Since Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) was signed in 2017, it has become the state’s newest agency overseeing various services which were previously offered through the state Department of Social and Health Services and the Department of Early Learning. The agency has different services offered ranging from: Children Services Center-Investigation and Child Protection, Foster Care, Adoption, Fair Housing, Behavioral Health, Mental Health Crisis Services, Social Services and Advocacy, and Indigent Defense. Washington chapter 43.216 RCW states that;
“state services are not currently organized and delivered in a way that achieves the optimal outcomes for children, youth, and families. The legislature believes that, to improve service delivery and outcomes, existing services must be restructured into a comprehensive agency dedicated to the safety, development, and well-being of children that emphasizes prevention, early childhood development, and early intervention, and supporting parents to be their children’s first and most important teachers” (DCYF, n.d.).
NOHS Ethical Standard 12 requires the knowledge of all laws. The primary objective is to consider the values of the law while serving clients whom seek social action, seeking change for better “client rights and ethical guidelines” (2015). Obeying the laws is an important value and standard to all professionals.
Brown (n.d.), show the Title IV-E Prevention Services (Family First) show that out of thirteen prevention programs eight are well-supported, while two are promising and three do not currently meet criteria. In 2018 President Trump signed the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (H.R. 1892) in February. Included in this is the Family First Prevention Services Act which has the potential to change child welfare systems across the country in significant ways. Without the Family First Prevention Services Act and the changes it brought about as the first significant change to the child welfare system in several decades, we would still be dealing with outdated policies and practices. More and more children would have entered foster care rather than having the first priority intended to be with family. This considerably diverse change lead to a better act and overall better chance of life to the children.
Furthermore, since this introduction NCSL has pointed out 120 new bills across 36 states. These policies show that when addressing needs, it is successful, however this is not always the case as many proposed do not meet criteria as mentioned above. There is always room for improvement and when it comes to assisting our youth this is all that we can strive to achieve.
The DCYF faces many challenges and effortlessly meets clienteles needs of all backgrounds, races, religions, and genders and feel that the most unrepresented population is children of color. However, DCYF’s (n.d.) policies are driving these outcomes, and transforming the way they operate when promoting racial equity, diversity, inclusion, and justice, so each and every child, youth, and family can thrive. These children of color lack proper representation when entering school in their younger years and youth have greater rates of remaining in the welfare system. Fowler et al. (2017) shows that more than 20,000 youth age out of foster care, which typically happens at age 18 in most states. One year after aging out Washington alone show that twenty-eight percent of these children have experienced some form of homelessness. This financial and social support is the life line for our foster youth.
This social issue must be closer looked at, as those who age out of foster care have a higher probability to develop other negative behaviors. These include heavy drug and alcohol abuse, theft, many health problems, homeless and unemployed, and even lack of education. With this in hand these cause many issues for tax payers as the issues seem to get worse. These young adults need help or more help than what they receive as part of ageing out. Fowler et al. (2017), found in a 2016 study in Washington State more than 25% of youth experienced homelessness within a year after exiting foster care; and those who were of African American decent had “prior housing instability, or were parents which faced the greatest risk.”
McKlindon (2019), shows that the FFPSA implements a program identifying with fidelity check lists, which ensures that states maintain key elements that are associated with positive outcomes for children and families. These check lists are beneficial in making sure the organization remains on track with what they set out to do. To better address a redesign these fidelity checklists could be used concurrently with other data ensuring these measures are continuously improving and strengthening the quality of service delivered.
In a redesign law requirements would be more in-depth, detailed, and rigorous, as states currently have a laxer approach to contributing their full standards.
Better addressing diversity comes as we currently only see what has been done in history. Most of the actual issues are not currently addressed. Its more as we are treating the underlying cause around the actual problem rather than the issue itself. Ensuring that clients receive only the services needed rather than that of substituting another in its place.
Without the Family First Prevention Services Act of 2018 and the changes it brought about as the first significant change to the child welfare system in several decades, we would still be dealing with outdated policies and practices. More and more children would have entered foster care rather than having the first priority intended to be with family. This considerably diverse change lead to a better act and overall better chance of life to the children.
DCYF began with the founding legislation HB 1661, enacted in 2017, has been clear about child prevention and is the priority reason the new agency was created: Sec 1 (1): “The legislature believes that, to improve service delivery and outcomes, existing services must be restructured into a comprehensive agency dedicated to the safety, development, and well-being of children that emphasizes prevention, early childhood development, and early intervention, and supporting parents to be their children’s first and most important teachers (Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families, (n.d.)).”
As an active social worker within the Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) this organization fully embraces the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) of 2018. With this new policy which prioritizes keeping families together the DCYF utilizes the opportunity to expand choices and support to the children and youth. This allows for more supportive services, which reduces the need to seek assistance. Moreover, Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (n.d.), states their mission is to “support Washington families, and the department will use Family First resources to further engage communities in growing these critical efforts.”
In line with the new legislation DCYF’s goal remains unchanged as they continue focusing on prevention and intervention. DCYF (n.d.) states that FFPSA is a vital resource when accomplishing this and remains at the “heart of our mission.” However, this is not the full capacity of our outlying work. DCYF claims that Family First enhances their capabilities to find and provide homes for our youth who enter foster care. The FFPSA provides the overall guideline to whom need intensive therapeutic services.
FFPSA is aimed at how the federal government spends money aimed for child welfare. And for this, Great Valley Publishing Company, Inc. (2019) say “the biggest success is that money is now available much earlier than it used to be during child protection.” These funds can be used to furthermore, of the critical services such as child welfare, mental health treatment, and even certain evidence-based substance treatments. Therefore, this restructuring should have happened long ago.
Within the organization new benefits have helped youth who age out of foster care, by providing education and training to those up to the age of 26. Mentioned previously with more than 20,000 youth aging out of foster care, typically at age 18 in most states, most youth in Washington show that twenty-eight percent of these children have experienced some form of homelessness. This financial and social support is the life line for our foster youth. Great Valley Publishing Company, Inc. (2019), reiterate that our brains continually developing throughout our twenties. With this acknowledgement from Family First this shows how we can begin to bridge the gap that has otherwise yet to be accomplished.
A concern with the organization is that FFPSA provides federal funding to deemed families considered to be at-risk with up to twelve months of services. While this allows the eligible beneficiaries the opportunity to keep the child/ren out of the system, is this care enough to assist before the funds expire?
What happens if the guardians have not recovered from rehabilitation during the twelve months? In many cases involving addiction, time frames are obsolete as no addict recovers at the same pace. This leaves the children needing the assistance of kin care without adequate services and resources. Great Valley Publishing Company, Inc. (2019), talks about an old adage of babies floating endlessly down a river while social workers frantically try to rescue them all. However, deep this seems it begins elsewhere. The real question begins further upstream by trying to understand how the babies were first introduced into the river and how to prevent them from being thrown in again. Although the Family First Prevention Act does not take us all the way upstream to the initial point of origin in terms of prevention, it does however give us more ways on how to intervene midstream.
In considering that the FFPSA was established in 2018 this piece of legislation is still new, with little to base off. However, in time we can take a better look at what has been established and better meet the needs of the intended beneficiaries and excel with more programs. We can, however, look at improvement as an opportunity rather than just a mere piece of monotony. Remembering that diversity is more than just a person’s race, we can focus on all cultures within a broader geographic area. Diversity is the foundation of human services field. Keeping this in mind with this new act allows the program to start off strong celebrating everyone and embracing those differences.
DCYF recognizes that FFPSA prevention is an important and substantial opportunity in expanding voluntary prevention services. The agency also recognizes the expansion of voluntary prevention services under FFPSA which is one factor in the agency’s prevention portfolio, thus its needed to assist with other prevention developmental work.
Within in the change both legal and ethical concerns may arise when meeting beneficiaries’ needs. Funds from the FFPSA require strict guidelines as many other policies before them do.
As later discussed, with the FFPSA there is a lack of foster families or foster homes. Looking at bettering the policy this redesign would include and increase in those number to help serve the children yet still waiting. Introducing stricter laws on foster care requirements I feel would allow safer and more stable environments for children.
The FFPSA is aimed at serving families before entering foster care. The National Conference of State Legislatures (2019), defines a candidate or beneficiary as a child at serious risk of removal from home as evidenced by the state by either pursuing the removal from the home or by making reasonable efforts to prevent such from happening. Upon the final step when looking to serve more beneficiaries we have to take what is currently happening. States are outlining their own plans in accordance to the FFPSA. Thomave & Lee (2020), brief on Oregon has “limited capacity” for children and that the beds they currently have are not sufficient for their needs. With this FFPSA allows the state to emerge on programs and utilize both state and federal funds to attain sufficient supplies and necessities for their placements.
