Humboldt Practice Model

What HPM is for those of us who aren't in C&FS:

A set of values, practices, and core elements that guide our work and our interactions with community members, colleagues, customers, clients, patients, co-workers......

Practice Models: Professionals in fields like medicine and social work take theory and apply it to the practice of their work

HPM Origins

A way to get work done and feel good about it!

HPM Vision

HPM started out as a child welfare practice model focusing on the safety, permanency, and well-being of children and their families.

What is the Humboldt Practice Model ?

Humboldt needed to address over-representation of Native American children in the Child Welfare System: around 7% of Humboldt kids are Native American, but 39% of foster kids are Native American

But I'm not a CWS social worker....

Individuals, families, youth and children who consider Humboldt County home experience early, enhanced wellness, culturally sensitive and responsive services. Safety, permanency, meaningful relationships, and all aspects of health and well-being outcomes for individuals, families, youth and children are continuously improving.

And what is a practice model?

But I'm not in Children & Family Services.....

A lot of HPM is about doing the opposite of what was done for years, nationwide, traumatizing NA children and families

The Vision was expanded to include individuals ... that's everybody!

What does HPM mean for Social Services?

Humboldt Practice Model

HPM parallels and complements other efforts, such as the focus on excellent customer service and work on decentralization of services

HPM's History

• 2010: One of 6 projects nationwide funded by Permanency Innovation Initiative to address the problem of long term foster care
• Designed to improve permanency outcomes among children who have the most serious barriers to permanency
• 2011 CA Partners for Permanency born; CAPP Practice Model evolved

HPM Values Include:

• Honesty, Transparency, and Trust
• Fairness and Equity
• Accountability and Results

Stay tuned for much more...

HPM is big in scope, and will be around for a while. We all have a lot to learn!

What underlies what we do?

HPM Core Elements Include:

Inquiry, Engagement, Advocacy, Self-Advocacy, Teaming, Shared Commitment and Accountability.

More HPM History

What principles will get us where we want to go?

HPM values and practices can be applied when working with each other

Some children over-represented in the Child Welfare System

• Humboldt: Native American children
• Across the country: African American children, LGBTQI, others.....

What's Permanency?

A forever home.

With family of origin.

With a new family.

Here's an example of how the values might be applied in a general work setting:

• A meeting uses a Facilitated approach, beginning with group agreements, objectives
• Room and encouragement for all to contribute
• Productive conflict embraced: no avoiding the elephant in the room
• Work towards agreement and consensus
• No "getting in trouble"
• Individual follow up if needed

Different divisions will need to specify the tools used to put the core elements and values into practice.

None of this is happening overnight.

C&FS has been working on this for years-and it's not complete.

I still don't know what HPM means.

Some tools currently used may align with HPM.

Give me examples.

If HPM values and practices improve outcomes for children....

If the HPM makes sense for work with Native American Children.....

HPM values and practices can be applied when working with adults, seniors, and other customers and clients

Here's a tiny example of how it might look in a CWS setting:

• In a Family Team Meeting, the social worker uses understandable language, not lingo
• The social worker listens, ensures that they continue to take in new information, and affirms family strengths
• The parent(s) and natural supports form a safety network to ensure the child's safety and well-being

Integrated Services Delivery

is another example of incorporating HPM values, and this is happening across DHHS.

HPM can and should be used throughout CWS to improve outcomes for all children

Another small existing example: Linkages. CWS and CalWORKs/Welfare to Work staff connect with each other to best assist shared clients. Staff are encouraged to pick up the phone!

All children in the child welfare system need culturally sensitive services, recognition of their prior trauma, recognition of family strengths, and permanency