HomeMy WebLinkAbout20191623.tiffPRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL
MEMORANDUM
DATE: April 17, 2019
TO: Board of County Commissioners - Pass -Around
FR: Judy A. Griego, Director, Human Services
RE: 2019 Diligent Recruitment Data Update
Please review and indicate if you would like a work session prior to placing this item on the
Board's agenda.
Request Board Approval of the Department's 2019 Diligent Recruitment Data Update. The
Colorado Office of Children, Youth & Families (OCYF) issued an Operation Memo, OM-CW-2019-
0008, dated March 21, 2019, requesting all county departments of human/social services to update their
current diligent recruitment plans. On April 10, the Operation Memo was received again with a
correction that included the required county diligent recruitment plan template. The requested action
ensures compliance with federal laws related to systemic factors and the Multi -Ethnic Placement Act
(MEPA), as well as Senate Bill 18-254. The attached update demonstrates the Department's efforts to
reflect the diversity of the children and youth for whom foster and adoptive homes are required, and it
addresses the recruitment efforts for 2019, based upon 2018 calendar year data, as directed by the OCYF.
This update is due to the State by May 1, 2019. Formal approval by the Board is not required.
I do not recommend a Work Session. I recommend approval of this update and submission to the State.
Sean P. Conway
Mike Freeman, Pro-Tem
Scott K. James
Barbara Kirkmeyer, Chair
Steve Moreno
Approve
Recommendation Work Session
Schedule
Other/Comments:
2019-1623
Pass -Around Memorandum; April 17, 2019 - Not in CMS
COMMun;CO- o 3
1.41 /i q
Page I
2019 Diligent Recruitment Data Update
A. Data for Children/Youth needing placement
Weld County Department of Human Services
Please use data from 1/1/2018-12/31/18 (2018) about the children/youth in care for a
specific county.
This data should inform the county/community specific recruitment efforts for the 2019 update.
This data should correlate with your recruitment strategies on section E.
Who are the children or youth who were removed during this year? Age at removal
(Located on CDHS Data matters)
0-2
3-5
6-8
9-11
12-14
15
plus
Male
60
58
35
46
34
50
Female
65
44
27
32
38
33
Other
identification
self-
0
0
0
0
2
0
Race and Ethnicity (Data located on CDHS Data Matters http://www.cdhsdatamatters.orgOor ROM
Caucasian
Hispanic
African American
Asian
American Indian/Alaska
Native
Other
221
259
32
5
5
2
Current placement type for children/youth - number (Data available on CDHS Data Matters) or ROM
Age at
removal
Kinship
Foster
Home
Foster
Home
Group Home
Group
Center
Residential
Child
Facility
Care
Non certified
Kin
0-2 years
5
K3
0
0
1
58
3-5 years
8
60
0
O
O
53
6-8 years
9
40
0
0
2
27
9-11
years
4
38
3
0
12
35
12-14
years
5
24
9
7
35
19
15-18
years
2
19
8
7
53
13
18-21
years
0
0
0
O
0
0
*Weld County had 18 Runaway Youth
(Counties only) Number of youth in delinquency- whom you are not recruiting families for N/A; we have youth with
juvenile delinc uency cases that are matched and we recruit for.
Number of families/resources (Internal County Data only)
Required for Section 26-5-104 (6.6)(a), C.R.S. (S618-254)
Kinship Foster
Home
Non -certified Kin
Foster Home
Adoptive Home
With
Placements
12
155
52
75
Without
Placements
5
n/a
I
1
0
Not
At Capacity
0
n/a
4
O
Number
Openings
Of
Potential
()
n/a
4
0
1
Communities with the most removals (Internal County data only) Required for Section 26-5-104 (6.6)(a), C.R.S.
(SB18-254)
Community/Neighborhood
Name AND
Zipcode
# Of
Removals
# Foster
Homes
Capacity
Openings
Kinship
Foster
Home
Capacity
Openings
Greeley/Evans (District 6)
412
29
64
4
3
O
0
Windsor/Severance (RE 4J)
14
7
14
0
1
0
0
Johnstown/Milliken (RE Si)
16
3
I I
0
0
0
0
Ault/Nunn (RE 9)
2
1
4
0
0
0
0
Kersey (RE 7)
1
3
8
0
0
0
0
Brighton/Thornton (Adams 12)
0
0
0
O
2
0
0
Lochbuie/Keensburg/1-Judson (RE 3)
2
2
6
0
0
0
0
Longmont/Frederick/Mead/Erie/
Dacono (St Vrain)
40
9
19
O
I
0
0
Fort Lupton (RE 8)
13
1
3
()
1
0
0
Eaton (2J)
2
2
7
+)
O
0
0
Fort Collins/Loveland (Poudre)
1
2
6
0
3
0
0
La Salle/Platteville (RE 1)
20
O
0
O
0
0
0
Aurora (28 J)
I
1
4
0
1
0
O
Berthoud (Thompson R2 J)
O
I
4
0
0
0
O
B.
Other considerations for placement
Based on all the placements you had in 2018- please answer the following
questions: Primary Language (Anecdotal data or internal case review
English
Spanish
Chinese
Russian
Vietnamese
Sign (ASL)
Other
language)
Monolingual (any
SOS
14
1
0
O
O
1
SOI
Were you able to place them in homes that speak the children/youth's primary language?
Weld County's foster homes are primarily English-speaking households with a few foster families who are bilingual
(English/Spanish).
Challenges To Placement- number of children/youth total (Anecdotal data or internal case review
Physical
Disability
Intellectual
Developmental
Disability
Ft
Deaf
Blind
Health
Placing
sibling
groups
Sex offenders
Other
6
;O
0
0
41
42
2,
2
*In reviewing challenges to placement, it should be noted that several children/youth present with significant mental health
needs that have been a barrier to placement or a source of placement disruption.
Who are your CPA partners? Please list
• A New World
• Adoption Options
• Ariel Clinical Services
• Bethany Christian Services
• CGL-CPA LLC
• Denver Area Youth Services
• Dungarvin Colorado LLC
• Family Resource Network
• Griffith Centers for Children Inc.
2
• Hope Et Home
• Kairos Family Services
• Kids Crossing
• Lutheran Family Services
• Maple Star Colorado
• Nightlight Christian Adoptions
• Parker Personal Care Homes, Inc.
• Quality Life Services LLC
• Rocky Mountain Kids
• Sample Supports
• Savio House CPA
• Smith Agency Inc.
• Special Kids Special Families
• Specialized Alternatives for Families and Youth
• Strong Foundations LLC
• Top of the Trail Inc.
• Whimspire CPA
Have you shared data for children/youth needing placement (first pages) with them?
Weld County Department of Human Services will be sharing our out -of -home placement data and recruitment needs with
our CPA partners.
Are they aware of where you need foster families in your community based on your removals?
Not directly, however our placement team has general conversations with our CPA partners when seeking placements of
children outside of Weld County homes. Weld County Department of Human Services always searches for placements in
the least restrictive setting while keeping children in their same community, if possible.
Does your team receive support regarding recruitment of families from whomever manages your
county's communications?
Weld County's Recruiter, Child Welfare Management/Foster Care team and Administration meet
with the Weld County's Communications team on a bimonthly basis.
C. County specific information required for Section 26-5-104 (6.6)(a), C.R.S. (SB 18-254)
Out -of -home placement options
Do you collaborate with other counties for placement options? If so, please list.
No
Is there a need to expand out -of -home placement options (excluding CPA homes) within the county? If so what placement
options would most meet the needs of the children/youth in their community?
Yes. Weld County has several youth placed in congregate care due to the lack of foster homes willing/able to care for our
older children, youth with delinquency issues, and youth with offense specific/sexual boundary concerns. Although not as
common, in the last year, Weld County had two medical fragile children that were placed with CPAs due to the lack of Weld
County foster homes able to care for this level of supervision.
Please list what efforts is the county making to support/retain foster and non -certified kin families? Please detail.
Kinship Care Coordinators (KCCs) are assigned to every non -certified kinship home. Recently, Weld County began pairing
intake caseworkers and KCCs together. The KCC works alongside the intake caseworker in assessing the safety of the family
and their home and evaluating the kinship provider's willingness and ability to meet the child(ren)'s needs. After the kinship
placement, the KCC is available for ongoing monthly support. When new kinship needs are identified, the KCC helps navigate
and explore various funding sources and community resources, including Kinship TANF, Medicaid, CCAP or Protective
Childcare, Food Assistance, Core Services, etc. In addition, Weld County hosts monthly support groups where professionals
train families on a variety of topics including trauma.
Weld County has Foster Care Coordinators (FCCs) assigned to foster families and certified kinship families to support their
needs. The FCC provides guidance, advice, and helps navigate through various systems to ensure the needs of the foster
child(ren) and family are being met.
3
Weld County has been engaging in regular and consistent meetings with our Medicaid's Regional Accountable Entity (RAE),
Northeast Health Partners. The goal is to ensure all foster children have timely and quality services from the beginning of
their foster care placement. Weld County is dedicated in ensuring foster children's medical and behavioral health needs are
timely being identified and properly being managed to prevent placement disruptions and foster provider burnout.
Weld County hosts monthly Roundtables in North County and every other month in South County. Roundtables provide an
opportunity for foster families to get to know one another, network and build respite relationships. While Roundtable topics
vary, Weld County provides training, community resource information and informs of any state or county policy changes. In
addition, one (1) North County foster family and one (1) South County foster family are recognized as Foster Families of the
Month.
Weld County is launching a foster parent mentoring program for any new or existing foster parents wanting additional
guidance or support. This is to help provide peer foster parent support outside of the FCC or permanency caseworker.
Weld County has partnered with two (2) new vendors to provide "consultation services" to our foster and kinship families.
These services are designed to help foster/kinship families better understand their specific child(ren)'s behaviors, gain a
better understanding of trauma, and provide tangible strategies to reduce/manage concerning behaviors.
Weld County hosts annual foster/kinship parent appreciation events.
Weld County started conducting exit interviews with all foster families to better understand reasons for leaving. This
information will help guide Weld County's efforts to retain foster families in the future.
In -home Services
What types of services would be helpful to keep children/youth within the county?
Weld County needs more educational supports, specifically local day treatment providers. There are also long waitlists for
intensive in -home services regardless of the funding source (Medicaid or Core), which is unfortunate since these services are
used to prevent removals, prevent placement disruptions for children already in kinship or foster care and to support family
reunification. In addition, in -home providers should have more foundational knowledge of child welfare practices (including
timeframes) in order to support these families' complex trauma and needs. Weld County often uses behavior coaching and
mentoring services to help support children in placement or preparing children to stepdown to a lower level of care, however
providers are often unable to accommodate the intensity needed.
Confirm that your county has submitted a plan to Core Services that includes the expansion of in -home services? If
so that data will be used to answer SB18-254
Weld County submits a Core Services plan annually to the state for approval.
Weld County annually puts out a Request for Proposal (REP) to seek more in -home providers to meet the needs of our
children, youth and families. Weld County added one new in -home provider.
D. Inquiry, Certification, and Approval Process (internal process data)
Please explain your process for assuring that all prospective parents have access to the home study
process. Include location and hours of services that facilitate access by all members of the community
identified (required by Administration for Children and Families ACF).
Home Studies are completed by contracted Home Study Providers who schedule appointments based on the foster family's
availability. Weld County is in the process of hiring a Home Study Lead that will monitor and manage contracted home study
providers to ensure that home studies are timely and of the highest quality.
How long is inquiry to orientation ;days/weeks)
Two to three weeks between inquiry and orientation. We have a public Welcome Night at least twice monthly and offer
them in south, north and west parts of the county. After Welcome Night, for those who wish to continue, we will schedule
an individual orientation which includes an initial walkthrough of the home and going through the application packet. This
offers families a roadmap of what next steps are in becoming certified.
How long does it take to complete the home study (days/weeks)
Anywhere from 60 to 70 days.
4
How long does it take to get training completed (days/weeks)
Three consecutive weeks (3 -full days within the 3 weeks). Training is offered on two Fridays and one Saturday. We also
offer training throughout the year that focus on mental health, trauma informed care, behaviors and offense
specific/ boundaries.
How long does it take until final certification/approval
to finish
days/weeks) four to five months from start
How does staff maintain contact with applicant families during the process?
1) Follow-up calls (after Welcome Night) - three in total. Every other week for 6 weeks.
2) After Welcome Night, an Orientation visit is scheduled for families ready to move forward with the certification
process. This includes face -face application assistance, discussion of "Motivation for Fostering" self -assessment quiz,
and an initial walkthrough of the family home.
3) "Thank You" postcards are handwritten and sent to families after they attend Welcome Night and after completion of
PRIDE foster parent training.
E.
How many foster and/or adoptive families would you like to recruit by the end of 2019?
