Spaulding for Children, a private, non-profit child welfare agency, was established in 1968 when several entities, each seeking a way to make life better for children without families, joined together. Spaulding for Children is a COA accredited child welfare agency that finds permanent homes for children who are in the public child welfare system and supports families in maintaining their children safely in their homes. It was one of the first agencies in the country that specialized in finding and training adoptive families for the placement of children with disabilities and other challenges. Spaulding is comprised of 3 service entities: Child and Family Services, the Spaulding Institute for Family and Community Development, and the Academy for Family Support and Preservation. In addition to direct services, Spaulding has extensive experience in developing evidenced-informed national curricula including CORE Teen; Parents As Tender Healers (PATH); Adoption Competence Curriculum; and Adoption Competence-A Guide to Developing an Adoption Certificate Program for Mental Health Providers. More information about Spaulding can be found at (include hyperlink).
Spaulding has extensive history managing national federal programs and is currently the lead agency for the NTDC. As the lead agency, Spaulding is responsible for ensuring that the project meets the goal as stated in the Funding Opportunity Announcement and works closely with the Children’s Bureau to ensure that the work plan is being achieved and moving the project toward the overarching goal. Spaulding oversees all work on the project and ensures that grant activities and partners adhere to applicable federal and programmatic policies and regulations.
The MDHHS is a principal department of the state of Michigan that provides public assistance, child and family welfare services, and oversees health policy and management. MDHHS organizational structure reflects the department’s vision and priorities, with emphasis on children’s ser vices, aging and adult services, service delivery and community operations, economic stability, health and behavioral health services, and family support, as well as population health and community services. Child welfare services in Michigan are administered through the MDHHS Children’s Service Agency (CSA). The CSA is comprised of the following entities:
a. Out of Home Services Bureau;
b. In Home Services Bureau
c. Organizational Services Bureau
d. Five regionalized Business Service Centers
e. Division of Continuous Quality Improvement
f. Children’s Trust Fund
The Michigan State University School of Social Work (MSU SSW) is dedicated to educating students for ethical, competent, responsive, and innovative social work practice, and to conducting and disseminating high quality research that improves the well-being of the most vulnerable in society. MSU SSW is leading the evaluation of KINDER-CARES and brings several strengths to this project. These include national leadership, experience and expertise in Marginalized Youth and Families and evaluating child welfare initiatives; resource parent and kinship caregiver training and support; and a long history of working effectively and collaboratively with the U.S. Children’s Bureau, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and Spaulding for Children.
Macomb County the 3rd largest county in the state has a culturally diverse population.
MCDHHS investigates approximately 4,500 reports of abuse and/or neglect of children each year
and has 550 children in out of home placements. Of those children in foster care, 32% are placed
in relative homes. MCDHHS employs 175 staff which includes Foster Care, Children’s Protective
Services, Licensing, Juvenile Justice and Prevention staff. MCDHHS has strong community partnerships which will enable effective implementation of this project. MCDHHS works directly
with and/or participates in a community collaboration with the following agencies: Macomb
County Community Mental Health, Macomb Community Action Agency , Michigan Rehabilitation Services, Macomb County Circuit Court, Department of Health and Community Services,
Bureau of Services for Blind Persons, Macomb Prosecutor’s Office, Veteran’s Services, Michigan
State University Extension, Juvenile Justice Center, Planning and Economic Development, Turning Point Domestic Violence Shelter, Food Banks, Housing Coalition, Kiwanis Club, Lions Club,
Optimist Club Rotary Club, Faith Churches’ Coalition and the Macomb Intermediate School District. MCDHHS also has contracts with community service partners for services to their open CPS
and FC cases, including: CARE of Southeastern Michigan which provides substance abuse assessment and treatment services; Believe, Trust and Change Counseling provides direct family assistance, clinical counseling and parenting time support services. Judson provides in home and parent partner support services. Ennis provides foster and adoptive parent support group services. Batterers intervention services/clinical counseling are offered through various providers.