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MONDAY REPORT

October 7, 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.

CHILD WELFARE.. 1

DHHS RENDERS FAVORABLE DECISIONS RELATING TO KINSHIP CARE.. 1

DCFS REVOKES UNLICENSED RELATIVE PENALTIES.. 2

WHITE HOUSE ORGANIZES FAITH-BASED FUNDING CONFERENCES.. 2

SAMHSA OFFERS NEW GRANTWRITING WORKSHOPS FOR NON-PROFITS.. 2

GENERAL.. 4

LEGISLATIVE ACTION NEEDED ON VOUCHERS AND PROMOTING SAFE AND STABLE FAMILIES.. 4

HEALTH INSURANCE PORTABILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT (HIPAA) 5

HIPAA SEMINAR SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER 14^TH. 5

HHS AWARDS $17.5 MILLION IN BONUSES TO STATES FOR ADOPTIONS.. 6

STATES HAVE SLOWED USE OF TANF FUNDS FOR CHILD CARE.. 6

UPCOMING EVENTS.. 6

�SUBSIDIZED GUARDIANSHIP-EXPERIENCES� 6

�SYSTEMS OF CARE� 6

�FATHERS AS EDUCATORS: PRACTICAL IDEAS AND SOLUTIONS FOR ENGAGING FATHERS IN THEIR CHILDREN�S EDUCATION� 6

FINAL SACY TRAINING in OCTOBER.. 7

Community Integration: Preparing for Step-down    Oct. 11  7

Calendar.. 7

DHHS RENDERS FAVORABLE DECISIONS RELATING TO KINSHIP CARE

CCAI members may recall that DHHS had issued notice of their intent to stop reimbursing state systems for the cost of administrative functions (including case management) for children in unlicensed kinship homes. CCAI staff and members called upon many members of Congress and submitted documentation pertaining to this issue. A number of national advocates also worked on this issue.

We learned this week that DHHS has decided to suspend its decision. Current reimbursement to Illinois will not be impacted by the unlicensed status. DHHS is exploring the possibility of creating a rule relating to administrative reimbursement of unlicensed homes, so the issue may not be completely over. If a proposed rule reflects problematic reimbursement levels CCAI members will need to submit detailed comments on the rule. We will have to watch how this develops.

The threat of loss of millions of federal reimbursement funds served to highlight some of the barriers in our Illinois system relating to relative licensure. The current initiatives and efforts to license homes should not stop. We need to continue those efforts as part of good practice. The threat also highlighted the national debate about the nature and value of kin caring for children who have been abused or neglected. This debate should not stop either. How do we assure safety, protect the bonds with kin and balance licensure requirements for children placed with kin?  As the immediate financial threat is over, this should be the best time for the debate. We will keep you posted. (MB)

DCFS REVOKES UNLICENSED RELATIVE PENALTIES

Last month, DCFS began applying penalties associated with Home of Relative Licensing performance.  DCFS has decided to stop these penalties. Their rationale is that due to the number of issues agencies have identified; the significant amount of manpower required for the reconciliation and the numerous reporting discrepancies due to timing differences, application of the penalty should stop.  As discrepancies in the previous penalty are identified and reconciled, an agency may receive an adjustment of all or a portion of the penalty.   Although the financial penalty is removed, there is still an expectation of performance: Completion of the CFS578-1 and an application on file if the foster home indicated �yes� on the 578-1 are still requirements for unlicensed homes.

Letters from DCFS to this effect went out to all HMR agencies last week. Contracts will be amended too reflect the change. Questions regarding this decision can be directed to Cheryl Ogden, Support Services at (217) 535-2298 extension 207. (MB)

WHITE HOUSE ORGANIZES FAITH-BASED FUNDING CONFERENCES

The White House�s Faith-Based and Community Initiatives office is coordinating free, daylong conferences to help faith-based organizations tap into federal funding. Participants will learn about federal funding opportunities. The events are being co-sponsored by the Education, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Justice and Labor Departments. The first conference will be held in Atlanta, on October 10, 2002. Information on the White House�s Faith-Based and Community Initiatives office�s conferences can be found at the web site: http://www.fbci.gov. (MB)

