MONDAY REPORT

August 6, 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.

Click on any heading below to view article instantly:

CHILD WELFARE.. 1

SPECIALIZED FOSTER CARE. 1

STANDARDIZED PROGRAMS AND RATES IMPLEMENTATION DELAYED.. 1

DOWNSTATE PERFORMANCE BASED WORK GROUP. 2

GENERAL.. 4

NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY (NOFA) FOR THE FAMILY UNIFICATION PROGRAM (FUP) 4

CHILD CARE SUBSIDY CHANGES. 4

PHASE II DESIGN SESSIONS FOR SACWIS. 4

�LEGACY� PROMOTIONAL PREVIEW NOW AVAILABLE THROUGH CCA.. 4

MEDIA INTERVIEWS UNDER PRESSURE: SOME TIPS FOR SUCCESS. 5

TAKE YOUR AGENCY�S PR TEMPERATURE WITH THE CCA COMMUNICATIONS SURVEY.. 5

PUBLIC RELATIONS INFORMATION AND IDEA EXCHANGE. 5

NOW AVAILABLE: �HOW TO GET INTO THE NEWSPAPERS WITHOUT COMMITTING A CRIME�. 5

KNOW YOUR LOCAL PRESS. 5

UPCOMING EVENTS/MEETINGS. 6

Calendar: 6

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

CHILD WELFARE

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

SPECIALIZED FOSTER CARE

STANDARDIZED PROGRAMS AND RATES IMPLEMENTATION DELAYED

For the second year in a row, DCFS has decided to delay implementation of the proposed standardization of specialized and treatment foster care program plans and rates. The Specialized Foster Care Work Group of the Infrastructure Committee met in Joliet on Friday, August 4, expecting to confirm final details of how to transition Medicaid services within specialized and treatment foster care programs in order to transition to a full standardized system. As previously reported, the committee had been clear with DCFS that any decision on standardization must occur by September 1, in order to provide sufficient lead time for agencies to modify programs and adjust rates by January l. As you also know, contracts went out with the expectation that programs and rates would be standardized January 1.

DCFS staff reported that Director McDonald had made a decision to delay implementation of any changes to specialized and treatment programs until July l, 2002. The department is still struggling with the implications of possible elimination of Medicaid from specialized rates. Additionally, the department has received correspondence from the Foster Parent Association asking for enhanced involvement and discussion in any standardization of foster parent rates.

The work group expressed concerns to DCFS about this delay. This is now the second time a major initiative worked on by the group for an extended period of time, and requested by the department, has been delayed at the last moment by the department. Agencies have delayed program decisions, strategic planning decisions and budgeting decisions due to the anticipated standardization. This will cause another period of delay in such planning and decision-making.  A full report of the work group�s recommendations will be provided at next week�s CWAC, but the committee determined they will not be meeting to work on these issues again until the department proposes some clearer work product expectations and commitments to move forward. The department must make a decision on Medicaid to move forward with any changes related to standardization. The 2 proposed directions are: 1) Elimination of all Medicaid from all foster care programs, or 2) Segregation of Medicaid to fund Treatment programs requiring all treatment providers to become Medicaid certified, while the Medicaid funds would be phased out of Specialized care.

What we must resolve within the next week is the calculation of rates for specialized and treatment. We will follow up with DCFS financial staff to assure this process is done expediently, and agencies are duly notified of new rates effective July l.  We will continue to keep you posted on these developments. (MB)

DOWNSTATE PERFORMANCE BASED WORK GROUP

The Downstate Performance Based Work Group met in Springfield on July 31. Summary of recent discussions related to changes in Specialized Foster Care was provided for the group. (See previous Monday Reports for full reports. Also see Specialized Foster Care report in this week�s Monday Report for the most updated developments.)

Progress of the referral rotation system was reviewed. Agencies agreed with DCFS staff that is important to gather some data to demonstrate the impact of the rotation system. A spread sheet system will be developed by the DCFS q/a department to list the cases opened since 2/1/01, with school and placement information. Agencies can review data for changes and receive the form via e-mail. Intake has been low generally, so in some sub-regions, it is difficult to assess the progress or identify problems. Generally, it appears to be working to achieve what it was designed to do: bring some equity to the referral system.  Other problems identified with the rotation:

1)     Once a child�s case is listed to the assigned agency, it takes a long time for changes on the data system. If the case goes out of the agency for any reason shortly after assignment, the case remains listed as belonging to the agency on the DCFS data system. The agency then appears as responsible for the case, and is also not eligible for a replacement case as long as it appears on the system.

2)     Case problems that come up are not resolved or rectified when the agency identifies them. They receive a response from DCFS that the case has been assigned to the agency, and agency signed the contract, so it is the agency�s problem to solve.

DCFS staff suggested that the first line of defense in resolving such problems is the APT supervisor. Agencies should be expecting help from APT. When this is not forthcoming, they can contact Jeff Buhrmann for further advice.

