An Important Piece of CHILD WELFARE BOARDS Child

An Important Piece of CHILD WELFARE BOARDS Child Protective Services

Training Objectives n n n Learn CPS History, Mission and Purpose Understand CPS Board Roles and Requirements Understand Roles of Regional and State Councils of Child Welfare Boards Understand & Recognize the Dynamics of Child Abuse/Neglect Learn Reporting Laws & Requirements

What Makes A Board Successful n Must be well-informed about issues & decisions n Communication system (how & how often members receive information) n Personal Characteristics to Consider Ability to listen, analyze, think clearly, work well with people Willing to prepare for/attend meetings & ask questions Possess honesty, sensitivity to & tolerance of differing views, community-building skills, personal integrity, developed sense of values, concern for non-profit’s development & a sense of humor

Board Member Responsibilities üAttend all board & committee meetings & functions (including special events) üBe informed about the organization’s mission, services, policies, & programs üReview agenda and supporting materials prior to board & committee meetings üServe on committees or task forces üInform others about the Child Welfare Board üSuggest possible nominees to the board who can make significant contributions to the work of the board üStay current on child abuse & neglect issues üFollow conflict of interest & confidentiality policies üRefrain from making special requests of staff üAssist the board in carrying out its fiduciary responsibilities

A Close Encounter of the Board Information System Kind … • • Focus on decision-making Stimulate participation Be clear, concise, meaningful, timely, and relevant Board decides when information is needed Information may include Agenda, Discussion Information, Committee Reports, Financial Information, Annual Budgets, Minutes, Notice of Next Meeting, Strategic Planning, Memo from Board President, & Newsletters, websites, etc.

Mission and Purpose Texas Department of Family & Protective Services’ mission is to PROTECT THE UNPROTECTED DFPS Disclaimer: Caseworkers do not possess superhuman powers, although at times appearances may be deceiving

TEAM CPS CHILDREN FIRST: PROTECTED & CONNECTED Child Protective Services’ purpose is to protect children from abuse and/or neglect and to act in each child’s best interest

CHILD WELFARE HISTORY n n n March 20, 1848 – law was enacted providing for “apprenticeship” (a form of guardianship) 1907 – Texas Juvenile (Dependency & Neglect) Act (defined dependent or neglected children – provided for first reporting requirements & home visits) 1931 – Enacted law that created Division of Child Welfare Services and was placed under State Board of Control (allowed county commissioners to appoint county boards of 7 -15 to coordinate community services) 1939 – State assumed child welfare services when State Department of Public Welfare was created 1965 – DPW was authorized to cooperate with federal government in administering the anti-poverty program 1974 – Texas Family Code created (gave more responsibility to DPW and made failure to report a misdemeanor & initial statewide child abuse awareness campaign started)

CHILD WELFARE HISTORY, cont. n n 1974 – 1985 Department administering Child Protective Services underwent 2 name changes (Department of Human Resources & then Department of Human Services) 1987 - Legislature enacted legal definitions for abuse and neglect, as well as definition for “person responsible for the child’s care, custody or welfare”, and who could be identified as an alleged perpetrator in civil abuse/neglect cases (this narrowed the emphasis from child welfare to child protection) 1992 – Legislature transferred CPS, APS and CCL divisions out of DHS and established TDPRS 2003 – 78 th Texas Legislature created Texas Department of Family & Protective Services (DFPS) with the passage of House Bill 2292.

Here’s the Game Plan: Child Protective Services Agency § Investigates reports of abuse & neglect of children § Provides services to children & families in their own § § homes Contracts with other agencies to provide clients with specialized services Places children in foster care Provides services to help youth in foster care transition to adulthood Places children in adoptive homes

INTAKE FLOW CHART Investigators have 24 hours to respond to a Priority 1 Report and 72 hours to respond to a Priority 2 Report

FUNDING SOURCES FOR CPS Ø Ø Ø Federal funding from titles of Social Security Act (e. g. Title IVE funds purchased services & Title XX funds staff, etc. ) County funding can also be used to match federal funds. Costs divided among staff, substitute care payments, and purchased services. Staff costs include salaries, travel, training, office space, supplies, etc. Substitute care payments include reimbursement for residential child-care. Purchased services include counseling, in-home case management, protective child-care, etc.

Child Welfare Boards What They Are & What They Do The Legal Base n n n Comprised of citizens appointed by the county commissioner’s court Established through a contract between a county commissioners court & DFPS (Boards are an entity of DFPS for coordinating the use of federal, state, and local funds. They are also an extension of the county. ) Legal base is defined in the Texas Family Code and the county’s contract with DFPS

The Contract between the County & DFPS Points Addressed in the DFPS/County contract includes: q q q The needs of children “in need of protective services” are to be met through an established child welfare board, which administers a county wide, jointly financed, state administered and regionally operated child welfare program The board: • is established & maintained as cited in Section 264. 005, Texas Family Code • is comprised of no less than 7 and no more than 15 members • members serve at the commissioners’ pleasure & without compensation • members are removed or suspended when alleged to have committed abuse, neglect, exploitation or a specified crime involving an offense against the family, public indecency or the Texas Controlled Substance Act A child welfare board has the authority, duties & responsibilities conferred upon it by statue, DFPS and the county

The Contract between the County & DFPS, cont. q q The board’s responsibilities are: • assisting DFPS in identifying & meeting the needs of the county’s children covered under the contract • explaining to the community the child welfare program & its needs and to DFPS the community’s conditions & attitudes on policy, services & priorities • being an advisory to the county in developing the local policy for meeting the needs of children served under the contract, including acting as financial negotiator liaison between CPS unit & the county commissioners court • ensuring confidentiality of information concerning the children & families according to applicable federal & state rules, laws & regulations • prescribing bylaws (approved by the commissioners court) that do not conflict with the terms of the contract between the county & DFPS and applicable state laws The county provides funds, at its discretion for: • the care of any child needing protective placement that is in DFPS conservatorship & ineligible for Title IV-E foster care or state paid foster care and/or Medicaid • medical care not covered by Title XIX (Medicaid) & for children ineligible for Medicaid

The Contract between the County & DFPS, cont. q q DFPS seeks Title XIX Medicaid coverage for any Medicaid eligible foster child with TANF DFPS receives & expends a foster child’s personal funds (SSI, SSA, child support, etc. ) according to the child’s needs & applicable federal and state laws & regulations In addition to the duties outlined above, the Child Welfare Board should report at least annually to the county commissioners court: the status of the county’s children, the status of the board’s activities/achievements & budgetary needs. The report keeps the county commissioners informed & helps pave the way for county funded projects.

ALL information regarding applicants, clients, and families involved with CPS is CONFIDENTIAL under state and federal law

These laws help protect people from exploitation, discrimination & embarrassment Client/child’s full name is not to be used in CWB documents as they are subject to the open meetings act. Confidential information shared by DFPS staff must be done in the board’s closed session. Reports & ledgers are to use the first name & last initial (if more than one child has the same first name & last initial, then inclusion of the middle initial is used.

As a registered volunteer, you must sign a form acknowledging your understanding of this confidentiality requirement

Child Welfare Boards should have: n A mission statement n A yearly goal setting meeting n Bylaws n An annual budget n A current roster of its members n Job descriptions for its officers, members & committees n Timely orientation for new board members

Executive Boards & Committees n n n Each Child Welfare Board has a presiding officer, as cited in the Texas Family Code. A board’s executive officers & standing committees are designated in the board’s bylaws Child Welfare Board executive officers and their duties may be written as shown on page 26 of the resource manual. Standing committees address ongoing aspects of the board’s business & activities and are specified in the bylaws It is good practice to review your board’s bylaws on a regular basis and update as necessary

BOARD MEETINGS v Most boards have fixed meeting dates, usually meeting monthly. v Board members should receive adequate notice for all meetings. v Agendas & basic background material are usually sent out to the full board at least a week before the meeting. v Notice of the meeting must be posted in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act. v To encourage participation & to share workload, several people are usually responsible for handling individual items on the agenda. v Texas Family Code § 264. 005(g) allows for closed meetings for certain purposes; however separate minutes should be kept for the closed sessions and no official action may be taken during that time.

NEW BOARD MEMBER TRAINING • • • Copy of this CWB Resource Manual Review & signing of Confidentiality Statement Minutes from the past few meetings Volunteer registration forms to be returned to CPS (250 & 250 b) Local Child Welfare Board bylaws Updated board membership list Child Welfare Board contract with the county List of staff members working with the board & their telephone numbers Two hours of Open Government Training within 90 days of appointment to the board

VOLUNTEER TIME IS VALUABLE

CPS TRACKS VOLUNTEER HOURS Form 0260 Monthly Volunteer Activity Report or E-mail to the Community Initiative Specialist Boards can track volunteer hours at My Volunteer Page. com On any internet-accessible computer Ask your Community Initiatives Specialist how

REGIONAL COUNCILS

Regional Child Welfare Board Advisory Councils n Each region has a regional child welfare board advisory council that is comprised of appointed delegates from the region’s local child welfare boards. n The mission of the regional councils is to advocate for the welfare of children & to assist local boards in achieving their goals. Regional councils provide training & information on regional and statewide issues. n Each regional council elects 2 -3 members to represent their council at the Texas Council of Child Welfare Boards.

Duties of regional delegates are: q To serve as liaison between the regional council & the local board by reporting the local board’s activities & concerns, as well as relaying information obtained at the regional meetings back to the local board. q To educate oneself & one’s local board on child abuse & neglect, & resources available for prevention, intervention, & treatment. q To attend regional meetings regularly & to actively participate in the regional council’s committees & activities.

