Working with Crossover Youth in the San Luis Valley September 2013 Introductions and Overview Who are crossover youth? 3 What are the Pathways to Crossing Over? 1. Youth has an Open Child Welfare Case 2. Youth has an open child welfare case Youth is Arrested Child welfare case is closed Enter the Juvenile Justice System Youth is arrested Youth enters the juvenile justice system 3. Youth is victim of maltreatment but it is undetected by CW system Youth is Arrested Youth Referred to the Child Welfare System 4. Youth is arrested and put in a correctional facility Youth is released from the facility but family abandons him/her Youth referred to the child welfare system 4 Reverse Crossover Youth has an Open Juvenile Justice Case Identified as needing services or placement through their Delinquency involvement Youth enters the Child Welfare System and is now “dually involved” 5 The Crossover Youth Practice Model Phase I Practice Area 1: Arrest, Identification, & Detention Practice Area 2: Decision Making Regarding Charges Phase II Practice Area 3: Case Assignment, Assessment & Planning Phase III Practice Area 4: Coordinated Case Management & Ongoing Assessment Practice Area 5: Planning for Youth Permanency, Transition & Case Closure 6 For detained youth: Pre-Trial Services (SB94) is identifying if youth has open case for maltreatment with DHS/DSS. Mechanisms in place to contact the Child Welfare Supervisor & GAL if one is currently representing the child. Once arrested, youth are assessed by JJ using: JDSAG, CJRA prescreen Youth and family are interviewed by SB94 for input around what the current environment, behaviors, and issues are. 7 The District Attorney’s office is willing to offer informal adjustments and diversion in some cases, which is new to our district. All youth will be referred to a family conference meeting within 7 days but not more than 14 days of the detention hearing. On some cases, youth are referred to Wrap multidisciplinary staffing team for discussion with Caseworker and Juvenile Justice worker on what services will best meet their needs. Family and youth should be included. This is generally in place for youth that are not offered Informal Adjustments. 8 When SB94 screens a juvenile into detention, DHS/DSS provides DHS history to SB94, and SB94 Caseworker is required to make contact or invite the caseworker to attend the interview , or get caseworker updates and recommendations. Task Lists have been drafted for both SB94 and DHS/DSS to establish worker expectations and timeframes. There is currently not an assessment instrument that is common between SB94/Probation and DHS/DSS, however the results of assessments are to be shared. There are several ways in which families participate in the case planning, including: interviews by assigned worker, family conference meeting or various staffing teams. 9 12th Judicial District Task List for SB94 Screening When the youth is screened, ask if he/she is in the custody of DSS. If so, contact DSS immediately. If youth has DSS history but no current involvement, contact DSS supervisor. If youth has current DSS involvement, collect CYPM data from DSS. If youth has current DSS involvement and is currently being supervised by a probation officer, give DSS the probation officer’s name, contact information, and supervisor’s name. Detention After youth is screened and detained, review youth’s criminal history information including information related to dependency and neglect and custody. If the child has previous or current DSS involvement, inform DSS that youth has been arrested and the date and time of the detention hearing. Meet with youth and complete CJRA. Meet with family and DSS prior to detention hearing in person if possible or by phone if all parties cannot meet in person and have family sign Release of Information. If all parties are not able to meet with the family prior to the detention hearing, discuss the case with DSS prior to the detention hearing to establish a joint recommendation regarding release from detention. Generate a joint recommendation and court report regarding release or continued detention with DSS and SB94 signing off. If both parties are not in agreement, DSS will submit a separate recommendation. Set a family conference with DSS, the family, the facilitator, the district attorney, defense counsel, and GAL if one is already assigned or upon notification that a GAL has been assigned within 7 days but not more than 14 days after the detention hearing. Share with them that the youth will be participating in the Crossover Youth Practice Model, and give them the date and time the family conference has been scheduled to discuss and assess service needs and plan. 10 At the family conference with all parties, the following information should be provided: o School grades, attendance records, any information regarding an IEP, suspensions or expulsions o The juvenile’s criminal record o CJRA results o Information obtained regarding substance or mental health treatment. o Request DSS bring all of their pertinent information. Supervision If youth is ordered to pretrial tracking o Set the second family conference with the same parties from the initial conference along with school personnel, family team members, and any necessary treatment providers. o Describe the process and outline expectations, roles and responsibilities for DSS, SB94, and family. o Develop a case plan with family and DSS Participate in all Crossover