The CP/CP initiative in Michigan is a statewide collaborative effort supporting sustainable community-based services targeted to families that are:

• Substantiated, low to moderate risk children's protection cases - Category III.
• Unsubstantiated referrals to children's protective service - Category IV.

CP/CP funds are legislated by the state as part of the DHS appropriations bill in response to recommendations from a 1996 report by the Children's Commission led by then Lt. Governor Connie Binsfield. Local collaborative groups were originally required to designate a stakeholder workgroup, co-chaired by a Child Protective Services staff person and a parent consumer, to develop a services plan. CP/CP service planning is coordinated with other community-based child welfare services planning (such as Strong Families/Safe Children and the Children's Trust Fund).

The CP/CP service plan is endorsed by the local collaborative and approved by the DHS local and regional offices prior to contracting and service delivery. Provider selection, contract agreements and payments for approved services must be done through established DHS procedures. The selection of community-based providers is done by the collaborative at the local level via the county-based DHS office. Department of Management and Budget and DHS policies for purchase of services and other protocol apply. The fund source for this appropriation is federal Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF).

CP/CP program goals are:

• Reduce the number of re-referrals for substantiated abuse and/or neglect.
• Improve the safety and well being of children.

Examples of CP/CP funded services are homemaker or parent aide, parent education, counseling, and flexible funds tied to the individualized goals of services to families. Parent participation in services is voluntary.

For more information on community-based programming, please contact your county's Department of Human Services, or contact the Community Support Division based in Lansing at (517) 335-6080.