2014 Annual Report - Mahoning County Children Services
Transcription
2014 Annual Report - Mahoning County Children Services
Mahoning County Children Services 2014 Annual Report Our Mission: Mahoning County Children Services, in partnership with the community, is committed to being the leader in protecting children while helping preserve families. < Guiding Principles: We are child welfare leaders We respect and value families and their children We value our partnership with the community Letter from Mahoning County Children Services’ Executive Director Randall B. Muth, J.D. Dear Community Members: The mission of the Mahoning County Children Services Board is, of course, to protect children and strengthen families. To accomplish this mission, we must constantly strive to develop and implement the most effective, evidenced based strategies to provide children with safe, nurturing and permanent families. But, we must also preserve our fiscal resources to ensure that we are never precluded from applying those strategies due to financial constraints. This is even more important given the grave economic situation our state and country has faced for the last six years. For this reason, we are very grateful for the support the community has expressed by the passage of our replacement levy in November of 2014. This investment will allow the Agency to implement great improvements in the quality of services we provide which will result in better outcomes for the families we serve. In the area of programmatic improvements, our first priority for 2015 must be to reduce high-end residential placements of our children. Over the second half of 2014, we observed a steady increase in the number children being placed in residential settings and, once placed, those children tended to remain in that placement for longer durations. Most research indicates institutional care for children should be viewed as a placement of last resort and should be utilized on a short term basis to quickly stabilize the child or to ensure the safety of the child or the community. In the absence of significant safety risks, children are much better served in their community and in the most family-like setting possible. Because the child welfare field operates in the complex realm of human relationships, trends in the field are rarely established in months. Sometimes, not even in years. However, this dramatic rise in residential placement does seem to be a sustained development. As such, it is incumbent upon the agency to conduct a thorough examination into the root causes of this increase. Therefore, in addition our mandate to protect children and strengthen families, over the course of 2015, we will make a concerted effort to discover factors driving this trend. It is my sincere hope that next year I will be able to report to the community that we have identified the explanation for this phenomenon and reversed this trend. Children Services is also committed to partnering with other agencies and governmental agencies to maximize federal support of our valuable programs. One exciting collaborative between CSB and the Mahoning County Juvenile Court began in 2012 and came into full fruition in 2014. Representatives from the Mahoning County Juvenile Court, Mahoning County Children Services Board, as well as other service providers such as schools, residential placement facilities, mental health providers, police departments and drug abuse treatment providers have agreed to work together to improve service delivery for youth who are dually involved with the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. We do this by enhancing the existing partnerships between governmental agencies, private service providers, community stakeholders and, most importantly, the families themselves. Called the Crossover Youth model, this collaborative seeks to embody a strength-based perspective designed to improve the lives of youth and families by building on their inherent strengths thus helping them overcome the challenges that brought them into the system. The collaborative partners are committed to developing each family’s untapped strengths and resources to create and plan for their improved futures. The practice model builds on the principle of ensuring family engagement and equitable treatment at every level of the system. 2 Letter from Mahoning County Children Services’ Executive Director Randall B. Muth, J.D. By working together, we have created a seamless process from case opening to case closing that improves outcomes for Crossover Youth. I would like to thank Judge Dellick, Magistrate Richard White and everyone who had a part in making this process the success it has become. As we progress through 2015, it is our hope to expand on the vibrant spirit of collaboration and communication which is growing each year in this County. But, mostly, I would like to thank you, the citizens of Mahoning County, for making services to families a priority as evidenced by the investment you have made in our multi-systemic approach to reducing child abuse. I am firmly convinced that child protection truly takes a community. So, as you read this, please take a moment to reflect on how you may help build a community where all children can thrive, develop character, and learn to be responsible citizens in an environment of security and love. By honoring our obligation to support and protect our young people, we all have an opportunity to make a positive difference in the life of a child and build a brighter future for our community. I encourage all citizens of Mahoning County to recognize that child abuse prevention starts with each one of us. Sincerely, Randall B. Muth, JD Executive Director 2 2014 Board Members Standing—Left to Right: Mr. Anthony Spano, Rev. Lewis Macklin (Chair), Mr. Calvin Jones, Mr. Luis Arroyo Seated—Left to Right: Ms. Brigid Kennedy, Mrs. Victoria S. M. Wiery Missing from Photo: Dr. Thomas M. Gemma D.O. , Ms. Margaret Wellington 3 Agency Services Department of Family Services Rona Curtis, Program Administrator Family Services Department Supervisors Standing—Left to Right: Glenna Ress (Abuse Unit), Mercia Stevens (Ongoing Unit #1), Paula Libbey (Ongoing Unit #3) Bradley Smith (Ongoing Unit #4) Seated—Left to Right: Samantha Rotz-Toney (Ongoing Unit #2) Rona Curtis (Program Administrator) Gretchen Bowman (Intake Unit) The goal of the Family Services Department is to strengthen the family unit and decrease and/or eliminate risk to children: By using innovative case management techniques, agency resources and community services, we strive to respond to the wide variety of needs of the children in our community. The Family Services Department is comprised of 1 (one) Program Administrator, 6 (six) Unit Supervisors (1-intake, 1abuse, and 4-ongoing) 36 (thirty– six) full-time Casework staff, one Parent Education Coordinator, 4 (four) Family Services Aides, 1 (one) part-time Family Preservation Specialist, and newly added in 2014, an Enhanced Visitation Caseworker. The primary role of the Family Services Department is to provide assistance to at-risk families in order to keep their children safe from abuse and neglect in their own homes. This is best accomplished in partnership with the family and community supports. Caseworkers initiate services at the intake level by engaging families to actively participate in assessing and identifying what is important in achieving safety of children and strengthening healthy family functioning. Should additional services remain necessary beyond the intake level, the case is transferred to ongoing, for seamless service delivery. 4 Department of Family Services—Continues Rona Curtis, Program Administrator In the Family Services Department, we strive to strengthen the family unit and decrease or eliminate risk to children. By using innovative case management techniques, agency resources, and community services, we strive to respond to the wide variety needs of the children in our community. The Family Services Department is comprised of one Program Administrator, six Unit Supervisors (1-Intake, 1-Abuse, and 4-Ongoing Supervisors), thirty-five full-time Casework Staff, one Parent Education Coordinator, four Family Services Aides, a part-time Family Preservation Specialist, and newly added in 2014, an Enhanced Visitation Caseworker. Mahoning County Children Services received and processed 1,649 referrals in 2014. Of the 1,649 referrals received in 2014, 53.8% were rated Differential Response. Differential Response (DR), an approach embraced by Mahoning County Children Services, is identified to help families’ access services, supports and other assistance to resolve their concerns. Differential Response is based on the belief families can stay together if they receive the assistance they need when concerns occur. DR creates a partnership between families and caseworkers and is designed to ensure child safety and well-being by addressing the family’s issues as early as possible. DR promotes a family-centered, family driven, strength-based practice and utilizes family engagement to best serve the need of children and families. Of the 1,649 referrals received in 2014, 28.2% were rated Traditional. Traditional Response is the approach that formally investigates reported allegations of child abuse or neglect and concludes with a final disposition regarding the alleged incident of unsubstantiated, indicated or substantiated. 5 Department of Family Services—Continues Rona Curtis, Program Administrator Internal Programs Lead Caseworkers: Lead Caseworkers support the learning experience of new agency employees and Youngtown State University’s UPP (University Partnership Program) students through a hands-on, mentoring approach. Lead caseworkers facilitate quarterly meetings with community partners throughout each year. This collaboration has paved the way for not only developing new partnerships throughout the county, but the state as well. Parent Education Program: The goal of the Parent Education Program is to improve and/or enhance parenting skills and parent/child bonding. It provides an eight week series of classes that include: Building Self-Esteem, Child Health Care and Development, Homemaking I (Budgeting), Homemaking II – (Nutrition/Meal Planning and Preparation along with Housekeeping Skills), and Discipline 1(Various Approaches-Praise/Charting/ Logical Consequences), Discipline II (1, 2, 3 Magic, Enjoying Your Children, and Fire and Poison Safety/Evaluation Review). There were 88 participants who attended Parent Education Classes and fifty-four participants who completed the eight week series. Community Parenting Classes: There were twenty-eight inquires received for the community parenting series. Of the seven parents who attended and participated, all seven parents completed the series. Therapeutic Foster Care Program: The goal of the Therapeutic Foster Care Program is to prevent placement disruption by addressing the behavioral and emotional problems of children in foster care. It provides Intensive Therapeutic Services to Foster Families and Foster Children to find creative solutions to problems while in substitute care. There were seven foster children and foster families served through the Therapeutic Program. There were 334 children placed in the custody of the agency via ex-parte, voluntary agreement of care, or court order. Forty-seven children returned to a parent or guardian and custody of fortythree children were committed to relatives or non-relatives. The total number of children the agency received as a result of permanent custody or permanent surrender was twenty-two. Enhanced Visitation Program: The goal of Enhanced Visitation is to assure safety and promote positive parenting behavior during visits of family members with children in the agency’s custody. Enhanced Visitation provides interactive supervised visits to assist parents in improving their ability to meet their children’s needs. Through supportive, targeted, hands-on skill building, this structured visitation is aimed to help a parent gain increased time with their children, and eventually allow reunification to safely occur. Enhanced visitation utilizes a strength-based approach by assisting parents in identifying those positive skills they possess and building upon them. 6 Department of Family Services—Continues Rona Curtis, Program Administrator Community Collaborations Mahoning County Family Dependency Treatment Court: (FDTC) The goal of the FDTC collaboration is to provide immediate and comprehensive treatment to the substance-abusing parent so the family can remain intact or achieve reunification. In 2014, Mahoning County Children Service made fifteen referrals to the Family Dependency Treatment Court. There were five participants who graduated from the extensive 18 month program, and nine participants continued to follow the program guidelines into 2015. Six participants were negatively terminated from the program. Crossover Youth Practice Model: (CYPM) Casey Family Programs and the Center for Juvenile Justice Reform at the Georgetown University Public Policy have partnered since 2007 to address the unique issues presented by children and youth who are known to both the Child Welfare System and Juvenile Justice System. Mahoning County Children Services and Mahoning County Juvenile Court began collaborating to implement the CYPM in September, 2012,and presented the model to the community in September, 2013, with goals of reducing the number of youth placed in out-of-home care, a reduction in the use of congregate care, a reduction in the disproportionate representation of children of color and a reduction in the number of youth becoming dually-adjudicated. There were 135 youths identified and serviced as a Crossover Youth in 2014. Safety, Permanency, Well-being! 7 Continuous Quality Improvement Julie Rudolph, Supervisor Mahoning County Children Services remains committed to providing high quality services on a consistent and ongoing basis; to that end, quality improvement activities are a high priority in all facets of Mahoning County Children Services’ operations. MCCS employs a full time Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Supervisor and a full time Quality Improvement Specialist. The CQI staff complete a variety of activities to measure and evaluate the agency’s effectiveness and service recipients’ satisfaction with the services of the agency. The position of Community Education Specialist is housed in the CQI Department, as well. The CQI Supervisor reviewed eight dispositional appeals in 2014; of those eight appeals, two dispositions were amended and six were upheld. Sixteen formal complaints were received. Five Critical Incident Reports were completed in the interest of ensuring that best practice guidelines are followed in the process of responding to an extraordinary event. The CQI Specialist is tasked with attending all court involved six month reviews as the neutral third party and completing a permanency review sheet to enhance the agency’s ability to achieve permanency for children in the custody of the agency in a timely manner. The Specialist has expanded the areas being reviewed in 2014 to include the medication logs at the agency’s child care centers. The Specialist attended adoption matching meeting as the Multi-Ethnic Placement Act monitor as required by Ohio Administrative Code. The CQI Department reviews and compiles Client Satisfaction Surveys. The results of these surveys are used to inform the decision making process when evaluating agency performance and implementing changes for improvement. The Community Education Specialist coordinates staff training, foster parent training and pre-service training for people interested in becoming foster or adoptive parents. The CES facilitates community events, mandated reporter training and presents information about Mahoning County Children Services to any organization that requests our presence. Some highlights of 2014 included the CES speaking at the Making Kids Count Benefit Dinner, coordinating with Operation Keepsake to involve teens in agency custody in Equine Therapy, participating in April’s Child Abuse Awareness Month events and organizing the Mahoning County Children Services booth at the Canfield Fair. The CES Specialist also partners with community members to distribute donations of Easter baskets, school supplies, Thanksgiving food baskets and Christmas gifts. 