MONDAY REPORT
April 9, 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.
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CHILD WELFARE
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AUDITOR GENERAL RELEASES REPORT ON DCFS
The Illinois Office of the Auditor General last week released a Financial and Compliance Audit of the Department of Children and Family Services. The audit details a number of findings with DCFS and its operations and also includes a section highlighting the results of a three-agency sample of private agencies which were audited as well. In that section the Auditor General raises a number of questions as to practice in private agencies. A digest of this audit was released to the public and the press last week and there was some press coverage on the issue. This audit will now be given to the Legislative Audit Commission for their review. The date for that meeting has not been set as of yet but we anticipate it being in late May or early June. At that point there will very probably be additional coverage on this issue. We have met several times with the DCFS Auditor and are working with that office on several different initiatives to address some of the issues that have been raised. We are planning on doing a joint review of the DCFS Audit Rule as well as some educational sessions for the leadership of private agencies on these issues. We would urge agencies to do a careful review of their last year�s audit and to be very clear with the auditors who will be handling the current fiscal year as to what needs to be covered and how it will be reported. We urge agencies to make sure that their audit tests that all wages paid have been accurately documented and reported in their W2 report. We also urge agencies to make sure that their personnel files are as up to date as possible particularly as this relates to staff evaluations and systems to ensure they are in place. Agencies also need to be reviewing their current inventory control processes to make sure they are been followed and that all inventory is covered. We would anticipate that there will be additional attention paid to this issue and want agencies to be prepared should they be asked any questions relative to their individual audits. If any agency has any questions or comments, please call Ron Moorman at the CCA office in Springfield. (RHM)
FOUNDATION TRAINING COMMITTEE REPORT
The Direct Service Employee Foundation Committee met in Chicago on April 2, 2001. The curriculum committee continues to make revisions on the curriculum and will be presenting the remainder of the content for the Best Practices group in the next month. Training of trainers is due to occur the week of April 30, so that the pilot trainers are ready. The Delivery committee is working on the first draft of the actual training calendar. Due to some periods in which there are multiple holidays, the start of the sessions may be in the middle of the week, and there may need to be some flexibility with the application of the field day. We also learned that DCFS plans to hire about 90 new staff by the end of April, so they are looking to get their new hires in the foundation training pilots or first cycles.
Essential developments impacting CCAI member agencies include:
Pilot
Agency executives should be receiving a letter by next week outlining the pilot training sessions due to occur in late April/early May. We will need the participation of a variety of agencies to send new workers to the pilot foundation training. The pilot provides a final opportunity for the modification of the curriculum, design model and delivery problems before the mass roll out of the training required for all new hires beginning in late June.
Rules of the Road for Participants
There will be a set of agreed upon rules for all attendees, including attendance and punctuality and personal conduct requirements. Although the private agency members of the committee have worked to assure fair requirements, the fact that trainees will be attending a shared training event with licensure implications may impact future changes in agency personnel policies. CCAI will be sending a draft of these Rules of the Road to members of the CCAI Human Resources Committee for review and comment.
Supervisor Seminars
The supervisor plays a pivotal role in assuring that the skills and knowledge gained from training actually gets applied in the field. Supervisory support has been consistently identified as a predictor of whether learning is transferred from the classroom to the work setting. The private agency carries the responsibility to assure that learning from the foundation training gets transferred into actual practice. The training includes "field days" that provide an opportunity for the trainee to return to their work place and actually apply some of the knowledge and skills gained in that given week of training to their observations and work in the field.
Supervisors are strongly encouraged to attend one, 4-hour seminar that will introduce them to the Foundation Training program and give them specific suggestions regarding how they can enhance the learning process for the new hire. An invitation/details letter will be going to all executive directors later this week. However, we encourage you to share the dates of the supervisory seminars with all supervisors in your agency as soon as possible and to encourage them to get the date on their calendar and register for their preferred date as soon as possible. Seminars will be held at the following locations:
Cook County
10 W. 35th St. (IITRI), 8:30-12:30 �OR- 1:00-5:00
Dates: April 24, April 25, April 26
Northern Illinois
Aurora site to be announced, 10:00-3:00 with a one hour lunch break
Date: April 24
Rockford site to be announced, 10:00-3:00 with a one hour lunch break
Date: April 27
Central Illinois
Normal site to be announced, 10:00-3:00 with a one hour lunch break
Dates: April 25, April 26
Springfield site to be announced, 10:00-3:00 with a one hour lunch break
Date: April 24
Southern Illinois
Whittington site to be announced, 10:00-3:00 with a one hour lunch break
Date: April 26
Registration Number: 877-800-3393
Each seminar is designed for a maximum of 36 participants so preferred dates will fill up quickly. Registration deadline is April 13. (MB)
EMPLOYEE LICENSING/CERAP DATA PROBLEMS
We previously reported that DCFS would begin data edits on its systems to check whether private agency staff had passed the license exam, had submitted a complete application and were CERAP certified. Lack of one of these credentials would be reported to the edit system. No new cases could be assigned to any worker or supervisor reported by the system as non-compliant. We learned this week that DCFS actually started some of the edit process last week. Some agencies have already received erroneous information. If you receive information that a staff is non-compliant, and in fact the staff has met all areas of licensure/CERAP compliance, you should call the Licensure number, 877-800-3393. If the data run is continuing to show a staff who is no longer with your agency, and you have previously submitted the proper change notice, contact your AP monitor and insist on immediate correction. (MB)
DOWNSTATE PERFORMANCE BASED CONTRACTS WORK GROUP
The Downstate Performance Based Work Group met in Springfield on April 5, 2001. DCFS staff encouraged all agencies to expediently return reconciliation packets so that second quarter results can be ready by May. The group was also asked to provide consultation on the best Southern Region location for the upcoming 20-day foundation training for all direct service workers. Both private agency and DCFS members of the group felt that a Mt. Vernon rather than Collinsville location was more centralized for the majority of agencies and hew hires. The Training Committee will be advised of this recommendation. The agencies were reminded of the upcoming advent of the 20-day training requirement for all new workers. Some downstate agencies felt that their agency had not been sufficiently advised that executive level staff should be licensed since they may have to serve as supervisor when a supervisor actually has to carry a caseload while a new worker is in training. We would again ask all agencies to review the status of all staff in the "chain" to assure licensing and CERAP requirements are in place. Once the 20-day training kicks in, agencies will not have the opportunity to assign cases to new hires for at least that 20 day period (longer if there is any delay with other aspects of the licensing process.) In the meantime, the cases must be assigned to a credentialed staff member. If the supervisor covers, another qualified and credentialed person must serve as the supervisor.
Agencies also advised of problems already encountered with the system edits for licensed workers. As cases are not allowed to be assigned to workers not listed as licensed (in error) the 906 for the agency is not accepted and there is no agency payment. Additionally, no automatic medical card is registered and there is no clear indication on the system of where the child�s case is. DCFS staff who serve on the internal DCFS work group will take this issue to the department for further action. As noted in previous section of this Monday Report, such problems were already anticipated and reported by CCA to the DCFS Director.
Referral Rotation system issues were discussed. DCFS Director had raised 4 areas for enhancement relating to further implementation of the downstate system.
DCFS staff will take the comments of the group back to the DCFS Director. The issues will be further discussed in terms of future planning as results of the first 2 quarters of implementation of the rotation system come in.
Reunification program plan and payment provisions were again discussed. A draft was presented for review to clarify confusions that had been raised regarding implementation of the Reunification provisions downstate. DCFS originally proposed that the $3075 case management fee would cover the cost of counseling. The private agency members again clarified that this fee was intended only to cover the type of counseling provided via the case management process. Specialty counseling, such as therapy provided by a credentialed person other than the caseworker, was not covered in this fee.
DCFS� proposal also included a requirement relating to the "hard services." They are requesting the separate cost center and quarterly cost reports on the reunification payments. The private agency members stressed that the quarterly provisions were not necessary given the fact that the cost center provides a mechanism for audit review of the expenses. Additionally, the original language proposed for this provision of the contract suggested one, 3rd quarter cost report. The group suggested a return to the original language and intent. DCFS staff present agreed to submit these comments back to other levels of DCFS for consideration. Hopefully, this will be resolved by the May meeting.
An update on the proceedings of the Foster Care Infrastructure work group relating to performance contracting and specialized care was provided. CCA members can find complete reports on this group in this current issue and past issues of the Monday Report.
Next meeting of the Downstate group is scheduled for May 18, from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at 638 E. Adams, Springfield. (MB)
UPDATE ON THE LEVELS OF CARE TRAINING (LOC):
Wendy Kalina of DCFS has asked us to share the following information. The revised Level of Care (LOC ) forms and Policy Guide have been in effect since February 15, 2001. To date there have been multiple training sessions held on the implementation of the new policy. To ensure that all teams have been trained on the new LOC forms and policy there will be additional trainings offered. The following dates and locations have been scheduled for future LOC trainings. All re-reviews by private agencies have deadlines of March 30th, April 30th, and June 30th. Please make a note of these trainings and share the information with other pertinent staff. This training is the same training that was offered January - present. If you should have any questions please contact Wendy Kalina at (312) 814-6867. Registration for these additional trainings is not necessary.
The remaining training dates scheduled are:
April 25th, two separate sessions:
9:30 am- 12:30 p.m. or 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm
6201 S. Emerald
Chicago
May 16th, two separate sessions:
9:30 am- 12:30 pm or 1:30 pm -4:30 pm
3301 W. Arthington, Room 225
Chicago
June 7th, two separate sessions;
9:30 am- 12:30 pm or 1:30 pm- 4:30 pm
1921 S. Indiana
Chicago
An additional training can be scheduled for the Southern region or Central/Southern regions if there is sufficient interest. Agencies in this area should contact Wendy Kalina as soon as possible. (MB)
FOSTER CARE INFRASTRUCTURE REPORT
The Foster Care Infrastructure Work Group met in Joliet on April 6. The group discussed several key areas: DCFS� recommendations for Cook contracts, definition of stability, finalization of outcomes/standards for foster care contracts, proposed enhancements to performance contracts regarding outcomes for adolescents, and change in subsidy criteria.
DCFS Recommendations for Cook Contracts
DCFS staff provided the proposed framework for deciding the status of contracts for FY�02 based on FY�01 performance. The total system can only be based on projections or estimates based on the reconciled 2nd quarter performance.
COOK HMR
The Department projects sufficient intake to fully support 12.5% of the system. DCFS recommends 3 tiers for intake in FY�02:
 | Agencies achieving 33% or more in FY�01 will be open for full intake |
| Agencies achieving less than 33% in FY�01 will have future intake factored on their agency�s average performance from l998-2001. |
 | Of this group, agencies with an average of 29% or more will be open for full rotational intake (replacement of 33% of the Beginning of Year caseload.) |
| Of this group, agencies with an average between 24% and 28.9% will be on full hold, effectively reducing their contract 33% over the fiscal year. |
| Of this group, agencies with an average less than 24% will not be offered a Relative Performance contract for FY�02. |
The group discussed the ongoing fiscal problem of growing levels of uncompensated care for agencies in the middle ranges. Although an agency could continue to receive high amounts of intake, this is added on top of cases that are still sitting in the agency at the beginning of the year. Essentially, agencies begin the year with more cases than they are being reimbursed for on the BARC. If new intake continues to come, an agency could potentially inherit a more intense financial problem than they want. The group suggested DCFS use the contract award as an opportunity to discuss with each individual agency in that situation what business decision they need to make: risk further financial problems by accepting intake or voluntarily go on some type of hold until the contract evens out. DCFS also suggested a middle ground might be to replace future intake only at the rate of permanency for FY�01 (e.g. if an agency was at 30% permanency, send 30% intake instead of 33%.)
COOK TFC
The Department projects sufficient intake to fully support the system. DCFS recommends 3 tiers for intake in FY �02.
Agencies achieving 24% or more in Fy�01 will be open for full intake.
| Agencies achieving less than 24% in FY�01 will have future intake factored on their agency�s average performance from l999-2001. |
| Of this group, agencies with an average of 20% or more will be open for full rotational intake (replacement of 24% of the Beginning of Year caseload.) |
| Of this group, agencies with an average between 19.9% and 17% will be on half hold, effectively reducing their contract 12% over the fiscal year. |
| Of this group, agencies with an average less than 17% will be on full hold, effectively reducing their contract 24% over the fiscal year. |
There are different dynamics for the TFC contracts. There are greater and more stable levels of intake. Additionally, if more intake is moved to fewer agencies, those agencies may not have sufficient licensed foster homes to support all intake. More agencies are facing a shortage of foster homes since recruitment is harder than ever, and since many foster home slots are now filled with children adopted by the foster parent.
The work group agreed that DCFS must take their recommendations to the full CWAC for consideration. The private provider members stressed that their role was to review DCFS recommendations, raise questions and critique to assure fairness and equity of recommendations, but that DCFS must make final decisions which impact contracts and contract levels.
Stability Definition
DCFS proposes to measure all agencies on a standard benchmark percentage. In performance contracts, stability will be elevated as a basis of performance in the same way as permanency. Based on previous discussions and input from the group, stability would be measured in the following ways:
| Begin measuring after 60 days (allows for assessment and identification of relatives) of new placement to system or agency. |
| Do not measure respites of 30 days or less when return to the same home |
| Do not count detention of less than 30 days when return to same home |
| Do not count hospitalization if return to same home |
| Do not count runaway if return to same home |
The main area for future agreement is at what percent to set the contract requirement. The group reviewed statistics showing rates of stability for Cook and Downstate once the above factors were extracted. There is still a need for further refinement of the statistics before a final number can be recommended.
Finalization of Outcome Definitions and Levels
As reported last week, the group recommended finalization of the definitions for the federal outcomes being measured: 1) Assess all new AOD cases; 2) Reduce indicated reports of abuse in placement homes by 50%; 3) Demonstrate a 50% improvement in re-entry into foster care in 12 months or less. (See Monday Report of April 2 for full descriptions.)
Additionally, the definition of One Worker One Family was agreed upon.
| All children from a family who reside in HMR or TFC will have one worker 1 worker in Cook before July 1 and downstate by September 30. In situations where this is not done, there will be a clinical review and the Department will decide who should be the one worker and which agency. Consideration will be given for imminent permanency and exceptional distance Current policy about lead worker will be the guiding principle. |
Adolescent Enhancements
The private agencies had previously proposed a different type of structure for adolescents in performance contracts (See Monday Report of April 2.) DCFS presented its response in the following proposals for FY �01 and FY�02 adolescent enhancements:
| Children ages 16 and older that achieve permanency will be counted as 2 permanency credits. |
| Children moving to Armed Services Duty, College/Scholarship, Youth in College or Youth in Employment/Transition will be counted as a permanency. DCFS proposed that children in college stay with the agency. The agency receives a $50/month case management fee. While the child is at school, the child receives their own board fee and when at the foster home during breaks the foster parent receives the board rate. |
| Children that are emancipated with a GED or High School diploma will be counted as half a permanency credit. |
| Children ages l4 and older that achieve adoption or guardianship before June 30, 2002 will be eligible for a $3000 Chafee transition to adulthood payment. |
| The Department will work with the legislature to change the goal of Independence from age 14 to age 16. |
The private agency members raised questions about why the graduation from high school is only counted as a half credit (DCFS feels it is not the "most desirable" outcome.) Additionally, although generally in favor of the keeping children within the program and foster home when in college when possible, agencies questioned if the $50/month was sufficient when considering the requirements from DCFS for reporting on the case, attending court and ACR�s and monthly contact with the student. The group also raised concerns, especially in the Cook court system, about the increase in age for the goal of independence. Although DCFS wants to address the permanency malaise they feel sets into the system once a goal of independence is set, agencies feel we must acknowledge that there will still be some cases in which the child is stable in his placement yet adoption/guardianship cannot for some reason be pursued. Workers will continue to receive unreasonable efforts for failing to find an adoptive home when it is not a suitable option for certain children. These proposals need further discussion before any group agreement is reached.
Changes to Subsidy Criteria
DCFS proposed a change in criteria for subsidies for young children in response to past proposals from the private agency members.
| Children age one year or older will be eligible for a subsidy, regardless of disability or relation to a sibling group. |
| Day care may be included for children from birth up to age three. Day care payment will cease when the child reaches age 3 years. |
| Children under age three that are currently receiving a subsidy may apply for a subsidy adjustment to include day care costs until the child�s third birthday. |
The group felt this would improve the rate of adoptions for younger children in care, for whom foster parents delayed adoption until a day care subsidy could be provided. This set of recommendations will be brought to the CWAC group. (MB)
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SPECIAL EDUCATION
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IPCRB DEVELOPS POLICY ON TEACHER SALARY AND FRINGE BENEFIT PARITY
CCA has mailed to all Education Committee members the policy of the IPCRB to grant salary rate appeals independent of an agency�s endowment. This policy will be sent this week, along with information about salary averages and the ISBE report on teacher supply and demand. This policy was one of the initiatives proposed by CCA members to address chronic and severe special education teacher shortages in Illinois. (BRH)
CCA DISCUSSION WITH ISBE DIRECTOR OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
CCA�s current efforts on addressing teacher shortages includes developing more current and accurate information about waivers or "PZZ�s." Several members have notified CCA when a waiver application is rejected. In one of the first conference calls with ISBE staff on this issue, Mr. Rob Sampson, Director of Professional Development was included in the waiver review. Mr. Sampson provided a high degree of specificity to the requirements for waivers, the granting of which has been considered very subjective by CCA members. However, Mr. Sampson indicated a number of very specific criteria that are considered. These will be summarized and provided to all members. Also, Mr. Sampson will send CCA all the most current materials on the waiver process to be distributed to our members. Finally, he agreed to include all approved nonpublic special education facilities on the Certification mailing list so our members receive all the current information that is sent to public schools regarding certification issues.
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GENERAL
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SACWIS POS POSITIONS
Two immediate full-time openings are available to serve as change management advocates for private child welfare agencies in Illinois as agencies prepare for and implement SACWIS (Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System), a computer system to support case management activities. One position will be located in the Chicago area and one will be located in the Springfield area. These two positions will work closely with change management staff and will focus on activities that need to occur within the private agencies and that facilitate the ongoing involvement of the private agencies in the implementation and design for SACWIS. These positions will assist in identifying and resolving those private agency issues that need to be addressed during the application development, staff training and site certification processes. A large portion of the individual�s time will be on site within the private agencies. These positions will be contractual employee positions subject to general supervision of the SACWIS Project Manager. For additional information about the position, go to the CCA web site at: www.cca-il.org and click on Jobs. Applications are to be submitted to Sam Traylor, SACWIS Project Manager at DCFS. Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled. If anyone has any questions regarding these positions, please contact Jan Schoening at CCA. These positions were recommended by the SACWIS Advisory Committee based on the extent of changes that agencies would need to address as SACWIS is implemented, not only with computer systems, but organizational issues, staff training, and staff responsibilities. The positions are estimated to be for at least two years. (JMS)
CWAC SACWIS (STATEWIDE AUTOMATED CHILD WELFARE INFORMATION SYSTEM) ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
The last meeting of the SACWIS Advisory Committee was held on April 3rd at LCFS in River Forest. One of the agenda items discussed was the timetable for Phase II design of the application for SACWIS. The original proposed plan by American Management Systems had many of the design sessions occurring at the same time. Director McDonald suggested that Intake, Assessment, Service Planning and Service Delivery be designed sequentially since one process directly relates to the other. Private agencies will be identifying subject matter experts to participate in the upcoming design sessions. The design process will require participants to attend an orientation session, requirements analysis and detailed design. The orientation sessions that will be held in May will outline the process that will be used by AMS for detailed design. It is anticipated at this time that the requirements sessions will tentatively begin June 11, 2001 and the design sessions will begin July 24, 2001. Committee members expressed concern that with concurrent sessions how will the issue of integration and overlaps among design teams and design topics be addressed. None of the dates related to design have been finalized. Based on the changes made to the design scheduled, the date that agencies would need to be SASWIC certified is now August 2002. The original date had been March 2002. The final dates for system development, testing, training and implementation activities are not yet firm so the certification date could be moved.
24 POS agencies still had not submitted their SACWIS plans as of April 3rd. It was reported at the meeting that grants would be issued the next day to those agencies that had submitted their plans by the December 31, 2000 deadline date and were approved. These agencies would receive first year funding in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2001. All other agencies if their plan is approved should receive their grants by the end of April 2001 and will begin their first year funding beginning July 1, 2001. There will be a total of 7.5 million funded over fours years. Approximately 1.2 million will be funded this fiscal year. Concern was raised that there had not been regular communication to all providers that would be impacted by SACWIS and how the certification and funding dates would impact them. Agencies who receive their first year funding in State fiscal year 2002 will not receive their third year funding before the date of certification. Also it was noted that an additional change in the grant required that for any piece of equipment that is over $1499, the private agency must send the manufacturer serial number and physical location of that piece of equipment to DCFS.
Further discussion of the communication issues noted that DCFS proposed regional meetings with DCFS, Spectrum and POS committee members participating. The following topics suggested to be covered at these meetings would be the SACWIS grant, demonstration of the prototype, the staff survey, current timetable for the project, Joint Application Design Process, how to purchase equipment and phased purchasing, and inventory control issues. (JMS)
SACWIS POS BRIDGE MEETING
The last SACWIS POS Bridge meeting was held after the Advisory Committee meeting on March 6, 2001. It was decided at that meeting that no additional meetings would be held until there is further development of the design process and what will be included in the application. This would determine some of the topics that could or could not be included in a download from SACWIS to POS systems. It was recommended that the preliminary list of the topic areas identified by the POS Bridge workgroup be distributed to the Advisory Committee for review and comment. (JMS)
SACWIS FOCUS GROUP FACILITATORS MEET
Another meeting of the Focus Group Facilitators for SACWIS has been scheduled for April 17, 2001 at LSSI in Des Plaines. A summary has been compiled from each of the focus groups and will be distributed to the facilitators for final review and comment. The meeting on April 17th will review the summary document for needed revisions and changes. This summary will be shared with DCFS and used as resource during the design sessions held later this year. The facilitators will also be working to identify the subject matter experts to represent the POS agencies at the design sessions. Common themes identified across focus groups included: 1.) Uneven experiences using technology is an issue for POS agencies. Different kinds and levels of training are needed. 2.) There is resistance to technology and a perception by some that SACWIS may take time away from their direct work with families. Agencies may lose field staff. 3.) POS agencies must be actively involved in the development of the SACWIS program because of the impact it will have on agencies. 4.) POS staff see many potential advantages with SACWIS, but there are also concerns such as human error and time wasted having to enter data twice. 5.) There are questions and concerns about the level of approval, the timing of when a record becomes permanent and the level of access by different workers in most topic areas. 6.) Confidentiality must be maintained. (JMS)
SACWIS Technical Q&A meeting
The SACWIS Technical Q&A meeting will be on Thursday April 19, from 10am to 1pm. CCA will need to collect questions ahead of time. Chuck McLaughlin would like the ability to have some of those answers up front. What we want to avoid is a lot of, "we will look into that" type answers. Please confirm as soon as possible with Rommel Sangalang at [email protected]. The meeting will be in the Spectrum facility at 3 West Old State Capitol Plaza, room 203. This is a great opportunity for the technical staff of the POS agencies to plan their SACWIS roll out with the fewest possible glitches as possible.
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
CCA members Metropolitan Family Services and Central Baptist were mentioned favorably in a Chicago Tribune article about adoption by older adults on Sunday, April 8th. For a copy of the clip, contact CCA. (LLL)
The Youth Campus Announces Caregiver Support Program
The Youth Campus� Caregiver Support Program, a community-based home health program, is designed to provide the needed supports for biological and foster families living in Cook County that have children with medical or developmental challenges.
This is a free service which is approved and funded by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. To read more about the program, visit "Success Stories" on the CCA Home Page at http://www.cca-il.org, or contact Melissa Clark, Program Coordinator, at 312/243-0533, ext. 308, or email mclark@theyouthcampus. org.
Is There Talent In Your Agency? The Third National Kinship Care Conference, scheduled in Chicago July 25-27, 2001 is seeking performing groups for a number of conference events, including luncheons. If your agency has a performing arts group for children in your care, please contact Mattie Satterfield, Director of Kinship Care, Child Welfare League of America, at (202) 662-4286, or by email at [email protected].
CHILD WELFARE DAY AT THE STATE CAPITOL: Invite your legislators and Board of Directors!
