Washington State�Child Advocate�Pre-Service Training

PRESENTED BY:�� RYAN MURREY� EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

WASHINGTON ASSOCIATION OF � CHILD ADVOCATE PROGRAMS

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Before we dive in…

• Thank you!
• Logistics
• Getting into the room
• Mute when not speaking
• Your Name
• Attendance
• Questions in chat

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What to expect

• High degree of interaction during class
• Challenging material
• Some “homework” (mostly reading) in between sessions
• Parking Lot
• Alphabet Soup
• On-Going evaluation process

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Introductions

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• Find a partner, and take 3 minutes to introduce yourself, answering the question �“I chose to be a child advocate because ________________.”
• �After 3 minutes, your facilitator will ask to switch, and your partner will introduce themselves, again answering the question “I chose to be a child advocate because _______________.”

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• After both you and your partner have had the opportunity to introduce yourself to each other, you will introduce your partner to the rest of your group.

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Ground Rules and Group Norms

• 1. Show up on time and come prepared
• 2. Stay mentally and physically present (cameras on)
• 3. Stay on task and on topic
• 4. Let everyone participate – especially in small groups
• 5. Listen with an open mind
• 6. Ask for clarification
• 7. Participate in each others learning
• 8. Check in with your local program staff throughout

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What is Dependency?

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What is Dependency?

• Child Protective Services (CPS) files a "dependency petition" with the court if it believes that the child has been abused or neglected or is at risk of harm and must be removed from the mother and/or father's care.

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• This begins a court process called a dependency case. ���https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/services/child-welfare-system/cps

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Throughout this stage, there is NO court involvement (we don’t investigate CPS referrals)

COURT!

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Filings�4,709

3.7%

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Filings�3,242

3.1%

What is Dependency?

• A Dependent Child is defined by Washington State Law:
• 13.34.030
• (6) "Dependent child" means any child who:
• (a) Has been abandoned;�
• (b) Is abused or neglected as defined in chapter 26.44 RCW by a person legally responsible for the care of the child;�
• (c) Has no parent, guardian, or custodian capable of adequately caring for the child, such that the child is in circumstances which constitute a danger of substantial damage to the child's psychological or physical development; or�
• (d) Is receiving extended foster care services, as authorized by RCW 74.13.031.

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Types of cases/abuse

• On a piece of paper, jot down what percent of cases you think involve (they don’t need to add up to 100%):
• Physical abuse of the child
• Sexual abuse of the child
• Chronic neglect of the child
• Extreme behavior of the child
• Substance abuse of one or more parents
• Mental Health Issues of the parent
• Homelessness/Inadequate Housing

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Types of cases/abuse

• ACTUAL STATEWIDE STATS (as best we can find)
• Physical abuse of the child 15%
• Sexual abuse of the child 4%
• Chronic neglect of the child 60%
• Extreme behavior of the child 3%
• Substance abuse of one or more parents 45%
• Homelessness/Inadequate Housing 13%

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This is undoubtedly low. Probably at least 75% - 85%

Key Statistics of Washington’s�“Dependent Children”

• 50% (at least!) of all cases involve some form of parental substance abuse or mental health issue
• Impact of substance abuse is greatest on birth – 1; decreases as child’s age at filing increases
• 15% of all cases involve some form of physical abuse of the child
• <5% of all cases involve sexual abuse of the child

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• Approximately 4500 children enter the dependency system per year in Washington State
• 25% of those involve children under one year old
• Older children are usually brought in with a younger sibling.
• At any given moment, there are approximately 8,500 children with an active dependency statewide.
• Over the course of a year, there are approximately 12,000 children who had or have had an active dependency case in Washington State.

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Key Statistics of Washington’s�“Dependent Children”

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Source: KidsCount.org

Key Local Statistics�“Dependent Children”

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Placeholder for local kids under 18 stats by county:

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https://datacenter.kidscount.org/data/tables/4490-under-18-child-population-by-race-ethnicity?loc=49&loct=5#detailed/5/6947-6985/false/870,573,869,36,868,867,133,38,35,18/3,724,142,2,4533,71,1,13/10512,10513

Place holder for local Demographic kids stats for your county:

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https://www.courts.wa.gov/subsite/wsccr/docs/2018DTR.pdf

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Advocate usually first appointed somewhere in here…

…but could be at anytime after the initial Shelter Care Hearing.

Safety Planning: What can be put in place to �return child to parent while parent works on case plan?

Case Planning: what change in parent behavior or circumstances need to occur in order to return to parents’ care

– and what services, supports will help parent get there?

RETURN HOME?

