What can we do to engage child welfare in the system of care partnership, and how do we overcome the barrier of confidentiality?

For child welfare to be a full partner in family and interagency collaborations, it is necessary for child welfare mandates to be part of care planning. Initially, this may be a challenge for all participants because of perceived issues of confidentiality, court involvement including hearings, and the resistance of care coordinators or system of care case managers to be involved with child protection issues or foster care.

As families choose to participate in family group decision making and other forms of group involved planning, confidentiality diminishes as an issue. Families have chosen all members of the team, including child welfare, as part of either their formal or informal support system. Communities have developed consent forms and agreements that diminish the traditional barriers of confidentiality.

A good care plan that would be acceptable to both child welfare and the court should include at minimum

• the reason the child is involved in the child welfare system;
• the family's strengths and needs;
• the child's strengths and needs;
• the goals of the child and the family;
• services and other interventions that will be or are being implemented to contribute to the changes that need to take place within the family, including both formal and informal supports; and
• a specific time limited period to bring about the required changes.

In most cases, this level of care planning and follow through will convince child welfare that the process supports its legal mandates and the timely achievement of safety, permanence, and the child's well-being. In addition, it increases the likelihood that the child will have a successful experience in the system and expedites the process of the family's leaving the system.