8 Continuous Quality Improvement—Continues Julie Rudolph, Supervisor CLIENT SARISFACTION SURVEY—2014 9 Department of Placement Services Anthony Paris, Program Administrator The Placement Services Department (PSD) includes the Adoption, Foster Care, Group Home, Residential and Independent Living Programs. The department is driven to facilitate these programs with a focus on safety, permanency and wellbeing. The five programs are managed by a Program Administrator and two Unit Supervisors. The Foster Care and Adoption Programs are managed within a combined unit, the “Adoption and Foster Care Unit”. The unit was previously comprised of three licensing caseworkers, two adoption assessors, an inquiry caseworker as well as two part time caseworkers, who provided case management of ICPC (Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children) cases. During 2014, the need arose for additional resources to be allocated to the Foster Care and Adoption Programs. ThereMrs. Theresa Pancoe, Foster/Adoption fore, one of the part time ICPC casework posiSupervisor (Holding National Adoption Month Resolution from Mahoning County tions was eliminated and a new full time posiCommissioners ) tion was created. This caseworker is a hybrid of sorts, as the worker manages a blend of foster care and adoption cases. We now have one part time ICPC caseworker who handles outgoing and incoming ICPC assignments. 2014 Department of Placement Services Stats Children in Permanent Custody Children in Adoptive Placement Children Waiting for Adoption Adoptions Finalized, 2014 44 17 27 21 ADOPTION: Mahoning County Children Services adoption assessors are currently assigned at the time of filing for permanent custody. The adoption assessor completes a CSI (Child Study Inventory) tool for the birth family. The information is gathered through completion of the CSI and is crucial for the child and any potential adoptive family, should the agency be granted permanent custody. The CSI is used to document the biological parent’s social background and medical information as well as the child’s birth information, development, placement history, behaviors and cognitive abilities. The information assists the assessor in matching the child with an appropriate family. The Social Medical History tool is also used by the assessor. The tool allows the assessor to gather medical, genetic and social history pertaining to the parents. When the agency receives permanent custody, the adoption assessor becomes the primary worker for the child and they begin to prepare the child/sibling group for adoption. Recruitment begins and the assessor focuses on finding a forever family for the child/sibling group by utilizing a child specific recruitment plan for every child who is in the permanent custody of the agency. 10 Department of Placement Services—Continues Anthony Paris, Program Administrator Since 2012, children in the permanent custody of the agency have been receiving child centered recruitment through Northeast Ohio Adoption Services, who continues to receive a grant through Wendy’s Wonderful Kids. Mahoning County Children Services adoption assessors have also had success in achieving permanency for children through the utilization of LexisNexis, a family search and engagement tool, as part of their recruitment efforts. The adoption assessor also participates annually in the statewide Matching Conferences, as well as adoption mixers, to enhance recruitment efforts. The efforts are paying off as Mahoning County Children Services has finalized 21 adoptions during 2014, up from only 6 finalizations in 2013. FOSTER CARE: The licensing workers must act as a support to their foster families while also insuring child safety and rule compliance related to Chapter 5101:2-7 of the Ohio Administrative Code. As of December 31, 2014, Mahoning County Children Services has a pool of 65 active foster homes, many of which are also approved adoptive homes. During 2014, nine new homes were approved by the agency as a foster care placement. However, 14 foster homes have closed. On January 1, 2014, there were 170 children in placement. One hundred and two were placed in Mahoning County Children Services foster homes. There were also 19 children placed in our two group homes, 19 children in placement at CRC’s (Child Residential Center’s) and 30 children placed in “borrowed” or paid foster care placements on January 1, 2014. During 2014, Mahoning County Children Services placed 124 new children. In total, the Placement Services Department secured 294 placements for the children of Mahoning County. The Mahoning County Children Services network of foster homes provided for 129 of the total number of placements. Recruitment: Recruitment remains a crucial issue. Current foster parents are often the best recruiters for public agencies. Mahoning County Children Services was fortunate to get some media support to raise awareness about the need for new foster and adoptive homes. Agency personnel were granted the privilege of being guests on “Increase the Peace” hosted by WYTV’s Andrea Mahone three times in 2014. A large focus was placed on the number of children in care, the number of active foster homes with Mahoning County Children Services and the agencies need for new foster and adoptive homes. WKBN also conducted an interview with Placement Service Department Administrator Tony Paris in May, 2014 regarding our need for new adoptive and foster homes. We also partnered with Ohio grocery chain MARC’s to assist us in recruitment. The agency purchased twenty-four thousand pharmacy bags from MARC’s, which are used by the grocer when purchases are made by customers. The pharmacy bags contained information about contacting the agency to obtain information on becoming a foster or adoptive parent. Retention: Retention efforts for 2014 included the agency’s participation in the Foster Parent Association “Walk Stroll and Roll” event in May to raise awareness about fostering. Staff volunteered to assist the FPA in coordination and implementation of the event. Mahoning County Children Services also held our annual Foster Parent Appreciation Dinner on May 23, 2015, which was well attended by our foster parents. Mahoning County Children Services provides our foster parents with plenty of information on available training, activities and supports available in the community, information about the FPA, and ODJFS rule updates. This is provided through our newsletter known as “Notable News”. 11 Department of Placement Services—Continues Anthony Paris, Program Administrator The Inquiry Caseworker has several duties. This worker is responsible for providing parties with information about becoming foster and adoptive parent. This worker also processes requests from other counties for social histories and also completes sealed adoptee file reviews to provide non-identifying information to adult adoptees whose adoptions were finalized in Mahoning County. Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children, or ICPC, is a statutory law in all fifty (50) states. It is designed to ensure that children from across state lines are placed in a safe, suitable environment qualified to meet their individual needs. Our ICPC Caseworker is responsible for processing incoming and outgoing request for services per OAC rules 5101:2-52-04 and 5101:2-52-06. The worker provides a crucial service in providing permanency for children. Incoming ICPC requests from other states require that the ICPC worker inform the relative, or non-relative, that they may request to be licensed as a foster parent. If the party chooses to become a foster parent, they are required to complete preservice training before the initial certification process can be initiated. The ICPC worker is also responsible for outgoing ICPC requests for the placement of children who are in care in our county. In 2014, the ICPC workers completed 15 requests for ICPC services. Group Home & Residential: Mahoning County Children Services focuses on improved outcomes for children in placement. We strive to place all children in a family setting, which is more appropriate and less restrictive. However, some children require a higher level of care. Mahoning County Children Services is one of four remaining Ohio counties who operate group homes. Our group homes allow for children who require this level of care to remain in the community and for regular contact with family to occur. As of January 1, 2015, The Group Home Program is made up of two Group Life Managers and twenty-one group home staff or Youth Leaders. The Residential Unit Supervisor directly supervises the Group Life Managers, and the Group Life Manager directly supervises the group home staff at the two group home facilities the agency leases and operates. The homes are certified by ODJFS and licensed by the Youngstown City Health District. The two homes are located centrally in Mahoning County. Home For Kids Inc. continues to provide individual and group counseling to the children. They also provide crisis intervention services, staff training and other supports. Over the past year, the agency has begun to use Tickets for Kids (TFK) as an incentive for children at the homes. TFK is a non- profit organization located in Pittsburgh, PA, which is committed to helping underprivileged children from around the country. The organization allows children to attend shows, sporting events and museums by securing tickets from various entities. Our group homes provide other recreational activities as well. The children went on several fieldtrips in the summer of 2014 and Mahoning County Children Services provides annual memberships to the local YMCA. Twenty-two placements were provided at the Swanston Children’s Boys Home and twenty placements were provided by Girls Childcare Center during 2014. In 2014, the group home program served 42 children. When children are ready for discharge from the program, a discharge plan is created and the goal is to secure a less restrictive placement in a family setting. When reunification with the birth parents or a kinship placement is not an option, Mahoning County Children Services attempts to utilize its own network of foster homes first. 12 Department of Placement Services—Continues Anthony Paris, Program Administrator Mahoning County Children Services also believes that staff must be well trained and supported. All Staff receive extensive training, which includes a three stage orientation process and 24 hours of annual ongoing training required by rule. All group home staff is certified in CPR and First Aid. Staff also receives annual training in Universal Precautions. Furthermore, staff is required by ODJFS rule to be provided training in techniques and methodologies of passive physical restraint. The Group Home Program is continually evolving. Over the past three years, the agency has implemented new services for residents and enhanced supports for staff to improve outcomes for youth served in the program. Residential caseworkers provide case management services to children who are placed in either treatment foster care, private group homes or a Child Residential Center (CRC) setting. CRC settings are the most restrictive placement setting. During 2014, 69 children were served in a CRC placement, which increased from 2013, in which there were a total of 43 children served. There were also 54 children served in paid or “borrowed” foster placements. As stated previously, 129 children were served in Mahoning County Children Services network of traditional foster homes. Number of Children Served: Group Home/Residential Program 2012 2013 2014 Boys Child Care Center 11 24 22 Girls Child Care Center 22 21 20 Total Group Home Placements 33 45 42 Residential Placements 62 43 69 Borrowed/Paid Foster Homes 54 Agency Foster Homes 129 Independent Living: The Independent Living Program is facilitated by one Independent Living Coordinator who is supervised by the Residential Unit Supervisor. The IL worker serves youth from 16 to 18 years of age. The worker also provides IL services to any young adult age 18 to 21 who exits from Mahoning County Children Services care and request services. Contracted providers are mandated to provide IL services to our youth in those placement settings. The IL Coordinator assists youth in preparation for adulthood. Services range from providing assistance in securing housing to linking the youth with vocational and education supports. The IL Coordinator assist youth who want to transition back into the community upon discharge from an out of county setting when they reach the age of majority. Independent Living Services are provided to children who emancipate from foster care up to the age 21. Services provided to the young adults vary based upon the IL plan which is developed with them. 13 2014 Legal Report Attorney Lori Shells and Kerry Limbian, Legal Representatives Mahoning County Children Services is represented in Juvenile Court by Attorney Lori Shells, Assistant Mahoning County Prosecutor and Kerry Limbian Assistant Mahoning County Prosecutor. Attorney Shells meets with agency staff regarding handling of cases, new statutes, case law and court decisions. In addition, they have attended conferences and seminars to stay abreast of new laws and legislation. In 2014, Mahoning County Children Services continued to file numerous cases in the Mahoning County Juvenile Court involving custody transfer to relatives or interested third parties, both temporary and permanent custody to the agency, and court-ordered protective supervision by the agency. The majority of our cases in Juvenile Court continue to involve children whose parents are unable to provide adequate care for them, necessitating agency intervention. Legal Statistics 2014 Number of Court Hearings Attended 552 Children Placed in Care Under Juvenile Rule 6 50 Agreements for Voluntary Care 98 ExParte Orders 64 Commitments to Custody of a Relative 37 Commitments to Custody of a Non-Relative 6 Temporary Commitments to Children Services 172 Permanent Surrenders 2 Permanent Commitments to Children Services 20 Orders for Planned Permanent Living Arrangement 20 Court-Ordered Protective Supervision Granted 200 Cases in the Court of Appeals 3 2014 Human Resource Statistics Susan Babinec, Human Resource Specialist At the conclusion of 2014, the agency had 117 employees on staff to serve and support the services of children and families in Mahoning County. Currently, there are 7 Administrative Staff, 8 Management/Supervisors, 2 Group Home Coordinators, 55 Caseworkers, 4 Family Service Aides, 22 group home staff and 19 support staff. All caseworkers possess bachelors degrees in social work or other human services related fields. Supervisory staff possess masters degrees. 14 Financial Report for the Year Ending December 31, 2014 Melinda N. Posterli, Fiscal Officer 15 2014 Community Cup 16 2014 Community Cup—Swim Team 17 2014 Community Cup 18 <ENT SOURCE: UNKNOWN Submitted in Accordance with Section 5153.14 of the Ohio Revised Code Mahoning County Children Services 222 West Federal Street Youngstown, Ohio 44503 330.941.8888 Phone 330.941.8787 Fax www.Mahoningkids.com