In 2004, FIRST 5 awarded funding to the Santa Clara County Social Services Agency, Department of Family and Children’s Services (DFCS) for a research and development project. The funding was used to:

1. Evaluate and better understand the range of calls to the Child Abuse Hotline, in particular those calls that were Evaluated Out ; and,

2. Develop recommendations for an alternative, or Differential Response System for child abuse referrals and children and families in the child welfare system.

This research and development project resulted in a 4-tiered Differential Response System that includes:

• Path 1: Community Response: For those referrals (typically Evaluated Out) in which there is no indication of child maltreatment, but the family is experiencing problems or stressors that can best be addressed by community services.
• Path 4: Reunified Families: Community Response: When families have successfully completed the child welfare reunification process and the case has been closed in DFCS. Some families may benefit from a level of continued support to prevent the risk of re-referrals.

Path 1

While there is no indication of imminent danger, the referrals indicate these children are at-risk of emotional and/or physical abuse and neglect. Santa Clara County DFCS, in partnership with FIRST 5, has determined that a Community Response (Path 1) is the preferred modality for supporting these children and families.

In Path 1, calls determined to be Evaluated Out will be referred to a Differential Response (DR) Coordinator who will work closely with the Child Abuse and Neglect Center (CAN Center) screeners. The DR Coordinator will determine if the calls are appropriately determined to be Evaluated Out, if the family lives in one of the targeted zip code areas, and if there is a child under the age of six living in the home.

Families who meet the above criteria will be referred to Gardner Family Care Corporation, a community-based organization under contract with the DFCS to provide the Path 1 Community Services component. The family will then be contacted by a Family Engagement Specialist who will begin the process of engaging the family, and verifying eligibility for FIRST 5 services.

Once the Family Engagement Specialist has met with the family, discussed the FIRST 5 programs and services — especially the Family Partner program — and has the family sign the consent to refer and share information, the Family Engagement Specialist will refer the family to the appropriate FIRST 5 funded Family Partner Agency.

Path 4

Path 4 services are designed to provide aftercare services and support for those families who have successfully completed their case plans and been reunified. In Path 4, families with children under the age of six may be referred to a Family Partner who will assist in accessing community services that are necessary for maintaining stability and preventing re-entry into foster care.

Once it is determined that the case is likely to be dismissed, the DFCS Social Worker will work with the family to identify aftercare needs. The Social Worker will then prepare a Court Report with dismissal recommendations, and meet with the family to develop an aftercare plan. This plan will include the services and interventions needed to maintain stability, and should also include a safety plan.

The Social Worker will then determine if the family meets the criteria for the FIRST 5 pilot project:

• Families must have at least one prenatal through age six.
• Families living within one of the FIRST 5 school attendance areas in the San Jose Unified, Alum Rock, Franklin-McKinley or Gilroy School Districts will be given priority for access to a broader range of services.

Once it is determined that the family meets the criteria for the program, a referral will be made to the Differential Response Coordinator. The Differential Response Coordinator will review the case and refer to the appropriate Family Partner Agency.