Caseworker Visitation. Quality visits by the same caseworker with the same child are fundamental to achieve stable placements and timely permanency for children, provide opportunities to assess and address children’s safety and well-being, and support xxxxxx parents in their care of xxxxxx children. DHS reports on two performance areas related to caseworker visits: the frequency of caseworker visits, which is defined as the number of required monthly visits completed with children in care; and, the continuity of visits by the same caseworker. For frequency of visits, DHS reports on the following:
Caseworker Visitation. For the performance category of caseworker visits with children in care, the CSA requires DHS to report on two measures: the frequency of caseworker visits, which is defined as the number of required monthly visits completed with children in care; and, continuity of visits by the same caseworker. At this time, DHS is only required to report on the frequency of caseworker visits. DHS and the Co-Neutrals agreed that it would not be reasonable at this early stage of the reform to establish a baseline and measurable targets for continuity of visits as the state is phasing out the use of secondary workers whose responsibilities include conducting the required monthly child visits. Because DHS is transitioning the responsibility for child visits to the primary caseworker in all permanency cases, with minor exceptions allowed, there will be a lack of continuity of caseworker visits until this transition is complete. This change in practice is not due for completion until January 1, 2014, and DHS and the Co-Neutrals are currently working to establish a baseline and target for the first of two continuity measures outlined in the Metrics Plan. For frequency of visits, DHS is reporting in two parts: the percentage of the total minimum number of required monthly face-to-face contacts that took place during the reporting period between any caseworker and children in care for at least one calendar month during the reporting period and the same percentage of face-to-face visits with primary caseworkers only.
Caseworker Visitation. The CSA requires that DHS establish performance targets for two measures on caseworker visits (CSA Section 2.10): the frequency of caseworker visits, which is defined as the number of required monthly visits completed with children in care; and, continuity of visits by the same caseworker. At this time, DHS is only required to report on the frequency of caseworker visits. For frequency of visits, the Metrics Plan establishes that DHS will report the following:
