July 1, 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

CHILD WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT. 1

FOUNDATION AND ENHANCED TRAINING SCHEDULE. 3

SYSTEM OF CARE DESIGN ROLLED OUT BY DCFS. 3

FOSTER CARE INFRASTRUCTURE REPORT�CONTRACT UPDATES. 4

CWAC-SED REPORT AND UPDATE ON NEW DIRECTIONS IN RESIDENTIAL CARE. 9

TECHNOLOGY GRANTS FOR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. 11

UPDATE ON FAMILY CENTERED SERVICES. 12

SPECIAL EDUCATION.. 12

EDUCATION RATE-SETTING IMPROVEMENTS URGED.. 12

LINCOLN CHALLENGE PROGRAM PLANNING COMMITTEE TO SURVEY CCA MEMBERS ON NUMBERS OF YOUNG ADULTS ELIGIBLE FOR PLANNED PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT. 12

GENERAL.. 13

SENATE ACTION ON WELFARE REFORM.. 13

PROGRESSIVE AGENDA FOR WELFARE REFORM.. 13

DEBATE ON TOUGHER WELFARE REFORM.. 14

UPCOMING EVENTS. 14

DOWNSTATE PERFORMANCE BASED CONTRACT MEETING.. 14

CALENDAR.. 14

CHILD WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT

The Child Welfare Advisory Committee (CWAC) met in Chicago on June 28.

�                 Budget: Director McDonald and Roy Miller talked about budget challenges for FY�03. In the final hours of the special legislative session a number of cuts imposed by the Governor were approved for the DCFS budget. The net cuts result in a decrease of more than $82 million. This will involve reductions in residential, foster care and adoption lines. As we have previously reported, DCFS officials feel this can be absorbed by strict gatekeeping of line expenditures. There is no wiggle room. There is also a shift in the amount of the budget coming from the Children�s Service Fund to offset cuts from General Revenue. DCFS anticipates layoffs of l08 positions and will further save funds through the closure of Cook Central Region.  There is a significant challenge coming from possible decreases in federal reimbursement for unlicensed relatives. Some of these cases may have to be shifted to TANF caseloads and out of HMR if there is no improvement in licensure rates and no relief from DHHS on their policy implementation. Agencies can contact their Congressperson about this policy to see if they can put some pressure on DHHS to change.

�       Family Centered Services: As reported elsewhere in this report, DCFS is in the process of determining the degree of need across LAN areas and will get program decisions out to agencies within the next 2 weeks.  They are looking at some type of pro rata allocation per LAN based on the number of children with abuse/neglect reports and the number of children removed from home of parents. As of the CWAC meeting, DCFS had determined they would eliminate programs that provided adoption preservation and time limited reunification from the FCS line. There are service access opportunities within the existing structures. Efforts will be made by DCFS resource staff to better link the previous FCS programs and service recipients with existing programs. There will be more specific outcome criteria required. There may also be a change relating to the future use of FCS funds beginning in FY�04.  The CWAC members asked a number of questions about these decisions and raised concerns about the daily changing of decisions by DCFS. There needs to be better communication about the status of decisions and the impact on clients to all members of the service continuum since there is so much confusion.

�       Finance and Administration: (See Monday Report of May 6 for complete report.)

�Multiple Rates in Specialized: A few specialized programs receive different rates for different children within the same contract. For FY�03, there will be a single rate per contract. In reviewing the spread of rates, it appeared that using a weighted average for children in care in those contracts would provide the best solution and come within pennies of the existing multiple rates.  Agencies should expect to change the per diem rate to reflect one single rate for all children in the contract. DCFS should be sending notification of this rate shortly.

�Medicaid Adjustment: The final calculation of the Medicaid infrastructure cost is $1.50. This will be deducted from existing specialized rates as Medicaid is eliminated.

�Rate Methodology: DCFS needs to review the final utilization of high-end services before determining if the full rate methodology can be applied. There are still some agencies that have failed to submit cost reports preventing full calculation of accurate medians, etc.

�     CWAC recommended that agencies that have failed to submit the required reports lose their contracts. DCFS should do a temporary contract until all children are transitioned out of the agency as soon as possible. DCFS will be in communication with these agencies shortly. If any CCAI member wants to verify that DCFS has received their cost reports, they should contact their APT monitor or DCFS regional liaison immediately. If any agency has not yet submitted these reports they face the possible loss of their contract and should act immediately.

�       Training:

�The Foundation Training is now two weeks. A new schedule is developed. Exams for licensure and CERAP have been combined into one test but scores will be reported separately. See Training Schedule elsewhere in this Monday Report.

�The QA/QI instrument to review trainers has been completed and is being circulated for comment. Peer reviewers are needed to observe and rate trainers. Reviewers will be selected from private agencies, DCFS and universities based on uniform criteria including training experience. Those interested in volunteering for this should contact Kris Stricker at 217-785-5689.

�The enhanced training for those selected for the experimental group of the IV-E waiver will be offered once per month in Cook following one of the two Foundation Trainings. The first enhanced training will begin on 8/19 immediately following the Foundation that begins on 8/5. Agencies will be notified via fax the week of 7/1 as to the status of the random selection of teams to participate. Any agency selected for this will be asked to participate in a waiver support component in which the DCFS staff and agency will develop mutual goals for the project and develop an agency profile. Questions on this can be directed to Jennifer Bradburn at 312-328-2797.

Committee reports were also provided for the SED and Foster Care Infrastructure and there was a brief discussion on the new System of Care design.  Full reports of these committees are contained elsewhere in this Monday Report. (MB)

FOUNDATION AND ENHANCED TRAINING SCHEDULE

ILLINOIS CHILD WELFARE FOUNDATION AND ENHANCED TRAINING SCHEDULE

COOK

FOUNDATION CLASS with ENHANCED FOLLOWING

FOUNDATION                                                ENHANCED

8/15/02 --8/19/02                                                 8/19/02 -9/16/02

9/9/02 -9/23/02                                                 9/23/02- 10/21/02

11/12/02- 11/26/02                                               10/29/02 -11/27/02

12/02/02- 12/16/02                                               No class scheduled

NORTHERN

8/18/02 -9/03/02

9/23/02 -10/07/02

10/28/02- 11/13/02

12/02/02- 12/16/02

*Northern Region workers attending the Enhanced Training will travel to Cook. NOTE: Stand-alone Foundation classes will be offered monthly. Please consult Foundation Training schedule for dates and location.  Questions should be directed to DCFS Training at 312-328-2812. (MB)

SYSTEM OF CARE DESIGN ROLLED OUT BY DCFS

DCFS has formally introduced its new design for System of Care (SOC) at a series of meetings with ITS providers, and Foster Care providers over the last few weeks. This new SOC was also presented by DCFS in great detail at the CWAC meeting, SED-CWAC and Infrastructure-CWAC last week. We are providing this brief summary in this one section. Documents have been distributed to providers at all the provider meetings. However, any CCA member still needing copies should contact the CCAI Springfield office.

DCFS is embarking on a new initiative for children in foster care in order to stabilize placements and assure intensive services are provided in a responsive manner. The System of Care will coordinate a range of service options to support TFC/HMR placements including crisis intervention, facilitation of an individual care plan that enhances the current service plan and delivery of services identified in that individual plan.  Services will be accessed according to the child�s LAN. The key tool used will be Wraparound Service Planning. The SOC agents will also play a key role in referring children for review for Specialized care by the specialized gatekeepers.

To finance this new system, DCFS consolidated funding of the previous ITS and Placement Stabilization programs and moved to transition distribution of Wrap funds from the WSAA system to the new SOC.

We can expect to see a number of months of some confusion as the new SOC agents develop their capacity and take on new or different roles and as foster care providers learn how to matriculate through the various SOC entities. The system will pose some challenges but also provides unique opportunities for children and agencies. We encourage CCA agencies to keep us posted on experiences with the new systems and recommend any systemic role we can play in assuring the new systems operate smoothly.

Agencies should be aware of payment deadlines for existing WRAP plans. Any bills for services delivered by June 30, 2002 as part of an existing approved WRAP plan must be submitted to the current WSAA agent by July 5. It is imperative this deadline be followed due to cessation of the WSAA services.

