MONDAY REPORT

February 10, 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

CCAI ACCOUNTABILITY PROPOSAL.. 1

GOVERNOR APPOINTS TASK FORCE TO ADDRESS DCFS ISSUES.. 2

GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES NEW HEAD OF CHILD PROTECTION.. 2

GOVERNOR NAMES KEY DEPARTMENT HEADS.. 2

REMINDER OF MEETING WITH JUVENILE COURT PRESIDING JUDGE.. 3

CURRENT MONTHLY STATISTICS FROM DCFS AVAILABLE.. 3

CHANGE IN FOUNDATION TRAINING FOR COOK.. 4

EDUCATION.. 4

INSTITUTIONS AND GROUP HOMES WITH ORPANAGE ACT PROGRAMS MUST REVIEW LEGISLATIVE LANGUAGE   4

CCA MEMBERS WITH HEAD START PROGRAMS TO CONTACT U.S. REPRESENTATIVES   4

GENERAL.. 5

MEDICAID PART 132 SURVEY.. 5

HIPAA MANUAL.. 5

NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE HIPAA PRIVACY RULE.. 5

BEST PRACTICE STEERING COMMITTEE SACWIS SUBCOMMITTEE.. 6

Waiver Tool for Office Automation Training.. 6

Training Schedule.. 6

Dual IP Addressing and NAT. 6

POS Number to Be Trained.. 6

Revised Time Line.. 7

Bridge.. 7

Certification Readiness. 7

Communication.. 7

Change Management. 7

Medicaid and SACWIS. 7

UPCOMING EVENTS.. 8

CCAI�s SPRING MEMBERSHIP MEETING�March 20, 2003. 8

FEDERAL OUTCOME TRAINING.. 8

CALENDAR.. 8

CCAI ACCOUNTABILITY PROPOSAL

CCAI recently developed a comprehensive proposal for assuring system accountability and monitoring services and foster homes. A memo outlining the intent was sent to all CCAI executive directors on February 6. This proposal was delivered to the Governor, DCFS Director and the DCFS Inspector General. Members may see references to this proposal in the media in the near future. Additionally, we plan more public activities geared to address the need for assuring accountability at all times within the child welfare system. The proposal is available to members on the members-only section of the CCAI web site: www.cca-il.org. We ask for questions and comments to be provided via e-mail to a special mailbox: [email protected]. (MB)

GOVERNOR APPOINTS TASK FORCE TO ADDRESS DCFS ISSUES

Governor Blagojevich on February 6 appointed a task force to �thoroughly review problems associated with DCFS.� The governor said the task force will be assigned to provide a thorough assessment of the state�s current child welfare needs as well as current conditions within the department that impact whether those needs are being met. Factors to be looked at include the state�s policies, the methods and models of delivery used by DCFS. The task force is part of his ongoing efforts to reform state government. According to the press release, �� the goal is to �find ways within every state agency to improve the service we provide to the people of Illinois. Nowhere is that as necessary as it is within DCFS.�

The task force is to give recommendations for change and how to implement them, and has 60 days to complete its work. Members of the task force include Sr. Cathy Ryan, Judith Walker Kendrick, Deborah Ann Daro, Gilbert Walker, Dr. Daniel Cuneo, Patti Blagojevich and Bryan Samuels, who will convene the panel. The group will work closely with Deputy Chief of Staff for social services, Louanner Peters.  (MB)

GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES NEW HEAD OF CHILD PROTECTION

Governor Blagojevich announced on February 6, the appointment of Sal Diaz to be head of child protection within DCFS. According to the press release, Diaz is a 20-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department and currently teaches classes within the Chicago City Colleges to other law enforcement agents.  The classes focus on child abuse cases and the Juvenile Justice Act. He is a former child abuse investigator at DCFS and a juvenile court probation officer. (MB)

GOVERNOR NAMES KEY DEPARTMENT HEADS

Governor Blagojevich recently named several new directors for three departments of particular interest to CCAI members.  