SAMHSA OFFERS NEW GRANTWRITING WORKSHOPS FOR NON-PROFITS

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recently developed materials and manuals designed to support workshops helping faith-based and other community nonprofits obtain and effectively use federal grants. SAMHSA is working with other federal officials and outside contractors to use the manuals in workshops scheduled for the next several months. Some are particularly targeted for �grass roots faith-based community organizations.� If you are interested in attending one of these, you may want to discuss the content with the contact person listed. Following is a listing of the workshops, by state. We realize none of these are in Illinois or Midwestern areas. However, members might be in one of these areas for another reason and may want to combine meetings. (MB)

Alabama

Montgomery, AL�Oct. 30-31, Nov. 1�Nat�l Center for Faith-Based Initiatives�Info: Ron Hester, 301/443-8474

Arizona

Phoenix, AZ�Feb. 20-21, 2003�We Care America�

Info: Dave Donaldson, 404/688-CARE; Winnie Mitchell, 301/443-2324; Clifton Mitchell, 301/443-8804.

California

Los Angeles, CA�Feb. 10-11, 2003�We Care America�Info: Dave Donaldson, 404/688-CARE; Winnie Mitchell, 301/443-2324; Jocelyn Whitfield, 301/443-

7816.

Los Angeles, CA�April 2003�The California Hispanic/Latino Commission�Info: James Hernandez, 916/443-5473; Clifton Mitchell, 301/443-8804.

Connecticut

Bridgeport/New Haven, CT�Nov. 18-19�We Care America�

Info: Jocelyn Whitfield, 301/443-7816; John Tuskan, 301/443-7161; Dave Donaldson, 404/688-CARE.

District of Columbia

Washington, D.C.�Oct. 30�Hip Hop Culture Institute�Info: Jocelyn Whitfield, 301/443-7816; P. Thandi Harper, 301/877-1525

Florida

Miami, FL�Dec. 1�Islamic Society of North America�.

Info: Sharif Siddiqui, 317/838-8157; John Tuskan, 301/443-7161; Jocelyn Whitfield, 301/443-7816

Georgia

Emory U., Atlanta, GA�Oct. 12-13�Sisters United Conference�Info: Clifton Mitchell, 301/443-8804; Sister Khayriyyah Faiz, 404/656-5499

Atlanta, GA�Oct. 28-29�We Care America�

Info: Dave Donaldson, 404/688-CARE; Jocelyn Whitfield, 301/443-7816

Louisiana

New Orleans, LA�Oct. 2 - 4�Nat�l Center for Faith-Based Initiatives�

Info: Earl Hamilton, 561/662-1754; Jocelyn Whitfield, 301/443-7816

Maryland

Baltimore, MD�April 2003�Lonnie E. Mitchell 4th Annual Historian/Black College & University Substance Abuse Conference�

Info: Tom Edwards, 301/443-8453; Clifton Mitchell, 301/443-8804

Mississippi

Jackson, MS�Oct. 3-5�National Center for  Faith-Based Initiatives�Info: Clifton Mitchell, 301/443-8804

Montana

October 2002�Date TBA�Johnson Institute Foundation�Info: Winnie Mitchell, 301/443-2324

New Mexico

Albuquerque, NM�Oct. 21-23�Hands Across Culture�Info: Harry Montoya, 505/747-1889; Ron Hester, 301/443-8474

New Jersey

Newark, NJ�Dec. 4-6�National Center for Faith-Based Initiatives�Info: Ron Hester, 301/443-8474

New York

New York City�March 6-7, 2003�We Care America�

Info: Dave Donaldson, 404/688-CARE; Ron Hester, 301/443-8474; Winnie Mitchell, 301/443-2324.

North Carolina

Raleigh, NC�Nov. 13-15�National Center for Faith-Based Initiatives�Info: Earl Hamilton, 561/662-1754; Ron Hester, 301/443-8474

North Dakota

October 2002�Date TBA�Johnson Institute Foundation�Info: Winnie Mitchell, 301/443-2324

South Dakota

October 2002�Date TBA�Johnson Institute Foundation�Info: Winnie Mitchell, 301/443-2324

Tennessee

Memphis, TN�Oct. 22-25�National Center for Faith-Based Initiatives�Info: Earl Hamilton, 561/662-1754; Jocelyn Whitfield, 301/443-7816

Nashville, TN�Nov. 3-6, 2002�American Indian Training Institute �Info: Dave Vallo, 916/920-0731; Clifton Mitchell, 301/443-8804

