Common use of Child Maltreatment in Care Clause in Contracts

Child Maltreatment in Care. This period, DHS achieved an important and necessary reduction in the maltreatment of children (MIC) in DHS custody. For this Commentary, which reflects data for the period of October 31, 2017 to September 30, 2018, DHS reported its greatest gains on the two principal child safety metrics, 1a: MIC by a resource caregiver and 1b: MIC by a parent. In fact, DHS exceeded the Target Outcome on Metric 1b this period and thereby secured the safety of over 99 percent of children in DHS custody while in the care of their parents. For Metric 1a, which measures child maltreatment in xxxxxx homes and institutional settings, DHS reported this period a sharp decline in the incidence of abuse and neglect in institutional settings. This positive decline is the result of DHS’ focused oversight and resolution of identified safety concerns at many institutional settings through intensified monitoring and engagement and contractual enforcements, as well as a placing a hold on any new child placements in specific facilities. DHS’ focused efforts contributed to a substantial reduction in the incidence of child maltreatment in institutional settings this period. The Co-Neutrals commend DHS on this achievement and urge the department to sustain, and build upon, the gains it has made in creating a safer system for children than the one that existed in Oklahoma at the time this litigation was brought. In the area of xxxxxx homes, the department developed in 2015 a set of initiatives designed to address recurrent concerns surfaced by the Co-Neutrals and DHS in their respective case record reviews of substantiated child maltreatment in xxxxxx homes. These identified areas of concern included the prevalence of maltreatment in xxxxxx homes with previous maltreatment referral histories; inadequate child safety assessments during caseworker visits with xxxxxx families and children; and the approval of xxxxxx homes that appear to lack the protective capacities to ensure the safety of children. Due to ongoing challenges to improve the quality of its work in these areas, last period DHS developed an expanded set of core strategies with the specific purpose of ensuring caseworkers have sufficient training, guidance and resources to execute these practices as intended and thereby prevent child maltreatment in xxxxxx homes. During the current report period, the Co-Neutrals assess that DHS substantially increased its focused efforts to implement its expanded core strategies in the field. The Co-Neutrals are encouraged by the scope and depth of these strategies to address the department’s historical challenge to remedy longstanding case practice concerns that have contributed to child maltreatment in xxxxxx homes. DHS must continue its good faith efforts to implement thoroughly these strategies in order to achieve substantial and sustained progress in child safety. For this report period, the Co-Neutrals find that DHS made good faith efforts to achieve the Target Outcomes for the child maltreatment metrics. This finding is based on DHS’ rigorous oversight of institutional settings which resulted in a substantial reduction of child maltreatment in these placements and the department’s focused efforts to develop structures and processes to ensure caseworkers develop the necessary skills to prevent child maltreatment in xxxxxx homes. DHS’ improved performance on both Metric 1a and 1b, reflects these efforts. When both metrics are combined, 94 fewer children in DHS custody were maltreated this period when compared to last period, a very strong movement in the right direction. Preliminary child maltreatment data for the next report period, ending March 31, 2019, indicates that these efforts continue to yield improved child safety outcomes.

Child Maltreatment in Care. This periodEnsuring the safety of children placed in DHS’ custody must be the department’s paramount priority. Over the course of this reform effort, DHS achieved an important has struggled to achieve substantial and necessary reduction in the maltreatment of children (MIC) in DHS custody. For this Commentary, which reflects data for the period of October 31, 2017 to September 30, 2018, DHS reported its greatest gains sustained progress on the two principal child safety metrics, 1a: MIC by a resource caregiver and 1b: MIC by a parent. In fact, DHS exceeded the Target Outcome on Metric 1b this period and thereby secured established to measure the safety of over 99 percent of children in DHS custody while in the care of their parentscustody. For this Commentary, the Co-Neutrals reviewed data for the period of April 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018. DHS reported a slight improvement in child safety under Metric 1b, and a lack of significant progress improving children’s safety for Metric 1a, which measures child maltreatment in xxxxxx homes and institutional settings, DHS reported this period a sharp decline in . To reduce the incidence of abuse and neglect of children while in institutional settings. This positive decline is the result DHS custody, in August 2015, DHS developed and began implementation of DHS’ focused oversight and resolution of identified safety concerns at many institutional settings through intensified monitoring and engagement and contractual enforcements, as well as a placing a hold on any new child placements in specific facilities. DHS’ focused efforts contributed to a substantial reduction in the incidence of child maltreatment in institutional settings this period. The Co-Neutrals commend DHS