Youth Conferences to discuss issues related to services, supervision and placement. The goals and accomplishments for these meetings should include: o Utilize a strengths based approach with the family. o Develop a joint service/case plan. o If placement is needed, work with DSS regarding placement referrals. o Generate a joint recommendation and court report to include a recommendation regarding charging the juvenile. Notify the family and DSS if a hearing is reset Notify DSS of any changes or concerns related to risk, safety, family functioning, dynamics, services and/or placements. Update DSS worker with information related to compliance with SB94 conditions and progress regarding participation in services. Consult with assigned DSS worker in advance of all hearings for the youth to develop a joint plan/recommendation to the court. Attend all hearings for the youth and notify all parties of hearing dates. Notify the assigned DSS worker if any new delinquency charges are filed for the youth. Notify the assigned DSS worker if a youth has absconded or is in detention. 11 SLV CROSSOVER YOUTH PRACTICE MODEL Task List for DHS/DSS: Caseworkers Immediate tasks: (to be completed prior to Family Conference Meeting) Review case information and status: review placement history, risk, and safety issues, strength’s and concerns, placement and case services and status of each service and be prepared to share this information with the other participating CYPM team members. Provide needed DHS/DSS information for CYPM Data Collection. Identify the youth’s current criminal charges and next delinquency Court date. CW attendance is mandatory at all delinquency hearings. If a Probation Officer is assigned, an e-mail notification will be sent by the SB94 Coordinator/Case Manager noting the Probation Officer name, supervisor and contact info. Contact the probation officer to share information that will help you collaborate on an assessment/joint plan. If no probation officer is assigned historical information will be forwarded to DHS/DSS Supervisor/Caseworker by SB94 Coordinator/Case Manager. In order to facilitate communication and information sharing, the DHS/DSS Case Worker and the SB94 Case Manager or Probation Officer shall consult to determine if a valid Release of Information (ROI) has been executed by the parent or custodian authorizing the exchange of information and relevant documents. If an ROI has not been executed, the worker and SB94 Case Manager/probation officer shall determine who will be responsible for securing it from the parent or custodian. The Case Worker and SB94 Case Manager/Probation Officer will maintain a copy of the current ROI in their case file. SB94 will contact the Prosecutor, Public Defender and GAL if one is already assigned or upon notification that a GAL has been assigned-share with them that the youth will be participating in the Crossover Youth Practice Model, and a family meeting will be scheduled to discuss and assess service needs and plan. Within 7 days of and no longer than 14 days of detention hearing a Referral to WRAP will be made for a Family Conference Meeting with youth, family, SB 94 Case Manager , DHS/DSS Caseworker, GAL, Public Defender and District Attorney. Purpose of the Family Conference Meeting is to 1) determine most appropriate placement for youth and 2) recommendations for charges, if any. DHS/DSS Caseworker will collect the following reports and send to the assigned SB94 Case Manager ( with proper release of information). The following information will be given to the assigned SB94 Case Manager/probation officer. This information will be provided before the Family Conference Meeting Current/most recent DHS/DSS Safety Assessment Current/most recent DHS/DSS Family Social History/Assessment Current/most recent DHS/DSS Treatment Case Plan Pertinent medical or hospital records, if available Educational records and evaluations (IEP) (to include behavioral, attendance, academic standing) Psychological/ Diagnostic / Sex Offender, Substance Abuse evaluations Trails Placement History 12 7/3/2013 Service Provider progress or discharge reports and recommendations (current/most recent) Identify the need for further assessments. Jointly determine who and how they will be obtained. Probation can coordinate evaluations of youth in some circumstances. Identify all family service providers, i.e., DHS/DSS, Behavioral Health and placement providers, etc. Ensure the youth’s personal information which includes SSN, DOB, Race and ethnicity is accurate. Family Conference Meeting facilitator will invite all parties to the family meeting. Remove barriers to family participation, such as the time of conference or transportation. Invite the family to bring relatives or other persons of family support to the meeting. CW Caseworker or Supervisor will attend the Family Conference if child is currently involved with DHS/DSS open Assessment or Case. Review the CYPM Individual Data Sheet and be prepared to complete at the meeting. Family Conference Tasks: Facilitator will explain the process to the family and what to expect in the process (roles and responsibilities) from DHS/DSS and SB94/12 th Judicial District Probation. Review the information provided including the various assessment tools. Jointly develop a pla n which identifies services, placement information, and each action required for the plan, who will complete each step of the plan and identify a timeframe for each. Re-assess