This is a reminder to Executive staff of Cook area agencies that the next meeting with Judge Bishop is scheduled for Thursday, April 19, 10:00 a.m.-Noon at the Juvenile Court Auditorium. We encourage executive directors, executive program staff and senior supervisors from our agencies to attend this opportunity to positively network with the court. (MB)

The Cook Performance Based Work Group met in Chicago on April 10, 2001. Krista Hinton provided an overview of the Education Compliance system for children attending Chicago Public Schools. DCFS receives a data tape at regular intervals that provides data on children who are truant or chronically absent. This information is then organized by agency and forwarded to the private agencies that serve these children. Since the tracking of these children began, the number of problem cases has been reduced, although the total number of children in Chicago schools has also decreased. There are a significant number of children now showing up on the truant/absent list who were recently adopted or achieved subsidized guardianship. This poses a concern. Would this be a symptom of a possible future disruption? Although compliance with educational outcomes is part of the current performance expectations, DCFS is considering adding further requirements to the contract that agencies must respond to the compliance reports. Questions on the project, or related to the reports agencies receive can be directed to Krista Hinton at 312-814-8258.

DCFS staff reported that the reorganization of the Cook North region is progressing. Offices at 950 E. 61 and 4320 W. Montrose will close. Staff from the 61^st street office will move to 1911 Indiana. Staff from 4320 Montrose and 4055 N. Western sites will move to the new Skokie office at 8100 McCormick, Skokie (847-745-3000.) Staff from 2033 Indiana will move to 750 W. Montrose. When all team and staff moves are finalized, a new phone listing will be available from DCFS.

DCFS staff reported that there will be blocks of cases transferred from Cook Central and one agency over the next few weeks. The cases will be distributed across those agencies needing intake according to the usual rotation system. Questions can be directed to Melissa Ludington at 312-814-6819.

The One Worker/One Family Consolidation procedures are in process. DCFS reminded all agencies of the Cook deadline of May 1. A special internal committee of DCFS will be convened for decisions on cases when agencies have not followed the procedures or are unable to reach mutual agreements with other agencies. Specialized cases can be exceptions for the moment but there will be procedures outlined in the near future for working to consolidate those cases. Cases moved from an agency for consolidation reasons are counted as neutral exist and will be replaced with new intake. Foster parents have the right to choose the agency by which they will be licensed. Agencies needing information on other agency�s foster parents will need a consent form signed by the foster parent in order to obtain foster home information. Staff of CCSN reported that the cases can also be listed on the secondary match system. This information (along with anything pertinent to the child�s current need for placement) can be posted. It is helpful for other agencies to know when reviewing children posted on the match, whether the need for a move is due to consolidation purposes and not the child�s behavior. DCFS distributed a list of chief executives and program officers of all agencies, in the event program staff are having difficulty making contact with line staff. All agencies should have received correspondence from DCFS outlining the process. Additionally, all intake workers received the procedures during their monthly meeting with CAU, and the procedures were distributed and discussed in a March Meeting with APT staff. Any agency still needing a copy of the procedures or the administrator�s list should contact DCFS immediately (Melissa Ludington, 312-814-6819.)

The group reviewed current proposals and recommendations from the Foster Care Infrastructure Work Group (See Monday Report of April 9.) The next Cook meeting is scheduled for May 23. (MB)

The Child Care Association of Illinois� Board of Directors met last Wednesday in a regularly scheduled (though slightly postponed) Board meeting. At the meeting the Board reviewed its policy manual relative to its current Executive Limitation Policies. This is a part of its regular annual review the Board does of all of its established policies. The Board also reviewed and revised the currently existing CCA Vision Statement. The proposed changes are currently being formatted and will be finalized at the May Board meeting. The Board also reviewed with Ron Moorman and Marge Berglind the transition plan that they have developed to insure a smooth transition of the CEO position from Ron to Marge over the coming months. The plan basically addresses the key elements of such a transition and details the steps that will be taken. There was also discussion of the steps that are being taken to transition the Adoption Information Center of Illinois (AICI) from under the auspices of the Association to its own independent status as a not-for-profit 501(c) 3. The plan is for this transition to occur concurrent with the new fiscal year in July--progress is being made, but much remains to be finalized. The Board also discussed the recent State Auditor General�s report which raised several issues about current auditing practices of the Dept. of Children and Family services and steps that will be taken to proactively address some of the issues that were raised in that report. Copies of the National Family Heritage Coalition Position Paper were distributed to the Board for their information. This report has grown out of the joint effort of the African American Family Commission and the Association several years ago to highlight issues relative to IEPA, MEPA, and AFSA. These issues have now become the agenda of a broad national coalition of organizations. The position paper grew out of the deliberations of that coalition over the past several years. Plans are for the Coalition to sponsor a series of regional conferences on these topics followed by a national conference aimed at changing existing policy regarding these critical issues. (Copies of the Coalition�s position paper are available upon request from the Association�s Springfield office.) (RHM)