on this achievement and urge the department to sustain, and build upon, the gains it has made in creating a safer system for children than the one that existed in Oklahoma at the time this litigation was brought. In the area of xxxxxx homes, the department developed in 2015 a set of initiatives core strategies designed to address recurrent concerns surfaced by in case record reviews of maltreatment investigations, as described in previous Commentaries. Both the Co-Neutrals and DHS in their respective case record have continued to conduct ongoing reviews of all substantiated child maltreatment in xxxxxx homesinvestigations over the past three years to understand the causes of child maltreatment and assess DHS’ efforts to prevent it. DHS and the Co-Neutrals agree these reviews have continued to identify the same systemic practice concerns that correlate with maltreatment. These identified areas of concern included concerns, which have been surfaced since the prevalence of maltreatment in xxxxxx homes with Co-Neutrals’ first case record review, are: previous maltreatment referral histories; inadequate child safety assessments during caseworker the quality of worker visits with xxxxxx families and children; and the home approval of xxxxxx homes that appear process. DHS undertook some efforts this period to lack the protective capacities to ensure the safety of children. Due to ongoing challenges to improve the quality of its work develop new guidance and training for staff in these areas, last period DHS developed an expanded set of core strategies with the specific purpose areas of ensuring caseworkers case practice that have sufficient training, guidance and resources been identified as contributing to execute these practices as intended and thereby prevent child maltreatment in xxxxxx homesrecent years, particularly in family-based settings. During These practice initiatives are new and were not implemented in the current report field until after the close of the period. DHS must closely monitor their implementation and respond promptly if the desired transfer of learning and outcomes do not improve child safety. In the area of institutional settings, the Co-Neutrals assess reported extensively in their last Commentary on the lack of safety of children placed at the state-operated Xxxxx Xxxxxx shelter. These conditions continued during the current report period resulting in substantiated instances of child maltreatment. The Co-Neutrals’ previous Commentary discussion is fully incorporated here by reference. During the current period, the rate of child maltreatment dramatically rose at the shelter, resulting in the confirmed maltreatment of 13 children this report period.10 DHS did not achieve a reduction in child maltreatment in institutional settings; nine more children were maltreated in institutional settings this period when compared with 10 The 13 MIC substantiations confirmed at Xxxxx Xxxxxx represent 11 unique children. last period. As discussed in detail in the Co-Neutrals’ Tenth Commentary, a significant barrier to DHS’ reduction in child maltreatment this data period was the high rate of maltreatment experienced by children placed at Xxxxx Xxxxxx. DHS began during this period to design and implement some additional initiatives intended to address longstanding practice deficiencies and advance the state’s efforts to reduce maltreatment in care. However, DHS reported a higher number and rate of children who experienced maltreatment in both family-based and institutional settings compared to the last period and did not achieve a reduction in child maltreatment. The department’s efforts to do so this period were not adequate to make substantial and sustained progress toward the Target Outcome. However, if DHS’ new plans and initiatives are implemented well in the future, these efforts could yield important and necessary progress toward increased safety for children in DHS custody. The Co-Neutrals’ assessment for the current period is that DHS substantially increased its focused did not make good faith efforts this period to prevent child maltreatment. The Co-Neutrals’ assessment of the department’s efforts next period, extending through December 31, 2018, will be informed by the quality and focus of DHS’ efforts to implement its expanded core strategies in the field. The Co-Neutrals are encouraged by the scope and depth of these strategies to address the department’s historical challenge to remedy longstanding case practice concerns that have contributed to improve child maltreatment safety in xxxxxx homes. DHS must continue its good faith efforts to implement thoroughly these strategies in order to achieve substantial homes and sustained progress in child safety. For this report period, the Co-Neutrals find that DHS made good faith efforts to achieve the Target Outcomes for the child maltreatment metrics. This finding is based on DHS’ rigorous oversight of institutional settings which resulted in a substantial reduction of child maltreatment in these placements and the department’s focused efforts to develop structures and processes to ensure caseworkers develop the necessary skills to prevent child maltreatment in xxxxxx homes. DHS’ improved performance on both Metric 1a and 1b, reflects these efforts. When both metrics are combined, 94 fewer children in DHS custody were maltreated this period when compared to last period, a very strong movement in the right direction. Preliminary child maltreatment data for the next report period, ending March 31, 2019, indicates that these efforts continue to yield improved child safety outcomessettings.

Child Maltreatment in Care. This periodOver the last six years, DHS achieved an important has improved its child welfare system and necessary reduction in the maltreatment of children (MIC) in DHS custody. For this Commentary, which reflects data for the period of October 31, 2017 practice to September 30, 2018, DHS reported its greatest gains on the two principal child safety metrics, 1a: MIC by a resource caregiver and 1b: MIC by a parent. In fact, DHS exceeded the Target Outcome on Metric 1b this period and thereby secured better protect the safety of over 99 percent children in DHS’ custody and reduce maltreatment in care (MIC). Comprehensive and necessary work continues to safeguard and promote the health and well-being of children in DHS custody while in the care of their parents. For Metric 1a, which measures child maltreatment in xxxxxx homes and institutional settings, DHS reported this period a sharp decline in the incidence of abuse and neglect in institutional settings. This positive decline is the result of DHS’ focused oversight and resolution of identified safety concerns at many institutional settings through intensified monitoring and engagement and contractual enforcements, as well as a placing a hold on any new child placements in specific facilities. DHS’ focused efforts contributed to a substantial reduction in the incidence of child maltreatment in institutional settings this period. The Co-Neutrals commend DHS on this achievement and urge the department to sustain, and build upon, the gains it has made in creating a safer system for children than the one that existed in Oklahoma at the time this litigation was brought. In the area of xxxxxx homes, the department developed in 2015 a set of initiatives designed to address recurrent concerns surfaced by the Co-Neutrals and DHS in their respective case record reviews of substantiated child maltreatment in xxxxxx homes. These identified areas of concern included the prevalence of maltreatment in xxxxxx homes with previous maltreatment referral histories; inadequate child safety assessments during caseworker visits with xxxxxx families and children; and the approval of xxxxxx homes that appear to lack the protective capacities to ensure the safety of children. Due to ongoing challenges to improve the quality of its work in these areas, last period DHS developed an expanded set of core strategies with the specific purpose of ensuring caseworkers have sufficient training, guidance and resources to execute these practices as intended and thereby prevent child maltreatment in xxxxxx homes. During the current report period, the Co-Neutrals assess that DHS substantially increased its focused efforts to implement its expanded core strategies in the field. The Co-Neutrals are encouraged by the scope and depth of these strategies to address the department’s historical challenge to remedy longstanding case practice concerns that have contributed to child maltreatment in xxxxxx homes. DHS must continue its good faith efforts to implement thoroughly these strategies in order to achieve substantial and sustained progress in child safetycare. For this report period, the Co-Neutrals find that DHS made good faith efforts to achieve substantial and sustained progress toward the Target Outcomes for the two safety measures for children in DHS custody: Metric 1a, MIC by a resource caregiver, and Metric 1b, MIC by a parent. For the third consecutive period, DHS achieved the Target Outcome for Metric 1b, MIC by a parent. DHS also continued to report that the number of children in care who experienced maltreatment by caregivers in institutional settings remained relatively low compared to previous report periods, including a decrease of 64 percent in the total number of children (44 to 16) maltreated in higher-level settings over the last two years and a decrease of 33 percent (24 to 16) over the previous year.17 17 Three and a half years ago during the period of April 2017 to March 2018, DHS reported a total of 69 children in care were victims of maltreatment in institutional settings, an increase of 77 percent over the current report period. The department’s efforts with respect to preventing child maltreatment metricsover the past six years have been multi-faceted and data-informed, but they have been variably effective, much more so with respect to enhanced safety in parental placements and congregate settings than in kinship-relative and DHS- traditional xxxxxx home placements. This finding is based on DHS’ rigorous oversight period DHS reported one of institutional settings which resulted its lowest totals of children maltreated in a substantial reduction institutions but also an increase in the prevalence of child maltreatment by resource caregivers in these placements family-based settings. It is this latter development that requires ongoing, vigorous attention as described in this section. As outlined below, DHS continued this period to conduct comprehensive record reviews of every incident of MIC in a family-based setting to identify where practice improvements are needed to achieve better safety outcomes in xxxxxx homes. Through separate case record reviews, DHS and the department’s focused efforts Co-Neutrals identified opportunities to develop structures strengthen the safety assessments completed during certain monthly visits with children in care and processes to ensure caseworkers develop the necessary skills their xxxxxx parents as a way to prevent child maltreatment in xxxxxx homes. DHS’ improved performance on both Metric 1a and 1bAs outlined below, reflects these efforts. When both metrics are combined, 94 fewer children in DHS custody were maltreated leadership reported ongoing efforts this period when compared to last period, a very strong movement improve the quality of caseworkers’ monthly visits with xxxxxx parents and the children placed in the right direction. Preliminary child maltreatment data for the next report period, ending March 31, 2019, indicates that these efforts continue to yield improved child safety outcomestheir homes.

