The actual curriculum material, trainer�s guide and trainee�s guide is in the process of being written by DCFS training staff. DCFS previously embedded the Loyola CIVITAS model of court training into the Clinical Practice Training. Loyola has stated that it cannot provide this training for the foundation in 65 sessions statewide. DCFS legal staff proposed a modified model of case study followed by practice testimony and role-playing, with the training staff supplemented by attorneys from various courts. This component will be further developed.

The Change Management committee has finalized the brochure to promote and publicize the training. They recommend a series of orientation sessions for private agency and DCFS staff to present an overview of the model and get all current executive and supervisory staff acquainted with the model and expectations. They will be looking for locations. Agencies that would like to volunteer space for the orientation sessions can contact Joyce Allen of DCFS Training at 312-328-2828.

The Testing and Evaluation committee is developing a Logic Model for evaluation of the training. Key question is: what are the indicators to know how well the training prepares workers. The committee met with DCFS research staff who expressed some concern about how the evaluation of the training will be financed. As this committee learned that DCFS is planning on the training in total as of January 1 and that the curriculum will be modified after the first few sessions as pilots, they also questioned how to implement an evaluation of such a "rolling" format. The joint committee clearly expressed the need for a sound evaluation of the training beginning as soon as possible. We need to know what works and doesn�t and assure there is a sound basis for making changes and modifications.

The Delivery Workgroup provided the current Delivery Plan. It is projected that 1400-1600 new employees will require training each year. To accommodate 1600 trainees with a training class size of 25 will require 64 training sessions per year. The training should be offered at least 6 times within 30 days consisting of 3 classes in Cook and 3 in rotating downstate regions. The model being used is for a 20-day program, with 4 days each week of class time, and 1 day for agency training, with very specific assignments for the agency day (i.e. observe court, ACR, etc.) There will be Internet accessibility for registration information and schedules.

Private agencies will need to complete a Notification Form for training, which alerts DCFS of projected new hires each month. This will allow better planning of class size. There will be specific registration and cancellation instructions. Agencies will be asked to designate a registration liaison who will be responsible for the notification process and for receiving in one central location of the agency, all training, registration and cancellation information.

The overall committee will continue to review the curriculum content in December and look at specifics of the training rollout�whatever schedule is finally decided. Next meeting is scheduled for December 20. (MB)

DCFS has asked us to let private agencies know that it will be revising CFS 1441, the Safety Determination Form and distributing Procedures 315, Appendix A (formerly Procedures 305, Appendix K). A new form CFS 1441-A, Safety Plan, has also been developed to be used with the CFS 1441. These will be forwarded to all Rules and Procedures Book holders on Monday, November 20, 2000.

Two teleconferences have been scheduled for private agency staff to review the changes. All private agency child welfare managers and supervisors are encouraged to participate in one of the two teleconferences. To participate dial the "Dial in Number" from any telephone at or just before the designated start time and give the "Participant Code". The calls are scheduled for:

Monday, November 27, 2000 Monday, November 27,2000

10:00 AM- 12:00 PM or 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Dial in Number: 888/296-1938 Dial in Number: 888-622-5357

Participant Code: 714410 Participant Code: 283984

If a manager or supervisor is unable to attend, the lead worker should participate.

If you have any questions regarding the teleconference, please contact the DCFS Office of Child and Family Policy at 217-524-1983.

The Child Care Association Board of Directors met last week in an abbreviated session. The business agenda of the Board was shortened in order for the Board to be able to meet with the Director of the Search Firm that has been retained to identify a President/CEO upon the retirement of Ron Moorman. The Board, as is its custom, reviewed a part of its Policy Manual--the Board is required to review the entire Manual once a year to note the need for any changes or revisions. There was also discussion of proposed revised membership criteria. The Board noted the need to assure uniformity in how membership criteria are applied--in particular the Board felt that it was important that the accreditation requirement be reviewed to address concerns that have been raised about that requirement as well as other criteria issues. The President appointed a small ad-hoc committee of the Board to make recommendations for the Board�s action at its January meeting. The Board also reviewed the progress that has been made towards meeting the Public Policy Committee�s agenda--the committee is putting its action steps together in order to be ready for the spring session of the General Assembly. It was also suggested that the Association send out a sample letter for agencies to use to begin the discussions with legislators around an adequate CODB adjustment in the new budget. Great concern was expressed about the impact of the proposed permanent elimination of the gas tax as well as a large number of other funding initiatives including a large deficit in the State�s Medicaid fund. We are quite concerned that all of these efforts will negatively impact our chances of getting a reasonable CODB adjustment. The Board also reviewed the work that has been done to date by the Ad Hoc Committee on Performance Credibility and Quality Assurance. That committee met recently with the Association�s Outcome Committee to insure that the work of the two committees is integrated and coordinated. Requests for information for the new Outcome Measure survey have gone out to the membership and we are hopeful that report will be available no later than the first of March. (RHM)

The CCA Public Policy Committee met on a conference call last week to update itself on committee activities. The Committee is looking at the possibility of bringing in individuals involved with the Reclaim Ohio Juvenile Justice Initiative to review with them the composition and impact of that program. That program is receiving a lot of attention as a system to increase the level of community based resources for juveniles. The Association is also planning to develop a workshop for the membership on a number of juvenile justice issues including Balanced and Restorative Justice efforts underway in the State. We are working closely with the John Howard Association and other groups to coordinate our efforts and to focus on generating additional resources to support these efforts. The Committee is also looking at issues related to Prevention and Intervention--a sub-committee will be meeting this week to draw our efforts together into a more focused agenda. Tom Nolan, CCA�s legislative liaison, reviewed the activities to date of the fall Veto Session of the General Assembly. There are numerous efforts to cut taxes as well as substantial pressure to resolve several critical funding issues including a substantial deficit in the State�s Medicaid system. Altogether the requests for new funding will need anywhere from 800 million to a billion dollars of new money. However, new revenue for the state is only projected to be about 800 million dollars of which at least 51% is committed off the top to fund education. This at a time when the State appears to be heading for a fiscal shortfall to the point where there is talk that the State may have to deal some vendor payments due to cash flow problems. All in all, the fiscal picture in the State appears to be deteriorating which, if true, will not be good news for the spring session of the General Assembly. Tom also indicated that it appears likely that the General Assembly will approve an early retirement package for State employees. If enacted it is anticipated that a large number of state employees from many State Departments will take advantage of this opportunity. Concern was raised about the impact on private agencies in that State Departments very likely will turn to private agencies in their efforts to recruit new staff. If so, that will make private agencies efforts to hire and retain qualified staff ever more difficult. (RHM)

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is in the process of planning orientation sessions that will provide a general introduction to the principles of Best Practice from case opening (investigation phase) to case closing (permanency). The orientation will target supervisors (January 15, - February 15, 2001); direct service staff of the Department and Catholic Charities who provide child protection services (February 15, - March 31, 2001; and Department staff who provide licensing and follow-up services (April 1, -June 30, 2001). At this time, it is likely that public and private sector staff will receive joint orientation sessions. Should this occur specific dates and times will be communicated.

At this time, training that will present the specific requirements and expectations of the Best Practice Model has been scheduled for intake and investigations supervisors (April 1, - April 30, 2001) and division of child protection workers (May 1, - June 30, 2001). These trainings will primarily impact Department and Catholic Charities staff.

Sam Traylor and the committee agreed that a Bridge for a Joint Application Development (JAD) between the POS and SACWIS needed to be formed. A small task force or sub group will need more time to meet and organize their key issues.

Change management issues were also discussed. Best Practice has pieces that tie into SACWIS and the committee should be made aware about these developments. This issue has been brought to the attention of Don Vaca.

Medicaid is another area that needs a small group to form and help guide it through the SACWIS transition. SACWIS can cause the occurrence of two sets of record and case notes, one for Medicaid and another in the SACWIS system. This would totally defeat the purpose of a statewide-automated system. The other issue is that there are some non-SACWIS Medicaid programs. How do you split that kind of function in two? One would be a SACWIS entry and one as an independent entry. That again would cause confusion.

There were concerns expressed that some data being placed into the SACWIS system has no bearing to the original plan. Who decides what information is needed for the system? Is DCFS going to use SACWIS as a tool to monitor agencies beyond the original concept for which it was intended?

Case responsibility will be an issue when SACWIS is rolled out. Currently, DCFS has a 90-day grace in holding the case of children. In those 90 days, all the work and data entry will be done by the private agencies. This is then taking up valuable resources of the agency without the reflection of work or pay needed. Recognition of who holds the case becomes very important with SACWIS because it is used as a factor in determining the financial plans of an agency.

The SACWIS site visitations by Spectrum still have not been summarized. A report to assess the state of readiness for private agencies would be helpful and has been requested. Steve Bradshaw has reported that all the agencies have responded to plan part 1. The per-seat dollar amount is at $909. The $909 was still a concern because it is 10% less than the original $1000 estimate.

The time frame that seat counts would be assessed for new fiscal years was also in question. Would it be in July or September? September would give DCFS more time to have accurate numbers. A decision was not made on this date.

It was requested that SACWIS funding pay for specialty training for agencies� tech staff. Instead of using the same amount of money to hire outside consultants, agencies could send their IT staff to TCP/IP training or equivalent, in order to ensure the integrity of their SACWIS connection to DCFS. (RJS)

For more information, e-mail [email protected], or call CCA at 217-528-4409.

"Celebrate Family is the theme for National Family Week 2000. The campaign is slated for the week of Thanksgiving � November 19-25 � and encourages individuals, families, and communities to rejoice in their successes.

Visit the front page of the Child Care Association�s website at http://www.cca-il.com to learn more about National Family week. Information about this event provided on the Alliance for Children website includes a logo that can be used on your website, The Family Report Card, a "Stay Connected": brochure, and more. Although members have already received the 2000 National Family Week Action Kit, it is also available to non-members for a nominal fee.

A press release template that promotes the part that private, voluntary agencies have played in Illinois� outstanding adoption record is now available on the CCA Website. This template, available in an MSWord format, can be tailored to your agency�s use. CCA can also assist you in tailoring your message to the media in your community. For more information, contact Linda Lenzini at [email protected] or by phone at 217-528-4409. (LLL)

CENTRAL BAPTIST FAMILY SERVICES will be featured on the show Chicagoing hosted by Bill Campbell. The show will provide an overview on Central Baptist�s adoption services and provide details on the policy issues surrounding adoption and subsidized guardianship. In addition, two clients who have adopted children through the agency will be featured on the show. It is currently scheduled to air on Sunday, November 26, ll: 30 AM - Noon on WLS-TV, Channel 7 in Chicago. A videotape will also be available for loan from CCA. TO reserve your loan, contact Linda Lenzini at [email protected] or by phone at 217-528-4409.

For publication names, addresses, phone numbers and editorial names for publications in your locale, contact CCA at [email protected], or call Linda Lenzini at 217-528-4409. Or..if you have a media contact that you would like added to CCA�s media list, send it to [email protected].

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This site is a good resource for anyone interested in initiatives supporting children and families. Non-members can obtain access to advocacy information, research, library services, media information and community programs.

Includes information on advocacy and child welfare. Currently "Positive Parenting Tips", a downloadable document, and the results of the first long-term study of the effect of aftercare on foster care use, done by the Child Welfare League and The Children�s Village is available on the site.

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 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)

If your agency would like to receive media updates and advisories, template and CCA news releases, and other items of interest, please send name, agency name, title, and 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)

The calendar for the Spring legislative session has been published, and a date will be set shortly for Child Welfare Day at the Capitol. If you would like to reserve exhibit space for that event, please send the name of your agency and the contact person for the event to CCA by e-mailing to [email protected] or calling the Child Care Association at 217-528-4409. You may also fax information to 217-528-6498, att�n: Linda Lenzini.

In recognition of National Adoption Month, Human Service Technologies is pleased to host Realities of Transracial Adoption. HuTech is a recognized organization that provides insightful, informative and energetic training to adoptive parents and adoption staff. The seminar is scheduled for Friday, December 1 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at The Chicago Teachers Center, 770 North Halsted Street, Chicago. Cost: $75.00 ($35 for full time students with valid identification). Agenda includes: 1) Issues and controversies regarding transracial adoptions; 2) Effective planning for transracial adoptions; 3) How worker biases can hinder the permanency planning process. For more information or to receive a registration form please call Dionne Catledge, Director of Training, at 312/255-8877, X 21. Payment may be made the day of the seminar, but because space is limited, registrations must be made no later than November 29^th.

CCAI�s Spring Membership Meeting will be held on March 22-23 at the Hyatt Regency Woodfield, Schaumburg. The Hyatt is 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. 21 � CWAC Finance and Administration Subcommittee, Chicago

Nov. 21 � Child Welfare Advisory Committee, Chicago

Jan. 17 � CCA Board of Directors Meeting, Chicago suburbs

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.

March 22-23 � CCA�s Spring Membership Meeting, Hyatt Regency Woodfield, Schaumburg, IL