WrapCT Presents: CHANGING AGENCY CULTURE: BEST PRACTICE

Learning CollaborativeWrapCT.org

Mary Jo Meyers-2009 Changing Agency Culture [email protected]

WrapCT PRESENTS:

CHANGING AGENCY CULTURE: BEST PRACTICE



FIRST BIG IDEAJust because you have

some values doesn’t mean you are of value to

families

Pat Miles



CommunityBased

Strengths

TechnologyCluster

UnconditionalCare

Normalization

CulturalCompetencyCollaboration

NeedsDrivenRefinancingFamily Centered

SystemIntegration

WRAPAROUND: A CLUSTER OF TECHNOLOGIES



PUTTING VALUES INTO ACTION EXERCISE



BUILDING ON STRENGTHS• Maintaining strengths-based

conversation and documentation• Knowing how to reframe in a

meaningful way• Encouraging creative resource

development• Promoting a strength-based culture of

service delivery



NEEDS DRIVEN• Identifying needs of your local

communities• Listening for needs rather than

problems or deficits• Developing and implementing plans

that are needs driven rather than service driven

• Avoid prescribing solutions that are deficit driven



FAMILY CENTERED• Agencies are welcoming to families• Staff uses family friendly language• Respect for privacy – information is shared

on a need to know basis• Meetings are not held without children and

families present• Brochures & documents are reviewed by

family members before distribution



COMMUNITY BASED RESPONSIVENESS• Money flows to support what families really need• Agencies are imbedded into the communities

where families live, i.e. are accessible• Operating hours of business and meetings are

responsive to families schedules



CARE FOR CHILDREN IN CONTEXT OF FAMILIES• Commitment to family cohesion in a

safe environment• Natural/informal supports are

embraced in a real way• Prevention of institutional placement • Permanency for children is paramount



NEVER GIVE UPUNCONDITIONAL CARE

• Systems and agencies are not permitted to kick kids and families out

• Blame the plan not the family

• Hold everyone accountable for follow-through

• Remain outcome driven



NORMALIZATION• Family norms/family culture are recognized as

important for success• Awareness and education around the stigma of

mental health• Promoting youth and family events not just

“support” groups• Avoid duplication or overutilization of formal

services



CULTURAL COMPETENCY• Agency diversity, hiring practices, policies and

training• Open dialogue regarding differences is embraced• All committees, training, events have family

membership and participation• All planning is individualized to account for each

family’s culture



COLLABORATIONSYSTEM INTEGRATION

• Are the right parties at the table?• Is everyone participating?• Is everyone held accountable for their part?• Is one plan established to account for all systems?• Are resources being shared?

• Are agencies working together to meet the needs of a common community?



REFINANCING• Use of Multiple Resources

• Creative and Responsible Use of Flex Funds

• Think Sustainability



MARY JO MEYERS [email protected]

CHANGINGAGENCYCULTURE 2009

Evaluating Agency Practice



SECOND BIG IDEA

Holding meetings to discuss plans for youth and families without them present is like building a bridge to nowhere

MJ Meyers



WHAT IS A CHILD AND FAMILY TEAM• The child and family identify a group of people

who will work with them and help prepare the plan of care.

• Composed of informal and formal members who will continue to support the family after leaving the program.

• The Child and Family Team should meet as frequently as needed (at least once a month).



BEST PRACTICE BENCH MARKS

• 50/50 – Balanced Teamwithin 3 months

• 20/80 – Formal/Informal6 months and beyond



THIRD BIG IDEAJust because you have

it, it doesn’t mean children and families

need itMJ Meyers



CATEGORICAL APPROACH• Assess Problems

• Look at Services that are Available…

• Plug Services into the Family



EXAMPLES OF A CATEGORICAL APPROACH• Services reflect what’s available

and has been tried rather than what’s really needed



MARY JO MEYERS [email protected]

CHANGINGAGENCYCULTURE 2009

Barriers & Solutions



LESSONS LEARNED

• Don’t do it unless it holds meaning for families

• Keep the excitement going• Keep your eye on the ball; vigilance is a

must• Establish meaningful QA/QI procedures• Lead by example• Celebrate your successes• Never give up – families deserve your best!



WrapCTLEARNING COLLABORATIVE

Our vision as a statewide learning collaborative is that all children, youth, and families are able and capable of achieving optimal levels of

functioning at home, in the community, at school and/or work.WrapCT Steering Team

• Jan Bendall, Rushford; Ray Bieber, Child & Family Guidance; Tim Bowles, SEMHSOC; Jill Coffin , U CF S; Dorothy Contrastano, FAVOR; Tim Cunningham, Wellpath; Paloma Dee, NAMI, CT; Nicole DeRobertis, MFCGC; Hal Gibber, FAVOR; Victor Gonzalez, Wheeler Clinic-Hrtfd; Gabrielle Hall, Clifford Beers; Mary Held, Waterbury FFP; Katy Keegan, West Haven – Bridges; Virginia Lopez, Child & Family Guidance; Tim Marshall, DCF; Tabor Napiello, Wheeler Clinic-Plainville; Kristen Penta, Bridgeport Schools; Mark Plourd, Wheeler Clinic-Hrtfd, Cheryl Tedesco, Child & Family Guidance; Paige Trevethan, Bridges; National Consultants: Verneesha Banks, Wraparound Milwaukee; Mark Horwitz, Westfield State Univ.; Mary Jo Meyers, Wraparound Milwaukee

Contact information for WrapCT: Tim Marshall 860-550-6531; [email protected] Contact for training material: Mary Jo Meyers 414-251-7521;

[email protected]

WrapCT Presents: CHANGING AGENCY CULTURE: BEST PRACTICE

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