Our efforts to obtain a 4% cost-of-doing business for FY 2002 have run into a very serious obstacle! Last week the State�s Economic and Fiscal Commission lower its estimates of new revenue available to the State by around 80 million dollars! That has had a ripple effect across all the discussions about the proposed budget. Up until last week, we were getting positive response from most legislators and positive response from some of the legislative leaders about the need for a cost-of-doing business adjustment for private agencies. With these new revenue estimates, almost all of that support has vanished!! While acknowledging the need, legislative leaders are not at all optimistic about being able to address those needs!

In that light, IT WILL BE ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL THAT WE GET BACK TO OUR LEGISLATORS IMMEDIATELY TO TELL THEM AS STRONGLY AS POSSIBLE THAT THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!

Time is of the essence since the General Assembly is set to adjourn on May 25^th!

We need EACH OF OUR MEMBER AGENCIES to IMMEDIATELY write a letter or pick up the phone and call each one of THEIR legislators and tell them that their agency absolutely has to have a cost-of-doing business increase if they are going to be able to continue to serve their clients as they should be served--with quality, effectiveness, and efficiency! Tell them it is completely unacceptable to ignore our needs and the needs of the children and families cared for by private agencies around the state.

PLEASE DO NOT IGNORE THIS REQUEST! WE CANNOT CHANGE THIS SITUATION WITHOUT YOUR HELP!! This is perhaps the most serious challenge to the funding of private agencies that we have faced in many years. Given the new economic forecast for the state, there is a very real chance we may end up with no (zero) CODB this year! Please help us to insure this doesn�t happen. ADDRESS THIS ISSUE IMMEDIATELY AND MAKE SURE THAT AS MANY STAFF AND BOARD MEMBERS OF YOUR ORGANIZATION DO THE SAME! GET THOSE LETTERS AND PHONE CALLS ON THE WAY!! If any agency needs any help with this or information in order to be able to write these letters or make those calls, please call Ron Moorman at the CCA office. We thank them in advance for their help with this absolutely critical issue. (RHM)

CCAI members are asked to reserve July 11 and 12, 2001, in Tinley Park, Illinois, to participate in a conference co-sponsored by the Child Care Association of Illinois and the Cook County State�s Attorney: "New Partnerships for Juvenile Justice�Implementing Balanced and Restorative Justice in Illinois." The keynote plenary session will be conducted by Dennis Maloney, Balanced and Restorative Justice Project Director and Director of Community Justice Department in Bend, Oregon. A number of breakout sessions will highlight new program initiatives and ideas including peer juries, mediation and victim offender conferencing, alternatives to detention and probation partnerships from across Illinois. The pursuit of improved Juvenile Justice alternatives and policies is a major theme and future direction of the Child Care Association. This conference will prove to be a valuable opportunity for our member agencies to learn more about innovative program ideas, network with cutting edge thinkers in the field, collaborate with key players in the legal system, gain information on needs of referral sources and promote your programs.

The conference planning committee for CCA includes Marge Berglind of CCA, Ann Deuel of Jamal Place, Steve Yahnig of Salem Children�s Home, Mike Oliver of St. Joseph�s, Jodi Doane of Uhlich and Dannette Smith of Central Baptist. We are looking for innovative Illinois programs that follow the principles of Balanced and Restorative Justice. If you aware of programs within your agency or in your community area that should be asked to present, please contact any member of the planning committee. More details will follow in the near future. As summer schedules fill up quickly, we urge you to save the dates now. (MB)

Last week, executive directors received a letter from DCFS announcing funds to offset the costs of training. We have addressed a number of questions to DCFS. Diane Yost has clarified some of them with the following information:

1. The lump sum is one time only for this fiscal year and should be received by agencies by the end of the fiscal year so that the funds don't lapse. If agencies submit their plan by the due date, they will get the funds.
2. DCFS hopes that the same amount of money is allocated for next year. They will have more details about how these will be distributed when we get into next fiscal year.
3. The letter asks for your plan to address your agency's approach to remediation. DCFS has clarified that this means your agency is remediating known problems in your agencies such as compel orders, excessive help unit referrals, concerns addressed by their AP Monitors, excessively high turnover etc.
4. These funds are intended to "offset" training costs within agencies. They are not intended to fully fund the cost of training. Therefore, the fund is based only on home of relative and traditional foster care caseloads.

Further questions and concerns on this issue should be directed to Diane Yost, who is taking the lead on this issue for DCFS, (312-328-2868.) (MB)

The National Family Heritage Coalition met this past week in Chicago to continue its efforts to impact and change the current provisions of the federal MEPA and IEPA regulations relative to race and culture in the provision of child welfare services as well as some of the unintended results of the new ASFA legislation. The Child Care Association, along with the African American Family Commission, is one of the founding members of this coalition and is strongly supportive of its goals and intentions.

The members present did a final review of the recently released position paper about these issues and spent considerable time in discussing the distribution and utilization of this position paper. The response that we have gotten back from all sources has been very positive and encouraging. There was also considerable discussion about the provisions of the Indian Child Welfare Act and how its provisions might be applicable to the current situation. There was also considerable discussion of the issue of the "over-representation" of minority children in both the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. The committee also heard from a panel of young adults who were trans-racially adopted--it was very enlightening and helpful to hear their experiences and their thoughts on our current adoptive practices.

The Coalition is planning to hold a series of regional conferences over the next year to highlight the issues and to help to build momentum for change. We are also planning to sponsor a national symposium on this issue in Washington sometime next year in order to involve both practitioners and policy makers in the discussion of these issues. All in all, the group felt that considerable progress has been made and that the effort is moving ahead on its established timeframes. (RHM)

The CCA Public Policy Committee met last week and spent the majority of its time discussing the new developments relative to our CODB efforts and outlining the methods and strategies to impact this issue. (More details are contained in the previous CODB alert elsewhere in this Monday Report).

Many of the bills in the General Assembly that we have been monitoring have not moved forward since they are caught up in all of the political rhetoric and in-fighting that is taking place in the closing days of the Session. There has still not been a settlement reached as to how the House and Senate will be reconfigured in light of the new census figures. This is a critical issue and until it is settled not a whole lot more work is being done. The majority of bills we have been watching have been held in committee or have not been allowed to get out of the Rules committee in their respective Houses. Several bills dealing with the Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act are still alive and moving through the process although, at this writing, none have actually passed. The Association has been supportive of these bills. We are also watching the status of HB 3395 which deals with issues related to unionization. This bill passed the House but as of this writing is still in Senate rules and has not moved forward. Given its provisions, we will be tracking this bill very carefully.

Language addressing a restructuring of juvenile justice services in the State has been developed by the John Howard Association and the CCA Public Policy Committee has reviewed it. It will not be moving during the current session of the General Assembly but a number of legislators have expressed interest in conducting hearings on this proposal over the summer so that it can be introduced in the next session of the General Assembly. The proposal is loosely modeled on the Reclaim Ohio system which has been receiving very favorable reviews and which the CCA Public Policy Committee has studied in some detail. This is a proposal that will allow much more discretion and planning at the local level as well as the utilization of more community-based resources to address the needs of juveniles in their communities. (RHM)

The CWAC SACWIS Advisory Committee met on May 1^st in Springfield. The agenda included an Update on the Best Practices project, Update on SACWIS project, review of major issues for POS, status of POS equipment and grants, focus group issues and status of POS advocate positions. The major portion of the meeting included a presentation of currently developed SACWIS screens for Phase I of the project. This included a review of how alerts would be handled, how the screens were set up for current status of cases, how supervisors would do approvals on cases, how case managers would maneuver through the system, what type of information on employees would be in the system, etc. Completion of design for Phase I and final review by DCFS is scheduled to be May 14 through June 26^th, 2001.

As part of the update on the SACWIS project, Sam Traylor did report that a completion date for implementation of SACWIS had been identified. June 24, 2003 is the projected date for total implementation of SACWIS. The Joint Application Development sessions for Phase II of SACWIS are still scheduled to begin July 24, 2001. Final dates for each area of development from case assignment to case management to financial are still being reviewed and should be available by mid May 2001.

