A Child Welfare Practice Model

New Mexico’s Protective Services Division was selected by the Mountain and Plains Child Welfare Implementation Center (which is based at the University of Texas @ Arlington) to receive Training and Technical Assistance to develop a new Practice model for the Division. The Practice Model project has been underway since November 2009 and it involves the entire Protective Services leadership team along with regional and field staff, foster parents, parents, children, youth, tribes, courts, providers and other stakeholders.

The practice model is a framework of how Protective Services’ employees, families, and stakeholders should unite in creating a physical and emotional environment that focuses on the safety, permanency, and well-being of children and their families. It contains definitions and explanations regarding how Protective Services as a whole will work internally and partner with families, service providers, tribes and other stakeholders in child welfare services.

When complete the Practice Model will:

• Define how Protective Services engages families, youth, and the community in developing and delivering services that meet the unique needs of those served by the agency.
• Define standards of practice.
• Define how outcomes will be measured both quantitatively and qualitatively.
• Incorporate a clear, written explanation of how Protective Services will successfully function.
• Promote practice that is evidence informed and guided by values and principles, therefore increasing the likelihood of positive outcomes for children, youth, families, and the community.
• Link Protective Services’ policy, practice, training, supervision and quality assurance with its mission, vision, agency values and strategic plan.

Key project accomplishments to date include:

• April 2010: Comprehensive training on Implementation Science conducted by the National Implementation Research Network; attended by 75+ people including judges, tribes, foster parents, providers, advocates and key stakeholder along with New Mexico PS staff.
• Establishment of the Project Workgroup responsible for overall strategy, project monitoring, guiding, delegating and coordinating project activities and work teams. Group meets monthly.
• Establishment of the Research and Evaluation Workgroup – led by the Butler Institute out of the University of Denver – responsible for evaluating the overall initiative, assessing organizational readiness for change and determining key outcomes measures for the project as a whole.
• Establishment of the Project Advisory Group consisting of key community partners and stakeholders who will review major deliverables and provide feedback on project direction and practice model components. This group meets every other month.
• Development of a Draft Vision, Mission and Values for Protective Services which has been vetted by state staff, community representatives and the Project Advisory group.
• Identification of key individuals (state staff and community partners) who will begin to develop the new Practice Model.
• Identification of key individuals (state staff and community partners) who will craft the Communications plan for the project.
• Sept 2010: Advisory team members presented the project at the 7th Annual Tri-State – Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Navajo Nation and CYFD Intergovernmental Agreement Meeting.
• Oct 2010: Advisory team members presented the project and updates at the Annual Foster parent conference.
• Jan 2011: PS and MPCWIC to present the project at the Children’s Law Institute.
• Spring 2011: PS and MPCWIC to sponsor annual training on the practice model to all PS staff statewide.
• Ongoing: Creating a listserv of stakeholders who want regular updates.