CPM Implementation Planning Materials

California Child Welfare Core Practice Model

All implementation materials contained on this page can be downloaded in this PDF: Implementation Planning Guide [PDF]

Overview

CPM Implementation Planning: A Goal-Oriented Approach

All California child welfare agencies are implementing the Core Practice Model (CPM) over the next few years. Each county needs to assess what business processes exist that already support the CPM and what aspects of the CPM—practice behaviors, leadership behaviors, and organizational elements—need to be launched or strengthened. This will look different for each county, given its location, size, service population and goals.

As with any journey, it is important to begin with the end in mind. It starts with describing what will be happening when your county reaches the next level of CPM implementation, then working backwards to design what it will take to get there. Collectively planning toward achieving this future state helps counties strategically target their CPM implementation efforts toward the goals the child welfare agency and its partners want to achieve.

Guiding the Way through CPM Implementation

While each county will create its own pathway for CPM implementation, all counties can follow a process informed by Implementation Science to develop and launch their specific Implementation Plans. Research shows that by attending to key areas of capacity building—Organizational Readiness, Workforce Development, Engaged Partnerships, and Quality Improvement—the practice of CPM is more likely to take hold. This Guide is designed as a reference and instruction manual for the journey ahead. It features a three-part process supplemented with easy-to-use tools and templates.

Part 1: CPM Implementation Snapshot: Where Are We Now?

Counties can take a "snapshot" of their CPM Implementation Status using the CPM Implementation Snapshot. Organized by topic area, this assessment and analysis tool focuses counties on four key capacities necessary for active implementation of CPM. The tool concludes with a section for counties to score and analyze their assessment findings, then identify implementation priorities on which to focus local planning efforts.

Part 2: CPM Implementation Plan: Where Are We Going and How Do We Get There?

Counties focus on addressing the CPM implementation priorities identified through the Snapshot process. In other words, each county asks themselves, “What changes do we want to see happening in the near term related to each priority?" The CPM Implementation Plan Template guides counties through the specifics of conducting goal-oriented action planning. As a result, counties create their own pathway for getting from where they are now to achieving their CPM implementation objectives.

Part 3: CPM Implementation Support: What Will Support Our Progress?

Counties are encouraged to identify what kinds of supports might help them carry out their CPM Implementation Plan. The CPM Implementation Support Process guides counties in using the tools and resources generated by the Development Circles. Counties can coordinate addressing their support needs throught their Regional Training Academy.

Directors Institute Learning Sessions, webinars, and regional events over the coming months will refer to the segments of this Guide as the basis for reflection, strategizing, and regionally focused supports for CPM implementation.

Approach

By and For Directors

County Child Welfare Directors play a key leadership role in preparing and supporting their people and organizations for CPM implementation. As part of the CPM Directors Institute, Directors will go through a sequence of orientations, assessments, and decisions coordinated through webinars, convenings, and county team work to create a clear path toward launching or strengthening CPM in their location.

To ensure quality implementation of CPM down the road, Directors are encouraged to begin or continue cultivating a local team of CWS leaders with the management authority and functional expertise to move CPM implementation forward in your county. While these leadership teams may look different across counties, having one working in concert with the Director throughout implementation is a key to success.

A Supported Process

Throughout the three-part CPM implementation planning process outlined above, counties will have access to a multi-faceted support system. Some supports will be coordinated regionally. Others involve collaboration with peers or access to online information. Overall, opportunities for continued learning and guidance create a solid support infrastructure on which counties can rely as they progress through CPM implementation.

Graphic depicting the three-part CPM implementation planning process

This graphic is a calendar-driven view showing the project timing of specific support activities through the end of Fiscal Year 2017–2018:

2018 Director's Road Map—County Focus