MONDAY REPORT
March 3, 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.
DCFS
PROPOSES CHANGES TO FOSTER HOME PLACEMENTS
FAMILY
CENTERED SERVICES � PROGRAM EVALUATION AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT
HHS
ADOPTS FINAL SECURITY STANDARDS UNDER HIPAA
STATE
CONCERNS AND NEW STATE FISCAL REALITIES IGNORED IN HOUSE REPUBLICAN WELFARE BILL
CCAI
MEMBERSHIP MEETING NOT TO BE MISSED
LECTURE
& TRAINING SERIES AT ALLENDALE ASSOCIATION
DCFS issued proposed changes to Rule 301, Placement and Visitation services. Copies of this proposed rule were sent in the mail to all CCAI members last week. We urged all agencies to provide written comments to DCFS with a copy to CCAI. We received comments from 9 of our 87 agencies.
CCAI provided a formal response to DCFS in this issue. The full content is available for review on the CCAI web site. We urge DCFS to look at the impact of the rules on the recruitment system:
�The proposed changes suggest some immediate assessment is in order of both the existing and projected pool of foster parents, and identification of additional foster home needs that will meet the new restrictions. There must be some recognition of the programmatic and financial burden on the private sector that provides more than 70% of all foster and kinship care, as we shift recruitment strategies. We must create some special initiatives, and consult jointly with national and international experts and how to redevelop the foster parent pool.�
The internal comment period is the first step by DCFS in implementing the proposed changes. DCFS now has the ability to modify its proposed rule prior to sending the rule to JCAR for publication in the Illinois Register, and going through the customary comment period. Now is the time for you to make your thoughts known. Although the internal comment period ended 2/28 you may have a few days to get your comments to them via e-mail. Once the rule is officially published, a strict comment deadline will prevail. It will be very important at that time for all agencies to submit their comments. (MB)
President Bush recently proposed the federal budget for FY�04 (which begins 1-03.) As this budget is presented, it provides several changes in funding streams and procedures for programs of interest to CCAI members. As we know, it is becoming increasingly important for CCAI members to understand the funding decisions on the federal level, since much of the state funds for children�s programs come from or are matched at the federal level. Most programs would be either be flat-funded in FY�04 or decreased. Two themes we notice should be of interest to CCAI:
� Need for Effectiveness and Accountability: The current administration is increasingly looking to cut programs that cannot quickly demonstrate effectiveness, and calling for increased accountability for use of social service funds.
� Block Grant Concepts: A number of new initiatives would allow a block granting approach to states, in order to increase flexibility in use of federal funds. Although flexibility can be good, eliminating entitlements could cause future problems.
Some specific changes are as follows:
 | Title IV-E Funding Flexibility: If it becomes law, public child welfare systems could select an option to balance their IV-E expenditures over five years, instead of every year. This could provide opportunities to �frontload� funds. States could put more funds the first 2-3 years into prevention and treatment efforts, in hopes that the overall caseloads and out-of-home placement would then be reduced in the final years and not as much funding would be required. |
| Medicaid Reform: A proposal from DHHS would allow states to opt to receive federal Medicaid funds in 2 annual �allotments� (similar to block grants.) States could transfer up to 10% of their funds between the acute-care portion and the long-term care and community services option. This would allow reforms to go forward that focus on encouraging home and community-based care, and preventing or delaying inappropriate institutional care. |
| Juvenile Justice: Elimination of the $250 million Juvenile Accountability Block Grant is proposed. An administration evaluation of the program rates the program as ineffective. Some programs funded under this account could be funded by the prevention block grant created under the reauthorization of JJDPA. |
| Mentoring: Mentoring programs are proposed for children of incarcerated parents and for at-risk middle school children. The school-based programs would target youth from rural areas or those localities with high crime rates and youth from troubled homes or from schools with violence problems. |
| 21st Century Community Learning Centers funded at $1 billion in past years will be cut by 40%. The administration says the cut reflects disappointing results of participants� behavioral and academic progress. A complete study of this initiative can be found at www.mathematica-mpr.com, �When Schools Stay Open Late: The National Evaluation of the 21st Century CLC Program.� |
| Promoting Safe/Stable Families: This program as budgeted would get a $200 million increase. |
| Training: Child Welfare Training is decreased by $1 million |
| Special Education Grants: These grants to states are increased by $1 million |
| Head Start: An increase of $149 million is planned. |
We will keep you posted as we learn more about the potential impacts of the proposed budget and as we learn how these sections of the budget will be reviewed by Congress. The following are links on the Federal Fiscal Year 2004 Budget: http://www.cbo.gov/ and http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/fy2004/.(MB)
The CCAI Policy Committee met by conference call on Monday, Feb. 24, 2003. Additional bills are still being introduced which the committee continues to review each week. The final date for introduction of new bills for the House is Friday, Feb. 28, 2003. It is anticipated that the last week will reflect a large increase in the number of bills to be reviewed. CCAI members are encouraged to review the full text of any proposed legislation. This can be done by going to the CCAI web site and to Links on the menu. Once on the Links page go to www.legis.state.il.us. Once on that web site you can select bills and legislation from the menu. Type in the bill number to search. Let us know your comments, concerns, questions, notes of support or opposition on them via e-mail to [email protected] for general, finance and child welfare, [email protected] for mental health and developmental disabilities and [email protected] for education. Following are some new bills being tracked plus clarifying information on several of the bills that have been reviewed.
HB 41 - Provides every child placed under the CFS Act with a diagnosis of mental illness shall receive necessary services and details specific services. Provides that upon complaint or discovery of abuse, neglect, improper care or inadequate care, DCFS shall immediately investigate and remove the child. Status Update: Marge Berglind met with the sponsor Rep. Lou Lang to present the concerns of the Association and highlight the areas of duplication compared with the newly proposed Children�s Mental Health Act (HB 518). The sponsor requested a comparison of the content of both bills. Patrick Murphy has submitted a letter of support to the sponsor.
HB 307 � Assesses county fees on specific violations determined guilty up to $5 in order to fund teen courts or youth diversion programs. Status Update: This bill passed out of the House 93-13-1.
SB 73 � Sets out requirements for privatization contracts and state agencies. Status Update: This could be amended to apply only to DOC food service employees. The CCAI lobbyist met with the sponsor of the bill and was advised that a meeting was being held this week with all concerned interests. CCAI lobbyist will participate to see what is being proposed.
HB 518 � Creates Children�s Mental Health Act. This is still a vehicle bill with a proposed amendment to be developed. Status Update: This bill creates a Mental Health Fund for children�s mental health services. CCAI is obtaining information from DHS on what types of funds currently fund children�s mental health services.
HB 1415 - Eliminates truancy from the jurisdiction of the court. Status Update: Young people can currently be held in contempt of court and put in detention for truancy. Courts in southern counties use current law to assist with truancy programs and have been successful so would oppose this bill.
SB 461 � Creates State Services Accountability Act related to union activities by employees. Same as HB 1324. Amendatory language is being developed for the House version of the bill.
SB 463 � Makes it possible for DCFS to serve minors that are delinquent if it is determined they have been abused or neglected. This reverses previous language that removed the responsibility from DCFS.
SB 671 � Appropriates $1 to DCFS to study the benefit of SACWIS on the child welfare system.
HB 2310 � Provides that restraint may be ordered by a clinical professional counselor. Currently can only be ordered by physician, clinical psychologist, clinical social worker or RN. (JMS)
DCFS issued a report which summarizes the activities and accomplishments of the final period, June 2001 through September 2002, of the FCS Program Evaluation Training and Technical Assistance project. Accomplishments during this period included collection of information regarding the status of program evaluation planning and implementation in FCS programs as of June 2002. Further, technical assistance was provided as needed to promote progress in implementation of program evaluations. A compilation of 102 evaluation summaries from FCS programs across the state was also completed. Although limitations must be considered, evaluation data to date suggest that participants in FCS programs report high levels of satisfaction with the services they receive and that many children and their families obtain improved outcomes following participation in FCS programming. Services funded through the family centered services are: Parent education, school-based programs, adoption services, mentoring, support groups, case management, family events, assessment and referral, counseling, respite care, adoption services and time limited reunification services. For additional information about the report contact Mary Dreiser at 312-814-6832 or by e-mail [email protected]. (JMS)
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 L3P Associates 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)
On February 13, 2003, HHS Secretary announced the adoption of final security standards for protecting individually identifiable health information when it is maintained or transmitted electronically. At the same time he also announced the adoption of modifications to a number of the electronic transactions and code sets adopted as national standards. Both final regulations are required as part of the administrative simplification provisions included in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).
Overall, these national standards required under HIPAA will make it easier and less costly for the health care industry to process health claims and handle other transactions while assuring patients that their information will remain secure and confidential. The security standards in particular will help safeguard confidential health information as the industry increasingly relies on computers for processing health care transactions.
Under the security standards announced today, health insurers, certain health care providers and health care clearinghouses must establish procedures and mechanisms to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of electronic protected health information. The rule requires covered entities to implement administrative, physical and technical safeguards to protect electronic protected health information in their care.
The security standards will be published as a final rule in the Feb. 20 Federal Register with an effective date of April 21, 2003. Most covered entities will have two full years � until April 21, 2005 � to comply with the standards. CMS (Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services�) is responsible for implementing and enforcing the security standards, the transactions standards and other HIPAA administrative simplification provisions, except for the privacy standards. HHS� Office for Civil Rights is responsible for implementing and enforcing the privacy rule. For additional information and a full copy of this rule go to: www.hipaadvisory.com/news/2003/0213hhs.htm. (JMS)
CCAI received a recent communication from the Alliance for Children and Families regarding the FY 2004 funding for the Social Services Block Grant. A sign on letter has been developed asking agencies to support the effort to obtain full funding of SSBG for FY 2004. It is being sent to the Chair of the House Committee on Budget, Chairman Jim Nussle. Full funding for the program would be $2.8 billion. It is currently funded at $1.7 billion. If you have not signed onto this letter contact the Alliance through the e-mail address [email protected] or [email protected] or fax the name of your agency and the person authorizing the �sign on� to 202-331-7476. If you also wish to send an individual letter from your agency to Chairman Nussle, a sample letter is on the CCAI web site under the members� only section at www.cca-il.org. (JMS)
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities analyzed the House bill (H.R. 4) that was passed regarding TANF reauthorization. House Republicans, following the Administration�s lead, have proposed a bill with the same formula as last year � one that imposes expensive new mandates, reduces state flexibility, and fails to provide needed additional resources. This is particularly striking in light of the almost unprecedented fiscal crisis now facing states, the cuts states already have made and are now considering in TANF and child care programs, and the serious concerns states raised about the House bill�s approach during the debate on this legislation last year. A brief summary of the main provisions of the bill include:
1.) Imposes costly work requirements; 2.) Reduces state flexibility; 3.) Retains discriminatory restrictions on legal immigrants� eligibility for TANF and Medicaid. 4.) Includes radical �superwaiver� proposal; 5.) Food stamp block grant; 6.) Marriage promotion funding; and modest child support improvements. For additional information go to: http://click,topica.com/maaaQX4aaV26oaaaaaab/. (JMS)
In the Illinois Register, Volume 27, Issue 7, pages 2522 through 2531 there are Proposed Amendments to:
Department of Human Services Rules: 1) Child Care Collaboration Program; and 2) Great START Program.
If you would like to view this publication online go to www.cyberdriveillinois.com and click on Departments, click Index, click archived issues. If you would like to receive a copy in the mail, call the Springfield office at 217.528.4409, Ext. 21 or Ext. 22. (SKA)
The CCAI Spring Membership Meeting is just around the corner. Topics for the March 20 meeting at the Hickory Ridge Conference Center include:
Quest for Quality in the Private Sector--Keynote Address by National Expert Fotena Zirps.
Status of the Illinois Budget and Legislative Agenda.
Accountability Proposal and Implementation Steps.
Updates on RSN for Residential.
Projections for Next Year�s Foster Care Program.
Public Relations� Strategies for CCAI.
CEU's will be provided free of charge to CCAI members.
More than 60 members have already taken advantage of the Early Bird Registration Discount. Those registering by FAX with credit card can still quality for the discount until 4:00 p.m. on March 5.
A full agenda and schedule will be sent to you by the end of the week. If you need an additional registration form please call the Springfield CCAI office and we will be happy to fax one to you. (MB)
The Allendale Association is pleased to present a lecture and training series beginning April 8, 2003. Dr. Larry Brendtro, President of Reclaiming Youth International, will conduct a morning seminar on The Resilience Code: Creating Courage for Discouraged Children. The afternoon will feature Dr. Nicholas J. Long, President of the Life Space Crisis Intervention Institute, titled The Therapeutic Value of Kindness. The cost is $100. Seating is limited. For more information contact Dave McKenna at Allendale (847) 245-6393 or [email protected].
March
6 - Family Centered Services Steering Committee - Video Conferencing, 10
to 2
March 20 � CCAI Spring Membership Meeting, Hickory Ridge Conference Center, Lisle
April 8 � Dr. Larry Brendtro and Dr Nicholas J. Long; for information please contact Dave
McKenna (847) 245-6393 or [email protected]
April 9 & 10 � Life Space Crisis Intervention 2-Day Foundation Skills; for information please contact Dave McKenna (847) 245-6393 or [email protected]
April 9,10, and May 6, 7, 8 � Life Space Crisis Intervention Certification Training; for information please contact Dave McKenna (847) 245-6393 or [email protected]
|
For
further information on any of the above, contact the staff member noted in
parentheses at the end of the text: MB = Marge
Berglind 312/819-1950
([email protected])
JMS
= Jan Schoening 217/528-4409,
ext. 25 BRH=
Bridget Helmholz 217/528-4409,
ext. 24 |
Sandy Armstrong
217/528-4409 ext. 22 ([email protected]) Kelly
Pantaleone 217/528-4409,
ext. 26 ([email protected]) BMO=Barb
Oldani 217/528-4409,
ext. 21 ([email protected]) |
[Home] [Gen. Info] [Membership] [Members Only] [Library]
[Training] [Jobs] [Links] [Search] [Members Search]
Copyright � 1997-2000 Child Care Association of Illinois. All rights reserved.