The following documents are available regarding the new SOC system:

          Letter of June 25 Outlining Changes from DCFS

          Transitioning Existing WRAP Plans�Guide for Caseworkers, LAN and WSAA

          System of Care & Foster Care Provider Partnership: Basic Framework

          System of Care & Foster Care Provider Partnership: Foster Care Continuum

          System of Care Provider Assignment by LAN

          System of Care Screening Tool

          LANS Map

          WSAA Letter

          DCFS Regional SOC Coordinators

This packet is available by contacting the CCAI Springfield Office. (MB)

FOSTER CARE INFRASTRUCTURE REPORT�CONTRACT UPDATES

The Foster Care Infrastructure met in Chicago on June 27. The following topics were addressed:

�       HMR Licensing: DCFS will lose up to $50 million in federal reimbursement for unlicensed relative homes as of October, if the DHHS does not modify the policy it is preparing to implement.  There will also be further discussions about the future policy relating to relative care in Illinois, including the possibility that children in unlicensed kinship homes will be shifted to the TANF caseloads and off agency kinship caseloads.  All agencies will be required to demonstrate aggressive licensing activities with all relatives. Even with current initiatives, at least 1500 relative homes show no licensing activity by agencies. DCFS will require diligent licensing activity and will impose financial penalties on agencies for homes in which there is no licensing activity. The following protocol will be in contracts.

�Minimally Required Licensing Activities for Unlicensed Relative Caregivers

It is the Department's expectation that the agency must engage all relative caregivers and actively pursue foster care licensure for those caregivers that care for children for whom the Department is legally responsible. To meet this expectation, agencies are required to complete the following requirements. Compliance with these requirements does not excuse agencies from engaging in all other necessary licensing activities.

Completion of Relative Caregiver Licensure Intent Form {CFS 578-1)

�Each agency had a baseline established prior to June 30, 2002. That baseline will be used as the measure of compliance for the first quarter of FY03.

�Effective July l, 2002, Agencies' initial evaluation will be based upon their performance in securing form CFS-578-1 (Relative Caregiver Intent) from a previously identified baseline population.

�For every child placed prior to June 30, 2002 in an unlicensed home without a completed CFS- 578-1, the administrative rate will be reduced by five percent during the first quarter of FY03. This group then will become known as1he "Unlicensed / Unknown Intent" group for the agency.

�Once each quarter, new unlicensed homes with a placement  present in the home for at least 90 days will be added to the "Unlicensed / Unknown Intent" group. For every child placed in an unlicensed home without a submitted CFS-578-1-from the agency's 'Unlicensed/Unknown Intent" group,the administrative rate will be reduced by five percent for the next quarter.

�The administrative rate will remain reduced by five percent for each quarter thereafter in which a CFS-578-1 has not been received by the Department.

�The administrative rate will be reinstated at 100% at the beginning of the quarter which follows the receipt of the completed CFS-581~1 form.

Interested Caregiver Follow-up

�Effective August 1, 2002, Agencies' initial evaluation will be based upon their performance in getting an application for licensure submitted by caregivers that indicated their interest in getting licensed on form CFS-578-1 (Relative Caregiver Intent).

�For every child placed prior to June 30, 2002 in an unlicensed home where a caregiver has indicated interest in becoming licensed, but has not submitted a completed application for a license within 90 days of receipt of the CFS-578-1, the administrative rate will be reduced by five percent for the first quarter of FY03. This group will become known as the "No Application Follow-up" group for the agency.

�Once each quarter, new unlicensed homes indicating interest at least 90 days previously will be added to the "No Application Follow-up" group. For every child placed in an unlicensed home without a submitted CFS-578-1 from the "No Application Follow-up" group, the administrative rate will be reduced by five percent for the next quarter.

�The administrative rate will remain reduced by five percent for each quarter thereafter in which an application has not been received by the Department.

�The administrative rate will be reinstated at 100% at the beginning of the quarter which follows receipt of the completed application.

�For caregivers who have previously indicated an intent to be licensed, but later decide not to submit an application, the agency must secure a new form CFS 578-1 indicating the caregivers present intent not to seek foster care license status. Upon receipt of this documentation, the caregiver will removed from the "No Application Follow-up" group, and the administrative rate will be reinstated at 100% at the beginning of the quarter following receipt of the completed form. �

The Infrastructure Group suggested modification of the protocol for homes in which licensing activity is conducted but the relative remains unlicensed (failure to get medicals, etc.) There will be the opportunity for the worker to submit a modified Intent form and show regular discussions with relatives are continuing pertaining to licensure.

�       Counseling and Therapeutic Language: The group finalized the following language to clarify use of counseling funds in performance contracts. There is still a concern about the use of language pertaining to SACY children since DCFS is in the process of �unlabeling� SACY children. There must be recognition that the specialized counseling needed for children with sexually aggressive behaviors should not come out of the counseling funds. DCFS will clarify this before the final contract program plan is ready.

�Performance Contracts- Counseling and Therapeutic Services Language

The Agency is responsible for organizing and implementing an effective program for counseling and therapeutic services, as well as providing or arranging for counseling and therapeutic services for the child and biological parents. See Exhibit A-3 for funding details.

Children who might otherwise be appropriate for more restrictive settings have access to psychiatric hospital alternatives, SASS, System of Care services, and educational assessments.

Providing Sexually Aggressive Children and Youth (SACY) services are not the responsibility of the agency under this contract.

Providing counseling services to biological parents who are chronically mentally ill or to sexual perpetrators are not the responsibility of the agency under this contract..

Agencies are encouraged to keep a separate cost center for their counseling dollars. If

an agency is required by the service plan to provide counseling and therapeutic services for a disproportionate share of their cases, based upon Department. review, there will be a review in order to determine if the agency needs special assistance. To request such a review, the agency must isolate those dollars allocated for counseling in this contract, and compare the available funding to the amount spent for those clients served under this contract. Nothing in this provision should encourage the agency to seek a court order for counseling.�

Children Not Appropriate for Rotational Assignment

The group reviewed language to clarify the types of children who will not be appropriate for rotational assignment in performance contracts:

The following is a description of the population which is generally inappropriate for referral under this contract:

�child is currently in a psychiatric hospital or has been psychiatrically hospitalized within 72 hours of day of intake;

�child is an alleged sexual perpetrator confirmed by a delinquency petition and/or an indicated SCR report;

�child has a diagnosed severe and chronic mental illness that impairs the child's functioning in all life domains as documented by a licensed clinical practitioner;

�child has a life threatening disease as documented by a medical professional (e.g. brain tumor, cancer, HIV infected- regardless of whether the child is symptomatic at the current time);

�child is dependent on life saving equipment (e.g. ventilator dependent, dialysis equipment, oxygen 24 hours a day);

�child has a medical/physical condition or impairment that requires an extraordinary level of daily supervision and/or assistance, as documented by a medical professional. Worker observation will not be considered without documentation from a medical professional.

The following conditions would be considered:

�second or third degree burns over 10% or more of a child's body

�deaf and/or requires the use of adaptive devices and special interventions for hearing and speech

�legally blind or vision impairment that results in a handicapping condition in which self-help skills and visual motor skills are delayed

�sickle cell anemia disease

�HIV exposed and 18 months or younger type I Juvenile Diabetes

�hemophilia

�present day apnea episodes

�quadriplegic

�organ transplant

�muscular dystrophy

�requires equipment such as wheelchairs

�spina bifida (which resulted in some disability}

�partial paralysis (requiring special assistance from persons or devices)

�moderate to severe respiratory problems requiring nebulization and suctioning 2 to 3 times daily

�seizure disorder requiring frequent medication, monitoring or ER/hospitalization

�indwelling catheters or ostomies

�has g tubes, jejumostomy tubes and/or trachs

�Cystic Fibrosis

�Osteogenesis Imperfecta

�Inborn errors of metabolism that require lifelong specialized diets and follow-up, i.e. PKU

�severe heart disease which involves activity limitations and special treatment

�kidney or liver disease

�Hydrocephalus with shunts

�Major birth defects

�Multiple conditions requiring specialized medical care

�Compromised immune system

�Head and/or facial deformities

�Hormone deficiencies, i.e. lack of growth hormone

There will be instances in which the child's special needs will not be known and/or documented at the time of initial assignment. If any of the conditions included above become known and are documented within the first ten days after assignment via rotation, the child's case must be referred to the DCFS Specialized Gatekeeper for an Expedited Review. The review packet must include the Checklist for Children Initial Placement (CFS 418-J) and:

1. A summary of the child's needs, including diagnosis, statement as to why a more intensive setting is needed, what services are (or have been) put in place, and what additional services the child needs.

2. Original Medical and/or Mental Health Certification Form(s)

When a specialized program is deemed appropriate, the DCFS Specialized Gatekeeper will determine to which program the child will be referred. If the current agency has a specialized program that addresses the child's special needs, the case may remain at the existing agency. However, when a child is approved to enter a specialized foster care program and the child is in a foster home that is able and willing to meet the child's needs, it may be necessary to transfer case management to another agency. If this occurs, the foster parent can choose to remain with their agency for licensing, or transfer their license to the agency that will be providing case management. If the case is approved for a specialized foster care program within the first ten days of assignment, whether at a new or the existing agency, the case will not be credited towards the agency's referral goal.

Children with special needs identified more than ten days after assignment must access SOC services to support the child in placement. Only after SOC services have been accessed and it determined that a child is significantly impaired may a referral be made to the DCFS Specialized Gatekeeper for a scheduled review. �

Educational Outcomes:

As previously reported, agencies will need to demonstrate efforts towards achieving federal requirements on educational outcomes. FY�03 will provide baseline data that will be used to establish contract requirements in FY�04. Work group members expressed concern about agencies� abilities to track some of the detailed information in a consistent manner across agencies. DCFS will work with the infrastructure group and its QA division to establish a standardized way to track the data. The following language will be in FY�03 performance contracts.

FY03 educational measures will establish a baseline for FY04. Educational outcomes will be tied to contract decisions in FY04. The following areas will be evaluated in FY03:

1.  Enrollment

a.  100% of children ages 6 � 16 years will be enrolled in school

b.  100% of children over the ages of 16 will be enrolled or attempted to be enrolled in school or an appropriate education/vocational program until completion or a work alternative is obtained.

2.  Educational Report Forms (CFS 407) will be completed for 100% of assigned child cases

3.  100% of children age 14 and over will have a completed transition plan (i.e. Daniel J. Memorial or IEP transition plan)

4.  Number of school transfers due to change in placement, including all subsequent placements after the initial placement at case opening

5.  Number of days missed due to change in placements

6.  Number of children above age for grade level served by the agency

7.  Early Childhood Intervention

a.  0-3 evaluations

i.   the number of children screened for 0-3 evaluation

ii.  where early intervention services are recommended, the number of children referred for those services and the number that actually received those services

b.  Number of 3-5 yr. Olds enrolled in an early childhood program and specific type of program

8.  Number of suspensions/expulsions (UIR) & absenteeism reports (CPS)

Data collection will occur twice per year, at the beginning and at the end of the academic year. Agencies will be subject to technical assistance where deemed necessary. �

Specialized Foster Care: As reported in last week�s Monday Report, there will be 3 categories of Specialized contracts for FY�03: those that will keep contracts and intake, those that will be phased out during FY�03 and receive no new intake and those with very small number of children that will immediately lose the contract (those children will be moved to different programs within the agency.)

For those agencies in the �B� group, (phasing out contract during FY�03) the caseload payments will be adjusted quarterly to reflect changes on the caseload while allowing the agencies some cushion to provide a planful transition of services for children. DCFS has developed a chart showing how this will work. This SAMPLE of Agency B Specialized Caseload Incentive reimbursement breakout is available by contacting Barb at the CCAI Springfield office. Specific questions should be directed to Melissa Ludington at DCFS.

Multiple Rates: A few specialized programs receive different rates for different children within the same contract. For FY�03, there will be a single rate per contract. In reviewing the spread of rates, it appeared that using a weighted average for children in care in those contracts would provide the best solution and come within pennies of the existing multiple rates.  Agencies should expect to change the per diem rate to reflect one single rate for all children in the contract. DCFS should be sending notification of this rate shortly.

Expired LOC�s: The final phase of reviewing the LOC�s is being completed by DCFS staff within the next week. About 350 of the 550 cases reviewed will remain in specialized care. A number of the remaining children had no documentation submitted by the agency for review of the LOC. These children will be moved to TFC or HMR. Agencies will receive letters showing disposition of all cases within the next week.

System of Care: The group addressed the linkage between foster care programs and the new System of Care design by DCFS. (See report elsewhere.) Documents from DCFS detailing the expectations contained within foster care contracts and those contained within the new System of Care contracts that will be reviewing crisis cases and Wraparound were distributed. The group expressed concern that DCFS track the relationships between the designated SOC providers and foster care agencies to determine if the new system is working to assure kids actually get served.  Concern that some of the SOC providers do not have a child welfare rooting were expressed. There must be efforts made to assure the new system does not become adversarial.

The following documents were distributed at the recent provider meetings with DCFS.  However, any agency still needing a copy can contact the CCAI Springfield office:

Statewide Performance Contracting Overview

Specialized Foster Care Performance Expectations

Specialized Foster Care DRAFT Policy Guide including FAQ�s and pertinent forms. (MB)

CWAC-SED REPORT AND UPDATE ON NEW DIRECTIONS IN RESIDENTIAL CARE

CWAC-SED met on June 27 in Chicago. Jess McDonald will be the co-chair of SED along with Mary Shahbazian.  Comments were made about the budget and the new System of Care. (See reports elsewhere in this Monday Report.)

