Achieving Permanence Achieving Permanence for Youth Living in for Youth Living in Group HomesGroup Homes

Carroll SchroederCarroll SchroederExecutive Director, California Alliance of Child and Family Executive Director, California Alliance of Child and Family ServicesServices

Erik SternadErik SternadExecutive Director, Stanford Home for ChildrenExecutive Director, Stanford Home for Children

What is a group home?What is a group home?

Community Care Licensing says group Community Care Licensing says group homes are:homes are: FacilitiesFacilities of any capacity of any capacity That provide 24-hour non-medical That provide 24-hour non-medical care and care and

supervisionsupervision To To childrenchildren In a In a structured environmentstructured environment. .

Group Homes provide social, psychological, and Group Homes provide social, psychological, and behavioral behavioral programs for troubled youthsprograms for troubled youths..

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Who places youth in group Who places youth in group homes?homes?

County child welfare departments (WIC 300)County child welfare departments (WIC 300) County probation departments (WIC 600)County probation departments (WIC 600) Parents through county mental health Parents through county mental health

departments pursuant to IEPs. (AB 3632)departments pursuant to IEPs. (AB 3632)

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Why are youth placed in Why are youth placed in group homes?group homes?

Your turnYour turn Boiled down to essentials:Boiled down to essentials:

Keep youth safeKeep youth safe Don’t discharge themDon’t discharge them Make sure they go to schoolMake sure they go to school Keep them out of troubleKeep them out of trouble

Are they placed in group homes to achieve Are they placed in group homes to achieve permanency?permanency?

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How have group homes been How have group homes been used? used? Old modelOld model: Kids with behavioral challenges : Kids with behavioral challenges

grow up in group homes.grow up in group homes.ActualityActuality: Kids with behavioral challenges : Kids with behavioral challenges bounce around from group home to group bounce around from group home to group home until they emancipate.home until they emancipate.

Emerging modelEmerging model: Group homes provide short-: Group homes provide short-term interventions for youth whose needs term interventions for youth whose needs temporarily cannot be safely met in the temporarily cannot be safely met in the community.community.

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An evolution in expectationsAn evolution in expectations HavenHaven for displaced children for displaced children

A new home, a better place to liveA new home, a better place to live CorrectionCorrection for difficult children for difficult children

Teaching them to act responsiblyTeaching them to act responsibly TreatmentTreatment for troubled children for troubled children

Remediating psychological disordersRemediating psychological disorders

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What to we mean by What to we mean by permanency?permanency? For foster children and youth,For foster children and youth, A lifelong connection with a A lifelong connection with a committed adultcommitted adult

who provides: who provides: A safe, stable and secure parenting relationship; A safe, stable and secure parenting relationship; Love; Love; Unconditional commitment; and Unconditional commitment; and Lifelong support.Lifelong support.

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2 means of achieving 2 means of achieving permanencypermanency Restore families’ capacity to safely care for Restore families’ capacity to safely care for

and nurture their own children (reunification)and nurture their own children (reunification) Build alternative families throughBuild alternative families through

AdoptionAdoption Kin GuardianshipKin Guardianship Other committed lifelong relationshipOther committed lifelong relationship

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Why might group homes Why might group homes not be supportive of not be supportive of reunification?reunification?

ProbationProbation

Child ‘s criminal or Child ‘s criminal or delinquent behaviordelinquent behavior

Can’t or won’t Can’t or won’t control youth’s control youth’s behaviorbehavior

Control youth’s Control youth’s behavior (instead of behavior (instead of parents)parents)

Placing agencyPlacing agency

Reason for Reason for placing youthplacing youth

Implied role of Implied role of parentparent

Implied role of Implied role of group homegroup home

They may see parents as They may see parents as incompetentincompetent

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Placing agencyPlacing agency

Reason for placing Reason for placing youthyouth

Implied role of Implied role of parentparent

Implied role of Implied role of group homegroup home

They may see parents as They may see parents as dangerousdangerous

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C.P.S.C.P.S.

Youth is abused or Youth is abused or neglectedneglected

Abusive or neglectfulAbusive or neglectful

Protect youth from Protect youth from parents…and control parents…and control youth’s behavioryouth’s behavior

Placing agencyPlacing agency

Reason for Reason for placing youthplacing youth

Implied role of Implied role of parentparent

Implied role of Implied role of group homegroup home

They may see parents as They may see parents as pathologicalpathological

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Mental HealthMental Health

Youth is emotionally Youth is emotionally disturbeddisturbed

Caused disturbance Caused disturbance through bad genes or through bad genes or bad parentingbad parenting

Cure youth’s illness Cure youth’s illness caused by parents…caused by parents…and control youth’s and control youth’s behaviorbehavior

SummarySummary

Group home staff may see parents as Group home staff may see parents as causecause of youth’s problems.of youth’s problems.

May see other family members as somehow May see other family members as somehow contributing to youth’s problems.contributing to youth’s problems. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

May see job as May see job as rescuingrescuing or protecting youth or protecting youth from negative influence of family.from negative influence of family.

