Jacksonville question

I live in Jacksonville and was given a years time line so good luck to ya

Here is an article that I was forwarded by my sw....I am no longer an active foster parent...But it does seem that they have reduced the amount of kids that are coming into careWhat We Did Over the Past Three Months We completed Phase I of the redesign with all ideas implemented, including the Integrated Practices Team (IPT). We will spend 2009 perfecting the Phase I system, providing more training and moving more consistently to a Family Centered Practice Model. As of 12/31, Family Support Services has reduced the kids in out of home care by 44.5% The IPT has staffed some very complex cases and with the perspective of domestic violence counselors, substance abuse counselors, our nurse, our education specialist, our family advocate, our housing specialist, and our Master's level social worker, is coming up with incredibly creative safety plans and solutions to very complex cases. We named the Phase II design team: Diane Seymore - DCF Co-leader Lee Kaywork - FSS Co-leader Gail Biro - Neighborhood to Family Pattie Medlock - Protective Investigations Julie Beasley - Full Service Schools Melissa Bright - Youth Viewpoint Joanne Robertson - Family Support Services Ricky Wallace - PSI (subcontractor to Family Support Services) Chuck Young - Family Support Services (scribe) Susan Bell - Special Advisor Paul DiLorenzo (Casey) Special Advisor The team will launch on 2/20 with a special visitor, Julia Jean Francois, co-Director of the Family Center at Sunset Park. The Sunset Park program is a program that has operated for 26 years as a neighborhood center in Brooklyn, with a family centered model. THANKS TO THE CASEY FAMILY FOUNDATION for funding this technical assistance. The Design Team and the IPT will be trained on 2/26 (Tuesday) in cultural competency by Dr. Maria Colavito. We had discussions with Dr. Bruce McIntosh and Valerie Stanley from Child Protection Team (CPT) to better use CPT input on our most vulnerable 0 - 5 children to make sure we are making the best risk assessments possible. We thank the Jacksonville Children's Commission for their incredibly well done report on disproportionality with our kids in Jacksonville. Twenty-five percent of Jacksonville's population are kids and 33% of those kids are black. We commit to work the issue of disproportionality into our Phase I refinement and Phase II redesign. WorkSource has agreed to support our neighborhood centers to assist our family's in gaining employment. Five more former/current foster kids have been hired by DCF. Some of our kids have gone from temporary status to full time state workers in the Food Stamp office. We arranged for parenting courses to be scheduled in our jails. This had stopped awhile back (a grant ended) and it was never replaced. We are now working on a "jail curriculum." The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is very anxious for more courses in the jail.RESULTS:The number of child abuse cases is staying about the same or decliningslightly. The number of removals ranged from a high of 138 in August 2007to a low of 53 in December of 2008.The number of adoptions is at 167, ahead of target. With Phase I justimplemented, we know we will hit a 50% reduction of kids in Out of HomeCare, soon. Under Phase II we will get to unprecedented levels ofprevention.SUCCESS STORY:Luvenia Grimsley had a difficult childhood. She was born to a parent whostruggled with drug abuse issues. She was raised in the foster care systemuntil the age of 13, when she was reunited with her mother. Luvenia wasone of nine children. Seven of them were later adopted by other families.Luvenia's challenges continued into her adult years. A relative came to her home, asking for money to buy drugs. When Luvenia refused to give him the money, the relative set her house on fire. This left Luvenia and her two children, ages five and two, without a place to stay. But then she got help from the Foster Care Redesign's Alternative Response System (ARS)program, and her life began to change for the better."She received parenting, budget and household management services," explained Barbara Jones, Lead Prevention Worker with Family Support Services. "Luvenia also received financial assistance for rent, lights, household items, food and clothing. She took part in a focus group forthe Alternative Response System, and she completed community hours for the financial assistance she received."The prevention program helped Luvenia turn her life around, and improve the lives of her young children. She was referred to WorkSource for employmentassistance and referred to the Florida Department of Revenue for assistance with child support. She enrolled in Edward Waters College and is workingtoward a degree in Computer Information Systems, and she expects to graduate in May 2009."Luvenia was very cooperative with the services," said Jones.In addition to being helped by the program, Luvenia credits a lot of her survivor skills to another woman she has known who grew up in the foster system and who inspired her to do better."She has had a lot of challenges in her life, but she is a survivor," Jonessaid.So, we are excited about getting Phase II launched, and grateful for all of you who have given us input, pro bono services or collaboration. As always, we appreciate your feedback and ideas.Ask me about foster care redesign or visit[URL="http://www.fostercareredesign.org"]Home Page[/URL].

Thank you for the article, that was very insightful. In the article they state that child abuse has only decreased a little, yet there has been a drastic reduction in intakes. I don't understand how children can be left in an unsafe environment just so they can meet their quota. I think it's great that services are given to certain families, but what about the families that receive services but still abuse their children?

I was a Duval Foster, but moved to Clay and am a foster parent here now. I can tell you that unless you plan on taking in teenagers, don't wait by the phone. They are leaving the children in the homes, no it's not smart, however it's a way for the state to save money. Period. I've been doing this for 3+ years. If you're doing it for money...don't...if you're doing it for a baby...don't...They very seldom even shelter babies anymore.