A. Number of Foster Families 24
B. Number of Adoptive Families 18
C. Anticipated number of children/youth entering RGAP agreements 1
F. Please detail county's strategies and efforts to place children/youth with kin.
Required for Section 26-5-104 (6.6)(a), C.R.S. (SB18-254)
Weld County sees placement with kin as a priority when at all possible. Any time a placement of a child is necessary,
relatives or other kin like individuals are explored for placement before foster care is considered. When a child must be
removed from their home, the caseworker checks with available family for kin options; biological parents, other relatives or
friends that are present are questioned about kin options. Often, a diligent search will be initiated immediately to look for
the family's known contacts for possible kin. Any time a relative is contacted throughout the case, kinship options are
explored. Additionally, diligent search is completed every 6 months at a minimum through the case. When a diligent search
is completed, Hotline and Family Research Specialists contact the identified individuals to see if they are able to be
considered as a kinship placement or if they are willing to provide other support to the children involved. Additionally, they
are asked about other relatives/friends to be contacted. When meetings are conducted with the family, Hotline and Family
Research Specialist meet with individuals to continue exploring kin options.
What percentage of kin placements are outside the county? (Andocteal data is fine)
Weld County has 37 kinship families who reside outside the County as opposed to 122 kinship families who live in Weld
County
How are kin being informed of the certification process and their options?
KCCs provide certification process information to non -certified kinship providers after they have accepted placement. From
there, kinship families are able to start the certification process by attending a Welcome Night or can set up an individual
Welcome Night with the Recruiter. After that, they go through the same certification process as foster families. In addition,
Weld County uses kinship provisional certification when necessary and appropriate.
Do you have kinship support workers or units that are providing support to non -certified kin families? If so please detail the
support they provide.
Yes, a KCC is assigned to every non -certified kinship home and is available for ongoing monthly support. When new kinship
needs are identified, the KCC helps navigate and explore various funding sources and community resources, including
Kinship TANF, Medicaid, CCAP or Protective Childcare, Food Assistance, Core Services, etc. In addition, Weld County hosts
monthly support groups where professionals train families on a variety of topics, including trauma.
G. Recruitment and Retention Strategies Required for Section 26-5-104 (6.6)(a), C.R.S. (SB 18-254) Please
detail the county's plan to expand/increase family like settings (foster families).
5
Strategies listed should include specific goats for the following:
Plan for retention of current foster families
Specific strategies to reach all parts of the community identified (Required by ACF). These
strategies should reflect the diversity of the data reported in section A and feature efforts
to recruit additional families in high removal areas.
Diverse methods of disseminating both general and child specific information
identified (Required by ACF)
Information about your website (does it mention the need for foster families, is it current,
are an email and phone number listed) When was your website last updated?
Detail the strategies but be sure to include a goal, person responsible and start/end date for
each. This is an example grid to copy and use.
Goal
children.
1:
Weld
County will
recruit and
certify
two (2) foster families
willing/able
to care
for medically
fragile
Strategy
medical
1:
professionals.
Partner
with
North
Colorado
Health
Alliance
(NCHA)
to assist in targeted
foster care recruitment with
Action Step
Person/People
Responsible
Start
Date
Completion
Date
Currently,
contract
setting
presentations
professionals
County.
with
up foster
Weld
throughout
NCHA
with
County
care
to
medical
assist
has
Weld
a
in
Weld
responsible
manage
County
NCHA
to
Recruiter is
monitor and
contract.
In progress
6/30/2019
contract
(current
end
date)
Conduct
community
month.
at
least one (1)
presentation
per
Weld
responsible
manage
as conduct
County
NCHA
to
the
Recruiter
contract
is
monitor and
as
presentation.
well
In
progress
6/30/2019
contract
(current
end
date)
Strategy 2: Spread
community awareness regarding
medically
fragile
foster care needs.
Action Step
Person/People
Responsible
Start
Date
Completion
Date
Present
fragile
Weld
needs
County's
at Welcome
medically
Nights
Weld
Foster
County
Care
Team
Recruiter and
In
progress
ongoing
recruited
task
until
homes
Weld
marketing
language
medically
County
and
material
fragile
will
images
update
children.
to
include
to include
Weld
Communications
County Recruiter and
team
Completed
Completed
Weld
medically
material
County
on
will
fragile
its
Facebook
use
marketing
updated
page
Weld
Communications
County
Recruiter and
team
In
progress
ongoing
recruited
task
until
homes
Weld
marketing
community
County
material
will
presentations.
handout
during
updated
Weld
County Recruiter and
NCHA
In
progress
ongoing
recruited
task
until
homes
Goal 2: Weld County will recruit and certify two (2) foster families willing/able to care for offense specific children
and/or children who have sexual boundary concerns.
