MONDAY REPORT
August 13, 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.
Table of Contents:
CCAI
TO CO-SPONSOR OPEN MINDS STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE
COOK
COUNTY AGENCIES MEETING WITH JUDGE BISHOP
CHILD
WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT
COOK
PERFORMANCE CONTRACTS RECONCILIATION PROCESS
MENTAL
HEALTH and DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
NEW
�911� REGULATIONS FOR FACILITIES FROM ILLINOIS COMMERCE COMMISSION
�LEGACY�
PROMOTIONAL PREVIEW NOW AVAILABLE THROUGH CCA
MEDIA
INTERVIEWS UNDER PRESSURE: SOME TIPS FOR SUCCESS
TAKE
YOUR AGENCY�S PR TEMPERATURE WITH THE CCA COMMUNICATIONS SURVEY
PUBLIC
RELATIONS INFORMATION AND IDEA EXCHANGE
NOW
AVAILABLE: �HOW TO GET INTO THE NEWSPAPERS WITHOUT COMMITTING A CRIME�
======================================================================
======================================================================
CCAI TO CO-SPONSOR OPEN MINDS STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE
CCAI is pleased to co-sponsor the upcoming Open
Minds Strategic Management Institute, scheduled for September 20 and 21 at
the O�Hare Hyatt. The conference
will include a keynote address by Monica Oss on Behavioral Health and Social
Service Industry Trends and Characteristics of Successful Organizations in a
Changing Market Environment. Joseph Naughton-Travers will give a keynote on
�Re-engineering Your Organization.� Workshop sessions will focus on Strategic Performance,
Professional Compensation Planning, Performance Based Compensation, Recruiting
and Retaining Staff, Managing for Performance, and Quantifying Performance. CCAI
members are entitled to a 40% discounted registration fee of $475 for the
institute. The institute agenda can be viewed on the Open Minds Website at http://www.openminds.com.
Watch our web site and your mail for further details and registration materials
to qualify for the CCAI member discount. (MB)
COOK COUNTY AGENCIES MEETING WITH JUDGE BISHOP
The next meeting of Cook agencies with Judge
Patricia Martin Bishop is scheduled for Thursday, August 23, 2001 from 10:00
a.m.-Noon, at the Juvenile Court Auditorium. We have not had a meeting with the
judge for 3 months, so it will be important for all Cook area agencies to assure
executive level staff attend. (MB)
CHILD WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT
The Child Welfare Advisory Committee (CWAC)
met in Chicago on August 10. Issues generating from committee reports were:
FAS:
(See full report in the July 23 Monday Report.)
Rate
Methodology: The group discussed the BOB�s decision to implement the
methodology with a zero inflation factor. Fifty-four programs will lose rate
without the inflation factor. If the regular methodology factors had been
applied, 29 programs would have received a decreased rate. There will be more
difficulties ahead in the next year, with an election looming. Financial
decisions relating to program funding may be driven more by political factors
over the next year. We remind our agencies that receive a rate decrease due
to the zero inflation factor to report this to Marge Berglind at CCAI.
Sibling
Visit Penalties: As reported previously, the department has proposed
financial penalties on cases that do not comply with minimum sibling visit
requirements per the Aristotle consent decree. DCFS reported the pressure they
are under from the Cook Public Guardian�s office to bring immediate
improvement to the poor performance rate of both POS and DCFS cases. The group
addressed some of the reasons for the apparent non-compliance: lack of
sufficient resources to assure visits are done and problems in getting reports
from caregivers who supervise visits. After lengthy discussion, DCFS agreed to
consider a potential alternative suggestion to allow financial sanctions to be
phased in later, if needed. However, any system would have to the meet the
guardian�s approval. Marge Berglind and Arlene Happach will work with DCFS to
propose an alternative system. We caution agencies that according to review of the data, a
number of cases are out of compliance with sibling visitation requirements. We
urge executive staff to meet with their program staff immediately, begin a
review of cases, assess their own agency�s compliance level and develop an
immediate corrective action plan.
Homemaker
Rates: A small provider group is working with DCFS to review potential
changes to homemaker rates. The group will better define the service components
of homemaker and look at a cost analysis. Director McDonald urged the group to
be careful of the terminology used in any recommendations regarding increased
rates, so as not to be identical with homemaker services in other state
departments.
FOSTER
CARE INFRASTRUCTURE: The group discussed Director McDonald�s recent
decision to delay implementation of standardized programs and rates. Providers
have been asked to delay rate appeals and enhancements and have delayed
strategic program, staffing and budget decisions in anticipation of a
standardized system. Director McDonald responded that he did not feel the
department was ready to move ahead, primarily due to the Medicaid decisions.
DCFS cannot give up on Medicaid funding in this area.
SED:
(See full report elsewhere is this Monday Report.) The group discussed the
continuing problems of referral flows for ILO programs. Director McDonald agreed
to discuss issues in detail with Department staff within the next week. However,
he expressed his opinion that older children in residential care are not
receiving proper discharge planning services from their providers or workers.
DCFS will also be seeking a fourth IV-E waiver from DHHS in the near future
pertaining to critical issues in working with the SED population.
FRONT-END:
This committee has not met. Ed Cotton shared a draft screening tool for DCP
worker use to assist in identifying mental illness, substance abuse, domestic
violence and cognitive developmental disabilities.
DCFS presented several important
developments:
FEDERAL AUDIT PREPARATION:
Roy Miller stressed the importance of documentation of reasonable efforts to
substantiate federal claiming during the imminent federal case audit. The legal
determination for reasonable efforts is established with a copy of the court
orders. Letters will go out to caseworkers for every case in care asking workers
to assure this documentation is in the file or is obtained from the court file.
For older cases, when no such documentation exists, agencies should ask APT or
DCFS legal to assist in searching other possible record sources.
DHHS
DECISION PERTAINING TO UNLICENSED CARE: DCFS received notification from
DHHS recently that they will no longer allow states to claim federal
reimbursement for children in unlicensed facilities. If this interpretation is
implemented, DCFS faces a $50 million loss of federal funds that support the HMR
program in Illinois. This will have a severe impact on agencies that carry cases
in unlicensed homes. The Department is beginning an internal work group to look
at how the number of unlicensed homes can be substantially increased. Such ideas
include change of training hours. DCFS
maintains that when questioned, many relatives state that no one at the agency
has ever approached them regarding licensure. The CWAC group questioned that
data and suggested that the work group needs to identify resources needed to
assist some families in obtaining licensure. Director McDonald is working with
directors of departments in other states and counties to address this decision
with DHHS. He will also be sending a letter to agencies in the near future on
the issue of possible implications and the need to gear up for more licensed
homes. We urge all executive staff to review their unlicensed
homes with staff now to identify why those homes are unlicensed, prepare a list
of resource needs or of significant issues preventing licensure, and assist
workers in licensing any homes with immediate potential.
FEDERAL AUDIT PREPARATION:
Roy Miller stressed the importance of documentation of reasonable efforts to
substantiate federal claiming during the imminent federal case audit. The legal
determination for reasonable efforts is established with a copy of the court
orders. Letters will go out to caseworkers for every case in care asking workers
to assure this documentation is in the file or is obtained from the court file.
For older cases, when no such documentation exists, agencies should ask APT or
DCFS legal to assist in searching other possible record sources.
IV-E TRAINING WAIVER: DCFS
received official notification last week that the waiver seeking enhanced
claiming of federal funds for enhanced training of private and public agency
staff was approved. This will allow DCFS to claim reimbursement for the cost of
private agency staff and the cost of private agencies in claiming. The waiver is
a demonstration project so will involve a small group of participants in an
extended training, as well as a control group. The use of federal funds must be
shown to be cost neutral. DCFS projects that over a 3 year period the system
will see a significant increase in the number of children going to permanency
earlier from the highly trained workers. The
cost neutrality will come from the cost savings of more children with shorter
lengths of stay. If the demonstration finds that there is no difference in
performance, there will be financial consequences for DCFS. Content and delivery
of the training must still be developed, as well as a selection process for both
the demonstration and cost neutrality groups. Agencies will need to meet certain
performance criteria for eligibility. The groups will be selected from Cook and
collar counties. The cost of the enhanced training will be covered by DCFS and
there will be some reimbursement mechanism for staff time. A Training Waiver
Advisory Group will be formed to work with the department on implementation of
this project. (MB)
The CWAC SED Committee met in Chicago on
August 9, 2001. Items discussed are as follows:
 | Unusual
Incident Reports: Expected
implementation date for new procedures was to be September 1. However, the
process for designating children and obtaining waivers for high-end children
is not yet ready. This means the full procedures cannot be implemented until
the waiver process is completed and communicated to all agencies. The work
group will work diligently with DCFS staff to bring waiver procedures into
place in time for the September 1 date. If they are not ready, there will
need to be some discussion with DCFS about delaying implementation of the
new procedures until the waiver process is in place. Agencies should be
determining which children in their program will need a waiver so they are
quickly prepared for submitting waiver requests once the procedure is in
place. |
| Rule
384 Status: Rule 384 was
published on first notice to JCAR. Based on comments from the Inspector
General, there may be some amendments to Rule 384 before second notice.
These amendments will be reviewed by the SED work group prior to going to
JCAR. If there is anything problematic, we will alert CCAI members and
provide instructions for response. We encourage agencies to review the draft
384 (go to the DCFS web site for a full edition) and to pay particular
attention to the revisions for the Agency Behavior Management Plan and the
Human Rights Committee requirements. We know there is still some
misinformation about these components. The current rules notice represents
the efforts of the private sector to work with DCFS on a workable version of
the rule. |
| Independent
Living: Regional ILO meetings
have identified that chronic concerns about the DCFS ILO system remain: the
cumbersome referral and approval process is still bottlenecking referrals. A
number of ILO programs are at high vacancy rates and it is unknown whether
this is due to a shrinking general caseload and the ripple effect of fewer
children in care, or due to the approval process. Providers also report
concerns on an increasing number of referrals from residential programs of
20 years olds who will soon be aged-out of DCFS. This represents broader
concerns about service and discharge planning for older kids in care. More
training is also needed on the new ILO referral procedures. These
recommendations will go the full CWAC for discussion. (See CWAC Report in
this edition of The Monday Report.) |
| Medicaid
Committee: The Medicaid
Committee will be reactivated to grapple with a number of programmatic
impacts relating to Medicaid financing of programs. The DCFS co-chair will
be Stephanie Hainko. Private sector co-chair is Mike Oliver. |
| Training
for Residential Care Staff:
The work group presented the overall content format for the proposed
training for residential staff. Seven modules will cover: Behavior
Management, Therapeutic Milieu, Common Mental Health Diagnosis,
Developmentally Disabled Population, Child and Adolescent Development, Risk
Assessment and Managing Transition. Two Work Groups are formed to suggest
recommendations for competencies, and facilitate development of the modules.
These are Content Group and Delivery
Group. Additional members who are knowledgeable on the 7 core
areas, experienced in residential and able to commit time to helping the
work groups are needed. Contact one of the co-facilitators: Jennifer
O�Brien (312-328-2840 or JO�[email protected]), Vaudery Frelix
(312-996-5686 or [email protected])
or DD Fisher (217-656-3000 or DD@ rnet.) |
| Standards
and Outcomes: The proposed
standards/outcomes developed by the group have been approved by DCFS. A
web-based module will allow agencies to enter and send information to
Northwestern electronically. Training
on these will occur throughout the state during October. Implementation
schedule is as follows: |
1st 6
Months: Collect Data to review for identifying implementation problems, ironing
out kinks, etc. This data will ultimately be discarded after review.
2nd 6
Months: Collect Data. Use this to set benchmarks for agency performance.
12th
Month: Collected Data will be used to measure agency performance.
| Transition
Planning for DD Populations:
Candice Keller from DCFS shared the need for diligent and assertive planning
with DD populations within DCFS. A draft manual, �Transition Manual for
Individuals with DD,� was distributed to SED members for review and
comment. CCAI members interested in reviewing this manual should contact
Candice Keller at 217-557-5383. |
| Blueprint
for Future Behavioral Health Care Services:
Velma Williams of DCFS� Clinical Division shared the current plans of DCFS
for improving behavioral health services for wards. Guiding principles are:
1) treatment paths that are connected to and drive services, 2) universal
access and usage for DCFS Children and Families, 3) effectively coordinated
and integrated resources, and 4) array of quality assessment and treatment
services. An expansion of the behavioral health services will involve core
functions of screening, assessment, individual treatment planning,
consultation, referral, linkage to resources, determination of placement
needs and monitoring. The current structure involves a behavioral team
consisting of an LCSW, psychologist, and nurse and specialty providers
performing screens on all new cases, setting into place a treatment plan and
reviewing progress of the plan at 6-month intervals. The system is ready for
piloting in the fall. There are still a number of issues to work out, and
there is recognition from DCFS that there should be integration with
existing assessment and review processes. The next SED meeting is scheduled
for October ll. (MB) |
COOK PERFORMANCE CONTRACTS RECONCILIATION
PROCESS
DCFS staff have asked us to share with you
that Cook Performance Reconciliation materials for FY�01 4th Quarter were
mailed to agencies on August 6. Additions/deletions are due back to DCFS by end
of business day on August 22. Questions on the process can be directed to Kara
Teeple at 312-814-6805. (MB)
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MENTAL HEALTH and DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
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DHS
RULE FOR EARLY START
The Department of Human Services has
withdrawn a rulemaking titled �Early Start� (Adm Code 502) that was proposed
in the 2/16/01 of the Illinois Register. This new part was designed to provide a statewide service
delivery system for children who have mild or moderate developmental delays,
under a separate program. DHS has
chosen to continue serving these children under the program serving those with
more pronounced developmental delays. DHS
adopted new rules for that purpose titled �Early Intervention Program� (89
ILL Adm Code 500) in the 7/6/01 Illinois Register.
Questions/requests for copies can be directed to Susan Weir, DHS, 100 S.