The Department of Human Services proposed amendments for "Temporary Assistance for Needy Families to exempt from the lifetime 60-month benefits limit those months in which a caretaker relative meets approved criteria for attending post-secondary classes and months in which a person cares for a severely disabled child approved for a waiver under the home and community-based child care program. The rulemaking also exempts funds held in an Individual Development Account from consideration as income during eligibility determination. People can submit comments and questions until May 14, 2001 to: Susan Weir, Bureau Chief, DHS, 100 South Grand Avenue East, 3^rd Floor Harris Bldg., Springfield, Ill. 62762. 217-785-9772. (JMS)

Efforts are continuing this year by the Child Welfare League of America to pass the Younger Americans Act legislation that was introduced during September 2000. A memo with fact sheet information and sample letter to send to Senators and Representatives was mailed out to all agencies last week. At this time they are asking us to contact the key Congressional members of Senator Fitzgerald, Representative Hastert, Representative Hyde and Representative Biggert. As you will see from the information that was mailed out, funding for the Younger Americans Act is proposed at $5.75 million over five years. It would provide $500 million for fiscal year 2002, $750 million for fiscal year 2003, $1 billion for fiscal year 2004, $1.5 billion for fiscal year 2005, and $2 billion for fiscal year 2006. (JMS)

While the state�s new KidCare program has provided health insurance to thousands of low-income children, many of their parents cannot afford coverage for themselves. The Family Care initiative (House Bill 23) would help as many as 200,000 working parents pay for insurance offered by their employers or obtain coverage under KidCare. It would help many working families who need insurance most � those with incomes between 46 percent and 200 percent of the federal poverty level (about $8,100 to $35,500 for a household of four). Many of these parents earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid coverage, but too little to pay for their own insurance. Estimated costs for the program would be $180 million annually, of which the federal government would pay two thirds. The state of Illinois would be responsible for $63 million. Last year, Illinois had to return $69 million in unused KidCare funding to the U.S. government. Last month the Illinois House approved Family Care by an overwhelming vote of 115-0. (JMS)

IS THERE TALENT IN YOUR AGENCY? The Third National Kinship Care Conference, scheduled in Chicago July 25-27, 2001 is seeking performing groups for a number of conference events, including luncheons. If your agency has a performing arts group for children in your care, please contact Mattie Satterfield, Director of Kinship Care, Child Welfare League of America, at (202) 662-4286, or by email at [email protected].

CHILD WELFARE DAY PROGRAM AT THE ILLINOIS STATE CAPITOL

The following schedule is being provided to help you plan your day at the State Capitol on April 18^th. Exhibitors� packets with more detailed information also went out to designated agency contacts about three weeks ago, and all member agency Executive Directors should have received a fax on Monday morning. For further information, contact the CCA offices at 217-528-4409, or via e-mail at [email protected]

FREE parking is available at the Visitor�s Center located West of the Capitol at the corner of College and Edwards Streets. Note: early arrival will assure a parking place; this lot fills up by mid-day.

Breakfast, coffee and lunch will be on your own. We would love to provide these for you but it is just not feasible to arrange food functions at the Capitol. There are pay phones, an ATM machine and a restaurant in the lower level of the Capitol.

We have invited several key legislators to speak in the Rotunda at noon. We encourage all Child Welfare Day participants to be present for this.

Templates for media advisories, press releases and talking points for National Foster Care Month can now be found on the CCA website at http://www.cca-il.org. Go to the bottom of the home page and click on "Media Materials for National Foster Care Month." The available information available through CCA will help your agency plan and launch a public education program about foster care in your community. For additional ideas, resources, and suggestions on events, media attention, and advocacy, contact Linda Lenzini at [email protected]. Additional information with a national perspective is available on the Casey Family Programs website at www.casey.org/cnc (LLL)

The CCA Member Agency Salary and Benefit Survey is now available to CCA members and will be free of charge to CCA members who participated in it. The report includes information on salaries for workers in the child welfare field and covers a full range of job positions. The information is separated by geography and operating budget. An aggregate statewide salary report is also included. The benefits portion of the survey examines a range of benefits, recognizing that they are an integral part of compensation and thus comprise a substantial percentage of an agency�s operating budget. The report includes information on hours of employment, paid leave, holidays, medial plan eligibility, health and insurance health and wellness plans, retirement plans, tuition reimbursement, raises, bonus or incentive plans certification and licensing plans and staff turnover. Non-participating members may purchase the survey for $100; non-member cost is $150.

In CCA�s efforts to mobilize member advocacy for a Cost of Living Adjustment this year from the State of Illinois, assistance is available. CCA member agencies wishing to advocate for this adjustment in their local media can obtain template press releases, talking points, and editorial contact names. For more information contact Linda Lenzini at [email protected]. (LLL)

Visit the home page of the CCA Website at http://www.cca-il.org for a new feature,

"Success Stories". The most recent feature has been submitted by The Youth Campus. These features, submitted by members or penned by CCA staff, share the successes that members have realized with innovative programs, new initiative, and hard work. If your agency has an innovative program or recent success story that you�d like to share, contact Linda Lenzini at CCA with the details. (LLL)

Please mark your calendar for the Association�s Membership Meeting to be held on May 30-31 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield. Plans are underway and information on the two-day meeting will be sent to you as soon as possible. In the meantime, you can make your hotel reservation by calling the Crowne Plaza at 217/529-7777 or toll free 800/227-6963. The rate for single or double occupancy is $95.00. Be sure to say you are attending the Child Care Association meeting. (SKA)

Wednesday, May 9, 2001, Springfield Hilton, 7^th and Adams, Springfield, Illinois. Registration due by May 4, 2001. For more information, contact the Youth Network Council at 321� S. 6^th Street, Ste 200, Springfield, Illinois 62701, or call 1-800-252-8045 (IL ONLY) or 1-217-522-2663. (LLL)

This workshop will present practical information on the risk of child abuse and maltreatment in youth-serving nonprofit organizations. The speaker will outline a framework for identifying the specific risks facing your clients and organizations. Strengthen your screening, selection, supervision and program management activities. Minimize the likelihood that your nonprofit or your personnel will harm the young people you're in business to help. Melanie Herman serves as executive director of the Nonprofit Risk Management Center, a Washington-based resource center serving the nonprofit community. The center produces training, technical assistance and informational resources on a wide range of topics, including risk management, legal liability, insurance and child abuse prevention. Ms. Herman earned a Juris Doctor from George Mason University. This seminar is free. Space is limited. We suggest you register as soon as possible by calling 800.526.4352 ext. 1531.

Attend the "Unemployment Taxes Are You Paying Too Much" Seminar on one of the following dates:

April 26, May 10, June 21, July 26, August 23, September 13. Seating is limited. Call to register. 800.526.4352 ext. 7874

April 17 � SACWIS Focus Group Facilitators Meeting, Des Plaines

April 18 � Healthy Families Illinois Policy and Advocacy Committee � Conference Call

May 1 � CWAC SACWIS Advisory Committee Meeting, Springfield

May 1�2 � National Family Heritage Coalition, Hilton, Oak Lawn, IL

May 9 � Assessing, Diagnosing and Treating the Mental Health needs of African-American adolescents

in the Juvenile Justice System. Springfield Hilton, 7^th and Adams, Springfield, Illinois.

Registration due by May 4, 2001. For more information, call 1-800-252-8045 (Illinois only) or

1-217-522-2663

May 20-21 - Business and Education 2001 Conference, The Capital Hilton, Washington DC, contact

Customer Service (212) 339-0345.

July 25-27 � SUSTAINING KINSHIP TIES: PERMANENCY AND BEYOND--The third national kinship care conference, sponsored by the Child Welfare League of America, will be held July 25-27, 2001 at the Chicago Hilton and Towers. For more information contact the Child Welfare League at (202) 638-2952.

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