Child Protective Services Update Kristene Blackstone Associate Commissioner

Child Protective Services Update Kristene Blackstone Associate Commissioner for CPS February 22, 2018

State of the State Significant organizational changes over past 2 years On the Horizon 85 th Legislative Session implementation Families First Federal Performance Improvement Plan 2

Family Based Safety Services Pilot in Region 10 • SB 11 requires DFPS to develop a performance-based contract with a single source to establish pilot programs for FBSS services. • Contract was signed with Pathways Youth and Family Services on January 9, 2018, to deliver services in Region 10 (El Paso area) beginning March 1, 2018. • Purpose of the pilot is to: § Increase quality, availability, and effectiveness § Improve safety, permanency, and well-being of children § Test the approach of case management 3

Treatment Family Foster Care • Time-limited clinical intervention that includes placement and service delivery in specifically trained foster parent homes for children/youth with severe mental, emotional, or behavioral health needs. • The program is an alternative to residential treatment by placing eligible children or youth in a more structured home. • DFPS will award five contracts in districts across the state. • DFPS is currently evaluating proposals. • DFPS anticipates an April 1, 2018, start date to begin providing these services to children 4

Community-Based Care Implementation Timeline CBC Catchment RFA Release Area Contract Award Stage Start Date NA 3/1/18 9/1/18 10/18/17 4/1/18 10/1/18 12/5/17 6/1/18 12/1/18 Area X Stage I 5/1/18 11/1/18 5/1/19 Area Y Stage I 7/1/18 1/1/19 7/1/19 Region 3 b Stage II Region 2 Stage I Bexar Stage I 5

Expansion of PAL Assessment • SB 1758 requires CPS to conduct independent living skills assessments annually for youth in permanent conservatorship aged 14 and 15 and for all youth in temporary or permanent conservatorship aged 16 and older. • FY 18 – DFPS is referring youth at age 15 for assessments. • FY 19 – DFPS will refer youth at age 14 for assessments. 6

CPS Turnover Overall Turnover December 2016 December 2017 %Change since 2016 25. 7% 19. 6% 23. 7%↓ 7

Average Daily Caseload December 2016 December 2017 %Change since 2016 INV 17. 2 13. 2 23. 3% ↓ CVS Stages 29. 1 26. 7 8. 2% ↓ CVS Children 20. 1 18. 5 8% ↓ FBSS 15. 8 11. 4 27. 8% ↓ 8

Conservatorship and Permanency Outcomes December 2016 December 2017 %Change since 2016 44. 6% 46. 5% 4. 3% ↑ Sibling Groups Placed Together 64. 7% 65. 3% . 9% ↑ Children Placed in Region 78. 5% 77. 5% 1. 3% ↓ Youth Completed PAL 61. 3% 81. 7% 33. 3% ↑ Relative Placements 9