need for additional assessments. Consider use of evidence based (EB) services, pro-social community and non-traditional resources. Clarify with the family any specific steps/actions required before the youth is returned if in placement or custody and placement is the recommendation. Clarify with all team members who wi ll be responsible for each step in the plan, and the expected role of each in next steps, and future hearings and meetings. Family Conference Facilitator will ensure the ETO form is completed. Finalize integrated plan and recommendations. Family Conference Facilitator will document the Individual Case Plan and provide copies to all parties. Follow Up Tasks: Update the case services plan/placement in TRAILS to reflect any changes. Attend delinquency court hearing to present the integrated plan and recommendations. 13 Obtain assessments that were recommended and referred as part of the joint plan and distribute to SB94/probation and others as appropriate. Convene follow up team meetings to review service provision, action plan and alter or adjust plans and recommendations as needed. Continue to attend court hearings. Contact Probation to determine if child has received or is in need of a psychological assessment. Complete case plan amendment copy Prosecutor/GAL/12th Judicial District Probation Officer when changes occur regarding services, placement, etc. Complete and route the Six Month Follow-Up data sheet when required. Complete and route the One Year data sheet when r equired. 14 12th Judicial District Judges will each have a bench card available to ensure that all Crossover Youth cases are handled the same in each county. The 12th District widely uses evidence-based services for Crossover Youth, through SB94, Probation, DHS/DSS, and mental health services. Family Conferences and ISST’s are used to help coordinate case plans, engage the family in decision-making, inform parties of Crossover issues, and strive to place in least restrictive environment. The use of Relative Affidavits and Diligent searches for kin placements is also increasing for Crossover Youth. 15 Task Lists have been written for both agencies. A common Case Plan has been created to be used with all CYPM youth. 16 17 SB94 Roles and Responsibilities: • Screen juveniles for detention at the request of law enforcement – on call 24/7. • Determine whether or not juveniles are detained. • Provide courts with recommendation regarding release or continued detention of juvenile. • Complete CJRA pre-screen assessments. • Prepare all transport orders when juveniles need to be transported to/from detention. • Monitor and supervise juveniles released on pretrial tracking. • Monitor and supervise juveniles granted an informal adjustment. • Assist in determining needed community resources. • Assist with funding for services for juveniles and families. • Appear for all court hearings regarding juveniles being supervised or held in detention. • Make treatment referrals for juvenile and family. • Evaluate and monitor services to ensure they are appropriate and effective. • Maintain current and accurate records/narratives. • Enter data into Trails system. • Incorporate restorative justice principles to address public safety, victim and community reparation, and offender accountability. • Maintain open communication and collaborate with other agencies involved in the rehabilitation of the juvenile. 18 •Probation Officer Roles and Responsibilities: •Investigatory work of offender’s eligibility to be on probation. •Monitoring and supervision of probationers (containment if necessary). Including but not limited to curfew checks, employment verification, home and school visits. •Provide referral for community resources/services. •Similar to the MDT model, probation officers are responsible for leading the team. •Formulate case plan with the offender and family with the goal of establishing pro-social behavior and repairing the harm caused to the community and the victim(s). •Motivate and manage the offender with a continuum of intermediate sanctions and incentives. •Prepare court reports and legal motions including warrants and revocation. •Maintain current and accurate records/narratives. •Maintain open communication and collaborate with other agencies involved in the rehabilitation of the offender. •Complete assessments such as CJRA, A-SUS, etc. •Incorporate restorative justice principles to address public safety, victim and community reparation, and offender accountability. •Make treatment referrals for the juvenile and family. •If needed, seek out funding options to pay for services and collaborate with our partner agencies when appropriate for blended funding. •Mediate issues between client and family. •Evaluate and monitor services to ensure they are appropriate and effective. 