Title
a. Receive a presentation on Monterey County’s Differential Response (Pathways to Safety) Program to include a presentation regarding Emergency Response practices with Family and Children’s Services.
Presenters: Laura Neal, DSS Deputy Director of Family & Children’s Services Branch, and Larry Imwalle, Director of Action Council.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Health, Housing, Homelessness & Human Services Committee:
a. Receive a presentation on Monterey County’s Differential Response (Pathways to Safety) Program to include a presentation regarding Emergency Response practices with Family and Children’s Services.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
In 2004 Monterey County began extensive research on bringing a Differential Response Model to this county. A pilot was implemented the following year. Since that time Monterey County has partners with the ACTION Council and various other local partners to implement Pathways to Safety (P2S) the name of our local Differential Response model. The program has responded to over 30,000 referrals since 2007.
Monterey County Family and Children’s Services is going through some restructuring of up-front services. This applies to the hotline, investigative geographic assignments and the establishment of a second shift. Monterey County remains committed to Differential Response. In the upcoming years there is a parallel restructuring to the Differential Response program design to meet these changes. Further Federal funds available from Title IV-E to support earlier intervention with families are being released across the county. Monterey County is positioning itself for receipt of these funds to support Differential Response interventions once California submits a statewide plan.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
FINANCING:
The current Pathways to Safety (P2S) program is fully funded with federal Promoting Safe and Stable Families (PSSF) funds as well as discretionary child welfare realigned dollars.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This program and strategic approach correlates to the Health & Human Services Strategic Initiative adopted by the Board of Supervisors by allowing the Department to provide prevention services to families who have come to the attention of Child Welfare.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
__Economic Development
__Administration
X Health & Human Services
__Infrastructure
__Public Safety
Prepared by: Ginger Pierce, CAPC Director x8784
Approved by: Lori A. Medina, MSW, Director, x4430