About OCS: Partnerships
A primary goal of the Office of Children's Services is to recruit and retain a quality workforce. In order to meet this goal OCS has implemented the following strategies:
Improved responsiveness by all staff
Responding in an efficient and effective manner to all those who call or otherwise contact the Office of Children’s Services with questions or concerns is a priority. By enhancing and expanding our community partnerships, families are better served.
Assess, monitor and evaluate effectiveness
of grants and contracts
The Office of Children’s Services awards and oversees a large number of grants and contracts representing substantial funds. It is important for those grantees and contract-holders to be working in conjunction with the Office of Children’s Services to provide services that help us achieve the best outcomes for families.
Evaluate service array
to determine and increase service needs
It is vital to assess the funds dispersed through grants and contracts for gaps in service and adjust grants and contracts accordingly. The Office of Children ’s Services needs to work toward providing families the services they need.
Develop community engagement
through educational messaging
Opening the Office of Children’s Services to more public scrutiny by allowing more transparency is an ongoing goal. A new position was created and filled in 2005 for a Communication Coordinator who will build an ongoing plan for public communication. This person will work to improve community understanding of the Office of Children’s Services and the services provided through various communication methods, including facilitating media interviews and promoting positive news stories.
Build internal capacity; prevention
through active intervention
By linking programs internally – prevention through active intervention – we build the capacity for families to receive the services and support they need. The Early Intervention/Infant Learning Program provides developmental screenings for children coming through the doors of child protection services and links with social workers to access additional developmental services in children’s home environments. In order to build internal capacity, the Office of Children’s Services is examining ways for families to access services and support within their own communities.