19 •DHS/DSS Caseworker Roles and Responsibilities: •Housing (Assessment of housing suitability, home study requests for relative and kin placements and referrals for emergency housing and shelter.) •Finances (Review of employment and benefit status of the adults in the household.) •Family therapy coordination and compliance (as it relates to trauma, neglect and abuse). •Monitoring of siblings and their functioning if there are protective concerns. •Transitions home (including assessment of the home situation, arrangement of appropriate educational and therapeutic services for the youth and family as a part of reintegration into the family). •Services in the home to address family dysfunction •Provide referrals for services to address domestic violence (including referrals for appropriate evaluations and treatment for the caretakers) •Provide referrals for services to address substance abuse by anyone in the family other than youth in question (if such usage impacts the functioning of the minor youth). Services can include assessments, treatment and monitoring. •Provide referrals for services to address treatment for victimization (therapeutic intervention for youth or other household family members who have experienced a trauma that is impacting their ability to function.) •Investigation of abuse or neglect issues (including determination as to the filing of a Dependency and Neglect Petition and/or opening services for a sibling.) •Parent’s compliance with orders of the court (and determination if neglect is a factor). •Assess for appropriate service and make community-based referrals •Attend staffings. •Conduct diligent search for absent parents and family members. •Prepare all court reports for Dependency and Neglect Actions. •Develop and monitor the coordinated case plan. •Maintain current and accurate records by DHS/DSS policy. •Assessment for needs relating to independent living services (including completion of appropriate referrals for Chaffee). •Determination of an appropriate Permanent Plan and implementation of services to facilitate. 20 •DHS/DSS & SB94/PROBATION The frequency of formal gatherings to review progress is dependent upon case dynamics but should occur monthly initially, then every other month after disposition or: •When there is a significant change in family dynamics •When there is a major change in the youth’s status •When a family member requests a meeting •Prior to court hearings to discuss updates, issues and share information for court reports. 21 •COLLABORATIVE COURT REPORTS: •SB94 case managers are responsible for the initial recommendation to the court at detention hearing regarding detaining the juvenile which incorporates the results of the CJRA. The SB94 caseworker will contact DHS/DSS by phone prior to the detention hearing to discuss the juvenile’s child welfare history and possible placement recommendations. •SB94 and DHS/DSS caseworkers will meet with the family and family conference facilitator to develop a temporary plan for placement and services as well as charging recommendations to the court prior to first appearance on charges. •If the juvenile is not provided an informal adjustment or diversion but admits to charges/found guilty at trial, then Probation may be ordered to write the PSI. The probation officer is expected to solicit information from the caseworker for input in the PSI. •If there is a combination Dependency and Neglect and Delinquency case being reviewed in court then it is always the caseworker’s responsibility to write and file the report. They are to seek input from the probation officer, include the probation officer's information/recommendations and provide a copy to the PO prior to the hearing. •If a youth is in out of home placement, the caseworker is responsible for submitting a review hearing report at each hearing, as well as the permanency planning report. •The Probation Officer is responsible for all revocations of probation and any paperwork relating to that. 22 12th Judicial District Crossover Youth Practice Model Implementation Manual VISION: Ensure the most vulnerable youth of the San Luis Valley receive appropriate services to keep them safe, healthy, and successful. MISSION: Improve outcomes for the youth of the San Luis Valley through early identification, coordination of multi-agency services focusing on strengths, and actively engaging youth and families when they cross over between the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. CROSSOVER YOUTH POPULATION: Youth who have open cases (voluntary, Dependency/Neglect or Delinquency) with DHS/DSS, a finding of maltreatment in their history, as well as having been arrested at the district level (not municipal) and screened by SB94. This is the group of youth which the counties of Alamosa, Conejos and Rio Grande have focused initial implementation of the Crossover Youth Practice Model. The broader definition of “Crossover Youth” is youth who have previous founded maltreatment and have come to the attention of the juvenile justice system. Research shows that regardless of whether or not they have current DDHS/Child Welfare involvement, they are at greater risk for juvenile justice involvement by the mere fact that they were previously abused or neglected. “Reverse Crossover Youth” are youth that have juvenile justice involvement, and are subsequently referred to Child Welfare for intervention and or services. Collaboration/Information Sharing: Please remember that it can be stressful and confusing for youth and families who are involved in multiple systems; our hope is to make the process less stressful, confusing and intrusive and the outcomes more positive. We should therefore be mindful of what information we share, with whom, when and why so that information sharing is used to achieve positive outcomes for the youth and their families, and ultimately results in a benefit to the youth, family and community. Subjecting youth to a more punitive response as a result of gathering information necessary to improve strength and need identification and service provision is not the goal to be achieved. 23 Questions? 18