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and explained the share comparisons. The total budget is $95.6 million. The federal <br />share is $61.5 million, the State share is $25.9 million, and the County share is $8.1 <br />million. She then explained the last page, which is the 12-month Departmental <br />Summary. She also went over the organizational structure of DSS. <br />John Link asked about the Professional Social Workers and the ratio of Master's <br />and Bachelor's Social Workers. Nancy Coston said that it is probably close to 50/50. <br />John Link said that DSS has historically treated Professional Social Workers as <br />exempt employees that are not eligible for overtime. He said that this should be <br />discussed in the future. He has mixed feelings about it. <br />3. Multiple Response System for Child Protective Services <br />Nancy Coston made a presentation on Child Welfare Reform, as follows. <br />Multiple Response Systems: Reforms in the Child Welfare Continuum <br />Underlying Beliefs of the Multiple Response System <br />- Safety of the child is the first concern <br />- Children have a right to their family <br />- Parents should be supported in their efforts to care for their children <br />- Families are diverse and have the right to be respected for their special cultural, <br />racial, ethnic, and religious traditions <br />- A crisis is an opportunity for change and growth <br />- Family members are our colleagues and partners <br />Seven Strategies of MRS <br />- Strengths-based, structured intake <br />- Two approaches to reports of abuse, neglect, and dependency <br />- Coordination between law enforcement agencies and CPS <br />- Redesign in-home family services <br />- Child and family team meetings <br />- Shared parenting meetings <br />- Collaboration between Work First and Child Welfare Programs <br />Strengths-Based Structured Intake Process <br />A Structured Intake Report Form: <br />- Provides a clear, consistent, and organized method of gathering information <br />regarding allegations of child abuse, neglect and dependency throughout the <br />entire state of NC <br />- All referrals screened for substance abuse and domestic violence <br />- Information obtained has to meet present statutory definitions of abuse, neglect <br />and dependency and will be screened accordingly for MRS <br />Two approaches to reports of abuse, neglect, and dependency <br />- Investigative Forensic Assessment Response (Traditional CPS Response) <br />- Family Assessment Response <br />Approach 1: Investigative Forensic Treatment Response <br />- Interviews with the child are usually done without the parents' knowledge and <br />permission <br />- Collateral contacts are often made without the parents' knowledge and/or <br />permission <br />