February 4, 2002

SPECIAL NOTE:  Copyright 2002. The Monday Report is produced each week as a benefit to the member agencies of the Child Care Association. Please protect this membership benefit - DO NOT copy and distribute this report to agencies/staff that are not members of CCA. Thank you for your cooperation.

Table of Contents

CHILD WELFARE. 1

DOWNSTATE PERFORMANCE BASED WORK GROUP. 1

FOSTER CARE INFRASTRUCTURE. 3

SPECIALIZED FOSTER CARE UPDATE. 3

�      Standardized Program Plans and Rates: 3

�      Shrinkage of Specialized Care and Limiting Intake: 4

�      Limited Intake: 4

�      Wraparound Planning: 4

�      Medicaid: 4

UNUSUAL INCIDENT REPORT TRACKING.. 4

DIRECT SERVICE EMPLOYEE FOUNDATION TRAINING UPDATE. 5

ADOLESCENT PREGNANCY PREVENTION GRANTS. 5

MENTAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. 5

CCA DHS BUDGET WORKGROUP. 5

GENERAL. 6

FEDERAL BUDGET. 6

TANF REAUTHORIZATION. 6

AUDIO CONFERENCE CALL ON TANF FUNDING ISSUES. 6

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS. 7

�      CCA members awarded for Top Scoring Implementation Plans. 7

DCFS SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE. 7

SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN ILLINOIS: THE IMPACT OF HUMAN SERVICE BUDGETS ON ILLINOIS COMMUNITIES. 7

HELPFUL WESITES FOR PUBLIC POLICY AND ADVOCACY. 7

UPCOMING EVENTS. 7

SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SERVICE ADMINISTRATION AT UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO ANNOUNCES CLINICAL AND MANAGEMENT TRAINING SESSIONS. 7

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT TRAINING WITH DR. FOTENA ZIRPS. 8

Calendar: 8

DOWNSTATE PERFORMANCE BASED WORK GROUP

A hearty band of 7 met on a bad weather day in Springfield on January 31, 2002.

FOSTER CARE INFRASTRUCTURE

SPECIALIZED FOSTER CARE UPDATE

The Foster Care Infrastructure Committee resumed meeting on February 1.

The main topic of discussion was DCFS� current proposal for Specialized Foster Care to be effective July l, 2002.  Basically, the proposal involves several components that will have significant impact on our agencies:

�     Standardized Program Plans and Rates

�     Shrinkage of Specialized Care and Limiting intake

�     Limited Intake into Specialized forms of care primarily for step-downs from Residential Care with very limited access for children new to the system with specialized needs and very limited access for existing children currently in TFC/HMR

�     Further use of Wraparound planning concepts to encourage stability of children in placements and utilization of community resources

�     Medicaid

�       Standardized Program Plans and Rates:

The department proposed changes to the program plan, which reduce the standard rates previously proposed. Main changes involved caseload ratio increases. The proposed rates are DRAFTS and need to be further reviewed. However, the Proposed DRAFT rates are:

          Behavioral/Mental Health Specialized I:                              $80.23/day  

    (Includes Board Rate of $29.69)

          Medically Complex/DD Specialized I:                                     $78.81/day

              (Includes Board Rate of $29.69)

          Behavioral/Mental Health Specialized II (Treatment)          $114.41/day

               (Includes Board Rate of $45.90)

          Medically Complex/DD Specialized II (Treatment)              $109.69/day

              (Includes Board Rate of $45.90)

�       Shrinkage of Specialized Care and Limiting Intake:

DCFS shared charts that showed a decline in specialized care slots from 7345 in June, 1997 to 4632 in June, 2001, with expected decline at end of FY�02 to 3566. This shows more than a 50% reduction in 5 years in number of specialized slots.

Agencies providing specialized programs in FY�03 can expect to see an additional 16-24% decrease in population, due to required permanency exits, step-downs and attritions, and limited intake.  As part of the discussion, the providers asked for further projections from DCFS for the next 3 years.

�       Limited Intake:

DCFS wants to uncouple LOC scores with entitlement to specialized programs. There would be very limited entry into specialized care for children currently in HMR and TFC. There would be tight gate keeping. Specialized programs in the Behavior/Mental Health categories would primarily be used for children stepping down from residential/group home care. This would include children being discharged from psychiatric hospitalization and detention Agencies would be expected to be able to serve these populations.       

�       Wraparound Planning:

DCFS proposes conversion of current crisis services (possibly ITS) to working as Wraparound assessment and planning agents for children with specialized needs who do not necessarily need a full-fledged specialized program.  They are also reviewing possible other uses for Placement Stabilization funds. 

�       Medicaid:

There is no decision yet on Medicaid funding for specialized programs. The voluntary sector members suggested that there should be a clear decision on this before proceeding. As the system proceeds to standardization of plans and rates there must be standardization of use of Medicaid.

CCAI will be forwarding materials including the proposed standardized plan, rate calculations and projections charts within the next week. We will use the existing mailing list of contacts identified by you for Foster Care directors. We encourage any agency with specialized contracts to be sure you are on the contact list to assure receipt of these essential materials. Please call Barb Oldani in our Springfield office at 217-528-4409 if you do not recollect identifying a contact or wish to change foster care contact.  We have also designated an afternoon breakout session during our Spring Membership Meeting in Oak Brook on March 21 for an update of Specialized Foster Care changes. (MB)

UNUSUAL INCIDENT REPORT TRACKING

The work group of CWAC-SED that helped provide feedback for the new UIR system is now looking at the processing of the UIR and waiver system. A tool has been developed for agencies to use to keep track of the UIR flow. Agencies that wish to participate should fill out the tracking information on a grid sheet that includes the following:

*Please use first name and initial only  

** Date faxed

*** the date the UIR number was received

**** any issues that staff would like to report relating to that UIR enter an identifying number and describe on the back with a corresponding number

If the data is too numerous, agencies can do a 10% sample of 3 months of UIR�s, although the work group requests reports for all waiver requests.

These can be e-mailed to Ed Sherk of Shelter, Inc.  Copies of the full form including grid can also be obtained by contacting Ed Sherk at his e-mail addresses: [email protected] and [email protected]. (Note: please send to both e-mail addresses to assure delivery.)  (MB)

DIRECT SERVICE EMPLOYEE FOUNDATION TRAINING UPDATE

DCFS training staff have alerted us to the following information:

We encourage agencies planning on new February hires to reserve their training slots through the usual processes as soon as possible to avoid cancellation of sites due to low enrollment. Questions can be directed to the DCFS training department. (MB)

ADOLESCENT PREGNANCY PREVENTION GRANTS

The Office of Adolescent Pregnancy Programs, within the Office of Population Affairs, Office of Public Health and Science, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has announced the availability of funding for adolescent pregnancy prevention grants under the Adolescent Family Life Demonstration Projects Program.  The program provides funding for demonstration projects that encourage adolescents to abstain from sexual activity by providing age-appropriate education on sexuality and decision-making skills.

The full program announcement appears in the January 9, 2002, edition of the Federal Register (volume 67, number 6), which can be accessed on line at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/aces140.html.  In addition, you may wish to visit the following Web site to review and download the complete application: http://opa.osophs.dhhs.gov.  Finally, further information regarding this announcement is available through the Office of Adolescent Pregnancy Programs Office at (301) 594-4004 or by e-mail at [email protected].  Please note that the closing date for submitting applications is March 11, 2002. Other questions can be directed to Ronald Stevens, DHHS, 312-886-5036 or e-mail at [email protected]. (MB)

CCA DHS BUDGET WORKGROUP

The CCA Public Policy Committee formed a workgroup to review the FY02 budget cuts to the Department of Human Services and those children�s services that are provided by CCA members.  The main objective of the group was to try to identify alternative funding cuts to offset the proposed cuts being considered for DHS children�s programs for the FY02 budget. The group would also try to identify those services or programs to be targeted for review and analysis as part of the FY03 budget information to be distributed to members and to determine how to address any proposed cuts to services within the FY03 DHS budget.  The group limited its alternative funding discussions within the DHS structure and did not encompass broader revenue generating alternatives being developed by coalitions.  Alternative funding recommended for review within the DHS budget were unobligated funds, cuts that do not impact direct services, reduction in paperwork requirements to providers, simplification of evaluation efforts, reduction of planning projects, and review of the headcount related to the TANF program.  Other issues discussed included how to obtain statewide data of the impact of direct service cuts to families and children.  For example, if Teen REACH were reduced by $1,191,300, how many families or youth would be impacted by this reduction?  The DHS line items with proposed service cuts for FY02 that would impact children were: Healthy Families, Teen REACH, Project Success, Teen Parent Services, Comprehensive Community Based Youth Services and Community Mental Health Services. The total amount of those cuts was $11,973,500.  In discussions with DHS staff about the proposed cuts, there has been no final decision yet on those cuts.  (JMS)

