The Dept. of Human Services in Richland County was pleased with how quickly the case plan was put together in a planning meeting.  The meeting was held in the family's home with 3 DHS workers present.

One grad school principal indicated he liked the Planning Meeting Process, because the school was able to give input and everything was able to be laid out on the table for discussion and resolution.

A CASA Volunteer GAL was pleased with the amount of things a social worker was able to do for a family up front.  The social worker took the mother out to apply for jobs to  help get the mother on her way to establishing financial stability and begin work on her case plan.

Greene

Amy Weinman, Protective Services Supervisor
There have been many positive changes to casework practice since the implementation of CLA in the Protective Services Unit on July 15, 1998.  The most obvious change is that permanence for children is being established in a more timely manner.  Through the use of genograms the agency is made aware of supports available to families.  By comparing strengths and concerns and analyzing a family's history, caseworkers are able to determine the overall level of risk and whether or not services can be given to families to decrease this risk.  I believe that caseload analysis has afforded the agency the opportunity to look more closely at cases and provide the right services to families, while aiding caseworkers in their decision making process.

Anecdotes - Muskingum

Guernsey County

CLA-

After having visited your agency, “I could not help but think that it gave me the opportunity to step into the future of child welfare”. 

James P. Kalonick, Administrator- Belmont County Department of Human Services.

Workload Management-

“Workload Management empowers my team to cooperatively plan what needs to be accomplished on a case, how long it will take to accomplish each task, and when each task will be accomplished.  It is a valuable tool that has reduced my stress considerably”.

Marlene J. Emerick, Supervisor- Guernsey County Children Services Board.

Genogram-

“I strongly support the continued use of the genogram as a way of collecting and displaying family history and generational patterns of behavior.  When this information is presented during trial, it provides a snap shot of extensive, relevant information which may impact the case outcome”. 

Judge Blaise Urbanowitz- Juvenile Court Judge.

Athens - Anecdotal feedback

Supervisor of Early Start Program “The use of the genogram has been very helpful in our discussions about families.  It broadens the perspective of how we look at the family.  It helps identify extended family supports for the family we are working with.”

Director of the CASA/GAL Program in Athens County.  “I support the agency in their use of concurrent planning.  If children are not able to return to their families they do not have to languish in the system as another permanent placement plan is being identified. I believe it is better to be honest and direct with families and allow them more control in helping another plan for the child.”

Portage

Task #1  Both mental health professionals and drug and alcohol professionals have noticed and commented about noticing a more comprehensive approach with families.  Collaboration has been enhanced.  Interestingly the court seems concerned since we are developing better relationships with families and because of our more flexible dollars we do not have to go to court as often to get the family to work on problem.  I think the court is concerned because they perceive a lack of control.

Ashtabula County

We have not yet fully integrated cla into our agency strategies for safety and permanence.  Therefore, not many community service providers are aware of the cla practice and it's value in our efforts to improve the way in which we strive to make our services more compatible to the needs of our clients.  Our former attorney, who now does a lot of g-a-l work with our children has remarked to me that she feels we are beingvery proactive in locating relatives and kinship care providers .  She is correct in the numbers of children being placed in relative and kinship homes has more than doubled since her days as our attorney.  She felt this was a result of well documented and complete genograms and the use of family conferencing. 

Parents also have been expressing gratitude at being included in the case planning process and being able to suggest alternative placements that are familiar to their children.  They also like the openess afforded by mediating the case plan and having it designed to meet the needs of their family. 

Hamilton County