Trial Return Home�(6 months)�

The Role and �Mission of Dependent�Child Advocacy

WHAT YOU’LL BE EXPECTED TO DO AS A CHILD ADVOCATE

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Role and mission

Our Program’s Mission Statement:

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Washington Association of Child Advocate Programs mission statement:

To support and promote child advocate programs serving children in dependency in Washington state through legislative advocacy, training and capacity building.

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Key responsibilities of a Child Advocate

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Gather Info: Gather objective information regarding the situation and history of the child’s environment, relationship and needs�

Identify Needs: Identify appropriate resources and services for the child and family to expedite permanency and reunification�

Make Recommendations: Speak up and make sure that the team knows what the child and family needs to be successful and uniquely tailored

Monitor Progress: �Ensure that all parts of the process are working properly and in a timely matter to the benefit of the child�

Actively Advocate: Keep the system accountable! Make sure that needs are addressed and recommendations followed!

Key responsibilities of a Child Advocate

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Gather Info: Gather objective information regarding the situation and history of the child’s environment, relationship and needs�

Identify Needs: Identify appropriate resources and services for the child and family to expedite permanency and reunification�

Make Recommendations: Speak up and make sure that the team knows what the child and family needs to be successful and uniquely tailored

Monitor Progress: �Ensure that all parts of the process are working properly and in a timely matter to the benefit of the child�

Actively Advocate: Keep the system accountable! Make sure that needs are addressed and recommendations followed!

���Statutory duties:�RCW 13.34.105

• (1) Unless otherwise directed by the court, the duties of the guardian ad litem for a child subject to a proceeding under this chapter, including an attorney specifically appointed by the court to serve as a guardian ad litem, include but are not limited to the following:�
• (a) To investigate, collect relevant information about the child's situation, and report to the court factual information regarding the best interests of the child;�
• (b) To meet with, interview, or observe the child, depending on the child's age and developmental status, and report to the court any views or positions expressed by the child on issues pending before the court;�
• (c) To monitor all court orders for compliance and to bring to the court's attention any change in circumstances that may require a modification of the court's order;�
• (d) To report to the court information on the legal status of a child's membership in any Indian tribe or band;�
• (e) Court-appointed special advocates and guardians ad litem may make recommendations based upon an independent investigation regarding the best interests of the child, which the court may consider and weigh in conjunction with the recommendations of all of the parties;�
• (f) To represent and be an advocate for the best interests of the child;�
• (g) To inform the child, if the child is twelve years old or older, of his or her right to request counsel and to ask the child whether he or she wishes to have counsel.

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The role and mission of our Advocacy

Additional responsibilities:�

• Visit the child every 30 days�
• Attend 12 hours of annual training�
• Agree to annual background check update; fingerprints every 3 years�
• Actively advocate for any children to whom you are appointed �
• Provide a written report to the court prior to every hearing (unless told one is not necessary)�
• Maintain sufficient communication with your advocate supervisor�
• Let your coordinator know when you are no longer able to perform your duties (please…no ghosting!)

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Role and mission

Our program’s volunteer job description and county specific policies

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Introduction to Best Interests

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• With a partner, take a few minutes to brainstorm things/activities/concepts that you both agree on that are “in a child’s best interest.”

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• Jot your list down on a piece of paper use in a few minutes.

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Understanding the �“Best Interests” Principle

There is no universal standard or �definition of a child’s “best interests.”�

However, there are some mutually agreed upon principles and assumptions:

• Parent-child reunification is the legislative intent of any DCYF intervention;
• But if there is a conflict between parents rights and child’s rights, child rights should prevail.
• Not the same thing as the child’s wishes/wants
• In cases where the Indian Child Welfare Act applies, it’s always in the Indian child’s best interest for the tribe to make “best interests” determinations.
• It’s not your personal “best interests” beliefs, either!

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Understanding the �“Best Interests” Principle

There are three key components to best interests:

• Safety
• Permanence
• Well-Being

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�“Best Interests” Principle vs. Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs

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https://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html

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Simple

Complex

Minimum sufficient level of care

Where your advocacy can �make a huge impact�for a child!

Reunification is the goal*

• It’s a state and federal statutory mandate
• Reunification is also a moral and ethical mandate, too:
• We haven’t figured out foster care
• “Family is a fundamental building block of our society”
• Who determines what “family” means
• Who defines “proper” parenting?
• Research indicates kids do better with family (and by family, we mean extended family, family culture, etc.)
• There is inherent harm and trauma from removing a child from the only home they’ve ever known – is our “cure is more harmful than the disease?”��* - absent absolutely horrific and unchangeable circumstances

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Special Guest

Parent Ally

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