MONDAY REPORT

August 27, 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:

CHILD WELFARE.. 1

FOUR CCAI MEMBER AGENCY CASEWORKERS RECEIVE COURT RECOGNITION.. 1

COOK AGENCIES MEET WITH JUDGE BISHOP.. 1

NORTHERN REGION FOUNDATION TRAINING DATES AT RISK.. 2

FOUNDATION TRAINING.. 3

DCFS ANNOUNCES DETS STATEWIDE TRAINING PROJECT. 3

SPECIALIZED FOSTER CARE RECONCILIATION PROCESS.. 4

GENERAL.. 4

UPDATE ON UNUSUAL INCIDENT REPORTS.. 4

HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE HOLDS CAPTA HEARING.. 5

SACWIS POS ADVOCATES VISIT AGENCIES.. 5

UPCOMING EVENTS/MEETINGS.. 5

OCTOBER MEMBERSHIP MEETING�NEW DIRECTIONS FOR CCAI 5

CCAI TO CO-SPONSOR OPEN MINDS STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE.. 5

CALENDAR.. 6

FOUR CCAI MEMBER AGENCY CASEWORKERS RECEIVE COURT RECOGNITION

We congratulate the following caseworkers and their agencies. They received special recognition for outstanding service on a case during the August 23 meeting with Judge Bishop:

v     Susan Tresivant: Hephzibah Children�s Association

v     Shane Uber: Volunteers of America

v     Michelle Morgan: Volunteers of America

v     Juvanda Manuel: Beatrice Caffrey Youth Services

GREAT WORK!!!!

COOK AGENCIES MEET WITH JUDGE BISHOP

Presiding Judge Patricia Martin Bishop convened the summer quarter meeting with private agency staff on August 23. She announced the good news that caseloads at the Cook juvenile court continued to decrease to 19,790, due to progress on closing cases to permanency. A major portion of the agenda addressed concerns generated by Judge Bishop and other judges regarding HELP unit staffings. Judges report that they use HELP referrals as an opportunity for a �booster� on complex or troubled cases. Agencies are reporting, however, that they feel the HELP staffings are sometimes used as a punitive measure by hearing officers and GAL�s who sometimes do not agree with the agency�s direction of the case. There was no real solution to this difference of opinion. However, Judge Bishop cautioned agencies to take HELP referrals very seriously. Executive staff should be looking at the reasons why HELP referrals are being generated on cases in their agencies. If there are punitive types of referrals, these need to be appealed and called to Judge Bishop�s attention. However, if there is a valid reason for asking for the cases to be staffed, agencies should be looking at the internal systems issues that cause the referral. DCFS HELP staff detailed common reasons for the HELP referrals: worker turnover results in a totally new service plan direction or lack of service even when the same supervisor is in place; sibling visits are not occurring; timely planning is not occurring for children who will continue to need guardians upon release from DCFS; and quality of care concerns.

DCFS staff send copies of the HELP referral to the supervisor on the case. However, Judge Bishop questioned whether someone else in the agency should be informed of the HELP referral, since frequently the supervisor may be part of the case issues leading to the referral. DCFS staff reported that some executives who had received HELP referral copies had called to inquire why they were getting such information.  Agencies can identify who at their agency they want to get HELP referral notices by contacting Debbie Palmer Thomas.

Some possible ways to offset the problems were suggested: 1) judges will always accept a written progress report from the worker that details what has been done on the case since the last court date. If the report is submitted in advance, the judge will read it in advance. This allows the agency to present its case and focus on issues they feel are important during the court hearing. 2) Agencies should be proactive and convene their own staffings prior to a HELP mandated referral. Problems being addressed by the GAL should be directed to the GAL�s supervisor for possible discussion and staffing in advance of the court hearing.

John Quinn of the DCFS legal office addressed ongoing No Reasonable Efforts problems. Reports are decreasing, but there are still problems. General reasons for the findings are still the failure to take the case for screening and failure to file a timely 497. All agencies can access the court date tickler system via the Internet. If an agency is not able to access this system, they should contact Mr. Quinn. This system only shows dates and not necessarily the reason for hearings, so agencies also need to pursue why the hearing is scheduled to assure they come prepared with required information. When final orders on adoptions are received, workers should forward these to the DCFS attorney on the calendar to be sure the case is posted as closed and not repeatedly called. Such calls will result in a no-show or No Reasonable Effort finding for the worker even though the case has been finalized. Finally, some hearings do not need a worker. These are judicial determination hearings in which the judge actually signs an order after the 30-day waiting period is there is no objection. Just as it pays to come prepared for hearings after finding the reason, it pays to check on the exact type of hearing and avoid unnecessary court trips.

DCFS staff presented information on the initiative for unlicensed placements. This has been detailed in other Monday Reports and in letters to all executive directors.

The next meeting with Judge Bishop is scheduled for January 24, 2002. (MB)

NORTHERN REGION FOUNDATION TRAINING DATES AT RISK

DCFS training staff report that the next scheduled foundation training class (September 10th) for the Northern Region has only four (4) registrants.  All of the registrants are from private agencies. The next Northern Region class after this won't occur until October 15th. If more registrations are not received for this September 10 cycle, the class is at risk of being cancelled. Those agency staff currently registered would be transferred to other locations.

We remind our agencies in the Northern region of the September foundation dates. If you have any potential staff that will need to attend the September 10 cycle in the Northern region, it is imperative to get these registrations in within the next few days. Questions can be directed to the Foundation Training information desk at 877-800-3393. (MB)                

FOUNDATION TRAINING

DCFS staff have asked us to remind agencies that the REGISTRATION DESK FOR FOUNDATION TRAINING is 877/800-3393. The staff at that number can answer questions from agencies regarding clarification of dates, changes in schedules, send missing enclosures etc. Although calling other DCFS training staff will eventually provide you with information, calling the main number is the most reliable and speedy way to get a response. Please post this number in a conspicuous location.

DCFS ANNOUNCES DETS STATEWIDE TRAINING PROJECT

The DCFS Division of Education and Transition Services is pleased to announce they will be conducting a half-day informative training on each of the Divisions Units.

The Training will provide you with valuable information on how to link your clients with the following resources:

1. Pregnant and Parenting Teens Program � Lori Moreno/Frances Elbert
2. Independent Living Operations � Dr. Daniel Williams/Freddie Higgins
3. Youth in Transition � Deborah Flowers
4. Youth in Employment � John Kasper
5. Education Services � Dwight Lambert
6. Developmental Disabilities � Chuck Murphy
7. Transition Services � Holly Bitner
8. NIU Project/Education Advisors Program � Regional Education Advisor

Registration is open to all POS Permanency/Follow-up staff, as well as members of the Foster Care Advisory Council and Regional Advisory Councils.

To register, please call 1-877-800-3393 and specify the date, AM or PM session, and location that you would like to attend.

DETS Statewide Training Project

Cook North                                                              TRAINING ROOM LOCATION

09-4-01            Tuesday        AM 9-12 PM 1-4            1921 S. Indiana (First Floor)

03-5-02             Tuesday        AM 9-12 Pm 1-4            1921 S. Indiana (First Floor)

Cook Central

11-06-01            Tuesday        AM 9-12 PM 1-4            3301 W. Arthington

05-07-02             Tuesday        AM 9-12 PM 1-4            3301 W. Arthington

Cook South

01-08-02            Tuesday        AM 9-12 PM 1-4            6201 S. Emerald

07-02-02             Tuesday        AM 9-12 PM 1-4            6201 S. Emerald

DS Central Region

10-2-01            Tuesday        AM 9-12 PM 1-4            521 S. 11th St. Springfield Rm. 142

4-02-02             Tuesday        AM 9-12 PM 1-4            TBD

DS Southern Region

12-04-01            Tuesday        AM 9-12 PM 1-4            TBD

06-04-02             Tuesday        AM 9-12 PM 1-4            TBD

DS Northern Region

02-05-02            Tuesday        AM 9-12 PM 1-4            TBD

08-06-02             Tuesday        AM 9-12 PM 1-4            TBD

****      9-10-02 could be a possible make-up date

****      CEU�s Pending

SPECIALIZED FOSTER CARE RECONCILIATION PROCESS

DCFS staff have verified the following procedures as agencies begin to reconcile performance in specialized contracts.

Beginning in FY 02, the Department will have performance-based contracts for Specialized and Treatment foster care for positive outcomes. Agencies are expected during FY 02 to move a specific percentage of their July 1, 2001, caseload to a positive outcome.  However, children that were in a Specialized or Treatment contract and who achieved permanency during the fourth quarter of FY 01 (between April 1, 2001, and June 30, 2001) may be eligible to count towards the FY 02 Specialized performance goal.