Child Maltreatment in Care. This periodOver the last six years, DHS achieved an important has improved its child welfare system and necessary reduction in the maltreatment of children (MIC) in DHS custody. For this Commentary, which reflects data for the period of October 31, 2017 practice to September 30, 2018, DHS reported its greatest gains on the two principal child safety metrics, 1a: MIC by a resource caregiver and 1b: MIC by a parent. In fact, DHS exceeded the Target Outcome on Metric 1b this period and thereby secured better protect the safety of over 99 percent children in DHS’ custody and reduce maltreatment in care (MIC). Comprehensive and necessary work continues to safeguard and promote the health and well-being of children in DHS custody while in the care of their parents. For Metric 1a, which measures child maltreatment in xxxxxx homes and institutional settings, DHS reported this period a sharp decline in the incidence of abuse and neglect in institutional settings. This positive decline is the result of DHS’ focused oversight and resolution of identified safety concerns at many institutional settings through intensified monitoring and engagement and contractual enforcements, as well as a placing a hold on any new child placements in specific facilities. DHS’ focused efforts contributed to a substantial reduction in the incidence of child maltreatment in institutional settings this period. The Co-Neutrals commend DHS on this achievement and urge the department to sustain, and build upon, the gains it has made in creating a safer system for children than the one that existed in Oklahoma at the time this litigation was brought. In the area of xxxxxx homes, the department developed in 2015 a set of initiatives designed to address recurrent concerns surfaced by the Co-Neutrals and DHS in their respective case record reviews of substantiated child maltreatment in xxxxxx homes. These identified areas of concern included the prevalence of maltreatment in xxxxxx homes with previous maltreatment referral histories; inadequate child safety assessments during caseworker visits with xxxxxx families and children; and the approval of xxxxxx homes that appear to lack the protective capacities to ensure the safety of children. Due to ongoing challenges to improve the quality of its work in these areas, last period DHS developed an expanded set of core strategies with the specific purpose of ensuring caseworkers have sufficient training, guidance and resources to execute these practices as intended and thereby prevent child maltreatment in xxxxxx homes. During the current report period, the Co-Neutrals assess that DHS substantially increased its focused efforts to implement its expanded core strategies in the field. The Co-Neutrals are encouraged by the scope and depth of these strategies to address the department’s historical challenge to remedy longstanding case practice concerns that have contributed to child maltreatment in xxxxxx homes. DHS must continue its good faith efforts to implement thoroughly these strategies in order to achieve substantial and sustained progress in child safetycare. For this report period, the Co-Neutrals find that DHS made good faith efforts to achieve substantial and sustained progress toward the Target Outcomes for the child two safety measures for children in DHS custody: Metric 1a, MIC by a resource caregiver, and Metric 1b, MIC by a parent. For the second consecutive period, DHS achieved the Target Outcome for Metric 1b, MIC by a parent. Further, DHS reported this period that the number of children in care who experienced maltreatment metricsby caregivers in institutional settings decreased by 58 percent in the last year alone and reached a record low. However, this period DHS also reported an increase in the prevalence of maltreatment among children in care in family-based settings, which offset the positive gains the department achieved in this performance measure through enhanced safety for children placed in institutions. As outlined below, DHS continued this period to conduct comprehensive record reviews of every incident of maltreatment in care in a family- based setting to identify where practice improvements are needed to achieve better safety outcomes in xxxxxx homes. This finding is based on DHSperiod the department also undertook new efforts to improve the quality of caseworkers’ rigorous oversight of institutional settings which resulted in a substantial reduction of child maltreatment in these placements monthly visits with xxxxxx parents and the department’s focused efforts children placed in their homes. Through separate case record reviews, DHS and the Co-Neutrals identified deficiencies in the safety assessments completed during these visits as a prominent, contributing factor to develop structures and processes to ensure caseworkers develop the necessary skills to prevent child risk of maltreatment in xxxxxx homes. DHS’ improved performance on both Metric 1a and 1bIn order to reduce maltreatment in care in family-settings, reflects these efforts. When both metrics are combinedthe department must be very focused in its efforts to strengthen child safety, 94 fewer children particularly in DHS custody were maltreated this period when compared to last period, a very strong movement in the right direction. Preliminary child maltreatment data for the next report period, ending March 31, 2019, indicates that these efforts continue to yield improved child safety outcomesxxxxxx homes.

