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'Braam++foster+care++reform++Washington++Washington+State+The+Braam+Oversight+Panel+was+created+in+2004+to+oversee+a+Settlement+regarding+Washington+State%E2%80%99s+foster+care+system.++The+Settlement+was+reached+after+a+six-year+period+of+litigation.++The+named+Plaintiff%2C+Jessica+Braam%2C+is+an+adult+who+lived+in+34+foster+homes+by+the+time+the+suit+was+filed+in+1998.++The+Settlement+is+intended+to+improve+the+conditions+and+treatment+of+children+in+the+custody+of+the+state%E2%80%99s+Division+of+Children+and+Family+Services.++++The+Panel+was+created+to+monitor+improvements+in+selected+services+and+ensure+quality+standards+are+met+over+the+next+seven+years.++This+independent+Panel+was+mutually+selected+by+the+parties+%28the+Plaintiffs+who+filed+the+lawsuit+and+the+state+of+Washington%29.++The+Panel%2C+working+in+collaboration+with+the+Department+of+Social+and+Health+Services+%28DSHS%29+and+with+substantial+input+from+the+Plaintiffs+and+other+stakeholders%2C+developed+an+Implementation+Plan+for+the+six+areas+specified+in+the+Settlement.++This+document+is+the+first+monitoring+report+on+the+Settlement+and+covers+the+period+7%2F31%2F04+to+12%2F31%2F05.++++++Members++++John+Landsverk%2C+Chair++++Jeanine+Long++++Jan+McCarthy++++Jess+McDonald++++Dorothy+Roberts++++++++++++++Roxanne+Lieb%2C+Executive+Coordinator++++110+Fifth+Avenue+SE%2C+2nd+Floor++PO+Box+40999++Olympia%2C+WA++98504-0999++++Phone%3A+%28360%29+586-2768++FAX%3A+%28360%29+586-2793++E-mail%3A++liebr%40wsipp.wa.gov++Website%3A++www.braampanel.org+++++TABLE+OF+CONTENTS++++++++Background+1++Overview+3++Approach+and+Summary+Findings+5++Placement+Stability+7++Mental+Health+13++Foster+Parent+Training+and+Information+15++Unsafe%2FInappropriate+Placements+21++Sibling+Separation+25++Services+to+Adolescents+29+++++++++%5BPage+left+blank+intentionally.%5D++++++++++BACKGROUND++++++The+Braam+Oversight+Panel+was+created+in+2004+to+oversee+a+Settlement+regarding+Washington+State%E2%80%99s+foster+care+system.++The+Settlement+was+reached+after+a+six-year+period+of+litigation+between+the+state+of+Washington+and+Plaintiffs%E2%80%99+attorneys.++The+lead+named+Plaintiff%2C+Jessica+Braam%2C+is+an+adult+who+lived+in+34+foster+homes+by+the+time+the+suit+was+filed+in+1998.++++The+goal+of+the+Settlement+is+to+improve+the+%E2%80%9Cconditions+and+treatment+of+children+in+the+custody+of+the+state%E2%80%99s+Division+of+Children+and+Family+Services.%E2%80%9D++In+collaboration+with+Washington%E2%80%99s+Department+of+Social+and+Health+Services+%28the+Department%29%2C+and+with+substantial+input+from+Plaintiffs+and+other+stakeholders%2C+the+independent+Panel+has+responsibility+to+develop+outcomes%2C+benchmarks%2C+and+action+steps%2C+and+to+monitor+compliance.++The+Settlement+covers+six+areas%3A++++%E2%80%A2+Placement+stability++%E2%80%A2+Mental+health+services++%E2%80%A2+Foster+parent+training+and+information++%E2%80%A2+Unsafe+or+inappropriate+placements++%E2%80%A2+Sibling+separation++%E2%80%A2+Services+to+adolescents++++The+Settlement+is+a+16-page+document+with+14+goals.++The+Settlement+incorporated+over+50+provisions+directly+from+the+Department%E2%80%99s+comprehensive+reform+plan%E2%80%94Kids+Come+First+II.