Plans are being made for this year�s Fall Retreat at The Lodge in Oak Brook on October 5-6. The retreat will be open to Executive Directors/CEO�s and one additional leadership staff person from each member agency. It is imperative, in light of the recent negative scrutiny being applied to the private sector in Illinois by the media and court systems, that we take whatever steps necessary to enhance the public confidence is the services being provided by our voluntary agency membership. To that end, the Fall Retreat will focus on the Illinois Private Sector with emphasis on: 1) Rebuilding Public Confidence and Image; 2) Enhancing Performance and Quality; and 3) Charting Our Future Course. I am very pleased to inform you that we have been able to schedule Dr. Fotina Zirps, one of the most respected experts in the field of quality assurance, to lead us in discussion of Executive Level Quality Assurance. I am also very pleased that Peter Goldberg, President and CEO of the Alliance for Children and Families, has accepted our invitation to lead us in a discussion of Strategic Actions on Public Image.

Look for additional information on the October Retreat in your mail this week. Information on making your reservation at The Lodge is in the Monday Report under the section titled "General". (RHM)

The Cook Performance Based Work Group met in Chicago on August 16. DCP staff expressed concern that the private agency HMR/TFC shelter population in ERC was again growing; and that the children are coming in at a higher rate and staying longer. Agencies questioned whether the increase might be due to the time of year with foster parents growing increasingly wary of attempting to care for a child with problems for another full school year. Many times the ultimatums are given shortly before school starts. The shelter system can also be used to circumvent a cumbersome PRT process. With current contract restrictions, an agency could choose to take the "hit" on a discharge to ERC instead of waiting for the PRT process to finally approve a move to another specialized program, which would also be a "hit." ERC staff mentioned that new caseworkers in particular do not know about the availability of Placement Stabilization and ITS services as ways of defusing potential disruptions. Finally, agencies are reminded that it is a requirement to post a child on the Secondary Match System if the child ends up at ERC. This will be monitored more closely by DCFS this year.

The group briefly covered questions pertaining to the caseload penalty baseline document which DCFS had forwarded to agencies that week. There was concern about release of social security numbers to additional divisions in DCFS. DCFS financial staff assured agencies that these are being closely controlled. Both the agencies and DCFS staff agreed that with a functional CYCIS system, there wouldn�t be a need for duplicate listing of workers, since all are assigned a CYCIS i.d. However, the current lists are outdated and inaccurate. The group recommended DCFS undertake a cleanup of the caseworker listing system.

Reconciliation processes were reviewed. Initial data runs have been sent to the Cook agencies. All responses are due back by August l8. DCFS should then reconcile the final performance numbers for a final report by August 31. The final adjustments to contracts as well as bonus payments can then be determined by the end of September. (Note: Non-Cook reconciliation packets were mailed out to agencies just this week. DCFS assures agencies that the reconciliation and final adjustments will occur on the same time frame as Cook.)

An on-line intake confirmation system for Cook intake will soon be in place. TASC has been training agencies with another training scheduled for August 30. Agencies can contact Mike Saver�s unit for information.

Issues with the Post-Permanency component of the contract were discussed. DCFS acknowledged that some regional contract staff had released a copy of a detailed set of requirements for this component. The Foster Care Infrastructure Work Group had not approved this detailed document, asking for essential components to be outlined in a brief bullet point document, and suggesting that the low intensity nature of the program and minimal funding were not consistent with such detailed requirements. The detailed description of the component was provided in error. Staff from the permanency division are to finalize a brief document which will go out to agencies asking for their plan for development of the post-permanency services and expenditure of funds. Once approved, the funds should be provided to the agency via one of their existing foster care contracts. The group urged DCFS staff to check on the status of the new document from the permanency division, so this part of the program can get moving. Additionally, since it is now mid-August, it would not appear that the funds would be received until the fall, so the program would only be in place for 3 quarters of the year. Will there be additional funds for next year or will agencies be expected to stretch the same funds for a full 4 quarters? This will influence development of the plans.

Marge Berglind reported to the group that problems have been surfacing again with the Juvenile Court and related personnel. The image of private agencies is declining, judges are critical of the "private agencies, " generalizing poor performance of a few workers to all agencies. The public guardian is writing regular letters to the DCFS director complaining of the service from agencies, and has inquired into the accreditation status of several agencies. The group discussed some of these problems and confirmed the need for agency diligence in monitoring worker attendance at and performance in court, as well as ACR�s.

There must be further relationship-building with the court. Marge reminded the agencies about a special meeting CCAI is calling for executive staff of Cook area agencies to discuss this issue.

DCFS is proposing a special AP unit, which will conduct inspections of l0% of all private agency homes per year. The Cook agencies confirmed that they had been hearing about this unit forming for a few months. There are a number of concerns about this unit. These will be addressed with DCFS once CCAI staff receive a written document outlining the purpose of the unit. However, agencies were cautioned that this unit is being established to address some of the criticism generating from the juvenile court and public guardian about the quality of private agency foster care services, much of which involves foster home issues.

Status of the AODA waiver project was briefly addressed. DCFS staff reported that cases are not being referred by the court at the pace originally planned. Caseworkers are able to make their own direct referrals to the project for cases. Qualifying cases are those within 60 days of temporary custody in which a worker suspects there is a substance abuse problem. Questions or referrals can be directed to the Juvenile Court Assessment Project (JCAP) at 312-492-8785.

The next meeting is scheduled for September 14. (MB)

CCAI agencies have raised a number of concerns about the new requirements of the Unusual Incident Report. Members should be aware that CCAI did provide a detailed response to the Draft Proposed Amendments published in the Illinois Register, which initially outlined the proposed changes. CCAI raised the issue with DCFS about the timing and protocol of publishing training manuals and conducting training sessions prior to finalization of the amendment via the proper legal process. Part of the process would have to be DCFS responding to the issues raised by CCAI in our comments.

It was reported in the Child Protection Report that Representative Nancy Johnson from Connecticut who chairs the House subcommittee with child-welfare jurisdiction is developing a bill that would select 10 states for two experiments in flexible federal funding. One would allow states to use money saved through Title IV-E to transfer money to Title IV-B and the second means would allow a set amount of money to be negotiated for Title IV with a combined pool for IV-B and IV-E which could be used in any manner a state decided as long as it was for child welfare. Also incorporated in this bill is a provision that states could revert back to receiving funding on a per child Title IV-E entitlement. One of the arguments against this flexibility in funding is that without the open-ended entitlement for Title IV-E states could face a shortage of funds if there was a surge in foster care cases. Testimony presented at the House Ways and Means Subcommittee by advocacy groups have argued that prevention services under Title IV-B have seen only minimal increases over the years compared to Title IV-E increases for supporting out of home placement.

Related to this proposed bill, it was also noted that states under the transfer flexibility of funding would still be required to make Title IV-E eligibility determinations. Since the historical reasons of tying Title IV-E eligibility to AFDC are no longer valid is has been suggested that all children in state custody be provided IV-E funding without going through the eligibility process. (JMS)

Regional meetings are taking place this week in Marion (Aug 21^st) and Peoria (Aug 22^nd) related to the funding for equipment to implement SACWIS with the private agencies. These meetings will continue next week for Chicago on the 28^th and 30^th and for Aurora on the 29^th. With the final session in Springfield on Sept. 6^th. Specific dates, times and locations were listed in last week�s Monday Report. Agencies need to be sure that they send representatives to these meetings in order to understand how funding will be allocated to your agency over the next three years for SACWIS, what the equipment requirements will be for SACWIS implementation and what kind of planning documents will be required in order to obtain the funding and reimbursement. It is critical that agencies have those staff attend that are involved with information systems and strategic planning related to the purchase of equipment, which means it is highly recommended that both IT and financial staff attended these meetings. Completion of the contracting process to issue funding for equipment purchase is targeted for December 31, 2000. Letters with a general discussion of the planning process were mailed out to those affected agencies the first week of August. If you are unable to attend the meeting site closest to you, please plan on making arrangements to send staff to another session. If you have any questions, contact Steve Bradshaw, Private Agency Liaison with the SACWIS project at DCFS. His phone number is 217-747-7604. (JMS)

The first phase of the design process for SACWIS continues this week with the use case sessions for Resource Management, Health Tracking and Eligibility. At the Health Tracking session it was noted that the next dates anticipated for development related to Phase I design, which is intake and investigations, will be 9/29 to 10/27 and 11/6 to 12/29. The meetings that are currently taking place involve the task of identifying the use cases within each of the specific areas of discussion. For example, under the Health Tracking meeting two use cases were identified: 1.) Document Health Information and 2.) Manage Health Requirements for Reunification. Actors identified included the child protection worker, the permanency worker, the medical case manager, health providers, the system and the scheduler. The group basically went through identifying the steps involved in health information when a child is taken into DCFS custody as the result of intake and investigation. A temporary medical card is issued for each child and a health screening is conducted. Health information is obtained and documented. One of the issues that came up during the discussion related to the role of the lead agent for Healthworks in any area of the state for insuring that health information is entered in the system. Currently the Cook area is the only area that has been entering information into an electronic system. All health information down state is recorded on paper. It was discussed that the lead agents around the state should be responsible for entering health information into the system. Ticklers for completion of screenings and exams would be sent automatically to the caseworker. This raised the issue of how the cost for computers for the lead agents would be covered. Each of the use cases is then associated with one or more of the user requirements that had been identified from previous meetings. Meetings continue next week for Financial, Interfaces, Staff Maintenance and Reporting. (JMS)

Findings of the recent E-Communications Survey are now available to the CCA membership. This report will reflect plans for web sites, usage of e-mail, and agency use of Internet resources among the membership. To request a copy, contact Linda Lenzini at CCA, or watch for it to appear in the CCA website�s library as a downloadable document. (LLL)

ASK CCA

Does your agency have an innovative program or recent success story that you�d like to share? Contact Linda Lenzini at CCA with the details. (LLL)

Several youth in the care of CCA agencies were among the DCFS Scholarship recipients honored this past Friday at a ceremony and luncheon at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield. Chosen statewide on the basis of scholastic aptitude, personal statement, and community involvement, each student selected received a medical card, $445 monthly maintenance stipend and a waiver of tuition and fees if they attend one of the 9 designated state universities.

There are a total of 16 youth in the above agencies that will receive scholarships from DCFS. Out of a list of 48 scholarships currently available, 23 were awarded to children placed in adoption or private guardianship arrangements. Of those remaining, those in the care of private agencies represent 64% of the winners. An additional 31 scholarships remaining from last year were also awarded.

Youth winning the prestigious scholarships have been in the care of the following agencies:

In addition, Tom Vanden Berk, Executive Director of Uhlich Children�s Home and Frances Pace-Barnes, President of Volunteers of America served along with Ron Moorman on the Director�s Scholarship Selection Committee. (LLL)

A review of the current practice of Illinois residential providers relative to restraint practices is currently being conducted under the leadership of Mary Shahbazian, the chair of the CWAC SED committee. Mary is working with a small group from the private sector, DCFS, and the U. of Illinois Chicago to bring together as much information as possible on this issue. All of the residential providers of the Association have been surveyed as to their current model of restraint practice and procedure, and that information is currently being compiled for review. We will be looking to determine exactly what models are currently in use and how they are being implemented . We are also examining the issues regarding the provision of restraint training in order to enable consistent on-going training to be made readily available to both new and experienced child care workers. (RHM)

We are also moving ahead with our efforts to maximize Title IV-E dollars for the provision of training to residential child care workers. As against the great difficult we have had accessing these training dollars for private agency foster care training because of federal restrictions, the area of Title IV-E funding for private sector residential services is easier to access--not simple but easier. The Training Committee of the CWAC SED committee has developed a draft curriculum for such training and we are ready to begin the next steps. We will be working with the leadership of the CWAC SED committee, DCFS, and the University of Illinois at Chicago to develop the systems and protocols necessary to implement this system. It is critical that we work with a University on this effort since they are able to leverage their funding to help to provide the match for the federal funds for this effort. A small implementation group has been formed and we anticipate moving ahead with this effort in the very near future. (RHM)

We met last week with the Governor�s office to discuss with them our concerns over the shortage of funding for the newly developed Communities for Youth programs across the state. We reported on our recent meting with DHS on this concern in the August 7^th issue of the Monday Report. We received a very positive response from the Governor�s office and their assurance that they will be examining ways in which this funding shortage can be corrected. This was certainly not a guarantee that these programs will be made whole but it was, at least, a strong step in that direction. (RHM)

The Lodge is holding a block of rooms for CCAI guests until September 14^th for the nights of October 4^th and 5^th. October is a very busy month for The Lodge and it is very important that you make your reservation by Sept. 14^th to guarantee a room. The Association is responsible for the pick-up of all the overnight rooms we have blocked. To that end, would you please be sure that you keep your overnight reservation once you have reserved your room. If for some reason you must cancel, would you please do it as early as possible so that someone else can make a room reservation before the deadline of September 14^th. If you must cancel your reservation after September 14^th would you please call Sandy at the CCA office and let her know and she will possibly be able to fill that vacancy. To make your reservation call 1-800-563-4378 and be sure to say you are attending the Child Care Association meeting. The rate is $115.00 single or $140.00 double occupancy. (SKA)

The next meeting of private agencies in the Cook area with Judge Bishop is scheduled for Wednesday, September 13, 10:00 a.m.-Noon in the Juvenile Court auditorium. In lieu of the recent escalation of criticism generating from the court about private agencies, all CCAI agencies are urged to put this on their calendars now. (MB)

Agencies serving the Cook Juvenile Court (all Cook, and most suburban agencies) should watch the mail for a letter from CCAI this week, urging executive staff attendance at a special meeting on September 7 at the Uhlich downtown campus. Problems have been surfacing again with the Juvenile Court and related personnel. The image of private agencies is declining, judges are critical of the "private agencies, " generalizing poor performance of a few workers to all agencies. The public guardian is writing regular letters to the DCFS director complaining of the service from agencies, and has inquired into the accreditation status of several agencies.

DCFS is proposing a special AP unit which will conduct inspections of l0% of all private agency homes per year, to address some of the criticism generating from the juvenile court and public guardian about the quality of private agency foster care services, much of which involves foster home issues. It is imperative that all CCAI member agencies that work within the Cook court system come together to address this issue. Executives are urged to mark this on their calendars now. Questions can be directed to Marge Berglind or Ron Moorman. (MB)

The GAP meeting scheduled for September 7 at Central Baptist will not be held as planned. The special meeting with executives at Uhlich will take the place of GAP. (MB)

The next meeting of the Downstate Performance Work Group is scheduled for Thursday, August 24, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. at DCFS, 628 E. Adams, Springfield. (MB)

Calendar:

Aug. 21 � SACWIS Private Agency Regional Meeting - 11 to 2 � Marion

Aug. 22 � SACWIS Private Agency Regional Meeting - 1 to 4 � Peoria

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

Aug. 24 � Downstate Performance Based Work Group, 1-3, DCFS, 628 E. Adams, Springfield

Aug. 24-25 � CWLA Midwest Regional Policy Committee, Springfield

Aug. 28 � SACWIS Private Agency Regional Meeting - 10 to 1 and 1 to 4 - Chicago

Aug. 29 � SACWIS Private Agency Regional Meeting � 10 to 1 � Aurora

Aug. 30 � SACWIS Private Agency Regional Meeting � 10 to 1 � Chicago

Aug. 30 � CCA Public Policy Committee, 10-3, The Children�s Foundation, Bloomington

Aug. 30 � CWAC Medicaid Advisory Committee, Springfield/Chicago

Aug. 30 � Healthy Families Workgroup, Chicago

Sept. 6 � SACWIS Private Agency Regional Meeting � 10 to 1 - Springfield

Sept. 6 � Illinois Partnership for Prevention Summit, Naperville

Sept. 7 � Special meeting for agency member CEO�s and Executive level staff, 10-12:30, Uhlich

Children�s Home, 217 N. Jefferson, Chicago

Sept. 12 � CWAC SACWIS Advisory Committee, Springfield

Sept. 13 � Cook area agencies meet with Judge Bishop, 10-Noon, Juvenile Court Auditorium

Sept. 14 � Family Centered Services Steering Committee, Chicago

Sept. 18 � Special SACWIS JAD Review Meeting, Chicago area

Sept. 19 � CCA Board of Directors Meeting, 10 a.m., Holiday Inn Select, Naperville

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, (attendance limited to CEO�s/Executive Directors and one additional

staff leadership person) 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