MONDAY REPORT
November 18, 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.
Agency
Behavior Treatment Plans�IMPORTANT NEWS
Provider
Profiles/Utilization Trends
INFANT
HOMICIDES IN CHICAGO FOCUS OF COLLABORATION
CONGRESS
FAILS TO ACT ON CARE ACT
HIPAA
SEMINAR WITH MISSOURI COALITION � DECEMBER 12, 2002
CCAI
HELD SECOND HIPAA SEMINAR ON NOVEMBER 14TH
93rd
GENERAL ASSEMBLY LEGISLATIVE DIRECTORIES
FREE
SEMINAR FOR FIRST NONPROFIT POLICYHOLDERS�
�Reduce
Your Work Comp Losses��Nov. 21
The CWAC-SED Committee met in Chicago on November 14. The following issues were addressed:
Status of Level I/II Review Process: The Behavior Treatment Plan Task Force completed its review of the initial plans, according to a standardized review format. Agencies should have received this format in the mail. Ninety-eight plans were reviewed. Only one agency received all positive marks in each section of the evaluation. All other plans will need to provide response to the review concerns, or provide additional information to DCFS. Letters to each agency with the completed review checklist are on their way to agencies. A copy of the checklist format tool is available by contacting the CCAI office in Springfield.
Level III Reviews: A draft format for the Level III reviews was distributed for comment. DCFS consultant and Director stressed that the intent is to be helpful to programs. The focus will be on whether the program is doing what it is supposed to do according to Rule 384 and if the agency is documenting it well. All programs will be reviewed, with the reviews under the direction of the UIC consultation unit. The new format will include a sample review of records and a case conference model in which 2 cases are examined in depth. Agencies will participate in the review and the case conference model, will have access to due process by having the reviews contain their comments and objections and DCFS provide written reasons for any decisions to overrule the objections. As the system moves to greater transparency and accountability, agencies will need to realize that such reviews and reports will be accessible to the public, including the media. The review format is designed with that access as one consideration. The format will be structured to include a Review of Sample of Behavior Treatment Plans, Treatment Plan Development, Treatment Team Performance, Implementation of Restrictive Interventions and Reviewer Comments. DCFS is open to including an element of peer review in the format, although there are concerns about whether there will be a sufficient number of qualified reviewers to cover all reviews. DCFS would like to see ideas from the agencies about how this peer review system could work. Written procedures outlining the process of the Reviews were also submitted for comment.
CCAI agencies are encouraged to thoroughly review the proposed Review System and submit written comments to DCFS, c/o Catherine Francis, (312-814-8744) with a copy to Marge Berglind at CCAI ([email protected].) Comments are also encouraged about the Peer Review component. Comments need to be submitted by November 25. Copies of the proposed Level III review tool and procedures can be obtained by contacting the CCAI Springfield office.
All agencies received a request from DCFS to complete a Program Description on basic utilization information for each program unit or site. In a letter dated October 17, DCFS submitted the agency�s previous profile report and requested correction of the material in order to start generating an accurate database. These reports will be used to help the work group examine trends and distribution patterns. It is imperative for all agencies to submit the form. Copies of the DCFS letter and previous provider profile reports are available by contacting the CCAI Springfield office.
DCFS staff reminded the group that the SACY terminology and label is no longer in use. The population of children is now referred to as Children with Sexual Behavior Problems (CSBP) and the program is referred to as Sexual Abuse Program. A training curriculum is currently being developed for foster parents, DCFS and POS workers and supervisors that is based on the current understanding of children who exhibit sexual behavior problems. These changes were previously addressed in detail at prior SED meetings. All agencies received correspondence outlining these changes in a letter dated August 16. A copy of this letter if needed is available by contacting the CCAI Springfield office. Questions for DCFS can be directed to Susan Netznik at 217-524-3697.
The work group continues to make progress, most recently reviewing two existing models of training to identify match with the identified Illinois competencies. Once confirmed, a delivery model will be developed.
New DCFS staffer, Matt Shaw, will take the lead on working with the UIR system. He will work with the voluntary sector to convene a work group on current status of the UIR system and to identify ideas about improving the system, including an electronic reporting component.
The next
meeting is scheduled for January 16 in Chicago.
(MB)
The Economic and Fiscal Commission recently issued a report for the Illinois General Assembly on the status of revenues projected from the tobacco settlement and cigarette taxes. Illinois is receiving only 81% of the revenue originally projected from the tobacco settlement, representing a $75 million shortfall. There are questions about the revenues projected from the cigarette tax since increased per pack taxes may decrease overall consumption or direct purchases in Illinois. This will mean fewer funds for the overall budget. Since part of the tobacco settlement formula hinges on consumption, further revenue shortfalls from the settlement are also expected. This is more bad news for the state�s bleak financial situation. The summary of the report notes:
�Throughout the country, states have had to find ways of reducing the budget gaps that developed over the last couple of years. In 2002, nineteen states including Illinois chose the cigarette tax as a source to raise taxes as a way to increase revenues to reduce these budget gaps. By increasing the State�s cigarette tax from 58-cents to 98-cents per pack, Illinois is expecting to generate approximately $230 million in additional revenue for FY 2003.