Additional discussion on issues that impact the POS were Medicaid, residential, communication, and security. Further discussion of inclusion of Medicaid in the design of the system besides the billing system would be conducted during detailed design. There would be a need by the contractor to determine if additional costs to the project would be associated with the addition of the issues surrounding these areas. How would the documentation around case assessment, service planning and case notes be handled for Medicaid cases in the system? Although residential services are not included as part of the SACWIS project, there will still be the need to get information from the private agencies on the cases into the system. Currently the system represents a paper-to-paper system. What happens when the DCFS case manager now needs to input POS residential information into a file that is a part of SACWIS? This issue appeared to be a broader policy issue than SACWIS and would be directed to management within DCFS. (JMS)

CCA scheduled a meeting with Senator Rauschenberger as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee on May 3^rd to discuss the reduced funding for Teen REACH and Project Success in the current FY 2002 Governor�s budget. Senator Rauschenberger indicated that current funding for Teen REACH was based on TANF savings and that it was not the intention that it would support ongoing funding of the program. He expressed support for both programs during the current budget process of the legislative session. CCA will be submitting letters to all state Senators asking for their support to restore the funding cut and maintain both programs which have very distinct goals and services. (JMS)

The Appropriations Human Services Committee of the House met on April 26, 2001 to take testimony from advocates and organizations regarding the FY 2002 budget. CCA attended the hearing regarding the Teen REACH and Project Success budget reductions. Oral testimony heard by the Committee requested that funding for both programs not be combined into one budget line and highlighted the benefits of the Project Success program. Numerous advocate groups and Project Success programs signed in opposed to the DHS budget. The Chair of the Committee indicated support for continuing Project Success. CCA submitted a letter to each member of the Committee regarding our position to restore funding to the FY 2001 level for both Teen REACH and Project Success. (JMS)

Aunt Martha�s Youth Service Center has asked us to inform our readers of the new address for their administrative offices. The new address is: 233 W. Joe Orr Road, North Building, Chicago Heights, IL 60411; new general phone number: 708.754.1044; fax is the same at: 708.747.3497. (SKA)

Effective Sunday, May 13, 2001, the Adoption Information Center of Illinois will be closed on Sundays. The AICI will continue to remain open the other six days as follows: Monday � Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Saturdays 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (MP)

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)

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)

Need assistance with media contacts, pitch letters, and other efforts to reach the media in your area? Contact CCA for assistance via phone or e-mail at [email protected] or [email protected]

A post-event evaluation of Child Welfare Day provided the following information to CCA about advocacy efforts of participating members:

74% of respondents indicated that they contacted legislators in advance.

83% of respondents indicated that they contacted legislators from their district the day of the event.

73% of respondents were successful in arranging meeting with their legislators

Of those who met with their legislators, 39% conducted sit-down meetings, 44% conducted brief stand-up meetings, and 56.5% of respondents indicated that their legislators stopped by their exhibits

For more information or assistance on contacting your legislators or the press in your community as part of your advocacy efforts, contact CCA at 217-528-4409. Sample letters, press releases, etc. are 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.

May 9 � Assessing, Diagnosing and Treating the Mental Health needs of African-American adolescents

in the Juvenile Justice System. Springfield Hilton, 7^th 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 10-11 - Illinois Alliance of Administrators of Special Education Spring Conference, Holiday Inn,

Collinsville, IL, attn: Nancy Newbold (618)395-8627.

May 16 � CCA Board of Directors Meeting, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Springfield, IL

May 17 � Chicago Child Care Society�s Annual Child Care Symposium "Coming Together As A Community". For registration, contact Erin Walton at 773/256-2464.

May 20-21 - Business and Education 2001 Conference, The Capital Hilton, Washington DC, contact

Customer Service (212) 339-0345.

June 26-27 - Tools to Effective Leadership Summer Academy: "A Framework for Understanding

Poverty and Learning Structures," Collinsville, IL. Call (618) 395-8626 for more information

June 28-29 - Tools to Effective Leadership Summer Academy: "A Framework for Understanding

Poverty and Learning Structures," Marriott Chicago Oak Brook, Oak Brook, IL. Call (618) 395-

8626 for more information.

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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