DISCUSSION: 

The purpose of this memorandum is to make available the “Importance of Worker Visitation with Youth and the Parent Engagement” webinar recordings. The webinars are in response to the Program Improvement Plan (PIP). The goals related to the webinars for the PIP are:

• To strengthen the quality and quantity of interaction between practitioners and children who are being served through FCS or Foster Care. 
• Improve parent engagement through full implementation of the CD Practice Model.

The importance of Worker Visitation with Children webinar was made available to team members on July 11, 2019. The webinar included an overview of policy and described elements of a quality visit, to include a portion of the visit with the child alone. The webinar featured Children’s Division team members who have experience utilizing Signs of safety tools with children. They described how utilizing the Signs of Safety tools allowed them the opportunity to elicit information from children in a thorough and thoughtful way. De-identified case examples of engagement successes were discussed and they allowed a time for questions and answers.

The importance of the Parent Engagement webinar was made available to team members on October 15, 2019. The webinar provided an overview of policy and described components of a quality visit with parents. The policy on involving noncustodial or non-resident parents was reviewed during the webinar. The webinar also featured Children’s Division team members who have experience utilizing Signs of Safety tools with parents. They described how constructive working relationships between professionals and family members are necessary for successful family engagement. De-identified case examples were presented and they allowed a time for questions and answers.

The webinars have been posted on the Signs of Safety page on the intranet. Signs of Safety - Childrens Division