The Department will count the number of children in the Specialized and Treatment contract on April 1, 2001, and will multiply that number by 5%. If more than 5% of the children from the April 1, 2001, count achieved permanency between April 1, 2001, and June 30, 2001, those permanencies in excess of the 5% will be counted towards the agency's FY 02 performance goal.

Information was sent out last week to all agencies with a Specialized and/or Treatment foster care contract(s) about the number of children in these contracts as of April 1, 2001, and the number of permanencies during the 4th Quarter of FY 01.  Please submit information about the additions and deletions to the list of permanencies for Spec/Treatment contracts before August 29, 2001, 5:00 p.m. to:

                        Office of the Executive Deputy Director

                         Attn: Wendy Kalina

                        100 West Randolph, Suite 6-200

                         Chicago, IL 60601

Responses submitted by fax will not be counted. A mailing will be sent out with information about caseloads on July 1, 2001, and goals for FY 02. Questions or clarification on any part of the reconciliation process should be directed to Wendy Kalina at 312-814-6867.� (MB)

UPDATE ON UNUSUAL INCIDENT REPORTS

The UIR work group has completed work on a waiver process for high-end children, to facilitate UIR reporting. DCFS staff report receiving many calls from CCA members asking if the September 1 date is still the implementation date. Since the waiver process is complete, September 1 is still the anticipated implementation date. DCFS will be alerting agencies regarding procedures for the waiver process. We once again urge all agencies to determine which children in their program will need a waiver so they are quickly prepared for submitting waiver requests once the procedure is communicated.  (MB)

HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE HOLDS CAPTA HEARING

At the August 2^nd hearing, Wade Horn, HHS Assistant Secretary for children and families testified on the administration�s position that there would not be any major changes with the reauthorization of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act.  Other priorities for the administration included an increase in funds for the Promoting Safe and Stable Families program by $200 million per year.  Others testifying from state Child Abuse Prevention organizations urged the need for additional funding in the prevention area and that the CAPTA legislation only provided modest funding in the area of child protection.   Questions from members of the subcommittee focused on the conflict between parental rights and government intervention, early intervention, and increased funding for prevention.  Generally, there was support for reauthorization of CAPTA, but questions remain regarding the appropriate size of the federal investment in child abuse prevention and the child protection infrastructure.  (JMS)

SACWIS POS ADVOCATES VISIT AGENCIES

The two SACWIS POS Advocates hired on contract for the project effective July 2001 have been contacting the private agencies to assist with issues around the job function training survey that agencies were asked to complete in order to determine the number of training sessions that will be needed as SACWIS is implemented.  Priscilla Parker is working with the agencies in the Cook County area and Joanne Dedert is working with the downstate agencies.  The Advocates will also be planning visits to the agencies to share information related to SACWIS and solicit questions or concerns from the private agency�s perspective in implementing this type of client information system.   A key role of the advocate position is to provide a mechanism for ongoing communication with all private agencies impacted by SACWIS.  (JMS)

OCTOBER MEMBERSHIP MEETING�NEW DIRECTIONS FOR CCAI

Save the dates of October 25 and 26 for the Fall Membership Meeting in Oak Brook. We will examine new directions for CCAI, including review of the vision developed at the CEO retreat, strategic plan and opportunities for member involvement. Executive directors and executive level staff of agencies will be invited to attend. More details will follow in the next few weeks. Cutoff date for the Hotel is October 3. Reservations can be made now with the Oak Brook Hyatt Lodge at 630-990-5800 or 800-233-1234.  Be sure and say you are attending the Child Care Association Meeting.  The single occupancy rate is $115.00.

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. Program brochures and registration forms were mailed last week. Be sure to identify yourself as a CCAI member to qualify for the member discount. (MB)

CALENDAR

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.

Oct. 11 - �Assessing, Diagnosing and Treating the Mental Health Needs of Africa-American Adolescents in the Juvenile Justice System� at the Palmer House Hilton, Chicago; For further information call: Wendy Reese at 217/522-2663 or 800/252-8045

Oct. 25-26 � CCA�s Fall Membership Meeting, The Hyatt Lodge, Oak Brook, IL; The meeting is open to CCA Executive Directors and executive level staff