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Why might group homes Why might group homes not be supportive of not be supportive of other permanency other permanency options?options?

They may not know it’s their They may not know it’s their jobjob Group home staff may be only vaguely aware Group home staff may be only vaguely aware

of the notion of permanence of the notion of permanence Nobody may have told group home staff they Nobody may have told group home staff they

are expected to help achieve permanency for are expected to help achieve permanency for youthyouth

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They may not think it’s They may not think it’s possible or the best thing for possible or the best thing for the youththe youth Group home staff may believe that only they Group home staff may believe that only they

really understand how deeply troubled the really understand how deeply troubled the youth is: It would not be good for the youth to youth is: It would not be good for the youth to live with a family.live with a family.

If prospective permanent connections knew If prospective permanent connections knew the youth’s challenges, they would not really the youth’s challenges, they would not really want the youth permanently.want the youth permanently.

Staff may believe the group home is really a Staff may believe the group home is really a good place for youth, that it meets his/her good place for youth, that it meets his/her needs.needs.

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What is it about group What is it about group homes themselves that homes themselves that may get in the way of may get in the way of permanency?permanency?

A. Permanency is A. Permanency is individualized, not a group individualized, not a group activityactivity Group homes work through Group homes work through groupgroup measures: measures:

Group livingGroup living Group activitiesGroup activities Group therapyGroup therapy

Youth and staff expect all youth to be treated Youth and staff expect all youth to be treated equally.equally.

But, permanency activities are, by their But, permanency activities are, by their nature unequal: nature unequal: They are not the same for each youth.They are not the same for each youth. The are highly individualized.The are highly individualized.

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How do youth succeed in How do youth succeed in group homes?group homes? Group homes require youth to comply with Group homes require youth to comply with

the requirements of the program.the requirements of the program. Program requirements invariably revolve Program requirements invariably revolve

around expected and prohibited behavior:around expected and prohibited behavior: Go to schoolGo to school Don’t get in fightsDon’t get in fights Obey staffObey staff Don’t do drugsDon’t do drugs Etc.Etc.

When youth comply, they are “doing their When youth comply, they are “doing their program,” they are succeedingprogram,” they are succeeding

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B. Group homes may use B. Group homes may use permanency activities to permanency activities to manage behaviormanage behavior Group homes reward desired behavior and Group homes reward desired behavior and

punish prohibited behavior.punish prohibited behavior. Enjoyable activities may be granted to reward Enjoyable activities may be granted to reward

behavior or withheld to punish it.behavior or withheld to punish it. Permanency related activities may be Permanency related activities may be

extremely enjoyable, and may be used to extremely enjoyable, and may be used to reward or punish behavior.reward or punish behavior.

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C. Permanency activities may C. Permanency activities may lead to problematic behaviorlead to problematic behavior In group homes, the most important task is to In group homes, the most important task is to

assure safetyassure safety Key to safety is maintaining order.Key to safety is maintaining order. Keeping a lid on anxiety helps maintain order.Keeping a lid on anxiety helps maintain order. Permanency-related activities may be very Permanency-related activities may be very

anxiety producing.anxiety producing. Visits or missed visitsVisits or missed visits Phone calls or missed phone callsPhone calls or missed phone calls Loyalty conflictsLoyalty conflicts

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D. Most group homes don’t D. Most group homes don’t know how to work with know how to work with family membersfamily members Group home staff are accustomed to working Group home staff are accustomed to working

with youth, not their parents or potential with youth, not their parents or potential parents.parents.

Few group homes have the background, skill Few group homes have the background, skill or capacity to build family members into their or capacity to build family members into their programs.programs.

As a result, group homes may see family As a result, group homes may see family members as meddlesome or burdensome.members as meddlesome or burdensome.

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RememberRemember……

Group home staff are often young, Group home staff are often young, inexperienced, and poorly paid.inexperienced, and poorly paid.

They often feel overworked, overlooked and They often feel overworked, overlooked and unappreciated.unappreciated.

Frequently, they have been hit, spat on and Frequently, they have been hit, spat on and vilified by they youth they are trying to help.vilified by they youth they are trying to help.

They are responsible for the youth 24/7; They are responsible for the youth 24/7; you’re not.you’re not.

Chances are, they are doing the best they Chances are, they are doing the best they can.can.

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How can you help group How can you help group homes support homes support permanency efforts?permanency efforts?

1. Assume the group home is 1. Assume the group home is trying to do what’s right.trying to do what’s right.

Group homes are trying to help the youth Group homes are trying to help the youth based on their view of the youth, their job and based on their view of the youth, their job and what is expected of them.what is expected of them.

The group home’s view may be very different The group home’s view may be very different from yours.from yours. You have knowledge and expectations that may You have knowledge and expectations that may

be different from their’sbe different from their’s

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2. Treat group home staff with 2. Treat group home staff with respect.respect. Find out who is in charge. Speak with him/her Find out who is in charge. Speak with him/her

first, always.first, always. Explain what you are trying to achieve.Explain what you are trying to achieve. Ask the group home staff to explain their Ask the group home staff to explain their

program and how it works.program and how it works. Ask group home staff for their view of the Ask group home staff for their view of the

youth, his/her strengths and needsyouth, his/her strengths and needs Do your best to see things through their eyes and Do your best to see things through their eyes and

feed it back to themfeed it back to them

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Ask who are the key staff working with the Ask who are the key staff working with the youth and ask to meet with them even before youth and ask to meet with them even before you meet with the youthyou meet with the youth

Ask permission before doing anything…and Ask permission before doing anything…and let the youth see you askinglet the youth see you asking

Keep staff fully informed of everything that is Keep staff fully informed of everything that is happening: Over-communicatehappening: Over-communicate

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3. Go out of your way to 3. Go out of your way to make it easy for staff.make it easy for staff. Assume that anything you ask staff to do will Assume that anything you ask staff to do will

be perceived as an imposition, so…be perceived as an imposition, so… Make it as easy for them as possibleMake it as easy for them as possible Whenever possible, ask nothing that requires Whenever possible, ask nothing that requires

extra work of themextra work of them Make them want to help you help the youth Make them want to help you help the youth

achieve permanence because it makes their job achieve permanence because it makes their job easiereasier

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4. Use them for what they’re 4. Use them for what they’re good at.good at. A safe, predictable, durable 24/7 supervision A safe, predictable, durable 24/7 supervision

and crisis intervention living alternative. and crisis intervention living alternative. 24 hour monitoring, behavioral intervention, 24 hour monitoring, behavioral intervention,

and treatment. and treatment. Niche specific treatment approaches (JSO’s, Niche specific treatment approaches (JSO’s,

chemical dependency, etc.).chemical dependency, etc.). Recognition by the court and the community Recognition by the court and the community

as a controlled supervision setting. as a controlled supervision setting.

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5. Introduce the family 5. Introduce the family (permanency option) into the (permanency option) into the group homegroup home Help staff acknowledge that “family” will Help staff acknowledge that “family” will

almost always be more permanent than any almost always be more permanent than any of us. of us.

Include family “voice and choice” in planningInclude family “voice and choice” in planning Faith the size of a mustard seed: Family Faith the size of a mustard seed: Family

growth will lead to youth progress. growth will lead to youth progress. Help staff plan Help staff plan withwith the family, not the family, not forfor the the

family. Their growing capacity is crucial for family. Their growing capacity is crucial for permanency success. permanency success.

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6. Pre-permanency plan6. Pre-permanency plan

Group homes may be afraid to let go of youth Group homes may be afraid to let go of youth for fear they will failfor fear they will fail

So…So… From Day 1, relentlessly pursue permanency From Day 1, relentlessly pursue permanency

through evolving plans for the youth’s return through evolving plans for the youth’s return to the communityto the community Transition plan from group home to communityTransition plan from group home to community Community-based services and support for the Community-based services and support for the

youth and family (wraparound plan)youth and family (wraparound plan)

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7. Share the glory.7. Share the glory.

Share each successful step with group home Share each successful step with group home staffstaff

Thank them for their supportThank them for their support Make sure the youth and family thank them Make sure the youth and family thank them

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Do not…Do not…

Ride in on your white horse to save the youth Ride in on your white horse to save the youth from the horrible group homefrom the horrible group home

Criticize the group home staff or program Criticize the group home staff or program when talking with the youthwhen talking with the youth

Throw your weight around or play the heavy Throw your weight around or play the heavy Assume you know more than group home Assume you know more than group home

staffstaff Return the youth with fries and a CokeReturn the youth with fries and a Coke BlameBlameC E

8. When problems arise…8. When problems arise…

Deal with them directlyDeal with them directly Try to solve the problem at the lowest level Try to solve the problem at the lowest level

first (don’t go to the ED at the first sign of a first (don’t go to the ED at the first sign of a problem)problem)

Bring together everyone who needs to be in Bring together everyone who needs to be in the room to solve the problemthe room to solve the problem

Ask what Ask what youyou can do differently to solve the can do differently to solve the problemproblem

If you need to state your limits, do so directly If you need to state your limits, do so directly and non-threateninglyand non-threateningly

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If you find yourself at If you find yourself at loggerheads with the group loggerheads with the group home, remember…home, remember… ““Who defines problems and sets the agenda Who defines problems and sets the agenda

is a political issue. It is a question of territory.” is a political issue. It is a question of territory.” Lyman WynnLyman Wynn

It’s not important that the group home does It’s not important that the group home does what you want, it’s important that the youth what you want, it’s important that the youth achieves permanenceachieves permanence

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Your chances of success are Your chances of success are greatest…greatest…

When the group home, the youth, the family When the group home, the youth, the family and you are in agreement on the outcome and you are in agreement on the outcome you are trying to achieve and are working you are trying to achieve and are working together to achieve it.together to achieve it.

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