There will be a series of steps to watch the total expenditures in these programs. All are linked along with the new System of Care plan to assure DCFS manages the budget and avoids further cuts in services. Elements are:

�DCFS goal is to be at 1700 I/GH placements by September 1. A number of children have already been targeted for immediate step down and referrals are being made to specialized foster care and other resources

�Centralized approvals for residential and gatekeeping will be coordinated under Jerry Slomka.

�The Cook process starts immediately with PRT reviews two days a week at each Cook Region. Within the next 90 days, the PRT reviews will be handled in the same way statewide. Agencies should not expect to see referrals for Residential, group care and ILO unless it is through this office.

�Dr. Ron Davidson will be conducting intensive reviews of all inpatient psychiatric programs used for DCFS wards. A review of performance and treatment outcomes will occur. Some of these programs may not be used in the future.

�The finalized visitation protocol for children in I/GH should be completed shortly.

�The finalized treatment planning/discharge protocol should be completed shortly.

�There will be better identification for children eligible for ILO.

�Better linkages between residential and step down foster care resources will be developed.

�       Preferred Provider and Performance Contracting Model: DCFS suggested it is time to revisit the concept of a PPO model for I/GH.  The residential programs would be linked with inpatient programs such as the UIC CARTS. High end programs will need to demonstrate specific treatment outcomes. As programs step forward and demonstrate this capacity, DCFS would use them as the preferred providers but would develop with the agencies the proper supports necessary to deliver such powerful programs. Kids would be managed across residential, ILO/TLP and specialized/treatment foster care in a more seamless way. There would need to be a continuum developed that included the capacity for emergency care, managing all types of referrals and working with other providers and families to assure good discharge planning.

Key to any changes in the residential continuum would be the need to tie contract agreements to performance outcomes. These must be carefully developed for residential to avoid results such as Illinois got from the nursing home system. Discussion of performance needs to be across the system and less on a one-on-one contract with individual agencies. One aim of such a system for DCFS is to move to a 9-month target for length of stay in residential.

�       SED Waiver: DCFS plans to submit an additional waiver request relating to SED populations. This should address how the SED system should really look including the essential mental health components. It should include innovative clinical interventions. Further discussion is needed very quickly to establish the appropriate sets of variables to test and measure.

Small work groups will be developed to work on the PPO/Performance Contract and the SED Waiver. A number of agencies signed up for these at the SED meeting. Any CCAI executive who wishes to serve on one of these committees can contact Marge Berglind to submit their name for consideration. Some decisions will need to be made in conjunction with the SED co-chairs in order to get the groups underway soon and to assure the work groups represent all sectors of service. Because of the critical nature of these groups, it is imperative that executives or upper level executive staff serve on these groups.

�       Residential Worker Training: This proposal is on the DCFS Director�s desk. There needs to be some review of the budgetary requirements and consolidation with other training resources before a decision is made.

�       Standards and Outcomes: When the yearly data is collated, the group will meet to review the results and discuss recommendations for the future. Agencies should expect to continue to submit the required outcome information as they are currently doing.

�       Joint Planning: The group is waiting for the outcome data to review and match with the agency profiles to make recommendations for future design of the system.

�       Care Management: The group has provided consultation to DCFS in the development of various policies and protocols. The group will continue to discuss WRAP concepts and training, case hand offs, coordination and how to move to a more child centered/family focused model of residential. This group will accept specific targeted assignments as the discussion of PPO emerges. Additional residential providers are needed to be active participants in this group. Those interested can contact Jimmie Smith, co-chair, Central Baptist, 847-356-2391. A full report of this group is available by contacting the CCAI Springfield office.

�       ILO Committee: The group has advised DCFS on development of the policy guide for approval procedures for ILO and TLP including a resource matrix with information about all ILO/TLP programs. The policy guide should be ready by August and will amend educational requirements for 17 and older, allow approval for ILO/TLP at the regional level and will include a case management financial mechanism for discharge planning. The group is also advising on the step-down initiative to help link residential placements with ILO/TLP. They have also re-initiated all-provider group meetings for Cook and Downstate. Further discussion is needed on managing resources in a shrinking system and how programs will need to �re-tool� to meet the needs of more clinically complex youth. A full report of this group is available by contacting the CCAI Springfield office. (MB) 

TECHNOLOGY GRANTS FOR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

With support from the Oracle Corporation, the nonprofit Help Us Help Foundation (http://www.helpushelp.org) assists K-12 public schools and youth organizations in economically challenged communities to obtain information technology tools through a series of grants.

