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Kinship
An emphasis on Kinship Utilization is an emphasis on the utilization of a child’s emotional or biological relationships in pursuit of permanence. There are 2 distinct ways to utilize Kin:
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Facilitation of formal Kinship Placements where legal custody of a child is ultimatley granted to Kin |
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Creative utilization of kin as a family support resource |
Policy
Statement – 2nd Draft
We
believe there is compelling value in aggressive utilization of kin, both
infomallay where we work to integrate kin as a family resource in support of
stability and safety, and fromally where we ultimately rely on kin to become
legally responsible for a child.
A. At a minimum, utilization of kin must always be specifically explored under the following conditions:
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On
all dependency referrals. |
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On every case where there is a decision to "transfer for Ongoing Services". |
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On all cases where a Family Group Conference is Held. |
B.
Certain minimum actions on the part of social workers are required
during this exploration:
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Parents
(both if possible) must be asked for the names of any kin (not just those they
believe would be appropriate to accept their kids). |
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Children
must be asked for the names of any kin of which they are aware. |
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The case
must be researched for any possible mention of potential kin (The Case File,
CRISE, FACSIS, SETTS) |
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Any
viable candidate must be contacted |
Expected Benefits
Suggested
Measures
We
agree on 3 sets of measures to be implemented by the Measures Team:
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How many
kinship placements were made (and how many living arrangements facilitated)
where a change in residence resulted during a given period as a % of all placements made (or living arrangements
facilitated). The measure should capture various types of placement.
|
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Do they Work? How many disrupted before we intended and for what reasons? How many resulted in legal guardianships, custody or adoptions? |
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What is the compliance with the required actions under Element B above? |
System Elements Required to Support Full Integration
§
Agency
policy making clear to workers the requirements
§
Some
form of documentation or checklist to document that each required step was
completed
§
Process
for evaluation, compilation, review, communication and response to the results.
§
Method
for counting total placements made and total Kinship-related placements made and
charting results
Actions
Identified:
a.
Develop “Strategies for Kinship Planning, Funding and Support”
b.
Invite Leslie to coordinate a resolution/clarification of the rule 5102:
2-39-40.