Packets of information for those agencies participating in Child Welfare Day at the State Capitol have been mailed to all registered participants. If for some reason your packet has not been received, contact the Child Care Association at 217-528-4409, or by email at [email protected]. Your packet includes printed invitations you can use to invite your legislators, Board of Directors, and other stakeholders. Additional invitations are available upon request by contacting the Child Care Association. (LLL)
MAY IS NATIONAL FOSTER CARE MONTH
Templates for media advisories, press releases and talking points for National Foster Care Month can now be found on the CCA website at http://www.cca-il.org. Go to the bottom of the home page and click on "Media Materials for National Foster Care Month." The available information available through CCA will help your agency plan and launch a public education program about foster care in your community. For additional ideas, resources, and suggestions on events, media attention, and advocacy, contact Linda Lenzini at [email protected]. Additional information with a national perspective is available on the Casey Family Programs website at www.casey.org/cnc (LLL)
CCA SALARY SURVEY NOW AVAILABLE
The CCA Member Agency Salary and Benefit Survey is now available to CCA members and will be free of charge to CCA members who participated in it. The report includes information on salaries for workers in the child welfare field and covers a full range of job positions. The information is separated by geography and operating budget. An aggregate statewide salary report is also included. The benefits portion of the survey examines a range of benefits, recognizing that they are an integral part of compensation and thus comprise a substantial percentage of an agency�s operating budget. The report includes information on hours of employment, paid leave, holidays, medial plan eligibility, health and insurance health and wellness plans, retirement plans, tuition reimbursement, raises, bonus or incentive plans certification and licensing plans and staff turnover. Non-participating members may purchase the survey for $100; non-member cost is $150. Contact the CCA office at 217/528-4409 for more information or to order a copy.
ADVOCATE FOR A COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT: EDITORIAL LETTER TEMPLATES, CONTACT NAMES AND ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE
In CCA�s efforts to mobilize member advocacy for a Cost of Living Adjustment this year from the State of Illinois, assistance is available. CCA member agencies wishing to advocate for this adjustment in their local media can obtain template press releases, talking points, and editorial contact names. For more information contact Linda Lenzini at [email protected]. (LLL)
CCA LEGISLATIVE WATCHLIST NOW ON CCA WEBSITE
A listing of bills being monitored by CCA, along with the address of the Illinois legislative website that can be accessed for more information, is now available in the members-only section of the CCA website. The listing, plus the legislative site address, will enable visitors to read synopses or full text of bills being monitored, contact bill sponsors, and read about the current status of bills, including upcoming hearings. For more information or assistance accessing the Legislative watchlist and accompanying legislative website, contact Linda Lenzini at the Child Care Association by email at [email protected] (LLL)
LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION AVAILABLE ON THE WEB
Thanks to Julie Youngquist of Lawrence Hall for the following information:
http://www.chicagoinfo.fed.gov allows you to enter a zip code or address and will give you state and federal officials as well as links to addresses, bios, and e-mail.
For more information on the federal budget and other governmental issues affecting the nonprofit sector, visit http://www.ombwatch.org.
E-MAIL ADVISORIES FOR COMMUNICATIONS/PUBLIC RELATIONS PERSONNEL
If your agency would like to receive media updates and advisories, template and CCA news releases, and other items of interest, please send name, agency name, title, and e-mail address to [email protected]. (LLL)
SUCCESS STORIES: SHARE YOURS WITH THE CCA MEMBERSHIP
Visit the home page of the CCA Website at http://www.cca-il.org for a new feature,
" Success Stories". The most recent feature has been submitted by The Youth Campus. These features, submitted by members or penned by CCA staff, share the successes that members have realized with innovative programs, new initiative, and hard work. If your agency has an innovative program or recent success story that you�d like to share, contact Linda Lenzini at CCA with the details. (LLL)
The Alliance for Justice accepts applications on a rolling basis for Co/Motion Youth Gun Violence Prevention Initiative Challenge Grants. Matching grants of up to $10,000 are awarded to qualifying organizations and agencies for youth-driven initiatives. The challenge grants are available only to youth groups that work in partnership with the Co/Motion program to design and carry out a 12-month, youth-led violence prevention campaign that includes onsite training, ongoing technical assistance, and program evaluation. The youth groups must also be affiliated with a nonprofit, 501(c)(3)organization or a government agency through which funds can be disbursed. Further information about the challenge grants and an application form the challenge grants are available at http://www.comotionmakers.org by clicking on the Youth Gun Violence Prevention Initiative, and clicking on Co/Motion Grants.
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UPCOMING EVENTS/MEETINGS
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CCA�s MEMBERSHIP and BUSINESS MEETING � MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Please mark your calendar for the Association�s Membership Meeting to be held on May 30-31 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield. Plans are underway and information on the two-day meeting will be sent to you as soon as possible. In the meantime, you can make your hotel reservation by calling the Crowne Plaza at 217/529-7777 or toll free 800/227-6963. The rate for single or double occupancy is $95.00. Be sure to say you are attending the Child Care Association meeting. (SKA)
ASSESSING, DIAGNOSING AND TREATING THE MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN ADOLESCENTS IN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM
Wednesday, May 9, 2001, Springfield Hilton, 7th and Adams, Springfield, Illinois. Registration due by May 4, 2001. For more information, contact the Youth Network Council at 321� S. 6th Street, Ste 200, Springfield, Illinois 62701, or call 1-800-252-8045 (IL ONLY) or 1-217-522-2663. (LLL)
FIRST NONPROFIT MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY PRESENT SEMINARS
Helping Not Hurting: Preventing Child Abuse in Your Nonprofit; Melanie Herman, Nonprofit Risk Management Center; Tues., May 8, 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon.
This workshop will present practical information on the risk of child abuse and maltreatment in youth-serving nonprofit organizations. The speaker will outline a framework for identifying the specific risks facing your clients and organizations. Strengthen your screening, selection, supervision and program management activities. Minimize the likelihood that your nonprofit or your personnel will harm the young people you're in business to help. Melanie Herman serves as executive director of the Nonprofit Risk Management Center, a Washington-based resource center serving the nonprofit community. The center produces training, technical assistance and informational resources on a wide range of topics, including risk management, legal liability, insurance and child abuse prevention. Ms. Herman earned a Juris Doctor from George Mason University. This seminar is free. Space is limited. We suggest you register as soon as possible by calling 800.526.4352 ext. 1531.
Unemployment Seminar Series
Attend the "Unemployment Taxes Are You Paying Too Much" Seminar on one of the following dates:
April 26, May 10, June 21, July 26, August 23, September 13. Seating is limited. Call to register. 800.526.4352 ext. 7874
Calendar:
April 11 � CCA Board of Directors, Holiday Inn Select, Naperville, IL
April 17 � SACWIS Focus Group Facilitators Meeting, Des Plaines
April 18 � Healthy Families Illinois Policy and Advocacy Committee � Conference Call
APRIL 18 � CHILD WELFARE DAY AT THE STATE CAPITOL, Springfield. For more information contact Linda Lenzini, CCA, at [email protected] or by phone at 217/528-4409.
May 1 � CWAC SACWIS Advisory Committee Meeting, Springfield
May 1�2 � National Family Heritage Coalition, Hilton, Oak Lawn, IL
May 9 � Assessing, Diagnosing and Treating the Mental Health needs of African-American adolescents
in the Juvenile Justice System. Springfield Hilton, 7th and Adams, Springfield, Illinois.
Registration due by May 4, 2001. For more information, call 1-800-252-8045 (Illinois only) or
1-217-522-2663
May 20-21 - Business and Education 2001 Conference, The Capital Hilton, Washington DC, contact
Customer Service (212) 339-0345.
May 30-31 � CCA�s MEMBERSHIP AND ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING, Crowne Plaza, Spfld.
July 25-27 � SUSTAINING KINSHIP TIES: PERMANENCY AND BEYOND--The third national kinship care conference, sponsored by the Child Welfare League of America, will be held July 25-27, 2001 at the Chicago Hilton and Towers. For more information contact the Child Welfare League at (202) 638-2952.
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For further information on any of the above, contact the staff member noted in parentheses at the end of the text: RHM = Ron Moorman 217/528-4409 ( [email protected])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])Nancy Ronquillo � 309/827-0374 ( [email protected]) |
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