Grand Ave. E., 3rd Fl., Springfield, IL 62762, 217/785-9772. (JMS)
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DCFS has confirmed the following locations
for the upcoming Foundation Training Sessions. We stress to members that it is
important for your training coordinator or lead staff to be in touch with DCFS
directly to obtain the most current update of available dates and locations.
All of the Chicago sites are at IITRI (35th
& State). There are three
Downstate sites confirmed.
Central Region
7/23 - 8/27
ISU
Southern Region
8/20 - 9/14
Seasons at Rend Lake
Northern Region
8/06 - 8/31
Comfort Suites (Aurora)
NEW �911� REGULATIONS FOR FACILITIES FROM ILLINOIS COMMERCE COMMISSION
Facilities with 40,000 or more square feet of
floor space that use a PBX or Centrex System are subject to new rules effective
July 15, 2001. The rules address PA 91-0518, The Emergency Telephone System Act
which changed requirements for non-business entities and includes schools and
not-for-profits. The rules require that such facilities provide specific
information when placing a �911� call. The location of the call within the
40,000 feet surrounding area and a callback number for the specific location
must be sent to the �911� system. The law also requires that multiple
buildings, which share the same site and have a common street address, be
separately identified regardless of the square footage of the individual
buildings. One ANI/ALI is to be provided for each block of 40,000 square feet of
workspace. There are some exemptions from the rule.
The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has prepared a brochure which
outlines the new �911� requirements. Copies of the brochure or assistance in
understanding the new rules can be obtained by calling the ICC at 217-524-5064.
(MB)
In a recent report completed by CONNECT FOR
KIDS, evidence showed that community-based organizations cannot rely on private
charity alone to carry out their work for families and children.
The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation calculated the assets of all U.S.
foundations total enough money to replace federal government spending for some
74 days in FY 2002. Additional
information can be found at the web site: www.connectforkids.org/newsletter-ur11571/newsletter-url.htm.
(JMS)
Congress has adjourned until September 5th.
Federal legislation that CCA has been following is listed below.
The Child Protection/Alcohol and Drug
Partnership Act (S. 484/H.R. 1909) would address the need for substance abuse
treatment services for families that come to the attention of the child welfare
system. The legislation would
provide $1.9 billion over five years in grants to state child welfare and
alcohol and drug agencies. The
bill would require child welfare and alcohol and drug agencies to work together
to link the necessary prevention and treatment services for these families, as
well as increase the capacity of the states to realize the goals for children
established in the Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA).
The bipartisan Social Services Block Grant
Restoration Act (S. 501/H.R. 1470) restores FY 2002 SSBG funding to $2.8 billion
and preserves a state�s ability to transfer ten percent of their Temporary
Assistance for Needy Families block grant into SSBG.
If Congress fails to act this year, funding for SSBG will be reduced by
an additional $25 million to $1.7 billion, and the ten percent transfer will be
reduced to 4.25 percent. In the past few years, funding for SSBG has been cut to fund
other programs. You can add your
organization�s name to a letter that will be sent to Congress and the White
House in support of increased funding for SSBG on the CWLA website. www.cwla.org/advocacy/ssbgletter.htm
The bipartisan Younger Americans Act (S.
1005/H.R. 17) authorizes $5.75 billion over five years to provide resources to
community-based organizations to engage young people in positive youth
development programs. This
legislation will give millions of young people the opportunity and experience
needed to grow up to be contributing members of society.
The Child Protection Services Improvement Act
(H.R. 1371) begins to address the child welfare workforce crisis.
The legislation provides states with $500 million over five years to
improve child welfare workers� wages, increase the number of worker, 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 private nonprofit providers. The
bill also creates a loan forgiveness program for child welfare workers who have
been employed with an agency at least two years.
(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.
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 217-528-4409.
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August 14 � CWAC SACWIS Advisory Committee
- LSSI
August
23 - Cook agencies meet with Judge Patricia Martin Bishop 10:00 a.m.-Noon,
Juvenile Court Auditorium.
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
Aug.
27 � Outcome Steering Committee/Board Outcome Committee Meeting, The
Baby Fold
Sept.
19 - CCA Board of Directors
Meeting, Holiday Inn Select, Naperville
Sept. 20-21 � Open Minds Strategic
Management Institute, Hyatt Regency O�Hare; The institute agenda can be viewed
on the Open Minds Website at http://www.openminds.com.
| For further information on any of the
above, contact the staff member noted in parentheses at the end of the
text: MB
= Marge Berglind 312/819-1950
([email protected]) JMS = Jan Schoening
217/528-4409 ([email protected]) BRH= Bridget Helmholz
217/528-4409 ([email protected]) |
RJS=Rommel J. Sangalang 217/528-4409
([email protected]) SKA = Sandy Armstrong
217/528-4409 ([email protected]) LLL = Linda Lenzini
217/528-4409 ([email protected]) |
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