~ Designed to be used Electronically ~

Family Stability

- Collaboration between Child Welfare and Self Sufficiency -

Links, Tools, and Training Suggestions

Goal: Safely and equitably reduce the number of TANF children entering or re-entering Foster Care.

Data Analysis

Although most TANF cases do not end up in Foster Care in Oregon (3-4%), about 36% of families in Foster Care have been on TANF within past 60 days. Additionally, roughly 30% of Child Welfare In-Home cases are also on TANF.

Risk Factors identified:

  • Families with domestic violence
  • Substance abuse issues
  • TANF applicants with one or more prior CW investigations
  • Multiple children, particularly four or more
  • Families with prior TANF disqualifications
  • Multiple child abuse hotline calls or referrals
  • Parents who were teens when they first became parents AND currently experiencing domestic violence issues

Links and Toolsto Support Connections

  • Sharing of Information Guidelines: What information is really needed, and expected to be shared between CW and SS, how and when to share:
  • SS Sharing with CW
  • CW Sharing with SS
  • Domestic Violence Addendum
  • Alcohol & Drug and Mental Health Addendum
  • Resource Matrix:riskfactorsresourcesmatrix.docKnown Resources for identified Risk Factors defined - How they are used, How to access
  • 7823A–Employability Screening Tool:FORMSSelf assessment tool to address employability, safety and family stability, health, and family strengths. This form is an eligibility requirement for all TANF applicants. Recommend revising to better address known risk factors
  • OrKids Viewer access for Self Sufficiency staff: OrKids Viewer(same user name and login as workstation)For use by SS staff to determine if case is open with CW, who the assigned worker is, and contact info.
  • OrKids Viewer training tool for SS StaffOR-Kids Viewer for SS Staff.pdfTool to assist SS staff in identifying key information in the OrKids Viewer
  • TRACS access for Child Welfare staff DHS #783CW IUP: FORMS TRACS access is available on the IUP form for CW staff, with supervisor approval
  • TRACS training tool for Child Welfare staff: TRACS User Guide for CW staffTool to assist CW in identifying key information in TRACS
  • SS case action email boxes:
  • Ex.‘2402 SSPCASETRANSFERS’: Case Transfer email boxes,for usewhen action is needed on a case, and it is unclear who is assigned worker, but you have identified the correct SS branch. Emails are checked daily and routed for action. In Outlook global address book, type assigned SS branch number in format of example provided above
  • Ex. ‘2402 SSPLEADWORKERS’: Lead Worker email distribution groups, goes to all Lead Workers in designated branch
  • CW Staff Tools page: Child Welfare Staff Tools
  • SS Staff Tools page: Self-Sufficiency Staff Tools
  • Family Support & Connections – Referral Form #235 FORMS

Revised to focus on families more likely to have child welfare involvement

  • CW and SS field office directory:

To find contact information and branch numbers for CW and SS branch offices

  • Description for forms or terms not obvious to both CW and SSUNDER CONSTRUCTION
  • Case staffing guidelines - What is needed? And why? UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Training Suggestions

  • Trauma Informed Care: This should be provided to both CW and SS, and should be attended together whenever possible
  • Overview of Differential Response and Oregon Safety Model for SS Staff: see DR Website Differential Response Home

Best Practices and Lessons learned from around the state

  • Develop tip sheet from best practices learned through Family Stability & Employment Initiative pilots
  • Tools to track outcomes, especially as learned from pilots
  • Communication path to support this process

Tip Sheet Ideas

  • Planning for Return Home – TANF, Domestic Violence benefits, JOBS Services, or Employment Related Child Care needed?
  • Child receiving In-Home services by CW, and also TANF? How to coordinate and plan for success
  • Q&A or FAQ
  • How to communicate ongoing participation/engagement, etc.

Last revised date: 3/17/14

*Maintained on the Governance Group website: