MONDAY REPORT

May 29, 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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IMPORTANT UPDATE ON THE CODB!!

The Illinois General Assembly did not get its business done on its scheduled date for adjournment, Friday, May 25, and will have to come back next week to finish up its work, including passing the 2002 Budget.  The budget is still very much up in the air with many unresolved issues and multiple priority items needing funding.  It appears, as of this writing, that the House has given up its demand for the legislative initiatives that have been in the last two budgets. If that remains true, it will free up some 360 million dollars to be applied to other funding pressures of which there are many.  There has been no firm word on the CODB for which we have been advocating. There are rumors floating that there will be a small (mostly token) CODB but nothing definite at this point.

The House and Senate come back into Session again next Tuesday, May 29, and it is anticipated that they will complete their work by May 31.  If they don�t, it will mean that a 3/5ths vote will be necessary to pass any and all legislation including the budget. That would make things very difficult for all concerned. Chances are they will seek to avoid that possibility.

As soon as we get any thing definite on the budget we will let you know immediately.  Regardless of the outcome, we do want to thank agencies for all their hard work on this issue.  It is quite clear that the majority of our agencies took our request quite seriously and wrote their letters and made their calls. Legislators have indicated they have had many contacts on this issue.  What the final outcome will be, we will know next week. At this point, we can only wait to see!  (RHM)

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CHILD WELFARE

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CEO AND BOARD RETREAT

Executive Directors are asked to save the date of July 19 for a special retreat with the CCAI board at Stoney Creek Inn in Peoria. This will be an opportunity to exchange views on the future directions of CCAI, brainstorm on the current critical challenges facing member agencies and the association and arrive at some mutual agreement on our work plans for the year ahead. Board members will meet the following day on July 20 to discuss and develop the board work plan in relation to the challenges outlined on July 19. Watch the mail for registration information. (MB)

JUVENILE JUSTICE CONFERENCE

Save the dates of July 11 and 12 for the CCA-co-sponsored conference on Juvenile Justice, �New Partnerships for Juvenile Justice-Implementing Balanced and Restorative Justice in Illinois,� at the Holiday Inn Matteson.

The conference will include a plenary session by national expert, Dennis Maloney on National Perspectives and Challenges for Illinois, presentation on developing a comprehensive juvenile justice policy from Cook County State�s Attorney�s representatives and a number of workshops highlighting current innovative programs using the balanced and restorative justice principles. In the works are commitments from other national presenters on federal funding streams and new initiatives. There will also be a panel exchange on development across disciplines of future policy initiatives. This conference will provide a unique opportunity for CCA members to network with key players in the legal system and policy community as we move towards intensifying our interests and advocacy around juvenile justice concerns. Watch the Monday Report for further details. Program registration information should arrive at agencies by mid-June. (MB)

COUNCIL ON ACCREDITATION DEVELOPMENTS

Members of the Cook Executives Steering Committee met with Mike Danjczek, Interim Executive Director and Virginia Ravenaul, Legal Counsel from the Council on Accreditation on May 21. The meeting was an effort to share information with COA on challenges facing private agencies in Illinois and to obtain information from COA on new developments and requirements. 

Members discussed the more stringent reporting requirements and pushed for the need for increased clarity of what must be reported. COA reps cautioned that reporting requirements are not new but that there is increased emphasis on the Maintenance of Accreditation and documentation of reports. COA has heard criticism from other members on the stringent time frames and has drafted changes to the time frames by which they must receive reports from agencies and has defined the information to be included in those reports. These new guidelines will go out to COA agencies in the near future. Additionally, COA staff clarified that they occasionally do receive reports about agency performance or an agency incident from sources other than the member agency. In such cases, COA staff evaluate the trustworthiness of the report and may ask the agency to provide clarification on the nature of the report.  The staff will look for reports that suggest patterns of concern.

The CCA members provided a detailed overview of the type of reports agencies have heard have been forwarded to COA from various legal advocates or state monitors. Asking for responses represents another layer of monitoring of routine work already in place in the state system. COA staff feel they must look into such reports to exercise the diligence required to protect the seal of approval a COA accreditation suggests, but are open to further discussions among private agencies and state systems on what a fair system of reporting should be.  They acknowledged that there had been some reports received but did not indicate that these appeared to be numerous. They evaluate such reports based on specific alleged violations or possible violation of an entire standard. They also assured the group that when a state entity is itself accredited, such as DCFS in Illinois, that they are responsible for generating the same type of reports and COA treats any reports coming in, in a manner identical to that of private agencies.

COA is hosting an open meeting on the reporting requirements and Maintenance of Accreditation system during the upcoming best practices conference in August. They encouraged agencies to attend this session, or to write to COA in advance of the session, and indicate which aspects of reporting requirements appear unreasonable.

COA acknowledged that there have been some internal challenges regarding scheduling of site visits and assuring continuity and quality of peer reviewers. COA is requiring all peer reviewers to be retrained on the new standards and will gear the training towards assuring the competency of reviewers. They believe they have cleared up the backlog of waiting reviews and have a better schedule in place. Agencies experiencing problems in this area should contact Virginia Ravenaul at COA.

They also agreed there was room for improvement in the communication from COA to member agencies regarding standards changes, agreements with states, and internal developments. They welcomed future opportunities for exchange with CCA members. COA is conducting a national search for a new executive director and expects to have a new exec in place within 12 weeks. (MB)

COOK PERFORMANCE BASED WORK GROUP REPORT

The Cook Performance Based Work Group met in Chicago on May 23. DCP
staff reported there are still concerns about new children coming to ERC from private agencies and the need for immediate communication from caseworkers about plans for the child. DCP administrators are trying to improve the time frames by which equipment vouchers are issued for new cases, by moving the preparation into their own secretarial systems. Members of the group reported there are still problems in obtaining timely vouchers and understanding how the DCFS reimbursement system works if an agency pays for the equipment up front. Agencies are encouraged to review DCFS Rules Section 359, Section 8 to determine how to obtain reimbursement for infant equipment. This will also be discussed in more detail at the next meeting.

DCFS staff reported that Cook reconciliation data is due by June 1 for the 3^rd quarter. Agencies should be sure to track AFCARS corrections to receive all proper credits.

Cook performance foster care agencies should save the date of June 26 for an informational meeting with DCFS staff pertaining to FY�02 contracts. Details of the meeting will be mailed to agencies in the next few weeks.

Caseload penalties were addressed. Agencies are reminded to double check all arithmetic and calculations received by DCFS pertaining to their assessment of agency penalties. Additionally, agencies have the opportunity to present their plan to DCFS on how they have offset any vacancies below the 80% threshold. Although there is no section on the penalty form for this explanation, it is part of the procedure agreement with DCFS and should be submitted as an attachment. Agencies can also request a detailed breakout of how the penalty was calculated that is forwarded on a spreadsheet via e-mail, from Birdell Frye at 217-535-2298. Any agency that has a question pertaining to their penalty is encouraged to contact him.

Case consolidations to comply with the one worker/one family mandate are proceeding. All cases an agency receives due to consolidation need to be reflected on the CCSN intake system. Cases being transferred out as a result of the consolidation are counted as neutral outcomes.

Some agencies will be receiving new cases from 2 current agencies that have voluntarily withdrawn from their contracts. These cases will be at agencies by May 25. Traditional cases come with a foster home and transferred license, since the agencies are closing their contracts.

The Post-Permanency Support option is again available to agencies for FY�02. There is an average increase of 40% on this contract. The total is based on case counts as of April 1, so although is an increase in the funding level, some agencies may see some adjustments due to caseload size shrinkage. The plans and letters were mailed to Executive Directors on May 18, so agency foster care directors should track this down within their agencies to assure they submit the plans on time.

CCSN staff presented a number of concerns pertaining to agency usage of the secondary match system. Agencies receive a certification per computer once the program is officially installed. As some agencies have upgraded their equipment or software, or even moved certified computers to other locations, problems ensue with the CCSN system. Agencies need to be alert to this problem. Additionally, CCSN is receiving repeated requests to make site calls for troubleshooting or repeated installations on the same computer. This is causing an undue expense. DCFS would like to bill agencies for these surplus service calls. The group suggested that CCSN work out an agreement that is shared with agencies once a year that specifies what services they provide, what the extent of service calls can be, and what types of situations exceed normal use.

All intakes must be entered on the CCSN system by June 30 or the intake will not be credited to the agency. In essence, the agency will be serving the case for free. There are still about 350 current cases that have not been entered yet for this fiscal year. Any new cases coming in as of today, including any cases coming to an agency due to consolidation or downsizing transfers must also be entered. We urge agencies to check with intake staff to assure this intake information is properly entered on the system on time.  Questions on the CCSN system can be directed to Mari Reid.

Changes to the contracts as agreed to by the Foster Care Infrastructure Work Group and CWAC were discussed by the group. (See Changes to FY �02 Foster Care Contracts elsewhere in this Monday Report.) DCFS staff raised the issue that there is still a gap in certain cases in which a sib of a child in placement needs services while remaining in the home of the birth parent. Who has the responsibility for providing the more intense services, arranging them or paying for them is still a gray area, but one that should be addressed in the future. The next meeting of the Cook work group is scheduled for July 9. (MB)

CHANGES TO FY �02 FOSTER CARE CONTRACTS

I.                 Outcome Standards

A.         AODA � Relative Care and Traditional Foster Care

100% of all new cases will be screened for AODA services (using form CFS 440-5) and 80% of new HMR/Traditional cases (new to agency, regardless of length of case opening) will either be assessed for or receiving AOD services within 30 days of assignment to the agency. DCFS will send a list of new cases to agencies twice annually and will request documentation. Lower performance will prompt a discussion and possible technical assistance. 

B.        Re-Abuse - Relative Care, Traditional Foster Care, Specialized Foster Care, and Treatment Foster Care

Each agency will reduce indicated reports of abuse in their homes (upheld at appeal) by 50% in FY02 over FY00, or have less than the national benchmark (0.4% of starting caseload and new entries).  Results will be reported twice annually.

C.        Re-Entry into Foster Care - Relative Care, Traditional Foster Care, Specialized Foster Care, and Treatment Foster Care

Each agency will show a 50% improvement in FY02 over FY00 or have less than the national benchmark (6%).  Results will be reported annually.

D.        One Worker � One Family � Relative Care, Traditional Foster Care 

All HMR and Traditional cases will be assigned to one worker in Cook before July 1, 2001 and downstate by September 30, 2001.  DCFS will make consolidation determinations when split cases remain.

II.               Placement Stability � Relative Care, Traditional Foster Care, Specialized Foster Care, and Treatment Foster Care

An agency�s placement stability rate will be based on their 7/1/01 actual caseload and new cases assigned during the fiscal year to the agency for more than two months. It will be calculated by totaling the number of existing and new cases that experience more than one move during the fiscal year.  Any placement moves will be attributed to the agency assigned on 7/1/01.  Placement moves of new referrals (new to the system) during the fiscal year will be credited to the agency assigned on the 61^st day of case opening.  The following moves will not be counted as part of this measure: any movement during the first 60 days after case opening; respite or detention placements that last less than 30 days when the child returns to the same home; or hospitalizations and runaways when the child returns to the same home. Stability benchmarks will be set based upon the type of foster care contract.

For Relative Care and Traditional Foster Care, FY03 intake status will be based on stability and permanency performance rates.  The benchmarks for each type of foster care follow:

�     Cook County Relative Performance Contracts (PCR) � at least 98% of the 7/1 caseload and new cases will have no more than one move.

�     Cook County Traditional Performance Contracts (PCT) � at least 96% of the 7/1 caseload and new cases will have no more than one move.

�     Downstate Relative Performance Contracts (PCD) � at least 95% of the 7/1 caseload and new cases will have no more than one move.

�     Downstate Traditional Performance Contracts (PCD) � at least 92% of the 7/1 caseload and new cases will have no more than one move.

At this time, the stability benchmarks for Specialized and Treatment Foster Care programs will be part of the FY02 Contract but will not be used to determine contract levels.  A listing of the individual agencies� stability performance will be reported regularly.

Listed on the chart below are the stability performance levels (DCFS and POS combined) for FY99 and FY00 and the recommended stability benchmarks for FY02.

III.    Permanency Recommendations � Specialized/Treatment Foster Care

Specialized and treatment foster care programs will be held to an 18% permanency rate in their FY02 contract.  Agencies that fall below 18% during FY02 will incur a $2,000 penalty for each child below this percentage.  Agencies that exceed 24% permanency in FY02 will get a $2,000 bonus for every child over this percentage.  Agencies can receive credit in FY02 for permanencies that exceeded the 5% mark in the 4^th quarter of FY01. 

Agencies that fall below the 18% permanency mark can ask the Department for special consideration if they are able to justify that their permanency rate was below 18% due to the severity of the children served in their program.  The infrastructure work group will develop parameters that the Department will use when considering these requests. 

Agencies that have 24 or less cases combined in their specialized and treatment programs (approximately 35 agencies) will be held harmless to the penalties for achieving below the 18% mark.  However, these agencies could receive a bonus if they exceeded the 24% mark.

In addition, the Department will conduct reviews of specialized/treatment foster care programs during FY02 to determine why some agencies have a high permanency rate and others are achieving a low permanency rate.  This review will take into consideration agencies of all sizes.

IV.       Adolescent Incentives � Relative Care, Traditional Foster Care, Specialized Foster Care, Treatment Foster Care

�       Children ages 14 and older that achieve permanency (adoption, guardianship, or reunification) will be counted as two permanency credits

�       Children moving to Armed Services Duty, College/Scholarship, Youth in College, or Youth in Employment/Transition will be credited with an outcome counted towards an agency�s performance goal

�       Case management for children that move from performance contracts to Armed Services Duty, College/Scholarship, Youth in College, or Youth in Employment/Transition will remain with the private agency.  A work group will be convened to determine what the case management expectations on these cases are to be.   Provisions related to this case management option will not be incorporated into next year�s contracts before reaching agreement with a POS/DCFS workgroup.  It is proposed that a $50 per child monthly administrative payment will be paid for case management.  DCFS will work with the court to look for ways to expedite the closing of cases, but may visit the possibility of increasing the administrative rate if court involvement continues.

�       Each child emancipated with a GED or High School diploma will be credited with one half of an outcome counted towards an agency�s performance goal.  For emancipated children that complete high school or equivalency AND obtain employment or attend college at the point of closure will be credited with a full outcome counted towards an agency�s performance goal.  (POS to provide documentation during reconciliation)

�       Children ages 14 and older that achieve adoption or guardianship before June 30, 2002 will be eligible for a $3000 Chafee transition to adulthood payment

�       Other adolescent incentives will be discussed by the Chaffee work group during the fiscal year

Proposed Subsidy Changes

�       Children age one year or older will be eligible for a subsidy, regardless of disability or connection to a sibling group

�       Children residing with a caregiver for at least one year will now be eligible for subsidized guardianship

�       Daycare may be included in the subsidy for children from birth up to age three.  The daycare subsidy will cease when the child reaches three years of age

�       Children under age three that are currently receiving a subsidy may apply for a subsidy adjustment to include daycare costs until the child�s third birthday.  The daycare adjustment will be available only for daycare payment after 7/1/01; no retroactive pay is available. 

Cook Intake Status � Relative Care, Traditional Foster Care

Cook Relative Performance Contracts

Agencies achieving 33.0% or higher in FY01 will be open for full intake of 33% of their contract level.  For agencies achieving lower than 33.0% in FY01, intake status will be determined by their average performance for fiscal years 1998 � 2001, and FY02 referral will replace only the level of permanency achieved in FY01 (to address uncompensated care)

�     Agencies with an average of 27.0% or higher will be open for full rotational intake up to the level of their FY01 performance

�     Agencies with an average between 26.9% and 24.0% will be on full hold, effectively reducing their contract by up to 33% over the fiscal year (eligible to receive add-ons)

�     Agencies with an average less than 24.0% will not be offered a performance contract in FY02 for Cook Relative Care

Cook Traditional Performance Contracts

Agencies achieving 24.0% or higher in FY01 will be open for full intake of 24% of their caseload.  For agencies achieving lower than 24.0% in FY01, intake status will be determined by their average performance for fiscal years 1999 � 2001.

�     Agencies with an average of 20.0% or higher will be open for full rotational intake (replacement of 24% of their paid caseload)

�     Agencies with an average between 19.9% and 17.0% will be on half hold, effectively reducing their contract 12% over the fiscal year

�     Agencies with an average of less than 17.0% will be on full hold, effectively reducing their contract up to 24% over the fiscal year (eligible to receive add-ons)

FY02 Contracts for Specialized and Treatment Foster Care

�       The infrastructure work group will proceed with the development of standardized program plans and rates for Specialized / Treatment Foster Care

�       Specialized / Treatment contracts forFY02 will be issued as annual contracts with 6 month amendments for funding

IMPORTANT NEWS ON LEVELS OF CARE PENALTIES

DCFS has prepared the following correspondence to go out to all foster care agencies during the next 2 weeks. We wanted to be sure all agencies received advance notice of this correspondence. We urge all executive directors and finance officers to check the status of the levels of care reviews for your agency to assure you are in compliance with the required percentages of reviews.

Policy Guide 2001.03 implemented the revised Level of Care (LOC) forms and process.  This Policy Guide required private agencies and regions to re-review all children that were on their specialized/treatment foster care caseloads as of 2/15/01 with the new LOC forms and process. The Policy Guide set up reporting requirements that agencies and regions had to follow for their re-reviews.  These requirements are as follows:

�         25% of the cases must be reviewed by 3/31/01

�         50% of the cases must be reviewed by 4/30/01

�         75% of the cases must be reviewed by 5/31/01

�         100% of the cases must be reviewed by 6/30/01

As stated in the Policy Guide, agencies that do not meet these reporting requirements will incur a penalty.  The Infrastructure Committee, a sub-committee of the Child Welfare Advisory Committee, worked with the Department to develop the process that is used for implanting the penalties.  Agencies will incur a 5% financial penalty of their total monthly current funding payment(s) if they do not meet the review requirements listed above. 

Agencies will incur the penalty for March and April on their June current funding voucher(s).  If the agency does not receive current funding, the penalty will be determined by all of the payments made to the agency for that month and will be added as a receivable and collected through the board runs beginning in June.  Although this penalty is based on the agency's total monthly current funding payment, the penalty must be taken from the administrative portion of the payment.  Payments to foster parents may NOT be reduced due to a penalty an agency receives. 

Agencies will receive a letter within the next couple of weeks that states the penalty that the Department has assessed on the agency's June funding voucher(s) and the reconciliation process.  Although this penalty amount will already be deducted from the agency's June current funding voucher, the agency will have 15 days from the date of the letter to reconcile with the Department.  If the reconciliation process shows that the agency should not have been penalized, the amount that was deducted from the June funding voucher will be added to the next funding voucher. 

Cases that achieved permanency, closed out of the system, or moved to a living arrangement other than foster care, were counted toward the number of cases that have been reviewed.  In order for these situations to have counted, the agency must have sent the information to the address listed in Policy Guide 2001.03. 

How the Penalties Were Determined:

The Department first determined if the agency as a whole (all of the specialized/treatment programs combined) met the reporting requirements for March and April.  If the agency met the required percentage (i.e. 25% and 50%) a penalty was not applied.  If the agency did not meet the reporting requirement, the Department looked at each specialized and treatment foster care contract within the agency.  A 5% penalty was applied to each specialized/treatment contract that fell below the required percentage.

A second letter will be sent out to all agencies regarding the penalties for the May and June reporting requirements. If you have questions about this process please contact Melinda Woods-Lis at 312-814-6880.

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GENERAL

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KANSAS � PRIVATIZED CHILD WELFARE

One of the main problems with the Kansas program to implement managed care in child welfare has been the severely under-estimated costs for services under this type of an arrangement.  This system has been in place five years and in the first four years $97 million was added to $178 million in contracted costs.   There is also the issue of accountability now that there are several multi-million dollar contracts with lead-agency providers versus a budget breakout from the state agency that administers child welfare.  In this program each of the lead agencies is responsible for foster care, adoption, or family support and a flat rate or case rate for each child.  Some people are concerned that channeling money according to these service categories perpetuates problems when children and families shift from one service goal to another � such as from reunification to adoption � the whole group of professionals changes also.  Although the system has established outcomes, the performance has been somewhat mixed for safety, permanence and child well being.  Safety goals have been exceeded, permanence has been difficult to meet and there is no agreement on how best to present well-being data. 

The steps identified by advocates to improve the system include: 1.) Greater accountability for how funds are spent; 2.) Greater accountability for children�s well being; 3.) Slowing the flow of children into the system and correcting the imbalance between prevention and reactive services; 4.) Greater coordination of services, such as having one provider doing all services in one region; and 5.) Appropriate fiscal incentives tied to positive outcomes.  For additional information about advocates reactions to the privatized system contact Gary Brunk, Kansas Action for Children, 787-232-0550; http://www.kac.org.  (JMS)

LATEST SURVEY ON CHILD WELFARE PERSONNEL

It was reported in the Child Protection Report that a survey of child protective services workers, family and foster-care case managers, therapists and supervisors confirms that public and private agencies continue to struggle with issues of worker retention, turnover and compensation.  The sponsoring organizations of the survey were: American Public Human Services Administration, the Alliance for Children and Families and the Child Welfare League of America.  Some of the highlights of the survey were:  1.)
Average turnover rates for CPS and other caseworker positions ranged from 20% (state agencies) to 40 percent (private agencies).  2.) Private agencies reported annual turnover rates over 45 percent. 3.) Noncompetitive salaries remain a critical problem in recruiting and retaining qualified staff.   For additional information on the survey contact APHSA at 202-682-0100; fax 202-289-6555; [email protected]; CWLA, 202-638-2952; www.cwla.org.  (JMS)

REGIONAL SACWIS INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS HELD

In conjunction with the CWAC SACWIS Advisory Committee, three regional meetings were held this past week in Springfield, Peoria and Aurora.  The purpose of the meetings was to provide an ongoing means of communication to all agencies that will be impacted by the implementation of the Statewide Automated Child Welfare System.  Two additional meetings have been scheduled for June 6, 2001 at Catholic Charities in Chicago.  If you would like additional information on the time and location of those meetings, contact Steve Bradshaw, Private Agency Liaison with DCFS, at 217-747-7604. 

The agenda for the meeting included the following items: demonstration of Phase I prototype for SACWIS; staff survey; JAD process; and equipment related items.  More specifically under the prototype demonstration there was a review of those screens related to: Desktop/Home page with alerts, lists of work in progress, easy access to work, brief movement through investigations to see easy navigation and checklist, case notes and supervisory approval.  Under the equipment review an update was given on the status of the contract between DCFS and private agencies for SACWIS equipment, the timeline for contract signatures, where contracts are, and the execution of three years beginning 2001 or 2002.  Other equipment issues included when to make purchases of equipment, how to get reimbursed, and information that should be sent with invoices.  The project will also be asking agencies to complete a staff survey in order to assist in planning for the number of training sites and sessions both for office automation and the SACWIS application.  Additional meetings will be scheduled in the future as an ongoing method of communication updates for all providers.  (JMS)

SACWIS Technical Question and Answer Meeting

The Springfield Technical SACWIS Question and Answer meeting with Spectrum brought about new issues that have resulted in a letter to Sam Traylor (SACWIS Project Manager).  The meeting summary can be found on the CCA website at http://www.cca-il.org.

The Chicago Technical Q&A meeting will be June 14th from 10am to 12pm.  Cook agencies that could not attend the Springfield meeting asked if a Chicago meeting could be held.  Chuck McLaughlin from Spectrum will not be able to attend but Steve Bradshaw, the SACWIS POS Liaison, Susan Klein-Rothchild (Spectrum Management), and Rommel Sangalang (CCA) can answer questions on the certification plans.  New issues and questions that we cannot answer will be brought to Chuck at a later date.

This meeting will be held at Catholic Charities of Chicago at their downtown facility:

          651 West Lake Street

          Chicago, IL 60661

Please find another source of parking besides the Catholic Charities parking lots.  There are metered street parking and public parking lots in the vicinity.  Please contact Rommel Sangalang at 217-528-4409 (or [email protected]) if you plan to attend.

PUBLIC RELATIONS INFORMATION AND IDEA EXCHANGE

CCA Offers an e-mail advisory list for public relations professionals and other personnel within member agencies that function in a public relations capacity. The Association will also be offering additional opportunities to exchange information and ideas and share your successes and challenges. To join your colleagues at CCCA in these efforts, please e-mail Linda Lenzini at the Child Care Association at [email protected], or call the CCA offices at 217-528-4409.

PUBLIC RELATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONALS: CALL FOR PAPERS OPPORTUNITY

The National Child Care Development Association is made up of professionals who work in development, public relations and marketing in agencies that serve children with specialized needs. The association, first founded in 1989 through the encouragement and support of Lloyd Wagnon, who is currently working with a number of CCA members on development issues, will hold its 2002 Conference March 13^th � 15^th, 2002, In Chicago and is currently calling for papers. The particular area of focus is in the applications of public relations, marketing and development concepts or specialized supports for these functions in a child welfare setting.

For more information, contact Linda Lenzini at CCA at [email protected]., or Debbie Reed at Chaddock at [email protected]. 

SUCCESS STORIES: SHARE YOURS WITH THE MEDIA

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

WEBSITES WE LIKE

http://www.nyu.edu/socialwork/wwwrsw/

This site has been developed over the past seven years as a virtual library that assists social service workers and allied professionals in obtaining Internet-based information that they need. The site contains over 50,000 links and is updated daily. The links provided include those linked to government agencies and professional organizations, with a focus on direct links to full text, professional relevant documents provided by the government or professional associations. Features that will improve ease of navigation, including a new search engine, will be added in the next future. The services on the site are free and are a joint collaboration between New York University's Ehrenkranz School of Social Work and the Division of Social Work and Behavioral Science, Mount Sinai School of Medicine

To make the site your home page:

In Microsoft Internet Explorer [5.5] click on Tools, then click on Internet Options. Under the General tab the first option is Home Page. Simply paste the WWWRSW address into the white space and click on OK.

In Netscape Communicator [4.7] click on Edit, then click on Preferences. On the right hand side of the dialog box in the middle there will be a space where you can paste the WWWRSW address. Then click OK.

There is also a link to this site in the CCA Web Page�s Library section.

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UPCOMING EVENTS/MEETINGS

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FINANCE AND RATE TRAINING REMINDER

CCA will sponsor a training session for Executives and Financial Managers in the critical areas of cost reporting, rate setting, rate appeals and common problems experienced.  You will learn helpful techniques to improve cooperation between your agency finance and program staff, as well as, receive an up-to-the minute briefing on the rates for the upcoming fiscal year 2002.  In addition to covering rates set for Residential and Group Home programs this session will cover Independent Living, Transitional Living, Treatment and Specialized foster Care rates.

TWO LOCATIONS NEAR YOU

Date:            Wednesday, June 6, 2001

Location:          Hilton, Lisle/Naperville, IL

Date:            Wednesday, June 13, 2001

Location:          Northfield Inn & Conference Center, Springfield, IL

For more information or to register call D.D. Fischer at (217) 656-3000.

Calendar:

May 30-31 � CCA�s MEMBERSHIP AND ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING, Crowne Plaza, Spfld.

June 5 � CWAC SACWIS Advisory Committee � LCFS River Forest

June 6 � CCA�s Training Session: �What�s the Status of Your Agency�s Financial Health?� Hilton Lisle

June 13 - CCA�s Training Session: �What�s the Status of Your Agency�s Financial Health?�

           Northfield Inn, Springfield

June 18 � CCA�s Training Session: �Financial Resource Development�, Northfield Inn, Springfield

June 19 - CCA�s Training Session: �Financial Resource Development�, Hilton, Lisle

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 11-12 - NEW PARTNERSHIPS FOR JUVENILE JUSTICE--IMPLEMENTING BALANCED AND

           RESTORATIVE JUSTICE IN ILLINOIS, Holiday Inn Matteson

July 19-20 � CCA Membership / Board Retreat, Stoney Creek Inn, East Peoria

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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