This year�s Fall Retreat will be held at The Lodge in Oak Brook on October 5-6. The retreat will be open to Executive Directors/CEO�s and executive leadership staff. 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.

PLEASE NOTE: We previously indicated in the Monday Report and in the announcement mailed to Executive Directors/CEO�s last week that the October meeting was limited to the CEO and one additional executive level staff person. However, we have been able to obtain a larger meeting room, and so we would like to open this meeting to additional executive level staff. Given the topic, we would ask that attendance be limited to the executive staff of member agencies. Overnight rooms are limited so if you need a reservation you should call The Lodge soon at 1-800/563-4378. The rate is $115.00 single or $140.00 double occupancy. A registration form will be mailed to you soon. (RHM)

Developments with Specialized Foster Care redesign were discussed in detail at this week�s Foster Care Infrastructure Meeting, CWAC-SED meeting and Downstate Performance Based Work Group meeting.

As stated in previous Monday Reports, a specialized work group developed recommendations for standardized program elements for specialized and treatment services and an additional ad hoc group out of Finance and Administration began work on standardized costs/rates for these plans. At the Foster Care Infrastructure meeting on August 22, DCFS staff were not yet able to provide analysis of or an answer to the standardized plans and projected rates but agreed these decisions need to made within the next 30 days in order for the implementation date to occur as of January l. They presented a timeline of additional critical events that must take place in order for a specialized re-design to occur by January 1, 2000. Critical decisions must be made on whether Medicaid will continue in foster care, the status of the current 600 children currently in the 0103 service code, status of the 800 legacy cases that would be impacted by a redesign, and assorted tasks associated with the new LOC system, forms, and training. The group agreed that there should be adequate notice, planning and start-up times for agencies and specialized foster parents that will be impacted by any changes.

Their group discussed other key issues. 1) There must be some examination of how the new specialized decisions will impact agencies that only have specialized care and do not yet contract for HMR and TFC. As HMR and TFC agencies are increasingly being asked to "step-up" children into individualized contracts for specialized care, there will really be no "specialized" only agencies anymore. 2) There must be a clear department decision to standardize specialized care. There cannot be individual deals and carve-outs for certain agencies while others are expected to live with standardized program plans and rates. Otherwise, the redesign will not work. The principle the group has been working with is the system�s need to develop a total package of specialized care for children with specialized needs. The department wants to assure that the spec care it purchases from one agency will be the same as that from another. As the total system attempts to improve, there may be current programs that provide very unique services that will need to make business decisions about whether they can shift their programs to fit the new models. The department must make decisions as guardian or the specialized child about the extent of services they want the system to offer.

The Infrastructure Work Group will further address all issues with DCFS at a meeting in late September. At that time, we hope to obtain a definite decision from DCFS about their intent to pursue redesign, as well as a clear planning calendar for implementation.

In the meantime, agencies are asked to assure the completion of the surveys recently sent out on all legacy questions. Agencies should also be talking with and informing all specialized foster parents about the possible changes. An article will soon be appearing in Fostering Illinois on this topic. Eventually, agencies will be asked to provide mailing lists of all specialized foster parents for official notification by DCFS, once the final changes are in place. (MB)

The Foster Care Infrastructure Work Group convened via teleconference on August 22. Issues relating to Specialized Care redesign were discussed (See Specialized Foster Care Update in this Monday Report.) The group also reviewed the proposed program plan addendum for all foster care agencies to implement a Post Permanency Support component. As a reminder, during contract discussions in June, DCFS proposed all agencies receive funding to develop information/referral and support group type services for families who had adopted with their agency. The intent was to be able to provide low intensity services geared to impact families with some stresses, but to avoid problems developing into full blown disruptions. At the time DCFS presented a draft of expectations but wanted to develop more specific requirements of the program.

