MONDAY REPORT

December 10, 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.

Table of Contents

CHILD WELFARE. 1

UPDATE ON STATUS OF COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT EFFECTIVE APRIL 1, 2002. 1

SURVEY REQUESTS�IMPACT OF BUDGET CUTS AND CASH FLOW.. 1

CWAC MEDICAID ADVISORY WORKGROUP. 2

Medicaid and SACWIS. 2

Post Payment Reviews. 2

Suspension, Termination and Appeals. 2

GENERAL. 3

CCA OUTCOME REPORTING REMINDER. 3

FEDERAL LEGISLATION ALERT. 3

CWAC SACWIS ADVISORY COMMITTEE. 3

Reallocation of Funds. 3

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS. 4

WHAT ARE THE ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF A MINIMAL CODB INCREASE ON YOUR AGENCY?. 4

HELPFUL WESITES FOR PUBLIC POLICY AND ADVOCACY. 4

UPCOMING EVENTS. 5

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS... 5

Quality Improvement Training with Dr. Fotena Zirps. 5

DIRECT SERVICE EMPLOYEE/SUPERVISOR FOUNDATION TRAINING UPDATE. 5

Calendar: 6

UPDATE ON STATUS OF COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT EFFECTIVE APRIL 1, 2002

There is much information circulating on whether the 2% Cost of Living Adjustment, due to take effect on April 1, 2002 has been cut due to the state budget problems. We have forwarded current information to executive directors via FAX on Monday, December 10. Agency staff who read the Monday Report should obtain this information from their executive director. (MB)

SURVEY REQUESTS�IMPACT OF BUDGET CUTS AND CASH FLOW

Agencies are encouraged to participate in providing information on the impact of budget cuts�both the lack of CODB we have had to absorb the first 3 quarters of this fiscal year and the possible loss of the CODB due on April 1.  Surveys are brief. CCA staff will also be contacting certain agencies by phone to participate.  We will use collated information as part of future publicity about the challenges facing agencies as well as part of group reports on human services in general.

Cash flow will likely soon develop into a struggle for many agencies. We are in the process of setting up a meeting with the Illinois Controller�s staff and Senator Jones to discuss the current situation and identify procedures for Cook County area agencies. We will then determine if there is a similar need for a meeting with downstate agencies or whether the information can be forwarded. As part of planning for this meeting, we are trying to collect essential information on the extent of the problem. Cook area agency executives will receive a survey next week. We urge you to fill this out or forward immediately to your CFO for processing. Questions or concerns about participation in either survey should be directed to Marge Berglind at 312-819-1950. (MB)

CWAC MEDICAID ADVISORY WORKGROUP

The CWAC Medicaid Advisory Workgroup met on Dec. 6, 2001 at St. Joseph�s Carondolet in Chicago.  Agenda items discussed included Medicaid and SACWIS, Post Payment Reviews, Suspension, Termination and Appeal Procedures, Streamlining the Medicaid Conversion Process and HIPPA. 

Medicaid and SACWIS

The issue with Medicaid and SACWIS is whether the Medicaid documents need to be included in the SACWIS system and what those should entail.  This issue has been on the table for some time by the private agencies from the CWAC SACWIS Advisory Committee. Since a recent decision was reached by DCFS that the Medicaid Billing System would not be included as a part of the financial piece of SACWIS and there would not be an interface between the two systems, what Medicaid case information needed to be in SACWIS.  Since the case documentation information directly impacts the private agencies, it was important that efforts be pursued to identify those critical documents and what the functionality in SACWIS needs to be.  The three main documents include the assessment, treatment plan and case notes.  The case notes are extremely important since they serve as the basis for billing Medicaid and to be required to enter case notes into two systems would be extremely burdensome for the private agency case workers.  Although the Medicaid Billing System will not interface with SACWIS it was identified that it is important for the case notes to be incorporated in SACWIS with the ability to download the information into private agency systems and that the functionality be as integrated as possible.  The Medicaid Workgroup would be submitting their recommendation to the CWAC SED Committee who would then report this at the full CWAC meeting later this month. 

Post Payment Reviews

The Post Payment Review Process was discussed regarding whether it should be implemented every year or every three years.  It was suggested that it be done at recertification time and determine then if there is the need to conduct them yearly.  It was generally agreed that post payment reviews should be quantitative and not qualitative; therefore reference to an insufficient note to justify the billing would not be used.  There was also extensive discussion on selection of the cases to be reviewed and what should happen in the case where one file would throw off the results of the post payment review.  Should additional records be selected to validate the first cases reviewed?  It was also noted that recoupment of any funding would only be determined for the specific cases reviewed and the dollar amount identified for those cases.  The percentage of documentation not supported would not be extrapolated to all records.  It was recommended that the DHS model be followed which does not begin recouping money until the provider�s overall compliance level falls below 90%.  Copies of the draft procedures for the Post Payment Review Process under Medicaid are available through the CCA office.

Suspension, Termination and Appeals

For both DCFS and DHS Medicaid certified providers, three quantifiable tiers of Medicaid compliance are being established from the revised checklist process.  Tier 1 would be in full compliance, Tier 2 would be in substantial compliance and Tier 3 would be not compliant.  Additional comments were being solicited by the workgroup and should be submitted to Susan Elbin at the Infant Parent Institute by Dec. 20^th.  Tier 3 would be the cause for potential suspension.  Since there had been delays previously in getting information back to agencies following a recertification review or technical assistance review, it was agreed that efforts should be made to send letters to agencies within 4 to 5 days of the site visit and that preliminary findings be shared with agencies the last day of the review.  (JMS) 

CCA OUTCOME REPORTING REMINDER

The deadline for FY 2001 Outcome reports is Wednesday, December 19, 2001.  We expect  100% participation from CCA members this year.  If you have yet to send your FY 2001 Outcome data please make this a priority this week, as we would like to tabulate and return outcome reports much quicker this year.  For your convenience the forms and instructions for the CCA Outcome Measurement reporting are posted on the CCA web-site.  To access the forms and instructions from the CCA Internet site. WWW.CCA-IL.ORG, choose (Library) and click on (Outcome Measures) now you can print or down-load the instructions and forms.  Should you have any questions please call D.D. Fischer at (217) 656-3000.

FEDERAL LEGISLATION ALERT

Congress is scheduling to adjourn December 14, 2001 and we hope that the Senate will take action on S. 1503, which will provide a guaranteed increased funding for both the Promoting Safe and Stable Families ($200 million) and new funds for the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program ($60 million).  Estimated increases for Illinois would be $7.4 million for the Promoting Safe And Stable Families Program and $3.4 million for the Foster Care Voucher Program.  The most recent action taken on the bill was October 4^th when it was referred to the Senate Finance Committee where it remains.  It has not been voted on yet.  Since Congress is still in session, it is important to contact Senator Durbin and Senator Fitzgerald now.  Ask them to pass S. 1503 to guarantee an increase in funding for the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program of $200 million and an increase in funding for the voucher program for the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program of $60 million.  Call or FAX a letter to Senator Richard J. Durbin at 202-224-2152; FAX 202-228-0400.  Senator Peter G. Fitzgerald at 202-224-2854; FAX 202-228-1372.  (JMS)

CWAC SACWIS ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Reallocation of Funds

At the last meeting of the CWAC SACWIS Advisory Committee on Dec. 4^th one of the agenda items included an update of the seat count process for private agencies in determining what adjustments need to be made to the allocation of funds to agencies in order to be ready for the implementation of SACWIS.  With changes to caseloads and the number of agencies currently involved with SACWIS services decreasing, it was decided that adjustments would be made to the seat count process to determine funding levels during the second year of the SACWIS plan implementation for agencies.  Forms were to be sent out to agencies last week or early this week.  The turn around time for verification of the numbers is short in order to allow enough time to make amendments to agency contracts and build in time to spend any additional funds before the end of the fiscal year.  Agencies will be asked to return the forms by January 1, 2002.  Agencies are strongly encouraged to review the new numbers and return to Steve Bradshaw as quickly as possible.  (JMS)   

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

(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 are preferred.)

WHAT ARE THE ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF A MINIMAL CODB INCREASE ON YOUR AGENCY?

If you have not responded to your e-mail or fax inquiry regarding economic impacts on your agency related to the minimal CODB provided to private agencies in the State of Illinois�s FY2002 budget, please do so as soon as possible. CCA plans to use this information in conversations with those responsible for state budgeting.

