MONDAY REPORT

January 13, 2003

SPECIAL NOTE:  Copyright 2003. The Monday Report is produced each week as a benefit to the member agencies of the Child Care Association. Please protect this membership benefit - DO NOT copy and distribute this report to agencies/staff that are not members of CCA. Thank you for your cooperation.

CHILD WELFARE.. 1

93^RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY BEGINS WORK.. 1

CANCELLATION OF JANUARY 15 DOWNSTATE PERFORMANCE CONTRACTING MEETING   2

UNUSUAL INCIDENT REPORT WORK GROUP REPORT. 2

STATISTICAL REPORTS AVAILABLE FROM DCFS Q/A DIVISION.. 2

INFORMATION ON CONDUCT DISORDERS NEEDED.. 2

CHILD WELFARE AGENCY LICENSE DEEMED STATUS FOR COA AGENCIES.. 3

BEST PRACTICE TRAINING STEERING COMMITTEE.. 3

CWAC MEDICAID ADVISORY WORKGROUP.. 4

Part 132 Review Processes. 4

Scope of Documents. 4

Notification of Changes. 4

Part 132 Revisions and Nurse Aide Registry. 5

SACWIS and Medicaid.. 5

HIPAA.. 5

Medicaid Revolving Fund.. 5

EDUCATION.. 5

ISBE CHANGES STUDENT ALTERNATE ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS.. 5

GENERAL.. 6

THE COST OF PROTECTING VULNERABLE CHILDREN.. 6

SACWIS � NETWORK ADDRESS TRANSLATORS.. 6

LEGISLATIVE ALERT ON PROMOTING SAFE AND STABLE FAMILIES PROGRAM.. 6

ILLINOIS YOUTH ADVOCATE PROGRAM NEW MEMBER OF CCAI 7

UPCOMING EVENTS.. 7

MARK YOUR 2003 CALENDAR.. 7

CALENDAR.. 7

93^RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY BEGINS WORK

Last Wednesday, newly elected and returning members of the Illinois General Assembly were inaugurated. Important shifts in leadership also occurred.  Emil Jones was elected President of the Senate, with Frank Watson as Minority Leader.  In the House, Michael Madigan maintained his position as Speaker of the House with Tom Cross as new Minority Leader.

CCAI members have made substantial progress in sharing information about their agencies and programs and their issues with local representatives and senators. It is now imperative to welcome the members to their position, renew their acquaintance with you, your agency and the clients you serve and let them know you will be keeping in touch during the upcoming session.  Names of your state legislators can be found via the CCAI web site by clicking on the link. You can also find out names and office information by going to the State of Illinois General Assembly web site. (www.legis.state.il.us.) An updated Legislative Directory was ordered for all CCAI member agencies. These will be sent to all agencies as soon as they are back from the printer.

We have recently included references in the Monday Report to various forecasts from the Economic and Fiscal Commission (the budget forecast wing of the General Assembly) and the Bureau of the Budget (the budget forecast wing of the Governor�s office.) The forecasts for both this fiscal year�s deficit and projected shortfall for next fiscal year are grim. The General Assembly will be spending much time this session deliberating on the new Governor�s projected budget with potential cuts and revenue solutions. It is important to keep your agency�s face, purpose and needs in front of as many members of the General Assembly as possible. Keep up the efforts!!!! (MB)

CANCELLATION OF JANUARY 15 DOWNSTATE PERFORMANCE CONTRACTING MEETING

The Downstate Performance Contracting meeting and pre-meeting for providers are both cancelled for January 15. We will let you know when a new date has been set. (MB)

UNUSUAL INCIDENT REPORT WORK GROUP REPORT

The UIR committee met on December 5th to discuss the draft for web based reporting of "level 1" incidents. Level 1 incidents were defined as incidents that warranted immediate DCFS attention. After a further review of the draft, DCFS staff developed a second draft responding to many of the suggestions of the committee, expanding the time frames and compressing the three level system to a two level system with severity anchors that determine the reporting route and timeframes. The draft was distributed to committee members who are receiving feedback. The target date to complete the feedback process is early January. A subsequent meeting in early January will be scheduled to review the second draft and additional suggestions.  Anyone wishing to make suggestions or has questions can contact  Ed Sherk of Shelter, Inc. at 847-255-8060 or at [email protected]. (We thank Ed Sherk for this report. (MB)

STATISTICAL REPORTS AVAILABLE FROM DCFS Q/A DIVISION

CCAI previously distributed placement stability reports to all agencies. The intent of distributing these reports was to call your agency�s attention to any problematic cases and to assure your own internal QA processes are examining these issues. As many agencies have commented, the accuracy of the data is somewhat questionable. What is still clear, however, is that there are a number of children in care who move frequently.

We also receive periodic summary reports from DCFS Q/A on the following topics:

We know the accuracy of these reports is also questionable. We are not distributing them to all member agencies at this time.  However, if your agency would like a copy of any of these reports, you may request them from the Springfield CCAI office at 217-528-4409. (MB)

INFORMATION ON CONDUCT DISORDERS NEEDED

The Georgia state association is seeking to compile a �gray� paper on successful treatment programs for children/youth with the primary diagnosis of Conduct Disorder. They are seeking information, leads and resources in the following domains.

1.   Documented Successful treatment programs and interventions for youngsters with Conduct Disorders

2.   Research based profiles of youth who are more/less likely to succeed in treatment programs (rather than youth detention centers)

Any CCAI agency that would like to share this information can e-mail it to Marge Berglind, ([email protected]) who will share it with the Georgia association. A copy of the final �gray� paper will be forwarded to those agencies providing this information. (MB)

CHILD WELFARE AGENCY LICENSE DEEMED STATUS FOR COA AGENCIES

Last month, JCAR approved the final rules from DCFS that permit agencies with COA accreditation to obtain a �deemed status� for purposes of child welfare agency/child care institution licensing.  This status should minimize some of the duplication of paperwork submission during the licensing process. CCAI has been working with DCFS on this issue for a number of years, and we actively supported their efforts to get this change through the state rule-making process. Copies of the portion of the rule that is changed will go out to agencies next week. Please keep us informed as to how this actually is implemented by licensing staff.

DCFS has also informed us they will not pursue other proposed changes to the licensure rule that would have prohibited executive directors/presidents/CEO�s from having a position on boards of directors.  This prohibition would have posed problems for a number of agencies. We met with DCFS staff and provided information and materials on non-profit boards in our efforts to get them to reconsider their position. It appears we were successful at this time. We will have to watch this issue in the future.  (MB)

BEST PRACTICE TRAINING STEERING COMMITTEE

The first meeting of the Best Practice Training Steering Committee was held on Jan. 6, 2003 at LSSI in Des Plaines.   The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the mission of the group, review the status of the DCFS Best Practice Training schedule, and develop workgroups to address how the best practice and SACWIS training should roll out with the private agencies.   For the POS best practice, can a joint training model be used that includes a trainer from DCFS and a trainer from the private agencies?

DCFS had started best practice training of staff last week for field leaders.  These individuals would assist in communicating the Best Practice efforts to other staff within the Dept.  Orientation for DCFS supervisors begins Jan. 13, 2003 and goes through Jan. 24, 2003.  Orientation for DCFS staff begins Jan. 28, 2003 and goes through Feb. 14, 2003.  The issue was discussed whether the private agencies could identify individuals now that could attend the orientation sessions and serve as field leaders for the private agencies.  This issue was assigned to one of the work groups that was formed.  Fundamental training for best practice for DCFS supervisors begins Feb. 24 and goes through April 18, 2003.  Fundamental training will be five days.  Fundamentals for DCFS staff begins March 24, 2003 and goes through July 25^th.  Once the Best Practice training is completed, DCFS staff will then be trained on SACWIS.  SACWIS training for DCFS staff is projected to begin summer 2003. 

SACWIS training for POS will occur during 2004.  Best Practice training for POS will begin three months prior to the scheduled SACWIS training so it is estimated that Best Practice training for POS could begin Sept. 2003.  Permanent training sites for SACWIS will be Glen Ellyn, Bloomington, Springfield, and two in Cook.  There will be additional temporary sites downstate for the initial training.

Some of the issues raised during the meeting were: Do POS have the trainers available to be able to pair up with a DCFS trainer?  Can the POS identify field leaders that could serve as a resource for questions after the training for staff is completed?  Will training for private agencies also be scheduled with supervisors and managers first and then staff?  Will the private agencies be able to provide training sites?  Can current training for child and family teams be used in place of the child and family training for best practice in order to reduce the number of days staff would need to be gone from the office?  What means of ongoing communication will be used to keep agencies informed about Best Practice Training and SACWIS?  Parameters to be considered in the best practice and SACWIS training for the POS are: there are 2300 supervisor and workers; there are 12 days of SACWIS training that will be required within 14 months; there are 94 agencies impacted by SACWIS; and there are 320 sites in the POS agencies. 

Three workgroups were formed to address the issues identified: Population to be Trained; SACWIS and Resource Identification. A general information session has also been scheduled for Feb. 6 at Bensenville and Feb. 7, 2003 at Ada S. McKinley in Chicago. These sessions will be similar to the one held in Bloomington in Dec. 2002 to provide agencies with an update on Best Practice and SACWIS.  The next meeting of the full Steering Committee will be Feb. 18, 2003 in Bloomington. (JMS)

CWAC MEDICAID ADVISORY WORKGROUP

The CWAC Medicaid Advisory Workgroup met on January 9, 2003 in Normal at The Baby Fold.  The agenda included: Part 132 Review Processes; Scope of Documents to Consider for Medicaid Documentation; Notification to Providers of Changes; Part 132 Revisions; Requirement for Checking Nurse Aide Registry; SACWIS; HIPAA; and Medicaid Revolving fund.

Part 132 Review Processes

A pre-meeting was held with the group to review the differences between DCFS and DHS reviews.  How can more consistency be achieved between the two processes?  After discussion the group recommended that a more formal panel be established comprised of DHS and DCFS staff, that would resolve interpretational differences.  It was also suggested that a survey be conducted of DHS and DCFS providers to submit examples of where interpretational differences have been happening that could be reviewed by the panel.  Also it was discussed that an agency member should sit in on the process for DCFS, which would help agencies understand the differences between T.A. and certification requirements.

Scope of Documents

The purpose of the discussion was to identify documents that could be used for Medicaid documentation requirements and would eliminate the need for duplication of information.  Some of the documents discussed included: unusual incident reports; home visiting records; court report; 497 and intake documents.  As a result of discussion of different procedures between various agencies, the question was raised how to access expertise and information from other agencies?  Could a list serv be organized around Medicaid documents and procedures where agencies could share information?

Notification of Changes

The issue was raised how best to share information with agencies regarding changes that occur with the Medicaid system.  Should the checklist and guidelines be issued annually?  It was recommended that changes need to be issued as they occur; however, a quarterly and annual summary of the changes would provide reminders and confirmations for agencies that would be helpful.

Part 132 Revisions and Nurse Aide Registry

DHS is still in the process of developing the draft of revisions to Part 132 of the Medicaid Rule.  They still have not shared anything with DCFS.  It is anticipated that they will eliminate the clinic option from the rule and develop clarifications regarding credentials and definitions.  The committee will receive any information as soon as it is developed.

DCFS has been reviewing requirements in the legislation that was developed requiring checking the nurse aide registry and has made an initial determination that they may not have to implement it.  Further review is being conducted regarding this issue as it relates to those agencies certified by DCFS.

SACWIS and Medicaid

It was reported that with the development of Phase II of SACWIS none of the recommendations regarding integrating Medicaid in the design of SACWIS will be implemented.  Based on the budget cuts that were made by DCFS over the last two years, the SACWIS system is being developed to meet only the basic requirements.  It was also noted that due the decrease in the number of cases of foster care now included in Medicaid that this would not impact as many agencies. DCFS also noted that since they are part of the HIPAA issue, including Medicaid in SACWIS would require SACWIS to comply with HIPAA which would have had added costs to the design.

HIPAA

Based on discussions with the Governor�s office, it has been determined that DCFS is a hybrid entity under HIPAA.  DCFS will be a clearinghouse for the bills submitted under Medicaid.  They will continue to use the Medicaid billing system and will translate the codes once the bills are received from agencies and then forward them to DPA.  DCFS will be sending out amendments to their Medicaid contracts for FY03 as business associates under HIPAA.  These contractual amendments will be in place by April 2003.  Related to consents and notices, DCFS will not be impacted by those privacy requirements.  For purposes of HIPAA, DCFS is not providing Medicaid mental health services that would be a covered entity requirement.  DCFS is the guardian paying for services as a parent would.  DCFS will be drafting a policy guide as it relates to their involvement as a clearinghouse for HIPAA.

Medicaid Revolving Fund

DCFS has been continuing to examine the steps that would need to be taken in order to implement a revolving fund for Medicaid.  Legislative language has been drafted.  It is estimated that DCFS received $38 million FFP match in 02 for Medicaid services.  Initial strategies have been developed as to how the process might be established.   (JMS)

ISBE CHANGES STUDENT ALTERNATE ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS

The Illinois State Board of Education has streamlined requirements for assessing the progress of students whose IEP�s authorize alternative methods of assessment.  The former four categories of assessment (student progress, self-determination, multiple settings, support, and link to standards) has been pared down to only �student progress� and �link to standards.�  There have been other changes as well for the year 2002-2003, and for as long as needed afterwards until long-term changes are in place.  The cumbersome �alternate assessment� was reviewed by a task force that made recommendations to the Board, which subsequently ratified these recommendations.  A full copy of the changes can be obtained from the CCA office (BRH).

THE COST OF PROTECTING VULNERABLE CHILDREN

Researchers from the Urban Institute asked child welfare administrators in all 50 states and DC how much they spent on child welfare programs in state fiscal year (SFY) 2000, how they spent the money, and where the money came from.  States spent at least $20 billion on child welfare services in SFY 2000, a 20 percent increase from SFY 1998.  The federal share of total spending increased to 49 percent from 45 percent in SFY 1998.  Spurred by the Adoption and Safe Families Act, spending on adoptions, other services, and administration increased.  Reliance on non-dedicated federal funds (TANF, SSBG and Medicaid) continued.  State Administrators expressed concern that budget deficits and declines in TANF funding for child welfare services since SFY 2000 may force cutbacks in an array of child welfare support services.  For additional information and copy of the full report go to: http://click.topica.com/maaaJO7aaUZ4pbb6LSZb/.  (JMS)

SACWIS � NETWORK ADDRESS TRANSLATORS

This is to advise everyone that DCFS has approved the use of NAT (Network Address Translators) for use on the POS side of the DCFS-provided router.  Agencies can submit requests for reimbursement for the NAT as long as they include it in their plan for purchase of SACWIS readiness equipment.   If you have any questions regarding this issue, please contact Steve Bradshaw, POS Liaison with the SACWIS project at [email protected].  (JMS)

LEGISLATIVE ALERT ON PROMOTING SAFE AND STABLE FAMILIES PROGRAM

The new 108^th Congress has just started their first session last week. One of their first tasks is to wrap up their work on the appropriations for this year�s funding.  As you may recall, the government has been running on temporary appropriations measures called continuing resolutions.  These continuing resolutions have been funding programs at fiscal 2002 levels.  Both the administration and last year�s Senate Appropriations Committee agreed to increase funding for the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program and education and training vouchers for youth that age out of foster care.  If Congress does not act this year, educational and training vouchers may not be funded and the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program funding may be reduced or held constant.  Contact your U.S. Senators and Representative and urge them to support $60 million for education and training vouchers and $505 million for the Promoting Safe and Stable Families program when they vote on funding decisions for FY 2003.  Congress must increase funding for these critical initiatives for fiscal year 2003.

$60 million for education and training opportunities will help America�s teens leaving foster care at age 18 and those adopted from foster care at age 16 or older realize their dreams by attending vocational and technical schools, state and community colleges, and four-year universities.  The Promoting Safe and Stable Families program is one of the very few sources of federal funding that supports prevention services.  PSSF helps states fund child welfare prevention services and supports vulnerable families. These funds are used by states to fund four categories of services: adoption support, family preservation, family reunification, and family support services.  Currently, federal funding is $375 million.  Both the President and Senate Appropriations Committee have agreed to increase this to $505 million in FY 2003.  The U.S. House of Representatives took no action on this appropriation last year.  Increasing PSSF funding levels is especially important this year because state budgets are under great stress and many social services are being cut or eliminated.  (JMS)

ILLINOIS YOUTH ADVOCATE PROGRAM NEW MEMBER OF CCAI

CCAI is pleased to announce that Illinois Youth Advocate Program was approved for full agency membership on January 7^th.  ILYAP is a private, non-profit youth advocacy and child-placing agency providing community-based services for youth and families.  ILYAP services include therapeutic/specialized traditional foster care, emergency and respite care, community-based treatment, training, consultation, and evaluation.  Please join the staff in welcoming ILYAP to the association.  You may write or call them at: 15400 Lincoln Avenue, Harvey, IL 60426; Phone: 708/596-6955; Fax: 708/596-7464.  Ed Farmer is the Executive Director.  (SKA)

MARK YOUR 2003 CALENDAR

Mark your calendar for CCAI�s Spring Membership Meeting on March 20, 2003.  The location is the Marriott Hickory Ridge Conference Center, Lisle, Illinois.  Hickory Ridge is located 30 minutes west of downtown Chicago, on 26 wooded acres easily accessible to both I-88 and I-55.  Look in future Monday Reports for additional information.  (SKA)

CALENDAR

Jan. 13 � Child Abuse Prevention Month Coordination Meeting � Springfield/Conference Call

Jan. 14 � CCAI Policy Committee - Naperville

Jan. 18 --�Special Education and the Juvenile Justice System,� 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Egan

               Urban Center, DePaul University, 243 S. Wabash Ave, 9^th floor, Chicago. Contact

               Family Resource Center on Disabilities (312) 939-3513 for further information.

Jan. 21 -- CWAC Finance and Administration Committee, Bloomington

Feb.  5 � Best Practice Training Steering Committee � SACWIS Workgroup - Bloomington

Feb.  6 -- RSN Workgroup

Feb. 17-21 --  "Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Training of Trainers", a Residential Child Care

                   Project of Cornell University, hosted by Allendale Association. 9:00 a.m.-5:00

                   p.m. Seating is limited. For more information regarding the training, fee, and hotel

                   accommodations, please contact Dave McKenna at Allendale (847) 245-6393 or

                   [email protected]

Feb. 20 -- Cook Agencies Meeting with Presiding Judge, Juvenile Court, Chicago

Feb. 20 -- CWAC

Feb. 26-March 1 -- Learning Disabilities Association 2003 National Conference, Palmer

                               House Hilton, Chicago.  For information, call Learning Disabilities

                               Association of Illinois (708) 430-7532

March 20 � CCAI Spring Membership Meeting, Hickory Ridge Conference Center, Lisle