Module Six: Protective Capacity
Progress Assessment {PCPA}
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Intake NIA PCFA PCPA
Case
Closure
Each informs the next
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Quality of information
matters!

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PROTECTIVE CAPACITY PROGRESS
ASSESSMENT (PCPA)
The two major areas that are being assessed are:
1) Specific indicators of change and
2) Caregiver readiness to change.

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Behavioral
Consistent
Criteria
Demonstrate
Evidence
Goal
Sustained
Repeated
Observable responses, actions, conduct, and manner as
represented and identified in a goal set in the Case Plan
Recurring as in a pattern or developing pattern
The means for measuring behavior change, for judging the
change of a behavior
The means for measuring behavior change, for judging the
change of a behavior
To show as a means of proof that a behavior is occurring
Easy to see, clear, obvious, apparent, meeting the
preponderance standard when grouped to justify criteria
Specific behavior change that is supported, agreed to, and
expected
Done again and again, done enough to represent a possible
developing pattern
To keep up for several weeks, to become habitual in manner

PCPA is a Formal Safety Intervention
Enhance
Protective
Capacities
Meaningful
Contact
Mitigate
Impending
Danger
Achieve
Case Plan
Goals
Permanency
UNSAFE SAFE
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Why do you think FREQUENCY of CONTACT matters?
Type your answer below.

Why does FREQUENCY of CONTACT matter?
HELPING
RELATIONSHIP
Connection
Partnership
Mutual
Respect
Trust
Acceptance
Genuineness
Consistency
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Treatment
Provider
Placement
Provider
Caregiver
(parent)
Safety
Service
Provider
Child
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Frequency with any case participant may need to be increased depending on case
circumstances

POOR
FISH
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Please add graphic/Cartoon
with wind coming through
a window!

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1. What are the two major areas being assessed in the PCPA?
a) Specific indicators of change and case plan goals.
b) Caregiver readiness to change and conditions for return.
c) Helping relationship and frequency of contact.
d) Specific indicators of change and caregiver readiness to change.
2. True or false, the PCPA is a formal safety intervention.
a) True
b) False
3. Which of the following are NOT an attribute of a helping
relationship?
a) Mutual Respect
b) Balance
c) Partnership
d) Genuineness
4. How often does the Permanency Specialist meet with the
caregiver?
a) Daily
b) Weekly
c) Bi-weekly
d) Monthly

WHERE DO YOU LOOK FOR INFORMATION?
STATEMENTS
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Picture of medical
provider that says: “Hi I’m
a doctor, I can provide
you with professional
observations and any
treatment
recommendations.” STACI
Picture of foster
parent/placement
provider that says: “Hi
I’m a foster parent I can
give you information on
how the child is doing,
interactions between
the child and parent,
and any needs the child
or I have.” ROBIN ROLE
Picture of child that says: “Hi
I’m a child I can tell you how
I’m doing, if I feel safe, and
any information about
myself and my feelings about
the case. ” WHITNEYS SON
Picture of safety football
coach: “Hi I’m a football
coach, I’ll have information
about the child” ALEX'S
HUSBAND ROLE
Picture of Relatives that says:
“Hi I’m the grandma and a
safety service provider. I can
tell you have my friendly visits
with the family are going.”
ALEX'S GRANDMA ROLE
Picture of a mom that says: “Hi I’m
the mom, I can give you
information about me and my role
and needs in the case and how my
relationship with my child is
going.” WHITNEY ROLE
Picture of a dad that says: “Hi
I’m the dad, please don’t
forget about me. I can tell you
how I’m doing and give you
information on my roll in the
case and my relationship with
my child.” MICHAEL ROLE
Picture of teacher that says:
“Hi I’m the teacher, I can
provide child functioning
information and all school
information such as
attendance, grades, and any
formal school assessments.”
BRANDY

WHERE DO YOU LOOK FOR INFORMATION?
OBSERVATIONS
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Insert a caseworker icon here:

WHERE DO YOU LOOK FOR INFORMATION?
PARTICIPATION
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Add graphic of
someone who is sad
and dejected. Make
it look like this isn’t
what we want,
grayed out or
something. We want
the other graphics to
be the focus and
standout.
Add graphic of someone who looks
energetic and happy.
Add graphic of someone who is
playing with their children
Add graphic of someone who is
holding an award

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1. Based on this statement determine which collaterals
provides the following information. "I can give you
information on how the child is doing, interactions
between the child and parent, and any needs the child or I
have.”
a) Teacher
b) Medical Provider
c) Mom
d) Foster Placement
2. When it comes to a parent’s compliance to participating or
completing treatment services, which of the following is how a
Permanency Specialist would MOST LIKELY use this type of
information in the PCPA?
a) As a primary measure of success.
b) As a possible measure of whether caregivers are making
efforts to change behavior.
c) Both A & B
d) None of the above

Stages of Change
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PCPA Progress Criteria
No Progress
Minimal
Progress
Minimal or
General
Progress
General or
Significant
Progress
Significant
Progress
or
Goal
Achievement
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No Progress
Increasing evidence of demonstrated caregiver
behavioral change as required by the Goal.
Significant Progress
No demonstrated evidence of caregiver
behavioral change as required by the Goal.
Minimal Progress
Inconsistent evidence of demonstrated
caregiver behavioral change as required by the
Goal.
Repeated evidence of demonstrated caregiver
behavioral change as required by the Goal.
General Progress
Goal Achievement
Consistent evidence of demonstrated and
sustained caregiver behavioral change as
required by the Goal.
Stages of change Definitions