Texas Council of Child Welfare Boards MISSION: To support a statewide network of volunteers concerned with the welfare of children, especially those who are abused & neglected. VISION: To lead a cohesive network of child welfare boards supporting services to vulnerable children & families & promoting prevention of child abuse and neglect so that ALL children live in a loving, nurturing & safe environment.

TCCWB COMMITTEES Education - Keep members informed on ways to educate their community on child abuse and neglect, conduct training sessions for new members, and stay alert for media items to share with membership. Advocacy - Study issues and advocate for adequate resources and policies for abused and neglected children, research and analyze problems and questions, and inform members and community at large on these issues. This committee has two subcommittees: Urban Issues that explores problems specific to major metropolitan areas and Rural Issues that explores problems specific to rural areas across the state. Awards - Plan the annual awards event that spotlights the volunteers, legislators, staff, foster parents, and media personnel who have championed issues for abused and neglected children. Resource Development - Research special projects, pursue grants and other funding sources, and oversees the specialty plate initiative.

TCCWB GOALS Identified in 2008 -2012 Strategic Planning: Ø To normalize the experience of children in the foster care system and to connect them to communities. Ø To assist in connecting with relatives in order to create a support network for children in care. Ø To assist youth transitioning out of foster care with the support and skills necessary to become self-sufficient adults. Ø To educate regional and county boards to more effectively carry out their mission and statutory mandate. Ø To continue to advocate for the adequate resources and policies to provide services for abused and neglected children. Ø To increase and diversify funding through grants, donations, and other community resources.

Emotional Abuse RECOGNIZING ABUSE & NEGLECT PHYSICAL ABUSE Medical Neglect ABAN RAPR SEXUAL ABUSE Physical Neglectful Supervision

Physical Abuse Physical injury that results in substantial harm to the child, or genuine threat of substantial harm from physical injury to the child Includes but not limited to: Pushing Choking Hitting Burning Shoving Slapping Hair Pulling Beating Holding Kicking Confinement Biting

Emotional Abuse Mental or emotional injury to a child that results in an observable and material impairment in the child’s growth, development, or psychological functioning. Includes but not limited to: Name Calling Insults Isolation Constant Criticism Treating in a degrading manner Yelling Threats Ignoring Scapegoating

Neglect Failure to provide for a child’s basic needs necessary to sustain the life or health of a child, excluding failure caused primarily by financial inability unless relief services have been offered & refused. Withholding daily needs (food, personal care, medication, medical attention) Unsanitary living conditions Abandonment Lack of proper supervision Lack of clothing Lack of personal hygiene Lack of heat, running water, electricity

Sexual Abuse Sexual conduct harmful to a child's mental, emotional, or physical welfare. Can Include: Touching Rape Photographing Videotaping Showing Pornography Calling someone sexual names Making remarks with sexual undertones

The Reality of Sex Offenders n n n n Sexual abuse is usually thought out and carefully planned by the offender. Most sexual assaults occur in the home of either the victim or offender. Most sex offenders are heterosexual men who appear to have “normal” relationships with adults. Most sex offenders are of average intelligence and usually not mentally ill. Most offenders look “normal” and can be of any race, social class, physical appearance, or work in any occupation. 88% of children are abused by someone they know, or to whom they are related. Child abuse occurs in all families. Race and socioeconomic status are not factors.

Symptoms of Child Sexual Abuse n n n n PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) Sexualized Behaviors Behavior Problems Poor self-esteem Fears Nightmares Anxiety Depression

Behaviors To Expect n Clinging n Manipulation n Crying n Angry n Quiet n Talkative

CPS Permanency Goals For overview of 12 -month court process for child abuse and neglect cases … see page 68 of your Resource Manual

Who Must Report? Any person who suspects that a child has been abused or neglected by any person must report the suspected abuse or neglect. Professionals must report within 48 hours of first suspecting abuse or neglect. Pursuant to Chapter 261. 101 (a) and 261. 103 of the Texas Family Code

Legal Protection Reports of child abuse or neglect made in "good faith" and "without malice" are confidential and immune from civil liability. The law provides for immunity from civil or criminal liability for innocent persons who report even unfounded suspicions, as long as your report is made in good faith.

Information Needed in Reporting Each child’s name, description, address or some other way to locate Nature of the harm or risk Other persons involved and how to locate them Other family members that may be able to care for the child/children

To Report Abuse in Texas, call the STATEWIDE ABUSE HOTLINE 1 -800 -252 -5400

Questions or Concerns Contact: Your local Community Initiatives Specialists http: //www. dfps. state. tx. us/volunteer/local. asp Or Texas Council of Child Welfare Boards http: //www. tccwb. org/