AGENCY ASSESSMENT: FRESNO COUNTY CPS

By Megan Stollar

OUTLINE OF AGENCY MISSION AND GOALS

V

ision: to make sure that every child is safe and thriving in a

“permanent and nurturing family” (Fresno County DSS, n.d.).

M

ission statement: to “help children who have been maltreated or at

risk of maltreatment” (Fresno County DSS, n.d.).

M

ain Goal: to restore positive interactions within the family and rebuild

the family’s capacity to foster the development and growth of their

children.

POPULATIONS AT RISK

P

opulation includes children and families who face challenges that put

the safety and well-being of children in jeopardy.• Types of Abuse or neglect that are considered to be issues in terms

of safety or well-being are categorized according to the Welfare and Institution Codes 300(a-j).

A

frican Americans and Native American are at a disproportionately

higher risk of both entering and remaining in the child welfare

system.

COMMUNITY CONTEXT

A

ll of Fresno County as well as surrounding areas of suburban sprawl

P

eople living in Fresno County had a median household income was

$46,903 in 2012("State & county," 2012).

2

9% of the population is children under the age of 18 ("State &

county," 2012).

COMMUNITY CONTEXT CONTINUED…

M

ost employees as well as clients travel to the agency by either

automobile or bus.

A

gency feels that community support and involvement is crucial to a

child’s wellbeing.

SERVICES PROVIDED

T

here is a Family Reunification Department, Permanency Planning,

and a Foster Care Resources Department.

A

dditional services such as counseling, child care, disabled services

programs, batterer’s treatment, domestic violence, drug/alcohol

programs, housing, food, clothing, legal services, medical services,

and parenting resources are provided (Fresno County DSS, n.d.).

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

HOW IT FUNCTIONS IN TERMS OF EMPOWERMENT, COMPETENCE, ETC…

C

PS operates according to the NASW Code of Ethics, and inherent in

the code are the core values with which the agency builds on.

C

PS stresses the importance of healthy relationships to our clients

along with support systems and the role they can play in their process.

T

he agency tries to exhibit “cultural humility” by trying to convey a

genuine thirst for knowledge of cultures separate from their own.

T

he social justice issue that CWS addresses would be child welfare.

FUNCTIONALITY CONTINUED…

Honesty and trust is also a significant value that CPS focuses on. It’s

important to build that trust and honor the client’s life experiences

and their opinions.

F

airness and Equity is also one of the core values practiced by CPS.

It’s important to check our biases and be self-reflective.

E

mpowerment.: The clients need to know their strengths and know

their abilities to get themselves out of whatever situation they may be

in.

REFERENCES

A

rnold, K. (2013, Sept. 30). Interview by MS. Stollar[].

Organizational structure.

F

resno County DSS(2012) Child Welfare Services. [Pamphlet].

F

resno County DSS(n.d.) Strategically Speaking. [Pamphlet].

REFERENCES CONT…

U

.S. Department of Commerce, United States Census Bureua. (2012).

State & county quickfacts:

F

resno county, california. Retrieved from website:

http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/06019.html

X

iong, Yeng “W&I Codes/Division 31 Codes Part 1” Title IV-E.

California State University, Fresno. #0, Aug. 2013