Data Story
Strong Children (Safety)
Prevention and Aftercare Networks Data
Story
- Preventing child maltreatment
- Decreasing social isolation
- Increasing economic opportunity
- Increasing access to resources
- Strengthening family protective factors
- Improving collaboration between the County’s public child-welfare system and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs)
* Pictures posted with permission from the families.
Summary of trends in
P&A referral data from DCFS
It is important to note that community referrals to P&A Networks account for a large portion of clients the P&A Networks serve -- this data story, however, focuses specifically on DCFS referrals to the P&A Networks. From 2016-2019, there
was an 186% increase in overall referrals to the P&A Networks. This
referral increase is attributed to the P&A Network program expansion
strategy in the Countywide Prevention Plan as well as strengthening the Hotline
Community Prevention Linkages (CPL) program, described below.
Improving quality of
family engagement and reducing re-referrals to DCFS: Hotline Community Prevention Linkages Pilot
This new enhanced teaming approach has improved
family engagement, service planning and the quality of services offered. The
impact is seen most clearly in increased acceptance rates, faster connection to
services, and reduced re-referrals to DCFS. Public and private agencies are
working together to tailor individualized responses so that families know where
they can go to get needed support, and the offer of community-based support
remains open even if families are reluctant to accept services immediately.
In just one year of implementation (July 2018-June 2019) the total number of
families identified for supports almost doubled from 2,257 in 2017 to 4,488 in
one year. Families who have accepted services have tripled from 224 in 2017 to
784 in one year.