Texas

Dallas, TX�Oct. 7-9�National Center for Faith-Based Initiatives�Info: Earl Hamilton, 561/662-1754; Clifton Mitchell, 301/443-8804

Washington

Seattle, WA�March 11-12�We Care America�Info: Jocelyn Whitfield, 301/443-7816; Winnie Mitchell, 301/443-2324. (MB)

LEGISLATIVE ACTION NEEDED ON VOUCHERS AND PROMOTING SAFE AND STABLE FAMILIES

Congress is in the process of wrapping up their work prior to the fall election campaigns.  It is critical that Congress provide $60 million for education and training vouchers for youth aging out of foster care and $505 million for the Promoting Safe and Stable Families program when it makes funding decisions for FY2003.  States continue to struggle to meet the needs of the most vulnerable populations.  

$60 million for education and training opportunities will help America�s teens leaving foster care at age 18 and those adopted from foster care at age 16 or older realize their dreams by attending vocational and technical schools, state and community colleges, and four-year universities.   On the other hand, the Promoting Safe and Stable Families is one of the very few sources of federal funding that supports prevention services.  PSSF helps states fund child welfare prevention services and supports vulnerable families.  Currently, federal funding is $375 million.  Both the President and the Senate Appropriations Committee have agreed to increase this to $505 million in FY 2003.  The U.S. House of Representatives has taken no action.  Increasing PSSF funding levels is especially important this year because state budgets are under great stress and many social services are being cut or eliminated. 

The Child Welfare League of America is asking its members and other organizations to contact both your Senators and Representatives in Congress and urge them to support increases for these programs.  If you are unsure of your Representatives, you can go to the CCAI website at www.cca-il.org and look up your representative in the library by entering your zip code.   (JMS)

HEALTH INSURANCE PORTABILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT (HIPAA)

This is a reminder to agencies that there is a deadline regarding HIPAA that is approaching.  October 15, 2002 is the date that agencies must submit an extension plan in order to allow an additional year to be in compliance with the code sets that will be required related to any standard transactions that are done electronically for medical information.  In addition to the issue of electronic transfer of information, agencies must then meet the privacy requirements, which have a deadline of April 2003.  You can use the model compliance plan provided at the website for DHHS and file electronically.  www.cms.hhs.gov/hipaa.   If you cannot submit your compliance plan electronically via the website or you want to submit your own version of a compliance plan that provides equivalent information, it must be printed and mailed to: Attention: Model Compliance Plans, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, P.O. Box 8040, Baltimore, Maryland  21244-8040.  The speaker at the Sept. 17^th HIPAA seminar held by CCAI recommended that it be sent certified mail if you do mail it.  As has been stated previously, if you file an extension plan and it is later determined that you do not meet the definition of a covered entity, this does not obligate your agency to meet the requirements of HIPAA.  (JMS)

HIPAA SEMINAR SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER 14^TH

CCAI will be holding a second seminar around the requirements related to HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) on November 14, 2002.  This seminar will include a closer review of the privacy requirements of the rule and include examples of forms and policies that agencies can use to implement HIPAA in their agency.  Following are the areas that will be covered:

Does HIPAA apply to me?

Transaction Standards

Mapping the flow of protected health information as a provider

Application of minimum necessary requirements to provider personnel

Security regulations and interaction with privacy regulations

Notice of Privacy Practices and Authorizations

Disclosures to External Entities

Human Resources Issues

Business Associates

Marketing

Review of policies that will be needed

Templates of forms

We are still in the process of securing a location.  A copy of the agenda with the registration form will be mailed out by the end of the week.  Also included will be a list of questions to assist agencies in determining if they are a covered entity as defined by the regulations.   Please contact Jan Schoening at the CCAI office if you have any questions.  (JMS)

HHS AWARDS $17.5 MILLION IN BONUSES TO STATES FOR ADOPTIONS

The Department of Health and Human Services announced nearly $17.5 million in bonuses paid to 23 states and Puerto Rico for increasing the number of children adopted from state-supervised foster care in fiscal year 2001.  HHS� Administration on Children and Families provides the bonuses to states that exceed the number of children adopted compared to the previous year.  States receive a bonus of $4,000 for each additional child adopted in fiscal year 2001 compared to fiscal year 2000.  For more information go to: www.hhs.gov/news/press/2002pres/20020924.html.  (JMS)