DCFS staff presented a second draft of the proposed plan agencies will need to present to obtain the funding. Private agency members expressed concern that the redrafting is delaying implementation. The funding at this point will probably extend across 3 quarters. If the amount stays flat or increases only slightly next year, there will be problems extending the amount across 4 quarters. Agencies should be encouraged to submit plans which reflect this dynamic. DCFS agreed that a legitimate use of the funding would be to offset the costs of existing post-permanency services that the agency currently provides without funding from DCFS. The plan would need to reflect this. There are also concerns about agencies with statewide contracts or multiple sites within either Cook or non-Cook areas. The funding is based on the total foster care population of an agency, yet the program plan expects specific services available for anyone who qualifies. It will be a problem in some agencies as they attempt to provide information/referral and support services at every site. There may more of need in such agencies for networking or combining program elements with other agencies in an area. Another concern was DCFS adding "people inquiring about adoption" into the required population to be served. The funding available does not support being available for a broader population and providing additional services of this nature. DCFS agreed to consider these objections and to revise the program plan expectations. Agencies asked if not submitting a plan and not providing the service or accepting the funding would be an option. DCFS strongly suggested agencies provide the service and submit a plan since the intent is for families served by an agency to obtain services from the agency or as close to the agency as possible since there is already a relationship and child welfare is best able to provide such support. (MB)

The Downstate Performance Based Work Group met in Springfield on August 24. CCAI staff participated via telephone. The group discussed developments in specialized care redesign and the implementation issues associated with post-permanency services. (See reports on these topics elsewhere in this Monday Report.) Instructions and questions regarding preparation of the baseline report pertaining to casework vacancy penalties. Agencies need to return this information to DCFS by the end of August or could face the non-reporting penalty. Reconciliation packets for FY�00 permanencies were mailed out last week and should be returned as quickly as possible to DCFS.

The main topic of the meeting was discussion of the New Case Referral System. The work group has diligently attempted to develop a workable system for equitable distribution of new intake but further tinkering with the model must be done before final implementation. Target date is now October l. Goals of the new case assignment are: system based on needs of children, based on geographic boundaries of field offices, fair and equitable distribution to both private agencies and DCFS units, reflective of comparative size and permanency performance of POS agencies and DCFS teams and system that is practical and efficient to administer.

Discussion of whether the system should be set up according to daily intake days or on a case-by-case rotation. The case system would need a dedicated intake worker available at all times but would be the fairest way to assure equal distribution as cases come in. Can DCFS manage such a system for all of downstate on a case-by-case basis? Concerns about the daily rotation are that an agency could drawn "bad intake" days in which no cases came in. DCFS also proposed a solution to concern about needing assigned intake workers on night shifts. Various agencies could "volunteer" to take after-hours intake. There would be no direct additional contract dollars for this. However, the agency could increase its contract size by the additional cases which came in after-hours. Those agencies unwilling to do after-hours intake could risk contract decreases if they rely only on intakes coming into care during the day. DCFS needs to determine if they can gather any data on the numbers/percentage of new cases that actually come to intake after typical business hours. Additionally, no matter what the system that is ultimately decided, providers will still have the right to put themselves "on intake hold" in particular sites. However, there will be no replacement for intake lost during that period and agency could get smaller. More provider input is needed to decide this issue. There will need to be additional guidelines for treatment of sibs who come into care (the preferred placement should be with the agency already serving the other children,) and pregnant and parenting teens who must be served in he context of the existing service network.

Non-Cook agencies are encouraged to review the proposed referral plan and to submit comments. Copies of the Downstate Performance Contracting New Relative and Traditional Foster Care Referral System can be obtained by calling the CCAI office in Springfield (217-528-4409.) Comments can be faxed to the CCAI office at 217-529-6498 and we will forward them to the work group. (MB)

The SED Committee of CWAC met in Chicago on August 23. Updates were provided on developments in Specialized Foster Care (See report elsewhere in this Monday Report) and on the new staffing protocols for Independent Living which should be implemented by September 15 (See Monday Report of August 14 for complete report.)

The I/GH committee reported on progress in planning a core foundation training for workers in residential care. Training topics regarding clinical competencies, essential orientation issues and topics related to staff retention have been recommended. DCFS is currently supportive of developing a way to fund such a foundation training that would be available to any residential agency statewide. The DCFS Director has required that restraint procedures training is integrated into any plan.

The issue of restraint training was addressed in more detail. Mary Shahbazian reported results of a survey conducted of residential programs regarding the model of restraint used. Fifty one percent used CPI, 23% used TCI, l3% reported they were restrain-free programs and 13% used either some combination of models or a different model. There needs to be a recommendation about future training for restraints: should a training plan offer only one of the restraint models as the "preferred or required" model and, if so, which model should it be? How will a training plan assure programs follow fidelity to the model once staff receive initial training? There may need to be a "trade fair" or conference in which experts in the various common restraint models present their theories, practice and techniques in order to aid in decision-making. There also needs to be further review of proposed language in Rule 384 in the area of restraints to assure continuity with future practice. It will also be important to assure similar discussions occur with DMHDD staff to assure consistency in those programs which serve clients from both state agencies. The SED Co-chairs requested that recommendations on restraints generate from the I/GH Training Committee. Senior program staff or managers in residential programs who wish to participate in this committee can contact Marge Berglind (312-819-1950) or DD Fisher (217-656-3000.)

Other sub-committees of theI/GH initiative are in the process of developing recommendations to come this group.

The Medicaid Advisory Committee reported they are continuing to review the proposed new program plan. (See previous Monday Reports for Medicaid Committee update.) Once the draft is ready, it will go out for full SED review. CCAI staff will provide a full summary of the proposed changes at that time.

Problems with implementation of the proposed new Unusual Incident Reporting system were addressed. As reported in last week�s Monday Report, DCFS has determined the need to hold 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. 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].)

I/GH monthly statistics were distributed. Residential placements went down to 2429 as of July, 2000. I has been 8 years since residential placements were at that low number. Out of state placements were down to 72 as of August 4. The next SED meeting is scheduled for October 12 in Chicago. (MB)

Work groups of the Training Committee met in Chicago on August 24. The committee continues to pursue development of a core foundation training which will be available to and required to all new private agency/public child welfare staff after January 1, 2000.

The curriculum committee has developed a grid that lists the child welfare competencies within 12 subject domains and lists the competency according to priority. The best practices principles will aid in setting priorities. This will guide the development of the final curriculum material layout.

The Personnel Work Group gave recommendations for guidelines for training attendees in terms of attendance, tardiness, cheating and guidelines for dismissal from training. In order to aid agencies in assuring that training is available as soon as possible after hiring, the training calendar must be developed and shared for at least a 6 month period. There needs to be a system of tracking workers so that workers dismissed from training do not continue to be hired at other agencies only for the agency to find out the worker is ineligible to attend further training. Questions were raised about whether there is one "final" exam which constitutes the final exam for licensing, or whether there will be multiple mid-point exams which constitute one final score. There will still be additional exams for CERAP within the context of the training. There will always need to be a free-standing licensing exam available without the training for those who are not "new" hires but are moving to positions that require licensure. The committee currently recommends a passing score of 70%.

The Delivery Work Group presented a summary of its work. The DCFS Director has already mandated that the Educational Partners will be the primary trainers of any foundation training. There are concerns that there are not enough trainers to cover the numerous training cycles throughout the state. There must be some integrity of the training model, so that enrollment cannot exceed the maximum 24 participants per 2 co-trainers. There is still no idea of how many new trainees will be expected in the first year, so until there is some concrete data, final training calendars cannot be developed. The group also discussed the possibilities of alternative scheduling. Instead of a 4 week, 5 day a week training, there could be 5, 4 day training weeks. The 5th day of each week would be spent back at the agency. The trainee could read files, shadow current workers on home visits and ACR�s, observe court and attend special court training. This would allow more in-depth understanding of what the trainee is learning in the classroom style training. However, the training period before a worker could be assigned a caseload would now extend to 5 weeks. There will need to be special information sessions for supervisors on their role in helping trainees assess their learning needs and in reinforcing the training once they are on the job. DCFS will need to develop informational materials for this.

DCFS was asked to verify by the next meeting the final decision on how the costs of the foundation training are to be covered. There still appears to be no final decision as to whether agencies will be reimbursed for the costs of salaries they must pay to workers in a 20 day training who are unable to carry cases, or whether there will be a flat pool assigned by agency with incentives for those agencies with low turnover.

Agencies are reminded, however, that all child welfare staff will need a license as of January 1, 2000 in order to be assigned cases. As of next year, DCFS will provide training for all new staff in order to prepare them for the licensing requirement. As of this point, due to federal reimbursement technicalities, this training will be for a 20 day period.

We remind our agencies that the clock is now ticking into its final hours regarding licensing of current staff. We encourage all executive directors, human resource managers, program managers and supervisors to check the status of all staff required to be licensed. 1) Have they taken and passed the licensing exam? If they have failed in their first exam attempt, is remedial training being offered to prepare them to take the second and final test? Do you know for a fact that none of your staff have failed the test for the second time? 2) Have all staff taken and passed the test for CERAP certification? 3) Do all remaining staff have a designated date by which they must take the exam and /or obtain CERAP? 4) Do you have a plan and timetable for how new staff you hire between now and December will pass the licensing exam and CERAP?

We await development of the final "License Application" by DCFS. The application will require proof of passing the exam and CERAP as well as proof of employment and applicable degrees by the employer. (MB)

The Administration for Children and Families(ACF) of DHHS will be soon be initiating reviews of child and family service programs which will measure state capacity to promote positive outcomes for children and families regarding safety, permanency and well-being. Review teams will be comprised of federal and state agency staff and consultant peer reviewers. ACF is seeking peer reviewers. The qualifications are as follows: Minimum of 2 years direct field experience and/or supervisory, administrative or management experience in a public or private child welfare agency; BA or Master's in social work, human services, public administration, counseling or closely related field; strong assessment skills; interviewing skills; oral and written communication skills and availability and willingness to travel to other states to participate in week-long review activities (including a willingness to work long hours and to participate in debriefings at the end of each day.) Preferred reviewers will have a master's degree, supervisory/management experience and experience in quality assurance or performance reviews of agencies. More information can be obtained from: Child Welfare Review Project, c/o Johnson, Bassin and Shaw, Inc., 8630 Fenton Street, 12th floor, Silver Spring, Maryland, 20910. Phone: 301-495-1080, x. 3021, E-mail: cw@jbs 1.com (MB)

At the Annual Directors� Conference in Special Education, which was held the 1^st week of August, the disheartening news from both LEA administrators and State Board staff was that a new funding formula will be proposed again this year in special education. CCA was hopeful that two successive defeats of the proposed funding formula in 2000 and 1999 would result in acceptance of the current formula. CCA will obtain more information in meetings with ISBE next week. (BRH)

CCA has mailed the names and phone numbers of all DCFS education coordinators in the various regions, along with their job descriptions. CCA encourages all private agencies to use these relatively new staff members to advocate for educational services for children in institutions and group homes. In addition, CCA mailed the school district claim forms to all members for DCFS children in their institutions and group homes who are in regular education. Please share these forms with school districts to 1) identify how the additional money generated by these youth is being spent, and 2) to encourage districts to obtain the available state funds for eligible students who require additional education and support services. Please call Bridget Helmholz for more information if you have questions. (BRH)

The first in a series of meetings for discussion of the process for funding of SACWIS equipment for private agencies was held on August 21^st in Marion, Illinois at the DCFS regional office. Five agencies attended the meeting. Agencies were provided an overview of the private agency SACWIS equipment process and a step-by-step walk through of the process. Material distributed to agencies included a background paper explaining goals of SACWIS, a review of the plan process, a review of the method that will be used in the allocation of funds to agencies, the planning documents that will need to be completed by agencies, time frames for submission of materials, specifications of equipment requirements, definitions of terms connected with SACWIS, and a list of members of the SACWIS Advisory Committee and Spectrum consultants as contacts. Other technical assistance meetings will be taking place this week on Monday, August 28, 2000 in Chicago at Catholic Charities, Tuesday, August 29, 2000 in Aurora and on Wednesday, August 30, 2000 in Chicago at Uhlich. The last meeting will take place on Wednesday, September 6, 2000 in Springfield. Following these T.A. meetings, agencies will have the opportunity to schedule a meeting with the Spectrum consultants to conduct a site assessment for their agency regarding the preparation needed to get ready for SACWIS. American Management Systems has also had a change management representative at each meeting to record questions/comments in order to understand the POS agencies better. The AMS representative will also be working with the issues surrounding clear lines of communication and training.

Questions that came up at the Marion meeting included: 1.) Can reporting time on SACWIS also be billed under Medicaid as it is now with the paper system? 2.) Is 7.5 million over three years enough money to implement this in private agencies? 3.) Why can�t the cost for agency information system staff be included as allowable if funds can be used for consultants? 4.) There was concern expressed that there is not enough time from Sept. 15^th when agencies get the FTE information to verify and make adjustments prior to returning it by Oct. 1. 5.) Are agencies responsible for the continued funding of the project after the three-year period of funding is over? 6.) How soon will we try to resolve the ongoing funding and support for the system? 7.) What if there is a disagreement on FTE seats between agencies and DCFS? How will this be handled? 8.) What if you grow your program? How will that be included? 9.) Will SACWIS be the primary file for the case? What part will still be a paper file? 10.) Will necessary consents be obtained through SACWIS? Medical, etc. 11.) Is there a long-range goal to include residential, group homes in the system? A list of questions will be compiled from each session and answers developed for distribution to agencies. (JMS)

The Midwest Public Policy Committee for CWLA met in Chicago on August 24^th and 25^th. Michael Petit from the Washington Public Policy Office attended to discuss issues and organizational structure between Washington and the Regional Offices regarding public policy. States represented at the meeting included: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Kansas.

Each state gave a brief report on the general climate in the state, key public policy issues, major initiatives, challenges and updates on ASFA. The key issues that were reported by CWLA Washington staff: Juvenile Justice; child welfare financing (including Title XX), restraint and seclusion, Title IV-E training, Child Welfare/Alcohol and Other Drugs legislation and the Younger Americans Act.

With regards to the appropriation, it appears that everything will get thrown into a major bill at the end of the session. This would include restraint and seclusion and Title IV-E training. At this point the Restraint and Seclusion language is still in the SAMSHA reauthorization which passed the Senate and is in the House Commerce Committee. Continued action is being recommended with members of the Commerce Committee. CWLA members were being asked to host Representatives at their facilities. The Juvenile Justice issue is not a crisis in Congress and will not make it out of Conference Committee. It is projected that more money will be returned to the cuts that were made to Title XX funding and the Title IV-E Training is pending in the House. The Child Welfare/Alcohol and Other Drugs legislation does not have any Republican House sponsors at this time and efforts need to be pursued to secure Republican sponsors. There is also a bill called the Younger Americans Act that will be introduced after Labor Day and sponsors will be needed. It is for ages from 6 and older. The question was raised why it was not inclusive for younger ages also.

Michael Petit also discussed a structure for additional meetings and contacts with the regions. A full time Public Policy Director will be hired in addition to a staff person to work with regional staff and committees on public policy issues. Teleconferences will be set up on a regular basis with the regions, in addition to e-mail communications and a weekly briefing with Regional Directors. CWLA will also be setting up a group to look at current legislation such as TANF, ASFA, MEPA, IEPA, Medicaid and IV-E and make recommendations for needed changes. (JMS)

It is with much regret that I inform you of the death of D.D. Fischer�s mother, Mildred Fischer, on Friday, August 25^th. Mrs. Fischer was 81 years old and had been in excellent health until just recently. Her funeral is today, August 28. I wanted to let those of you who know D.D. have this information so that if you wish to drop him a card or give him a call and express your condolences you may. D.D.�s address and phone number: 8105 White Oak Road, Quincy, IL 62301; 217-656-3000. I would ask that you keep D.D. and his family in your thoughts and prayers. (RHM)

DCFS training staff asked us to share the following information on the final round of IEPA training for private agency staff. Questions about the training should be directed to Steve Nichols at 217-785-5689. Registrations should be called into Lucy Walker at 217-785-5689. Training dates are as follows:

Chicago, September 5, IITRI, 35th and State, 1-3 p.m.

Springfield, September 14, 521 S. 11th Street, 10 a.m.-Noon

Collinsville, September 25, IDOT, 1100 E. Port Plaza, 10 a.m.-Noon (MB)

 

Calendar:

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. 6 � New CCA Board Member Meeting, University Club, Chicago

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/Conference Center, Urbana, IL. More information:

217-355-5990.

Oct. 5-6 � CCA�s Fall 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.

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

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