Parents are not as engaged in the Child and Family Team (CFT) process as child welfare agencies would like, according to a new survey conducted by Praxes Behavioral Health. Having surveyed members of over 100 organizations, the results indicate shortcomings in the process. CFTs are a key component of the Integrated Core Practice Model (ICPM), used to help organizations work together. While it does create synchronization for the agencies involved with a child in helping them receive services, it still misses the mark in helping their parents.
Examples of results from the survey indicate:
· Parent involvement – of agencies surveyed, 50% of their clients’ parents attend the CFT meetings.
· Attendance – 50% of the agencies’ parents who attended did so regularly.
· Participation – 42% of the parents participated in verbal or written form during the meeting.
· Using teleconference media – 51% of the agencies used Zoom or other media to encourage parents to attend.
These results indicate that 50% of the parents of foster children are not involved in the CFT process.
Then we looked at the reasons for lack of attendance. The highest was work conflicts, followed by childcare, transportation, distance from the CFT meeting, and finally lack of interest. Also, the reasons for non-involvement were due to the parents’ own problems and stress, no interest to participate, intimidation by county officials, feeling it was a waste of time, and finally their lack of knowledge about the CFT process.
Lastly, we asked what could be done to help improve parent involvement. There were some suggestions:
1. Make the CFT process more family-friendly
2. Educate parents on the value of the CFT
3. Have a parent partner or advocate attend to support them
4. Help the parents feel treated with respect
5. Give the parents time in the meeting to discuss their hopes and desires and feel part of the team.
Based on this information, the CFT process is not entirely inclusive of parents. Although they are invited, the process does not cater to their needs. Meetings are held while parents work. Parents do not receive the knowledge about why the meetings are important and why their voice needs to be heard. While the meetings focus on the child, they neglect the parents who, after all, are the ones who will be reunited with the child. Better efforts are necessary to engage the parents, such as the Parent Advocates mentioned. This approach would not only support but also educate and train parents on improving their skills as a caregiver. Making the meetings accessible, understandable, and inviting will increase parent involvement.
For more information on our survey, please contact us.
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PRAXES is a nationwide behavioral health software, consulting, and training company. No one in the behavioral health industry has a better reputation, and if you give us the chance, we’ll show you why! At PRAXES, our services improve the efficiency and structure of behavioral health agencies serving children and families nationwide. PRAXES brings over 45 years of administrative and clinical expertise. With more than 100 client companies nationwide, we offer the expertise to advance the quality of behavioral health services. We accomplish these goals through our new clinical decision software, our training of best practices, and helping companies meet regulatory standards. At PRAXES, we believe in being creative and fostering new ways to serve children and their families. Our vision is to empower the families our agencies serve with skills that not only improve their functioning, but help them to thrive in their everyday lives. When you give us the chance, you’ll be connected directly to our friendly staff, so you can expect immediate attention to your inquiry. So, don’t wait, call now!
Dan Thorne has unique perspectives on the field of mental health. As a clinician, he has had over 40 years of experience working with clients in the Southern California area. After obtaining his Bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Irvine, he worked with children in the Orange County Juvenile Hall. Here he honed his earliest techniques on at-risk children. After that, he obtained his Master’s degree in Counseling from California State University, Fullerton.
In the 1990’s, Dan turned his attention to the clinical and administrative side of behavioral health organizations. For three years, he was the Assistant Administrator of Starting Point, a chemical dependency facility in Costa Mesa, CA. In 2001, he took an opportunity to be the Director of Harbor View Community Services Center in Long Beach. When he arrived, the Center had only 80 clients and 13 staff. When he left, there were over 400 clients and 75 staff. Dan created several programs through their contract with the Los Angeles County Departments of Mental Health and Child and Family Services. Under his guidance, Harbor View became one of the leading providers of children’s services in Los Angeles County.
While improving the results of the client’s parents at the Center, Dan reflected on his experiences as a parent. His children themselves had special needs such as mental and intellectual challenges, and Dan knew the toll it takes on the parent. In order to help the child, the parent has to be healthy. From this concept, he created his parenting program. After years of refining it, teaching it to his staff at the Center, and then taking the results and comments from these efforts, he became the developer of the current PRAXES program. It is a culmination of Dan’s personal trials and tribulations as a parent along with empirical results and research of over 40 parenting programs.
Our vision at PRAXES is to advance the strength of parents and caregivers of children with special needs (mental health, intellectual, or physical) through education, support, and empowerment. Thus, they can live healthy and functional lives while caring for the child.
Apogee is a clinical decision software designed to help behavioral health practitioners with their treatment and patient engagement. It provides evidence-based and research-based components. Not only do they consist of elements from such practices as Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Seeking Safety, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Functional Behavior Analysis, but also the Intensive Models for Parents, Youth, and Children.
PRAXES has over 30 years of accreditation experience. We know what it takes to get your organization accredited. Whether it’s Joint Commission, CARF, or COA, our team can provide an evaluation of your current status and review the standards which need improvements. We will assist you with the policies, documentation, and training required to be accredited.
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