ExclusiontoInclusion

OurjourneybeforeandafterSignsofSafety

OurHistory:

• FamilyandChildrenServicesofLanarkLeedsandGrenvillewascreatedin2011whentheChildren’sAidSocietyoftheCountyofLanarkandthetownofSmithsFalls,andtheFamilyandChildren’sServicesofLeedsandGrenvilleamalgamated.

FunFact:

• WecoverageographicalareadoublethesizeofRhodeIsland.

• SlightlybiggerthenDelaware.

• SamesizeasPrinceEdwardIsland.

ProblempostAmalgamation:

• OurfocuswasRiskDriven• LackofSingleVision.• Siloeffectwithinunits.• 6Childdeathsinayearandahalf.• 2separatePolicyandProcedureManuals.

TheJourneyBegins:

• MajorRestructuringin2015• SignsofSafetywasintroduced.• NewExecutiveDirectorAppointed.• SignsofSafetyendorsementbyBoardofDirectorsanddedicationofresources.

• ContractwithSafeGenerationtohelpwiththeimplementation.

SofS FamilyTimeline:

Ø 27 openings between 1997 and 2005Ø 4 jurisdictionsConcerns: Domestic Violence

Parenting SkillSubstance abuseLack of SupervisionPoor Mental Health of momPhysical abuse by mom on daughterNeglect

On a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 is you have no trust and feel uncomfortable working with us and 10 is you have complete trust and feel comfortable working with us, where would you rate your overall experience with agency.

0------------------------------------------------7--------------------10

On a scale of 0 to 10 with 10 being a good working relationship with clear understanding of why we became involved and ultimately apprehended your children and 0 being no idea why we were involved or apprehended your children where were you in September 2005?

0------1----------------------------------------------------------------10

“My best hope is to become a crown ward, and then I wouldn’t have to worry about

going home”.

“I would like to go to college or University”.

Youth’sbestHopes:

On a scale from 0 to 10 where 0 is we were not helpful or trustworthy and 10 is we were helpful and you trusted us, where would you rate your overall experience with us.

0--------------------------------------------------------9------10

What brought us up to a 9 for you?

“I would not be addicted to drugs or needing Methadone treatments”

“You traumatized me”

“I don’t like where I am in life”

“I am depressed”

ImpactofCASsupport:

On a Scale of 0 to 10 with 10 being a good working relationship with clear understanding of why we became involved and ultimately apprehended your children and 0 being no idea why we became involved or apprehended your children, where are you on this scale today?

0-----------------------------------------7-----------------10

Engage parents in the process

Set Goals with parents

Work together

Be honest

Acknowledge the flaws in the system.

Whatbroughtyoutoa7?

ExclusiontoInclusion:

• ImprovedRelationshipswithFamilies

• StrongerCommunityconnections

• Collaborationwithcoworkers

Toolsbeingutilized:

• HarmandDangerStatements

• Safetyplans• SafetyJournals• 3Houses• WizardsandFairies• Mappingtools• WordsandPictures

• SafetyGoals• SafetyNetworkMeetings• AppreciativeInquiry• Scalingquestions

Lisha EllistonInvestigator

lisha.elliston@fcsllg.ca 613 264 9991 ext 6014

Christina CampbellService Manager

christina.campbell@fcsllg.ca 613 264 9991 ext 5113

Contacts: