A systematic and strategic approach to the integration of a FCNB approach to service delivery is paramount to an agency's success. 

The following is a listing of strategies that have unfolded for one agency in Ohio. As a result, integration is moving forward at a much quicker rate and with greater success then has been observed in other counties. This list may or may not be "right" for another county agency. It does give a PCSA an idea as to how to unfold this approach systematically.

It is critical to note that to really move forward, the agency should consider appointing a professional whose time is dedicated to steering the integration of this approach forward. PRC dollars are being used by several agencies to pay for the implementation of this position. 

STRATEGIES:

General All-Staff Meeting
To present background information on the concept and importance of FCNB to child protection and family stability and provide an opportunity for participants to explore the extent to which they value and embrace the philosophy, values and outcomes of this approach to service. Participants are given an opportunity to explore the extent to which their current practice reflects a family-centered, neighborhood-based services approach. This session is then made available to ALL foster parents and network providers.

Reading Materials
The agency will receive a cover memo and packet of FCNB focused articles from the PCSAO Heartbeat newsletters for ALL. Distribute this packet as an educational and informational piece on FCNB. The purpose is to keep the importance of FCNB in the forefront of the minds of staff and to inspire a continued dialogue amongst collegial groups. ALL staff should receive this packet so that ALL staff are engaged and feel part of the change process.

Values-Based Dialogue
To challenge the value-base of the participants and explore how their values can help or hinder family reunification and stabilization through the integration of FCNB in daily practice. Included in this session is the distribution of a FCNB quiz, and the types of performance FCNB services embrace. This gives participants an opportunity to reflect on what a FCNB organization looks like; how they feel about the FCNB approach and the extent to which the organization is currently practicing a FCNB approach to service delivery. This session is then made available to ALL foster parents and network providers.

Community In-Service session on FCNB Overview 
To educate the providers of child and family serving programs (e.g. Mental Health, ADAMHS, Family and Children first Councils) on the direction the agency is moving. To explain the FCNB approach and the importance of collaboration in assisting the county in successfully working with children, families and communities based on this approach. To provide information on what the agency has done, is planning to do with regard to FCNB integration. 

Participants: Whoever the agency feels are most critical to assisting with and getting on board with FCNB. Invite as many as is appropriate. Consider holding it in the targeted neighborhood, perhaps a church or community center.

Bridging the Gap Between Social Workers and Foster Parents
Conduct an in-service session with staff and foster parents using Dr. Goodman's Bridge document. This document was developed in partnership with Cuyahoga County DFCS to provide staff and foster parents an opportunity close the relationship gap that exists in so many of our agencies. Participants have an opportunity o identify and celebrate activities that each have participated in that are FCNB centered; identify FCNB activities that the staff and foster parents have not participated in; and to identify additional activities...each group would be willing to consider under the right circumstances. 

Clinical Training for Supervisors on FCNB In Practice
This is a two day training for Supervisors on the Clinical Aspects of FCNB in daily practice. Using current cases in Ohio, supervisors identify what is happening (has happened) in the case that is FCNB, what contradicts FCNB and what can be done to be more FCNB. This session helps prepare supervisors to work with staff when reviewing cases in weekly conferences in identifying strategies and activities that are more FCNB focused.

Performance Based Behaviors Review - Current Service Delivery In Agency
An in-service with the direct line supervisors and quality assurance Supervisors is conducted to review FCNB performance-based behaviors and/or activities to:

A. Dialogue concerning the extent to which these behaviors are consistently demonstrated in daily practice across program areas and within units;
B. Prioritize list based on principles and values of FCNB;
C. Discuss ways to plan for the integration of the prioritized list and hold (monitor) accountable for implementation on a consistent basis;

A follow-up session is conducted with direct line and quality assurance staff to review the performance-based behaviors/activities with their supervisors. As a result of staff and supervisors reviewing the behaviors together and "owning" where they are as a program areas with integration, plans are developed for integration.

The Family Team Meeting (FTM)
To provide content information on the Family Team Meeting (meeting between foster family, birth family and social worker within 3-5 days of placement to: 
A. Establish roles and responsibilities; 
B. Dialogue about likes, dislikes, habits of child in care;
C. Begin the establishment of an open and supportive relationship between all 3 parties. 

Following these initial training sessions, staff should jointly schedule sessions with foster parents to conduct the same training. PCSAO will provide the outline, agenda, overheads and handouts as well as an instruction guide to assist in the in-house training of staff and foster parents. 

Family Case Conference Training
This workshop explores one Family Case Conferencing model developed as a result of FCNB research. This model (and similar models) has been successfully used to develop and review concurrent plans in partnership with the family and others who are significant in the family's life, the Community Center and child protection staff. As a result of attending this session, the practitioner will learn one model for facilitating the Family Case Conference and Developing Concurrent Plans; will have an opportunity to review their facilitation skills and will be given an opportunity to plan for the use of this model in their agencies.

Foster Parent and Social Worker Training - Collaboration
Conduct the one day OCWTP session on collaboration between Foster Parents and Social Workers developed and piloted by Betsy Keefer of the OCWTP with IHS. 

Other strategies for the Agency to consider:
a. Meet the Press;
b. Geographic assignment of cases, 
c. More programming of visitation in the neighborhoods; 
d. Moving Case Reviews into the neighborhoods; 
e. Contracting with Centers to do child and family programming; 
f. Implementation of Family Team Meetings;
g. Preparing and Supporting Staff and Foster Parents to Integrate FCNB into daily practice.

Developed by the PCSAO for the Integration of Family-Centered, Neighborhood-Based Child Welfare under the Annie E. Casey Foundation Grant. Reprint with Permission. March 2000.

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