++This+restructuring+plan+for+children%E2%80%99s+services+is+described+by+the+Department+as+an+%E2%80%9Caggressive+effort+to+make+long-lasting+changes+in+the+child+welfare+field+%5Bthat%5D+will+further+protect+children+and+better+address+their+medical+and+emotional+needs.%E2%80%9D+++++++To+a+significant+extent%2C+the+Settlement+directs+the+Department+to+perform+activities+required+under+Washington+State+law.++Since+1987%2C+30+laws+have+been+passed+directing+policies+and+procedures+included+in+the+Settlement.++++++The+Panel+provided+an+Implementation+Plan+in+February+2006++that+defines+the+specific+and+enforceable+agreements+required+by+the+Settlement.++++++This+monitoring+report+covers+performance+under+the+Settlement+from+7%2F31%2F04+through+12%2F31%2F05.+++++++++%5BPage+left+blank+intentionally.%5D+++++++OVERVIEW++++++The+Braam+Oversight+Panel+was+created+in+2004+to+oversee+a+settlement+agreement+%28Settlement%29+regarding+Washington+State%E2%80%99s+foster+care+system.++The+Settlement+was+reached+after+a+six-year+period+of+litigation.++The+parties+to+the+Settlement+include+the+Plaintiffs%2C++who+filed+the+lawsuit%2C+and+the+State+of+Washington%2C+respondents+to+the+lawsuit.++++++The+final+Settlement+created+an+independent+oversight+panel+%28the+%E2%80%9CPanel%E2%80%9D%29+that+was+mutually+selected+by+the+parties.++The+members+include%3A++%E2%80%A2+A+former+child+welfare+administrator%3B++%E2%80%A2+A+child+welfare+researcher%3B++%E2%80%A2+An+expert+in+children%E2%80%99s+mental+health%3B+and+++%E2%80%A2+Two+additional+members.++++To+ensure+the+Panel%E2%80%99s+independence%2C+its+members+and+staff+are+not+funded+by+the+state.+++++++The+Settlement+directed+the+Panel+to+establish+professional+standards%2C+outcomes%2C+benchmarks%2C+and+action+steps+to+improve+the+treatment+of%2C+and+conditions+for%2C+children+in+the+custody+of+DCFS%2C+and+to+monitor+the+Department%E2%80%99s+performance+under+this+Settlement+%28Settlement%2C+page+1%29.++The+intent+of+the+Settlement%2C+and+the+Panel%E2%80%99s+work%2C+is+summarized+on+the+first+page+of+the+Settlement%3A+++++%E2%80%9CThe+parties+enter+into+this+Agreement+with+the+recognition+that+both+parties+and+their+counsel+have+committed+to+enter+into+specific%2C+measurable%2C+and+enforceable+agreements+with+the+goal+of+improving+the+conditions+and+treatment+of+children+in+the+custody+of+the+Division+of+Children+and+Family+Services.%E2%80%9D+++++Over+50+provisions+from+the+Department%E2%80%99s+comprehensive+reform+plan+for+children%E2%80%99s+services%E2%80%94Kids+Come+First+II%E2%80%94were+incorporated+directly+into+the+Settlement.++This+plan+assimilates+the+state%E2%80%99s+response+to+the+Settlement%2C+the+Federal+Child+and+Family+Services+Review%2C+and+the+Gomez+Fatality+Review.++The+Department+described+the+plan+as+a+%E2%80%9Cbold+long-term+roadmap+for+creating+and+sustaining+an+improved+child+welfare+system.%E2%80%9D+++++++Settlement+Definitions+++++The+Settlement+defines+the+Plaintiff+class+as+follows%3A++%E2%80%A2+%E2%80%9CChild%E2%80%9D+or+%E2%80%9CChildren%E2%80%9D+in+foster+care+means+children+in+the+custody+of+DCFS.