Welfare Watch - September 01, 2009 - Family Centered Practice Changes DHS   

In August 2004, DHS had about 14,000 children in its custody (DFCS Handout, Page 3).  14,000 children were out-of-home care, away from their homes, their families, many times away from their siblings, and away from their parents. 

In June 2009, DHS had about 9,500 children in its custody. 

What changed?  Who shut the door?  Were children put at risk?  Where did they go?

Something significant has happened in our child welfare agency that has seen a reduction of more than 33%.  DHS and their child welfare and child protective service arm, Division of Family and Children Services, have implemented Family Centered Practice into their arsenal of practices to support and yes, protect children in care.  Family-Centered Practice places a value on preserving and supporting the family from which the child comes. It views the child's family as a partner in the care of the child.  It recognizes that any move for a children from their homes, communities and siblings is traumatic.  It understands that once a child enters the state's foster care system, it is very difficult for the child to leave it. 

Is Family Centered Practice effective?  Caseworkers caseloads have declined by 50%, repeated maltreatment of the children has declined from 9.2% to 2.8%, re-entries into foster care has been reduced from 8% to 3.9% and entry into adoption has been reduced by 20%.  The numbers speak for themselves. 

Family Centered Practice is more than just about prevention, it is embraced across the continuum of care.  Families are embraced in the care of the child.  Permanency, safety and well-being is enhanced, rather than compromised in this approach. A recent memo from State DFCS supports these values across the continuum. 

Where are these children going?   More and more are going home.  Those who can not, are going sooner to a permanent home of their own.  The door was never shut.  The door was opened wider for the family to care more safely for the children.

Family Centered Practice is a practice that has the evidence behind it. 

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Welfare Watch, an email newsletter of the
Georgia Association of Homes
and Services for Children
as a public service.
http://www.gahsc.org
                            Normer Adams, Editor
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