PO26-004 Training and Consulting SOW.docx

The Child Welfare Policy and Practice Group: Scope of Work FY25-26 Activities and Deliverables:

1. Division of Quality Assurance The Child Welfare Policy and Practice Group (CWG) will provide training, coaching, and consultation in the Division of Quality Assurance’s (QA) program and practices areas to gather and document findings through case reviews and child, parent, caregiver, and stakeholder interviews. CWG will use training and performance coaching methods to strengthen reviewers’ practice knowledge and increase interview and documentation skills for staff to gather quality information during the review process.

Active Listening: Listen to the interviewee, making sure to hear and understand their points. Avoid interrupting and let them finish their thoughts before responding. Show empathy and understanding through non-verbal cues like nodding and maintaining eye contact.

Effective Questioning: Use open-ended questions to encourage detailed responses (e.g., "Can you describe a time when...?"). Follow up with probing questions to dig deeper into specific areas (e.g., "What happened next?"). Avoid leading questions that might influence the interviewee's responses.

Building Rapport: Establish trust and a comfortable environment to help interviewees feel at ease. Show genuine interest in their experiences and perspectives. Be respectful and non-judgmental, regardless of the information shared. Be aware of and respect cultural differences that may affect the interview process. Adapt your interviewing techniques to be culturally sensitive and inclusive.

Observation Skills: Notice non-verbal cues such as body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice, which can provide additional context. Be attentive to inconsistencies between verbal and non-verbal communication.

Documentation: Take clear and concise notes during the interview to ensure accurate recording of information. Summarize key points at the end of the interview to confirm understanding with the interviewee.

Neutrality and Objectivity: Remain unbiased and avoid injecting individual opinions or assumptions. Stay focused on the facts and evidence presented during the interview.

Patience and Sensitivity: Be patient and give interviewees time to respond, especially when discussing sensitive or traumatic experiences. Show sensitivity to the emotional state of the interviewee and provide support if needed.

CWG will use the following Learning techniques to develop DQA reviewer skills.

Coaching:

· CWG will work collaboratively with ACR, QEST, and UIUC-FCURP to review, adapt and or create case review guidelines, interview processes, and validation activities to improve quality reviews. CWG will train, demonstrate and coach reviewers to successful implementation of review practices.

Training

· Provide cross-division training focused on collaborative learning and relationship building with and among DQA offices. Training courses include, yet are not limited to: 1) inquiring about quality child and family team meeting, 2) probing the quality services planning including the use of SMART goals, 3) use of interviewing skills such as reflections, reframing, open-ended solution-based questions etc., to gather qualitative information for parents, youth, staff and providers.

· CWG will support the DQA managers to develop and deliver learning labs to agencies that request help to address areas in need of improvement in critical practice areas as identified during the reviews.

· Attend and present at annual all staff meetings.

Consultation and Planning Meetings:

· CWG will team with DQA leadership regarding changes to their program review instruments and provide coaching that emphasizes quality inquiries with families, DCFS, CCWS and stakeholders.

· CWG will facilitate monthly check-in with DQA unit leadership to update progress as well as to surface challenges and or to identify opportunities to improve the review process.

Project Management

· Report writing and attending DQA staff meetings.

2. Agency Performance Monitoring & Execution Agency Performance Monitoring plays a critical role in monitoring quality and outcomes for children and their families. When direct service utilizes Child and Family Team Meetings (CFTM) in a frequent and quality-focused manner, practice and outcomes for safety, permanency, and well-being will improve. It is further believed that Agency monitoring has a positive impact on the use of CFTM by reinforcing CFTM as a priority and using a more hands-on approach in the participation and coaching of selected CFTM’s. For this to occur, the Department will utilize CWG as support for APME staff in the CFTM model, with the intent that APME will attend selected CFTM meetings with an agency worker for the purpose of supporting supervisors to coach and reinforce the need for quality CFTM’s. (CWG will work with DCFS to revise the current CFTM Model.)

CWG deliverables for Agency Performance, Monitoring and Execution – Note that trainings and coached observations may occur in person; however, virtual platforms are the primary venue.

Coaching:

· CWG will continue to provide coaching and consultation to the APME managers, supervisors, and monitors on the use of the CFTM rating tool and scoring guide.

· CWG will continue coaching the managers and monitors on how to provide behaviorally specific strengths and need-based feedback to the permanency worker/supervisors or designated CFTM facilitators relative to the quality of the CFTM observed.

· CWG will develop a tool for approval of monitor’s ability to observe, rate and provide feedback to POS and DCFS on CFTM observation findings.

Consultation and Planning Meetings:

· CWG will provide skills building training to APME in order to develop strategies to engage and educate CFTM team members about guardianship options with an emphasis on Kin/Gap.

· CWG will collaborate with the Associate Deputy Director in developing a data collection instrument and methodology to analyze findings from the CFTM observations.

Training

· At the request of the APME Associate Deputy Director and or APME regional managers, CWG will provide the Overview of CFTM, Navigating the CFTM Rating Tool and Scoring Guide, “Playbook” and “Permanency Talk” trainings to newly hired monitors and/or offer refresher courses at the request of APME Managers

· CWG will host bi-annual Permanency Skill Building Sessions with managers and reviewers. CWG will develop targeted skill building workshops at their request.

APME Support to the DCFS and Child Welfare Contributing Agencies.

Targeted Support is the next phase in partnering with APME monitors, DCFS offices, and CWCAs through our monthly CFTM observations and feedback. It provides direct coaching to supervisors and workers regarding the Child and Family Teaming Practice and its direct impact on the Child and Family Team Meeting. The coaching and modeling focus on all core elements of an effective CFTM, which can help achieve permanency more efficiently. Targeted Support also aids in developing individualized coaching plans for supervisors and workers, enhancing their facilitation skills and competency in delivering effective CFTMs. Additionally, Targeted Support bolsters the partnership for permanency with APME and strategic planning.

3. Office of Research and Child Well-Being

CWG will provide support to the Office of Research and Child Well-Being as they continue to explore practice strategies to improve teaming with families:

· Provide technical assistance and consultation on the application of CFTM practice.

· Provide curriculum modifications and strategic consultation relative to the expansion of the CFTM model.

One day of travel is also included as part of this deliverable.

4. DCFS Meta Partner and WIRL Program Support

CWG will provide training, coaching and consultation services to support the six meta-model pilot programs’ achievement of the outcomes outlined in the Superseding Implementation Plan (SIP). CWG will address the seven interventions through the development of pilot teams’ abilities.

Action Plan Blueprint (APB) for BH PSA Liaisons in support of the META Model and SIP with partner sites. CWG will continue the coaching process through the flow chart, with the goal for the liaisons to ultimately take ownership. This APB helps identify a starting point in the life of a case with the partner sites and begin the work together for the desired practice change and identified outcomes in the SIP. (Note: This phase begins after the BH PSA Liaison has gone through earlier coaching surrounding permanency work. This includes multiple learning labs, extended training, and weekly coaching) Note that trainings and coaching may occur in person; however, virtual platforms are the primary venue.

Training and Coaching

· CWG will assign a coach to each meta partner site. CWG will use a hybrid onsite and virtual approach to support and achieve training, coaching and consultation outcomes outlined in the SIP and the APB.

· CWG will team with UNC and the BH liaisons to create a meta partner summit. The summit will provide peer learning opportunity to share successes and challenges faced as well as brainstorm solutions to help achieve meta partner goals, including supporting children and youth’s pathway to permanency.

· CWG will design and deliver mini training supporting virtual or in-person practice coaching sessions. For example, the learning lab may focus on how to have the “permanency talk” with unlicensed homes/caregivers, crafting need-based services. This sets up a coaching session where the CWG coach models practice techniques in facilitating the CFTM process

· CWG will collaborate with UNC supporting the WIRL state-wide rollout as needed.

· CWG will arrange “Coaching Time” each week to pilot site supervisors and workers that will focus upon addressing services, interventions, and solutions for children/ young people with complex needs through the child and family teaming process.

Justification:

On September 28, 2016, the Court entered a jointly proposed DCFS Implementation Plan. In that Plan, the Court Order provides that The Child Welfare Policy and Practice Group (CWG) will assist DCFS with development of the curriculum, development and implementation of the Core Practice training model and training logistics at immersion sites, as well as the development and implementation of a Quality Service Review (QSR) process. Because the Core Practice Model represents a fundamental shift in casework and supervisory practice in Illinois, DCFS has retained The Child Welfare Policy and Practice Group as an expert to consult and provide input on the implementation of the model. The Child Welfare Policy and Practice Group will assist DCFS with development of the curriculum, development and implementation of the training model, and training logistics at immersion sites.

Implementation of the second phase of expansion of the Core Practice Model began in FY20. As the Core Practice Model rolls out to the state, we believe that casework practice will improve and that more children will achieve permanency and exit the child welfare system. FY21 goals included CWG consultation to the Department to help identify and sustain the implementation drivers that support taking the model to scale. CWG has supported DCFS in these efforts to implement statewide since 2016 and has developed a working knowledge of operations within Illinois. To change vendors mid-stream would significantly delay DCFS’ efforts to achieve statewide implementation. Additional Information: Travel Terms and Conditions

DCFS reserves the option to approve travel for in-person as needed with written approval from Deputy and a budget not to exceed:

The Child Welfare Policy and Practice Group 313 North Hull Street Montgomery, Alabama 36104 334-264-8300