++For+the+outcomes%2C+benchmarks%2C+and+actions+steps%2C+this+term+refers+to+children+in+the+Plaintiff+Class%2C+defined+as+all+children+in+the+custody+of+DCFS+who+are+now+or+in+the+future+will+be+placed+by+DCFS+in+three+or+more+placements+and+those+children+in+the+custody+of+DCFS+who+are+at+risk+of+three+or+more+placements.++The+Panel+interprets+this+definition+to+include+all+children+in+the+custody+of+DCFS.+++++%E2%80%A2+%E2%80%9CDepartment%E2%80%9D+means+the+Department+of+Social+and+Health+Services.++In+terms+of+responsibilities+related+to+the+Settlement%2C+the+most+relevant+divisions+are+the+Children%E2%80%99s+Administration+and+Health+and+Recovery+Services+%28including+the+Division+of+Mental+Health+and+the+Division+of+Alcohol+and+Substance+Abuse%29.++++The+Settlement+established+goals+in+six+areas+%3A++%E2%80%A2+Placement+Stability%3A+Every+child+will+have+a+safe+and+stable+placement+with+a+caregiver+capable+of+meeting+the+child%E2%80%99s+needs.++%E2%80%A2+Mental+Health%3A+Children+shall+have+initial+physical+and+mental+health+screenings+within+30+days+of+entry+into+care.++The+child%E2%80%99s+case+plan+will+include+plans+to+meet+their+special+needs.++Children+shall+receive+timely%2C+accessible%2C+individualized%2C+and+appropriate+mental+health+assessments+and+treatment+by+qualified+mental+health+providers.++Continuity+of+treatment+providers+will+be+maintained.++%E2%80%A2+Foster+Parent+Training+and+Information%3A+Caregivers+shall+be+adequately+trained%2C+supported%2C+and+informed+about+children+in+their+care.++The+Department+shall+provide+accessible+pre-service+and+in-service+training+to+all+caregivers+sufficient+to+meet+the+caregiving+needs+of+children+in+placement.++%E2%80%A2+Unsafe%2FInappropriate+Placements%3A+All+children+shall+be+placed+in+safe+placements.++The+state+shall+continue+to+meet+or+exceed+the+federal+standard+for+out-of-home+care.++%E2%80%A2+Sibling+Separation%3A+Placement+of+siblings+together+is+presumed+to+be+in+the+children%E2%80%99s+best+interest+unless+there+is+a+reasonable+basis+to+conclude+that+the+health%2C+safety%2C+or+welfare+of+a+child+is+put+in+jeopardy+by+the+placement.++Frequent+and+meaningful+contact+between+siblings+in+foster+care+who+are+not+placed+together+and+those+who+remain+at+home+should+occur+unless+not+in+child%E2%80%99s+best+interest.++%E2%80%A2+Services+to+Adolescents%3A+Improve+the+quality+and+accessibility+of+services+to+adolescents.++Improve+the+educational+achievements+of+these+adolescents+and+better+prepare+them+to+live+independently.++Reduce+the+number+of+adolescents+on+runaway+status+from+foster+care.++++++Panel+Work+Products++++Under+the+Settlement%2C+the+Panel+issues+the+following+types+of+documents%3A++%EF%82%9F+Implementation+Plan++defining+the+specific+and+enforceable+performances+required+by+the+Settlement%3B+and++%EF%82%9F+Monitoring+%28Progress%29+Reports+measuring+progress+toward+the+Settlement+goals%2C+outcomes%2C+benchmarks%2C+and+action+steps+for+each+six-month+period.+++++Implementation+Plan.++An+implementation+plan+was+issued+in+February+2006.++++Monitoring+Reports.++The+Panel+is+to+publish+progress+reports+every+six+months.++This+March+document+is+the+first+of+these+documents.