Let's Have a Conversation

The 19th episode of Let’s Have a Conversation features Tina Binda, MA, LMFT, Star View TEAMMATES Administrator, Mr. Kelley, MPSS, Star View TEAMMATES Parent/Peer Director, and Pedro (Peter) Tafolla, Star View TEAMMATES Parent Partner and Fathers Matter Facilitator.

Star View TEAMMATES is a part of Stars Behavioral Health Group (SBHG). SBHG serves more than 30,000 children, youth, and families annually throughout the state at more than two dozen program sites. SBHG has more than 45 locations and offer over 50 specialized public mental health programs and a wide array of community-based support services in 10 counties throughout California.

Star View TEAMMATES is one of several leading Wraparound agencies in Los Angeles County. Wraparound is a unique approach to working with Severely Emotionally Disturbed (SED) youth who are in long-term placement within LA County’s Mental Health, Foster Care, or Juvenile Justice systems. TEAMMATES also provides Early Psychosis Intervention for youth and young adults ages 12-25 as well as other programs that reach some of the most vulnerable in the community with intensive mental health needs. TEAMMATES utilizes parent partners to come alongside caregivers and family members, and their Fathers Matter initiative is focused on supporting the active presence of men in children’s lives.

Designed with a vision of equity, Ohio’s new shared practice model is PACT — Practice in Action Together. PACT has been developed for (and by) public children services agencies: caseworkers, supervisors, and agency leaders working alongside families, former foster youth, academics, and other experts.

In this 18th episode of “Let’s Have a Conversation,” Bob Friend is joined by Mike, Ashley, and Summer, who speak of the development of the Practice in Action Together (PACT) effort in Ohio. It’s a story of healing by a parent and social worker via the Public Children Services Association of Ohio (PCSAO) in which the values and actions of PACT were central and visible within this story. This is a captivating pod and we encourage you to have a good listen!

Numbers can reveal profound narratives and the story of Upfront Family Finding in Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is inspiring. In the space of two years, LA County DCFS has seen a remarkable increase in the percentage of children initially placed in out-of-home care with kin, from 11% in 2021 to 43% in 2023. DCFS began its Upfront Family Finding journey in 2016 with two pilot offices, gradually expanding the program and implementing it countywide in 2023. Since its inception, the program has benefited 6,004 children, locating 42,429 maternal relatives, 28,591 paternal relatives, and 5,225 non-relative extended family members (data as of March 13, 2024).

In this compelling episode, Director Bob Friend sits with dedicated managers and staff members of LA County DCFS to delve into the transformative realm of Upfront Family Finding and its pivotal approach aimed at swiftly identifying both family and non-relative extended family members. This initiative stands as a beacon of hope, cultivating a culture that prioritizes kinship connections from the very outset of a child’s journey into foster care.

Allambi Care is a multi-disciplined and recognised leader in the human services field working across Newcastle, the Hunter, the NSW Central Coast and Victoria. We are committed to supporting our community’s most vulnerable people through tailored services and programs.

We include a family finding case study experience regarding a young Aboriginal young person living in Allambi’s residential care, with connection back with family and culture.

Allambi Care is a multi-disciplined and recognised leader in the human services field working across Newcastle, the Hunter, the NSW Central Coast and Victoria. We are committed to supporting our community’s most vulnerable people through tailored services and programs.

We include a family finding case study experience regarding a young Aboriginal person living in Allambi’s residential care with connection back with family and culture.