More than 85 executive staff from Cook area CCA agencies met in Chicago on September 7. The group discussed complaints from the court sector about performance of private agencies and the forwarding of complaint letters to the Council on Accreditation. There currently appears to be the perception that private agencies in general are performing poorly. CCA staff reported on a meeting with DCFS executive staff in late July in which DCFS proposed solutions to the perception. One of the solutions is the creation of a special unit housed within Agency Performance that will inspect l0% of all foster homes per year and will handle certain foster home complaints.

Another solution is the clarification of a protocol for placing agencies on intake hold. Some of the elements of the protocol can involve placing a program on-hold for complaints generated about the foster or relative homes in the agency. Included in the protocol is a procedure for directing copies to COA of complaints and instances of licensing violation or non-compliance with child care standards about agency foster and relative homes.

The group proposed a number of possible strategies for confronting the perception of the private sector. The group agreed that executives of agencies are key to the solution and identified the need for regular meetings of executives in Cook. There must be some vehicles established for dialogue with the court and various legal sectors about the performance of agencies and the current dynamics agencies are facing. Ultimately, CCA must examine its future directions in terms of requiring accountability from member agencies including data collection and analysis and participation in joint projects geared to open the lines of communication with court. There should be increased emphasis on training of staff in working within the court system, and sharing of existing training programs across agencies. A full report of the meeting with more detailed report of the recommendations and strategies will go out to all Cook executives next week. In the meantime, executive staff are encouraged to attend the regular meeting with Judge Bishop this Wednesday at court, and to begin visiting court calendars on a regular basis to observe their own staff and the performance of other workers at court. (MB)

The next regular meeting with Judge Bishop and the private agencies is scheduled for Wednesday, September 13, from 10:00 a.m.-Noon at the Juvenile Court auditorium, 2245 W Ogden, Chicago. Private agency staff should be prepared to stand in line at the security metal detector since private agency i.d. badges were not being accepted by sheriff�s security last week. (MB)

The GAP No Reasonable Efforts committee met with Judge Bishop on September 5 to discuss GAP�s proposed protocol for No Reasonable Efforts (NRE) findings. The group discussed the increasing number of NRE findings being handed down from both judges and hearing officers (which the judges must approve.) The private agency members stressed that many times what is being requested is not possible and sometimes is unexpected since it was never required in previous court orders or in client service plans. The judge felt that if a worker called to the court�s attention that the order was unrealistic that frequently the court would listen. She cited that frequently NRE�s are given because the court is failing to see progress in repeated court hearings.

Judge Bishop was reluctant to pursue the protocol as suggested, feeling that it was giving the court the responsibility for supervising agencies. However, she did agree to issue a general directive as presiding judge to all judges and hearing officers that a No Reasonable Effort finding cannot be given for any task o objective that was not previously entered in a court order or in the client�s service plan. Additionally, the group learned that any private agency is entitled to a hearing anytime there is a NRE finding. DCFS attorneys, in fact, have reduced their NRE findings on DCFS staff from l00 to under 30 by requesting hearings. When a NRE finding is made, the supervisor should

approach the judge on an informal basis and request a reconsideration of the findings. At that time, the agency should be prepared to explain why the initial request may have been unreasonable, why the agency was not able to achieve the result intended but did exert all due efforts. In the case of a finding generated by a hearing officer, the supervisor should request a judicial hearing. The motions to reconsider should be made within 30 days of the finding. The judge cautioned that agencies should not ask for reconsideration on frivolous matters or when the agency staff have clearly not performed as expected. The judge also suggested that since there is so much emphasis on poor performance of certain workers that workers who go above and beyond the call of duty go unrecognized. She would like to implement a system of recognition from the court for a job well done.

Judge Bishop stressed that one of the few ways agency directors have of making themselves known to the court is to request a meeting with her and to spend time observing court proceedings on the calendars and in the hearing rooms. She is willing to meet individually with agency executives to talk about the programs in their agencies and dynamics in the court. Agency directors can request such a meeting through her secretary. Once again, the procedure for observing court or hearing officers is to obtain a daily pass from the presiding judge�s office at court. When one enters a courtroom, they must show the pass to the bailiff who will show it to the judge. (MB)

The Office of Mental Health held its first advisory committee regarding the use of Individual Care grants for mentally ill children. Currently, OMH have processed 700 application requests, reviewed 210 completed applications and awarded grants to 98 following clinical and administrative review. There are 21 children in out of state facilities. The ICG program carries a budget of $20 million. The committee identified a number of areas for improvement in the use and administration of the grants in the future. Of great concern to parent consumers and to mental health programs is the need for communication with residential treatment facilities and the ability to learn quickly what facilities and services can be offered for children. We would encourage CCAI agencies to invite SASS programs to their agencies to see their facilities in advance of potential use. There is also a need for more localized and community based mental health services that can be available for children with serious mental illness and the need for better agreement systems among DHS, school systems and provider resources. The committee will focus in the future on the community based focus, ways to formalize information sharing and use of ICG�s as step-down resources from full hospitalization. (MB)

We remind our member agencies of the need to review and comment on the DCFS�

proposed new Unusual Incident Reporting system. As reported in previous Monday Reports, DCFS has determined the need to hold on the implementation of this. Comments are needed from the entire private sector on the proposed plan. Letters to all agencies were sent out from DCFS to this effect. If an agency has not seen the proposed training manual and form because staff did not yet attend training, they should contact DCFS for these materials. Materials can be obtained from staff in Tom Finnegan�s office at 312-814-8751. Comments can be directly submitted to DCFS child and family policy office or can be submitted via fax or e-mail to CCAI (312-819-1950 or [email protected].) To date, we have received comments from only two agencies. We do not know if this is because our agencies have not sent us a copy, or because our agencies are not submitting comments. It is crucial to submit comments very soon. At some point, DCFS will decide on whether to implement the system as proposed or whether to modify the system based on the comments received. Please send us a copy of your comments. (MB)

We are pleased to report that HR 4678 passed the House last week and is on its way to the Senate. This bill contains language which will allow private agencies equal access to the training monies under Title IV-E. Currently private agencies cannot access any of the enhanced training monies that DCFS currently is able to use to train their workers. This has been a long hard struggle with a great number of organizations working on this issue so we are very pleased that we have at least brought it to this significant step. The bill now has to pass the Senate. In the Senate it is very likely that the IV-E Training provisions may have to be attached to an Omnibus Bill that will be put together at the end of the current session in late October. We are working with the Child Welfare League and other national organizations, and as soon as we know the subsequent actions that need to be taken to move this legislation, we will be in touch with our membership to enlist their aid in contacting our Illinois legislators. We want to thank all of you who have contacted your legislators on this issue. We need to be thankful for this first step and commit ourselves to pushing this issue through to completion. (RHM)

A small implementation group met last week to determine the next steps in accessing Title IV-E training dollars for the provision of residential training initiatives in residential programs around the state. These services are currently eligible for the enhanced rate, but up to this point, we have not worked out the process the access them. It will be critical that these efforts be coordinated with a public institution of higher learning--the University of Illinois at Chicago--in order to maximize funding. The efforts of UIC will be joined with those of other Universities around the State in order to insure continuous on-going training that will be geographically accessible by residential programs around the State. In those efforts we will be doing an inventory of training programs currently being provided by programs. We will also be working to make sure that the residential community has an integral part in the development of the curriculum and that we utilize the expert personnel that we currently have in our programs to be a part of this effort as adjunct faculty and the like. Over the next week or so, we will be putting together a written proposal incorporating the key elements of this process. We will then be sitting down with UIC to talk about their interest and the process of implementation. (RHM)

Applications were distributed in July for additional dollars for adoption and time-limited reunification under the Family Centered Services program. Applications for services were from $50,000 to $100,000 and could have been submitted for each service category. Both applications were due September 11, 2000. Approximately 10 to 15 applications will be selected for funding in each service category. After the review and approval process is completed, DCFS will begin funding 10 to 15 Adoption Contracts beginning November 1, 2000 for a 12 month period and 10 to 15 Time-Limited Contracts beginning December 1, 2000 for a 12 month period. The next meeting of the Family Centered Services Steering Committee will be September 14, 2000 in Chicago. (JMS)

CCA has scheduled a meeting for those POS participants who have attended SACWIS User Requirements Meetings and Design Meetings held during June, July and August. The meeting is being held on September 18, 2000 at the Holiday Inn Select Naperville from 10 to 3. The purpose of the meeting will be to review the discussions and content of the meetings that have taken place to begin the design of the SACWIS system. The different topic areas covered in these meetings included � assignment, archive, technical, case management, court processing, ACR, resource, eligibility, financial, staff maintenance, administration, intake/investigation and QA. We want to provide people the opportunity to exchange information on what happened during these meetings over the last several and discuss any issues or concerns for the ongoing schedule of meetings by American Management Systems. An e-mail has been sent and agenda has been mailed to all those who attended. Please contact the CCA office if you attended one of these design meetings and did not receive a copy of the agenda. (JMS)

The last in a series of POS SACWIS meetings scheduled throughout the State was held in Springfield on Sept. 6, 2000. The purpose of the meeting was to review the funding of equipment for POS agencies related to the implementation of SACWIS. Approximately 30 people attended the meeting. Some of the questions that were asked at the meeting related to specific equipment issues about video cards and use of the Intel chip. Other broader based questions asked what would happen to funding after this first three years and equipment needing to be updated? How will SACWIS run with other programs within the private agencies? Have there been any conflicts in other states between SACWIS and other agency programs? What time period will be used for calculation of the number of seats for an agency? Should we buy equipment immediately? What if SACWIS is not completed by the time frames indicated? Is the 7.5 million sufficient to cover the cost of private agency equipment? During the meetings, agencies could then schedule a site assessment to be completed by the Spectrum consulting group to help evaluate the status of their information system and what changes would be needed to certify it for SACWIS. (JMS)

The site carries descriptions and information for a wide range of training materials that range from $15 to $190, with many under $100. They also offer free previews.

The CCA Membership Survey, which was due August 30, has been returned by the majority of CCA Members. However, our goal of 100% response, which is critical for this data to be truly representative, has not yet been met. For those who need another copy of the form, it can be downloaded as an MSWord document from the CCA website�s library, or obtained by calling CCA at 217-528-4409.

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.

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)

Attendees at this year�s Fall Retreat at The Lodge will be able to request CEU�s for their attendance at Peter Goldberg and Fotena Zirps presentations on October 5^th. Two credit hours will be given for Mr. Goldberg and three credit hours for Dr. Zirps. In addition to being a sponsor for LSW�s and LCSW�s , the Association has applied for sponsorship of continuing education credits for Licensed Illinois Professional Counselors (LIPC�s) and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors (LCPC�s). The approval from the Illinois Dept. of Professional Regulation should be received by the October Retreat. (SKA)

Calendar:

Sept. 12 � CWAC SACWIS Advisory Committee, Springfield

Sept. 12 -- Meeting of Joint OASA/DCFS Best Practice Committee--Chicago

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, Urbana, IL. For more information call: 217-355-5990.

Oct. 5-6 � CCA�s Fall Leadership Retreat, (attendance limited to CEO�s/Executive Directors and

executive level staff) The Lodge, Oak Brook

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

ICCBD, Monticello, IL.

Oct. 26-27 - "Governor�s Workforce Development Conference," Crowne Plaza Hotel, Springfield. Contact the following for more information: Barb Senalik, Illinois Department of

Employment Security, Job Training Division, 325 West Adams St, 3^rd Floor, Springfield IL

62704-1892.

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