REMARKS
Detailed explanation of the CARES model process
0:39:10
·
5 min
Commissioner Dannhauser provides a comprehensive overview of the CARES (Collaborative Assessment, Response, Engagement and Support) model, explaining its implementation process and key features. He details how cases are assigned to CARES and the differences between CARES and traditional investigations.
- CARES is a differential response allowed by state law for certain types of cases
- ACS has additional exclusionary criteria beyond state requirements for CARES eligibility
- CARES workers use social work tools and approaches not typically used in investigations
- Safety assessments are conducted in the first 7 days, with the option to retrack to an investigation if needed
Jess Dannhauser
0:39:10
K.
0:39:11
It'll take a couple minutes here because it sort of just set some context.
0:39:14
Yeah.
UNKNOWN
0:39:15
So the
Althea V. Stevens
0:39:15
Explain this to us like we're 5 year olds because, you know, I'm slow sometimes.
Jess Dannhauser
0:39:19
I doubt that.
0:39:21
So, the CARES model is, what the state calls family assessment response or differential response.
0:39:28
It's a state law, state statute that allows for responses to calls to the SCR to be responded to differentially.
0:39:39
CARES is what ACS calls it.
0:39:41
Actually, a parent, named it that several years ago.
0:39:45
The state sets the initial criteria.
0:39:47
So the state criteria, sexual abuse, abandonment, assault against a child, those types of things cannot go down the CARES track.
0:39:58
The state, also has so that about half of cases will be eligible to go down the CARES track.
0:40:06
No jurisdiction in the in the state is using CARES at a 50% rate.
0:40:10
These are dedicated CPS who then get retrained, keep their CPS skills, and are retrained as a CARES, child protective specialist.
0:40:20
ACS has additional exclusionary criteria, a serious injury that fits the criteria for our instant response team, and a newborn positive toxicology for any drug other than marijuana, we do not send down the CARES track.
0:40:35
And so, we're actually a little bit tighter than the state, although we use it more than any other place in the state.
0:40:44
The when the call comes, it will say from the state, FAR eligible family assessment response to eligibility.
0:40:50
So the state makes the first screen.
0:40:53
We have dedicated staff, in that are there to screen cases and send them down, the investigation track or the CARES track, or the instant response team track or to, the hospital sex abuse track.
0:41:08
So they are looking at what are the allegations, what's the history been here, and they're trying to make an assessment of what would be the most effective approach.
0:41:17
CARES is a safety response.
0:41:19
Investigation is a safety response.
0:41:21
They are done differently.
0:41:23
Once they make that determination, if it if it is going down the CARES track, it goes to a unit that is dedicated to CARES, and the CARES worker makes a phone call, talks to the parent about CARES, explains to them that it's optional.
0:41:37
We used to say voluntary, but that's not quite fair because the option is either CARES or an investigation.
0:41:44
So we, we work with the the family.
0:41:47
If they accept the CARES, we do a home visit, and we begin the process.
0:41:53
During that first 7 days, they our staff are doing a safety assessment.
0:41:58
They're using lots of other social work tools that we don't use, typically in investigation.
0:42:02
We're working on trying to infuse some of that into every instance.
0:42:05
So they're the three houses.
0:42:07
They're set they're using motivational interviewing, and they are sort of bringing real social work skill to that, to that conversation.
0:42:15
If at any time in that first 7 days the CARES CPS determines that there is something unsafe here, they can retrack it to an investigation.
0:42:26
It can go back to an investigation.
0:42:28
If they determine anything after that 7 days, because it's voluntary after those 7 days, And so after that 7 days, if a family either there there's a different concern, our staff can call in an additional case, and then it'll go down an investigative track.
0:42:46
This happens those two retracking, all combined happens in about 10% of cases.
0:42:52
So they're they're seeing something that they're concerning and then they retrack it to an investigation.
0:42:58
But 90% go forward and are completed as CARES.
0:43:02
The, in CARES, families set, with us a plan.
0:43:08
They will often let's say they're struggling with getting the child to school, we'll bring the school in, we'll do a family team meeting, and we'll work on sort of ways in which we're gonna work together to to get the child in school.
0:43:18
They might need a childcare voucher.
0:43:20
They might need other services through preventive services, and and you can get to preventive services either through an investigation or through CARES.
0:43:30
If it's CARES, it's more on the on the advocate track that Luisa was describing earlier.
0:43:36
So, you know, I think it's really important that, we say the CARES the CARES approach is a safety response.
0:43:44
If someone needs just a little bit of help, we don't need to be calling the SCR to get CARES.
0:43:50
CARES is in response to a report of child maltreatment, and it does a thorough assessment of the child's safety.
0:43:57
And so, again, sort of the state sets the initial criteria.
0:44:01
We have additional criteria.
0:44:02
Our teams do an assessment.
0:44:04
And then there's an ongoing assessment during that first 7 days when the the staff have seen the the children and been able to engage with the parents.
Ericka Brewington
0:44:13
That was a lot.
Jess Dannhauser
0:44:14
I know.
0:44:15
I know.