Although some have welcomed this cigarette tax increase, others are concerned with the effect that it may have on Illinois citizens and on revenue streams. Because lower-income segments of the population have a tendency to smoke in greater proportion than higher-income people, some feel that this tax increase particularly will burden the poor. Others are concerned that relying on the cigarette tax for revenues is not a good idea because the cigarette tax tends to develop what is sometimes known as a �structural deficit�. Cigarette tax hikes often cause people to smoke less, and/or look for alternative places to purchase their cigarettes such as bordering states or the Internet. If consumption levels continue to fall, revenue from the cigarette tax likely would decline from year to year unless other tax increases are implemented.
The decline in cigarette consumption levels also may affect the amount of funds that Illinois will receive from the Tobacco Settlement Agreement. Under the original agreement, Illinois was to receive approximately $9.1 billion from this settlement over a 25-year period. Although this still may occur, in FY 2002, Illinois received only 81% of the payments that were originally expected. One of the contributing factors for this lower-than-expected payment was the decline in cigarette consumption throughout the nation. The funds from the tobacco settlement are a significant source for funding various programs throughout Illinois, including the Circuit Breaker Program, Senior Care, and the Earned Income Tax Credit.
Many states have turned to tobacco settlement securitization as a way of obtaining immediate funds to reduce their budget gaps. Illinois is one of several states that have enacted legislation allowing them to utilize these tobacco settlement payments to improve their state�s cash flow. Under Illinois� plan, the State would use tobacco settlement payments as a dedicated revenue stream for General Obligation bonds. However, thus far the State has decided not to use the $750 million in General Obligation Tobacco Securitization Bonds that have been authorized. Illinois� securitization plan and the securitization bonds set up by other states have structural differences, however, both methods require states to forfeit a significant amount of money in the future in order to obtain an immediate amount of funds today.�
The complete report can be accessed at the Fiscal and Economic Commission�s website at: http://www.legis.state.il.us/commission/ecfisc. We encourage all CCAI members to frequently browse this site as well as that of the Bureau of the Budget, in order to keep abreast of emerging state budget issues. (MB)
Chicago has experienced 14 infant homicides this year, up from previous years. These tragic deaths forced officials of the Chicago Police Department and Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to collaborate on ideas for confronting this problem and identifying solutions for preventing such deaths in the future. A Chicago public relations campaign will feature the superintendent of police and ask stressed parents to call city or state hotline numbers. Since a common thread across the deaths was the parent/caretaker�s frustration with the child�s crying, the billboards will feature that as a theme. A symposium held in Chicago on November 14 invited 150 concerned stakeholders to identify other concerns and issues about the escalating rate of infant homicides. During the symposium, DCFS presented current facts regarding child deaths in Chicago: Child abuse deaths have tended to decline since l995 (from 22 in l995 to 14 in both 2001 and 2002) and from l997 to 2002 repeat child maltreatment has declined by 66%. Eighty one percent of child deaths were to children 3 years old and younger with the highest rate of death for children 1 year and younger. The police noted that few of the accused perpetrators were known to the police and or had a criminal history. A steering committee under the leadership of Superintendent Hilliard and Director McDonald will consider recommendations for further action. CCAI will continue to provide input into this process. Copies of the materials from DCFS and symposium resource materials can be obtained by contacting the Springfield CCAI office. (MB)
Congress failed to act on the proposed Charity Aid, Recovery and Empowerment Act of 2002 (CARE Act) that would have provided significant incentives for charitable contribution reporting that would benefit the nonprofit sector. On November 14, key Senators called for a unanimous consent (uc) agreement that would allow the CARE Act to be considered by the full Senate. Senator Carl Levin (D-MI) reserved the right to object because of consideration of three amendments: extension of unemployment benefits; study of the treatment of stock options; and expansion of the Securities and Exchange Commission's administrative enforcement. Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) objected to the uc on the grounds that the amount of time allocated for debate on the bill was insufficient to deal with civil rights concerns underlying his and Senator Jack Reed's (D-RI) amendments. It is now unlikely given the tight schedule of the remainder of the current session the CARE Act will be considered. Members of the Independent Sector will provide leadership to secure sponsors so the act can be considered in the l08th session of Congress. CCAI will follow-up with Senator Durbin to obtain information on his objections. We will keep you posted as the next session begins. (MB)
Amendments for
FY03 SACWIS grants were mailed out to agencies a few weeks ago.
