More Information
About Parent Collaboration Groups
Parent Collaboration Groups (PCG) allow input from biological parents in the design, implementation, and evaluation of the CPS program. This initiative encourages collaboration with clients who are affected by the CPS service delivery system and provides a unique perspective on how to improve services to families and children.
Overview
The PCG is a partnership between DFPS' Child Protective Services division and parents who are or have been recipients of services from CPS.
The vision of the PCG:
- Parents collaborating with CPS to make our children's world a better place by strengthening the family unit.
The mission of the PCG is to provide:
- Provide parent input to the agency regarding policy development.
- Provide recommendations to the agency regarding how services may be improved for children and families.
- Provide training opportunities to workers regarding the parent perspective.
- Provide support to parents and function as a means to link parents and the agency in a partnership.
The objectives of the PCG include the following:
- Increase the number of parent liaisons to include more fathers.
- Develop a structure for CPS-Parent partnerships in policy and practice components that will become a vital element of local regional and state operations.
- Expand the Parent Collaboration Group advisory model throughout the state.
- Improve the skills, qualifications, and availability of individuals providing services to children and families.
- Distribute the message to staff and parents regarding the value of a family voice.
- Support the Disproportionality efforts at the regional and state level.
- Provide a link between CPS and Parents.
The goals of the Parent Collaboration Group include:
- Identify gaps in services to families and children.
- Identify what services are working and should continue.
- Identify areas of policy that need improvement.
- Identify ways parents can be instrumental in improving a caseworker’s skills in relating to parents.
- Improve policy and practices related to engagement of fathers and younger parents.
Approach
The Parent Collaboration Group (PCG) model is one in which local DFPS staff partner with local Parent Liaisons to enhance services and communication between the agency and families who are being provided CPS services in local communities. The PCG model provides for co-leadership at the state level by a staff person from DFPS state office and a parent who is a former recipient of CPS services. Local leadership for the group includes DFPS Regional Liaisons and Regional Parent Liaisons. DFPS Regional Liaisons are selected by regional management staff and include CPS direct service staff.
Regional DFPS staff or current Parent Liaisons nominate future Parent Liaisons.
Parent Volunteers must comply with all the policy requirements for a Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) volunteer.
Participants will engage in discussions of practices relevant to the state's child protective services system. Focus will be placed on the investigative process, conservatorship, family-based safety services, and foster care. During each session a specific area of agency practice will be discussed allowing service recipients to identify those practices that work effectively and those that are problematic and to develop recommendations for enhancement of the current service delivery system.
The core activities of the PCG provide an avenue to obtain stakeholder input and feedback, and to develop support and liaison roles between the agency and parents.
Expected Outcomes
Cooperation and collaboration statewide will be improved between parents and the agency. CPS workers' ability to work with families effectively will be enhanced because they will have a better understanding of the parents' needs. It is hoped that policy changes recommended by the PCG will result in more efficient and improved services. These improved services will better meet the needs of the parents, resulting in decreased repeat involvement, fewer removals, and safe children.
Regional Parent Collaboration Groups
Each region now has at least one Parent Support Group. The purpose of these support groups are to:
- Information about the CPS system.
- Hope and support.
- Empowerment and encouragement.
- Parent facilitator sharing their personal story.
- Short question and answer session.
- Provision of information about various community services.