Improving the Child Welfare System
Casey Family Programs is helping Los Angeles County and Alameda County implement and evaluate system improvements that reduce the number of children in foster care and support child and family stability through the federal Title IV-E Waiver project. The Title IV-E Waiver designated federal dollars to support children being raised in safe, stable and permanent homes. From the beginning of the waiver through Dec. 31, 2008, total caseload in Los Angeles decreased 12 percent. Alameda reduced caseloads by 8.6 percent.

Reducing the Number of Youth in Group Homes
Residentially Based Services (RBS) Reform is a public-private partnership with Casey Family Programs, the California Department of Social Services, and the California Alliance for Children and Families to transform group home care. RBS reform focuses on finding permanent families, reducing time in care, and creating funding strategies that support successful reconnection of young people with their families and communities.

Helping Child Welfare Tailor Responses to Meet Family Needs
Casey Family Programs supports the implementation and improvement of differential response programs, which lay out a broader set of responses to reports of possible child abuse or neglect. Instead of responding to every report with the same emergency-oriented protocols, frontline workers instead can employ prevention and early intervention techniques, engage families to address issues of safety and risk, or access other services—as long as the alternative response is appropriate and the child’s safety is not jeopardized.

Creating Partnerships to Improve Services to Children and Families
Casey Family Programs partners with public and private entities to invest in programs and services that support children in foster care and strengthen families throughout California. These efforts, such as the California Co-Investment Partnership, are regarded as models for the nation. Casey Family Programs also supports the California Foster Youth Education Task Force and the Youth Transition Action Team Network, which are statewide networks that aim to improve education and employment experiences for children and youth in foster care. Our field offices are implementing innovative community collaborations that promote best practices in employment, education, mental health and permanency that can be replicated throughout the state.