Dependency Summit 2008

Workshops from Thursday, August 28, 2008 : Page 2 of 2
	The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA): Implications for Policy and Practice in Florida \| View Slide Presentation (PDF) Judge Jones, author of The Indian Child Welfare Act Handbook, discusses the federal mandates and protections provided American Indian and Alaskan Native children under the Indian Child Welfare Act (25 U.S.C. 1901, et seq). His presentation includes a summary of the historical basis for the Act, judicial procedures and implications for child welfare practice. Information specific to Florida policy, practice and compliance with the provisions of the Act is provided. Presenters: B.J. Jones, Chief Judge Sisseton, Wahpeton Oyate; Linda Johns, Department of Children & Families Post-test and Training Certificate Available (1.5 Training Hours)
	Key Strategies for Family Engagement and Kinship Care Teamwork To reduce the number of children in traditional foster care placements, new strategies for family engagement need to be developed. Florida’s family demography provides both challenges and opportunities to explore relative and kinship placements if innovative teamwork strategies are developed and implemented. This session examines the emotional ties and economic realities in looking at these kinship and extended family options. Presenters: Jack Levine, 4Generations Institute; Ron Morris, Advocate and Philanthropist
	Public Benefits & Educational Issues for Children in Foster Care \| View Slide Presentation (PDF) What are the federal issues affecting children in foster care? Learn the benefits of state and federal programs, how children qualify, who should apply, and what to do if the child is denied. The programs discussed include Social Security (on the child’s parent’s or guardian’s account), Supplemental Security Income (the child’s own disability), Veteran’s Benefits, Medicaid, and Educational programs such as McKinney-Vento. Presenters: Denise Arnold, Agency for Persons with Disabilities; Terri McGarrity, Agency for Persons with Disabilities Post-test and Training Certificate Available (1.5 Training Hours)
	Serving Adolescents with Co-Occurring Disorders \| View Slide Presentation (PDF) This workshop focuses on the complex and evolving presentation of adolescents who have co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Developmental Pathways are explored and evidence-based screening, assessment and intervention strategies are presented with links provided for supplemental material. Presenter: Holly A. Hills, Ph.D, University of South Florida Post-test and Training Certificate Available (1.5 Training Hours)
	Structured Decision Making: A Research Approach to Improving Outcomes \| View Slide Presentation (PDF) Building on over 20 years of experience, the Children’s Research Center has developed a comprehensive case management model known as Structured Decision Making for Child Protection. This presentation is designed to provide an overview of the model; its philosophical and research basis; and a brief look at some of the assessment tools, the related definitions, and the corresponding policies and procedures used in daily practice. In addition, the presentation provides the most recent research on a new Structured Decision Making component being designed for use with foster/relative care providers. Presenter: Janice Ereth, Ph.D., Children’s Research Center of the National Council on Crime and Delinquency
	Transition Needs of Youth with Disabilities \| View Slide Presentation (PDF) A significant percent of youth who age out of foster care have one or more disabilities. Thus the challenges of transition are multiplied, as are the resources available to help those youth. This workshop helps participants understand the unique transitional needs of youth with disabilities and offers tools and resources to help ensure that the community resources are in place when they exit the system of care. Presenters: Andrea Khoury, ABA, Center on Children and the Law; Andrea L. Moore, Florida’s Children First, Inc.; Robin L. Rosenberg, Florida’s Children First, Inc.; Barry Shalinsky, Florida’s Children First, Inc.
	What Is New with The Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children in Florida? \| View Slide Presentation (PDF) Shortening the time for processing of Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children requests is a priority of the Department of Children & Families. Through electronic transmission of the processing of requests, the timeframe for completing these requests has been reduced. Under the Safe and Timely Interstate Placement of Foster Children Act of 2006, each state’s court improvement program was required to conduct an assessment on their Interstate Compact and Placement of Children methods/system. Florida’s assessment lists recommendations - based on findings from case file reviews, surveys, and a focus group - on ways the court can expedite this process. In the court portion of this workshop, the presenter shares the assessment findings and recommendations with workshop participants. Presenters: John K. Couch, Office of the State Courts Administrator; H. Stephen Pennypacker, Esq., Department of Children & Families Post-test and Training Certificate Available (1.0 Training Hours)

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