Strategy 1: Provide offense specific/sexual boundary training to current foster families to increase their skills and
comfortability in caring for this population.
Action Step
Person/People Responsible
Start Date
Completion Date
6
Weld County is collaborating with
Shiloh to design a three (3) hour
foster parent training curriculum
to increase skills and
comfortability in caring for
children with offense
specific/sexual boundary issues.
Training curriculum and contract
must be approved by
Administration and County
Commissioners.
In progress
5/31 /2019
Offense specific/sexual boundary
training will be offered to Weld
County foster families on a
quarterly basis.
Foster Care Team will offer
training throughout the year.
Tentatively after
6/1/2019 (once the
contract is fully
executed)
5/31 /2020
Strategy 2: Spread community awareness regarding the need for foster families willing to care for children who have
offense specific/sexual boundary concerns.
Action Step
Person/People Responsible
Start Date
Completion Date
Present needs during Welcome
Nights.
Weld County Recruiter and
Foster Care Team
In progress
Ongoing task until homes
recruited
Outreach specific populations who
already have a strong knowledge
base/familiarity working with this
population of children (ex:
offense specific providers, mental
health providers, etc).
Weld County Recruiter
5/1/2019
Ongoing task until homes
recruited
Strategy 3: Highlight Weld County's supports to foster families.
Action Step
Person/People Responsible
Start Date
Completion Date
Utilize Weld County's recruitment
video that highlights its supports
to foster families during Welcome
nights, on the county's website,
on the county's YouTube channel
and Facebook.
Weld County Recruiter, Foster
Care team and Communications
team.
In progress
Ongoing
Goal 3: Weld County will recruit and certify five (5) foster families willing/able to care for children 12 years old and
older.
Strategy 1: Update recruitment materials and marketing strategies to reflect the need for more families willing to
care for teenagers.
Action Step
Person/People Responsible
Start Date
Completion Date
Update marketing language and
images to include teenagers.
Weld County Recruiter and
Communications Team
In progress
Ongoing
Increase Weld County Facebook
posts to include language, stories,
and images of teenagers.
Weld County Recruiter and
Communications Team
In progress
Ongoing
Highlight an older youth's voice in
upcoming recruitment videos.
Weld County Recruiter and
Communications Team
In progress
5/1/2019
Strategy 2: Spread community awareness regarding the need for foster homes willing to care for teenagers.
Action Step I Person/People Responsible I Start Date I Completion Date
7
Collaborate with Weld County
cities/towns on family -focused
and/or teen -focused events for
recruitment opportunities.
Weld County Recruiter
In progress
Ongoing
Host community events that
incorporate the "Instant Family"
movie to emphasis the importance
of homes for teenagers.
Weld County Recruiter
In progress
Ongoing
Present the need for foster
families to care for teenagers at
Welcome Nights.
Weld County Recruiter and
Foster Care Team
In progress
Ongoing
Increase community involvement
in Weld County's Foster Care
Program and target media
towards these events/activities.
(For example, Weld County is
partnering with the Bright Futures
Program with the help of high
school students to update Weld's
foster care visitation center. We
will acknowledge the Bright
Futures grant, community service
and highlight the need for foster
families in a press release.)
Weld County Recruiter and
Communications Team
5/4/2019
Ongoing
Target recruitment towards
populations who already work
with and/or care for teenagers
(ex: high school staff, high school
parent clubs, booster clubs, etc.)
Weld County Recruiter
5/1/2019
Ongoing
Handout Weld County's foster
care "swag" at high school games
and/or collaborate with high
schools to advertise on
scoreboards.
Weld County Recruiter and
Communications Team
9/1/2019
12/1/2019
Strategy 3: Highlight Weld County's supports to foster families.
Action Step
Person/People Responsible
Start Date
Completion Date
Utilize Weld County's general
recruitment video that highlights
its supports to foster families
during Welcome nights, on the
county's website, on the county's
YouTube channel and Facebook.
Weld County Recruiter, Foster
Care team and Communications
team.
In progress
Ongoing
Goal 4: Weld County will recruit and certify ten (10) foster families willing/able to care for children between the
ages of 7-12 years old.
Strategy 1: Increase community awareness of foster care needs for children between the ages of 7-12 years old.
Action Step
Person/People Responsible
Start Date
Completion Date
Collaborate with Weld County
cities/towns with family focused
events for recruitment
opportunities.
Weld County Recruiter
In progress
Ongoing
8
Provide "media kit" to Weld
County cities/towns that they can
use to spread awareness of foster
care needs in utility bill/HOA
mailings, local newspapers,
Facebook pages and websites.
Weld County Recruiter and
Communications Team
6/1/2019
Ongoing
Discuss current needs at Welcome
Nights.
Weld County Recruiter and
Foster Care Team
In progress
Ongoing
Increase Weld County Facebook
posts to include language, stories,
and images of older children.
Weld County Recruiter and
Communications Team
In progress
Ongoing
Host community events that
incorporate the "Instant Family"
movie to emphasis the importance
of homes for older children.
Weld County Recruiter
In progress
Ongoing
Collaborate with Weld County
school districts to handout foster
parent information through
"Friday Folders."
Weld County Recruiter
5/1/19
Ongoing; annually
Strategy 2: Highlight Weld County's supports to foster families.
Action Step
Person/People Responsible
Start Date
Completion Date
Utilize Weld County's recruitment
video that highlights its supports
to foster families during Welcome
nights, on the county's website,
on the county's YouTube channel
and Facebook.
Weld County Recruiter, Foster
Care team and Communications
team.
In progress
Ongoing
Goal 5: Weld County will recruit and certify five (5) foster families willing/able to care for sibling groups.
Strategy 1: Increase community awareness of foster care needs for sibling groups so children are not separated from
each other.
Action Step
Person/People Responsible
Start Date
Completion Date
Update marketing material to
reflect sibling group images.
Weld County Recruiter and
Communications team
In progress
Ongoing
Increase Weld County Facebook
posts that highlight siblings.
Weld County Recruiter and
Communications team
Ongoing
Host community events that
incorporate the "Instant Family"
movie emphasis the importance of
homes for sibling groups.
Weld County Recruiter
In progress
Ongoing
Collaborate with Weld County
cities/towns with family focused
events for recruitment
opportunities.
Weld County Recruiter
In progress
Ongoing
Discuss current sibling needs at
Welcome Nights.
Weld County Recruiter and
Foster Care team
In progress
Ongoing
9
Utilize Weld County's general
recruitment video during
Welcome Night, the county's
YouTube page, Website and
Facebook that highlights sibling
groups.
Weld County Recruiter and
Communications team
6/1/2019
Ongoing
Strategy 2: Highlight Weld County's supports to foster families.
Action Step
Person/People Responsible
Start Date
Completion Date
Utilize Weld County's recruitment
video that highlights its supports
to foster families during Welcome
nights, on the county's website,
on the county's YouTube channel
and Facebook.
Weld County Recruiter, Foster
Care team and Communications
team.
In progress
Ongoing
Goal 6: Increase availability and accessibility to respite providers to encourage retention of foster families.
Strategy 1: Collaboratively work on an improved respite program.
Action Step
Person/People Responsible
Start Date
Completion Date
Propose to Weld County
Administration and Weld County
Commissioners to increase rate of
respite offered to foster families.
Resource Manager, Foster Care
Supervisor and Recruiter
6/1/2019
12/31/2019
Develop a tiered system of respite
that will include crisis respite
services for more difficult
behaviors.
Resource Manager, Foster Care
Supervisor and Recruiter
6/1/2019
12/31/2019
Identify and train skilled respite
families to offer respite for more
difficult behaviors such as low-
level aggression, sexualized
behaviors, etc.
Resource Manager, Foster Care
Supervisor and Recruiter
6/1/2019
12/31/2019
Goal 7: Incorporate current foster families in recruitment strategies.
Strategy 1: Utilize word-of-mouth recruitment strategies with current foster families.
Action Step
Person/People Responsible
Start Date
Completion Date
Weld County is assessing and
developing a foster care referral
incentive program to provide a
financial incentive to current
foster families who successfully
recruit others to become foster
families with Weld County.
Weld County Recruiter
In progress
Ongoing
Weld County has foster parents
help train PRIDE.
Foster Care team
In progress
Ongoing
Weld County includes foster
families in Welcome Nights.
Weld County Recruiter and
Foster Care team
In progress
Ongoing
10
Update current foster families on
Weld County Recruiter and
In progress
Ongoing
Weld County's most significant
needs and encourage and explore
whether they are willing and able
to accommodate the needs.
Foster Care team
Goal 8: Weld County will continue to review, assess and develop processes to eliminate transportation barriers to
meet expectations for legislation for educational stability for foster children.
Strategy 1: Weld County will utilize ESSA funds and community partners to meet school transportation needs of Weld
County foster children.
Action Step
Person/People Responsible
Start Date
Completion Date
Weld County will develop and
implement internal policies for
staff in requesting transportation
assistance to assist children
remaining in their school of
origin.
Associate Fiscal Manager, Child
Welfare Management and
Administration
4/1/19
5/1/19
Weld County will utilize ESSA
funds to support transportation of
children remaining in their school
of origin.
Associate Fiscal Manager, Child
Welfare Management and
Administration
4/1/19
5/1/19
Weld County will execute the
transportation contract for Hop,
Skip Et Drive.
Associate Fiscal Manager, Child
Welfare Management,
Administration and County
Commissioners
In progress
6/1/19
Annually, Weld County will add
transportation services to the
Request for Proposal (RFP) to
locate more transportation
Quality Assurance Team, Child
Welfare Management, Contracts
team and Administration
1/1/20
Annually during RFP
Continue to pay mileage to
certified foster families who are
able to provide school
transportation.
Foster Care team and Associate
Fiscal Manager
In progress
Ongoing
Goal 9: Weld County will improve retention of our foster families.
Strategy 1: Provide opportunities for growth, networking, answering questions and appreciation of foster families.
Action Step
Person/People Responsible
Start Date
Completion Date
Continue hosting Roundtables for
foster families to get training,
meet Foster Care team, ask
questions and network with other
foster families in order to build
supports and respite relationships.
Foster Care team
In progress
Ongoing
Consistently conduct timely exit
interviews with foster families
who are leaving the program. This
information will be used to
improve practices.
Child Welfare Management and
Administration
In progress
Ongoing
11
Implement Mentoring Program andFoster
offer this to new and existing
foster families.
Care team
In progress
Ongoing
Provide timely face -face support
to foster families in crisis.
Foster Care team
In progress
Ongoing
Host appreciation events for
foster families annually.
Foster Care team, Recruiter,
Child Welfare Management and
Administration
In progress
Ongoing
Recognize and acknowledge foster
families monthly.
Foster Care team
In progress
Ongoing
Collaboration with Medicaid to
improve timeliness and quality of
services for foster children to
stabilize behaviors and prevent
placement disruptions.
Weld County Recruiter, Child
Welfare Management, Placement
team and Foster Care team
In progress
Ongoing
Weld County is considering the
development of a Quarterly
Newsletter that provides updated
Weld County news, foster care
rule changes, directory of
supports and foster care
acknowledgments.
Weld County Recruiter, Foster
Care team and Communications
team
6/1/2019
Ongoing
Goal 10: Weld County will explore child specific recruitment strategies.
Strategy 1: Updates to Weld County website and social media.
Action Step
Person/People Responsible
Start Date
Completion Date
Explore the use of our Weld
County Facebook and Website to
link to Adoption Exchange, and
Adopt Us Kids websites.
Weld County Recruiter,
Adoptions team and
Communications team
6/1/2019
Ongoing
Reference child specific
placement needs during Welcome
Night.
Weld County Recruiter and
Foster Care team
In progress
Ongoing
Weld County has internally
reorganized for the Adoptions
team to be managed by the
Resource Manager who also
oversees the Foster Care unit.
This is to improve collaboration
between foster care and
adoption.
Resource Manager, Foster Care
team, Adoptions team and Child
Welfare Management
Completed
Completed
Weld County will continue to
review practices for upfront
matching when possible.
Resource Manager, Foster Care
team, Adoptions team, Recruiter
and Child Welfare Management
Completed
Completed
Weld County will explore
collaboration with school districts
to recruit families in their school
of origin in order to help preserve
and maintain community
connections.
Weld County Recruiter and
Communications Team
In progress
Ongoing
12
Goal 11: Weld County Recruiter will collaborate with Weld County's Communications Team.
Strategy 1: Weld County will work closely with Communications team to update the County's foster care portion of
the website, development of a "media kit" and social media presence.
Action Step
Person/People Responsible
Start Date
Completion Date
Collaborate with Communications
team on updates to website to
include more information about
Weld County's foster care
program, including calendar of
Welcome Nights, pre -application,
Newsletter, respite, etc
Weld County Recruiter and
Communications team
7/1/19
12/31/2019
Collaborate with Communications
team and IT department to
develop a user-friendly Weld
County foster page URL.
Weld County Recruiter and
Communications team
7/1/19
12/31/2019
Upload recruitment videos to
County's website, YouTube
channel, and Facebook.
