Who is involved with the Child Welfare System Redesign?

The partnership is compromised of Prevent Child Abuse California and the 11 counties chosen to participate in the first phase of Child Welfare System Redesign.

What are the statements of need for the Child Welfare System Redesign?

In California, 650,000 child abuse and neglect reports are made annually. In 8% of those reports, children are in imminent danger and an active child welfare case is opened to provide resources from the county child welfare agency. Under the current system, no action is taken to support or assist the remaining 92% of the children and families reported. Approximately one-third of this 92% can be expected to re-report and become active child welfare cases within six months.

In an attempt to reverse these statistics, Prevent Child Abuse California, as part of a comprehensive statewide effort to redesign California's flawed child welfare system proposes to utilize AmeriCorps members and community volunteers in three priority areas. These priorities include:

1. Providing services to at-risk families to avoid entry into the child welfare system following an initial contact;
2. Supporting families that have entered the child welfare system and are now reunited; and
3. Supporting foster children through recruitment of mentors and foster families in their community.

What are the goals and objectives of the Child Welfare System Redesign?

This initiative began October 1, 2004 with the objectives focused on supporting the implementation of the Child Welfare System Redesign strategies designed by each county.

The three goals to support the CWS Redesign are:

1. Differential response efforts
2. Recruitment of volunteers for foster care children, and
3. Tailored training for AmeriCorps members and volunteers.

How can my agency utilize AmeriCorps members to support efforts of the Child Welfare System Redesign?

AmeriCorps members can be trained to provide the necessary referral services before families enter the existing Child Protective System. AmeriCorps members can support counties to implement their version of family referral to community- based organizations that provide support services.

The need to support children in the foster care system has reached a critical stage. AmeriCorps members can be trained to recruit volunteers to be mentors to foster care children. Mentors will have extensive training and AmeriCorps members will provide the necessary support to the counties who are implementing a volunteer mentorship program for foster care youth.

Training is essential for the personal and professional development of individuals who wish to serve as AmeriCorps members or volunteers. Training of members will be available to enhance the skills and development of each AmeriCorps member in support of the Child Welfare System Redesign. Core curriculum that is credentialed or certified will be required for each AmeriCorps member, such as Family Worker Credential training, First Aid/CPR, and Leadership Development.