MONDAY REPORT

July 30, 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.

======================================================================CHILD WELFARE

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

FOSTER CARE RECONCILIATION TRAINING

DCFS is offering a make-up training for any agency that was unable to attend the reconciliation trainings that were offered on July 17^th and July 19th.  This training is designed to go over the process that will be used to reconcile performance in FY02 spec and treatment contracts.  Agencies/regions that are already aware of this process through their HMR/Traditional contracts do not need to attend.  However, any agency that has not had to reconcile in previous Fiscal Years should attend the training.

The make-up training will be held on August 7 from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.  The training will be held at 100 W. Randolph 6th Floor in Room 275.  Agencies/regions do not need to register in advance; they can just show up at the training.  Questions about this training should be directed to Wendy Kalina (312-814-6867).

FOSTER CARE CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

Agencies with Foster Care Contracts that seek Post-Permanency funding for that component of their programs must submit Post-Permanency plans to the attention of Melissa Ludington at DCFS prior to August 30th in order to receive full funding. . The previous deadline was August 1. However, only 1/4 of eligible agencies had submitted their plans of July 30. We encourage all executives to check on the status of this program component with foster care directors to assure all funds are received.  (MB)

RATE METHODOLOGY

We need to clarify last week�s report. We reported in deliberations of the CWAC Finance and Administration Committee on the rate methodology. As directed by the Bureau of the Budget, DCFS will run the rate methodology using no inflation factor for FY�02.  This decision was solidified following the Finance and Administration committee. The department will not wait until the full CWAC in August, so that the rates can be calculated and get out to agencies.  Agencies can expect notification of new rates on those programs subject to rate methodology calculations.

There are some programs in this scenario that will experience a rate decrease.  We would like to hear from you if you have a program that would normally have received an increase or stayed at the same rate under the previous methodology formula, but now will decrease because of the �no FY�02 inflation� factor.  However, it is important to separate those programs that would have experienced a decrease under the previous formula because of cost decreases. Please e-mail the following information to Marge Berglind at [email protected]:

Agency Name

Program Name

FY�01 Rate

Projected �02 Rate @ Regular Methodology

Actual �02 Rate @ New Methodology

HOMEMAKER SERVICE RATE REVIEW UNDERWAY

DCFS and private sector representatives are negotiating to bring costs and reimbursement in line in the homemaker programs.  Current efforts underway include an in-depth analysis of costs for all homemaker contractors, development of clear definitions of homemaker services, and the development of priorities for service in the event utilization levels drop to support rate increases.  The deadline for these analyses is September 14, 2001 (BRH).

�COST OF DOING BUSINESS� COALITION DEVELOPS

Fourteen representatives of human services associations met this week to consider development of a coalition with common strategies for both short- and long-term resolution of the erosion in State reimbursement for contracted human services.  There was consensus that this issue should be addressed both in the fall veto session of the General Assembly and with continued negotiations for improvement in �foundation level� funding (BRH).

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

GENERAL

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

JUVENILE JUSTICE INITIATIVE

The Juvenile Justice Initiative held a meeting on Friday, July 27, 2001 at the University of Illinois Campus in Springfield.  The purpose of the meeting was to provide a summary of activities related to the Juvenile Justice initiative in Illinois.  The agenda included a review of activities and statistics within the Juvenile Corrections system, review of the detention system and alternatives, federal legislation, school alternative legislation, and the state budget impact on juvenile justice programs.  One of the big issues raised by the Dept. of Corrections is the use of correctional facilities to do court ordered evaluations even though the individuals are not candidates for DOC; however, there are no alternatives available.

The federal legislation that was reported included HR 1900, S 1165 and S 1174.  The spokesman person for the ACLU that discussed the legislation indicated that they were supportive of S 1174 but did not support the other bills. HR 1900 actually weakened the separation of site and sound for juveniles, contained a parental consent requirement, allowed for boot camps and had no funding for the juvenile justice block grant.  S 1165 also weakened the separation of site and sound.  In addition, state legislation that passed included HB 1096, the Alternative Learning Opportunities Act.  The purpose of the bill is to strengthen the educational quality of alternative education programs so that all students can meet the Illinois Learning Standards.

Some of the state efforts related to youth and delinquency prevention were also presented by the Dept. of Human Services.  In order to continue to receive federal juvenile justice funding the state must be in compliance with four core requirements or funding from the state�s formula can be withheld.  The core requirements are: 1.) Deinstitutionalization of status offenders; 2.) Disproportionate minority confinement; 3.) Sight and sound separation; and 4.) Jail removal.  The one area that the state has been in non-compliance for 1999 and 2000 is the deinstitionalization of status offenders.  If the state continues to be out of compliance in this area, then funding used for other areas of the core requirements would need to be redirected to the status offender compliance requirement.  (JMS)

ILLINOIS JUVENILE DETENTION ALTERNATIVES INITIATIVE

The Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission and the Illinois Department of Human Services are integral partners in the Illinois Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative.  This initiative seeks to facilitate systemic detention reform, including eliminating the inappropriate detention of status offenders.  The JDAI partners are exploring ways to encourage, develop, and fund a comprehensive range of alternative services necessary to identify and address the complex issues which give rise to both status offenses and other juvenile offenses.  Response to an RFP for these services must originate with probation and court services; however, collaboration with local providers is critical.  Currently funded sites are located in DuPage County, Franklin/Hamilton/Jefferson Counties, Kankakee County, Lake County, LaSalle County, Lee County and Winnebago Counties.

In addition to JDAI there is the possibility of funding under the Delinquency Intervention (Formula) Funds.  Funding for this program depends on the state�s compliance with the four core requirements discussed in a previous article.  The target population for these funds would be: youth 10 to 17 years old and youth who have been adjudicated delinquent.  Applicants for these funds can be either units of local government or community-based not-for-profit agencies.  The proposed service provider must have previous, demonstrable experience serving delinquent youth and the application must be submitted in cooperation with the Circuit Court.  (JMS)

�LEGACY� NOW AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW THROUGH CCA

One of last week�s lunch sessions at the CWLA Kinship Care Conference in Chicago featured the screening of a documentary entitled �Legacy of Community Action�. The 90-minute documentary, funded jointly by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the Macarthur Foundation, the Kellogg Foundation and HBO, tells the story of a multigenerational family who overcomes poverty, welfare, drug addiction and family tragedy to transcend to success.  The film would be a great starter for discussion on collaboration and an excellent training film on the range of challenges social service agencies and workers face when working with clients. Contact Linda Lenzini at CCA to borrow the CCA copy for review, or learn more at the documentary�s website at http://www.legacymovie.com. The site includes an overview and narrative, information on the funding sources and a contact for ordering a free copy of the video for your agency�s collection. (LLL)

MEDIA INTERVIEWS UNDER PRESSURE: SOME TIPS FOR SUCCESS

�Media Interviews Under Pressure: Some Tips for Success� has been prepared by the CCA Communications office for member use. To obtain your copy, contact Linda Lenzini, Director of Marketing and Communications at CCA at [email protected]. Please specify whether you prefer a MSWord attachment, imbedded email, or hard copy of the information.

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 your request to [email protected], or visit the home page of the CCA website at http://www.cca-il.org.

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.

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

UPCOMING EVENTS/MEETINGS

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

Calendar:

August 14 � CWAC SACWIS Advisory Committee - LSSI

Aug. 23-24 - Uhlich Children's Home presents "Building Skills for a Brighter Future"-- For further information please contact: Dee Ann Flynn at (773) 588-0180, X1275 or via email at [email protected]

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