MONDAY REPORT
October 15, 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
SPECIAL
ANNOUNCEMENTS..
1
MONDAY
REPORT PASSWORD TO CHANGE ON OCTOBER 29TH.
1
MAKE
YOUR ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP COUNT�SIGN UP TODAY TO ATTEND THE FALL MEMBERSHIP
MEETING..
2
LAST
CHANCE TO ATTEND POLICY RETREAT.
2
CHILD
WELFARE..
3
CHILD
WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (CWAC) REPORT.
3
�
STATE BUDGET PROBLEMS:
3
�
ELIMINATION OF CASELOAD PENALTIES:
3
�
WORK FORCE ISSUES:
3
�
STANDARDIZED SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS AND RATES PROJECTED FOR FY�03:
3
COMMITTEE
REPORTS..
4
�
Finance and Administration
4
�
Intact Families:
4
�
SED: SED met on October 11.
4
TRAINING..
4
�
Advisory Committee:
4
�
Current Issues with Foundation Training:
5
�
Training Grants:
5
HOMEMAKER
RATES..
5
GENERAL..
5
ILLINOIS
WELFARE REFORM SYMPOSIUM..
5
�
Caseload Decrease
5
�
Reauthorization of Welfare Legislation
6
CHILD
WELFARE AND TANF COLLABORATIONS..
6
CHILD
CARE SUBSIDY EASED..
6
CWAC
MEDICAID ADVISORY WORKGROUP..
7
MEDIA
NEWS..
7
VIDEOS
AVAILABLE FOR LOAN FROM CCA..
7
HELPFUL
WEBSITES FOR PUBLIC POLICY AND ADVOCACY.
7
UPCOMING
EVENTS/MEETINGS..
8
Calendar
8
MONDAY
REPORT PASSWORD TO CHANGE ON OCTOBER 29TH
Rommel Sangalang will be contacting
the appropriate people who retrieve the Monday Reports two weeks before the
password changes. Rommel will
confirm the individual qualifications (a confirmation of employment to a
qualified CCA Member Agency and a contact phone number) and place them in a new
distribution list that will be used to send the new password one week before the
change.
MAKE
YOUR ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP COUNT�SIGN UP TODAY TO ATTEND THE FALL MEMBERSHIP
MEETING
(See
note below on hotel reservations)
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)
NOTE:
The Lodge (a Hyatt hotel at McDonald�s Office Campus in Oak Brook), the
location for CCA�s Fall Membership Meeting, has extended the deadline for
overnight reservations and also the overnight fee for CCA guests is still
$115.00. (The rack rate at The
Lodge is $159.00). The Lodge has
miles of trails, with streams and forests, two natural lakes, all on an 88-acre
property. Among the amenities are:
state of the art health facilities, indoor swimming pool, three whirlpools,
steam room and sauna, paddle boats, five nature trails, and four-mile jogging
trail. Stay at the Lodge and join
us for an educational and relaxing two days.
To make your reservation, please call 800.233.1234 or 630.990.5800.
Be sure to tell them you are attending the Child Care Association
Meeting. (SKA)
LAST
CHANCE TO ATTEND POLICY RETREAT
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)
CHILD WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (CWAC) REPORT
CWAC met in Chicago on October 12. The following issues were discussed:
�
STATE BUDGET PROBLEMS:
The committee discussed the Illinois current budget difficulties reported in
recent news articles. Director McDonald reported that the state has made
internal adjustments to its own budget but does not expect direct impact on
providers as of now. He predicted next year�s budget would be flat and that
there would be a shortened spring legislative session since funds are projected
to be scarce. The holiday shopping season will point the way to the severity of
next year�s budget if tax revenues from sales continue to decrease.
�
ELIMINATION OF CASELOAD PENALTIES:
Director McDonald reported that DCFS had determined to eliminate the caseload
ratio penalties as of November 1. For
FY�02, no assessed penalties will be collected. However, those agencies that
failed to submit reports outright will be subject to penalty collection and
assessment. DCFS will be
tracking caseworker assignment and court performance more closely and will be
communicating with individual agencies that exhibit problem performance.
