--- Page 1 --- July 19, 2024 CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ALL COUNTY INFORMATION NOTICE NO. I-35-24 The ACIN outlines available resources to enhance the engagement and participation of families, Tribes, natural supports, system partners, and other participants in the Child and Family Team (CFT) and Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths tool (CANS) processes. --- Page 2 --- RY CALIFORNIA HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY ar DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES CDSS 744 P Street * Sacramento, CA 95814 * www.cdss.ca.gov ie KIM JOHNSON GAVIN NEWSOM DIRECTOR GOVERNOR July 19, 2024 ALL COUNTY INFORMATION NOTICE (ACIN) NO. 1-35-24 TO: ALL COUNTY WELFARE DIRECTORS ALL CHIEF PROBATION OFFICERS ALL INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM MANAGERS ALL ADOPTION REGIONAL AND FIELD OFFICES ALL INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM COORDINATORS ALL FOSTER CARE MANAGERS ALL TITLE IV-E AGREEMENT TRIBES ALL TRANSITIONAL HOUSING COORDINATORS ALL FOSTER FAMILY AGENCIES ALL SHORT TERM RESIDENTAL TREATMENT PROGRAMS SUBJECT: NEW RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO ENHANCE FIDELITY AND SUPPORT OF CHILD AND FAMILY TEAM (CFT) MEETINGS AND THE CHILD AND ADOLESCENT NEEDS AND STRENGTHS (CANS) REFERENCE: ALL COUNTY LETTER (ACL) 16-84, ACL 18-23, ACL 18-09, ACL 18-81, ACL 18-85, ACL 21-113, ACL 21-27, ACL 22-35 PURPOSE The purpose of this All County Information Notice (ACIN) is to share newly developed resources for enhancing fidelity and support of Child and Family Team (CFT) Meetings and the California Integrated Practice Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (IP-CANS, herein referred to as CANS). BACKGROUND From 2018 to 2023, the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) convened the CFT and CANS Implementation Team to collaboratively identify and address barriers and gaps to full scale implementation of CFT and CANS practices across the State. The Implementation Team identified a need for universal engagement and informational tools and training that could be accessed and shared by all system partners responsible for implementing CFTs and CANS. This letter presents the deliverables developed through that collaboration. --- Page 3 --- All County Information Notice No. |-35-24 Page Two THE CHILD AND FAMILY TEAM (CFT) Engaging families, Tribes, natural supports, system partners and other participants in the CFT and CANS processes is essential to successfully uplift and integrate the voices and preferences of youth and family members into comprehensive and achievable case plan goals. Furthermore, CFT meeting participation data has shown that natural supports, such as family, Tribes, and other members important to the family, are not consistently engaged and included in CFT meetings. Engaging and including these key CFT members in case planning with the family is essential to individualize the support provided to families. According to ACL 22-35, and as outlined in the Tribal Engagement Guide in the case of an Indian child, the child’s Tribe is a required member of the CFT. Additionally, the case worker should make every effort to allow for the Tribe or Tribal representative to participate in the CFT meeting, including telephonic, digitally, or virtually access to the CFT meeting. Resources outlined in this letter were developed to support engagement, participation, and inclusion of members’ perspectives during the CFT, CANS, and case planning processes. General guidance related to the requirements and role of CFTs in child welfare can be found in ACL 16-84 and ACL 22-35. Frequently asked questions (FAQ) regarding CFT practice are found in ACL 18-23. Additionally, ACL 21-113 provides guidance regarding the CFT requirements within the Qualified Individual (Ql) assessment process for youth being considered for placement in a Short Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP). THE CHILD AND ADOLESCENTS NEEDS AND STRENGTHS (CANS) General guidance related to the requirements for the completion of CANS and how it is shared, discussed, and used within the CFT process to support case planning and care coordination can be found in ACL 18-81, ACL 18-85, and ACL 18-09. ACL 21-113 provides requirements for using CANS during level of care assessments conducted by a QI. All CANS are required to be entered into the CARES-Live system per ACL 21-27. Ensuring all CANS are completed and entered into CARES-Live is critical to the identification and monitoring of child and youth strengths and needs, which supports accurate, individualized case planning and care coordination. In the case of an Indian child, the CANS must reflect the input of the Indian child’s Tribe, throughout the process to provide the Tribal and cultural perspective on needs, strengths, case plan services and supports. COMMUNICATION, MESSAGING, AND NETWORKING MATERIALS The Implementation Team identified key areas of need for easily accessible engagement and communication materials for all system partners. All materials were created to support the expansion of and fidelity to CFT and CANS practices across the system of care. Additionally, system partners should utilize these resources in a variety of creative ways, including, but not limited to: e Foster care trainings and conferences e Resource Family Approval (RFA) trainings --- Page 4 --- All County Information Notice No. |-35-24 Page Three RFA recruitment RFA and case worker coaching Case worker staff development Educational resources for social work students Onboarding new CFT members Orientation classes for parents involved with the child welfare system Staff trainings for any system of care partners Training resources for Tribal representatives UPDATED BROCHURES CFT and CANS brochures for youth, professionals, and parents have been updated and contain a basic overview of information related to the CFT and CANS processes, including defining the purpose of the CFT, who should attend the CFT meetings and why, location and timing of the CFT meetings, and how often a meeting is required. The brochures highlight the importance of each CFT member's role to ensure youth and families are supported and their voices and preferences are central to guiding the CFT process. Counties, providers, and system of care partners should be creative in utilizing the updated brochures to build engagement, understanding, and participation in the CFT and CANS processes. All partners should make the brochures easily accessible to children, parents, Tribes, and other professionals by: e Sending electronic copies of the brochures to potential CFT participants. e Including the brochures in standard information packets provided to children, parents, caregivers, professionals and Indian custodians and Tribes in the case of an Indian child. e Ensuring brochures are readily available in agency offices. e Posting the brochures on agency websites. Obtaining Copies of Publications Electronic copies of the CFT and CANS publications are available for download on the CDSS Forms webpage at https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/forms-brochures/forms- alphabetic-list or on the CDSS CFT and CANS webpage at https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/foster-care/child-and-family-teams/resources. Information for ordering publications (county only) is available on the CDSS Forms webpage at www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/Forms-Brochures/How-to-Order-Forms. CFT AND CANS WEBPAGE To promote the utilization and easier navigation of CFT and CANS resources, the CDSS CFT and CANS webpages have been updated into the following categories: --- Page 5 --- All County Information Notice No. |-35-24 Page Four e Parents, Caregivers, and Family: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/cdss- programs/foster-care/child-and-family-teams/parent-resources e Child and Youth: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/cdss-programs/foster- care/child-and-family-teams/child-and-teen-resources e Professionals, Supporters, and Indian Custodians: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/cdss-programs/foster-care/child-and-family- teams/professional-resources Visitors can also access additional CANS and CFT resources and State policy letters by accessing the CFT and CANS homepage: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/foster- care/child-and-family-teams CFT AND CANS VIDEOS The CDSS, in collaboration with the CFT/CANS Implementation Team, developed a series of videos to support and explain various roles within the CFT and CANS processes. The videos are three to four minutes in length and orient CFT members to the CFT and CANS processes and are easily accessible from the CDSS CFT and CANS webpage at https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/foster-care/cans/best-practices. Below you fill find a list of these videos according to their respective audience: First-Time Adult Participants in a CFT This animated video was designed to be shared with adult CFT participants (parents, Indian custodians, caregivers, relatives, or friends) and sent via text message or email prior to their first meeting. English video: https:/Awww.youtube.com/watch?v=UYBJl4eYdyY &feature=youtu.be Spanish video: https://(www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbyZZQEAFZg Youth (Ages 6-12): This video for youth provides a brief overview of CFT meetings and the CANS from a youth perspective and is intended to be shown to youth prior to their first CFT meeting. English video: https:/Awww.youtube.com/watch?v=vIIVAMNRRPU Spanish video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fGowFYjnlY Teens (Ages 13-17): This video provides a brief overview of the CANS and CFT meetings for teens. English video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inbb2i7RSvO --- Page 6 --- All County Information Notice No. |-35-24 Page Five Spanish video: https:/Awww.youtube.com/watch?v=_fGowFYjnlY CFT for Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Cases: This video was designed to remind all system partners that Tribes are required partners and members in all aspects of the CFT and CANS processes and that active efforts must be made to invite and include Tribal representatives. English video: https:/Awww.youtube.com/watch?v=E0Kzf4fxfml Youth Entering a Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program: This video is to be shared with youth who have been assessed by a Qualified Individual and recommended for placement in an STRTP. Video: https:/Awww.youtube.com/watch?v=zz-HAm_ICbU Probation Officers: This video for probation officers and speaks to the critical role the CFT can play in the lives of youth who are adjudicated wards of the court. English video: https:/Awww.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoR1pZYYOTA Spanish captioned video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auz5lS6_Zbw Behavioral Health Workers: This video provides behavioral health workers with a brief overview of CANS and the CFT processes and presents the importance of behavioral health worker participation in CFT meetings. English video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kyOYSPsDkg Spanish captioned video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB1hBhx97zU Child Welfare Workers: This video provides child welfare workers with an overview of CANS and CFT processes and highlights the vital role of case workers in successful CFT meetings and use of the CANS. English video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMYYjG8KPSs Spanish captioned video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__iXQGwVTbo --- Page 7 --- All County Information Notice No. |-35-24 Page Six CFT SURVEY The CDSS, in collaboration with the CFT/CANS Implementation Team, updated the CFT and CANS participant survey. The survey is available via webpage link and Quick Response (QR) code for all CFT participants to provide feedback regarding their recent CFT meeting experience. The CDSS strongly encourages counties and providers to utilize this anonymous survey to collect feedback and information regarding the experiences of participants by their individual roles. The survey data also informs local and statewide CFT and CANS training needs and continuous quality improvement (CQI) efforts. The CFT Survey is available on the CDSS CFT webpage at https://www.cdss.ca.gov/cftsurvey. CFT TRIBAL ENGAGEMENT GUIDE The CFT Tribal Engagement Guide was developed in partnership with the CDSS, the California Tribal Families Coalition (CTFC), and the UC Davis Resource Center for Family Focused Practice (RCFFP). The project was inspired by findings from the CTFC CFT project and 2020 CFT Report. The Guide was developed through a Tribal engagement process and can be found on the CDSS CFT webpage at https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/cdss-programs/foster-care/child-and-family- teams/professional-resources. The guide provides an overview of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and CFT requirements for Indian children in California; partnering with Tribes; understanding the different perspectives of Tribes and child welfare; identifying and engaging team members for the CFT; making the CFT meeting accessible and engaging; supporting the child and family’s connection to culture in the CFT; ongoing communication and work between meetings; and utilizing continuous quality improvement practices during county and tribal collaboration. A strengths-based, culturally relevant, family-centered CFT engagement process is key to partnering with Tribes and Indian children and families to develop and implement individualized and behaviorally based case plans. The CFT also informs placement decisions, addresses strengths and needs of the child and family, and importantly for an Indian child, ICWA placement preference. Utilizing the practices described in this guide supports fidelity to and continuous quality improvement of the CFT process. The CFT Tribal Engagement Guide also supports a more collaborative, individualized decision-making process, and coordination of care for Indian children and families. Counties, providers, and system of care partners are encouraged to review the guide and incorporate the practices, resources, and strategies into local systems through policy, training, and practice coaching. CFT AND CANS TRAINING CURRICULA The CDSS, in partnership with the CFT/CANS Implementation Team, developed and updated CFT curricula to include CANS information. Additionally, several trainings have --- Page 8 --- All County Information Notice No. |-35-24 Page Seven been revised to integrate principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Below are four of the revised CFT trainings currently available to child welfare, juvenile probation, behavioral health, Tribal, community-based providers, and other system of care partners. To register for any of the trainings below, or for more information, please visit the California Child Welfare Training (CACWT) site or reach out to your county training representative or regional training academy: e Academy for Professional Excellence e Bay Area Academy e Central California Training Academy e Northern California Training Academy CFT Facilitation Training The curriculum is designed as a five-day training for virtual delivery or a four-day training in- person. Through the hands-on facilitation practice throughout the training, trainees will develop the skills to facilitate CFT meetings across the child welfare continuum that address safety, permanency, and well-being. As stated in ACL 18-23, CFT meeting facilitators are required to participate in facilitation training, including contracted facilitators, non-case-carrying social workers, or case-carry social workers who facilitate CFT meetings. In addition, it is recommended that CFT supervisors are trained in CFT facilitation. CFT Overview The half-day training (three hours) is designed to orient participants to the CFT meeting process. The training is for individuals who may participate in CFT meetings or need to know basic information about CFT meetings due to intersecting with child welfare, juvenile probation and/or behavioral health systems. Participants will receive information about the CANS and how it enhances and supports the CFT. Effective CFT Meetings (formally CFT: Role of the Social Worker This one-day training provides participants with basic teaming and meeting knowledge and skills. Through the training, trainees will develop the skills to team and engage with the child, youth, non-minor dependent and/or parents before, during, and after the child and family team meetings. The training is recommended for supervisors and case workers who participate in CFT meetings. Integrating CANS into CFT Meetings and Case Planning This two-day training teaches participants how to integrate the CANS into a CFT meeting and child welfare case plan. The course will address how to prepare the family for the CFT meeting, how to discuss the CANS during the CFT meeting, how to “implicitly” rate CANS --- Page 9 --- All County Information Notice No. |-35-24 Page Eight items based on needs and strengths discussed, and how to review draft CANS ratings with CFT members during meetings. The training is recommended for CFT meeting facilitators, case workers who complete case plans, supervisors who oversee case planning and CFT meetings, and CANS completers. CANS Curriculum Updates Over the last several years, the CDSS provided direction regarding training requirements for the implementation and practice of the CANS within child welfare and CFT meetings via ACL 18-09, ACL 18-81, ACL 18-85, and ACL 21-27. In 2023, the California Social Work Education Center (CalSWEC), the regional training academies (RTAs), the University of Kentucky Center for Innovation in Population Health (IPH), and the CDSS partnered with the CFT/CANS Implementation Team to revise and update the CANS curriculum and materials. The curriculum and materials can be accessed through the CACWT website or by reaching out to an RTA. The revised CANS courses and curricula include: e CANS: Supporting Collaborative Assessment and Action Planning (previously Module A). Revisions are anticipated for completion and CACWT upload in late 2024. e The CANS: Overview and Preparation for Certification (previously Module B). Revisions have been completed, and curriculum and materials can be found in CACWT. e CANS in Supervision Coaching Staff towards Practice Integration (previously Module C). Revisions are anticipated for completion and upload into CACWT in late 2024. e Module D: CANS Review and Case Planning is no longer actively used by the statewide training system. Elements from this training were integrated into the updates of the other modules and the Integrating CANS into the CFT course (see above). The Module D training materials have been archived and can be provided upon request through your RTA. CFT/CANS STATEWIDE FORUM AND CFT/CANS STEERING COMMITTEE In the Fall of 2023, the CFT CANS Implementation Team was re-engineered and renamed the CFT/CANS Statewide Forum. Additionally, the CFT/CANS Steering Committee was created as a smaller team to guide the priorities of CFT and CANS implementation and fidelity efforts. Their collective mission is to convene interagency, system of care partners, and individuals with lived experience, at the statewide and regional levels to support effective and inclusive CFT and CANS processes and continuous quality improvement. The CDSS partnered with the following stakeholders to form the Steering Committee and Statewide Forum: e Child Welfare Directors Association (CWDA) e Chief Probation Officers of California (CPOC) e California Youth Connection (CYC) --- Page 10 --- All County Information Notice No. |-35-24 Page Nine County Behavioral Health Directors Association of California (CBHDA) State System of Care (SOC) departments Regional Training Academies (RTA) Individuals with lived experience California Alliance of Caregivers (CAC) California Alliance of Children and Family Services CFT/CANS Statewide Forum The CFT/CANS Statewide Forum is an open meeting facilitated by the UC Davis Northern Academy and the CDSS. The Forum meets quarterly to convene stakeholders from across the state to share information and engage in discussions that support the evolution of and fidelity to CFT and CANS policy and practice. The CDSS invites county agencies, system of care partners, stakeholder organizations, and community-based providers to attend the Forum meetings to learn and to contribute wisdom and practice experience with CFTs and CANS. To join the Statewide Forum, please complete the CFT CANS Statewide Forum Invite Request Form or email CWScoordination@dss.ca.gov. INQUIRIES For questions or additional information regarding CFT or CANS, please contact the CDSS Integrated Services Unit at CWScoordination@dss.ca.gov or (916) 651-2752. Sincerely, Original Document Signed By SARA ROGERS, Chief System of Care Branch Children and Family Services Division cc: California Alliance for Child and Family Services County Welfare Directors Association Chief Probation Officers of California