3 rd Quarter 2013-2014 Quality Case Reviews ChildNet s Mission ~ To protect abused, abandoned and neglected children in the communities we serve. Continuous Quality Improvement 1
Quality Case Process For FY 13/14 Quarter 3, ChildNet, Inc. completed case file reviews on one-hundred twenty-six (126) children served in and Palm Beach Counties. Starting in January 2014, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) statewide Quality Assurance (QA) model shifted to focus on child safety. The number of cases to be reviewed increased while the number of practice standards was reduced from seventy-two (72) to nine (9). These nine (9) practice standards focused on overarching child safety items, core concepts, and guidelines. Quality of Practice Standards (QPS), Quality Service Reviews (QSRs) and special targeted reviews were suspended for quarters 3 and quarter 4 of FY 2013/2014 so that the community-based care (CBC) QA staff could focus on child safety. The sample size was based on the number of QA reviewers in each CBC with expectation that reviews are completed on a weekly basis. The sample of cases was randomly selected using the business objects report entitled Children Receiving In-Home Services Daily QA Listing OCWDRU in Florida Safe Families Network (FSFN). The sample includes active children receiving judicial and non-judicial in-home services who are under the age of four (4) with at least one (1) prior abuse report received on the victim child and the caretaker has been an alleged perpetrator for family violence threatens child and substance misuse. The case worker s responsibilities are to manage ongoing child safety plans and, through ongoing assessment and case planning, to address the diminished caregiver protective capacities that brought the child and family into the child welfare system. The Rapid Safety Feedback reviews also provide opportunities for real-time consultations to the case worker and supervisor when consultation is needed. Consultations are provided to guide discussions regarding the case worker s responsibilities to manage ongoing child safety plans and, through ongoing assessment and case planning, to address the diminished caregiver protective capacities that brought the child and family into the child welfare system. The Rapid Safety Feedback review findings are noted as a strength or area needing improvement. Below, please find the outcomes from the Quarter 3 Rapid Safety Feedback reviews. (1) Case planning: Is the case plan individualized for the family s needs and related to known dangers? Area Area Area 1 Case Planning 54 85.2 14.8 72 84.7 15.3 1086 74.9 25.1 2
s Case Planning activities, whether through an approved case plan or informal case planning activities, were individualized to meet the needs of the family and child. Ensure case plans are current as reviewers found some expired case plans. Also, for families that are awaiting arraignment, the case worker needs to ensure all case planning efforts and activities are documented. (2) Safety planning: Is safety planning sufficient? Area Area Area 2 Safety Planning 54 74.1 25.9 72 69.4 30.6 1086 60.9 39.1 s Safety Planning activities, whether formal or informal, identified safety factors, present and/or impending danger, protective capacities, and working with caregivers to supplement protective capacities through safety interventions. Ensure safety plans are signed by the caregivers, and updated timely and appropriately based on current danger threats. (3) Monitoring parental behavior change: Is the parents behavior change monitored as it relates to danger threats and safety concerns? Area Area Area 3 Monitoring parental behavior change 54 88.9 11.1 72 80.6 19.4 1086 74.8 25.2 3
s Case workers sufficiently monitored parent s behavior change, and routinely documented if the parent has the capacity, ability, and/or willingness to keep children safe. Ensure timely documentation of case manager s observations, feedback from service providers, and ongoing communication with those individuals who can provide additional insight as the behavior change and protective capacities of the parents. (4) Assessing emerging dangers: Is the case manager aware of any emerging dangers and, if so, are they followed up on urgently? Area Area Area 4 Assessing emerging dangers 47 89.4 10.6 22 81.8 18.2 576 64.6 35.4 s When applicable, case workers assessed emerging dangers and took immediate protective actions to ensure the child s safety. Ensure actions taken by the case worker to address the emerging danger are documented, including timely updates to safety plans, case plans, and service provisions. (5) Quality of contacts with the child and family: Is the quality of contacts sufficient to ascertain and respond to known threats and emerging dangers? Area Area Area 5 Quality of contacts with the child and family 54 81.5 18.5 72 80.6 19.4 1086 66.7 33.3 4
s Case worker s contacts with the child and family were individualized, meaningful, focused on case planning and service provisions, and well-documented to monitor the child s safety and well-being needs. Ensure all contacts are qualitative to assess the ongoing service needs; monitors progress toward established goals; evaluates the continued appropriateness of safety interventions; and assesses parental protective capacities. (6) Frequency of Contacts with the Child and Family: Is the frequency of contacts with the child and family sufficient to ascertain and respond to known threats and emerging dangers? Area Area Area 6 Frequency of contacts with the child and family 54 57.4 42.6 72 80.6 19.4 1086 69.3 30.7 s Case worker s visits with the child and family occurred sufficiently to address known threats and emerging dangers. Ensure case workers make unannounced visit to the child s current residence once every three (3) months, and ensure visits for post-placement supervision are in accordance to Florida law. Although s frequency of contacts with the child and family was sufficient, overall rating was lower due to a lack of unannounced visits. (7) Background Checks and Home Studies: Are background checks and home studies sufficient and responded to appropriately? Area Area Area 7 Background checks and home studies 54 68.5 31.5 72 52.8 47.2 1086 66.1 33.9 5
s Background checks and home studies were sufficient and appropriate to ensure the child s safety. Ensure case workers are responding timely and documenting new household members and requesting criminal background check and the abuse and neglect record check on those people. rated lower due to not completing the in-home assessment for those children under court ordered in-home protective supervision. (8) Communication with Stakeholders: Is communication with the case stakeholders sufficient to assess emerging dangers and parent behavioral changes? Area Area Area 8 Communication with stakeholders 54 64.8 35.2 72 76.4 23.6 1086 61.5 38.5 s Case workers are interacting, communicating, and working with other professionals to coordinate the service delivery process to all parties. Ensure case workers are obtaining provider reports / assessments, and documenting those interactions. (9) Supervisory Case Consultation: Is there evidence the case management supervisor is regularly consulting with the case manager, recommending actions when concerns are identified, and ensuring recommended actions followed up on urgently? Area Area Area 9 Supervisory case consultation 54 42.6 57.4 72 59.7 40.3 1086 53.8 46.2 6
s Case management supervisors provided appropriate direction and recommendations as it relates to child safety, permanency and well-being. Ensure case management supervisors are regularly consulting with the case worker, completing qualitative quarterly supervisory reviews, and ensuring recommended actions are being followed up on timely. Recommendations: Ongoing training and support in the development and monitoring of appropriate safety plans. Monitoring of quarterly supervisory reviews to ensure ongoing consults with case management staff. Continuous reminders on the importance and requirements of unannounced visits on a quarterly basis. Oversight and development current case plans to improve parental protective capacities and to safeguard from expiring. Greater attention to evaluating and documenting family progress to ensure child s safety. 7