Grants of computer equipment and software are available to schools and youth organizations that provide educational programs in low-income communities. The foundation program will donate new Internet appliances and laser printers as well as all the ancillary equipment necessary to connect the devices, including network hubs, cables, and electrical surge protectors.

The foundation uses a number of criteria to determine applicants' eligibility. These are listed below. In addition, they evaluate applications based on the quality of the narrative and documentation provided by the grant seeker.

* U.S. K-12 public and public charter schools are eligible if a significant number of students qualify for the subsidized lunch program (roughly 50% for elementary and 35% for middle and high schools) or can otherwise be documented as low-income.

* U.S. community-based organizations are eligible if they have 501(c)(3) or 7871 Tribal Government status, and provide educational services to youth who lack access to technology. Additionally, low-income youth must make up at least 50% of the total population the organization serves annually.

* The foundation does not make grants outside the U.S. at present. In the future, the foundation plans to accept applications from educational institutions and non-governmental organizations outside the U.S. that serve low-income youth and provide technology education.

The deadlines for this round of grants are August 31, 2002 and February 28, 2003. For complete guidelines and online application forms, see the Help Us Help Foundation Web site at http://www.helpushelp.org/pages/grant_index.html. (MB)

UPDATE ON FAMILY CENTERED SERVICES

A work group of the Family Centered Services Committee convened on June 26 to discuss the future of Family Centered Services funds. The funds available for these services were cut by 50% for the FY�03 budget. This means that the available FCS funds will only be able to fund half the identified need in the state.  The work group asked a number of critical questions and offered recommendations to DCFS. However, DCFS will make the final decisions on use of these funds. Here is what agencies receiving these funds can expect:

�       DCFS is collecting information on performance and need in order to decide how to award funds to programs for FCS for �03. Some portion of current providers will be notified that their program will continue to be funded from FCS in �03 at some level of funding.  However, there will be expectations for submission of outcome data and active participation in some type of QA process.

�       Agencies were previously notified that FCS services would be eliminated in �03.  Agencies should presume they will not  receive any funding for FCS as of July 1 . Any service continuation after June 30 will be at the provider�s own risk. 

Notification letters to LANS, fiscal agents and programs should go out in the next 2 weeks. Letters will either alert these entities of any continued funding and at what level, or will notify the programs that they were not selected to continue to receive FCS funding. 

�       There is concern about continuing to earmark 10% of the limited funds for fiscal agents. Such costs come out of the total $5 million; meaning less program funding is available.  LANS and agencies will be encouraged to determine how they can minimize administrative expenses in order to assure maximum funds go to services.

Future use of the FCS funds for FY�04 and beyond will be reviewed and evaluated by DCFS with advice from the Family Centered Steering Committee. The Committee hopes to complete a recommendation for future use of these funds no later than January 2003. The longer-term use of the funds for the child welfare system may very well change the nature and level of any program providing FCS services after FY�03. (MB)

EDUCATION RATE-SETTING IMPROVEMENTS URGED

CCA members with nonpublic schools were encouraged to contact the rate-setting board this week to urge adoption of improvements recommended by CCA.  The more responses we generate, the less likely it is that CCA will need to fight this battle in the legislature.  Highlights of the recommendations and the full text of CCA�s comments were mailed to members with education programs this week (BRH).

LINCOLN CHALLENGE PROGRAM PLANNING COMMITTEE TO SURVEY CCA MEMBERS ON NUMBERS OF YOUNG ADULTS ELIGIBLE FOR PLANNED PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

CCA will survey its members to identify the number of eligible young adults who might be able to benefit from a program that is currently on the drawing board.  Interested individuals met in Urbana, Illinois several weeks ago to discuss development of a program whose goal is to house 18-21 year-olds who may be starting college or vocational programs or just becoming self-sufficient.  Residential treatment centers are a current focus for housing these individuals.  Targeted youth would require interim housing, assessment, educational and vocational programming and would be most likely to benefit from this assistance. We ask that you please complete and return the survey when you receive it (BRH).

SENATE ACTION ON WELFARE REFORM

CCA received an alert from the Alliance for Children and Families last week stating that the Senate Finance Committee was scheduled to mark-up a bill that would reauthorize the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.  Some Senate Republicans are trying to push the bill as far right as they can.  Such a bill was introduced by Senators Jeff Sessions (R-AL) and Tim Hutchinson (R-AR) and largely mirrored President Bush�s plan to reauthorize the TANF program (S 2648).  The House passed similar legislation (HR 4737) in May. 

Like the Bush plan and House-passed bill, the Sessions/Hutchinson measure would increase the hours welfare recipients are required to work each week from 30 to 40 and would mandate that the states place 70% of their caseloads in jobs � an increase from the current 50% requirement.  The Senate GOP measure also contains the �superwaiver� provision that would grant sweeping authority to the Executive Branch to allow states to waive federal rules that govern the range of low-income and other domestic programs. The Bush Administration wants Senate Republicans to support this bill.

With the introduction of the President�s plan in this new bill, some Republican Senators have staked a position to the right of the more moderate proposals currently under consideration.  A tri-partisan group of Senators of the Finance Committee have forwarded a set of principles for reauthorization that are widely considered to be a fair starting point.  The tri-partisan proposal would maintain the current 30 hour workweek for welfare recipients, increase funding for child care, five states the option to restore federal TANF benefits to legal immigrants, reward states who move parents into higher paying jobs, and allow more education and training to count toward work requirements.  It was expected the tri-partisan principles would form the basis of legislation to be marked up by the Senate Finance Committee; however, it is unclear whether the committee�s top ranking Republican, Chuck Grassley will agree to the tri-partisan principles.  (JMS)

PROGRESSIVE AGENDA FOR WELFARE REFORM

A more progressive agenda for reauthorization of TANF was outlines in a letter by Senator Kennedy and 22 other senators and was sent to the Finance Committee.  Priorities for these senators include:

Increasing the TANF block grant to account for inflation;

Opposing all superwaiver proposals;

Allowing state flexibility in addressing individual needs by opposing uniform work requirements for all welfare recipients;

Increasing the number of activities and time recipients can engage in education and training;

Providing services and adequate time to address issues for families with multiple barriers to work; including domestic abuse, substance abuse and disabilities;

Increasing childcare spending by $11.3 billion;

Allowing TANF recipients to car for infants or sick or disabled children; and

Stopping the clock for working families still eligible for TANF.  (JMS)

DEBATE ON TOUGHER WELFARE REFORM

Mark Greenberg has written an article on how the welfare reform debate has been transformed from an opportunity to further assist low-income working families and those hardest to employ and to reduce poverty to how to require welfare recipients to work more hours as soon as possible.  In the midst of the debate is the fact that the caseloads have fallen; therefore justifying the reason that there is no need for further increases in funding, although dollars from cash assistance have been used to provide support services for those who were on welfare and are now working.  For additional discussion and a copy of this article go to: www.prospect.org/print/V13/13/greenberg-m.html.  (JMS)

DOWNSTATE PERFORMANCE BASED CONTRACT MEETING

The Downstate Performance Based Contract Meeting has been rescheduled for July 10th from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the 2nd floor conference room at DCFS, 628 E. Adams, Springfield, IL.  The Providers meeting has been rescheduled for 10:30 a.m. at the CCA office on July 10th. (MB)

CALENDAR

July 10          Downstate Performance Contract Meeting, 1:00pm - 3:00 p.m., 2nd floor conference room at DCFS, 628 E. Adams, Springfield, IL

July 11          18^th Circuit-Juvenile Court Forum � 11:30 a.m. � 1:30 p.m. � DuPage County Courthouse, Multi-Purpose Room 104, 505 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL

July 17          8^th Circuit-Juvenile Court Forum � 11:00 a.m. � 1:00 p.m. � Location TBA

July 18          SACY Training � Assessment: Children 10 & Younger � 9:00 a.m. � 4:00 p.m. � Catholic Charities of Chicago, St. Vincent Hall, 721 N. LaSalle, Chicago, IL

July 19          10^th Circuit-Juvenile Court Forum � 11:00 a.m. � 1 p.m. - Peoria County Courthouse, Jury Assembly Room 215, 234 Main Street, Peoria, IL

July 20          SACY Training for Foster Parents � 9:00 a.m. � 4:00 p.m. � Catholic Charities of Chicago, St. Vincent Hall, 721 N. LaSalle, Chicago, IL

July 26          1^st Circuit-Juvenile Court Forum � 11:00 a.m. � 1:00 p.m. � Smugglers, Harrisburg, IL

For further information on any of the above, contact the staff member noted in parenthesis at the end of the text: