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The Department of Children and Families (DCF) Name: Jamie Morris Course :HUS4945 Florida State College in Jacksonville Date: May 24, 2020 Organizational Overview The department of Children and Families is an agency that works together with families and the whole community to protect children from being abused and neglected. The organization also works to give support to young adults of between 18 to 22 years who are moving out of the DCF to live independently. To ensure the safety of children is achieved, DCF supports families through various services in order for them to keep their children safe at home. For children without families, DCF works hard to find adoption, guardianship, and kinship for them. History In 1969, the General Assembly created the Department of Children and Families as the Department for Children and Youth Services. The department operated two juvenile correctional facilities. The protection of children from abuse and neglect started in 1974 when child welfare services were transferred to that department by the legislature. In 1987, the Department instituted a regional management model, strengthening community-based services through grants and child-centered social work practice (DCF, 2020). Serious development took place during this time and their mission kept evolving until 1993 when the legislature changed the name to Department of Children and Families. Mission DCF’s mission is to ensure the social and economic well-being of families and the children. The organization is committed to building communities, strengthening families, and protecting children. Performance Outcomes DCF has been successful in using decision making processes to help families and the community solve their problems. The organization has achieved a lot in terms of building the well-being of families and their children. Some of the things they have achieved include; Good jobs for families Attendance of school by children A safe and clean environment The organization has the Performance Management and Accountability department which works to ensure their activities are on track. It is the role of this department to assure quality and evaluate all activities carried out by the agency including all the case reviews. (DCF, 2015). They utilize reports and data dashboards to get information on their performance and make strategic decisions. So far, the organization’s performance is good and they are improving their efforts. Strategic plans Since its inception, DCF has created a network of its services which operates all over the United States of America. There is a department of children and families in every state. The network of services in every state has been well managed starting from children protection and safety, family support, community welfare, and children behavioral healthcare. All aspects of DCF work is made up of core approaches that are meant to help them achieve their plans. Some of the approaches include; Racial equity A culture of safety Family voice Protection framework. Service to the Community All People DCF provides services to everyone including teachers, doctors, child care providers, and social workers. Anyone who wants service for their family or child are free to contact them and they receive case management to ensure their well-being. The services can be either home-based or community-based and providers include mentors and therapists. DCF services range from care to transportation and they are extended to those under immigration and families looking for stable housing. Children Without Families As Berger and Font (2015) assert, the development of children is associated with various outcomes such as physical and mental health, disability, mortality, social, and economic status. All these are the services DCF is trying to make available for the community and families. There are children who do not have families and do not have homes. DCF provides foster care and plans for guardianship, kinship or adoption. For parents who are ready to adopt or to be guardians, DCF are always ready to give support all through the way. Young Adults (18-22) years Their services are not for children only, they extend to young adults who want to live independently. However, this care is for those young adults who were being protected by DCF but have now become adults and are moving out. They provide voluntary services such as finances to this group. This is to ensure this youths are safe and they do not engage in activities that can harm them. References Berger, L. M., & Font, S. A. (2015). The role of the family and family-centered programs and policies. The future of children, 25(1), 155. DCF (2020). History of DCF. Retrieved on 23rd May 2020 from https://portal.ct.gov/DCF/1-DCF/DCF-History DCF (2015). Performance Management and Accountability. retrieved in 23dr May 2020 from https://www.nj.gov/dcf/about/divisions/opma/