MONDAY REPORT

May 21, 2001

SPECIAL NOTE:  Copyright 2001. The Monday Report is produced each week as a benefit to the member agencies of the Child Care Association. Please protect this membership benefit - DO NOT copy and distribute this report to agencies/staff that are not members of CCA. Thank you for your cooperation.

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VERY IMPORTANT!! YOUR HELP IS NEEDED ON THE CODB!!

The CODB situation in the General Assembly continues to look very grim!  The Legislature is scheduled to adjourn this Friday, May 25^th and at this point, there is absolutely no agreement on the FY 2002 state budget, and there also appears to be little support for any cost-of-doing business adjustment for human service providers.  While there is support expressed by many individual legislators for a CODB, this support is not shared, at this point, by the legislative leaders or the Governor�s office.  THIS WEEK WILL BE CRITICAL TO THIS EFFORT!

We know and very much appreciate the fact that most of our agencies have flooded their legislators with letters calling for a 4% CODB--this has certainly set the stage and put the issue squarely on the plate of the Legislature.  If there are any agencies which have not done their part in this effort, they really should be ashamed of themselves--this is a critical issue and can�t get addressed without the participation of each and every member agency. 

We need you to do one last thing THIS WEEK--IMMEDIATELY!!  You have done a lot already--that�s for sure.  But we have no choice but to ask you to do one more very important thing!

PLEASE PHONE ALL OF YOUR LEGISLATORS IN THEIR SPRINGFIELD OFFICES AND URGE THEIR SUPPORT FOR A 4% CODB!  We need to flood the legislators with as many calls as we can possibly generate--it is critical that we get this as high on the legislative priority agenda as we possibly can!

The message is simple--GIVE HUMAN SERVICE PROVIDERS THE 4% COST OF DOING BUSINESS ADJUSTMENT THEY NEED AND DESERVE!  DON�T LEAVE SPRINGFIELD WITHOUT ADDRESSING THIS CRITICAL NEED!

Most of the time you will not be talking directly to your legislators--if you do get through, great!  Make the most of it!  If not, leave your message with the receptionist/staff person and ask that they pass this on immediately to the Representative/Senator.

If you need Springfield phone numbers for any of your legislators, please call our Springfield office and we will help you.  PLEASE GIVE THIS YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION!  We will certainly keep you posted as to any developments with this issue. Thanks again for your help!  There is a lot on the line here! LET�S GIVE THIS OUR VERY BEST EFFORT!!  (RHM)

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CCA TRAINING DAY AND ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING--MAY 30-31, 2001

The CCA Training Day and Annual Membership Meeting is next week.  The location is the Crowne Plaza in Springfield.  If you are planning to attend please send your registration to the CCA office ASAP.  If you need a copy of the program description and / or a registration form, please call 217.528.4409 and someone will fax the information to you.

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CHILD WELFARE

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CWAC FINANCE AND ADMINSTRATION COMMITTEE REPORT

CWAC Finance and Administration Committee met in Springfield on May 15.  The group discussed the following items:

�       Rate Methodology: DCFS staff reported that the Department has run the rate methodology, but they were not at liberty to say what the budgetary impact would be.  Providers indicated their support for completing the methodology regardless of budgetary impact.  A provider subcommittee agreed to work with DCFS staff in analyzing the numbers and making specific recommendations.  A meeting was set for end of May.

�       Excess Revenue: After a number of months of discussion, DCFS support services staff agreed to a model of testing excess revenue and allowing agencies to keep up to 7% under the following conditions:  a) utilization is between 85-95%, or consistent with utilization used to set the current rate; b) agency receives a letter of good standing from the POS monitoring division; and c) agency is not at the 20% administrative cap.  There was discussion and committee consensus that not meeting the utilization test would trigger further analysis, that not being in good standing would trigger denial with ability to appeal and that the percent of excess revenue kept would be part of the 20%.  The provisions of the agreement will be sent to the CWAC chairs for consideration and hopefully, full agreement. DCFS would then need to file an emergency rule change to reflect these provisions.  We will keep CCA members posted on the progress of this agreement and when DCFS is ready for actual implementation. Thanks to Zack Schrantz of Uhlich Children�s Home for his leadership in negotiating this agreement with DCFS staff.

�       Current Funding: Providers had strongly recommended to DCFS that the current funding payments for May and June at the 50% mark were not necessary due to the improved rolling reconciliation process. They indicated their appreciation for the Department�s willingness to fund May and June payments at 75% and indicated that next year rolling reconciliation and caseload stability should allow for 100% current funding in those months. DCFS indicated there is a need for training meetings with agencies on the nature and purpose of the �current funding� model. These will be held in the next 2 months.

�       Financial Penalties for LOC Non-Compliance: Specialized and treatment Foster Care providers are reminded that the schedule of LOC reviews on all cases must be followed or penalties will apply. This agreement was confirmed during recent Foster Care Infrastructure meetings and has been reported to you in previous Monday Reports. All providers should have received correspondence directly from DCFS outlining the required schedule of reviews and the subsequent non-compliance penalties.  DCFS staff indicated that there would be 5% penalties levied on agencies failing to complete their LOC evaluations, and that DCFS is serious about applying these to agencies. 

�       Caseload Penalties: DCFS staff reported that there has been a decline in caseload penalties.  Resa Early, previously tracking the penalties has been out on leave and so the caseload tracking form has not been redesigned. Other DCFS staff will be assigned to this project. We remind all CCA members to carefully review the arithmetic on all caseload penalty reports received from DCFS, and to submit their agency�s explanation for how they have managed any vacancy levels under the 80% threshold. Even though there is no place on the existing form for this explanation, the explanation is a vital part of the agreement with DCFS and an agency�s form of appeal of the penalty. This should be submitted in an attached letter until the form is redesigned. .

�       Foster Parent Payment Time Frames: DCFS staff raised the issue of payment of foster parents in a timely manner.  There is concern that agencies are receiving two months of current funding before paying foster parents. DCFS is getting complaints from some private agency foster parents that they are not being paid in a timely. DCFS would like to require all agencies to pay foster parents by the l0th of each month, since they are receiving current funding. Agency members suggested that there should be a required time frame for payment, although some agencies may issue checks later in the month according to accounting schedules. A key issue is that agencies should notify their foster parent providers once to twice a year about their payment schedule and should follow that schedule. They felt this could be required as a submission to DCFS once a year with the contract. If the Department determines there are agencies that pay beyond the two-month mark, they should work with those agencies individually.

�       Homemaker Rates: Homemaker providers have written a letter to DCFS Director raising concerns about the current rates for Homemaker services, the lack of routine increases and the serious financial condition of these programs. A small group will be meeting with DCFS staff to review the program plan and determine if there is any way to confirm the program�s use for intact family type work. There is no guarantee from DCFS about rate increases although they are willing to discuss the issues.

�       Multi-Year Contracts: DCFS staff raised the issue of multi-year contracts and estimated amounts. There have been concerns that providers want to sue the department if a second or third year of funding does not meet the �estimated� amount on the multi-year contract. The group supported the concept of multi-year contracts as an efficient way of doing business and supported rewording of contacts to emphasize that there is no guarantee of funding at contracted rates beyond the first year.

�       Crisis Nurseries Funding: The crisis nursery program plan in the Central region has been rewritten to address concerns.

The next meeting is scheduled for July 17. (MB)

DOWNSTATE PERFORMANCE BASED WORK GROUP

The Downstate Performance Based Work Group met in Springfield on May 18. The following items were addressed:

Contract Changes for Downstate Contracts: The contracts will reflect the agreements reached in the Foster Care Infrastructure Work Group. These are reported in detail in this Monday Report.

Second Quarter Permanency Results: DCFS released the reconciled second quarter results. The mid-year system average for Traditional is l7.6% and 21.9% for HMR. Laura Feddersen will conduct a new round of training on the reconciliation process over the summer for any agency staff newly assigned to this task in agencies.

Referral Rotation System: Each regional coordinator has kept statistics on the implementation of the rotation system. Common problems across all regions are the lack of understanding of the need to accept intake through the rotation from agencies and the lack of following the directions from DCP workers. We caution all CCA members to be sure to follow the agreed upon regional procedures for accepting intake, even sibling add-on cases.  The overall caseload numbers are small so there has not been a lot of intake in any region. Monthly meetings in regions or sub-regions will continue throughout the summer.

DCFS Anticipated Changes to Referral Rotation System: DCFS staff reported that Director McDonald wants the following changes made over the course of the next year to the rotation system: 1) Agencies cannot receive intake if any of their caseloads exceed the 25:1 BH level. DCFS staff will monitor this. 2) There should be a unified HMR/TFC rotation system based on an agency�s total current foster care population. Since agencies have raised concerns about the ability of smaller or HMR-only agencies to develop regular foster home resources to compete in this system, this will be delayed until the F�Y�03 contracts. The existing work group will continue to address this issue. 3) Agencies should expect to accept intake on a 24-hour basis if they want to continue to be used for the future. DCFS staff agreed to monitor how the current system is performing and bring this material to the existing work group for further discussion before full implementation. 4) Agencies must be sensitive to the need for consistency in school enrollment as they consider the geography of placement issues for children referred. There should be a QA approach to this in all agencies to examine the impact school disruptions have on children and the quality of placements.

Reunification Contract Elements: DCFS staff presented another draft of the provisions for Reunification payments for downstate performance contracts. The draft clarified and reflected concerns raised previously by the group. The document clarifies that DCFS will pay $3075 per family per 12-month period. The payment includes all casework-related services, including but not limited to casework counseling provided by the assigned caseworker, services to the family provided by a case aide, teaching homemaker services provided to the family and costs related to staff travel and client transportation for participation in services. The service duration is for 6 months. If a court orders services beyond the 6 months, the provider can bill for case management services using the after-care rate of $36.90 per hour. This provision is capped at $3075 for the 6 months period. DCFS will pay for �hard services� according to existing rates in the wraparound service/rate catalog, not to exceed $1562 per family. Each agency must maintain a separate cost center to account for these payments. DCFS will analyze an agency�s total payments per year. If the analysis documents that payments exceed the $1562 the agency will return the difference between the maximum payable and the amount actually paid to the agency. The group made some minor language changes to the overall document but agreed that the main provisions reflected previous agreements. This document will be corrected and sent to all providers by DCFS.

Levels of Care Progress: Agencies reported that DCFS staff are running behind schedule in their review and approval of the LOC reviews. Some kids are waiting in limbo for services while this process is backlogged. Additionally, some DCFS workers are asking for agencies to accept specialized cases prior to the LOC approvals. DCFS staff confirmed that this is against DCFS policy and urged agencies to refer these staff back to the region. They are also working on how to help the regional staff move the LOC reviews along quickly.

Employee Licensure: Larry Chasey reported that the data system edits on downstate cases will soon be implemented. This will show which agency workers are not in licensure compliance on the DCFS system. There are still a number of agency staff who have not submitted a complete application, have not taken or passed the licensing exam or have not passed CERAP certification. All these are required for case assignment. These workers will not be eligible for assignment of cases once the edits are in place. Agencies experiencing difficulty in correcting information on their staff should work with their AP supervisor immediately to establish a record of trying to resolve the problem. There are also a number of supervisors showing up on the system who have left agencies or are assigned to other duties. Once the edits are in place, it will show that there are ineligible supervisors. Agencies must work with AP to clear up this information, as well.

The next meeting of the Downstate group is scheduled for July 31, 628 E. Adams, Springfield, from 1:00-3:30 p.m. (MB)

EMPLOYEE LICENSURE REMINDERS:

All agencies are reminded that Independent Living case management staff and supervisors are required to be licensed under the Direct Service Employee Licensure provisions. DCFS AP staff will be checking the licensure status of all required staff. Although at this time data edits are being done to enforce foster care case management staff and supervisory compliance, we remind agencies to assure all staff are in compliance with licensure. This includes Independent Living case management staff, permanency and adoption workers, as well as Intact case management staff and Foster Home Licensing staff. (MB)

FOSTER CARE CONTRACTS FOR FY�02

We are rerunning this information from last week�s Monday Report. These changes, as negotiated by the Foster Care Infrastructure Work Group, and as approved by CWAC, will be reflected in all FY �02 Foster Care contracts. (MB)

I.            Outcome Standards

A.         AODA � Relative Care and Traditional Foster Care

100% of all new cases will be screened for AODA services (using form CFS 440-5) and 80% of new HMR/Traditional cases (new to agency, regardless of length of case opening) will either be assessed for or receiving AOD services within 30 days of assignment to the agency. DCFS will send a list of new cases to agencies twice annually and will request documentation. Lower performance will prompt a discussion and possible technical assistance. 

B.        Re-Abuse - Relative Care, Traditional Foster Care, Specialized Foster Care, and Treatment Foster Care

Each agency will reduce indicated reports of abuse in their homes (upheld at appeal) by 50% in FY02 over FY00, or have less than the national benchmark (0.4% of starting caseload and new entries).  Results will be reported twice annually.

C.        Re-Entry into Foster Care - Relative Care, Traditional Foster Care, Specialized Foster Care, and Treatment Foster Care

Each agency will show a 50% improvement in FY02 over FY00 or have less than the national benchmark (6%).  Results will be reported annually.

D.        One Worker � One Family � Relative Care, Traditional Foster Care 

All HMR and Traditional cases will be assigned to one worker in Cook before July 1, 2001 and downstate by September 30, 2001.  DCFS will make consolidation determinations when split cases remain.

II.          Placement Stability � Relative Care, Traditional Foster Care, Specialized Foster Care, and Treatment Foster Care

An agency�s placement stability rate will be based on their 7/1/01 actual caseload and new cases assigned during the fiscal year to the agency for more than two months. It will be calculated by totaling the number of existing and new cases that experience more than one move during the fiscal year.  Any placement moves will be attributed to the agency assigned on 7/1/01.  Placement moves of new referrals (new to the system) during the fiscal year will be credited to the agency assigned on the 61^st day of case opening.  The following moves will not be counted as part of this measure: any movement during the first 60 days after case opening; respite or detention placements that last less than 30 days when the child returns to the same home; or hospitalizations and runaways when the child returns to the same home. Stability benchmarks will be set based upon the type of foster care contract.

For Relative Care and Traditional Foster Care, FY03 intake status will be based on stability and permanency performance rates.  The benchmarks for each type of foster care follow:

�     Cook County Relative Performance Contracts (PCR) � at least 98% of the 7/1 caseload and new cases will have no more than one move.

�     Cook County Traditional Performance Contracts (PCT) � at least 96% of the 7/1 caseload and new cases will have no more than one move.

�     Downstate Relative Performance Contracts (PCD) � at least 95% of the 7/1 caseload and new cases will have no more than one move.

�     Downstate Traditional Performance Contracts (PCD) � at least 92% of the 7/1 caseload and new cases will have no more than one move.

At this time, the stability benchmarks for Specialized and Treatment Foster Care programs will be part of the FY02 Contract but will not be used to determine contract levels.  A listing of the individual agencies� stability performance will be reported regularly.

Listed on the chart below are the stability performance levels (DCFS and POS combined) for FY99 and FY00 and the recommended stability benchmarks for FY02.

III.    Permanency Recommendations � Specialized/Treatment Foster Care

Specialized and treatment foster care programs will be held to an 18% permanency rate in their FY02 contract.  Agencies that fall below 18% during FY02 will incur a $2,000 penalty for each child below this percentage.  Agencies that exceed 24% permanency in FY02 will get a $2,000 bonus for every child over this percentage.  Agencies can receive credit in FY02 for permanencies that exceeded the 5% mark in the 4^th quarter of FY01. 

Agencies that fall below the 18% permanency mark can ask the Department for special consideration if they are able to justify that their permanency rate was below 18% due to the severity of the children served in their program.  The infrastructure work group will develop parameters that the Department will use when considering these requests. 

Agencies that have 24 or less cases combined in their specialized and treatment programs (approximately 35 agencies) will be held harmless to the penalties for achieving below the 18% mark.  However, these agencies could receive a bonus if they exceeded the 24% mark.

In addition, the Department will conduct reviews of specialized/treatment foster care programs during FY02 to determine why some agencies have a high permanency rate and others are achieving a low permanency rate.  This review will take into consideration agencies of all sizes.

IV.       Adolescent Incentives � Relative Care, Traditional Foster Care, Specialized Foster Care, Treatment Foster Care

�       Children ages 14 and older that achieve permanency (adoption, guardianship, or reunification) will be counted as two permanency credits

�       Children moving to Armed Services Duty, College/Scholarship, Youth in College, or Youth in Employment/Transition will be credited with an outcome counted towards an agency�s performance goal

�       Case management for children that move from performance contracts to Armed Services Duty, College/Scholarship, Youth in College, or Youth in Employment/Transition will remain with the private agency.  A work group will be convened to determine what the case management expectations on these cases are to be.   Provisions related to this case management option will not be incorporated into next year�s contracts before reaching agreement with a POS/DCFS workgroup.  It is proposed that a $50 per child monthly administrative payment will be paid for case management.  DCFS will work with the court to look for ways to expedite the closing of cases, but may visit the possibility of increasing the administrative rate if court involvement continues.

�       Each child emancipated with a GED or High School diploma will be credited with one half of an outcome counted towards an agency�s performance goal.  For emancipated children that complete high school or equivalency AND obtain employment or attend college at the point of closure will be credited with a full outcome counted towards an agency�s performance goal.  (POS to provide documentation during reconciliation)

�       Children ages 14 and older that achieve adoption or guardianship before June 30, 2002 will be eligible for a $3000 Chafee transition to adulthood payment

�       Other adolescent incentives will be discussed by the Chaffee work group during the fiscal year

Proposed Subsidy Changes

�       Children age one year or older will be eligible for a subsidy, regardless of disability or connection to a sibling group

�       Children residing with a caregiver for at least one year will now be eligible for subsidized guardianship

�       Daycare may be included in the subsidy for children from birth up to age three.  The daycare subsidy will cease when the child reaches three years of age

�       Children under age three that are currently receiving a subsidy may apply for a subsidy adjustment to include daycare costs until the child�s third birthday.  The daycare adjustment will be available only for daycare payment after 7/1/01; no retroactive pay is available.

Cook Intake Status � Relative Care, Traditional Foster Care

Cook Relative Performance Contracts

Agencies achieving 33.0% or higher in FY01 will be open for full intake of 33% of their contract level.  For agencies achieving lower than 33.0% in FY01, intake status will be determined by their average performance for fiscal years 1998 � 2001, and FY02 referral will replace only the level of permanency achieved in FY01 (to address uncompensated care)

�     Agencies with an average of 27.0% or higher will be open for full rotational intake up to the level of their FY01 performance

�     Agencies with an average between 26.9% and 24.0% will be on full hold, effectively reducing their contract by up to 33% over the fiscal year (eligible to receive add-ons)

�     Agencies with an average less than 24.0% will not be offered a performance contract in FY02 for Cook Relative Care

Cook Traditional Performance Contracts

Agencies achieving 24.0% or higher in FY01 will be open for full intake of 24% of their caseload.  For agencies achieving lower than 24.0% in FY01, intake status will be determined by their average performance for fiscal years 1999 � 2001.

�     Agencies with an average of 20.0% or higher will be open for full rotational intake (replacement of 24% of their paid caseload)

�     Agencies with an average between 19.9% and 17.0% will be on half hold, effectively reducing their contract 12% over the fiscal year

�     Agencies with an average of less than 17.0% will be on full hold, effectively reducing their contract up to 24% over the fiscal year (eligible to receive add-ons)

FY02 Contracts for Specialized and Treatment Foster Care

�       The infrastructure work group will proceed with the development of standardized program plans and rates for Specialized / Treatment Foster Care

�       Specialized / Treatment contracts forFY02 will be issued as annual contracts with 6 month amendments for funding

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SPECIAL EDUCATION

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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

As a last-minute development, CCA has learned that ISBE intends to transfer the Illinois Purchased Care Review Board to the Department of Public Aid.  This move is part of the large transfer and/or elimination of staff at the Illinois State Board of Education.  Major concerns regarding this transfer should be addressed to Bridget Helmholz at CCA.  For the most part, the move is seen by CCA as positive.  Although at least the Executive Director is anticipated to move to DPA as well, the major problems CCA has had with rate-setting may be eliminated by this transfer.  First, IPCRB will be separated from the Department of  Special Education and the Compliance Division, therefore there will be less of the conflict of interest that has plagued rate-setting while it has been housed at ISBE.  In addition, since one of  DPA�s core functions is rate-setting, there may be more professionalism in the implementation of rules.  Finally, DPA is a code agency, one that is more responsive to the Governor�s administration.  IPCRB�s lack of responsiveness has been a major concern during the last several years (BRH).

House Bill 1096 passed the Senate last Friday.  This bill, the Alternative Learning Opportunities Act, is supported by CCA because it codifies a system to permit more educational resources for children who are at- risk of academic failure.  Amendments added in the Senate, which require parental consent before these services can be provided, will now need to be ratified by a conference committee (BRH).

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GENERAL

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CCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETS

The CCA Board of Directors met in Springfield last week.  They addressed the issue of CCA Member Obligations--what should be expectations of agencies as part of their membership in the Association.  There has been an ad hoc group working on this issue; they surveyed the membership through the Board/member Link Process and incorporated that input into their report.  The report was approved by the Board and will be presented to the membership at the upcoming Annual Meeting on May 30-31^st in Springfield.  The Board also reviewed the proposed CCA FY 2002 budget as well as the proposed Board slate for the new class of FY 2002 and recommended both to the membership for its approval at the Annual Meeting.

The Board also reviewed the Position Paper of the National Family Heritage Coalition on Issues of Race and Culture in Child Welfare.  Ron Moorman indicated that this paper grew out of the efforts several years ago between the African American Family Commission and the Association to highlight the impact MEPA/IEPA as well as the Adoption and Safe Families Act is having on children and families of color.  Ron indicated that over 25 national and state organizations from around the country have signed onto this Position Paper.  The Coalition plans a series of regional forums on these issues followed by a national forum to be held, hopefully, in the spring of next year.  The Board endorsed the Position Paper and complimented the leadership of the Association for its efforts in this regard.

As required by the Carver model of Board governance, the Board recently did a self-assessment of the Board�s process and operations and at the meeting reviewed that report and discussed ways to improve the Board�s internal communication as well as its on-going connection with the Association�s membership.  This self-study will be incorporated into the retreat process that the Board will be conducting over the summer.  (RHM)

POS SACWIS ORIENTATION FOR DESIGN SESSIONS

CCA coordinated an orientation session for those private agency representatives that will be participating in design sessions for Phase II of the SACWIS application.  Phase II will include case management, case assignment, administration/performance, archive, eligibility, court, financial, ACR, resource/licensing, and health.  About 50 people attended a meeting on May 17, 2001 in Tinley Park, for review and discussion of the role of the POS in the upcoming design meetings that are beginning this summer during July 2001 through the end of the year.  This is part of the process for actual development of the client information system that will eventually be used in Illinois by both DCFS and the private agencies case workers.  The purpose of the meeting was to provide those persons that will be part of the design sessions the information to represent the private agency issues and concerns in the development of a system where most of the services are provided by the private agencies.  The agenda for the day included a brief overview of what role the participants would play at the design sessions.  What types of things did they need to be aware of in order to be an active representative on behalf of the private agencies?  In addition there was a brief review of some the screens that have been developed for Phase I of the project related to Intake and Investigation.  The timetables that would be used for each design session were also reviewed, along with further descriptors of what is included under each design category.  For example under case assignment this will included a review of initial assignment, transfer/reassignment, secondary/additional assignments, licensing workers, eligibility workers, provider/contract monitoring workers, ACR workers, MRAI, extended family support and claim information tracking.  The final item for the morning included a review of those major issues/questions that would impact private agencies that were identified across all the focus group areas.  The major issues were related to: security, data entry, interfaces, alerts/ticklers/reports, training, best practice, and audits of fields.  The remainder of the day provided time for the facilitators of each focus group to meet with the subject matter experts in each design area to confirm dates for participation and review the more detailed information within each focus group.  The next step in the process will be for all POS subject matter experts to attend the orientation sessions being scheduled by DCFS prior to the actual design meetings.  The amount of time that will be needed for development of each area will vary based on the category. 

The final date for overall implementation of SACWIS statewide is tentatively set for July 16, 2003.  User training on the application is estimated to begin March 2003.  Prior to those dates agencies must have equipment in place in order to determine that they are SACWIS ready and can have their sites ready.  Training will also be provided to agencies on office automation, which will be incorporated into the application.  (JMS)

