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Service Array Materials and Tools:

PLEASE NOTE: The Federal grant for the NRCOI ended on September 29, 2014. This website is remaining live to keep the resources and information the NRCOI has published throughout the years easily accessible. This information is not being updated.

The National Child Welfare Resource Center for Organizational Improvement (NRCOI) and the National Resource Center for Child Welfare Data and Technology (NRC-CWDT) together offered a process and a set of tools child welfare agencies can use in conjunction with community stakeholders to assess and enhance their child and family service array.

The documents below provide an overview description of the process, and include the actual tools and materials to guide the process, assess the service array, report on the results, and prepare and implement a Resource and Capacity Development Plan.

A. Introduction and Overview Documents
B. State Service Array Steering Committee Documents
C. Community Service Array Steering Committee Documents
D. Community Stakeholder Collaborative Documents
E. Regional Service Array Steering Committee Documents
F. Training/Consciousness-Raising Mini-Modules for the Child Welfare Service Array Process Documents

A. Introduction and Overview Documents:

1. Assessing and Enhancing the Service Array in Child Welfare (This two page fact sheet explains the service array process.)

1. Enhancing the Service Array in Child Welfare: Assessing the Capacity of a Jurisdiction/State to Meet the Individualized Needs of Children and Families and Creating and Implementing a Resource and Capacity Development Plan: A Description of the Process (This 13 page document fully describes the process in detail.)

1. Achieving Successful Outcomes for Children: A Rationale for the Service Array Process and a Listing of the Capacities a Jurisdiction Needs to Flexibly Meet the Needs of Children and Families in the Child Welfare System (This seven page document fully describes the seven capacities of a complete child and family service array.)

1. Enhancing the Service Array in Child Welfare: Assessing the Capacity of a Jurisdiction/State to Meet the Individualized Needs of Children and Families AND Creating and Implementing a Resource and Capacity Development Plan (This PowerPoint presentation can be adapted and used to explain the process to stakeholders.

B. State Service Array Steering Committee Documents:

1. The Roles and Responsibilities of the State Service Array Steering Committee in the Service Array Process (This four page document details this Committee’s job.)

1. Tasks in the Service Array Process for the State Service Array Steering Committee (This five page document describes this Committee’s tasks and will serve as the Work Plan for the State Steering Committee.)

1. Child and Family Snapshot Description (This 15 page document, developed by the National Resource Center for Child Welfare Data and Technology, describes the Snapshot and its purpose, as well as identifying potential Federal and State sources for the desired data, including potential data sources for each of the capacities to be assessed.)

1. Child and Family Snapshot: Excel Workbook (This workbook, containing multiple worksheets, developed by the National Resource Center for Child Welfare Data and Technology, compiles “core data” from NCANDS and AFCARS submissions that the State and the Community Steering Committees may want to use in the Child and Family Snapshot.)

1. NRCCWDT Syntax to Produce the Core Data for the Child and Family Snapshot Link to the NRCCWDT website: http://www.nrccwdt.org

1. Resource and Capacity Development Plan: Guide to Financing in the Development of a Fully Functioning Child and Family Service Array (This one page document provides information on financing the service array that can assist the State and the Community Steering Committees.)

1. Resource and Capacity Development Plan: Guide to Purchasing and Contracting Services in the Development of a Fully Functioning Child and Family Service Array (This one page document provides information on purchasing and contracting services to enhance the capacity of the service array that can assist the State and the Community Steering Committees.)

1. Resource and Capacity Development Plan: Guide to Utilization Management in the Development of a Fully Functioning Child and Family Service Array (This one page document provides information on utilization management that can assist the State and the Community Steering Committees.)

1. Children’s Bureau Training and Technical Assistance Network (This booklet, published by the Children’s Bureau, describes the training and technical assistance available from its National Resources Centers and may be helpful to the State and Community Steering Committees in identifying sources of training and technical assistance that may be needed in implementing the Jurisdiction’s Resource and Capacity Development Plan.)

C. Community Service Array Steering Committee Documents:

1. The Roles and Responsibilities of the Community Service Array Steering Committee in the Service Array Process (This five page document details this Committee’s job.)

1. Tasks in the Service Array Process for the Community Service Array Steering Committee (This 11 page document describes this Committee’s tasks and will serve as the Work Plan for the Community Steering Committee.)

1. Child and Family Snapshot Description (This 15 page document, developed by the National Resource Center for Child Welfare Data and Technology, describes the Snapshot and its purpose, as well as identifying potential Federal and State sources for the desired data, including potential data sources for each of the capacities to be assessed.)

1. Child and Family Snapshot: Excel Workbook (This workbook, containing multiple worksheets, developed by the National Resource Center for Child Welfare Data and Technology, compiles “core data” from NCANDS and AFCARS submissions that the State and the Community Steering Committees may want to use in the Child and Family Snapshot.)

1. NRCCWDT Syntax to Produce the Core Data for the Child and Family Snapshot Link to the NRCCWDT website: http://www.nrccwdt.org.

1. Resource and Capacity Development Plan: Guide to Financing in the Development of a Fully Functioning Child and Family Service Array (This one page document provides information on financing the service array that can assist the State and the Community Steering Committees.)

1. Resource and Capacity Development Plan: Guide to Purchasing and Contracting Services in the Development of a Fully Functioning Child and Family Service Array (This one page document provides information on purchasing and contracting services to enhance the capacity of the service array that can assist the State and the Community Steering Committees.)

1. Resource and Capacity Development Plan: Guide to Utilization Management in the Development of a Fully Functioning Child and Family Service Array (This one page document provides information on utilization management that can assist the State and the Community Steering Committees.)

1. Children’s Bureau Training and Technical Assistance Network (This booklet, published by the Children’s Bureau, describes the training and technical assistance available from its National Resources Centers and may be helpful to the State and Community Steering Committees in identifying sources of training and technical assistance that may be needed in implementing the Jurisdiction’s Resource and Capacity Development Plan.)

1. Sample of a First Invitational Letter from the Community Steering Committee to Community Stakeholders Inviting them to Serve on the Stakeholder Collaborative and to Participate in the Service Array Process

1. Sample of an Agenda for the First Meeting of the Community Stakeholder Collaborative (The service array assessment process begins at the first meeting.)

1. Sample of an Agenda for the Second Meeting of the Community Stakeholder Collaborative (The service array assessment is reported and discussed at the second meeting and participants begin developing the Resource and Capacity Development Plan at this meeting.)

1. Sample of an Agenda for the Third Meeting of the Community Stakeholder Collaborative (The Resource and Capacity Development Plan is reported and discussed at the third meeting and participants begin planning for its implementation at this meeting.)

1. Protocol When Working with Birth Parents (This three page tool gives guidance to the Community Steering Committee for involving birth parents in the service array process.)

1. Youth Participation (This one page tool gives guidance to the Community Steering Committee for involving youth in the service array process.)

1. CYC’s Tips for Involving Foster Youth in Policy Making (This one page tool gives guidance to the Community Steering Committee for involving foster youth in the service array process.)

D. Community Stakeholder Collaborative Documents:

1. The Roles and Responsibilities of the Community Stakeholder Collaborative in the Service Array Process (This five page document details the Collaborative’s duties in the service array process.)

1. Guidance to Work Group Facilitators and Recorders for the Community Stakeholder Collaborative’s Service Array Assessment Process (This two page document provides a job description for these two roles.)

1. Instructions for Conducting an Assessment of the Service Array (This 60 page document provides step-by-step guidance for conducting the four assessments and includes recording forms for every step of the assessment.)

1. The Child and Family Services and Practices Toolkit: A Resource in Enhancing the Service Array (This 60 page toolkit is designed to help the work groups in conducting the four assessments and in creating the Resource and Capacity Development Plan.)

1. Writing/Compiling the Service Array Assessment Report for the Jurisdiction (This six page document provides guidance to the work groups, the Community Stakeholder Collaborative, and the Community Steering Committee in creating the Assessment Report.)

1. Presenting the Service Array Assessment Report for the Jurisdiction (This two page document provides guidance to the Community Stakeholder Collaborative on reporting out the results of service array assessment.)

1. Seven PowerPoint Presentation Templates for Presenting the Service Array Assessment Report
   • - Safety 1—Protection of Children from Abuse and Neglect
   • - Safety 2—Maintain Children in Own Home Safely
   • - Permanency 1—Achieve Permanency and Stability in Living Situation
   • - Permanency 2—Preserve Continuity of Family Relationships
   • - Well-Being 1—Enhance Capacity of Families To Provide for Children
   • - Well-Being 2—Meet Education Needs of Children
   • - Well-Being 3—Meet Physical and Mental Health Needs of Children

1. Creating, Writing, and Presenting The Resource and Capacity Development Plan (This four page document provides step-by-step guidance on creating, writing, and presenting The Resource and Capacity Development Plan.)

1. Worksheets to Assist in the Development of The Resource and Capacity Development Plan (These worksheets, one for each of the seven capacities, provide a tool to assist the work groups in the development of The Resource and Capacity Development Plan.)