No
Progress
Minimal
Progress
Goal
Achievement
General
Progress
Significant
Progress
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1. Based on the statement determine what stage of
change the caregiver is in. "The caregiver is open to
discussing alternative ways of behaving, thinking, and
feeling."
a) Pre-contemplation
b) Contemplation
c) Preparation
d) Action
2. Which of the following is NOT a part of the PCPA
Progress Criteria?
a) Significant Progress
b) No Progress
c) Maintenance
d) Goal Achievement

No Progress/Precontemplation
•Discuss consequences for not changing
•Respect self-determination
•Don’t force the need for change
•Roll with resistance and determine the source of resistance
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Change Focused Contact with Caregivers in Pre-
Contemplation Stage
Facilitative
Objectives for
Caregivers in Pre-
Contemplation
Menu of
Intervention
Strategies for
Caregivers in Pre-
Contemplation
Click
here for
more
info

Minimal Progress/Contemplation
•Address areas of resistance
•Generate motivation around areas to improve
•Identify what influences, causes or explains vacillation
•Identify and address barriers
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Change Focused Contact with Caregivers in
Contemplation Stage
Facilitative
Objectives for
Caregivers in
Contemplation
Menu of
Intervention
Strategies for
Caregivers in
Contemplation
Click
here for
more
info

General Progress/Contemplation
•Make specific plans to take the next step
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Change Focused Contact with Caregivers in
Preparation Stage
Facilitative
Objectives for
Caregivers in
Preparation
Menu of
Intervention
Strategies for
Caregivers in
Preparation
Click
here for
more
info

Significant Progress/Action
•Working on change
•Discuss what the person is doing, experiencing and feeling
•Recognize daily, weekly, monthly gains evident in how the person thinks, behaves and pursues change
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Change Focused Contact with Caregivers in Action
Stage
Facilitative
Objectives for
Caregivers in
Action
Menu of
Intervention
Strategies for
Caregivers in
Action
Click
here for
more
info

Goal Achievement/Maintenance
•Sustained change over time
•Length of time is unique to each person and each case
•Recognize, support and reinforce change that has occurred
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Change Focused Contact with Caregivers in
Maintenance Stage
Facilitative
Objectives for
Caregivers in
Maintenance
Menu of
Intervention
Strategies for
Caregivers in
Maintenance
Click
here for
more
info

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Relapse
•Relapse can occur at any point in time.
•Help clients identify their triggers.
•Help develop a plan if/when relapse occurs.
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Changes focused contacts
Be curious! Explore!
Respect self-determination and
Don’t expect miracles as change takes time.

TOOLS TO
ELICIT
CHANGE
TALK
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Decisional
Balance
Technique
Scaling
Questions
Homework

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2. The caregiver continues to blame his or her problems on others.
3. The caregiver demonstrates change in perceptions, attitudes, motives, emotions, and behaviors that are
associated with his or her protective capacities.
4. The caregiver is demonstrating evidence of taking personal responsibility for change and has internalized a
commitment to achieve sustained change.
5. The caregiver has a realistic plan for preventing relapse and he or she is hopeful about sustaining change.
1. The caregiver is open about the value of the changed behavior, the need for sustaining the changed behavior,
and the circumstances that required the changed behavior
6. The caregiver may verbalize commitment but does not follow through; interaction is characteristically passive
aggressive or “fake cooperation”.
7. The caregiver does not fully agree that there is a need for change, but he or she is open to discussing issues.
8. The caregiver is beginning to reflect how his or her actions/behavior are impacting his or her ability to
adequately parent, to assure protection.
9. The caregiver acknowledges the need for intervention and accepts the reason for CPS involvement.
10. The caregiver talks about making a plan for change and is assertive in discussing options.
End of mini module. This is
the knowledge check.

The PCPA Meeting
• Prepare
• Conduct
• Follow Up
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Prepare
Meet with caregiver to
prepare for the PCPA
meeting
• Explain the purpose
• Discuss who
should/will attend
• Discuss agenda items
so the caregiver is
prepared
Extend professional
courtesy
• Preference must be
given to the
caregiver's schedule
Invite
• Caregiver
• Caregiver Supports
• Attorneys
• CASA Worker
• Placement Resource
• Safety Providers
• Treatment Providers
• Persona Legally
Responsible
• Child (if appropriate)
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Prepare cont.
Case Note
• A case not
must be
entered in
UNITY
• Include
attempts to
schedule
Draft PCPA
• The PCPA
document
with be
drafted in
UNITY
Supervisor
Consultation
• The
supervisor
enters a case
note
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Conduct
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 The PCPA meeting occurs face-to
face.
 Review case plan with
caregiver/team.
 Discuss case plan services and
effectiveness.
 Address child's needs and well-
being.
 Discuss status of impending
danger.
 Discuss sufficiency and level of
intrusiveness of safety plan.
 Review conditions for return.
 Address quality of the worker
and caregiver relationship.
 Discuss the permanency plan.

Conduct
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Follow Up
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• Debrief
• Understand
• Case plan
• Case note
• Safety assessment
• Safety plan determination
• Conditions for return

Case Closure
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1. No impending
danger threats.
2. Alternative
permanency
plan.
3. Reasons other
than caregiver's
achievement of
case plan goals.

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1. What are the three steps for a PCPA meeting?
a) Prepare, Revisit, Follow Up.
b) Prepare, Conduct, Revisit.
c) Prepare, Conduct, Follow Up.
d) Invite, Conduct, Follow Up.
2. Which of the following would be a reason for case closure?
a) No impending danger
b) Children are safe with an alternative permanency plan
c) Termination of parental rights
d) All of the above
3. Which of the following does not need to be updated after the
PCPA meeting?
a) Case Plan
b) NIA
c) Safety Assessment
d) Safety plan determination
4. How often does the Permanency Specialist have a PCPA
meeting with the caregiver?
a) Once a month
b) Once every 60 days
c) Once every 90 days
d) Once a year