CWDA has sent us talking points (key messages) on Continuum of Care
Reform (CCR). They can be found at G:\GroupSB\ADMIN\Strategic Management\Press\CWDA & DSS Talking Points\CCR Key Messages 12-19-17.
These messages were also just sent to your
directors, CWDA’s Board of Directors, along with the following note:
Directors,
Attached please find key messages regarding Continuum of Care
Reform (CCR), including outlining the tremendous work being done by you and
your staff, expectations of the many partners involved and a call to the
community to support our efforts to find more resource families and reduce the
use of congregate care.
We have developed these key messages to support you in responding
to inquiries you may be receiving from your local elected officials, your state
legislative representatives, stakeholders, the public and media about CCR. We know of at
least two media inquiries involving multiple counties where these messages
might be helpful in your responses to reporters.
One
story is expected to run in early 2017 from a reporter with San Francisco
Chronicle who has been looking at how often law enforcement is called to
children’s shelters operated by child welfare agencies and the nature of how
shelter staff work with law enforcement staff to care for youth. The reporter
has looked at data from the California Department of Social Services and county
human service agencies; she is doing follow-up interviews at this time. The
counties involved are aware of this inquiry and the county communication
representatives have held a call to discuss the nature of her questions and
interviews.
The
second story is in the very early stages by the NBC Bay Area affiliate. A
producer has contacted multiple Bay Area county human services agencies asking
questions about how many resource families counties currently have, how many
more they need to meet CCR requirements and what efforts are underway to
increase recruitment of families. Timing and next steps of this story are not
known. It could be a great opportunity to share what counties have been doing
to increase recruitment of resource families and the ongoing work to better
meet the needs of children.
If
you have questions on either of the media inquiries, please contact Sarah
Jimenez at sjimenez@cwda.org