FEDERAL BUDGET

In new projections released this week by the Congressional Budget Office, the cumulative surplus has fallen to $1.6 trillion � a drop of $4 trillion since January 2001�s projection.  For both 2002 and 2003, CBO now projects that instead of surpluses the total budget will show small deficits.  The new CBO report is expected to initiate a new debate on national priorities, including tax policy, for the FY budget year 2003 which begins October 1 and subsequent years.  Center on Budget and Policy Priorities analysis notes that the projections show the tax cut is the single largest factor behind the ten-year deterioration, accounting for 41% of it.  For additional information go to: www.cbpp.org/1-23-02bud.htm.  (JMS)

TANF REAUTHORIZATION

Congress must reauthorize the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program by September 30, 2002.  The Welfare Information Network has issued a publication which provides a periodic summary of recent reauthorization-related research on the implementation and/or impact of welfare reform provisions that are likely to be considered during the reauthorization of TANF and related programs.  The January issue highlights the national evaluation of different Welfare-to-Work approaches, trends in employment outcomes of young black men, and other welfare reform and household saving.  For additional information go to: www.welfareinfo.org/reauthresearch_jan02.htm.  (JMS)

AUDIO CONFERENCE CALL ON TANF FUNDING ISSUES

The Center for Law and Social Policy is conducting a series of audio conference calls throughout this calendar year entitled, �Making Welfare Work: Welfare Reauthorization 2002.�  The audio conference call held on Friday, Feb. 1, 2002, was entitled �TANF Funding Issues� with the featured speakers of Mark Greenberg from the Center for Law and Social Policy and Rachel Gragg with the Office of Senator Paul Wellstone.  Some of the topics discussed included TANF Block Grant spending, rainy day funds, supplantation, supplemental funding, maintenance of effort, and state equity funding.   Less than half of the dollars being spent for TANF are for cash assistance.  Only 43% goes to cash assistance. The second largest area for TANF spending is child care (19%).  Although the reporting categories have changed for reporting TANF spending, there are still two broad categories that do not have much detail � other non-assistance and authorized under prior law.  Together both these categories total $2.8 billion of the $16.5 billion in TANF spending.  Although the cash assistance caseload for TANF has decreased by 50%, the overall caseload for TANF, which includes various support services, has increased.  It was noted by the speakers without public demand there would not likely be an expansion of TANF to other services.  The question was asked as to how safe is the $16.5 billion current funding level for TANF.  Within the constrained fiscal environment and the fact that caseloads have decreased, raises concern for the TANF Block Grant.  Rachel Gragg said that Congress needs to hear how states are spending money in useful ways beyond the cash assistance.  Also from the state budget level, what is on the chopping block for state services?  Mark Greenberg further noted that the data that is available from reporting is 2 years old and it becomes important to get new information into the discussions now.  (JMS)

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

�       CCA members awarded for Top Scoring Implementation Plans

Five private agencies, all CCA members, were recently acknowledged for garnering the highest scores for their foster care implementation plans. The winners were: Baby Fold, Catholic Social Services of Peoria, Lakeside Community Committee, Webster Cantrell Hall and the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago. The plans, required by law, requires the implementation plan, which serves as a roadmap for how the agency will meet its responsibilities to foster children and the foster parents they serve. The agencies were selected from 103 plans submitted statewide.

(To submit your agency�s news for The Monday Report, send to Linda Lenzini, Director, Marketing and Public Relations, at the Child Care Association. MSWord e-mail attachments for information and JPG�s for pictures are preferred.)

DCFS SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE

Applications are now available through DCFS for 48 scholarships awarded annually to youth in care or former wards in adoptive or guardianship families. Requirements for eligibility are that the student be at least 16, possess a high school diploma or GED accreditation by the end of the school year, be in the child welfare system currently or immediately prior to the adoption or transfer of guardianship. Applications can be obtained by calling Dwight Lambert, Statewide Education Coordinator, DCFS, at 217-524-2030. Deadline for receipt of applications is March 29^th, so time is of the essence. (LLL)

SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN ILLINOIS: THE IMPACT OF HUMAN SERVICE BUDGETS ON ILLINOIS COMMUNITIES

Part I of this planned study by CCA, which measures the impacts on service as a consequence of the FY2002 minimal CODB, and anticipated impacts for service for FY2003, has been completed in draft form. Due to a lower-than-desirable response rate, non-participating agencies are encouraged to respond to the survey questions from which this report was generated. To obtain a copy of those survey questions, or to learn whether your agency has already responded, contact Linda Lenzini, Director of Marketing and Communications at CCA at [email protected].

HELPFUL WESITES FOR PUBLIC POLICY AND ADVOCACY

Looking for helpful websites to track candidates� positions, research legislators� voting records, or contact your public officials? Contact CCA for a listing of helpful websites that�s updated each week to provide resources for members.  (To obtain a complete a complete list of helpful websites for advocacy, contact Linda Lenzini, Director, Marketing and Communications, at [email protected] )

SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SERVICE ADMINISTRATION AT UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO ANNOUNCES CLINICAL AND MANAGEMENT TRAINING SESSIONS

The University of Chicago�s School of Social Service Administration announces their Spring and Summer Professional Development Programs and Clinical Training Sessions, and Summer Management Institutes.  They will offer a 10% discount to CCAI member agencies.  If you would like to see a copy of the full brochure please go to the web at: www.ssa.uchicago.edu and click on �programs� and then �professional development� and �view the PDP Spring and Summer 2002 Brochure�.  When you register for any of these sessions please indicate, under discounts on the registration page, that you are a Child Care Association of Illinois member.  You will also receive a copy of the brochure in the mail in the next week or so.  (SKA)

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT TRAINING WITH DR. FOTENA ZIRPS

Don�t miss the only chance you will get this year to be trained and inspired by Dr. Fotena Zirps.  CCA is pleased to sponsor two days of Quality Improvement training with the most widely respected expert in the field of quality improvement.  She has specially designed two days of training to fit the needs from basic to advance.  Sessions will help you build a solid base, define what is important to measure, cover national, and state trends and standards to designing a solid evaluation.  These sessions will be very �hands-on� with exploration of methods in large and small groups.  Customer input will be a focus as you learn how to strengthen your data.  Dr. Zirps will put it all together for you in a most practical and informative way. 

DATE: February 6 & 7, 2002

LOCATION: Hilton, Lisle/Naperville, IL

TIME: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (both days)

For more information or registration call or e-mail D.D. Fischer at 217-656-300, e-mail [email protected].

Calendar:

February 5 � CWAC SACWIS Advisory Committee, LSSI, DesPlaines

February 6-7 � Quality Improvement Training with Fotena Zirps, Hilton Lisle / Naperville

February 7 � CWAC Medicaid Workgroup, The Baby Fold, Normal

February 7-8 � CWLA Midwest Policy Committee - Chicago

February 21 � Downstate Agencies Cash Flow Meeting

March 5 - �Discipline of Students with Special Needs in Illinois,� Bev Johns, Gary Kerr,

                 Springfield IL, register by phone:715-833-3959

March 8-9 � 2002 Spring Foster and Adoptive Parent Conference��Every Child is a Success

                     Story.�  Crowne Plaza Hotel, Springfield.

March 20 � CCA Board Meeting and Leadership Dinner, The Hyatt Lodge, Oak Brook

March 21 � CCAI�s Spring Membership Meeting, The Hyatt Lodge, Oak Brook

May 3 - Learning Disabilities Association of Illinois Spring Workshop, featuring Reed Martin,

             Special Education Attorney, Holiday Inn, Naperville, (708) 430-7532