Northern California Training Academy & California Department of Social Services

Peer Quality Case Reviews:

Development of the PQCR Tools

Interview Tool

Case File Review Tool

Focus Group Tool(s)

Capture the most relevant information

related to the selected focus area Incorporate Research

Meet the specific needs of the county

Number of Questions

Open-ended Questions/Language

Don’t reinvent the wheel

Data

County Structure

Review the data… Talk about county practice

Develop a subcommittee or elicit feed back

Modify tool Consensus

Purpose of the toolWhat do you want to know?

Purpose of focus groupsFeedback – keep it focused and utilize research!

Use actual case

Watch your time

Mock the tool early

Mock it again

Research: When possible allow children the opportunity to participate and represent their decisions. Children who feel that their desires and feelings are heard related to placement outcomes, are at less risk of disruption. Include the family in the decision-making process for finding placements, as the initial placement is of great importance for children’s functioning, relationships, and overall well-being.

How soon after initial removal, was a family meeting held? (These may include Team Decision Making, Family Group Conferencing or other types of family decision meetings.)

  If no meeting, what were the barriers to scheduling/holding a meeting?

  If yes, What was the placement decision?

  Was the child/youth involved in the family meeting? Yes No Please

explain      

When making placement decisions for the child:How did you include his/her family? How

often and at what points throughout the life of the case?

How did you include the child? How often and at what points throughout the life of the case?

Bio parents/youth: How/when were you included in the

decision making?

What others?

ILP Least Restrictive Placements Placement Stability Re-entry Reunification Timely Adoptions