CHILD CARE ASSOCIATION OF ILLINOIS

MONDAY REPORT

August 7, 2000

SPECIAL NOTE:  Copyright 2000. 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.

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CHILD WELFARE

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BEST PRACTICES

DCFS has undertaken an intensive initiative to develop the models of best practice for all segments of the child welfare system. The project will set the framework for future intervention based on the twin focus areas of safety and permanency.  The child welfare system in Illinois has already incorporated the safety and permanency focus into all aspects of work-from intake to exit. The approach has experienced success in the forms of reductions in caseload and record-setting increases in the number of children leaving substitute care for permanent homes. DCFS has already identified and adopted the values that child safety is paramount and that good permanency planning must move each case to the point of a lifetime commitment to a child in a setting where he or she is safe, can have a sense of belonging and well-being and can live to adulthood. DCFS plans to enforce concurrent planning for every case in its system.  Twelve principles of intervention provide the framework for the concurrent planning model: 1) Decision-making based on the child's sense of time and urgency; 2) Respect family connectedness regardless of the outcome of the case; 3) Ongoing, thorough, and complete assessments; 4) Full disclosure; 5) Family involvement in frequent reviews; 6) Intensive involvement of the caseworker as change agent; 7) Empowerment to make decisions with the family; 8) Foster parents as support for permanency; 9) Family behavior impacts safety decisions; 10) Reasonable efforts and substantial progress; 11) One worker per family and 12) Responsiveness to diversity.

Practice changes and enhancements fundamental to the best practice model have already been implemented in some pilot sites, but full implementation is still in the planning stages. Some of the critical practice changes are: 1) Child and family team meetings; 2) Face to face case hand-offs; 3) Enhanced comprehensive assessment; 4) Frequent worker contact; 5) Permanency prognosis; 6) Concurrent Permanency Plans; 7) Placement Selection; 8) Visitation and 9) Mandatory Timelines. 

The next challenge to this approach is implementation of a service delivery model that reflects the best practices of child welfare. In planning for this implementation, DCFS will seek assistance from universities, advocacy organizations, courts, child welfare experts and THE PRIVATE SECTOR. As work products are completed, an "Expert Panel" convened by Richard Calica of the Juvenile Protective Association and Tom Morton of the Child Welfare Institute in Atlanta will review the proposed work, and assure it is of sound philosophy and addresses the needs of the system. 

The private sector involvement in this endeavor is in the process of being organized.  CCAI will take the lead on coordinating private agency input and involvement in the implementation plans. Marge Berglind is the staff person who will assume this responsibility for the association.  Mary DeBose, Vice President of Children's Home and Aid will be excused from many of her regular duties at CHASI beginning in September and will serve as the chief point person in the private sector for Best Practices. Jan Schoening will continue to take the lead on SACWIS projects and assure that the SACWIS activities "fit" with best practice proposals.

 Mary, Marge and Jan will work closely together to identify the tasks and projects associated with the Best Practices initiative and the companion SACWIS development project that will need private sector review, input or feedback.  Best Practices is a comprehensive project which holds great implications for the future of the private service sector in Illinois. To this end, those agency staff selected to provide Best Practices project assistance, and to represent the private sector in this endeavor, need to be highly experienced, knowledgeable professionals who can commit sufficient time and energy to the tasks, and can think systemically. This will not be the place to address agency or program-specific concerns or to advance a single point of view. The private sector contribution must address the future of the system and propose the changes and practices necessary to support and promote sound child welfare values.   We will be contacting our member agencies in the near future to develop a working directory of best practice representatives on various topics (for example: foster care casework, foster home training, group home standards, etc.) who agree -and whose agencies agree- that they can be available for various pieces of the Best Practice project.  In some instances, the reps may need to attend a series of meetings with the Best Practices project team and to review and contribute to extensive written materials. In other instances, the reps may be asked to attend a one-time focus group convened by CCAI on the topic. We do not know the extent of the involvement on any piece of the project at this time, but will need speedy access to our Best Practices reps once project steps are identified in the future. 

We continue to experience a time of rapid change in the child welfare system and we can expect that this pace of change will continue for the next few years. The agencies in CCAI have a golden opportunity to participate in formulating an enlightened  model of service for the children and families in our agencies.  However, the products and outcomes of the project will only be as good as the quality of personnel committed to the tasks. We urge all executives to promote this project, serve in various capacities themselves, and allow their best staff to participate, as well.

Questions can be directed to Marge Berglind at CCAI (312-819-1950) or Mary DeBose at CHASI (312-424-6803.) (MB)

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GENERAL

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MEETING WITH DHS ON COMMUNITIES FOR YOUTH FUNDING ISSUE

We met last week with Jim Nelson, the Director of the Division of Community Health and Prevention Services for the Dept. of Human Services, to discuss the budget shortfall that is impacting Communities for Youth programs across the state.  These programs started in April of 1999.  Grant amounts were awarded at that time for a 12-month period even though there were only three months remaining in FY �99.  Actual funding sent to agencies was monies for the first six months of the project year and monies for one-time only expenses.  It was agreed that a programmatic review would occur after the first quarter of FY �00 to evaluate how quickly programs were able to initiate service and what further funding was required to complete FY �00.  In October 2000 the majority of programs received the remaining three-quarters of their grant amount to complete funding for that fiscal year.  However, when these contracts were renewed for FY �01, the October-November funding amounts (which constituted only three-quarters of the annual awarded grant amount) were used as the fully funded contract amounts.  In essence, this under-funded the Communities for Youth grant awardees by one-quarter of their grant amount.  The Department did indicate that this was not their intent, but this is what happened in the amount of monies allocated to these contracts in the FY �01 budget and that at this time, they did not have discretionary monies to make up the difference.  They remain strongly supportive of the effort and are hoping to increase funding in the FY �02 budget if at all possible.  We indicated that while we appreciate their continuing support of these programs, there is a very real problem for agencies in the current fiscal year.  We indicated that we would be talking with both the Director of DHS and with the Governor�s office about this issue, and that we will be beginning the process of exploring a supplemental appropriation to cover this shortfall in the fall Veto Session of the General Assembly.  We also indicated that we would be urging the Administration to not only make these programs whole in the FY �02 budget but that, given their success, that the funding for these programs be substantially increased.  (RHM)

MEETING OF THE COALITION ON JUVENILE JUSTICE

The Coalition on Juvenile Justice met last week in Chicago to receive updates on a number of key issues and to explore ways to move juvenile justice issues to the forefront over the coming months.  This effort is supported by the Juvenile Justice Initiative, a privately funded education and advocacy effort to address the challenge of the increasing numbers of children growing up in the juvenile justice system.  It seeks to organize a statewide coalition to advocate for policies that enhance the public good by reducing reliance on incarceration while increasing the skills and abilities of youth.  Craig Boersma, a consultant to the National Juvenile Detention Association, presented an update on the status of juvenile detention in Illinois.  Illinois has added nearly as many new detention beds in 1999-2000 as the rated capacity of all the state outside of Cook County prior to 1999.  Illinois is out of compliance with Federal requirements�youth are held in adult jails in 40 counties outside Cook, and status offenders (youth held for non-criminal offense such as truancy) are detained in several counties.  The majority of youth detained statewide are minority youth�55.2% African-American, 11.4% Hispanic, and 32.1% White.  The group also examined the successful development of alternatives to detention in several other states, particularly the Reclaim Ohio efforts which puts considerable emphasis on the utilization of community-based efforts and resources for early effective prevention and intervention.  There was considerable discussion about the next steps in moving the Illinois agenda forward relative to the changes in both legislation and funding for preventive, intervention, and reintegration services for youth.  The hope and plan is to have these initiatives developed and introduced in the spring session of the General Assembly.  The Association will be both tracking these developments and working aggressively in coalition with other organizations to make this happen.  (RHM)

ILLINOIS PARTNERSHIP FOR AN INTEGRATED PREVENTION SYSTEM

Work has continued through the year on the outcomes issues for the prevention service system in Illinois.  The Outcome Based Approach Work Group for the Prevention Partnership met to discuss the first draft of a document that summarizes desired outcomes for each developmental stage in several categories, including physical health, social and emotional health, behavioral health, reproductive health, educational development, family and community health.  The draft will be revised to distinguish between target population outcomes and system goals and between state and program level outcomes.  The list of outcomes will be narrowed to �core outcomes; for which indicators and measures will be identified.

The purpose of the document is to provide a framework by which funders and providers can support an integrated approach to prevention.  Funders can use the document in the development of RFP�s and providers can use it in their program planning process.  It was also discussed that there is a need to encourage involvement of the educational system at the state, regional and local level. A subcommittee was formed to develop a marketing strategy for promoting the Partnership to the educational system.  The Partnership will be holding its Fourth Annual Summit on September 6, 2000 in Lisle, Illinois at the Hilton Lisle/Naperville.  For more information regarding this Summit, contact Prevention First at 217-793-7353 ext. 124 or 109.  (JMS)

BIRTH TO THREE PROJECT

Through the Birth to Three Project, the Ounce of Prevention Fund is partnering with government agencies, legislators, community-based programs, researchers, advocates and other stakeholders to coordinate and improve prevention services for children under the age of three and their families in Illinois.  The Birth to Three Project is a statewide, multidisciplinary, multiyear effort funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.  The Project has also been working with the Illinois Partnership for an Integrated Prevention System and serves as the 0-3 Developmental Stage Work Group. 

The Project has five working committees that cover the following areas: 1.) Systems Coordination � Improving awareness, access and coordination of prevention programs and services; 2.) Social and Emotional Health of Infants, Toddlers and Families � Identifying and making recommendations to address the mental health needs of very young children; 3.) Child Health and Development � building linkages between health care and other birth to three programs in the community and incorporating child development services into health care practices and settings.  4.) Best Program Practices and Outcomes � Identifying and incorporating best practice into programs and encouraging an outcome-based orientation in birth to three programs.  5.) Training and Workforce Development � Developing a trained workforce for early childhood programs and ensuring access to necessary training for those who work in this field. 

For more information about the project or to become involved in one of the committees, please contact Ann Kirwan of the Ounce of Prevention Fund at 312-922-3863 ext. 326.  (JMS)

CONGRESS LEAVES FOR THE SUMMER

Congress recessed for the month of August to take its annual summer break and to attend presidential nominating conventions.  Both the Senate and House will return on September 6, with a final target adjournment date of October 6.   In its last month, Congress will have to resolve many of the 13 appropriations bills.  Of the 13 appropriations bills, only military construction had been signed into law.  The largest, the Labor-Health and Human Services-Education bill, was still being negotiated and had become entangled between the two parties and the White House.  There are indications that the bill would not fund all the administration�s requests and the funding level for the Title XX (Social Services Block Grant), the State Children�s Health Insurance Program and the TANF Supplemental grants to 17 states remains unclear.  (JMS)

TITLE XX BILLS

While efforts were underway to eliminate the Senate�s proposed cut to Title XX (SSBG), two companion bills in the Senate and House were gathering supporters.  We have requested members of the Child Care Association to contact their Congressmen and request their support for these two bills.  In the Senate, S. 2585 introduced by Sen. Bob Graham had 25 Senate cosponsors before the July recess.  An identical bill in the House, H.R. 4481 introduced by Rep. Nancy Johnson had 34 cosponsors.  Both bills will restore SSBG to $2.38 billion which is the funding level set by the 1996 welfare reform legislation.  In addition to the restoration of SSBG, the bill would also restore the ability of states to transfer up to 10% of their TANF block grant into SSBG.  The transfer authority is scheduled to be restricted to 4.25% on October 1, the start of FY 2001.  Both the cut in funding and transfer reductions were enacted as part of the 1998 transportation reauthorization law.  It is possible that the restoration bill for Title XX (Social Services Block Grant) might be included in a larger reconciliation package as final agreements are reached on the budget.  (JMS)

WEBSITES WE LIKE will be a regular feature in the Monday Report. If you have a website you are using for policy research, media information, or other purposes, please send it on to CCA so that we can share it with other members in the Monday Report and consider it for addition to the CCA Link Library online. Send submissions via e-mail to: [email protected].

Tell us what you think of the WEBSITES WE LIKE. Were they helpful? Were they easy to find? E-mail Linda Lenzini at [email protected] with comments, suggestions, and questions.

EDUCATION WEBSITES
There are several good websites that you might find of interest in the area of education.

The Illinois State Board of Education offers information on resources available to schools, information on teacher certification, and other information on their website at www.isbe.state.il.us. Additionally, you�ll find the EBD Network web page at www.ebdnetwork-il.org. This site includes wraparound success stories, comprehensive reading lists, evaluation updates, and information about the state and regional technical assistance and training. The United States Department of Education also offers information from the Office of Non-Public Education at www.ed.gov/offices/OIIA/NonPublic.

