AGENCY TESTIMONY
Parent support and reunification efforts
0:09:44
ยท
35 sec
ACS has implemented new strategies to support parents and enhance reunification efforts, including the Parent Empowerment Program (PEP) and improved case planning.
- Case planners assess safety, risk, and caregivers' readiness for reunification
- Parents Empowering Parents program provides parent advocates system-wide
- Every parent working to reunify has help from a parent advocate with lived experience
- Foster agencies have more flexible resources to hire specialized staff like kinship engagement specialists and case aids
Jess Dannhauser
0:09:44
Case planners connect parents to services and other supports, all with the goal of reducing children's length of stay in care and increasing safe and lasting unifications.
0:09:53
The new model that you mentioned for foster care includes parents empowering parents, which provides parent advocates system wide so that every parent working to reunify has the help of a parent advocate with lived experience.
0:10:04
Foster agencies also have more flexible resources to support hiring staff such as kinship engagement specialists and case aids to help with family visiting.
0:10:13
For some youth, residential placements that can address their therapeutic needs are the most appropriate placement.