The information in this program outline is provided by the program representative and edited by the CEBC staff. The Alternative Response (AR) program has been rated by the CEBC in the area of: Child Welfare Initiatives.

• Types of Maltreatment: Does not target any specific kind of maltreatment
• Target Population: Child Maltreatment reports that do not allege sexual abuse or substantial child maltreatment (as defined by MN statute 626.556).

The Minnesota Child Protection Response Continuum allows the child protection system to have the flexibility of an Alternative Response that includes a combined Family Assessment track and Investigation track when responding to accepted child maltreatment reports. This flexibility enhances the match of the intervention to the presenting maltreatment concern. Some reports, by law, continue to receive a forensic investigative response due to the nature of the maltreatment report (e.g., sexual abuse, serious physical abuse, child endangerment). Other reports that don't require this level of intervention are best served through a typical family assessment approach that offers support and assistance.

Alternative Response is a program that responds to child abuse and neglect concerns by:

• Ensuring Child Safety: Rather than focusing on only the specific details of the reported incident to prove or disprove that abuse or neglect occurred, social workers and families focus on the safety of children and families' strengths that contribute to child safety and the needs families have.
• Avoiding Negative Labels for Parents: Social services agencies have the flexibility to apply a response that best matches a families needs. Often, families will benefit more from a Family Assessment than a traditional child protection response. Sometimes, however, parents are not able to keep from endangering their children, this is when a traditional child protection investigation and services are needed to keep kids safe.
• Setting Aside Fault Finding: There is no formal determination of maltreatment in a Family Assessment. Focusing on the broader picture of the family, rather than what brought them into the system allows the family and the social worker to focus on what's right and build on those assets. Families are more than the problem being identified. Search for competence rather than defining the family by the problems they are experiencing.
• Working in Partnership with Parents: Workers approach families in a non-adversarial way (including not conducting the assessment with law enforcement). Not all families have all the strengths and knowledge to solve all the problems that confront them over time. Collaboration between social workers and families increases the likelihood of finding solutions to the areas of need. It is strongly recommended that the worker who conducts the initial assessment with the family continues to work with the family during the case management phase if the case is open for ongoing services.
• Identifying Families Needs: Social workers are encouraged to meet with the family as a whole, rather than interviewing the child and parent(s) separately. Listen to the family's story, it provides information on what worked, what didn't work, and their perception of the problem.
• Providing Services and Resources Matched to Family Needs: Engaging with the family and acknowledging their needs will increase the likelihood of family investment in change.
• Building on the Parents' and the Community's Strengths and Resources: Identifying individual and community strengths can provide guidance in establishing case plan goals. Developing and utilizing strengths that enhance the ability for a family to keep their children safe from harm helps keep the focus on what a family is able to do rather than what they are unable to do.

Alternative Response (AR) was not designed with a child component.

Alternative Response (AR) was not designed with a parent/caregiver component.

Alternative Response (AR) was not designed to be conducted in a group setting, and has not been tested for use in a group setting.

Recommended Intensity:

The intensity of involvement will depend on a family's identified needs and resources.

Recommended Duration:

The duration of involvement will depend on a family's identified needs and resources.

This program is typically conducted in a(n):

• Birth Family Home
• Community Agency

This program does not include a homework component.

Alternative Response (AR) does not have materials available in a language other than English.

The typical resources for implementing the program are:

Typically an agency would identify individuals within their organization that would be suited to working on a differential response project.

Staff should be trained on strengths based social work practice, client engagement skills and safety assessment. Regardless of the amount of time a worker has been in the field, training on these topics is part of the implementation strategy.

There is not a manual that describes how to implement this program; but there is training available for this program.

Training Contact:

• Richard Dean, Supervisor of the Minnesota Child Welfare Training Unit
  phone: (651) 431-4669

Training is obtained:

Regionally

Number of days/hours:

2 days (12 hours)

This program is rated a "3 - Promising Research Evidence" on the Scientific Rating Scale based on the published, peer-reviewed research available. The practice must have at least one study utilizing some form of control (e.g., untreated group, placebo group, matched wait list study) establishing the practice's benefit over the placebo, or found it to be comparable to or better than an appropriate comparison practice. Please see the Scientific Rating Scale for more information.

Child Welfare Outcomes: Safety and Child/Family Well-Being