The Integrated Core Practice Model (ICPM)

An important building block of California’s Integrated Core Practice Model (ICPM) is the Child Welfare Core Practice Model. The Child Welfare Core Practice Model (CPM) was built on the work of the federally funded California Partners for Permanency and the original state and court approved Katie A. Pathways Practice Model. The developmental work of the Child Welfare Core Practice Model began in 2012. By identifying the theoretical framework that guides Child Welfare work, CPM identified the values and principles that should consistently govern that work. Meetings were held throughout the state to engage statewide and local Child Welfare constituencies in order to confirm those values and principles. Through these meetings, practice principles and behaviors were identified that clearly articulate how Child Welfare agencies throughout the state can comprehensively deliver effective services. The Child Welfare Core Practice Model in improves child safety, permanency and well-being. Information about the Child Welfare Core Practice model is available at https://calswec.berkeley.edu/programs-and-services/child-welfare-service-training-program/core-practice-model

The heart of the Core Practice Model is the set of practice principles and behaviors that dictate the way in which Child Welfare work is carried out, irrespective of what activities are carried out at any given time, whether in the Child and Family Teams, in implementing the Continuum of Care Reform, in engaging youth under the auspices of AB 12, or in any of the other phases of Child Welfare work. The Child Welfare Core Practice Model content has been deeply incorporated in the articulation of the Integrated Core Practice Model (ICPM) and is recognized as an integral component of the work that should occur among the systems that serve vulnerable children, youth and families in our state.

Released in 2018, in support of the Continuum of Care Reform (CCR) and Pathways to Well-Being efforts, the ICPM is an articulation of the shared values, core components, and standards of practice expected from those serving California’s children, youth, and families. ICPM provides practical guidance and direction in the delivery of timely, effective, and collaborative services. Additionally, the ICPM helps create a culturally relevant and trauma-informed systems of care that strengthens the voice and choice of the child, youth, and family and builds consensus around their strengths and needs in service planning and delivery. The practice of working together as a team is at the heart of ICPM and central to the implementation of family-centered practice and CCR.

For California Child Welfare agencies this means working actively and consistently with Probation, Behavioral Health, Education, Tribes, Regional Centers, and other like-minded partners to align training, orientation and services for youth in all systems. That cross system work is enhanced when the tools and resources from the California Child Welfare Integrated Core Practice Model that evolved from Katie A. lawsuit and CAPP, are shared and used in partnership.

The ICPM is a framework that sets the Child and Family Team (CFT) as the primary vehicle for the team-based process and is implemented in four phases: Engagement, Service Planning, Monitoring and Adapting, and Transition. Together with the CFT process, the ICPM establishes an authentic partnership with children, youth, and families, which results in coordinated and integrated plans that are individualized to address the unique needs of each child and family member working together towards well-being and permanency. Additionally, the ICPM helps create a culturally relevant and trauma-informed systems of care that strengthens the voice and choice of the child, youth, and family and builds consensus around their strengths and needs in service planning and delivery. The practice of working together as a team is at the heart of ICPM and central to the implementation of family-centered practice and CCR.

Contact Us

Family Centered Practice Unit
744 P Street, MS 8-3
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 651-2752
ICPM@dss.ca.gov

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