STATES HAVE SLOWED USE OF TANF FUNDS FOR CHILD CARE

An analysis from the Center for Law and Social Policy finds that between 1997 and 2000, states relied on increasing amounts of freed-up funds from their Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant to respond to demands for child care assistance and to the need for child care quality investments.  The situation began to change in 2001, however.  2001 TANF spending data show that the steady growth in use of TANF funds for child care has stopped.  For more information go to: www.clasp.org/dms/documents/1032806810.14/view_html.  (JMS)

�SUBSIDIZED GUARDIANSHIP-EXPERIENCES�

The African-American Family Commission will present two dates for �Subsidized Guardianship-Experiences�.  The first date and location is Friday, November 8, 2002 at Ada S. McKinley, 2907 S. Wabash, Chicago, IL from 10 a.m. to NOON.  The second date and location is Thursday, November 14, 2002 at Tri-County Urban League, 317 S. MacArthur Highway, Peoria, IL from 10 a.m. to NOON.  The intended audience is Child Welfare Staff and Foster Parents.  For more information and to RSVP � please contact Wasi Young, African-American Family Commission (312) 326-0368.

�SYSTEMS OF CARE�

The African-American Family Commission will present �Systems of Care� on Thursday, December 5, 2002 at the Juvenile Court Auditorium, 2245 W. Ogden Avenue, Chicago, IL from 10 a.m. to NOON.  The intended audience is Child Welfare Staff and Foster Parents.  For more information and to RSVP � please contact Wasi Young, African-American Family Commission (312) 326-0368.

�FATHERS AS EDUCATORS: PRACTICAL IDEAS AND SOLUTIONS FOR ENGAGING FATHERS IN THEIR CHILDREN�S EDUCATION�

This teacher and practitioner workshop is being co-sponsored by The Illinois Fatherhood Initiative, the Administration for Children and Families, and the City of Chicago Department of Human Services.

There will be two concurrent workshops�one focused on Early Head Start / Head Start / Preschool / Nursery School personnel and one focused on Elementary School Teachers, Administrators, Parents, PTA�s, PTO�s and others.

The workshops will be held on October 22 at the Palmer House Hilton, 17 E. Monroe Street, Chicago at 10:00 a.m. and run until 11:45 a.m.

This is a free workshop for CCAI members.  For agenda and registration information please call Sean Scanlon at 800.996.3237.   Please be sure to say you are a member of the Child Care Association to get the free registration.  (SKA)

FINAL SACY TRAINING in OCTOBER

Don�t Miss the final SACY Training for this year!

Community Integration: Preparing for Step-down              Oct. 11  

The restorative process of community reintegration ∙ providing opportunities to teach independent living skills ∙ assessing the community in light of the client�s relapse cycle ∙ setting up a safe placement.

Location: Catholic Charities of Chicago, St. Vincent Hall, 721 N. LaSalle, Chicago

Time: 9:00 am till 4:00 pm -- Lunch on your own

Topics tailored to meet the current role of individuals working with sexually abusive/ aggressive children and youth.

All training meets SACY standards and presented by certified trainers.

The curriculum meets the requirements for those agencies providing SACY services with the Illinois department of Children and family Services

Complete up to 54 hours of training in less than 5 months.

CEU credit offered.

COST:  $85.00 per person per session

For registration simply go to the CCA Training site www.cca-il.org/training/htm or call Barb Oldani at 217-528-4409, Ext. 21.

Calendar

Oct.  9    SED Waiver meeting, 2-4 p.m.

Oct. 11   SACY Training �Community Integration: Preparing for Step-down�

Oct. 19   �Prevention not Suspension: Looking at Alternatives,� Workshop includes

                information on looking at alternatives to suspension, understanding the

                disadvantages of suspension, and connecting behavioral interventions to the

                student�s disability. Bev Johns, Author and Program Supervisor, Therapeutic Public

                Day School, 9:30 � 3:30, Egan Urban Center, DePaul University, 243 South

                Wabash Ave., 9^th Floor, Chicago, registration (312-939-3513).

Oct. 23-24   CCAI�s Fall Membership Meeting, Starved Rock Lodge and Conference Center

Nov. 7    First NonProfit Free seminar--Charitable Giving with Randy A. Fox�For more

              information call toll-free 800.526.4352, X. 1531

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