Agencies should return amendments as soon as possible and proceed with
spending funds allocated for FY03 by March 2003. Since there have been delays with the project for Phase II
and the SACWIS Advisory Committee has not met recently, we have tried to obtain
information related to changes in implementation time frames.
It appears that the year 1-2-3 agencies are being asked to be ready by
June 1, 2003 and the year 2-3-4 agencies are being asked to be ready by November
1, 2003. The current thinking is
that the private agencies will start to implement in January 2004 and finish in
December 2004 � a 12 month process. (JMS)
In our contacts
with similar associations in other states regarding what activities are
occurring around HIPAA, we have been informed that the Missouri Coalition of
Children�s Agencies is holding a HIPAA training session on December 12, 2002
from 9:00 to 3:30 at the St. Louis West Marriott in St. Louis.
If you were unable to attend the session on HIPAA last week that was held
on November 14th at the Wyndham Lisle by CCAI, the Missouri Coalition
of Children�s Agencies is opening attendance for the December 12th
session to all CCAI members at the Missouri member rate of $50.
If you would like additional information about the training please
contact the Missouri Coalition at 1-800-942-0326 or e-mail at [email protected].
Also their FAX number is 573-635-9848.
Jeff Bormaster from CWLA will be the speaker at the training.
When registering for this training, please indicate that you are a member
of CCAI in order to get the Missouri member rate.
Copies of the registration form are also available from the CCAI office
in Springfield if anyone is interested in attending.
(JMS)
CCAI held its
second seminar on HIPAA on November 14, 2002 at the Wyndham Lisle.
Speakers for the training were Andy Tecson with Chuhak and Tecson and
Curt Siegel with RSM McGaldrey. Sixty-five
representatives attended from 36 different agencies.
The training included access to sample forms and procedures that agencies
could use in adopting the HIPAA requirements to their own agencies.
The speaker emphasized that agencies should begin now on working to get
agreements in place for all business associates that they determine are impacted
by the transfer of health information under HIPAA.
The deadline date for the privacy requirements for HIPAA is April 2003.
April 2003 is also the date that testing must begin related to the
changes needed to meet the code set requirements for all related billing
information. The code set
requirements must be in place and ready to use by October 2003 if an
organization submitted the request for an extension. CCAI will continue to convey information related to
HIPAA as we receive it. (JMS)
Member agency CEO�s and Executive Directors will receive a notice and order form for the 2003-2004 Legislative Directories in their mail soon. The order form will also be put on CCAI�s website under �members only� and can be downloaded and mailed to CCAI with a check or faxed with credit card information. The directories will have the CCAI logo on the front cover, and can be purchased for $2.00 each. This cost includes shipping and handling. The association will give one complimentary copy per agency member. Remember when ordering to include your advisory council members, board, foster parents, youth served who are old enough to vote, or any individuals or groups you would like to give a directory. The directory�s availability date will be dependent upon legislative committee appointments, Capitol Office assignments and phone installations. All orders need to be received at the CCAI office by December 18th. (SKA)
This seminar will focus on assisting front line managers in preventing and minimizing work comp losses. Specific techniques will be provided for practical steps you can implement in your workplace. Speakers will be from Constitution State Services. Topics to be covered include: 1) Work Comp Benefits and System; 2) Loss Prevention & Engineering; 3) Return to Work and Claims Reporting; and 4) Controlling Medical Costs and New Trends in Illinois� Work Comp laws.
The seminar will be held on Thursday, November 21, 10-11:30 at 111 N. Canal Street, Chicago. If you are a First Nonprofit policyholder and would like to attend this seminar, call 800.526.4352, Ext. 1531. (SKA)
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.
Nov. 18 Healthy
Families Illinois Policy and Advocacy Committee
Nov. 19 Cook Performance Based Work Group Meeting, 9:30 a.m., LSSI, 10 W. 35th Street,
15th Floor, Chicago
Dec. 3 �Addressing the Needs of Girls At Risk for Delinquent and Criminal Behavior�,
Hilton Hotel, Springfield; to register visit: www.youthnetworkcouncil.org/training
Feb. 20 Cook Agencies Meeting with Presiding Judge, Juvenile Court, Chicago
|
For
further information on any of the above, contact the staff member noted in
parentheses at the end of the text: MB = Marge
Berglind 312/819-1950
([email protected])
JMS
= Jan Schoening 217/528-4409,
ext. 25 BRH=
Bridget Helmholz 217/528-4409,
ext. 24 BMO=Barb
Oldani
217/528-4409, ext. 21 |
Sandy Armstrong
217/528-4409 ext. 22 ([email protected]) CMS=Cindy
Stich 217/528-4409
ext. 23 ([email protected]) Kelly
Pantaleone 217/528-4409,
ext. 26 ([email protected]) |
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