The National Family Preservation Network (NFPN) is pleased to present a monograph on one of the most effective child welfare systems in the nation: Allegheny County Department of Human Services in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The monograph describes why Allegheny County's system is so effective and also includes a list of 21 evidence-based practices and programs that have been found effective, or show promise of being effective, in the child welfare system.

NFPN believes that the best outcome is for children to remain with their parents whenever it is safe to do so, and this monograph is one way that NFPN can express its commitment and support to that outcome, and to all of those involved in the child welfare system.

The following is an excerpt from the monograph:

Allegheny County has an effective child welfare system because it focuses first on limited entry and second, on quick exits. The philosophy is to keep families together whenever it is safe to do so, and that message is reinforced in all policies, procedures, and budgeting. By directing a good deal of its own funds to prevention, and working with the community to leverage other funding, many families who otherwise might enter the child welfare system receive a wide variety of community services instead. If a family does enter the system, one-third of the resources are directed to keeping the children with their parents and working with the family in the home environment. Resource specialists are stationed in every child welfare office.

If placement is indicated, the decision is made by a team in a pre-placement conference, never by an individual caseworker. Kin placements are given priority, with two-thirds of children placed with relatives. Relatives are screened, licensed, and paid the same as foster parents. Expedited background checks and kits to help relatives meet safety standards allow for preliminary certification and immediate placement. If the child cannot be placed with relatives, a level of care based on the child's needs is posted, and foster care providers respond with a placement offer. The caseworker then selects the best placement that fits the child's needs. Every effort is made to reunify children with parents, with nearly 80% achieving that goal annually.

NFPN developed this monograph because it is essential to discover and share how Allegheny County achieves its success. To that end, NFPN would like to distribute this monograph as widely as possible. You can help by sharing this edition of News Notes with someone you know who is in a position to implement changes in policies and procedures in the child welfare system.

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