Family Case Plan Workbook All Wisconsin children and youth are safe and loved members of thriving families and communities. This webpage presents research, explains key concepts, and offers resources to assist child protective services and youth justice professionals in learning about Family Teaming and the Family Case Plan. Family Teaming Family Teaming is a collaborative, engagement-driven process that brings together the family and their supports to actively identify, review, and work toward goals identified in the Family Case Plan or YASI Case Plan. Family and youth voice and choice should be included at all stages of the Family Teaming process. Family Voice This strengths-based approach encourages the family to ask for support and develop the Family Case Plan as a team. The Family Teaming engagement style empowers families to express concerns and work toward mutually identified goals. Did you know... Family Teaming was initially developed in the 1980s. Family Teaming focuses on the provision of family-driven, youth-guided, strengths-based, and culturally and linguistically competent services. Family Teaming is designed to give families and youth a leadership role in developing and guiding the Family Case Plan. Learn more about In-Home Ongoing Services and Family Case Planning here: https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/cwportal/ongoing/ihs. National Resources Article: The National Child Traumatic Stress Network Brief: Casey Family Programs Benefits of Family Teaming Family Teaming centers on encouraging families to take active leadership roles in decision-making while co-creating the Family Case Plan. Building Trust Families have often experienced trauma from systems and/or services and may approach new relationships or interventions with hesitation. Recognizing this is important. A child welfare professional can build trust by: Acknowledging experiences. The truth is, when families feel seen and supported, they are more willing to explore things out of their comfort zones. Involving natural support systems. This requires vulnerability of the family and ideally builds trust with the child welfare professional because the family has natural supports and allyship present. Here are a few options to offer to a family after trust is established: Joining or reconnecting with faith-based supports. Joining a support group when they feel ready. Working with a mentor or trusted support person. Benefits of Family Teaming Expectations of Child Welfare Professionals Engage with families in a manner that is respectful, empathetic, and clear. Establish a clear plan with the family, focusing on their strengths and engaging their natural support system to help them achieve the goals identified in the Family Case Plan. Benefits to the Case Process Improved coordination of care. Shared responsibility for problem-solving. Effective and sustainable support to the family that aids in the family’s achievement of case goals and remains there for them after case closure. Benefits to the Families and their Support System Families have a clear understanding of the identified goals, and what steps are necessary to achieve them. Knowing what the next steps are reduces stress and allows them to focus on the change expected of them. Additional Resources from DCF Putting Families First published a letter to child welfare professionals from lived expert families. In-Home When a child/youth is under CHIPS or JIPS jurisdiction and remains in home, a Family Case Plan is required and rules of supervision apply. The Family Case Plan is “how” the family completes rules of supervision. Family Case Plan This plan is completed when the child/youth remains living in the home. The Family Case Plan includes clearly articulated goals around behavioral change and serves as the primary road map for the family to achieve case closure. Consistent and meaningful collaboration with the family helps them complete their rules of supervision. Rules of Supervision Rules of supervision are the “why and what” of the case when children/youth remain in home, as are ordered by the court or specified on the Deferred Prosecution Agreement. They reflect the behavioral changes to be made and the necessary services to achieve that behavior change. This is monitored through the appropriate case plan (Family Case Plan or YASI Case Plan). Family Case Plan Components Child/Youth and Parent/Caregiver Strengths Goals and Services Steps and Barriers Related to Goals Natural Supports to Assist the Family Additional Resources from DCF Learn more about In-Home Ongoing Services and Family Case Planning. Out-of-Home Care (OHC) When a child/youth is placed in out-of-home care (OHC), a Permanency Plan is required and the court establishes conditions of return. Permanency Plan This plan identifies permanency goals and reflects the progress made towards the identified goals and completing the conditions of return. It includes updates on the parent’s/guardian's progress in the services identified as needed to show changes in their behavior to return their child/youth home. The Permanency Plan is also used to provide updates to the court and family. Conditions of Return Conditions of return are the “why and what” of the case ordered by the court when children/youth are placed in out-of-home care. They reflect the behavioral changes to be made by the family and the necessary services to achieve that behavior change. This is monitored through the Permanency Plan and at Permanency Reviews and Hearings. Additional Resources Find resources and training from Wisconsin Court System - Children's Court Improvement Program. Tailored Dispositional Conditions for Return Desk Guide Parental Protective Capacities (PPCs) Open ended questions are helpful in engaging parents and caregivers and aid in identifying their PPCs. Some suggested questions below support the start of meaningful conversation. Ask for examples to enrich the conversation. Behavioral Protective Capacities The things parents/caregivers do to keep their child safe. Who do you reach out to when you need support? What services have been beneficial to you and your family? Cognitive Protective Capacities The ways parents/caregivers think and understand their role as a parent/ caregiver. Have there been moments when keeping your child safe felt especially hard? What was going on then? What supports do you feel would help you keep your child safe? How do you hope your child experiences you as a parent? Emotional Protective Capacities The emotional strength that helps parents/caregivers stay connected and committed to their child's safety and well-being. What is something you taught your child to do? How do you care for yourself when you are feeling stressed? Additional Resources Parental Protective Capacities (PPC) Appendix Safety Revisions – Parent/Caregiver Protective Capacities Youth Protective Factors Open ended questions support meaningful conversations that help identify characteristics of youth protective factors. Some of the suggested questions below support meaningful conversations with a youth. Building and establishing rapport prior to asking these questions will make the youth feel more comfortable to answer openly and honestly. Youth Resilience A youth’s capacity to manage stress and adversity. How do you deal with stress or challenges? What do you wish or hope for in your future? Social Connections A close relationship with a caring adult in their support system. What family events have you had the opportunity to participate in? Who in your family do you have a connection with? A close relationship with a caring friend. Other than family members, who do you connect with when you have problems at home or school? Where did you meet your positive friends? Environment Home or school, including activities. What makes you feel safe at home? How do you contribute to making your home safe? Additional Resources Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention Board – Building Protective Factors Family Case Plan Supervisor Guide Family Case Plan Writing Guide