Child Maltreatment in Care. ‌ This period, DHS achieved an important and necessary reduction in the maltreatment of children (MIC) in DHS custody. For this Commentary, which reflects data for the period of from October 311, 2017 2018 to September 30, 20182019, DHS reported its greatest gains on the two principal child safety metrics, 1a: MIC by a resource caregiver and 1b: MIC by a parent. In fact, DHS exceeded the Target Outcome on Metric 1b this period and thereby secured best overall performance to date with respect to the safety of over 99 percent of children in DHS custody while in the care of their parentswho are placed with resource caregivers. For Metric 1a, which measures child the maltreatment of children in DHS custody in xxxxxx homes and institutional settings, DHS reported this period a sharp decline in the incidence of abuse and neglect in institutional settings. This positive decline is the result of DHS’ focused oversight and resolution of identified safety concerns at many institutional settings through intensified monitoring and engagement and contractual enforcements, as well as a placing a hold on any new child placements in specific facilities. DHS’ focused efforts contributed to a most substantial reduction in the incidence number of child children found to be victims of abuse and/or neglect during this reform. Improved safety in xxxxxx home settings, during this and the last report period, is the leading factor for the marked decrease in the number of children who experienced maltreatment by a resource caregiver. DHS reduced by 58 percent the number of children in DHS custody who experienced maltreatment in institutional settings this perioda xxxxxx home setting compared to the same 12-month period one year ago (October 1, 2017 to September 30, 2018). The Co-Neutrals commend DHS on this achievement DHS’ implementation and urge ongoing refinement of core strategies the department to sustain, and build upon, the gains it has made in creating a safer system for children than the one that existed in Oklahoma at the time this litigation was brought. In the area of xxxxxx homes, the department first developed in 2015 a set of initiatives have, over the last five years, substantially shifted the department’s child welfare case practice to focus on child safety. These strategies were designed to address recurrent recurring concerns surfaced by DHS and the Co-Neutrals and DHS in their respective case record reviews of substantiated child maltreatment in xxxxxx homes. These The identified areas of concern included the prevalence of maltreatment in xxxxxx homes with previous maltreatment referral histories; inadequate child safety assessments during caseworker visits with xxxxxx families and children; and the approval of xxxxxx homes that appear to lack the protective capacities to ensure the safety of children. Due to ongoing challenges to improve the quality of its work in Continuing through this report period, DHS has expanded on these areas, last period DHS developed an expanded set of core strategies with the specific purpose of ensuring caseworkers have sufficient training, guidance and resources to execute these practices as intended and thereby prevent child maltreatment in xxxxxx homes. During the current report period, the Co-Neutrals assess that DHS substantially increased its focused DHS’ efforts to implement its expanded core strategies strengthen casework practices focused on safety also impact Metric 1b, which measures maltreatment of children in the fieldDHS custody by a parent. The Co-Neutrals are encouraged by the scope and depth of these strategies to address the department’s historical challenge performance this period for Metric 1b, as detailed below, remains close to remedy longstanding case practice concerns that have contributed the Target Outcome and improved slightly compared to child maltreatment in xxxxxx homes. DHS must continue its good faith efforts to implement thoroughly these strategies in order to achieve substantial and sustained progress in child safetythe last period. For this report period, the Co-Neutrals find that DHS remained focused on implementing its core strategies to improve safety and that DHS made good faith efforts to achieve substantial and sustained progress toward the Target Outcomes for the child maltreatment metrics. This finding is based on DHS’ rigorous oversight of institutional settings which resulted in a substantial reduction of child maltreatment in these placements and the department’s focused efforts to develop structures and processes to ensure caseworkers develop the necessary skills to prevent child maltreatment in xxxxxx homes. DHS’ improved performance on both Metric 1a and 1b, reflects these efforts. When both metrics are combined, 94 fewer children in DHS custody were maltreated this period when compared to last period, a very strong movement in the right direction. Preliminary child maltreatment data for the next report period, ending March 31, 2019, indicates that these efforts continue to yield improved child safety outcomescare (MIC) metrics.