MONDAY REPORT

June 18, 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.

=============================================================================

GENERAL

=============================================================================

HEALTHY FAMILIES POLICY AND ADVOCACY COMMITTEE

The Healthy Families Policy and Advocacy Committee met through conference call and at Voices for Illinois Children on June 14^th.  The agenda items for the meeting included a review of the legislative session, how to gather information from HFI agencies on system and policy barriers, and planning for a fall meeting for Executive Directors of HFI agencies.  The Healthy Families program did receive an increase of $1,000,000 with the passage of the FY 2002 budget.  There was also an increase of $2 million to the Great Start program that provides salary stipends to qualified early childhood professionals.  The prenatal performance project received an increase of $500,000 and the Governor has created a Task Force on Universal Access to Pre-School.  The Early Intervention program received a doubled amount in state funds.  In addition legislation was passed in conjunction with the Early Intervention funding (SB461) that would help address some of the cost concerns for the program.   A sliding fee schedule will be created for Early Intervention services.   Private insurance will be available to pay for early intervention services.  A request for a Medicaid waiver will be submitted to cover additional eligible categories.  Illinois has not done a very good job in claiming Medicaid in the past for these services but increased that by $13 million this year.  One of the reasons that the program ran into financial problems this fiscal year is that the budget had a projected caseload of 8,000 that ended up closer to 13,000.  Carolyn Kopel, originally Chief of Staff with DCFS, will be in charge of the Early Intervention Bureau and addressing the problems with the program.

The Committee further discussed what the strategy should be regarding funding increases for Healthy Families next year and how the $1 million increase for this fiscal should be distributed.  Due to the projected conservativeness of the budget for next year, it was noted that increase requests for next year should probably be smaller than the $3 million requested for FY 03.  For FY 02, it was reported that there would be no RFP process underway before July related to the $1 million increase that was received for the program this year.  The question was raised how the $1 million should be used?  Possible areas of consideration that were raised if an RFP process is not used should be: 1.) Address staff retention issues; 2.) Analyze a CODB for Healthy Families programs; 3.) Provide support for current programs; and 4.) Develop core training to be done in Spanish.  These suggestions would be presented to the HFI Executive Committee for review.

Other activities included discussions around hosting an event in Chicago and downstate with executive directors and board members of larger agencies that have HFI sites to educate them about HFI, generate their interest in advocacy activities at the state and local level, etc.  The Committee is looking at identifying a key speaker such as IDHS Secretary Baker.  It was agreed that the fall would be the best time to host this type of an event.  A planning committee that will include executive directors will meet through a conference call in July or August to begin identifying an agenda that would appeal to executive directors.  The next meeting of the HFI Policy and Advocacy Committee will be August 23, 2001.

FEDERAL CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM REVIEWS

Delaware was the first state officially subjected to a new review process � designed to be more in tune with meaningful outcomes for children.  Administration on Children and Families was suppose to issue a final report in April 2001.  Much of the prep work for the review fell on the caseworkers that had to set up interviews with stakeholders.  Interviews were to be set up with five principle stakeholders � the child, biological parents, foster parents, caseworker and service provider.   Many stakeholders were hard to track down, especially for closed cases.  The only surprise mentioned by the state officials was the federal officials� expectation that the state caseworkers know as much about the medical and dental care of children in still intact families as they would about foster children.  But only in certain cases was medical information this complete for children still at home.  Next states to be done were North Carolina and Vermont.

(JMS)

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

CCA member agency Ada S. McKinley of Chicago received highly positive front-page coverage in the Chicago Tribune�s Sunday, June 17^th edition. The article, entitled �Dad becomes father- and he earns title� chronicles a father�s efforts to obtain custody of his daughter after she is removed from her drug-addicted mother�s home. The Ada McKinley foster care group worked with reporter Dawn Turner Trice to develop the story, which was also featured in the agency�s most recent annual report.  (LL)

TRIBUTE TO RON MOORMAN

Tributes to Ron Moorman�s long career of child advocacy in Illinois can be found on both the CCA website at http://www.cca-il.org and the DCFS website at http://www.state.il.us/dcfs. Take a moment to check them out! (LL)

PUBLIC RELATIONS INFORMATION AND IDEA EXCHANGE

CCA offers an e-mail advisory list for public relations professionals and other personnel within member agencies that function in a public relations capacity. The Association will also be offering additional opportunities to exchange information and ideas and share your successes and challenges. To join your colleagues at CCA in these efforts, please e-mail Linda Lenzini at the Child Care Association at [email protected], or call the CCA offices at 217-528-4409.

NOW AVAILABLE: �HOW TO GET INTO THE NEWSPAPERS WITHOUT COMMITTING A CRIME� This handbook, prepared by the Illinois Press Association, is available to CCA member agencies upon request through a permission to reprint agreement with the Press Association. The handbook is ideal not only for communications professionals, but for educating staff, Boards of Directors, and volunteers. To obtain your copy, contact Linda Lenzini at CCA at [email protected] or by calling 217-528-4409.

KNOW YOUR LOCAL PRESS

Names, titles, and contact phone numbers of your agency�s local media outlets are available for the asking from CCA. Contact Linda Lenzini at the Child Care Association at [email protected], or call the CCA offices at 216-528-4409.

