Generate multi-disciplinary collaboratives among child welfare, educational, court systems and partnering agencies.

Learn more about Generating Multi-Disciplinary Networks

Working together to focus on local practices and inform state policies, families, youth, DCF, the courts, the schools, and partnering agencies can improve stability and outcomes for young people in care. The Rock the GRADES curriculum provides resources to assist regional partners to:
– Develop a list of primary contacts in local schools for DCF staff to use.
– Forge relationships with the Local Interagency Teams or other regional networks and educating them on the issues related to Educational Stability.
– Collaborating across sectors to share resources, brainstorm solutions and craft the procedures that help keep local kids local.
– Provide feedback that can inform policy makers at the state level.
Toolkit:

Creating and Updating School Directories

Instructions on the development of DCF District School Directories to enhance communication.
G 1 Creating and Updating School Directories

Social Workers can use the School Directory to expedite student records and touch base with members of a child’s school team. This document explains how to create and update a school directory and includes a sample.
Templates
G 2 School Personnel Contact Directory – Excel

An Excel template for creating a school personnel contact directory.

G 4 Principal Letter Directory TEMPLATE

A sample letter to principals to request that school staff review your directory to ensure that all information is up to date.

Developing a Local Recruitment Team

Walks RCs through the process of collaborating with community partners to enhance local resource family recruitment efforts, the engagement of new families, and family retention.
G 5a Recruitment and Retention Teams
DCF staff regularly work with other family support agencies and child placement organizations in the community including mental health centers, social service non-­‐profits, residential entities, schools, etc. By building strong working relationships and sharing local resources, all of these social service providers are more effective at supporting children and families.
G 5b How a Child’s Interdisciplinary Team Helps Educational Stability
A multidisciplinary team promotes educational stability by bringing district partners together to brainstorm, problem-­‐solve and advocate for a child’s needs.
G 5c Building a Work Team that Functions
Regardless of the purpose of any work team, there is a process to forming teams that function effectively. This document provides an overview and process for forming effective work teams.

Forms and Templates
G 6 Recruitment Team Form Letter 

A form letter to help in organizing an inter-organizational meeting with area staff dedicated to recruiting, training, and retaining resource families.