Connecticut Integrated Practice Model
In an effort to ensure consistent, principle-based practice with children and families within all of its Area Offices, the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF) committed to developing a practice model to guide its interventions in child welfare, behavioral health, and juvenile services. The State selected CSF to assist in developing a practice model that reflected the Department’s mission statement and guiding principles. Using the Department’s mission and values as a foundation, we developed a six-component practice model that includes assuring child safety, involving children and parents in case planning and decision making, individualized services, strengths and needs assessments of all family members, timely decision making, and monitoring. CSF analyzed the current status of practice in the State within DCF’s child welfare, behavioral health, and juvenile services divisions to identify both the strengths and needs of the system to implement and sustain the practice model. We reviewed policy, training, monitoring procedures, and conducted interviews and focus groups with a broad range of stakeholders, and conducted a gap analysis of the infrastructure supports needed to support the model. CSF provided the Connecticut DCF with an integrated practice model that was addressed in a series of logic models that identified the inputs, outputs and activities, and outcomes associated with each component of the model. We also provided an implementation plan for the practice model that was aligned with DCF’s need to address practice improvements in the Federal CFSR program improvement plan, and through the Juan F vs. Rell settlement agreement.
