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WHEN A CHILD DIES:  SPECIAL REVIEW AS A PROGRAM IMPROVEMENT TOOL, PART 1 AND 2

 


Presenter: Andrew Reitz, Michael J. Schultz

Abstract Category: Child Welfare

Instruction Level: Intermediate

Presentation: Click Here, Click Here

 

Abstract:

PART 1 Workshop Abstract: 

The CT Department of Children and Families (DCF) and CWLA have partnered in designing a best practice model for conducting Special Reviews of child fatalities and critical incidents that encourages open dialogue and emphasizes instruction and learning rather than accusation and finding fault.

Description of Workshop:

 

The CT Department of Children and Families (DCF) and CWLA have partnered in designing a best practice model for conducting Special Reviews of child fatalities and critical incidents.  The purpose of a Special Review is to:

-Review the circumstances of the fatality or incident;
-Assess the case practice and provide an analysis of findings;

-Provide recommendations to improve systems and organizational competence.

 

Historically, Special Reviews have left staff feeling victimized and with the perception that the reviews were unnecessarily adversarial. It is a goal of this Special Review model to conduct all interviews and activities in a respectful manner that encourages open dialogue and emphasizes instruction and learning rather than accusation and finding fault. The Special Review (SR) process is designed as a quality management tool that seeks to improve service delivery and enhance DCF’s ability to ensure for the safety, permanency and well-being of the children/youth and families who are in need of its services. Special Review reports are provided to all DCF staff on the Intranet, incorporated within the interdisciplinary curriculum at the Training Academy, and integrated within Area Offices as a source of information, organizational learning and professional development.

 

PART 2 Workshop Abstract: 

Transforming Special Reviews into an effective tool that supports a transfer of learning to practice model.