Carol L. Adams was named Director of the Department of Human Services. According to the Governor�s press release, Ms. Adams has served since 2000 as executive director of the Center for Inner City Studies at Northeastern Illinois University. She served as director of the Chicago Housing Authority�s division of resident services and programs from 1989-1996, managing 13 departments with 400 full time and 1000 seasonal workers, and budget of $500 million.  She also served as director of Chicago�s Museums and Public Schools program from 1998-2000, as director of the African-American studies programs at Loyola University from 1981-1988 and as director of research and planning at the Neighborhood Institute, a division of South Shore bank, from 1978-1980. Ms. Adams holds graduate degrees in sociology from 3 institutions, including the University of Chicago. She earned her Ph.D. in 1976.

Ernesto Velasco was named Director of the Department of Corrections. According to the Governor�s press release, he is the first member of the Latino community ever appointed to the position.  Mr. Velasco served as director of the Cook County jail system. He began his career with the Cook County Sheriff�s office in 1972, served as a correctional officer, became a correctional sergeant in 1978, lieutenant in l980, captain in l984, chief in l985 and superintendent in l989.  In l994, he was named assistant executive director for programs and special units and in l996 was named director. At Cook County jail, he was the first-ever employee of the county department to rise through the ranks to the position of director. In that position, he oversaw a staff of 3000 and an inmate population of more than 11,000.  Mr. Velasco has taken classes at Northwestern�s Kellogg School of Management and John Marshall Law School and through the US Department of Justice.

Jack Lavin was named Director of the newly created Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) (formerly the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA.) According to the Governor�s press release, Mr. Lavin was a deputy state treasurer in the �90�s.  He was recently Chief Financial Officer for Rezko Enterprises-a firm of 120 restaurants with sales of $60 million and 1800 jobs.  The Governor also revealed his plans for this revamped department. There will be a top-to-bottom review, aimed at finding opportunities for streamlining the department and consolidating functions. This department will likely serve as one of the few agencies where job-training programs will be carried out. The Governor also proposed statewide economic growth through a venture capital project of more than $200 million, which will be raised privately and will be independently and professionally managed. The �Illinois Opportunity Fund� will be aimed at creating opportunities for entrepreneurs and workers across Illinois�particularly in downstate communities which have not had access to venture capital. The Governor stated, �Under my administration, it will be businesses that will expand, not state government.�

Barry S. Maram was named Director of the  Department of Public Aid. According to the Governor�s press release, Mr. Maram is a veteran of Illinois government, and has extensive background in healthcare financing and various policy issues affecting the state. Maram served in senior state positions under Gov. James Thompson. In 1985, he was associate director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, Director of the Office of Health Finance, where he coordinated and directed state health care issues including reimbursement and other matters affecting hospitals, nursing homes and other health institutions.  Maram served as Executive Director of the Illinois Health Facilities Authority, which serves as the state�s central financing agency on behalf of health care institutions.  He is an attorney at the law firm of Foley & Lardner, where he serves as Special Counsel practicing Health Care law. He also serves as an adjunct professor at IIT-Kent College of Law, where he received his law degree in 1971. Maram holds a B.A. from the University of Illinois at Chicago and, in 1985, he received his M.A. from the University of Chicago focusing in public policy.

We have sent notes of congratulations to all appointees and will be seeking a meeting to share CCAI concerns as all Directors assume their positions in the next few weeks. (MB)

REMINDER OF MEETING WITH JUVENILE COURT PRESIDING JUDGE

Cook area agencies are reminded that the next meeting of agencies with Judge Bishop is scheduled for Thursday, February 20, 10:00 a.m.-Noon at the Juvenile Court auditorium. We encourage all executive directors and senior program staff to attend this opportunity for mutually addressing court issues with the judge. (MB)

CURRENT MONTHLY STATISTICS FROM DCFS AVAILABLE

The current monthly statistics from DCFS are available. We strongly urge agencies to review their agency performance in these critical areas and identify areas for improvement if needed. Staff should also work to clean up any misinformation. These are the reports we previously submitted to all agencies last month regarding:

We will be happy to e-mail you, or a member of your staff these statistics upon request. We will not send to all agencies. These are available by calling the CCAI Springfield office at 217-528-4409 or by sending an e-mail to Barb Oldani at [email protected]. (MB)

CHANGE IN FOUNDATION TRAINING FOR COOK

DCFS has informed us that they are canceling the Foundation Training classes in Chicago for March 3-17 and May 13-28 due to a shortage of trainers. Agencies can enroll staff in the Northern Area classes for those cycles. CCAI needs to know how many potential private agency staff will be impacted by this cancellation�particularly the March session. To date, we have not received any information from our agencies regarding the impact of the cancellation.  Please e-mail this information and any concerns about the cancellations to Marge Berglind at [email protected]. (MB)

INSTITUTIONS AND GROUP HOMES WITH ORPANAGE ACT PROGRAMS MUST REVIEW LEGISLATIVE LANGUAGE

There are numerous bills that CCA is reviewing and more detailed information will be provided to the CCA Education Committee.  However, two bills need our immediate attention:

First, proposed legislative language has been sent to me to amend the Orphanage Act.  The amendatory language adds requirements to the provision in the Illinois School Code that requires residential facilities to provide space rent-free for school districts that offer programs on site:  The language is as follows:

��Adequate space� shall mean space which meets the needs of the school district or joint agreement and which complies with the document of the State Board of Education designated �Health/Life Safety Code for Public Schools.� The private facility shall bear all costs associated with the adequacy of the space provided, including costs associated with surveys, reports or effectuating compliance with the Code, regardless whether such compliance requires repairs or improvements.��  This amendatory language is not yet in bill form.  All facilities with Orphanage Act programs should contact Bridget Helmholz immediately so we can prepare information to contest this language.  The cost to comply with this appears prohibitive for some agencies, and I believe we can successfully argue with a strategy of �unfunded mandate� and/or �regulatory relief.�� (BRH).

The second piece of legislation, that we knew was coming, is H.B. 1180, which eliminates the �Private Tuition� funding formula and budget line item and block grants it with the �Extraordinary� public school line item.  This bill has been assigned to the House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee.  Members of that Committee will be mailed to the CCA Public Policy Committee and the Education Committee (BRH).

CCA MEMBERS WITH HEAD START PROGRAMS TO CONTACT U.S. REPRESENTATIVES

The CWLA Child Care Action Alert requests CCA members to contact their members in the U.S. House of Representatives regarding the proposed move of the Head Start programs from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to the U.S. Department of Education.  Of great concern is the proposal to replace Federal grants directly provided to community organizations with state controlled block grants that would jeopardize the future of these programs.  CCA members are urged to review the letter on the �members only� section of the CCA website.  Look for the link titled �Head Start Letter.� Ask your U.S. Representative to sign this letter, which is being circulated by Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (D-CA). (BRH)

MEDICAID PART 132 SURVEY

One of the ongoing issues with Medicaid compliance reviews conducted by DCFS and DHS is that sometimes there is a lack of consistency in how Part 132 compliance is evaluated, depending on who is conducting the review.  Providers have reported differences between DCFS and DHS, as well as differences within the same state agency when different people conduct the review. The CWAC Medicaid Advisory Workgroup is trying to develop a mechanism to address the differences in interpretation.  To begin this process, we would like agencies to submit examples of inconsistencies in Part 132 interpretation.  These examples will be presented to representatives of DCFS and DHS to determine further action to be taken to address these identified concerns. 

An e-mail was sent out to all CCAI members last week regarding this issue.  If you have a Medicaid contract for services, we are requesting that someone from your agency take a few minutes to complete this survey and return it to the CCAI office to the attention of Jan Schoening by Feb. 21, 2003.  For a copy of the survey, go to the CCAI web site at: www.cca-il.org.  You can either submit the survey by completing it and faxing to the CCAI office or you can complete the survey on-line.  (JMS)

HIPAA MANUAL

The Child Care Association of Illinois had sent out an inquiry in January to all members to determine the level of commitment from agencies to support the development of a HIPAA manual by the Association.  After reviewing various resources and proposals with their related costs, including the number of members that wanted to purchase this type of manual, we located a resource that was used by the Michigan Association and is available now.  We have notified those agencies that indicated an interest in purchasing a manual and provided an order form with a list of the documents that would be included.  The organization L3PAssociates has developed a CD Rom with templates of policies and forms which are targeted towards social services and behavioral health organizations.  L3P Associates is providing a discount on this CD Rom to members of the Child Care Association of Illinois.  We hope this information will assist agencies to move forward in meeting HIPAA readiness requirements.  Privacy requirements for HIPAA are required to be in place by April 2003.  If other agencies are interested in looking into this resource, go to the CCAI web-site in the members only section (www.cca-il.org).  Agencies also need to keep in mind as they proceed that they still must consider Illinois Mental Health Laws. 

We will also be reviewing the possibility of developing a HIPAA message board on the CCAI web site.  This would allow agencies to post questions on HIPAA as you move forward and share information with member agencies.  (JMS)

NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE HIPAA PRIVACY RULE

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced a National Conference on the HIPAA Privacy Rule to be held in Rosemont, Illinois at the Hyatt Regency O�Hare on Sunday, March 2, 2003 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  The registration fee for the conference is $180.  This conference is designed to provide an opportunity to hear from and interact with officials who developed the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Privacy Rule and will be responsible for interpreting and enforcing the rule.  It will be a review of the privacy rule and its requirements. So if you need a refresher seminar about the privacy requirements or others in your organization need to learn about them, you may want to attend.  The conference is being conducted in conjunction with the Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange.  For additional information about the agenda and how to register go to:  http://wedi.org/snip/public/calendar/index.cfm?fuseaction=event&id=271.  (JMS)

BEST PRACTICE STEERING COMMITTEE SACWIS SUBCOMMITTEE

The first meeting of the SACWIS subgroup from the Best Practices Training Steering Committee met on Feb. 5, 2003 at The Baby Fold in Normal.  A brief review was completed of what had happened to date with the Steering Committee and how the various sub committees had been formed.  The group agreed that this committee should work with members of the previous SACWIS Advisory Committee to address any outstanding issues and questions related to the implementation of SACWIS for the private agencies.  Following is a discussion with recommendations regarding the SACWIS issues and questions.

Waiver Tool for Office Automation Training

Steve Bradshaw, POS liaison for SACWIS, provided a draft of a tool that could be used by agencies in certifying that POS staff do not need Office Automation Training.  In reviewing the tool the group agreed that it could form the basis for agencies certifying staff for office automation training for SACWIS.  The certification requirements could be fairly open.  An agency may be able to submit to Steve Bradshaw a copy of a training they completed with a list of the staff that attended as long as the training addressed the items in the tool. The specific training that would still be needed would be DCFS security policies, account usage and running applications.  This could be incorporated into the SACWIS application training. Current Office Automation Training was reduced from three days to two days.  This waiver tool for office automation training will be presented at the full meeting of the Steering Committee on Feb. 18, 2003.

Training Schedule

A timeline and training schedule will be issued to private agencies once a final change order for design development has been signed for the AMS contract by DCFS.  This will be available through regional informational meetings for all POS agencies.  Best Practice training for POS will occur three months before SACWIS training which means it could start September or October 2003.  Office automation training may be available for private agencies by August or September 2003.  It will take approximately 10 months to complete training of Best Practice and SACWIS for private agencies. 

Dual IP Addressing and NAT

The use of the Network Address Translators was approved for usage with SACWIS in order to address dual IP addressing.  This is especially important for larger agencies with multiple sites and large number of computers.  DCFS had tested this and it does work.  It was also noted that DCFS could install the NAT on the DCFS router to be installed which would eliminate costs to the agencies, but DCFS would need access to information about an agencies individual system in order to do this.  Another option is that agencies could purchase the NATs themselves for the number of sites needed. 

POS Number to Be Trained

This issue would be referred to the Population/Geography Sub Committee and the Resource Sub Committee.  This should include a special look at statewide agencies and how that would occur for them.  It would appear that those agencies would need all staff to receive training at the same time if it is determined that the training were to roll out regionally. 

Revised Time Line

A revised time line for activities related to the SACWIS project will be distributed during proposed Regional Meetings to be held in March or April of 2003.  There will be a minimum of 5 meetings held throughout the state to provide updates and distribute materials to agencies related to change management, training schedules, NAT issue, communications, etc. 

Bridge

The Bridge issue for POS is still on the table but has been taken out of AMS responsibilities.  DCFS will be responsible for the development of what is identified as the download of information from SACWIS to the private agency information systems.  It was stated though that the bridge development would not be considered by DCFS until after Phase IIB is completed.  It was recommended by the private agencies that design of the bridge begin in conjunction with the Phase IIA elements.  This issue will be raised with the project manager for SACWIS.

Certification Readiness

It is uncertain at this time how certification readiness of SACWIS equipment for agencies will be completed.  Originally it was to be completed by Getronics.  Then it was Spectrum Maximus.  With budget cuts to DCFS, these functions were no longer funded to outside contractors.  A self certification process might be used which would create labor intensive issues for the agencies.  This issue will be raised with the SACWIS Project Manager with a report back to the subcommittee.

Communication

Every other month DCFS will continue to develop a SACWIS newsletter that will now contain an insert for private agencies.  There is also a Communications Subcommittee of the Steering Committee that will continue to work on this issue.  It is hoped that this subcommittee will be able to address the ongoing issues of communication to the private agencies.  The regional meetings that will be held will also serve as a means to communicate information to agencies.

Change Management

It was agreed that Steve Bradshaw would develop a change management plan that would be available for use at the Regional Informational meetings.  It is important that the plan not only address the changes that workers, supervisors and managers must make but what changes will be needed by the organization.  It would be helpful to have input from Catholic Charities regarding advice on what was done for implementation of Phase I with their agency.  Presentations of the Phase I prototype can also be done as part of change management activities.  The video power point presentation that had been developed for Phase II is on hold.

Medicaid and SACWIS

Since the Medicaid recommendations for SACWIS were not going to be included as part of SACWIS, the group discussed various ways that case note information could be entered into both systems in order to prevent duplicate entry for agencies.  The suggestion was made that information first be entered into SACWIS related to case note information.  The case note information could also include codes, etc. related to Medicaid informational requirements.  The worker could then print the screen and attach it to the agencies billing sheet for use by the Medicaid billing system that needs the codes and services, but the case notes will not have to be re-entered.  Steve Bradshaw will develop a process and Stephanie Hassett with Children�s Home Association will provide a copy of their template as a suggestion for agencies.  The current Medicaid foster care agencies will be identified and a conference call will be held to receive feedback regarding this proposed solution.

CCAI�s SPRING MEMBERSHIP MEETING�March 20, 2003

The association�s Spring Membership Meeting will be held on March 20, 2003 at the Marriott Hickory Ridge Conference Center, 1195 Summerhill Drive, Lisle, Illinois.  Agenda items will include:

The meeting will be specifically targeted for Executive Directors / CEO�s, senior management staff, policy Staff, and communications staff.  A more detailed agenda will be mailed to you in a couple of weeks.

If you need a room at Hickory Ridge call 630.971.5000 or toll free 800.228.9290.  The overnight rate is $80.00.  Please indicate you are attending the Child Care Association meeting.  (SKA)

FEDERAL OUTCOME TRAINING

Your agency could be selected for the Federal Review of Foster Care cases next September 2003.  Now is the time to prepare with participation in a training session specially designed to meet your needs.  CCAI has teamed up with the Child and Family Research Center to develop a short powerful program individualized for you.  The training will be held in February and is free and located with host agencies in six convenient locations across the state.  For more information or to register for the training visit: http://www.cca-il.org/training/index.htm  Look for �Federal Outcome Training� located in the training page on the CCA web pages.  (SKA)

CALENDAR

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. 18 -- Best Practice Training Steering Committee � The Baby Fold, Normal 

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

Feb. 20 -- CWAC

Feb. 27 --  Downstate Performance Based Contract Provider Meeting, 1-3, DCFS, 628 E.

                 Adams, 2nd Floor Conference Room; Private agencies meet at CCAI office from

                10-Noon.

Feb. 27 � The MILL presents �SACY No More�. 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Contact: Ericka Potter,

                 at 815.877.3440

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