Cook County Child Protection reports were up slightly from 2017, but over the last three years the numbers of reports of child maltreatment has remained steady.
That was just some of the interesting news coming from the January 15, 2019 Public Health and Human Services board meeting when Public Health and Human Services Director Alison McIntyre presented a 2018 year in review.
In 2018 there were 101 child protection intakes. In 2017 there were 99 child protection intakes and in 2016 there were 100 child protection intakes. The number of annual intakes in the past three years was up significantly from 2015, where there were 68 child protection intakes and 83 recorded in 2014.
A child protection intake is the result of a maltreatment report which could include in-person reports, phone calls or a written report. When a report is received, the details of the report are reviewed as part of the intake, to determine if the report meets the criteria indicated in the Minnesota Maltreatment Guidelines for child maltreatment. An intake is a process to gather accurate information and develop a record.
One of the reasons for the increase over that time is because in 2016 the state made significant changes to the Child Maltreatment screening guidelines. These changes include increased response times and a formal screening process for each report received.
Of the 101 reports received in 2018, 40 percent were screened in (met the criteria) for alleged child maltreatment, and either an assessment or an investigation was done.
An estimated 25-30 percent of the reports were referred to child welfare services or other voluntary services.
While child protection intakes can be jarring to families, they can be equally hard on the social services workers who conduct them.
Children and Family Services Supervisor Grace Bushard said,
“Going into a family’s home is a significant event, and not taken lightly. We want to be very careful and thoughtful.”
However, in situations where children are at serious risk of harm, Bushard made it clear, “The earlier we can intervene to support the well-being of the child and family, the better. We believe that child abuse is 100 percent preventable.”
When asked which type of report is most commonly received by the department, Bushard stated that neglect was number one, followed by physical abuse and then sexual assault. Neglect, however, was by far the most common of the three.
What defines neglect?
Neglect is the most common form of maltreatment. It is usually a failure of a child’s caregiver to:
• Provide needed food, clothing, shelter, medical or mental health care, education or appropriate supervision.
• Protect a child from conditions or actions that endanger the child.
• Take steps to ensure that a child is educated as required by law.
The following also may be considered neglect:
* Exposing a child to certain drugs during pregnancy.
* Causing emotional harm to a child.
“Children who grow up in an environment of constant abuse have poorer outcomes. We help families see how their behaviors affect their child,” she said.
“Our practice is to build on the strengths and resources all families have so they can have a secure, stable life together. I’m sure it doesn’t feel that way to them at the time. It likely feels very intrusive. The earlier we can start working with families to improve their parenting and the safety of the children, the less likely a child will be removed from a home, depending upon what the event is. In order to increase safety in the home, we may ask the parents to bring someone in to the home who can help – such as a family member or friend, or we may also remove the perpetrator – we try to not disrupt the children by removing them from their home.”
When there is a lot of trouble in a home, when the parents can’t keep their child safe and it is not safe for the child to remain in the home, “we ask the parent(s) where they want their children to go – to a family member, a neighbor, or friend’s house. We try to make it less traumatic for the child. And the parents should also have a say in where their child will be staying. These are their children and despite all the struggles that may be going on, they love their children and their children love them.”
In 2016, Cook County only had one foster care provider, today there are six licensed child foster care providers in the county.
Training
Since 2016, Cook County PHHS has introduced additional training for its caseworkers, helping to give them the tools and skills needed in difficult cases.
Cook County social workers received Trauma Informed Care training, which helps in providing early intervention with children, and helps build resiliency and deter abuse. Staff have also participated in Signs of Safety which increased access to tools that help identify safety for children and families.
Staff have also received training in understanding how adverse childhood experiences or ACEs contribute to negative health outcomes for children.
The ACEs study began in the early 1990s and data collected from more than 17,000 patients clearly showed that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), were common; that they had a profound negative effect on health and well-being; and were a prime determinant of the past, current and future health behaviors, social problems, disease incidence, and early death in the study population.
By identifying trauma in a child’s life, said Bushard, “The sooner you respond to it, address it, resolve it, then a child can move forward, be resilient and live a healthy life.”
Cook County PHHS also facilitates a multi-disciplinary team meeting to build relationships between service organizations that support child wellbeing.
Health Care and Financial Assistance
Health Care and Financial Assistance program case counts were also reviewed at the January PHHS board meeting. As of December 2018: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) registered 116 units, which covered 177 individual residents.
Nationally, SNAP is the largest program in the domestic hunger safety net. The Food and Nutrition Service works with state agencies, nutrition educators, and neighborhood and faith-based organizations to ensure that those eligible for nutrition assistance can make informed decisions about applying for the program and can access benefits.
When jobs end, sickness prevails or there isn’t enough money to pay the rent, heat, electric, groceries, etc., the county offers programs that can provide some relief.
As of December 2018, 18 families (56 people) were enrolled in the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) and the Diversionary Work Program (DWP). MFIP and DWP provide temporary cash assistance and employment services to low income families with children.
Thirty-two people received General Assistance or Minnesota Supplemental Assistance (GA or MSA). These programs help people without children who have very low or no income, to pay for basic needs. 1,050 Cook County residents were enrolled in a Minnesota Health Care Program like Medical Assistance (MA) or programs that help with Medicare premiums.
In 2018, $2,318 in Emergency Assistance funds were issued to prevent homelessness or utility shutoff. Three households benefited from this program in 2018 with funds paid directly to utility or housing vendors.
A year of change and a road map forward
Some of the changes faced by PHHS in 2018 included the closure of the Human Development Center; taking on management of the Public Health Community Fund grants; the retirement of four experienced employees; and expanded partnerships with the transition of the universal family home visiting program to Sawtooth Mountain Clinic.
Looking ahead to 2019, department goals include the formation of a local advisory council for adult and children’s mental health; revisions to the tobacco ordinance; increased outreach and communication; and the development of community led health improvement plan.
In summation, PHHS Director Alison McIntyre said, “2018 was another year of great change for the department. Above all, I want to express appreciation for the Public Health and Human Services staff and our partners who help in achieving our mission of supporting the health, safety and well-being of the community.”
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