Vision: To be the premier child welfare organization in the United States

The following guiding principles for Community Based Care were developed by a Community Alliance sub-committee made up of a coalition of community-based agencies that provide comprehensive services to children and families in need due to abuse and/or neglect.  The focus of these principles is to unite our resources, hold all parties accountable to specific standards of care, evaluate performance and distribution of resources based upon specific and measurable outcomes, and ensure the safety and protection of our children in Central Florida.

I. Community Based Services
(To prioritize the identification, development and maintenance of community based services that will minimize placing children outside their community)

• Develop and support all resources in community to ensure the safety of each individual child
• Develop and maintain a multi-disciplinary approach to service delivery with focus on providing that service in Central Florida
• Promote continued recruitment of appropriate care providers, including but not limited to quality foster family homes, adoptive homes and family relative placements, with a focus on placements that are the least restrictive to the child’s continued development
• On-going assessment of available and needed services to identify gaps within the community and develop appropriate responses
• Provide support and training to promote retention of care providers
• Provide services in a child-friendly, non-threatening, safe environment

II. Individually Tailored Services
(To ensure that each child will be provided the best  services appropriate for his/her specific need)

• Provide for educational needs of child in safe and familiar environment
• Provide culturally competent, relevant and respectful services
• Develop an individual “Service Delivery Plan” for each child and clearly define re-evaluation and modification strategy for that plan, with safety always in mind
• Provide for services in safe environment to children with physical or learning disabilities

III. Continuum of Care
(To offer a seamless, cohesive, timely and comprehensive delivery of services that will encourage healthy childhood growth, nurturing and development)

• Develop and maintain a multi-disciplinary approach to service delivery
• Ensure appropriate and timely service assessment
• Ensure availability of all service including, but not limited to: individual on-site therapy, socialization groups, basic living skills, psychological testing and evaluation, effective and consistent case management, and individual and specialized child advocates for each facet of a victim case from investigation through dependency, family and criminal court
• Identify and address areas of concern that may cause waiting lists
• Provide for sharing of information across entire continuum of care
• Maintain a strong emphasis upon prevention and early intervention
• Provide for efficient and effective procedures for referral to ancillary services to assist children and their families with mental health, substance abuse, domestic violence, parenting and other basic needs

IV. Accountability
(To promote an objective evaluation of service delivery to ensure the most effective and efficient utilization of resources)

• Establish and define standards for performance measurements
• Monitor standards for compliance
• Evaluate programs on regular basis
• Analyze trends, patterns and implement strategies for improvement
• Publish results

V. Resource Management
(To maximize resources and creatively meet funding needs)

• Fiscal stewardship
• Valuing human resources
• Establish resource allocations based on need -- not formula-driven
• Develop sound fund enhancement goals
• Utilize and fund services that collaborate with the overall vision of Community Based Care

VI. Community Development
(To embrace and educate the entire community in the process of providing the safest possible environment for our children in need of services)

• Develop and maintain a strong relationship with a council of community providers
• Provide education and awareness to community and providers about services and needs
• Promote involvement of entire community including, but not limited to: public officials, school board, judiciary, law enforcement, business community, service providers, consumers, and the faith based community
• Maintain a collaborative working relationship with the Community Alliance

VII. Culture of Respect, Empowerment, Support and Trust

• Clients, CBC of Central Florida staff and community partners will understand the mission, vision and values of CBC of Central Florida
• Create a “learning environment” for CBC of Central Florida system of care
• Develop and maintain a high-quality and stable workforce