++++++'; 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'Braam++foster+care++reform++Washington++Washington+State+++The+Braam+Oversight+Panel+was+created+in+2004+to+oversee+a+Settlement+regarding+Washington+State%E2%80%99s+foster+care+system.++The+Settlement+was+reached+after+a+six-year+period+of+litigation.++The+named+Plaintiff%2C+Jessica+Braam%2C+is+an+adult+who+lived+in+34+foster+homes+by+the+time+the+suit+was+filed+in+1998.++The+Settlement+is+intended+to+improve+the+conditions+and+treatment+of+children+in+the+custody+of+the+state%E2%80%99s+Division+of+Children+and+Family+Services.++++The+Panel+was+created+to+monitor+improvements+in+selected+services+and+ensure+quality+standards+are+met+over+the+next+seven+years.++This+independent+Panel+was+mutually+selected+by+the+parties+%28the+Plaintiffs+who+filed+the+lawsuit+and+the+state+of+Washington%29.++The+Panel%2C+working+in+collaboration+with+the+Department+of+Social+and+Health+Services+%28DSHS%29+and+with+substantial+input+from+the+Plaintiffs+and+other+stakeholders%2C+developed+an+Implementation+Plan+for+the+six+areas+specified+in+the+Settlement.++This+document+is+the+first+monitoring+report+on+the+Settlement+and+covers+the+period+7%2F31%2F04+to+12%2F31%2F05.++++++Members++++John+Landsverk%2C+Chair++++Jeanine+Long++++Jan+McCarthy++++Jess+McDonald++++Dorothy+Roberts++++++++++++++Roxanne+Lieb%2C+Executive+Coordinator++++110+Fifth+Avenue+SE%2C+2nd+Floor++PO+Box+40999++Olympia%2C+WA++98504-0999++++Phone%3A+%28360%29+586-2768++FAX%3A+%28360%29+586-2793++E-mail%3A++liebr%40wsipp.wa.gov++Website%3A++www.braampanel.org+++++TABLE+OF+CONTENTS++++++++Background+1++Overview+3++Approach+and+Summary+Findings+5++Placement+Stability+7++Mental+Health+13++Foster+Parent+Training+and+Information+15++Unsafe%2FInappropriate+Placements+21++Sibling+Separation+25++Services+to+Adolescents+29+++++++++%5BPage+left+blank+intentionally.%5D++++++++++BACKGROUND++++++The+Braam+Oversight+Panel+was+created+in+2004+to+oversee+a+Settlement+regarding+Washington+State%E2%80%99s+foster+care+system.++The+Settlement+was+reached+after+a+six-year+period+of+litigation+between+the+state+of+Washington+and+Plaintiffs%E2%80%99+attorneys.++The+lead+named+Plaintiff%2C+Jessica+Braam%2C+is+an+adult+who+lived+in+34+foster+homes+by+the+time+the+suit+was+filed+in+1998.++++The+goal+of+the+Settlement+is+to+improve+the+%E2%80%9Cconditions+and+treatment+of+children+in+the+custody+of+the+state%E2%80%99s+Division+of+Children+and+Family+Services.%E2%80%9D++In+collaboration+with+Washington%E2%80%99s+Department+of+Social+and+Health+Services+%28the+Department%29%2C+and+with+substantial+input+from+Plaintiffs+and+other+stakeholders%2C+the+independent+Panel+has+responsibility+to+develop+outcomes%2C+benchmarks%2C+and+action+steps%2C+and+to+monitor+compliance.++The+Settlement+covers+six+areas%3A++++%E2%80%A2+Placement+stability++%E2%80%A2+Mental+health+services++%E2%80%A2+Foster+parent+training+and+information++%E2%80%A2+Unsafe+or+inappropriate+placements++%E2%80%A2+Sibling+separation++%E2%80%A2+Services+to+adolescents++++The+Settlement+is+a+16-page+document+with+14+goals.++The+Settlement+incorporated+over+50+provisions+directly+from+the+Department%E2%80%99s+comprehensive+reform+plan%E2%80%94Kids+Come+First+II.++This+restructuring+plan+for+children%E2%80%99s+services+is+described+by+the+Department+as+an+%E2%80%9Caggressive+effort+to+make+long-lasting+changes+in+the+child+welfare+field+%5Bthat%5D+will+further+protect+children+and+better+address+their+medical+and+emotional+needs.%E2%80%9D+++++++To+a+significant+extent%2C+the+Settlement+directs+the+Department+to+perform+activities+required+under+Washington+State+law.++Since+1987%2C+30+laws+have+been+passed+directing+policies+and+procedures+included+in+the+Settlement.++++++The+Panel+provided+an+Implementation+Plan+in+February+2006++that+defines+the+specific+and+enforceable+agreements+required+by+the+Settlement.++++++This+monitoring+report+covers+performance+under+the+Settlement+from+7%2F31%2F04+through+12%2F31%2F05.+++++++++%5BPage+left+blank+intentionally.%5D+++++++OVERVIEW++++++The+Braam+Oversight+Panel+was+created+in+2004+to+oversee+a+settlement+agreement+%28Settlement%29+regarding+Washington+State%E2%80%99s+foster+care+system.++The+Settlement+was+reached+after+a+six-year+period+of+litigation.++The+parties+to+the+Settlement+include+the+Plaintiffs%2C++who+filed+the+lawsuit%2C+and+the+State+of+Washington%2C+respondents+to+the+lawsuit.++++++The+final+Settlement+created+an+independent+oversight+panel+%28the+%E2%80%9CPanel%E2%80%9D%29+that+was+mutually+selected+by+the+parties.++The+members+include%3A++%E2%80%A2+A+former+child+welfare+administrator%3B++%E2%80%A2+A+child+welfare+researcher%3B++%E2%80%A2+An+expert+in+children%E2%80%99s+mental+health%3B+and+++%E2%80%A2+Two+additional+members.++++To+ensure+the+Panel%E2%80%99s+independence%2C+its+members+and+staff+are+not+funded+by+the+state.+++++++The+Settlement+directed+the+Panel+to+establish+professional+standards%2C+outcomes%2C+benchmarks%2C+and+action+steps+to+improve+the+treatment+of%2C+and+conditions+for%2C+children+in+the+custody+of+DCFS%2C+and+to+monitor+the+Department%E2%80%99s+performance+under+this+Settlement+%28Settlement%2C+page+1%29.++The+intent+of+the+Settlement%2C+and+the+Panel%E2%80%99s+work%2C+is+summarized+on+the+first+page+of+the+Settlement%3A+++++%E2%80%9CThe+parties+enter+into+this+Agreement+with+the+recognition+that+both+parties+and+their+counsel+have+committed+to+enter+into+specific%2C+measurable%2C+and+enforceable+agreements+with+the+goal+of+improving+the+conditions+and+treatment+of+children+in+the+custody+of+the+Division+of+Children+and+Family+Services.%E2%80%9D+++++Over+50+provisions+from+the+Department%E2%80%99s+comprehensive+reform+plan+for+children%E2%80%99s+services%E2%80%94Kids+Come+First+II%E2%80%94were+incorporated+directly+into+the+Settlement.++This+plan+assimilates+the+state%E2%80%99s+response+to+the+Settlement%2C+the+Federal+Child+and+Family+Services+Review%2C+and+the+Gomez+Fatality+Review.++The+Department+described+the+plan+as+a+%E2%80%9Cbold+long-term+roadmap+for+creating+and+sustaining+an+improved+child+welfare+system.%E2%80%9D+++++++Settlement+Definitions+++++The+Settlement+defines+the+Plaintiff+class+as+follows%3A++%E2%80%A2+%E2%80%9CChild%E2%80%9D+or+%E2%80%9CChildren%E2%80%9D+in+foster+care+means+children+in+the+custody+of+DCFS.