�
WORK FORCE ISSUES:
The group discussed Work Force issues in general. The group also questioned
recent reports of salary increases for DCFS staff in light of budget problems.
The director confirmed that several thousand positions involving MSW level staff
had been upgraded, resulting in salary increases. This points to discrepancies
between public and private agency salary levels. DCFS noted a concern about a
specific agency that was paying a Specialized Caseworker only $18000 a year and
questioned agency spending decisions in light of work force concerns.
A major problem remains that many young people are leaving the field all
together and that workload assignments remain a major concern.
The turnover of direct service positions in foster care and intact family
casework services remains a key concern for both the voluntary sector and DCFS.
An Ad Hoc Committee of CWAC will work on identifying key issues
associated with work force concerns and determine if there is a CWAC level
response.
�
STANDARDIZED SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS AND RATES PROJECTED FOR FY�03:
The Foster Care Infrastructure Committee reported that the voluntary sector
members had expressed concern to DCFS about the last minute decision to delay
implementation of standardized programs and rates. This will cause financial
impacts on agencies with programs that revert to rate methodology-set rates, and
further delay progress in moving towards outcome-based care.
Director McDonald agreed that after discussion of these issues, DCFS will
move towards standardization of specialized care as of July, 2002. He will ask
the infrastructure group to look at how to emphasize outcomes and stressed that
all specialized care will be subject to strict �gate keeping� to control
access. He predicted there might be
fewer programs and contracts as some agencies determine to opt out of
specialized provisions once the new requirements are set. He is still aiming for
control of the 40% of the specialized population that enter from Traditional/HMR
programs and wants to design a system that will stabilize those children in
regular programs.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
�
Finance and Administration
(See full report in September 24 Monday Report.) DCFS finance staff reported
that specialized rates have begun to go out to agencies. Two thirds of agencies
will see a decrease due to the zero inflation factor.
�
Intact Families:
The previous Intact Family Committee and Preservation Expert Panel will work
with committee chairs to refine Best Practices for Intact. Questions to be
addressed will be: what should be acceptable criteria to open or close a case?
How can such criteria be consistently applied across all regions? What concrete
guidance can be given for supervisors on application of the criteria and
assistance for workers?
�
SED: SED met on October 11.
TRAINING
�
Advisory Committee:
DCFS is forming a new committee for the IV-E Waiver. The committee will look
at Financial Issues (scope of training costs that will be claimed at an enhanced
rate;) Content and Curriculum (enhanced training beyond the foundation that
targets development of staff behaviors associated with achieving successful
outcomes in safety, permanency and well-being;) Testing and Evaluation
(developing and monitoring the selection criteria process;) and Implementation
(address ongoing issues and barriers to successful achievement of safety,
permanency and well-being.) The group will also serve as advisory for the basic
foundation training, since the Waiver training builds upon the current
foundation model.
�
Current Issues with Foundation Training:
DCFS reported that 223 POS from 56 agencies and 10 DCFS employees had
completed foundation training since July. So far, only one person has failed the
licensure exam and one person has failed CERAP twice.
Trainers have reported that there are some incidents of trainees not
consistently attending, or coming late and leaving training sessions early. A
letter is scheduled to go out to all executives reminding them of the
requirements. However, the CWAC group strongly suggested that DCFS treat such
behavior seriously and immediately report problems to the agency involved. This
is not a global agency issue. If there are only some trainees with this problem
the employing agency must be alerted, and must enforce the attendance
requirements.
�
Training Grants:
Training grant reports have not been submitted by all agencies. This form was
included in the original packet of information sent to agencies when they were
notified of the training grant. These must be submitted in order for the agency
to qualify for additional training funds in the future.
HOMEMAKER RATES
An Ad Hoc group of CWAC reported recommendations on the Homemaker programs:
1) Rename Homemaker and Visitation services to reflect the scope of services and
risks inherent in working with abused and neglected children; 2) Increase rate
to $19.67 or $19.57 depending on mileage reimbursement; 3) DCFS should apply a
rate setting review more frequently; and 4) DCFS to reduce overall utilization
of the service to fund the rate increase. Director McDonald reported he was
unable to make a decision until further review of the proposal. The proposed new
services must be absolutely distinct from Homemaker Services used in other code
departments. He suggested that
there could be significant utilization reduction in some programs. Finally,
there will be impacts on certain DCFS units that have relied on past visit
services and this impact needs to be discussed internally. The CWAC providers
urged that this review occur immediately and that a decision on the
recommendations be made within the 2 weeks. DCFS agreed to look at the
recommendations quickly. Executive staff will be in touch with the Ad Hoc chair
with any further questions or a final decision. (MB)
ILLINOIS WELFARE REFORM SYMPOSIUM
The Illinois Welfare Reform Symposium was held on October 5, 2001 in Chicago
at the University of Chicago Gleacher Center.
The symposium was sponsored by the Center for Urban Research and Policy
Studies, Irving B. Harris Graduate School of Public Policy Studies, The
University of Chicago and Voices for Illinois Children.
The agenda for the day included two plenary sessions: one was focused on
what was happening in year five of the welfare reform project in Illinois and
the other focused on what are the major issues around federal reauthorization
which will occur this year. Concurrent
breakout sessions covered topics from � The Impact of Welfare Reform on
Children, Education and Workforce Development, TANF Work Requirements, Sanctions
and Time Limits and Block Grants/Other Funding Issues.
�
Caseload Decrease
Secretary Baker, Dept. of Human Services, participated on the panel which
looked at what was happening in year five of the Welfare Reform Program.
From 1996 to March of 2001 the Illinois family caseload decreased from
225,796 to 65,732. This represents
a decrease of 70.9%. Recipients
decreased from 663,212 to193,926 which was a decrease of 70.8%.
Due to the decreases in caseloads funds were redirected to child care,
resulting in 600 plus million per year for the program with no waiting lists.
Other TANF savings were directed to transportation, cars to career
program, Teen REACH, alcoholism and substance abuse, financial planning and tax
assistance, and teenage pregnancy prevention.
The work of the caseworker has changed from calculating eligibility
numbers for people to working with the client and developing service plans.
�
Reauthorization of Welfare Legislation
The three speakers that talked about the issues surrounding the
reauthorization of the Welfare Reform legislation were Mark Greenberg, Senior
Staff Attorney for the Center for Law and Social Policy, Ron Haskins, Senior
Fellow at the Brookings Institution and Thomas Corbett with the University of
Wisconsin-Madison. Issues to be
considered are whether states will retain level of funding and flexibility in
programs design and operation; the growing concern if families are worse off as
a result of sanctions or time limits or failed to find or retain a job, and
whether there is enough for child care. What
happens with the economy taking a down turn?
What happens to those programs previously funded through TANF savings if
funds have to be redirected back to cash assistance?
Work support programs, family support
programs and child care would be impacted.
(JMS)
CHILD WELFARE AND TANF COLLABORATIONS
The Urban Institute completed a recent study about collaboration efforts
between child welfare offices and regular welfare agencies.
Although language in the 1996 welfare reform law contained reference to
collaboration between TANF and child welfare systems, little has actually
developed in that area. Child
welfare workers indicated that there are greater concerns to be addressed such
as: 1.) implementing the timelines imposed by the Adoption and Safe Families
Act; 2.) new computer information systems; and 3.) high caseloads.
In some states however, treatment and other activities to satisfy the
child welfare plan were counted toward TANF work requirements or were reason for
a deferral from them. In
Massachusetts, foster parenting is
considered an allowable work activity although it is not exempted form the time
limit. Critical elements in the
development of collaborations include: 1.
Agency history and politics; 2.) Leadership and policy direction; 3.) Resource
Availability; 4.) Information Systems; 5.) Information Systems; 6.) Colocation;
7.) Staffing and workload; 8.) Confidentiality; and 9.) Payoffs.
For copies of the report go online at www.urban.org
and click on �Accessing the New Federalism�.
(JMS)
CHILD CARE SUBSIDY EASED
For several years, the department has charged families one-half of its
full-time co-payment fee for subsidies when
their children receive care for less than 25 hours a week.
Under temporary rules that took effect July 1 IDHS had proposed
elimination of that practice, in effect doubling the fees for part-time care of
10,000 children and prompting fears that many parents would pull their children
out of care. Based on input from
parents, teachers and child care providers, IDHS has decided to leave fees
intact for part-time care. In
addition the department had long allowed families to back date their subsidy
eligibility to the day a child actually entered care up to 30 or even 60 days
prior to the date of their aid application.
Officials temporarily changed it this summer which would cost parents
valuable days or weeks worth of aid for child care.
Due to comments this was changed to make subsidy eligibility on the date
of a parent�s signature on the application or one week prior to the stamped
receipt date, whichever is later. If
an application is received in advance of care, eligibility will start on the
date that care actually begins. (JMS)
CWAC MEDICAID ADVISORY WORKGROUP
During the Medicaid Advisory Workgroup meeting on October 3, it was decided
that a Sub-Committee would meet to address certain issues with the Medicaid
checklist revisions and the process for suspension/termination/appeals.
The Sub-Committee will meet on Wednesday, October 24th at the
Baby Fold in Bloomington. (JMS)
MEDIA NEWS
PARTICIPATE IN NATIONAL FAMILY WEEK,
November 18th-24th, 2001.
Thanks to a mini-grant from the Alliance for
families, CCA will be developing a public service campaign for National Family
Week featuring pre-recorded public service announcements for radio and a number
of other items developed around the theme, �Connections Count.�
A limited number of PSA�s will be available to member agencies for
tagging in their markets on a first-come first-serve, so contact [email protected]
to reserve your copies.
VIDEOS AVAILABLE FOR LOAN FROM CCA
Three videos are now available for loan from CCA. They are:
�
�Attracting and Keeping the Best Volunteers,� a
satellite videoconference produced by the Learning Institute for Nonprofit
organizations
�
�Strengthening the Foundation of Effective Volunteer
Involvement,� a satellite videoconference
produced by the Learning Institute for Nonprofit organizations.
�
�Legacy of Community
Action,� a 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.
HELPFUL WEBSITES FOR PUBLIC POLICY AND ADVOCACY
Tired of all that paper cluttering up your
desk as you work on important public policy and advocacy issues? Check out these
helpful online sites!
To find Illinois state legislators, their phone numbers, their districts, and
their voting history:
http://www.state.il.us/state.legis
Provides legislation status and text,
contact information for district or elected officials, and links to each
legislator�s bio, voting record, contact numbers and e-mail address.
To find Congress members, phone numbers for districts, and voting history:
http://congress.org
Includes quick Capitol Hill tips, contacts
for elected officials by zip code, issues and legislation, and a guide to the
media. Provides bio�s and voting history for members of Congress and a quick
means to contact them via e-mail.
To track CWLA public policy and advocacy information:
http://www.cwla.org/advocacy
Includes legislative agenda�s, report
forms, Kids� Advocate Online, an interactive area of the website to obtain
information and contact Congress, budget information alerts and updates, and
more.
To track Alliance for Children public policy and advocacy information:
http://www.alliance1.org. Outlines public policy position statements, action alerts, and
legislative tracking chart for current Congressional session.
To track DCFS Executive Summaries Monthly:
http:/www.state.il.us/dcfs
Includes updated Executive Statistical
Summary Report covering trends in child abuse, foster care and licensing
outcomes.
Calendar
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