1. Presenting The Resource and Capacity Development Plan (This two page document provides guidance on the presentation structure of The Resource and Capacity Development Plan.)

1. Seven PowerPoint Presentation Templates for Presenting the Resource and Capacity Development Plan
   • - Safety 1—Protection of Children from Abuse and Neglect
   • - Safety 2—Maintain Children in Own Home Safely
   • - Permanency 1—Achieve Permanency and Stability in Living Situation
   • - Permanency 2—Preserve Continuity of Family Relationships
   • - Well-Being 1—Enhance Capacity of Families To Provide for Children
   • - Well-Being 2—Meet Education Needs of Children
   • - Well-Being 3—Meet Physical and Mental Health Needs of Children

E. Regional Service Array Steering Committee Documents:

1. The Roles and Responsibilities of the Regional Steering Committee in the Service Array Process (This one page document gives guidance to this Committee, but Regional Steering Committees are created only if a State decides to develop composite regional service array assessments and resource and capacity development plans.)

F. Training/Consciousness-Raising Mini-Modules for the Child Welfare Service Array Process Documents:

As we began the service array process in a State and pilot the process in a jurisdiction of the State, we had a range of training/consciousness raising mini-modules available to use with the State Steering Committee, the Community Steering Committee, and the Community Stakeholder Collaborative.  Working in partnership with these groups, we conjointly "triaged" the State and the pilot local jurisdiction, and then recommended some mini-modules, based on their current knowledge and awareness. Additionally, these modules can be utilized in a similar fashion in other jurisdictions within the State in the implementation of the service array process.

Below are the different potential mini-modules we have developed in the Service Array Training and Technical Assistance (T/TA) package:

1. Service Array Case Scenario. Service Array Case Scenario: Guidance for Facilitators(s) and Module 1 PowerPoint (Module 1 is an interactive exercise to be conducted with the State Steering Committee, the Community Steering Committee, and/or the Community Stakeholder Collaborative to provide the experience of the difference between a service approach in child welfare and a needs-/strengths-based practice approach.)
   
2. What Is Child Welfare? Module 2 PowerPoint (This module could be used with the State Steering Committee, the Community Steering Committee, and/or the Community Stakeholder Collaborative if there are participants who are not familiar with the child welfare system.)
   
3. What Is the Child and Family Services Review (CFSR)? Module 3 PowerPoint (The State may be undertaking this Service Array Process in preparation for its Child and Family Services Review or to improve the service array as part of its CFSR Program Improvement Plan. This module could be used if there are participants in the service array process who are not familiar with the CFSR and its importance and impact on child welfare today.)
   
4. Lessons Learned about the Child and Family Service Array from the First Round of CFSRs. Module 4 PowerPoint (This module reviews important lessons learned about the service array from the first round of CFSRs, including which strategies were successful and which were not in improving the service array.)
   
5. The CFSR Practice Principles: Critical Principles for Assessing and Enhancing the Child and Family Service Array. Module 5 PowerPoint (The CFSR has four practice principles: (1) family-centered practice; (2) community-based services; (3) strengthening the capacity of parents to care for their children; and (4) individualizing services. This module fully explains these four principles and demonstrates how they are critical in assessing and enhancing the service array.
   
6. Understanding and Developing Child Welfare Practice Models. Module 6 PowerPoint (In the service array assessment process, community stakeholders assess whether the jurisdiction has a child welfare practice model and how effective it is in achieving successful outcomes for children and families. This module explains practice models and their utility for child welfare).
   
7. Definitions and Examples of Practices vs. Services in Child Welfare. Module 7 PowerPoint (In the service array assessment process, community stakeholders assess the jurisdictions’ practices and services. This module explains the difference between practices and services to prepare participants for the assessment process.)
   
8. Strengths-/Needs-Based Practice Principles Drawn from Child Welfare Systems of Care: From Principle to Practice . Module 8 PowerPoint (This module explains the difference between a service approach and a strengths-/needs-based approach, drawn from practice principles that evolved from systems of care.)
   
9. Evidence-Based Practices and Promising Approaches in Child Welfare. Module 9 PowerPoint (There is a growing movement in child welfare to utilize evidence-based practices and promising approaches. This module explains what we know at this point in time from research and practice about what works in child welfare.)
   
10. Bringing Prevention to the Table: Enhancing Service Array Capacity through State Child Welfare/CBCAP Collaboration . Module 10 PowerPoint (This module explains the importance of prevention in child welfare, prevention services, their purpose, and their place in the continuum of child welfare services, and the benefits of collaboration between child welfare and community-based child abuse prevention staff and advocates. This module was developed by FRIENDS National Resource Center for Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention.)