Understanding Katie A and the Core Practice Model

Jennifer Cannell, MSW

Regional Training Manager

Learning Objectives

Describe the main components of the Katie A lawsuit

Learn the shared purpose of CWS and BHS

Identify children who are part of the class and sub-class

Identify the core values and principles of the Core Practice Model

Purpose and Goals of CWS

Keep children safe and preserve families

Ensure children have well-being needs met

Help children who cannot remain with their families to have a permanent loving family

Make accurate decisions

Purpose and Goals of BHS

Support recovery, resilience and well-being

Provide integrated services

Educate the community

Promote the safety of children an youth in the community

BACKGROUND

Class Action Lawsuit filed 2002 against CA Social Services and Health Departments as well as Los Angeles County

Settled statewide Dec. 2011ISSUES: Failure to assess mental health needs Inadequate mental health services Poor foster care placements-overuse of

congregate and shelter care

WHO IS KATIE A?

2002-14 year old Caucasian female

Placed in foster care at age 4

Mental health assessment at age 5

37 different placements

KEY THEMES

Shared needs of children and families-shared practice and responsibility

Coordinated

Comprehensive

Community based

The Settlement

December 2011: Settlement Agreement was reached and the state was asked to take specific action.

The court retains jurisdiction of the case until December 2014.

Counties are expected to and will continue efforts over the next several years to improve collaboration and services on behalf of foster youth.

Class and Subclass Class members include: children with an open CW case who are at risk of placement in foster care.

Subclass: children with an open CWS case who are full scope Medi-Cal eligible and meet the medical necessity criteria for specialty mental health services

IMPLEMENTATION

Http://www.dhcs.ca.gov/Pages/KatieAImplementation.aspx

Every county was asked to complete a readiness self assessment and a service delivery plan and submit them to the state

Implementation of Learning Collaboratives

Core Practice Model Values and Principles

Elements of the Core Practice Model

Teaming with Families

Components and Activities

Services

TEAMING Protects against individual bias

impacting decision Promotes decision and plans that rely on

the voice of the child and family Increases family participation in

developing plans Results in better informed decisions and

plans Values children and families as partners.

The Child and Family Team

Creates a vision with the family and works toward developing or achieving that vision

CFT meeting is one of the several ways that will exist for CFT members to communicate

Team begins with child, youth, family and extended family and extends to informal and formal supports

Start with the End in Mind

5 Key Components

Engagement Assessment Service Planning and Implementation Monitoring and Adapting Transition

ENGAGEMENT Is the process of using a family-centered

and strength-based approach to partnering with families in making decisions, setting goals, and achieving desired outcomes.

Is rooted in respect for the child youth and family, as well as their culture, family dynamics, and individual experiences.

ASSESSMENT

In the CPM, the term “assessment” includes both assessment done by child welfare and the more formal mental health assessment done by a mental health professional

a continuous process

SERVICE PLANNING & IMPLEMENTATION Create and tailor plans Build on the strengths and protective

capacities Flexible and Responsive to meet issues and

needs

MONITORING & ADAPTING

Continuous monitoring and evaluation the plan

Plans should clearly reflect current family needs and circumstances

TRANSITIONS

Moving from formal supports to informal supports

Planning and preparation

https://vimeo.com/61385237

NEXT STEPS

Continue sharing knowledge and ideas for improving system

Improve on what is already working

Identity training, facilitation, and technical assistance needs

Know that everyone is learning together

It is a team effort