PUBLIC RELATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONALS: CALL FOR PAPERS OPPORTUNITY

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 at 217-528-4409 or e-mail Linda Lenzini at  [email protected]

COMING SOON: COMMUNICATIONS/PR LINKS ON THE CCA WEBSITE

Watch next week for next links of interest to communications professionals. If you have a particular site, please send the URL to [email protected].

TAKE YOUR AGENCY�S PR TEMPERATURE WITH THE CCA COMMUNICATIONS SURVEY

CCA has a number of services available for public relations professionals, and is currently analyzing membership needs and interest in the area of public relations. Take advantage of this opportunity to contribute ideas by filling out the CCA Public Relations Survey. You can request this survey by e-mailing [email protected], and receiving your choice of an e-mail attachment or fax copy. The first three participants to obtain and return their survey prior to July 1 will receive a CCA coffee mug filled with chocolates for their effort.

SACWIS Technical Question and Answer Session

The meeting to discuss SACWIS technical questions between DCFS representatives and the POS agencies was very positive.  Many of the concerns that were brought about were mainly with the certification process and they included previous issues brought up in the first meeting that was held April 19^th.  New key concerns included:

�       What if the agency is not renewing their lease in a building and will not have the equipment in a new facility in time for the certification inspection?

�       Can a percentage of computers be used to certify an agency up and running verses inspecting every computer on the plan?

�       If the computers being inspected was bought in 2001, then the three-year service contract required in the equipment specs will be dwindled down to two years by the time certification occurs.

�       Can the 11X17 paper requirement for the printers be waived?  It would save hundreds of dollars.

A both summaries of the Technical Q&A meetings are available at the CCA website located at

cca-il.org. Click the library web site and you will see a SACWIS web page connection.

==============================================================================

UPCOMING EVENTS/MEETINGS

==============================================================================

RON MOORMAN CELEBRATORY RETIREMENT DINNER

Time is running out to make reservations for the gala Retirement dinner for Ron Moorman, June 28 in Naperville. MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS TODAY!!! For �out of towners,� hotel reservations must be made by June 15 to obtain the CCA rate. Call the Holiday Inn Select directly at 630-505-4900. If you need information on the event, call the CCA Springfield office and we will be happy to fax you the information. (MB)

CEO AND BOARD RETREAT

Executive Directors are asked to save the date of July 19 for a special retreat with the CCAI board at Stoney Creek Inn in Peoria. This will be an opportunity to exchange views on the future directions of CCAI, brainstorm on the current critical challenges facing member agencies and the association and arrive at some mutual agreement on our work plans for the year ahead. Board members will meet the following day on July 20 to discuss and develop the board work plan in relation to the challenges outlined on July 19. Watch the mail for registration information.  If you need to make an overnight reservation, please call Stoney Creek Inn at 309.694-1300.  Tell them you are attending the Child Care Association meeting to get the CCA rate of $72.00.  Please make your reservation by June 27^th.  (MB)

JUVENILE JUSTICE CONFERENCE

Save the dates of July 11 and 12 for the CCA co-sponsored conference on Juvenile Justice, �New Partnerships for Juvenile Justice-Implementing Balanced and Restorative Justice in Illinois,� at the Holiday Inn Matteson.

The conference will include a plenary session by national expert, Dennis Maloney on National Perspectives and Challenges for Illinois, presentation on developing a comprehensive juvenile justice policy from Cook County State�s Attorney�s representatives and a number of workshops highlighting current innovative programs using the balanced and restorative justice principles. In the works are commitments from other national presenters on federal funding streams and new initiatives. There will also be a panel exchange on development across disciplines of future policy initiatives. This conference will provide a unique opportunity for CCA members to network with key players in the legal system and policy community as we move towards intensifying our interests and advocacy around juvenile justice concerns. Watch the Monday Report for further details. Program registration information should arrive at agencies by mid-June. (MB)

UHLICH CHILDREN'S HOME PRESENTS "BUILDING SKILLS FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE" AUGUST 23-24

The Teen Parenting Service Network of Uhlich Children's Home presents "Building Skills for a Brighter Future" a two-day conference dedicated to enhancing professional skills to meet the needs of pregnant and parenting teens. The conference will be held at the Lodge-Hyatt at McDonalds University Campus, Oakbrook, IL.

A few featured workshops include: Challenges in supervision, Child Support Enforcement, Compassion Fatigue, Engaging Unwed Fathers, and many more.  For further information please contact: Dee Ann Flynn at (773) 588-0180, X1275 or via email at [email protected]  (SKA)

Calendar:

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

June 26 � DD Contracts Committee - Springfield

June 28 � Ron Moorman�s Retirement Dinner Celebration, 6:00 p.m., Holiday Inn Select, Naperville

July 10 � CWAC SACWIS Advisory Committee - Springfield

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.

Aug. 27-28 - THERAPEUTIC CRISIS INTERVENTION UPDATE TRAINING�Cunningham Children�s Home, Urbana

[Home] [Gen. Info] [Membership] [Members Only] [Library]
[Training] [Jobs] [Links] [Search] [Members Search]

Copyright � 1997-2000 Child Care Association of Illinois. All rights reserved.