Reunification services in the new contract were discussed. DCFS staff presented a combined document on reunification services that integrates the procedures addressed in previous meetings. The intent is to use this as codification of the procedures for downstate contracts, since the language in the contract is somewhat vague. A concern addressed by DCFS legal counsel is the impression that agencies are advocating with judges for cases to remain open for long periods of time after the initial 6 months. For this reason, DCFS will be asking for rationale from the agency when they recommend a case remain open after the initial 6-month period. Agencies will submit to APT 30 days before the court date: CERAP, proposed plan for next 6 months, copy of report to the court. If an agency actually recommends case closure but the court orders the case to remain open, agency should submit a copy of their court report and a copy of the court order mandating keeping the case open. Agencies expressed concern about the perception that they have such influence over judges and that they are trying to keep cases open longer than necessary. However, since the required reports are necessary anyway, there was no real concern about submitting them to APT. The intent of APT will not be to second-guess the agency, but to confirm the agency�s decisions. The goal of the system is to collect 6 months of information on this issue to present to DCFS, to determine if the perception is incorrect.

The group reviewed a reunification tracking form that was agreed to in the final procedures. The form is very brief and tracks cases beginning July l. The group agreed it was reasonable to submit in order to address the DCFS concerns about the use of reunification services. Once the modifications suggested by the group are made to the form it will go out to all agencies. For agencies with statewide contracts and multiple sites, they will do one form only. It will be up to DCFS regions to work together to gather the information they need. Agencies that want this form on spreadsheet form in Excel can e-mail their request to [email protected].

Permanency reconciliation for FY�01 is in process. DCFS is getting the preliminary information from Chapin Hall and should have reconciliation materials to agencies by mid-August. With prompt turnaround by agencies, the final reconciliation should be completed by September 30. The final results will drive the percent of starting caseload number needed to figure this fiscal year�s referral rotation system, as well as the calculation of any bonus payments.

DCFS staff reported on the need for collecting performance statistics on agencies for a profile-type format. This will be similar to the agency statistical reports. Representative from the QA unit will discuss these ideas at the next meeting in more detail.

The September 30 goal of One Worker/One Family is imminent for downstate cases. A draft protocol was distributed for review. Agencies are encouraged to work together to determine the best worker/agency assignment for cases that are currently split. If the agencies cannot make the decision, APT will render a decision. If there is any dispute from the agencies involved, a request for resolution will go to Mike Shaver or Jeff Buhrmann.  A copy of the suggested protocol can be obtained by calling the CCAI Springfield office. The next meeting of the Downstate group is scheduled for September 25. (MB)

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

GENERAL

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

NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY (NOFA) FOR THE FAMILY UNIFICATION PROGRAM (FUP)

The U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has published the latest Notice of Funding Availability for the Family Unification Program.  In addition to families, youth exiting foster care are now eligible to receive housing assistance under this program.  Last year Congress amended FUP to allow youth ages 18-21, who left care at age of 16 or older to receive housing choice vouchers through FUP.

The new NOFA provides just over $11 million, for approximately 2,000 housing choice vouchers (formerly called Section 8 vouchers).  Public housing authorities and their child welfare agency partners must apply for this funding by August 10, 2001.

For instructions on how to apply for this funding, a copy of the NOFA (which can also be downloaded from www.hudclips.org), and a sample Memorandum of Understanding, please call the CCA office and we will fax you a copy.  For additional information contact HUD Housing Program Specialist, George Hendrickson, at 202.708.1872 ext. 4064 or CWLA Program Coordinator, Ruth White at 202.662.4282 or [email protected].  (SKA)

CHILD CARE SUBSIDY CHANGES

The Illinois Department of Human Services recently proposed subsidy changes that not only would raise costs for working moms and dads, but could prompt many to pull their children out of care and into less safe, latchkey conditions.  People can contact the Illinois Department of Human Services until August 20, 2001 with your comments on the temporary rule.  Some of the changes that are proposed are: for several years, IDHS has charged families one-half of its full-time co-payment fee when their children receive subsidized care for less than 25 hours a week.  Under the new rule, DHS is proposing eliminating that practice, in effect doubling the amount that parents must pay for part-time care of their kids.  This change would affect at least 10,000 children, most of them school-aged.  You can receive a copy of the rules and procedures by contacting Susan Weir with the IDHS Bureau for Rule and Procedures.  Her FAX number is 217-557-1547 or write to her at 100 South Grand Ave. East, Springfield, Ill.  62762.  (JMS) 

PHASE II DESIGN SESSIONS FOR SACWIS

Beginning this week (August 7^th), the design sessions for Phase II of SACWIS will begin.  Orientation sessions were held the last several weeks of July for those people identified to attend the design sessions both for DCFS and the POS.  The areas of design that will be developed include: case assignment, case management, financial, ACR, court processing, health, resource/licensing, archive, eligibility and administration and performance.   (JMS)

�LEGACY� PROMOTIONAL PREVIEW NOW AVAILABLE THROUGH CCA

One of the luncheon sessions of 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 a promotional video from CCA 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 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