Service Array Re-Design
What is the Service Array Re-Design?
The Arizona Department of Child Safety is pleased to announce the re-design of Parent Skill-Building Services, that began on July 1, 2021, to include Family Connections and Nurturing Parenting Program.
Our vision of system improvement is to create a service array that is individualized, relevant, engaging, coordinated, consistent and effective, while also bringing the Department into alignment with the FFPSA (Families First Prevention Services Act).
New services offered by the Department will be trauma-informed, integrate family engagement strategies to improve service participation, and be delivered with consistency across providers to ensure that all families are getting the best opportunity to be protective, healthy and strong.
The Department’s goals are to decrease repeated reports to DCS, decrease the number of children entering out-of-home care, and decrease racial disparity in foster care, and increase the percentage of children who leave foster care by reunifying with a parent.
DCS Specialists will be empowered to champion families and provide the needed supports to improve outcomes and strengthen families.
Family Connections
Family Connections (FC) is a trauma-informed and empowering service, provided to families in the context of their own communities and cultures. Family Connections provides change-focused interventions to achieve core outcomes of improved social support, family functioning, family resources, child well-being, parenting attitudes and behaviors, and management of parenting stress. FC is grounded in the following practice principles:
- Community outreach
- Family assessment and tailored interventions
- Developing a helping alliance and partnership with the family
- Empowerment
- Emphasizing strengths
- Cultural competence
- Developmental appropriateness
- Outcome-driven service plans
- Positive attitudes and qualities of helpers
Nurturing Parenting Programs
The Nurturing Parenting Programs (NPP) is a family-centered trauma-informed program designed for families at risk for abuse or neglect and features activities that foster positive parenting skills with nurturing behaviors, promote healthy physical and emotional development, and teach appropriate role and developmental expectations. The Nurturing Parenting Program values positive self-worth, empathy, empowerment and strong will, structure and discipline, and laughter and play. NPP supports parents to give their children:
- Appropriate expectations
- Empathy
- Non-violent discipline
- Appropriate family roles
- Power and independence
More information regarding the Nurturing Parenting Program can be found at: https://www.nurturingparenting.com
Reports
In Mathematica’s (an independent policy research firm) study, it found that NPP had favorable effects on child welfare outcomes among children and families in Arizona when families received a full dose of the program and completed it as designed. Overall, children whose families completed NPP had lower rates of investigations into maltreatment in the short-term, and were less likely to experience a removal up to 12 months after the end of the program.
Please watch a presentation on key findings by CLICKING HERE.
Important Documents and Links
Service Array Redesign Theory of Change + Worksheet
This document describes the challenges experienced with servicing Arizona’s children and families, which led to the need for the service array redesign.
Document number: CSO-2486
Family Connections Infographic
This document describes the Family Connections service process for a family.
Document number: CSO-2487
Family Connections Logic Model
This document describes the program components from target population, to interventions, to outcomes.
Document number: CSO-2478
DCS and Family Connections Service Process
This document describes the process for an open or closed DCS case when referred for Family Connections.
FC / SENSE Presentation
This presentation is an overview of each service’s elements, requirements and process.
NPP Presentation
This presentation is an overview of the service's elements, requirements and process.
Family Connections Program Manuals
The purpose of this Manual is to provide clear direction about the Arizona Family Connections (FC) practice, process and components.
Document number: CSO-2479
Nurturing Parenting Program Infographic
This document describes the Nurturing Parenting Program service process for a family.
Document number: CSO-2846
Nurturing Parenting Program Manuals
The purpose of this Manual is to provide clear direction about the Arizona Nurturing Parenting Program (NPP) practice, process and components.
Document number: CSO-2883
Nurturing Parenting
Click on the link below for more information regarding the Nurturing Parenting Program.
Action 4 Child Protection
Click on the link below for more information regarding Family Connections or Action 4 Child Protection.
Service Transition FAQ
This document explains what is changing, what is not changing, and offers scenario examples on when to refer the new services.
Contracted Agencies
This document provides a list of which DCS contracted agencies will provide each service by county.
Parenting Time Services
This document describes parenting time in relation to safety management and behavior change.
FC Core Outcomes and NPP Parenting Constructs
This document provides an overview of the specific outcomes the FC and NPP programs are designed for the family to achieve and provides more information about each one.
Contact Us
If you are a caregiver needing assistance with Guardian, please call and leave a message at the DCS Warmline: 1-877-543-7633 option 3.
If you have questions regarding our new Service Array, please complete the inquiry form below.
Service Array Contact Form
* Indicates required field
Additional Links: DCS Policy Manual, Contact DCS, DCS Reports, Frequently Asked Questions
