two sober friends, some Family Drug court team members, & sponsor; Plan: Family 3x weekly check in w/mom & daughter; 2x weekly face-to-face contact by friends and sponsor; weekly contact with SW; Court - 2x monthly appearance = ensure sobriety and primary care of daughter

Complicating Factors: Mom’s father is seriously ill – creates stress and anxiety. Struggles with establishing and maintaining safe boundaries with ex-partner; does not recognized his negative impact on her family.

Next Steps:1. Continue present efforts to work her recovery plan and care for daughter. 2. Find a job. 3. Continue individual therapy. 4. Continue Cognitive-Behavioral group at Bethel. 5. Continue Phase II. 6, Address shoplifting ticket.

Scale

How effective has FDTC been in helping you remain sober: 0 = drug court total waste of time; 10 = absolutely critical to my sobriety? Ans: 9; How come? Ans: Having to face people on the team and UA’s – Wish I could take them after FDTC is over. How has the drug court process work for you: 0 = not all all – 10 = fantastic; Ans: 3; How come: confused about roles – who does what, when and stuff like that; new UA procedure is confusing; don’t know the rules – some go to jail, others don’t – not always fair; and I never know what’s going to happen.

0________________________________________________10

St. Louis County Family Drug Court

Participant: Date: March 18, 2010

Danger/Harm/Worries: History: Son born six-eight weeks premature; spent the first month in a neo-natal isolet; wore a heart lung monitor; diagnosed FASD – due to mom’s alcohol and drug use. Son is presently developmentally delayed. Mom recovered but relapsed after 10 months of sobriety alcohol and methamphetamines: Took son to the “seedy hotel” and bar while using – placing him in danger again: Recently: The present worry/concern is potential relapse which would place son at risk.

Safety/Strengths/Working Well: Present safety is provided through a close monitoring/supervision by the Drug Court Team; Mom’s mother and extended family closely observe and would report in as flash – Mom lives with her mother. Mom sober for six months and cooperating with recovery – completed treatment and working on a recovery plan. Mom has followed through with action steps. Relationship with the social worker is more real – honest, straightforward; feels trusting and close. Completed a thorough sobriety plan. Cooperating in an individual therapy program/making progress. Has three sober friends and convenes a bi-monthly get together. Demonstrated responsibility: cared for her disabled sister over the holidays – bathed, toileted, fed, etc.; while performing the same duties with Robert. Participated in family traditions. Offered an apartment by the housing authority – turned it down; it was one block from the “seedy hotel” and neighborhood where she used – advocated for her self with the housing authority – they agreed and didn’t change her position on the waiting list. Identifies what she needs and does not need – articulates clearly her wants – expressed concerns about the sober parenting class.

Complicating Factors: Poor – poverty; unemployed. Long history of alcohol and drug abuse; Son’s father – Mom’s ex-partner is a career criminal and drug abuser. Housing issue – a concern for some team members; although living with her mother provides safety, security, family connectedness, and nurturance. Little transportation other than public bus. Lacks a sober network of friends. Low self-esteem and unresolved clinical issues. . Safety Team/Safety Plan: Team: Mom’s mother, aunt and uncle, two former foster parents, program at Bethel, cousin, father in Grand Rapids, Minn., sponsor; Safety Plan: Relatives/Kin report to social worker weekly regarding status; personal face-to-face contact bi-monthly at minimum with son.

Next Steps:1. Enlarge her sober network of friends 2. Remain in safe housing. 3. Seek employment. 4. Continue parent education/support

Scale

0_________________________________________________________________10

How helpful has drug court been in maintaining your sobriety: 0 = not at all; 10 = most helpful. Ans: 8; how so? Ans: having relationships with people who care. Who? Ans: You just want me to say you; but then said team members. What else? Ans: Random UA’s – I don’t want to

disappoint people. Who? Ans: Robert, my family and you. It got a little silly at this point.

SLC FDTC Drug Court MapWhat is working well? What are your concerns? What are your hopes or next steps?

Team comprised of professionals with diverse skills and knowledgeLeadership is warm, compassionate, fair, and firmDifferent perspectives and opinionsRespect for othersTeam members are creative and innovativeTeam is committed to hard workTeam is committed to FDTC participant’s success; provides structure, support, & accountability; a kind of “restorative justice” Willingness to learn and improveFlexible – there is give and takeAble to see the bright side – have humorRepresent the communityOpen to participant’s view and ideas

Not sure who is on the team Not clear how team members are addedNot clear how team members are droppedWorried about who does what, where, when, and how – clarity about roles; clarity about responsibilitiesHow do we communicate – especially in crisis? E-mail, phone, etc.?Worried about data & privacy. What information is critical to the whole team? What do we keep, if anything, between individuals or share with the team?What do we share outside the team?Worried we don’t always hear everyoneDo not want to recreate the wheel; but, worried we model a family court process after criminal court. What might the differences, if any, be?

Hear from each team member: How are we doing; do we need to do anything different; what might their preferred vision for the team’s future.Hear from present drug court participants: same as above; incorporate their viewpoint into our design; establish a process to obtain their perspective (e.g. conduct an appreciative inquiry or mapping with present drug court participants – video and share with team)Review present procedures and processes: present and future team membership; roles; responsibilities; boundaries; data privacy; communication techniques, rewards, sanctions, etc. Re-establish or redesign – how might we be different from criminal drug court?Design or identify a training; attend as a teamDiscuss and agree on a periodic team building plan

Drug Court Participant Video

Drug Court Team Member

Next StepsContinued Mapping/Search for Detail With

FamiliesContinued Sharing of Maps with Families and

TeamAttach Maps and Safety Plans to Reports to

Juvenile and Family Drug CourtMap Family Drug Court Process With Team

MembersCombine Team Member Maps, Discuss at RetreatStart Over

Special Thanks

Roxanne Esler – Drug Court Social Worker

Catherine Ramm – Drug Court Participant

AcknowledgementsAndrew TurnellRob Saywer & Sue Lorbach, Olmsted County StaffDan Koisolek & Michelle Sellinger Carver County

StaffMinnesota Department of Human ServicesDick Pingry & Children’s Division, St. Louis

CountySpecial Assistance: Mary Ness, Jenny Fick &

James Ellingson

ReferencesEllingson, James & Fick, Jenny – Time LineLorbach, Sue – Consultation FrameworkTurnell, A. & Edwards, S. (1999). Signs of Safety: A

Solution and Safety Oriented Approach to Child Protection Casework. New York: Norton & Company

Turnell, A. & Essex, S. (2006). Working with ‘Denied’ Child Abuse: The Resolutions Approach. Berkshire, England: Open University Press.

Weld, Nikki – 3 Houses