Innovations and Efficiency Grant Brings Enhanced Visitation Services to Families of Fairfield County

In 2015, Fairfield County Protective Services received specialized funding to improve outcomes for children in agency custody through parent education and visitation services.  This funding allowed us to make practice changes that promote an innovative approach to child welfare visitation between children and parents, designed to improve outcomes and reduce time to achieve reunification and permanency. Visitation is provided as a case service that requires specialized staff with dedicated visitation caseloads, and provides the opportunity to plan quality visits with increased frequency and the ability to incorporate parent education services when warranted.
 
Fairfield County Protective Services was able to deliver parent education services for eligible families and increase visit opportunities for all children in agency custody by 50%. Efforts to provide visits in a community based setting (e.g., foster home, parent home, park etc.) are now becoming more common, when possible. These practices allow for the agency to efficiently plan visits that meet the needs of families and children and maintain connections when children are placed away from home. Parents also have the ability to demonstrate and try new skills, an often overlooked practice.  Children and families experience less trauma related to separation and placement in agency custody.

Positive changes are detailed below: