Adopting and Implementing a
Shared Core Practice Framework
(DCFS, DMH, Probation)
Strength
Needs
Practice
A Briefing/Discussion
Objectives:
Provide a brief overview and context for:

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Practice Models and Frameworks in General
(Discussion)
Provide an overview of our ‘Shared’ Practice Model
(DMH, DCFS, Probation)

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Outcomes, Values/Principles, The Practice Wheel
(Discussion)
Provide a view from the “trenches”

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Making It Real; Making it Work
Strengths and Challenges in Implementation
(Discussion)
1
A Practice Framework:
What is it and why is it important?
Strength
Needs
Practice
Purpose: To integrate mission, vision, goals and principles in ways that strengthen
shared practice and support/improve supervision, training and coaching.
What do we mean by Practice? The values, principles, relationships, approaches
and techniques in service delivery that help children, youth and families achieve safety,
stability, permanency, well-being and self sufficiency.
What do we mean by a “Framework?” a structure that holds together ideas,
principles, agreements or rules and that provides the basis for implementing and
improving practice across time.
Why is it important? In other large systems, “Practice Frameworks” have provided a
solid foundation for reform, have contributed heavily to improved outcomes (and
ultimately exit from court oversight) and have helped sustain quality work.
Adapted from The Child Welfare Group: “Adopting a Child Welfare Practice Framework”
2
Why is the concept of
“Shared” Practice Critical?
Strength
Needs
Practice
The fact that children, youth and families have needs that are shared
across systems requires us to respond and intervene in ways that
reflect well coordinated practice, shared responsibility and
accountability.
The Shared Practice Framework describes:


What matters most to children, families, and communities:
safety, stability, permanency, well-being, self sufficiency– key outcomes
Key (CORE) practices most associated with success:
engagement, teamwork, assessment/understanding, long-term view for
safe case closure, planning strategies for safety, permanency, well-being
and self sufficiency.
The QSR helps answer: Are we helping? How can we improve?
Our Goals = Integration, Responsiveness and Results!
3
Los Angeles County Data: “Raising the Blue Bar”
Strength
Needs
Practice
QSR ACCEPTABLE CHILD/FAMILY STATUS
QSR ACCEPTABLE PRACTICE
100%
100%
92%
93%
90%
85%
80%
92%
86%
77%
71%
43%
70%
50%
70%
21%
46%
60%
57%
46%
50%
50%
40%
30%
50%
38%
20%
31%
36%
50%
50%
40%
31%
31%
21%
10%
42%
42%
42%
30%
29%
14%
0%
Belvedere
Santa Fe Springs
Compton
Fair Status
Vermont
Corridor
Wateridge
Good and Optimal Status
PRACTICE INDICATORS
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Engagement
Voice and Choice
Teamwork
Assessment & Understanding
Long-term View
Planning
Supports & Services
Intervention Adequacy
Tracking & Adjustment
Lancaster
Palmdale
Pomona
Acceptable Practice
STATUS INDICATORS
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Safety
Stability Patterns
Permanency Prospects
Living Arrangement
Health/Physical Well-being
Emotional Well-Being
Learning & Development
Family Functioning & Resourcefulness
Caregiver Functioning
Family Connections
4
“Raising the Blue Bar”
(Improving Practice)
Strength
Needs
Practice
How do staff and partners learn new skills?

Information - Providing content regarding practice, policy, legal
issues and the basis for our interventions.

Modeling - Providing a demonstration of the skills staff are
expected to acquire.

Practice - Providing opportunities to practice skills supported by
coaching.

Feedback - Providing feedback on performance and guidance
regarding areas of strength and areas needing additional
attention.
Adapted from Gagne’s Levels of Learning and The Child Welfare Group: “Adopting a Child Welfare Practice Framework”
5
“Raising the Blue Bar”
Skill Based Training
Coaching/Mentoring
Individual, Joint, Team
Individual, Joint, Team
Strength
Needs
Practice
Shared Practice Framework
Key practices based on shared values that help us identify
and address child and family strengths and needs
(safety, permanence, well-being, self sufficiency)
-
Engagement
Teaming
Assessing
Planning and Intervention
Tracking, Adapting and Transitioning
Quality Services Review (QSR) – measures key practice areas
and status indicators.
6
The Shared Practice Model: Overview
(Values/Principles)
Strength
Needs
Practice
Child Protection & Safety
 Permanent, Lifelong, Loving, Families
 Strengthening Child & Family Well-Being
and Self Sufficiency
 Child Focused Family Centered Practice
 Community-Based Partnerships
 Cultural Competency
 Best Practice and Continuous Learning

7
Organizing the Practice:
(Shared) PRACTICE FRAMEWORK
Engaging
Track &
Adapt
Strength
Needs
Practice
Teaming
Strength
Needs
Practice
Assessment
Planning&
Intervention
Basic knowledge, values, principles, legal mandates
8
Mobilizing STRENGTHS,
addressing NEEDS with these skills
Strength
Needs
Practice

Engaging:
Building rapport and effective relationships.

Teaming: Effectively collaborating with others, coordinating and
guiding teams.

Assessing: Gathering important information; Identifying safety
and underlying needs.

Planning/Intervening:

Tracking:
Interventions utilizing client strengths
and preferences.
Evaluating results and adapting results to improve
practice.
9
Example: Teaming
A Key Practice Strategy
Strength
Needs
Practice
Characteristics for Optimal Teamwork:
Child and Family Team (CFT)

The right people are involved (this includes the family’s own
natural supports and resources).

CFT has the leadership, commitment, skills, resources and
capacity to define the strengths and needs of the child and family.

The team works consistently, collectively and collaboratively and
attends to the family’s cultural, background, norms and practices.

All team members are involved in assessing, planning, intervening
and evaluating results.

The family is fully involved and engaged.
10
The View from the Field (Strengths and Challenges)
THE BEGINNING OF MEANINGFUL PRACTICE CHANGE IN THE
POMONA VALLEY
Our QSR Practice Performance Baseline
Overall Practice Performance – 83% of cases
in the Refinement Zone
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Practice Improvement Focus Areas
Teamwork
Engagement
Assessment and Planning
Long Term View (Permanency)

Strength
Needs
Practice
11
THE BEGINNING OF MEANINGFUL PRACTICE
CHANGE IN THE POMONA VALLEY
Strength
Needs
Practice
Training

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DMH – Service Area 3 Providers
DCFS – Pomona Staff
Developing Coaching Capacity
The QSR Driver
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we’ve learned
we’re sharing concepts and findings with partners
we’re weaving optimal practice concepts and findings into
our coaching program.
12
“Raising the Blue Bar”
Strength
Needs
Practice
Key Ingredients; Key Steps

Aligned Leadership and Messaging to Staff, Partners, and Providers

Protecting/Affirming Time and Resources to Learn and Apply New
Skills
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Data Driven Decision Making: Linking Practice to Outcome Data

Providing Tools/Means to Assess Progress: Coaching, Supervision,
Facilitation, Intervention
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Aligning Performance Evaluation Systems
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Enhancing Quality Improvement and Monitoring
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Others
Discussion
13