Community-based Resources: Keystone to the System of Care

		Email Follow these Steps to email a friend or colleague a link to this information. Community-based Resources: Keystone to the System of Care Year Published: 2009 http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/acloserlook/community/ Each of the systems of care principles has individual importance and relational value. Together, they are building blocks that form the infrastructure upon which each community's individualized system of care is built. The keystone to that infrastructure and the system of care itself is a community-based approach. This principle secures the others and allows the infrastructure to stand. Realizing that youth thrive in the context of their homes and communities, child welfare agencies and their partners can support a common or integrated case plan that is culturally appropriate, engages and involves the youth and family, is built upon the strengths of that family, and draws upon the assets of the community. This issue of A Closer Look examines the elements of a successful community-based approach to serving children and families involved with the child welfare system. Step 1: Recipient email address(es) (First one is Required) To Email Address 1: To Email Address 2: To Email Address 3: To Email Address 4: To Email Address 5:   Step 2: From Email Address (Required) From Email Address:   Step 3: Verify You are Human (Required) Are you Human? True False   Step 3: Send the link Print (PDF 941KB)  Share
Author(s)	National Technical Assistance and Evaluation Center for Systems of Care
Year Published	2009

Elements of a Community-based Approach

Child welfare driven systems of care that reflect a community-based approach exhibit three common features:

• Child placement and the child and family case plan describe where and how services and supports to a youth and family are delivered.
• Family partners have a significant role as community guides for identifying appropriate untapped resources and engaging others in ongoing support of a family. They can provide valuable assistance in engaging extended family, friends, school personnel, church family, recreational resources, and other relevant supports that exist or are created.
• Integration of community members on policy councils and boards captures their input and support in developing and sustaining systems of care.

Research in the field and the experiences of grant communities currently in the fifth year of a 5-year demonstration grant provide useful information about these elements of a community-based approach and the challenges and strategies associated with building and sustaining community-based approaches in child welfare driven systems of care.

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