With any company or business each has their own stakeholders. Some are the vital lifeforce of that company and cannot be replaced while others have less of an importance but are still seen as key participants. Stakeholders are direct beneficiaries and are also those who want to see that business succeed. Other stakeholders consist of employees who work directly with the agency services, suppliers, owners in the company, and even the community in which its primary services are derived.
These beneficiaries especially those with in the DCYF agency have taken a stance for the new Act as it allows them to apply for the extra money and assistance needed to assist those in the community. Other key stakeholders have also take this stand in favor of the law. Although there are some concerns with funding it is seen as an asset to a long overdue outdated policy.
Family First is groundbreaking, which requires collaboration with public child welfare agencies, private child-serving agencies, behavioral health and substance abuse providers, local court jurisdictions, and children and family’s services.
The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) embraces Family First Prevention Services Act (Family First or FFPSA) implementation as an opportunity to expand the choices and support provided to children, youth and families. However, since this Act has already been passed it provides financial relief for the child welfare systems in the states allotting them to develop a “prevention-focused infrastructure.” This responsibility lies within the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) to identify their areas of strength and weaknesses within this legislation. Through Family First, DCYF will create a culture of community participation in child safety and family well-being, thereby reducing the stigma of seeking help.
The intended beneficiaries have taken a stance on the legislation under review, as legislation is a powerful tool within the government when protecting all citizens and societal infrastructure.
Communicating changes to beneficiaries comes by different methods, as it depends on the type of service that the client is receiving. State leader and advocates are responsible to notify recipients of changes. In Nevada food banks, mass mailing, social media and contact with the Retail Association helped notify these recipients of the new changes (McCausland, 2020).
When dealing with groups, organizations, and individuals who may have an interest in the legislation we see a diverse group. This supporting legislation ranges from the federal government, state agencies, recipients, and any others that may have influence upon the decision-making processes or even monetary donors in which the state agencies are able to receive additional money to support this act. National Conference of State Legislatures (2019), states that the understanding of funding is provided to support and assist states in the establishment of “an electronic interstate processing system for the placement of children into foster care, guardianship or adoption.” This action also creates a grant of five million dollars to help improve interstate placement of children.
The Family First Prevention Services Act also aims to lessen the amass of care for children, instead this act now places a new emphasis on “family foster homes” (NCSL, 2019).
At the current time DCYF supports the legislation of the Family First Act. Why? DCYF states that with this new policy which prioritizes keeping families together it allows them to expand choices and support to the children and youth. DCYF reiterates that with the Family First resourced funds they are able to continue their mission in supporting Washington families.
From the time the Family First Prevention Services Act was signed into law this act has been supported. Furthermore, since this introduction NCSL (2019), has pointed out 120 new bills across 36 states. These policies show that when addressing needs, it is successful, however this is not always the case as many proposed do not meet criteria as mentioned above. There is always room for improvement and when it comes to assisting our youth this is all that we can strive to achieve.
When working with the FFPSA beneficial allies would be the Alliance for Children’s Rights and the Global Fund for Children. Alliance for Children’s Rights is a nonprofit organization, also dedicated to protecting the rights of children who come from abuse, neglect, and even impoverished homes. Beneficial allies like this organization will only improve the overall outcome and strengthen DCYF. Global Fund for Children invests in community-based organizations around the world helping children and youth achieve their full potential, building a better world where all children are safe, strong, and valued.
When looking at strategies that help build support, I would begin with getting an agreeance on what the overall end goal is and how it is intended to be reached. This agreeance helps define the success set forth by the organization, furthermore, also keeping only the necessary people involved in the process will eliminate unnecessary biases and help maintain clear communication in the building process. Once the criteria has been established and the plan is set into motion it is key remembering to share what has been learned along the way or what needs to be changed for future reference.
Allies within this group can extend out to other sources. Within the DSHS we see that allies are vitally important to social justice because they advocate for social change. These allies come from different dominant and powerful social groups (men, women, different races), however all allies have the same potential goal in working to end oppression, and under the current political climate good allies is among one of the most instrumental assets.