EMPLOYMENT RETENTION AND ADVANCEMENT PROJECT

DHS has submitted an amended to the TANF rule that allows for the Employment Retention and Advancement Project.  This is a five-year demonstration project to test the effectiveness of directed career advancement compared to conventional approaches.  Selection criteria for the project will be TANF cash clients under the age of 50 who: 1.) have been working 30 or more hours per week for 6 or more consecutive months; 2.) have had their TANF cash 60-month limit clock stopped for all 6 months; and 3.) reside in Cook or St. Claire County.  These clients will be randomly assigned to one of the two research groups for the project.  The experimental group will receive intensive services focused on education and/or training and/or work related activities to improve their advancement and earnings potential.   Activities may include developing an advancement plan with specific steps and identifying career ladders, either with the current employer or with another employer or industry.  Other approaches might include targeted job development and job search assistance, career counseling, working with employers to develop advancement strategies, removal of specific barriers, and coordination of work supports.  The control group will be subject to current policy.  Comments may be submitted for 45 days from the date of the May 11^th Illinois Register to: Ms. Susan Weir, Bureau Chief, Bureau of Administrative Rules and Procedures, Department of Human Services, 100 South Grand Avenue East, Third Floor Harris Bldg., Springfield, Ill.  62762. 217-785-9772.  (JMS)

FEDERAL CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES IMPROVEMENT ACT

New legislation (H.R. 1371) was introduced on April 3, 2001 in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Stark (D-CA) to begin to address the child welfare workforce crisis.  The legislation authorizes $100 million for each year fiscal year 2002 through 2006 for Child Welfare Service Quality Improvement Grants to states and Indian tribes to improve the quality of child welfare services by increasing the quality and capacity of the child welfare workforce.  These new grants can be used to improve child welfare workers� wages, increase the number of workers, reduce the turnover and vacancy rate in child welfare agencies, increase the education and training of child welfare workers, attract and retain qualified candidates, and coordinate services with other agencies.  The legislation strongly encourages states to make these resources available to nonprofit private providers.  The bill also creates a five-year demonstration loan forgiveness program for child welfare workers that have been employed with an agency at least two years.  The bill authorizes $10 million for 2001 for this purpose.  The bill was referred to the House Ways and Means and Education and the Workforce Committees.  (JMS)

ATTENTION PUBLIC RELATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONALS�..

The National Child Care Development Association is made up of professionals  who work in development, public relations and marketing in agencies that serve children with specialized needs. The association, first founded in 1989 through the encouragement and support of Lloyd Wagnon, who is currently working with a number of CCA members on development issues, will hold its 2002 Conference March 13^th � 15^th, 2002, in Chicago and is currently calling for papers. The particular area of focus is in the applications of public relations, marketing and development concepts or specialized supports for these functions in a child welfare setting.

For more information, contact Linda Lenzini at CCA at [email protected]., or Debbie Reed at Chaddock at [email protected]. 

SUCCESS STORIES: SHARE YOURS WITH THE MEDIA

Need assistance with media contacts, pitch letters, and other efforts to reach the media in your area? Contact CCA for assistance via phone or e-mail at [email protected] or [email protected]

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UPCOMING EVENTS/MEETINGS

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Calendar:

May 30-31 � CCA�s MEMBERSHIP AND ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING, Crowne Plaza, Spfld.

June 5 � CWAC SACWIS Advisory Committee � LCFS River Forest

June 6 � CCA�s Training Session: �What�s the Status of Your Agency�s Financial Health?� Hilton Lisle

June 13 - CCA�s Training Session: �What�s the Status of Your Agency�s Financial Health?�

           Northfield Inn, Springfield

June 18 � CCA�s Training Session: �Financial Resource Development�, Northfield Inn, Springfield

June 19 - CCA�s Training Session: �Financial Resource Development�, Hilton, Lisle

June 26-27 - Tools to Effective Leadership Summer Academy:  �A Framework for Understanding

           Poverty and Learning Structures,� Collinsville, IL. Call (618) 395-8626 for more information

June 28-29 - Tools to Effective Leadership Summer Academy:  �A Framework for Understanding

           Poverty and Learning Structures,� Marriott Chicago Oak Brook, Oak Brook, IL. Call (618) 395-

           8626 for more information.

July 11-12 - NEW PARTNERSHIPS FOR JUVENILE JUSTICE--IMPLEMENTING BALANCED AND

           RESTORATIVE JUSTICE IN ILLINOIS, Holiday Inn Matteson

July 19-20 � CCA Membership / Board Retreat, Stoney Creek Inn, East Peoria

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.