Stories of Practice Change: What Flexible Funding Means to the Children and Families of Los Angeles County

This report documents the reforms that have been implemented in California as a result of a 5-year federal waiver from federal government spending restrictions. The waiver, a capped allocation of federal and State funds with a 2% increase each year, did not provide new money, but the two counties that chose to participate (Los Angeles and Alameda) have freedom in how they spend the money. By the end of January 2009, there were 16,429 children in out-of-home care, down from 18,304 when the waiver was formally inaugurated in July 2007. This report describes three DCFS practice strategies implemented and expanded in 2008 under flexible funding made possible by the waiver. It is based on a year's worth of research, observation, and interviews. The strategies included: expansion of Up-Front Assessments and corresponding intensive home-based services to prevent unnecessary placement in foster care; establishment of specialized Youth Permanency Units in three offices to focus on finding and engaging family members to provide permanent, life-long family connections to children and youth in long-term care; and expansion of family Team Decision-Making conferences (TDM). Under the waiver, DCFS hired 14 new TDM facilitators to focus on permanency planning conferences for youth in long-term foster care or group homes. The success of the strategies is explained and case examples are offered to illustrate the benefits of the reforms. Additional information is provided on evaluation efforts, the cost benefits of reform, and challenges ahead.

Download the report here: http://www.casey.org/Resources/Publications/pdf/WhatFlexibleFundingMeans.pdf