FWSN-advisorybd-repo.. - The Connecticut Juvenile Justice Alliance

Juvenile probation officers provide the initial screening of complaints when they are
received. Any complaint received is reviewed by the juvenile probation officer for
sufficiency. If it is found to be insufficient, it will be returned to the referral source. If
the complaint is found to be sufficient, the juvenile probation officer meets with the
family and conducts an initial screening assessment to determine the child’s and family’s
needs. Based on the results of the assessment, the child and the family are then referred
for either community-based services or, if the child and family are determined to be “high
risk/needs,” they are referred to a newly created Family Support Center (FSC).
DCF and CSSD entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (2004) to memorialize their
commitment to a collaborative approach to meeting the needs of FWSN children. One
aspect of that collaboration is the creation of the FWSN Liaison position by DCF. The
FWSN Liaisons are assigned to a specific juvenile court location(s). 12
The FWSN Liaison is available as a resource to the juvenile probation officer and the
Court. Liaisons are available to assist in assessing the child and family’s needs and assist
with coordinating referrals to DCF Voluntary and Juvenile Services programs (described
below). For children age 11 or younger, or if there is current DCF involvement with the
family, the FWSN Liaison is required to review all FWSN complaints.
If there is a need for other DCF services, the FWSN Liaison also plays a key role in
facilitating a juvenile probation officer’s referrals for DCF services. DCF provides an
array of in-home services and out of home care for FWSN children. 13
There is continuing ongoing collaboration on both the case level and the systemic level
among the FWSN Liaison, Juvenile Probation and the Court. Local Implementation
Teams have been established in each court location, which include community-based
providers.
1. Current Community-Based Services for Court Referred Children
There are a range of options for community-based services for children and their families.
The types of services available differ widely and not all types of services are available in
all towns and cities.
12 There are currently eight full time FWSN Liaisons. All 13 court locations have a FWSN Liaison
available to assist them, however some Liaisons cover more than one court location, more staff would
increase the availability of their time in these courts.
13 In 2004, DCF served approximately 500 FWSN children. Of these children, 21% were placed in out of
home care. In 2006, the DCF FWSN Liaisons reported that 437 referrals were made to DCF for services to
families with one or more children from FWSN. DCF has reported that it recently (October 2007) created a
new identifier in its computer system. The new information added to the computer system will allow DCF
to identify children and families involved with DCF as a result of a FWSN complaint.
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