Specifications include, but are not limited to: 8.1.1SSA, in partnership with community agencies, has embraced a model of community-based, family-driven, collaborative service delivery. In keeping with these practices, SSA has adopted a nationally recognized model to frame outcomes and evaluation. Developed by the Center for Social Policy, the Strengthening Families model identifies five (5) Protective Factors, described below, that have been identified in preventing the risk of child abuse and neglect:8.1.1.1Social Connections: Isolated families lead to a higher risk of child abuse. Families need tobuild trusting relationships and connect with others to strengthen parenting skills and decrease risk of abuse.8.1.1.2Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development: This leads to appropriate expectations and the use of more developmentally appropriate guidance techniques.8.1.1.3Social and Emotional Competence of Children: Children who are educated about identifying feelings, empathizing with others, sharing emotions appropriately, and problem-solving, have more positive interactions with others.8.1.1.4Concrete Support in Times of Need: Immediate support and resources should be provided when a family is in crisis. 8.1.1.5Parent Resilience: This involves bouncing back from difficulties, i.e. recognizing challenges/feelings in difficult times, and the ability to have hope, problem-solve, and take action.8.1.2Provider should incorporate the five (5) Protective Factors into service delivery in order to help strengthen families, and preventabuse and neglect.8.1.3SSA will furnish Provider with the Protective Factors Pre-Test and Post-Test Surveys that will help measure how counseling and parent education services are impacting SSA clients.Provider shall:8.1.4Use evidence-informed or evidence-based practices such as “Seeking Safety” or Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) to meet client needs and address client symptoms.8.1.5Offer services designed for all referred age groups (i.e. play therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, etc.).8.1.6Be culturally responsive to the community served, and responsive to all types of family units.8.1.7Provide services which are required under the terms of this Agreement only to clients referred by SSA and in accordance with the client referral procedures to be provided by County. Unless prior authorization is granted by SSA, all parties under the resulting Agreement must be provided at Provider’s place(s) of business.8.1.8Be permitted to provide services to others similar to those under the resulting Agreement, provided those services:8.1.8.1Do not interfere with Provider’s duties under the resulting Agreement;8.1.8.2Provider gives priority to SSA clients for appointments during the office hours of 4 p.m. through 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, and at least four (4) hourperiod on Saturdays, and8.1.8.3Are not performed during the hours Provider is obligated to perform services under the resulting Agreement.8.1.9Utilize multiple communication strategies to remind client of their scheduledappointments, such as phone call and text message reminders, as referenced in Paragraph 9.4.6.8.1.10Terminate any client(s) upon written notice by SSA.County shall not be responsible for payment of any counseling, parent educationservices, or other previously approved referral activities provided to a client(s) after SSA has provided Provider with such notice.
