CFPIC | Child & Family Policy Institute of California

CFPIC, under a contract with the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has completed a thorough assessment of the first year of System Improvement Plans (SIPS). This report provides an analysis of the first System Improvement Plans submitted by all 58 California counties in response to the requirements established in the Child Welfare System Improvement and Accountability Act established under AB 636 (Chapter 678, Statutes of 2001). The legislation set forth a revolutionary approach that established a dynamic county planning process for the continual improvement of outcomes for children and families. In addition it defined statewide goals and required the identification of performance measurements for monitoring outcomes and improvements over time.

The key findings reflect the outcomes after the first full year of the counties implementation of their SIPs. The report provides insight into the goals and strategies targeted by the counties and provides an overview of county performance on state and federal measures. In addition, a synopsis of the successes and challenges faced by the counties during the implementation process is presented. Finally, there is an accounting of the areas where additional resources and support are needed to improve outcomes for California’s children and families. The Executive Summary, the Full Report and attachments are posted here and on the CDSS Website.

Click here for information on the Child and Family Services Review California Statewide Assessment of Child Welfare Services.

Developing Permanent, Supportive Connections While in Care: Foster Youth’s Perspectives: a just completed a research study on the experiences of foster youth who have received permanency and family finding services in their counties of origin. The goal of the study was to examine youths' perspectives on the services they received from their county child welfare agency. Youth were recruited from Alameda, Contra Costa and Santa Clara counties. This study was funded by the Zellerbach Family Foundation and ran from June 2009-June 2010. Administrative oversight for the grant was provided by the Child and Family Policy Institute of California. The report is available here. (PDF)

Implementing Differential Response in California: Promising Practices and Lessons Learned
This report by Casey Family Programs details significant process enhancements arising from the application of the breakthrough series collaborative to the implementation of differential response in California. The report is available here.

Child Welfare Services System Improvements—11 County Pilot Implementation Evaluation
In June, 2006, the Child and Family Policy Institute of California completed an evaluation of the 11 Pilot County implementation of the Child Welfare Services Improvements. This report, which was commissioned by the California Department of Social Services, provides information about the background, framework, and early implementation of the Statewide Safety Assessment System, Differential Response System, and Permanency and Youth Transitions System, and offers observations and conclusions about the future implementation of these Child Welfare Services Improvements. The report and attachments are available here (4.5 MB PDF file).

Foster Youth Education Task Force Fact Sheets
Thanks to Casey Family Programs and the Foster Youth Education Task Force, we are able to provide the recently updated Fact Sheets as a resource to county staff, foster youth, and others working with youth to ensure that they receive the best educational services possible.

Updated versions are now available:
Education Law Fact Sheets (1.2 MB PDF file)
Education Rights Wallet Cards (160 KB PDF file)

Newly issued AB 490 Questions and Answers provides valuable facts about this important legislation.
(204 KB PDF file)

Child Welfare System Improvements in California, 2003 - 2005
Early Implementation of Key Reforms. This report provides an understanding of the broad collaborative work that is underway to improve California’s child welfare system.
Click here to download
(3.1 MB PDF file)

The Child and Family Policy Institute of California supports the work of county Children’s Services programs that are delivered within the Human Services Agencies of each county. Children’s Services are those programs that work to prevent child maltreatment, intervene early in the development of family problems that pose a risk to child safety and well-being, and respond to reports of actual child maltreatment. Each county provides basic Child Welfare Services through the delivery of child protective services, in-home family supervision, foster care, adoptions, and transitional living services to youth who will be leaving the foster care system. In addition each county provides an array of discretionary programs that support and enhance families within their communities.