++For+the+outcomes%2C+benchmarks%2C+and+actions+steps%2C+this+term+refers+to+children+in+the+Plaintiff+Class%2C+defined+as+all+children+in+the+custody+of+DCFS+who+are+now+or+in+the+future+will+be+placed+by+DCFS+in+three+or+more+placements+and+those+children+in+the+custody+of+DCFS+who+are+at+risk+of+three+or+more+placements.++The+Panel+interprets+this+definition+to+include+all+children+in+the+custody+of+DCFS.+++++%E2%80%A2+%E2%80%9CDepartment%E2%80%9D+means+the+Department+of+Social+and+Health+Services.++In+terms+of+responsibilities+related+to+the+Settlement%2C+the+most+relevant+divisions+are+the+Children%E2%80%99s+Administration+and+Health+and+Recovery+Services+%28including+the+Division+of+Mental+Health+and+the+Division+of+Alcohol+and+Substance+Abuse%29.++++The+Settlement+established+goals+in+six+areas+%3A++%E2%80%A2+Placement+Stability%3A+Every+child+will+have+a+safe+and+stable+placement+with+a+caregiver+capable+of+meeting+the+child%E2%80%99s+needs.++%E2%80%A2+Mental+Health%3A+Children+shall+have+initial+physical+and+mental+health+screenings+within+30+days+of+entry+into+care.++The+child%E2%80%99s+case+plan+will+include+plans+to+meet+their+special+needs.++Children+shall+receive+timely%2C+accessible%2C+individualized%2C+and+appropriate+mental+health+assessments+and+treatment+by+qualified+mental+health+providers.++Continuity+of+treatment+providers+will+be+maintained.++%E2%80%A2+Foster+Parent+Training+and+Information%3A+Caregivers+shall+be+adequately+trained%2C+supported%2C+and+informed+about+children+in+their+care.++The+Department+shall+provide+accessible+pre-service+and+in-service+training+to+all+caregivers+sufficient+to+meet+the+caregiving+needs+of+children+in+placement.++%E2%80%A2+Unsafe%2FInappropriate+Placements%3A+All+children+shall+be+placed+in+safe+placements.++The+state+shall+continue+to+meet+or+exceed+the+federal+standard+for+out-of-home+care.++%E2%80%A2+Sibling+Separation%3A+Placement+of+siblings+together+is+presumed+to+be+in+the+children%E2%80%99s+best+interest+unless+there+is+a+reasonable+basis+to+conclude+that+the+health%2C+safety%2C+or+welfare+of+a+child+is+put+in+jeopardy+by+the+placement.++Frequent+and+meaningful+contact+between+siblings+in+foster+care+who+are+not+placed+together+and+those+who+remain+at+home+should+occur+unless+not+in+child%E2%80%99s+best+interest.++%E2%80%A2+Services+to+Adolescents%3A+Improve+the+quality+and+accessibility+of+services+to+adolescents.++Improve+the+educational+achievements+of+these+adolescents+and+better+prepare+them+to+live+independently.++Reduce+the+number+of+adolescents+on+runaway+status+from+foster+care.++++++Panel+Work+Products++++Under+the+Settlement%2C+the+Panel+issues+the+following+types+of+documents%3A++%EF%82%9F+Implementation+Plan++defining+the+specific+and+enforceable+performances+required+by+the+Settlement%3B+and++%EF%82%9F+Monitoring+%28Progress%29+Reports+measuring+progress+toward+the+Settlement+goals%2C+outcomes%2C+benchmarks%2C+and+action+steps+for+each+six-month+period.+++++Implementation+Plan.++An+implementation+plan+was+issued+in+February+2006.++++Monitoring+Reports.++The+Panel+is+to+publish+progress+reports+every+six+months.++This+March+document+is+the+first+of+these+documents.++++++'; 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