MONDAY REPORT

October 1, 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

MARK CALENDARS NOW FOR CCAI FALL MEMBERSHIP MEETING---FUTURE DIRECTIONS FOR THE CHILD CARE ASSOCIATION OF ILLINOIS AND ITS MEMBERS. 1

POLICY COMMITTEE RETREAT SET FOR OCTOBER 17 IN BOLINGBROOK. 2

CHILD WELFARE. 2

DOWNSTATE PERFORMANCE BASED WORK GROUP. 2

Referral Rotation: 2

Impact of Placement on School Attended: 2

Reunification Procedures: 3

Reconciliation Process: 3

Agency Performance Statistical Summary: 3

One Worker/One Family: 3

HMR Licensing Initiative: 3

RATE METHODOLOGY UPDATE AND STATE BUDGET CUT DISCUSSIONS. 4

COOK PERFORMANCE BASED WORK GROUP. 4

MENTAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. 4

DHS � ODD ADVISORY COUNCIL CONTRACTS COMMITTEE. 4

GENERAL. 5

SACWIS PRIVATE AGENCY ADVOCATE POSITIONS. 5

TITLE IV-E TRAINING.. 5

UPCOMING EVENTS/MEETINGS. 6

Calendar 6

MARK CALENDARS NOW FOR CCAI FALL MEMBERSHIP MEETING---FUTURE DIRECTIONS FOR THE CHILD CARE ASSOCIATION OF ILLINOIS AND ITS MEMBERS

Mark your calendars for October 25 and 26 at the Hyatt Lodge Oak Brook for the opportunity to participate in the Strategic Planning Process of the Child Care Association.

Join your colleagues and CCAI staff for a challenging two days of looking into the future. This is a unique opportunity to:

Participate in the Strategic Planning Process of the Association

Contribute your ideas and identify future potential

Examine the suggested directions for the CCAI as developed in the CEO Retreat

Examine future impacts on your agency

Determine how you will become involved in future CCAI directions and decisions

Provide input & critique ideas

Examine policy directions and determine how your agency will be involved

These two days form the second essential step of the strategic planning process for CCAI that started with the CEO and Board Retreat in July.  It will help confirm the directions, build the plans and guide strategic decisions for the next few years. There will be ample opportunity to exchange ideas in large group sessions as well as during smaller focus groups. The final strategic directions and the implications of those strategies will impact the association and our individual member agencies. Your participation is crucial!!! Watch the mail later this week for full details and registration materials.

Cutoff date for Hotel reservations is October 10. Reservations can be made now with the Oak Brook Hyatt Lodge by calling 630-990-5800 or 800-233-1234.  Be sure to tell the Hyatt Lodge that you are attending the Child Care Association Meeting.  The single occupancy rate is $115.00. (MB)

POLICY COMMITTEE RETREAT SET FOR OCTOBER 17 IN BOLINGBROOK

Changing times call for new measures, methods and strategies. Join your colleagues on the CCAI policy committee for our annual retreat at the Bolingbrook Holiday Inn on October 17, from 9:30-4:00.

We will: Critique the format, structure and role of the Policy Committee�past, present and future; Identify the key issues for Association policy and legislative work over the next year; Identify and discuss state and federal legislation of interest to CCAI; Strategize on how to succeed in future policy efforts; Discuss the status of current legislation.

This retreat represents a unique opportunity to �Jump Start� our policy work this coming year. Current members of the Policy Committee, Board Members and any member wishing to get involved in the Policy Committee this year are urged to attend. Watch the mail later this week for full meeting and registration details. (MB)

DOWNSTATE PERFORMANCE BASED WORK GROUP

The Downstate Performance Based Work Group met in Springfield on September 25. Summary of Specialized Foster Care discussions from the Foster Care Infrastructure group was provided. (See previous Monday Reports of August 6 and August 13k for full summary.) The group also discussed the provisions of the Sibling Visitation initiative. (See Monday Report of September 17.)

Referral Rotation:

The final draft of the Referral Rotation System was distributed for group review. This is the document that will be used as policy/procedure for this fiscal year. (Copy of this document, �Integrated Requirements Regarding the New Placement Case Referral System�, Version 2.0-September 15, 2001 can be obtained via fax by contacting the Springfield CCA Office.) The additional requirements suggested by Director McDonald, including addition of DCFS units to HMR rotation and requirements for all agencies to conduct 24-hour intake, will be addressed by the Foster Care Infrastructure committee during Fall and Winter meetings.

Impact of Placement on School Attended:

Previous discussions in this group related to unique requirements of geography downstate and the impact on the Director�s request that school placements remain stable suggested that agencies conduct a survey of their own cases. DCFS staff provided a form for this survey which private agency members reviewed. Several points were added. This will go to agencies in final form within the next 2 weeks. Agencies will be asked to enter basic placement and school placement information and calculate percent totals. (Copy of the draft document, �Study of Impact of Placement on School Attended� can be obtained via fax by contacting the Springfield CCA Office.)

Reunification Procedures:

Summary of Procedures to be followed for reunification cases in downstate contracts was distributed. This will be the protocol followed during the contract year. (Copy can be obtained via fax by contacting the Springfield CCA Office.)

Reconciliation Process:

 DCFS staff reported that they are in the final stages of completing reconciled permanency statistics. Agencies should begin to receive an individualized fax copy of their results within the next few days. There are no AFCARS problems in downstate cases that are affecting permanency numbers. Beginning in January, DCFS will be better able to match and report on permanency progress by team, matching this with the referral system.

Agency Performance Statistical Summary:

DCFS has issued copies of the �Agency Book� statistical report to Cook agencies and to downstate agencies that participated in the previous training. Therefore, not all downstate programs have been receiving copies of the agency statistical report. DCFS QA staff are working on a downstate agency report that would separate information by team and would assist agencies in looking at trends and issues.  The QA staff will come to the next meeting to present the prototype for comment and further development.

One Worker/One Family:

DCFS expressed disappointment that only 4 cases from downstate had been submitted for consolidation. If agencies are not able to reach conclusion on their own, DCFS will make those decisions and direct the agencies. Agencies present reported that many cases are in the process of discussion with the other agencies but that a number of factors including distance and vacation schedules prevented meetings and decisions on all cases. If agencies are in process, they should be communicating this to APT so that they are not directed on the decision of the case. Members also reported that there is still confusion on the consolidation process when a case is undergoing an LOC. These cases should immediately proceed to APT for clarification of the procedure.

HMR Licensing Initiative:

DCFS staff reiterated the information shared in meetings with Renard Jackson last week. Due to anticipated changes in federal reimbursements for unlicensed placements, DCFS would like to increase the number of relatives who are licensed and increase the number of relative cases completing subsidized guardianship. The goal is to enhance the practice of working with caregivers and to renew emphasis on permanency planning.  Training requirements for licensure will change to 6 hours. Once a person is licensed, they will be authorized to care for related children only. If the person wishes to pursue care for unrelated children, they will be required to complete additional training. Plans are in development for training of all staff in mid-to-late October. A policy guide is also in development.

The next Downstate meeting is scheduled for November 19. (MB)

RATE METHODOLOGY UPDATE AND STATE BUDGET CUT DISCUSSIONS

CWAC Chair, Tom Vanden Berk, CWAC FAS Chair, Arlene Happach and CCAI CEO Marge Berglind participated in a meeting with Bureau of the Budget (BOB) and the Governor�s Office pertaining to the concerns about changes in Rate Methodology on September 23. We highlighted the negative impacts that the zero inflation application held for many agencies and presented the net impact of the cuts.

The BOB staff reported that the rate methodology system is really an arrangement between DCFS and agencies. When the 2% CODB effective April 1 was negotiated, this was meant for all providers for all human services across all code departments. There was no place in that agreement for such arrangements in only one state agency.  If rate changes for POS agencies with DCFS had proceeded and some agencies had received an increase, this would have been interpreted by those who negotiated the CODB as an �early� CODB for an exclusive group of entities. The BOB suggested that CCAI educate the legislative leaders and others who help negotiate future CODB�s on the rate methodology structure. Future discussions of changes in child welfare financing should include an assessment of the total human service system.

The issue of greatest concern is the anticipated spending cuts that will have to be made this fiscal year due to projected decreases in tax revenues. BOB staff reported that although the state was previously headed in a downturn, the September 11 events had a further detrimental effect. Anticipated revenue decreases are expected to be even more severe. State agencies will be asked to submit plans for spending cuts this year and will be preparing austerity budgets for next fiscal year. We suggested to the BOB that we understood the situation and we would work to educate our agencies. However, we would expect a fair distribution of cuts to include the state system and non-direct costs before direct services were hit.

The BOB plan for spending cuts was reported in the newspapers on September 26. State agencies will not be allowed to fill vacant positions unless a special exception is given, will be curtailing out-of-state travel and will be cutting back on equipment purchases.  We will be monitoring the budgetary events closely and reporting to our members. However, we urge our member agencies to begin to prepare their own versions of austerity budgets and contingency plans in the event the budget problems of Illinois permeate into our contracts. (MB)

COOK PERFORMANCE BASED WORK GROUP

This is a reminder that the location of the next Cook Performance Based Work Group has changed. The next meeting is scheduled for October 9, at 9:30 at the Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph, 6^th Floor. (MB)

DHS � ODD ADVISORY COUNCIL CONTRACTS COMMITTEE

In a previous Monday Report it was stated that the DD Contracts Committee was looking at performance indicators for DD services within DHS.  As part of that effort a report was provided by Kit O�Brien Cota with the DHS Core Indicators Project at the last meeting.  As part of the material provided from the Core Indicators Project, four domains were identified that were to be addressed by that project � Consumer Outcomes, System Performance, Health and Welfare, and Delivery Systems.  The DD Contracts Committee identified the committee indicators that related to each of the four domains by the CIP.  Under Consumer Outcomes the DD Committee identified the following: 1.) Demonstrate progress towards all individuals being served in their least restrictive setting; 2.) Increased accurately measured levels of client satisfaction; and 3.) Increase informed community choice.  Under System Performance, the DD Committee identified the following: 1.) Utilize existing community services at 100% of contracted capacity; 2.) Expand the capacity of the community service system; 3.) Demonstrate progress towards all individuals being served in their least restrictive setting; 4.) Increase the available technical support from the state to reduce admits/readmits to SODC�s; 5.) Decrease time required from referral to provision of services.  Under the domain of Health and Welfare the committee identified one indicator that would reduce substantiated cases of abuse and neglect.  Under the fourth domain of Delivery Systems, the DD Committee identified the following: 1.) Expand the capacity of the community service system; 2.) Demonstrate progress towards all individuals being served in their least restrictive setting; 3.) Increase use of available technical support from the state to reduce admits/readmits to SODC�s; 4.) Decrease staff turnover and employee vacancy rates; 5.) Increase quality of staff; and 5.) Decrease time required from referral to provision of services.  The Committee Chair will present the listing of indicators within each CIP domain at the next full Advisory Committee meeting in October.

Concerns expressed by the Committee regarding the Core Indicators Project included: how to make sure that clients were free to state problems with services without fear of negative consequences; the fact that it would be three years before initial results would be available; would the switch from a grant based system to a purchase of care model impact the validity of the results; and there is no measure for those individuals that qualify for the programs but are not receiving services or are on waiting lists.  (JMS) 

SACWIS PRIVATE AGENCY ADVOCATE POSITIONS

Joanne Dedert and Priscilla Parker were hired effective July 1, 2001 as the POS Advocate Positions for the SACWIS Project. Joanne works with downstate private agencies and Priscilla works with Cook County private agencies.  Their main responsibility has been to contact all private agencies impacted by SACWIS, provide information, and help resolve issues around AFCARS, the training surveys, staffing compliance and contracts/plans.  Initial efforts by the positions have been positive in developing an ongoing communication linkage between the private agencies in each region and the development of the SACWIS project in Springfield.   Some concerns identified during the initial site visits to downstate agencies were:  1.) How does information get downloaded to the agency client information system from SACWIS? 2.) The equipment being purchased now will be outdated before SACWIS is implemented.  3.) How will the equipment be replaced in 3 to 4 years? 4.) Overall concern if the project can really be implemented. 

Agencies have expressed a very strong interest in seeing the prototype that is currently developed for intake and investigation.  Also the majority of caseworkers at agencies are using computers and Microsoft software.  (JMS)

TITLE IV-E TRAINING

CWLA reported last Friday, Sept. 28, 2001 that within the last few days the House Ways and Means Human Resources Subcommittee that Rep. Jerry Weller sits on took action on The Promoting Safe and Stable Families Act and passed the bill with no funding increase originally proposed by President Bush due to funds that may be needed to fight terrorists.  This was the first action of the Subcommittee since the Sept. 11^th terrorist attacks. No amendments with costs associated with them or funding increases came out of the Subcommittee.  However, CWLA indicates that there will still be time to introduce an amendment for the training funds for private agencies so be sure to contact Rep. Weller to urge his support of the amendment to provide access to Title IV-E training for private agencies.  (JMS)

Calendar

Oct.  2 � CWAC SACWIS Advisory Committee � LSSI, Desplaines

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. 17 � CCA Policy Committee Retreat, 9:30 � 4:00, Holiday Inn Bolingbrook, IL

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