The Association is particularly interested in the following information from member agencies:

�       Any programs that will potentially be modified or eliminated in FY2002

�       Number of clients impacted by modification/elimination of program

�       The impact of this in client services and the community in which the service is provided

�       The counties in which that service is provided

�       Operational impacts, such as facilities or satellite locations that will be closed

�       Personnel related impacts, such as not filling vacated positions, eliminating positions, or  freezing wage increases

�       Reduction of current staff hours

�       Reduction of education and training opportunities for staff

�       Reduction of benefits, vacations, holidays, or personal days

Please add any other comments you might have about the impact that a minimal cost of doing business has had on your agency for FY2002, or any anticipated concerns you have moving into the budget cycle for FY2003. Information can be sent via e-mail to: [email protected], or by fax to 217-528-6498.

MINI-GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR KINSHIP CARE SUPPORT GROUPS
Ten programs from throughout the United States will be selected by KinNET, a national network of support groups for foster care, to develop additional support groups. The mini-grants, which are for $10,000 over two years time contingent on first-year successes, are available for FY2002-2003. Guidelines and an Application form are available at http://www.gu.org (click on KinNET). Agencies must be local agencies with 501[c]3 or equivalent tax-exempt status, and each grantee is expected to match at least 10% of the grant. Proposals must be submitted by February 15, 2002.

The grants for KinNET are funded through Generations United (GU), which was awarded a cooperative agreement from the Children's Bureau of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to establish KinNET.  KinNET focuses on the unique needs of kinship caregivers and provides sessions on topics such as the legal, psychological, and socioeconomic implications of becoming a guardian or adoptive parent.  To maximize the resources and services available, GU's partner in KinNET is the Brookdale Foundation Group (http://www.ewol.com/brookdale), which funds support groups for relatives raising children outside the foster care system.

HELPFUL WESITES FOR PUBLIC POLICY AND ADVOCACY

Tired of all that paper cluttering up your desk as you work on important public policy and advocacy issues? Check out these helpful online sites!

To find Illinois state legislators, their phone numbers, their districts, and their voting history:

http://www.state.il.us/state.legis

Provides legislation status and text, contact information for district or elected officials, and links to each legislator�s bio, voting record, contact numbers and e-mail address.

To find Congress members, phone numbers for districts, and voting history:

http://congress.org

Includes quick Capitol Hill tips, contacts for elected officials by zip code, issues and legislation, and a guide to the media. Provides bios and voting history for members of Congress and a quick means to contact them via e-mail.

To track CWLA public policy and advocacy information:

http://www.cwla.org/advocacy

Includes legislative agenda�s, report forms, Kids� Advocate Online, an interactive area of the website to obtain information and contact Congress, budget information alerts and updates, and more.

To track Alliance for Children public policy and advocacy information:

http://www.alliance1.org. Outlines public policy position statements, action alerts, and legislative tracking chart for current Congressional session.

To track DCFS Executive Summaries Monthly:

http:/www.state.il.us/dcfs

Includes updated Executive Statistical Summary Report covering trends in child abuse, foster care and licensing outcomes.

To learn how your congressional representatives and senators are doing at their jobs, identify and contact state or county elected officials and more: http://www.vote-smart.org is the Project Vote Smart website. Contains policy information by keyword category, as well as bio�s on elected officials, and much more.

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS...

Quality Improvement Training with Dr. Fotena Zirps

Santa has granted our wish!  Mark your calendars for February 6 & 7, 2002 when Dr. Fotena Zirps will return to Illinois to conduct two days of Quality Improvement training.  The event will be held at the Hilton, Lisle / Naperville with brochure and registration in the mail soon.  Santa�s elf tells us that a new book is in the works for Dr. Zirps and the training will help you go beyond basic agency quality improvement tasks.  Look for more details soon.

If you have any questions, please call D.D. Fischer at 217/656-3000 or email him at [email protected]

DIRECT SERVICE EMPLOYEE/SUPERVISOR FOUNDATION TRAINING UPDATE

Details of the January foundation training schedule are as follows:

Classes Start: January 7, Chicago and Normal  

Slots are still available in both locations.

Classes Start: January 14, Aurora and Collinsville.

As of December 7, there are only 2 participants registered for these two sessions. If more participants do not sign up for these locations, these 2 classes will be cancelled. The registrants will be reassigned to the classes scheduled in Chicago or Normal.

We urge agencies to get anticipated registrations in today to avoid cancellation of classes they will need for new staff. We also remind agencies that the classes resume following the holiday season. Do not risk a delay in training for your staff by delaying registration until a class if full or cancelled. (MB)

Calendar:

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