New Hampshire
Sponsoring Agency: New Hampshire Division for Children, Youth and Families (DCYF)
Summary of Project: New Hampshire is developing a statewide family-centered practice model. DCYF will integrate fully all aspects of the broad child welfare system into a statewide family-centered practice model that is developed in collaboration with families, staff, and community partners. DCYF believes a unified model of excellence in practice will ensure consistency in family engagement, communication with stakeholders, service delivery, and, above all, improved safety, permanency, and well-being of children and families in New Hampshire. In fact, the primary goal of the 5-year CFSP is to implement a practice model.
The proposed scope of the practice model includes both the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. DCYF and the Division for Juvenile Justice Services (DJJS) operate as distinct divisions under the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). However, the divisions collaborate in real and demonstrable ways, including a joint Case Practice Review process, the use of the same case management information system, a shared service array, and a joint case-planning policy for families involved with both systems. As a result of the 2003 CFSR, both agencies have prioritized improvements in permanency through concurrent planning, specific practice improvements, and collaboration with the courts.