CCA SURVEY UPDATES
The CCA FY2000 Membership Survey has been mailed to CCA agencies to the attention of the CEO/Executive Director or other designated agency contact.  It can also be downloaded from the CCA website�s library, filled out and faxed back. Pilot participants indicated that it took them about half an hour to complete.

Full membership participation is critical to the success of this survey, and our goal for response is 100%. For assistance in filling out the survey, please contact Linda Lenzini at CCA. 

Findings of the recent E-Communications survey will be available to participants in the month of August. Watch for further information in this report. (LLL)

ASK CCA
Looking for information on a particular facet of legislation, association management, program or service? Chances are, if you want to know, other member agencies do, too.

Send e-mail to [email protected], and we�ll publish your question and the answer in the Monday Report.

(LLL)

LINK TO THE CCA WEBSITE

If your agency has a website, you can be linked to the CCA website. This will enable visitors to the CCA website to simply click on your agency�s name and access your website. Send requests for linkage via e-mail to Linda Lenzini at CCA, e-mail address [email protected]. (LLL)

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UPCOMING EVENTS/MEETINGS

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MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR CCA�s FALL MEMBERSHIP RETREAT

The date is set and the location chosen for CCA�s Fall Retreat.  The Retreat will be held on October 5-6 at The Lodge, a Hyatt hotel at McDonald�s Office Campus in Oak Brook.  For the past 15 or more years the Association has gone to Starved Rock Lodge in Utica, Illinois, and while we had our hopes on going there again this year, Starved Rock could not accommodate us for the dates we scheduled and the Board approved for October.  However, we think you will be very pleased with The Lodge.  The Lodge has extended to us a sleeping room rate of $115 for a single room, their rack rate is $159.  Like Starved Rock, The Lodge has miles of trails, with streams and forests.  Also, two natural lakes are on the 88-acre property.  Among the amenities are: state of the art health facilities, indoor swimming pool, three whirlpools, steamroom and sauna, paddle boats, five nature trails, and four-mile jogging trail.  Although the agenda is in the developing stages, please mark your calendar and plan on joining us for an educational and relaxing two days in October.  Additional information on the two-day retreat will be forthcoming in future Monday Reports.  (SKA)

PLEASE NOTE CHANGES IN THE SACWIS DESIGN TOPICS AND DATES BELOW

Calendar:

Aug.  8 � SACY Training/Introductory: Developmentally Disabled Youth, Springfield

Aug.  8 � SACWIS Design Meeting - Case Management 2 � Springfield

Aug.  9 � SACWIS Design Meeting - Court Processing � Springfield

Aug. 10 � SACWIS Design Meeting - Administrative Case Review � Springfield

Aug. 15 � SACY Training/Advanced: Effective Group Treatment Modalities, Chicago/Lisle

Aug. 15 � SACWIS Design Meeting - Resource Management and Resource Directory � Springfield

Aug. 16 � SACWIS Design Meeting - Resource Management 2 � Springfield

Aug. 16 � SACWIS Design Meeting � Health � Springfield

Aug. 17 � SACWIS Design Meeting - Eligibility � Springfield

Aug. 17 - SACY Training/Advanced: Effective Group Treatment Modalities, Springfield

Aug. 22 � SACWIS Design Meeting - Financial � Springfield

Aug. 23 � SACWIS Design Meeting - Interface/Other � Springfield

Aug. 23 � SACWIS Design Meeting - Staff Maintenance � Springfield

Aug. 24 � SACWIS Design Meeting - Reporting/Other - Springfield

Sept. 27-29 - Practical Strategies 2000: Help Along the Way: A Continuum of Support for Youth and Families, Holiday Inn Hotel and Conference Center, Urbana, IL.  More information:  217-355-5990.

Oct. 5-6 � CCA�s Fall Retreat, The Lodge, Oak Brook

Oct. 6-7 - The 10^th Annual Retreat for Educators of Students with Behavioral Disorders sponsored by ICCBD, Monticello, IL.

Nov. 1-4 - The International Adolescent Conference, Portland Oregon; Call (651) 484-5510

Nov. 17-20 - The Teaching-Family Association Conference: �Circle of Courage� �Call: 540-370-4439 or e-mail www.teaching-family.org

For further information on any of the above, contact the staff member noted in parentheses at the end of the text:

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