April 2nd Team Workgroup Notes

APRIL 2, 2008 SAN FRANCISCO 0-6 TEAM RELATIONSHIPS WORK GROUP

Develop parent mentor/partner and kin advocate positions
§ Parent partners and kin advocates teach/support caregivers on early childhood and special needs and how to provide care and act as bridge between worker and parent/caregiver
§ Develop using “support for families” children with disabilities partner model.

Develop systemic facilitation of working partnership between foster and bio parents.

Develop protocol for implementing icebreakers with parent, caregiver and social worker within 2 days after removal
§ Should be facilitated by parent partner and social worker
§ Caregivers should exchange information, department should provide caregivers all information they have on child
§ Bio parent should be encouraged to bring pictures for child, baby books, etc.

Appropriate visitation for 0-6 children
Supporting nursing mothers when possible.
Involve bio parents in child’s doctor appointments, school events and progress.

Facilitating ongoing relationship between foster parent/child/bio parent after reunification
§ Train and recruit foster parents with long-term relationship in mind- helps with reunification transition.
§ Set expectation for caregivers to partner and mentor bio parents through training


Create task force to develop a trauma-informed “Age Appropriate Individualized Plan” between the worker and caregivers with basic requirements and expectations of caregivers at time of placement.
§ Contract should lay out resources dept will provide and expectations for caregiver involvement in bio parent mentoring, visitation, medical care, therapy, etc.
§ Involve bio parent and parent partner in developing.
§ Develop an associated resource manual for caregivers
§ Make age specific guidelines (0-1, 1-2, etc.)
§ Modify existing forms (SOC 154, 156) as relevant to add resources
§ Include child development experts, FCS staff, parents and caregivers on task force.

Provide training on 0-6 children’s issues

Quarterly reciprocal professional and non-professional cross training (non-professionals such as parents train attorneys/SW on how to communicate with them and vice versa).
Training on early intervention services
Interagency training (i.e. GGRC)
Provide kin workers specialized training

Improve communication between all parties

Improve relationship between lawyers and caregiver/bio parent
§ Inform bio parents when support goal of reunification
§ Create opportunity to meet with caregiver and bio parent in context of “Age Appropriate Individualized Plan”.

Child welfare should clearly disclose post-adoption available support and services to caregivers in order to make informed decisions.

Address inconsistent respite childcare policies.