DCFS has forwarded to us at long last the dates for the licensing exam and pre-exam training for the rest of the year.

DCFS cautions agencies that they should not wait until December for any existing/current staff. These dates should be held only for newly hired staff. There will not be sufficient slots available for new hires if any current staff wait until the last minute to take the exam.

DCFS reports a very high rate of no-shows during recent testing and training dates. We urge agencies to double-check with any current staff you thought had taken the training and exam to be sure they are not part of the no-show group. Reserving slots for staff who fail to show has prevented registration for other staff who then go on a waiting list or must go during another, more inconvenient time.

Once again, the regular registration process with Northern Illinois University should be followed.

The Child Welfare Staff Licensing Advisory Committee held its final meeting in Chicago on November 1. The final rule was reviewed. Elements of this have been covered in many previous Monday Reports. We will be mailing all member agencies a copy of the final rule when it is filed.

DCFS staff shared the following results of the exam testing to date: 6452 staff have been tested, 91 have failed. DCFS has not developed a letter yet for informing agencies about staff who have failed the exam. Private agency members cautioned DCFS that the employer must be informed about their staff who have not passed and cannot wait while a letter clears official channels. Simply sharing the results of the test should be sufficient data for the employer.

Five hundred sixteen staff are scheduled for November testing, with 19 on the waiting list.

The licensing application process has been finalized. As of November 1, application packets should go out pertaining to all staff who have passed the exam. The applications (one per staff) will go in a box to the Executive Director of the agency. The applications can be copied or downloaded from the DCFS web site, if more are needed. Verification forms for the employer (either signoff by the executive director or human resource director is required) to fill out are included in the box with the application. These are all due back no later than November 30. DCFS pleads with agencies to please not batch these all at once but to send them in as they are completed, to avoid a data entry backup. Once the application materials are received, DCFS staff are reviewing for completeness and returning incomplete applications back to the agency. If all required application materials are submitted, the staff will be entered into a "pending" status, which will allow them to carry cases until the official license is issued. Note: All materials must be sent to DCFS Springfield address listed on the application�not to the Training Department at 10 W. 35^th in Chicago. The 35^th Street location is receiving forms directly. These are being returned to the agency and is delaying the process.

The "i.d." number required on the application should be the worker�s current CYCIS i.d. If there is a staff who took the exam, wishes to be licensed but does not have a CYCIS i.d., simply write N/A in the i.d. box. Anyone who took the exam who is not attached to an agency should receive the application directly at his or her home address. If an agency receives materials for former staff, they are asked to forward these on the staff if they know their location.

Staff who are in default on an educational loan, or delinquent in child support payments cannot be issued a license. Staff are able to work out payment plans with the loan service and are able to rectify child support situations. Staff in this situation should immediately work to rectify their situation. If proof of the plan for payback of the loan or child support is provided, then the license can be issued. For future use, DCFS will develop a brief pamphlet outlining how potential staff can work out these situations and include this with the application.

We urge all executive staff to personally review the status of all employees in your agency who are mandated to be licensed. Are any of your staff part of the No-Show problem referenced above? You need to be certain that they have signed up to take the test, or have taken it and have received their passing score or are receiving remediation if they failed. You will need to track that they fill out the complete application. You need to assure you or your personnel staff are filling out the employer verification forms�an essential and time-consuming part of the application process but a streamlined version of the copies of everything DCFS was originally going to require staff to produce. You need to be sure all current staff are licensed before December 31. Elsewhere in this Monday Report is the schedule of remaining test dates for the year. There are not many and the slots are filling up fast. Do Not Wait�send staff today.

Since the licensing rule and procedures/process are complete, there is no further need for the Licensing Advisory Committee at this time. Thanks to the CCAI members who worked with the committee. Special thanks to Laura Rios and Marjorie Guste, who attended most meetings and stayed with the task until the end. (Editorial note: At long last, a committee that actually finishes its task and retires!!!!) (MB)

The Foster Care Infrastructure Committee met in Chicago on November 3.

Proceedings and decisions reached 2 weeks ago in the smaller work group were shared with the larger committee (See Infrastructure Report in the October 23 Monday Report.) Private agency members expressed concern about decisions relating to the Levels of Care tool implementation. Use of 2 different tools�the revised one for new cases and the current one for re-reviews will add further confusion and inconsistency to the system. Making no changes to existing cases if thorough review finds the child is not in need of spec care will block the front door into spec care for children who truly need it. Director McDonald emphasized 2 points he feels are non-negotiable: 1) because a child has special service needs does not necessarily mean he has a right to full specialized care and 2) there will be no expansion of specialized/treatment programs.

There was much discussion and debate in the group. A primary point of disagreement was the impact of the LOC re-review on current cases. If a child has been in specialized care and in re-review is found not to need the spec services, is it fair to the foster parent to reduce services and board rate? Another point of concern is the financial and programmatic impact on current programs. If a program has to move children out of specialized care because a re-review merits such a decision, there needs to be time to plan for a reduction in cases and plan for where the child goes if the current foster parent is unwilling to keep the child as a traditional case. Additionally, that specialized resource slot is lost for further spec care if a traditional child remains in the placement. Other members expressed concern about the fairness of the re-review process. Although it has been required in policy, only some agencies are following the policy and actually following through on the re-reviews while other agencies have not. There is a need for an equal playing field across the system for all agencies.

After much discussion and debate the following decisions were reached. These vary from the decisions reported on in the October 23 report on the last work group.

1. As of February 1, the revised Level of Care form will be used on all cases, including new cases entering the system and re-reviews done on cases currently in specialized or treatment care.
2. Re-reviews may find that the child is no longer in need of specialized or treatment placement and care. When this is the case (for non-legacy cases) changes will be made to the services for the child, since the administrative reimbursement for the agency will move to the traditional level. A clinical review will be held to determine if the child�s needs merit a higher reimbursement level for the foster parent. If the plan is to move the board rate to regular levels, a transition plan and reasonable notice time (probably the beginning of the next month) will be provided for planning purposes for the case.
3. For legacy cases, changes will be made to the services on the case, although foster parents, as per the policy, will be able to keep the spec board rate. However, foster parents will need to understand that changes in services will occur as the child moves to traditional care (i.e. respite, transportation, etc.)
4. DCFS staff will develop a "cycle" of review of the current cases, so that the re-reviews will be conducted in a planful and rotating way�not all at once.
5. Training for all agencies on the revised Levels of Care Assessment forms and process will begin in January. Agencies will be provided with copies of the scoring manual used by levels of care reviewers so that agencies will be able to use the tool for internal reviews and to help with projecting possible changes to existing cases.
6. Data collection will continue on the current cases in specialized and treatment cases so there is better understanding of needs of children and care and the types of programs needed. Agencies will be encouraged to help collect this data.
7. No standardization of program plans or rates will be considered until after the FY�02 budget in place and further information has been obtained about the specialized/treatment programs and children.
8. The Infrastructure Committee will develop a method to evaluate clinical outcomes for specialized/treatment programs. In addition, the Department will study the current population of spec care to determine: 1) the profile of children, 2) services employed in these programs, and 3) services that appear to work well for children with different types of special needs.
9. A small group needs to work with the DCFS Research Director on evaluation approach for specialized/treatment care.
10. There is a need to study how feasible it will be to serve a significant number of children with special needs within the context of traditional/hmr programs. DCFS will probably issue an RFP seeking one agency for Cook and one for downstate to run pilots in this area. If an RFP is not issued, DCFS may seek agencies to volunteer for this task.
11. Effectiveness of Placement Stabilization, ITS and SASS will be reviewed as to how these programs impact the specialized system.

The group also covered several other topics. DCFS reported that a number of performance contracts have not submitted the initial caseload report required for determining vacancy levels. If the agency is found to have failed to submit, the "super-penalty" will apply. DCFS will double-check the list with agencies before the penalty is applied, since there may be misplaced reports.

Director McDonald reported a number of concerns expressed by Cook Guardian Patrick Murphy in a recent meeting: 1) DCFS needs to control the licensing of private agency foster homes (DCFS stated they are not in favor of this but must develop some type of alternative response) 2) GAL�s are not being notified of unusual incident reports, 3) Poor performing foster parents and those with a history of incidents are hopping from agency to agency, 4) GAL is continuing to notify COA of complaints, 5) a list compiled by the GAL of salary levels for executives in Cook agencies was shared with DCFS staff and 6) cases are being assigned to workers who cannot recognize safety issues. In Cook an appeals hearing process is in place when moves from foster homes are suggested. DCFS is working on a clinical staffing protocol that should eventually replace this process. DCFS staff also reported that via data from the Case Assignment Unit, it would appear that up to 40% of existing private agency staff are not CERAP certified. Private agency members questioned the accuracy of that data. DCFS is working with a few agencies to double-check the numbers on a sample basis.

We caution CCAI agencies on the following: 1) CERAP, although not now part of the Licensure requirement, is still mandated by law for staff in certain positions. This includes all foster care, adoption, permanency and intact staff. Please check to be sure all your required staff have completed the CERAP certification requirement. 2) Please check to be sure you submitted the Caseload Vacancy report. As per agreement with the CWAC work group, an agency that fails to submit any report is subject to a very stiff penalty in addition to any vacancy penalty.

The overall Infrastructure group will re-convene after the New Year, to look at discussion of evaluation and outcomes, and continue discussion of the future of specialized care in Illinois. (MB)

We received a copy of correspondence from DCFS legal to Patrick Murphy that clarified DCFS rule pertaining to notice. Mr. Murphy has sent letters to each agency that serves cases from the Office of the Public Guardian requesting formal notice whenever clients are restrained or confined or when police are called. Additionally, the PG is requesting a copy of the written record and administrator�s review of the incident.

DCFS legal advises that per current rule, the administrator of the facility or designee is required to provide, upon request, a notice in writing if the child has been physically restrained or confined, but is not required to provide the GAL with the actual written record or copy of approval. Therefore, legal advised that it appears that it is at the discretion of each agency to decide if they wish to provide the GAL with the actual written record. There is no requirement that an agency notify the GAL of every instance in which the police are called to assist. Again, it appears under the present rule to be at the discretion of each individual agency whether or not to notify the GAL when police are contacted. Whenever a ward is restrained, confined or arrested, an unusual incident report is already generated by the agency and the GAL receives a copy. (MB)

The CWAC-SED Committee met in Chicago on November 2. Reports were provided on the progress of the various sub-groups of the Residential Retreat. The Finance Committee reviewed rate methodologies from other states and found no evidence of a more innovative method at this time. Current recommendations of this group: 1) Use of standardized measurable outcomes for residential care should be explored to determine if financial incentives can be contractually tied to performance based on best practice and standard outcome measures in a manner that will assure quality services; 2) maintain current rate methodology to include application of most recent 24 month inflation factor which allows rates to maintain reasonable equilibrium with the economy; 3) implement standardized wraparound service add-on rates to enable flexible programming. A streamlined regional approval process is also needed. The Standards/Outcomes group is working on creating a module that looks at pathology over time and across placements. Pilot sites for testing the model will be sought, while Northwestern University will collect the information and conduct analysis. Training Committee continues work on a standardized training curriculum. Additionally, a sub-group has examined various models of restraints to be incorporated into future DCFS rule and incorporated in the training curriculum. The various models have been invited by the ad hoc committee to make a 2 hours presentation. They must have a competency based curriculum and method of issuing certification. If the model proprietor does not attend, the model will not be recommended as an approved one for Illinois use. Once the models have all been reviewed by the committee and recommended for potential use, CCAI will arrange a "trade-show" type demonstration format for all agencies. What is important is the fidelity to the model and the need to assure all staff using it are certified and continually refreshed and re-trained. The Joint Planning committee has identified planning principles for the system. The Care Management and Community Linkages groups will be combined and will begin work on joint tasks in the next month.

Independent Living procedures have been developed into the new policy. This will be ready for training and implementation after January 1. DCFS staff was advised of continuing complaints from providers about delays in processing ILO referrals and obtaining approvals. There appears to be no progress on DCFS� part. Agencies should direct their complaints on this to Tom Finnegan and Mary Sue Morsch.

DCFS reported that the Draft Rule for Unusual Incident Reports is being revised. Comments were received from 13 agencies as well as CCAI.

A new Gatekeeper Profiling Survey was shared. This will involve children in residential care and use CYCIS and Chrysallis data. DCFS wants to get a handle on who the residential programs are serving, since program plans and referral rejections often only focus on children excluded for some reason. Who is included is just as important for further analysis of residential care and to assure DCFS best uses the programs according to the children they serve well. This will point out the strengths and limitations of programs. It will also help refine the data on diagnostic categories and attempt to move to solid data and away from anecdotal information. This will be done on a pilot basis first to eliminate any kinks. A Profile Survey will be conducted by the Gatekeeper with authorized administrators of residential programs. Gatekeepers are receiving training on the survey on December 6.

Problems with Medicaid billing were reported. A DPA audit found that DCFS has inappropriately claimed the comprehensive services rate on days when children were "away" from the facility unless services were provided. Since this was allowable in DCFS Medicaid plans, agencies will not be responsible for the financial penalty. However, DCFS must work to clarify this problem. They need to determine the extent of "away days" billing. A sample of children served between July 1-July 31 will be done. Gatekeepers and agencies are to conduct file reviews of clients that were away from the agency (home pass, hospitalization, runaway, etc.) and determine if any service was provided and documented for the child by the agency on any days. Appropriate types of service documentation include sift treatment summaries and/or individual narratives. The survey will then allow DCFS to revise policy and to clarify which are acceptable billable services on "away days." Agencies are asked to fully cooperate with this survey process.

All I/GH programs are reminded of the mandatory Medicaid Training scheduled for November 14 and 16. All agencies should have received notices.

Reports to SED were also provided on the Medicaid Advisory Committee (See previous Monday Reports for full report) and Specialized Foster Care (see Foster Care Infrastructure elsewhere in this edition.) The next SED meeting is scheduled for January 18, 1:00-3:00 p.m. (MB)

As reported in last week�s Monday Report, the final draft of the proposed Referral Rotation system for downstate was reviewed by the Downstate Performance Based Work Group. Following some minor editorial changes, the system will be ready for implementation starting February 1. The goal of the system is to establish a referral rotation system for TFC/HMR new placement cases at the field office level so that the system is based on the needs of children and reflective of best child welfare practice, based on geographical boundaries of the DCFS field offices, fair and equitable to both POS and DCFS teams, reflective of the comparative size and permanency performance of POS agencies and DCFS teams, and be as practical and efficient as possible to administer. A copy of the

process outline can be viewed on the CCAI web site. The process is outlined in 2 documents: Recommendations RE: Rotating Referral Process and Downstate Performance Contracting Implementation Plan.

The Chicago Alliance for Collaborative Effort (CACE) invites CCAI executive directors and human resource professionals to participate in a panel discussion with open dialogue on Recruiting, Retaining, Rewarding and Recognizing Your Talented Staff. This event will focus on the critical staffing issues confronting social service agencies. The event is scheduled for Tuesday, November 28, 2000 from 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. at DePaul University Conference Center, 8^th Floor, 1 E. Jackson Blvd, Chicago. Admission is free but advance registration is required. RSVP to S.T. Dougherty & Associates, 773-779-4446, Ext.1. (MB)

The Department of Children and Family Services has taken significant steps in drafting a model of service delivery that will impact the state�s operations from intake and investigation to permanency. This model, which will impact private agencies, is guided primarily by: a) mandates of federal and state legislation and consent degrees and b) the standards of the Council on Accreditation and the Child Welfare League of America. Several workgroups have been formulated to support the implementation of best practice.

One of these workgroups�Licensing and Resource Development�has been meeting bimonthly in Springfield and Chicago since August 21, 2000. This workgroup of 12 staff is co-chaired by two IDCFS staff (Sharyne Wilson and Jeanette Hamilton). Heidi Darville (Catholic Charities-Chicago), Ruth Urbanc (Catholic Social Services-Peoria) and Mary Debose (Children�s Home & Aid Society of Illinois) have represented the private sector. This work group has focused on: a) drafting a uniform tool for assessing a family�s readiness for the provision of substitute care, b) developing a matching tool to facilitate placement decision-making, (3) Addressing kinship care assessment issues, 4) reviewing and incorporating the provisions of IEPA/MEPA into assessment and matching documents, and 5) reviewing and making recommendations on the ADOPT Only and Foster Care Adopt Pride training curriculum. Once initial recommendations are drafted, additional private sector input will be garnered through a combination of communication strategies including focus groups, telephone conferences, written comments on rules, procedures or other proposed documents. A panel of experts will also review all documents and recommendations.

On October 30, 2000 the Child Care Association hosted a Best Practices focus group of 25 private sector staff. The group was convened by Marge Berglind, assistant director of CCA and facilitated by Mary Debose, of Children�s Home & Aid Society and private agency liaison to the Best Practice group; and Sharyne Wilson and Jeanette Hamilton, IDCFS co-chairs of the Licensing and Resource Committee of the Best Practice Implementation Project. The group responded to an overview of the Best Practice Implementation Project and reviewed and critiqued a draft of an assessment tool, which was introduced at this meeting. This tool is recommended for basic and uniform preparation of families who are interested in providing substitute care services in foster care, kinship care, and adoption.

The following issues and concerns regarding Best Practice included:

1. How can the private sector respond proactively (rather than react) to Best Practice? This challenge is especially critical given that IDCFS has worked on the concept of Best Practice for at least 18 months and has not included the private sector (which provides services to 80% of the children for whom the Department has legal responsibility) in the discussions.
2. What is the overall plan for informing the private sector about Best Practice and eliciting the participation of the private sector in the early development of recommendations and draft documents from this point forward?
3. How are issues of staff recruitment, training, retention, caseload size, and workload analysis considered and incorporated in the model(s) for Best Practice?
4. How can the private sector maintain its unique mission once Best Practice is implemented?
5. Will Best Practice guide SACWIS? How will Best Practice issues of: a) confidentiality [client and staff] and, b) client/agency relationship be addressed?

A draft of an assessment tool (for the mutual evaluation of a caregiver�s readiness to meet the child�s safety, well being, and permanency needs) was presented. The tool incorporated assessment information from the states of Ohio, Utah, Maine, Illinois (private agencies). In addition the text of Rycus and Hughes "Field Guide to Child Welfare published by CWLA was a literary source. A recommendation from the best practice group is that there will be a primary standardized and uniform guide or assessment tool that will be used to facilitate the development of homes for children (who will be placed in the care of relatives or non-relatives via adoption or foster care). The assessment is recommended for use in conjunction with any approved pre-service core training.

Recommendations were to:

1. Modify the tool to differentiate its functions as a guide for a) standardizing the type of questions and issues that should be discussed in any assessment b) formatting the written summary of the completed assessment.
2. There should be a clear guide for discussions and questions that will assess the caregivers� attitudes toward a) birth parents, b) reunification, c) sibling visits, and d) the goals of the permanency plan.
3. Strengthen the discussion questions on kinship care.

Some questions included:

1. What information will the DCP worker have that can support more thoughtful placement decision-making and reduce the likelihood of multiple placements for the child? What will be the level of coordination of information and resources between the Division of Child Protection and other service systems in assuring child well being, safety, and permanency?
2. How will staff be trained on the use of the assessment guide?

Next Steps:

Ten people from this group will meet on Monday, November 6, 2000 at Children�s Home & Aid Society office at 1279 N. Milwaukee in order to further refine the assessment tool.

For further information contact Mary Debose at Children�s Home & Aid Society, by phone (312) 424-6803 or FAX (312) 424-6800 or e-mail [email protected]

On October 10, and 11, 2000 Mary Debose (Private Sector Liaison to the Best Practice Implementation Project) and Jeanette Hamilton convened a group of 9 private agency staff 10 DCFS licensing representatives at the IDCFS Joliet field office. The purpose of the meeting was to review rules pertaining to the licensure of child welfare agencies, group homes, child care institutions and maternity centers. The following were recommended:

1. There should be a process to reduce the duplication of forms and information. There should be coordination of DCFS licensure, accreditation, United Way, and Medicaid certification expectations to avoid duplication of effort.
2. Agencies that are applying for new license should be given an orientation process that may include a comprehensive information packet, as well as mentoring from established agencies about the challenges and opportunities of establishing a child welfare agency.
3. There should be guidelines for the physical setting for independent living programs.
4. The guidelines on secure care may provide some direction on the vaguer elements of licensing rules on residential and group home care.

Next Steps:

DCFS licensing staff will meet during the months of November and December and will write updates to the licensing rules and procedures and recommendations discussed on November 10, and 11. A draft will be sent for comment to agencies that were present at the meeting as well as other interested agencies. It is likely that another focus group will be convened in January 2001 to address the revised rules before the rules are published for general comment. (MD)

At a recent conference held in Washington on Sept. 18-19, over 300 professionals, researchers, parents and youth came together to help the Surgeon General to formulate a vision for improving services in children�s mental health. The group�s vision for children�s mental health services included: 1.) a requirement that young children have access to mental health checkups in the same manner that they have access to immunizations to prevent physical health problems; 2.) an understanding of various cultures and how they impact children�s mental health; and 3.) developing standards of practice that evaluate the most effective ways to serve children.

Specific recommendations for action that came out of the concerns expressed by the group included: 1.) Develop awareness campaigns for checkups; 2.) provide training for all professionals on prevention, detection and treatment; 3.) insurance parity for mental health; 4.) implement prevention programs that are evidence based; 5.) integrate school and other mental health services; and 6.) ensure family involvement across all service systems. (JMS)

Two new board leaders have been appointed to replace individuals who could not complete their terms: Alan Spector and Mary Wilson will be stepping down. On behalf of all the Association members and the board, I'd like to express my deep appreciation for their hard work and commitment to CCA. Great organizations become that way because of great leadership and CCA has benefited from the vision and the creativity of these two individuals. Thanks so much!

And welcome to Dan Pennell and McGregor Jones who have generously agreed to serve as board leaders through the remaining terms. This is such a pivotal year for the Association, and I am pleased that these two individuals will be able to be a part of the work as we face the challenges of the future. Welcome aboard. (Nancy Ronquillo)

Congress has decided to wait to finish the budget and other legislative matters until after the election. The current plan has them returning to Washington for work on the evening of November 13^th. Through the Illinois Title XX advocacy group, it was reported that due to all the calls the leaders of Congress and the White House have been receiving over the last several days before election week that SSBG is still on the table and a chance remains that we may be able to eliminate the cut and secure at least $1.775 billions in funding. This is the current budget level for Title XX. This of course is not the ultimate goal of full restoration to $2.38 billion, but at a minimum we want to prevent any cut to the FY 2000 level of $1.775 billion. Thanks to the efforts of everyone making calls and sending faxes, SSBG remains as part of the negotiations at this time.

While your members are at home for the next couple of weeks and out in the community, you should take this opportunity to remind them about the importance of SSBG. Calls and faxes can also continue to Washington to Speaker of the House, Dennis Hastert 202-225-0600 and John Porter 202-225-3508. Once they return to Washington after the election, an additional push will be made to insure that SSBG is not cut and hopefully restored to $2.38 billion during the final budget negotiations. Please note that you will most likely be receiving another communication from the CCA office regarding action needed on the SSBG once Congress returns after the elections. (JMS)

The money � 45% of the $4.2 billion provided by Congress � remains unspent after three years. It will be given to the ten states that used their full 1998 allotments of federal CHIP money: Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri, New York, North Caroline, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina. California and Texas account for more than half the unspent money. The major factors that appear to make a difference in state CHIP programs are whether a state moved early to plan and launch its program, whether there was a group or individual obsessed with the program�s success, and whether the paperwork needed to enroll was simple to understand and complete.

In Illinois the health care insurance program for children is called KidCare. KidCare Assist plan will pay for a child�s health care with no co-pays or premiums. KidCare Share Plan will also pay for a child�s health care and the parents will share in the cost with a low co-pay. KidCare Premium plan will require a low premium payment every month based on the ability to afford health insurance. KidCare Rebate Plan will reimburse a parent for part of the cost of health insurance if doctor and hospital services are already covered by their own health insurance. KidCare Mom�s and Babies Plan covers prenatal visits, delivery services, well-baby care and immunizations with no co-pay or premiums. For copies of the applications you can call the Health Care Hotline at 1-800-226-0768. (JMS)

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention is seeking applications for a Girls Study Group to develop the theoretical and empirical base for developing approaches to prevent and reduce girls� involvement in delinquency and violence. The deadline for submission of application is December 1, 2000. Funding is available for two years at $300,000. Both public and private nonprofits are eligible. The purpose of the 12-15-member panel is to help communities and policy makers make sound decisions to reduce delinquency among girls. Contact Barbara Allen-Hagen at 202-307-1308 for additional information. For an application call 800-638-8736.

The Helen V. Brach Foundation supports programs that prevent the abuse of children, help the physically and mentally disable, blind, homeless and elderly. The foundation also supports programs that address AIDS, substance abuse and youth development. The deadline for submission of applications is December 1, 2000. Awards range from $5,000 to 10% of an applicants operating budget. Eligibility is limited to nonprofits in the Midwest, priority given to agencies in Chicago. You may contact HBF, 55 West Wacker Drive, Suite 701, Chicago, IL 60601; 312-372-4417. (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].

There are a two websites worth looking at for those interested in juvenile justice models in other states. These are worth reviewing if you are involved in juvenile justice initiatives and want to see changes in the State of Illinois.

http://www.djj.state.fl.us

Reviews the structure, programs, and principals of the Juvenile Justice Department in Florida, and talks about specific programs and funding initiatives.

Ohio Department of Criminal Justice Services

http://www.ocjs.state.oh.us

Describes programs, funding, and funding sources for community-run juvenile justice initiatives in the State of Ohio.

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.

(LLL)

If your agency participated last year in this exciting event, you�ll be hearing from CCA. We want to know what you felt was effective on this day, and what could have been improved. CHILD WELFARE DAY will be scheduled during the Spring legislative session once the legislative schedule is set after the election. Please share your ideas and suggestions for this high-profile event by contacting Linda Lenzini, Director of Marketing and Communications at the Child Care Association at 217-538-4409, or by e-mail at [email protected]

(LLL)

CWLA�s Kinship Care Conference is scheduled this year for July 25 � 27 at the Hilton Chicago and Towers. CCA member agency FamilyCare of Illinois is a private sector sponsor for the event, and reports that the theme this year is, "Sustaining Kinship Ties: Permanency and Beyond." Requests for proposals will be out soon, according to Carl Koerner, Executive Director of FamilyCare. CCA is supporting the event through staff involvement: Marge Berglind is Co-chair for the Program Subcommittee, and CCA will also have representation on the Publicity/Public Relations Work Group.

(LLL)

Data from the CCA 2000 Membership Survey is currently being reviewed and aggregated for use in CCA�s Public Policy and Legislative efforts on behalf of its membership. The vast majority of surveys have been completed and returned, but for those agencies who have not yet completed their surveys, a form can be downloaded from the CCA Website�s library at http://www.cca-il.org and filled out. Agencies that participate in this mandatory survey will have their information included in a searchable database that is currently being planned. Aggregate data will be available by the end of December 2000 on the CCA website.

(LLL)

The Outcome Measures 2000 Survey Steering Committee met with selected members of the Board of Directors and CCA staff on October 26. The current environment for the survey was revisited, and the recommendation made that in this, the third year for the survey, questions should remain consistent with the two previous years in order to demonstrate trending in improvements and areas of weakness. The Committee this year will be supplementing the report findings with a data analysis that will indicate directions and provide recommendations for next year�s survey.

Survey forms will be mailed to CCA�s membership within the next two weeks, with returns due by January 3, 2001, and data analysis completed in February of 2001. For more information, contact DD Fischer at 217-656-3000 or by e-mail at [email protected]. (DDF)

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)

Hosting services and simply website development are now available through CCA. For more information contact Rommel Sangalang at CCA at [email protected] or by phone at 217-528-4409.

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)

JOIN CCA�s GROWING E-MAIL Directory If your agency is interested in listing an e-mail contact with CCA and has not already done so, please send the contact name, title, and current e-mail address to [email protected].

Does your agency have an innovative program or recent success story that you�d like to share? CCA is interested in sharing your recent success story or innovative program with the rest of the membership. If you would like to be featured on the CCA website with your success story, contact Linda Lenzini at CCA with the details. (LLL)

CCAI�s Spring Membership Meeting will be held on March 22-23 at the Hyatt Regency Woodfield, Schaumburg. They are located across the street from the Woodfield Mall, 20 minutes from O�Hare, 30 minutes from downtown Chicago, and is easily accessible to major highways. The Hyatt boasts their Frank Lloyd Wright�s Prairie style design, and their recently completed eight million-dollar renovation. Please plan to join us next March. Look for more information in future Monday Reports. (SKA)

Calendar:

Nov. 9 � CCA GAP Meeting, 9-11 a.m., Central Baptist Family Services, 122 S. Michigan, Chicago

Nov. 14 � CWAC SACWIS Advisory Committee, Springfield

Nov. 15 � CCA Board of Directors Meeting, Springfield

Nov. 17 � CCA Public Policy Committee Meeting, Springfield and Chicago

Nov. 17-20 - The Teaching-Family Association Conference: "Circle of Courage" �Call: 540-370-4439

Feb. 25-28 � 14^th Annual Conference, A System of Care for Children�s Mental Health: Expanding the

Research Base, Tampa Hyatt Regency, Tampa, Fl. Call Lyn Bryan at 813/974-4649 for information.

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