November 2009 - Update from Nancy Dreicer and Jim Adams
Since our last report to you, the words are "synergy and collaboration." We can't even begin to name all of our collaborators - - but here goes: Children's Home Society, PSI, MHRC, Jewish Family Community Services, Child Guidance, daniel, Edward Waters College, 1000 in 1000, Casey Family Programs, Chartrand Foundation, Boys Home, Boselli Foundation, Monique Burr Foundation, Community Foundation, Second Harvest, Gateway Community Services, River Region, United Way, Hubbard House, Ronnie Cage Consulting, Acosta Corporation, Jacksonville Children's Commission, WorkSource, JASMYN, The Sulzbacher Center, Boys and Girls Clubs, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies, Florida State College at Jacksonville, Youth Crisis Center, Healthy Start, UF/IFAS-Duval County Extension Office, Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, Schell-Sweet Center, Community Connections, War on Poverty, Florida Coastal School of Law, Duval County Health Department, Department of Elder Affairs, Children's Medical Services, Child Protection Team, St. Vincent's, Jacksonville Birthing Project. Now, if we missed anyone - - please shout out - - you know we appreciate you.
Synergy has things happening at every level to keep our kids safe and our families getting services.
When we started our Big, Hairy, Audacious, Goal was to "End Foster Care As We Know It" - - well as of November 15, we have 60% fewer kids in care and about 4,000 more families served in prevention since December 2006. We think our BHAG might be possible, with safe kids and stronger families. By the way, the number of kids with a reoccurrence within six months of a previous investigation is 7%, well above the state average of 12%.
In the spirit of the Thanksgiving season, we thank everyone of you who has supported us during this unique journey.
What we have done:
Phase II - Our Phase II team is writing their report. Phase II has researched best practices and created a vision. The findings will change the role of foster parents, how a child is removed from a home, and pull a complete redesign together with a new practice model.
The Casey Family Programs is developing a best practice curriculum for our workers and supervisors in clinical interviewing skills. The course should greatly enhance our staff's skills to do family centered practice. We owe Casey a lot for their investment in our community.
The New York Times covered the great work of our Jacksonville pilot to keep children safely with their families with services. Our client had a color photo in the New York Times.
Ken DeCerchio, a national consultant, from Center for Children and Family Futures, is working with our team to better integrate Mental Health and Substance Abuse services in to Child Welfare. This integration will better serve our families.
Six of our foster teens went to the One Church/One Child National Conference in Baltimore. The teens developed and performed a skit which was the definite hit of the conference.
Through the efforts of the Department, Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, Family Support Services and the United Way, parenting and anger management courses are available at the jails.
Family Support Services CEO, Board Chair, Board Members, Staff and the Department visited the Center for Family Life in Brooklyn, New York and saw a best practice Neighborhood Center. The Center gave us many ideas for Cassat House and Schell-Sweet Center. The Schell-Sweet Center began its work as a Neighborhood Center in New Town.
Thirty adults are receiving courses to get a GED, prenatal classes, breast feeding classes all were added, thanks to the Chartrand Foundation.
Food give aways served about 500 families and a neighborhood Trick or Treat provided some intergenerational fun.
We launched a team on racial disproportionality in foster care. The team will look at root causes and report out results soon.
Judge David Gooding was named the chair of a task force to assure quality work is being done statewide on Diversion cases. We have put much effort into checking the quality of our prevention and Diversion cases - - so we certainly look forward to working with the task force.
A Duval team comprised of the Department, Family Support Services, State Attorney's, Public Defenders, Sheriff's Office, CLS attorneys and Judge Daniel went to a symposium in Miami to improve our services to foster kids involved with Juvenile Justice. The team learned about some strategies to employ.
Foster Youth Day - Councilwoman Glorious Johnson worked with Family Support Services and Youthshine to create the second Foster Youth Day. The second Foster Youth Day was bigger, with more kids, more dignitaries, and a car give away to a deserving youth. Justin Taylor from Youthshine organized a terrific event.
Touchstone Village - A long awaited first class facility opened to serve our Independent Living kids with skills, job preparation, therapist on site and much community support. The Village also has apartments for youth over 18. The Village joins other service providers who work with our youth.
Recognition Event - The Foster Care Redesign won a David Productivity Award. The monetary award went to a recognition celebration for the protective investigators, case workers and many others who made the redesign successful. Secretary Sheldon was on hand to thank everyone from the Department, Family Support Services and our partner agencies.
Results
As of November 1, we are at a 60% reduction of children in foster care. The removal rate per 100 reports is down to 6.73% from 18.42% in December 2007. We have served 1182 kids in our prevention programs this year. We have diverted 105 families to our FAST program for intensive services. This is over 105 kids who are safely sleeping in their own beds, who wouldn't be except for our services program.
Click here to view prior progress updates