CAN Outcomes Project CAN Outcomes Project History Began
CAN Outcomes Project
CAN Outcomes Project History Began developing outcomes with a TAUW consultant for two years Brainstorming what we know about ourselves and the children Understanding our role as an emergency response system Determining how we make a difference in a child’s life Constructing our outcomes language
What do we know about the Center? Who comes to the Center? CAN’s service population meets the following three criteria: #1 #2 #3 Tulsa County CAN is Tulsa County’s nationally recognized CAC. CAN will only provide services to clients from other counties if they do not have a CAC of their own. Children CAN’s clients are between the ages of 0 -17 at the time of service. Involved in a child abuse investigation. Children are referred by investigators and involved in an open child abuse investigation.
What do we know about the children? Time They are at the Center for 1 -3 hours Trauma They present varying degrees of trauma Services They receive 1 to 3 services Barriers They have barriers to receiving help
What do we know about the children’s feelings? What emotions do children exhibit at the The Dynamics of Abuse Center?
Our Emergency Response Hospital ER Emergency CAN Car accident – broken leg Crisis situation Recent physical abuse Most wounded first: Gunshot > broken leg Triage Most time-sensitive or severe first Diagnoses broken leg and sets and casts the limb Resolves immediate issues Gathering information for determining abuse and addressing immediate needs Refer patient to therapy/ regular doctor/ rehabilitation Short-term Other MDT members handle next steps and families are referred to resources An emergency room is not designed to cure – its purpose is to diagnose and stabilize and refer individuals for further treatment. It is the bridge between a crisis and healing.
The Situation What do we know about our impact? Limited time and interaction It only takes a moment for a meaningful connection to be made that will influence a child’s life. Varying degrees of abuse and trauma The Center staff are experts at responding to children in crisis and forming connections with them through helping them during a difficult time. Emotionally overwhelmed Limited/no follow -up possible Through responding to a child’s emotional crisis, the Center staff can connect with the children and encourage them in their stabilization. Even if the child has no further interaction with the Center or the staff, the connections they experienced during their time at the Center can impact them forever. What We positively difference impact do we children make in by connecting the withlife them. of a child?
The Outcomes Language CAN has identified four intentional opportunities to connect with a child at the CAC. We call these Connection Points. Environment Children feel that they are in a place focused on them Engagement Children feel safe enough to engage their experiences Empowerment Children begin to understand that they have a voice and feel empowered Encouragement Children demonstrate a sense of relief and that they are not alone
Connection Point #1 Environment Children feel that they are in a place focused on them Why the outcome was chosen: - Child-friendly and child-focused facility - Alleviate anxiety How the outcome is measured: - Did the child explore the teddy bear room / waiting area? - Did the child interact with someone? -Staff? Volunteer? - Did the child act like he or she was comfortable in the environment?
Connection Point #2 Engagement Children feel safe enough to engage their experiences Why the outcome was chosen: - Relieve the fear, anxiety, and guilt - Help them begin the healing process. How the outcome is measured: - Did child complete an interview, medical exam, and/or a mental health consultation? - Did the child engage and share their experiences? -Was engagement open? Guarded?
Connection Point #3 Empowerment Children begin to understand that they have a voice and feel empowered Why the outcome was chosen: - Safe and supportive environment - Children recognize that they are important and make choices for themselves How the outcome is measured: - Does the child demonstrate knowledge that abuse can be healed? - Is the child is able to acknowledge body safety? - Did the child feel listened to and respond? -Did the child indicate that what happened to them is not okay? Verbalize that the situation is not their fault?
Connection Point #4 Encouragement Children demonstrate a sense of relief and that they are not alone Why the outcome was chosen: - Gives them relief - Encourages them to recognize that they are not alone How the outcome is measured: - Can the child name trusted adults? - Did the child exhibit immediate physical signs of relief? - Was the child’s behavior is more relaxed than when he or she arrived? - Did the child take home a comfort item?
The Connection Point Continuum Outcomes are often viewed as building blocks to each other or steps in a process, leading one to the other. #4 CAN’s Connection Points are not a hierarchy, but individual points on a continuum of connections. #3 #2 #1 CAN's goal is to encourage each child to achieve as many intervention connection points as possible based on the child’s capabilities and experiences.
Current Statistics 815 children received services at the CAC from May 1 st through October 31 st. CAN was able to connect with those children in the following ways: 53% 94% 65% 21% of children of acted felt begin children safe like toenough understand they demonstrate were to engage in that a an place they and immediate have focused share. a voice sense on them. and of relief feel and empowered. that they are not alone knowledge Outcome barriers: Recentness Degree of trauma; of abuse; severity coaching of abuse; from alevel perpetrator; of Outcome barriers: Child has yet toabuse; stabilize; childcautious, is returning to the anxiety; fear Outcome of consequences; child’s barriers: personality Duration uncertainty (withdrawn, of in trusting child’s shy, level any adult; of support; etc); posttraumatic andsame and whether fear environment; and came recovery from abuse is an caregiver. extended process or consequences stress; of not the and child’s coping with mechanisms a protecting
Joseph’s Path Starting Point Environment Engagement Empowerment New Starting Leaving the Center Point Encouragement Joseph’s Outcomes Connection Point #2: Engagement - He completed the service - He was guarded but engaged Connection Point #3: Empowerment - He acknowledged body safety - He felt listen to and responded
- Slides: 15