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Changes to aid abused kids reach region New system boosts collaboration, visitation By Jonel Aleccia A wave of reform in the way Oregon protects abused and neglected children is finally reaching the south end of the state. When it officially rolls in July 1, it will bring new money, new strategies and a new philosophy for reaching families through the Jackson County branch of the state child protective agency. Most important, it will redirect energy, attention and resources where they�re needed most: on the kids, say local officials for the office for Services to Children and Families. "The whole goal is to get that child home sooner, where it�s appropriate," said Linda Roadman, an SCF supervisor. "It�s getting biological parents and foster parents to work together for the sake of the child." Jackson County is part of the third phase of statewide reforms begun in 1995 when a group of children�s rights advocates threatened a "friendly" class-action lawsuit against the state on behalf of children in foster care, said Phil Niemeyer, a local SCF supervisor. Instead of forcing a legal battle, SCF agreed to work with the Juvenile Rights Project and the National Center for Youth Law to reform the agency by June 2003. Under the new "system of care" reform, the local branch will receive four new staff members and nearly $243,000, including discretionary funds that can be used to meet families� individual needs. "The biggest change is going to be the flexible services," said Hank Collins, county director of Health and Human Services, who has been collaborating on the project. "A family may need to have the brakes on their car fixed or pay a neighbor to care for their kid. Under the system of care changes, they�ll be able to do that." More than just money, the reform emphasizes a holistic approach to treating the 400 to 500 children and their families who enter the system because of abuse or neglect each year. It calls for more family collaboration about children�s options earlier; expanded visitations that include parent training; and intensified recruitment of foster care parents in children�s existing neighborhoods. It also calls for a fundamental shift in philosophy, Roadman and Niemeyer said. "It�s radically different in how you approach families," Niemeyer said. "Typically you approach them through risk factors. Under the system of care, it focuses on the strengths of the family." Added Roadman: "You obviously have to meet people where they are." The reforms also call for more emphasis on staff training, increased after-hours availability and streamlined caseloads to allow more in-depth service. That would be good news for caseworker Susie Wahl, 33, who has spent 18 months grappling with a caseload of nearly 40 kids and their families. The recommended national average is 18 to 20 cases. Although Wahl supports the philosophy behind the reforms, she�s skeptical about the extra meetings and paperwork they�ll require. "It�s overwhelming, I�ll be honest," Wahl said. "I believe many good things will come from this, but it will be extra added pressure." Obituaries | Sports | Business | Classifieds | Tempo | Prime Times | So Oregon Sites | Outdoor Journal | Subscribe | Contact | Movies | Advertise | Real Estate Showcase | Archive | Editorials | Letters to the editor | Religion | Wake-up Call | NIE | Cyber Chef | Job Network | So Oregon Weather | WSJ Northwest | Forums | AP Wire | AP Money | F.A.Q. | Awards Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. The Community Newspaper Subsidiary of Dow Jones & Co, Inc Copyright �The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA