This was a presentation on evidence-based practices for child welfare safety assessments. The presentation created a comprehensive framework for rationalizing safety decisions and planning with services.

1. Front End Redesign: Serving Children Effectively Starting with the Right Assessment November 18 th , 2004 Dependency Court Improvement Summit Orlando, FL

2. Today’s Presenters Gregory J. Kurth, MA Executive Vice President Dr. Fotena Zirps, PhD. Senior Vice President for Program Excellence

3. Why Redesign Orange/Osceola State Nation Abuse Reports (% of Child Population) Substantiations (% of Reports) Removals (% of Substantiations) Removals (per 1,000 of Child Population) 7.0 5.3 4.0 8.2% 4.2% 8.9% 31.6% 36.5% 29.4% 20.3% 25.6% 26.4%

4. Essentially, the Removal Rate per 1000 in Orange and Osceola was 32 % above State Average 75% above National Average

9. Safety versus Risk Potential Harm Longer Term Lower to Moderate Degree Mitigation (long term) Now or Near Future Higher Degree Prevention (short term)

11. C hild E ndangerment and S afety A ssessment P rotocol

15. Exercise 1

16. Exercise 2

19. Exercise 3 “ Here’s the real test!”

20. C alifornia F amily R isk A ssessment

23. Family Assessment and Service Tool (FAST) *Depends on legal sufficiency OHC Unwilling/Unable Unsafe High risk PS Willing/Able Unsafe High risk PS Unwilling/Unable Safe High risk Highly Unlikely Scenario Willing/Able Safe High risk OHC Unwilling/Unable Unsafe Moderate risk VPS or PS Willing/Able Unsafe Moderate risk PS or Nothing * Unwilling/Unable Safe Moderate risk CBI Willing/Able Safe Moderate risk PS or OHC* Unwilling/Unable Unsafe Low risk VPS Willing/Able Unsafe Low risk Nothing Unwilling/Unable Safe Low risk CBI or I&R Willing/Able Safe Low risk Service Alternative Willing and/or Able Safety Risk

24. The Resource Specialist Functions as a ‘resource’ for placement stabilization via consultation. Works closely with the CPI on diverting children from coming into care. Conducts and maintains a ‘mapping’ of the community’s ‘traditional’ and ‘non-traditional resources. Assists the CPI in the assessment of safety vs. risk. Consults with the CPI in the development of a safety plan. Assists in generating referrals for CBA services. Continuously assesses ‘gaps’ in services. Assists the CPI in the diligent search for relative placements.

28. 2600 Technology Drive, Suite 250, Orlando, Florida 32804 Tel: 407-398-7975 Fax: 407-578-0074 www.fsmetroorlando.org