Weld County Recruiter and
Communications team
5/1/19
Ongoing
Collaborate with Communications
team on strategically timed
Facebook posts.
Weld County Recruiter and
Communications team
5/1/19
Ongoing
Develop "media kit" to handout
to Weld County cities/towns that
they can use to spread awareness
of foster care needs in utility
bill/HOA mailings, local
newspapers, Facebook pages and
websites.
Weld County Recruiter and
Communications Team
6/1/2019
Ongoing
Goal 12: Weld County will reach all parts of the community identified in our placement data.
Strategy 1: Weld County will broaden recruitment strategies to include diverse populations within the community.
Action Step
Person/People Responsible
Start Date
Completion Date
Weld County will reach out to
diverse groups in hopes of
recruitment opportunities such as
Hispanic/Latino, LGBTQ, refugee
populations, retirees, varied
church denominations, and groups
who work with teenagers.
Weld County Recruiter
In progress
Ongoing
Weld County utilizes foster parent
brochures in both English and
Spanish in hopes of recruiting
more Hispanic/Latino families.
Weld County also has KCCs and
FCCs who are bilingual.
Weld County Recruiter
In progress
Ongoing
13
Weld
utilize
specific
boosts,
County
social
groups
etc.
will
media
through
explore
to
target
ways
Facebook
to
Weld
Communications
County
Recruiter and
team
6/1/2019
12/31/2019
H. Permanency (n/a for child placement agencies)
Procedures identified for a timely search for prospective parents for a waiting child/youth, including
the use of exchanges and other interagency efforts. These must insure that placement of a
child/youth in an appropriate household is not delayed by the search for a same race or ethnic
placement.
(Required by ACF)
Child/youth-specific recruitment activities
Please note: A CARR (Colorado Adoption Resource Registry 7.306. 14) registration or a CARR exclusion are
required for each child/youth 90 days post termination of parental rights.
Number of children/youth including in the following
CARR Registration (this facilitates listing on AdoptUSKids and The Adoption Exchange websites) 11
Number of children/youth for whom a CARR Exclusion was sent to CDHS 75
Colorado Heart Gallery 11
1. Other child/youth specific strategies being utilized
0 Number of children/youth with information and secured photos on county website 0
o Number of youth that engages with permanency round tables 0
• Number of youth engages with Wendy's Wonderful Recruiters 4
Number of child/youth specific recruitment plans written 4
Number of children/youth with current child study updated 90
Relative Guardianship Assistant Program Considered
1. Number of children/youth for whom reunification and adoption are not appropriate permanency goals 1
I. Other requirements by ACF for a comprehensive Diligent Recruitment Plan
Please explain how the county addresses the following issues.
1. Strategies for training staff to work with diverse cultural, racial, and economic communities
identified. Please list how your county provides training to your STAFF (not foster parents).
1. Weld utilizes the Colorado State (CDHS) Training Resources that offers annual training that covers diverse
populations
2. Outside agencies who represent diverse populations, are invited to quarterly staff meetings and provide
presentations on the populations they serve.
3. Weld also collaborates with our community partners, such as North Range Behavioral Health to educate and train on
trauma and bias.
4. Weld has staff who are experts on ICWA who provide consultation and training.
5. The Weld County Department of Human Services offers training to staff to increase their ability to work with diverse
cultural, racial, and economic communities. The training looks at developing cultural competency through examining
one's own biases and developing the willingness to learn and be educated from a different point of view. The
training also looks at examining societal rituals, roles, and values with the acknowledgement that other people have
other ways of thinking, doing, and believing.
6. The Department also trains foster parents during PRIDE in this subject matter.
7. Weld foster and adoption teams work with diverse populations for recruitment of families all over the state and
nationwide.
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2. Strategies for dealing with identified linguistic barriers. Please detail how your county/CPA
works with families that may speak a primary language other than English.
1. The language line can be accessed for the following languages (ASL, Spanish Burmese, Somali, Arabic, etc.)
2. DHS staff are often utilized to interpret when necessary and available.
3. Weld contracts with other core service providers when necessary for specific case needs.
3. Non-discriminatory fee structures identified
There may be minimal fees associated with Resource Family licensing. The Weld County Department of Human Services
assumes the cost of fingerprint criminal records checks if completed at the Weld County Sherriff's Office. Resource
families may be responsible for health evaluation co -pays. The Department pays for costs related to the initial home
study. There are no discriminatory fee structures.
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