January 14, 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.

MONDAY REPORT PASSWORD TO CHANGE ON JANUARY 28^TH

Table of Contents

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT TRAINING WITH DR. FOTENA ZIRPS.. 1

CHILD WELFARE.. 2

CASH FLOW MEETING.. 2

JANUARY MEETING WITH JUVENILE COURT PRESIDING JUDGE.. 2

CCAI SUPPORTS RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT YOUTH SMOKING.. 2

POOR EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES FOR DCFS WARDS.. 2

SAVE THE DATE FOR SPRING FOSTER AND ADOPTIVE PARENT CONFERENCE.. 3

PERMANENCY STATISTICS THROUGH OCTOBER.. 3

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES FUNDING OPPORTUNITY. 4

MENTAL HEALTH.. 4

RULE AMENDMENTS FOR ABUSE INTERVENTION GRANTS.. 4

FISCAL RELATED AMENDMENTS FOR DHS RULE.. 4

MENTAL HEALTH RESOLUTIONS THAT PASSED.. 5

GENERAL.. 5

2002 CONGRESSIONAL CALENDAR.. 5

HEALTHY FAMILIES POLICY/ADVOCACY COMMITTEE.. 5

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS.. 6

HELPFUL WESITES FOR PUBLIC POLICY AND ADVOCACY. 6

NEW SITE FOR MONITORING CANDIDATES� CONTRIBUTORS: 6

MINI-GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR KINSHIP CARE SUPPORT GROUPS. 6

UPCOMING EVENTS.. 7

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT TRAINING WITH DR. FOTENA ZIRPS

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

DATE: February 6 & 7, 2002

LOCATION: Hilton, Lisle/Naperville, IL

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

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

CASH FLOW MEETING

Executive Directors and Finance Officers of CCAI agencies in Cook County should save the date of:

            January 23, 2002

            2:00 p.m.

            James R. Thompson Center, Hearing Room 16-503

This meeting will be held with Senator Emil Jones, representatives of the State Controller�s office and in conjunction with the African American Family Commission. The purpose is to address current problems related to cash flow for certain state contracts, talk with controller�s staff about anticipated future delays and address options for problem resolution. An invitation letter dated January 4, 2002 was sent to Cook agencies by Senator Jones last week. Please note that there was an error in the letter, citing the date as Tuesday, January 23. As we have previously noted in the Monday Report, the correct date is Wednesday, January 23.

To date, only 15 of our Cook agencies have provided information on the status of cash flow problems with state contracts. Agencies providing their FEIN on the survey will receive an agency-specific report on current payments from the Controller�s staff at the January 23 meeting.  If your agency has not yet responded, there is still time to submit the one page survey. Fax these to Marge Berglind at 312-819-1951. If you need another copy of the survey, please call our Springfield office at 217-528-4409 for a FAX or e-mail copy. (MB)

JANUARY MEETING WITH JUVENILE COURT PRESIDING JUDGE

Agency executive directors, CEO�s and executive level staff are encouraged to attend the upcoming agency meeting with Presiding Judge Patricia Martin Bishop. Given the current concerns from DCFS about agency performance in court (See CWAC report in 12/24/01 Monday Report), it is imperative that executives from our agencies attend this meeting. The January meeting is scheduled for:

CCAI SUPPORTS RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT YOUTH SMOKING

CCAI has joined the Illinois Children�s Initiative in advocating for the Resolution to Reduce Youth Smoking. The resolution calls for increasing Illinois� excise tax on cigarettes by  $.75/pack.  Increasing the cost of cigarettes is a proven step to reduce the number of children who become addicted to tobacco. If implemented, the tax increase would generate $537 million per year in additional state revenue that could provide funding for human services and health care.

We ask our member agencies to help support this effort in the general assembly and with the Governor. Copies of the resolution are available on the CCA web site or by contacting Linda Lenzini in the Springfield office. Additional materials outlining the impacts of smoking on young people and the revenues generated in other states from increased taxes are also available upon request. (MB)

POOR EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES FOR DCFS WARDS

The Center for Child Welfare and Education held its winter meeting on January ll. DCFS research and education staff shared preliminary findings of the first of a number of sample studies tracking educational performance and outcomes that contribute to overall child well-being. The initial study found:

            41% of the DCFS population is identified as in need of Special Education

            46% are overage in grade�a key predictor of dropouts

            31% had at least one school transfer

            15% had two school transfers

            8% had three school transfers

            2% had more that three school transfers

            59% are both overage in grade and have had 2 or more transfers

           87% of the Transfers were Non-School reason transfers (transfers by

                 DCFS, agency, court or family)

            63% had 1-17 absences during the last school year

           11% had l8 or more absences during the last school year�key indicator

                   of truancy

            11% had In-School Suspensions during the last school year

            12% had Out-of-School Suspensions during the last school year

            3% had Expulsions during the last school year

            40% had records in which no standardized test information could be

                     retrieved.

The collection of the sample was performed by a special team of staff within the educational division and at Northern Illinois University. That team experienced significant problems in finding complete educational records for children at the school and sometimes had to make multiple school/site visits and phone calls to establish a complete record for purposes of study in the sample. The team thus found the tracking educational information for children in DCFS is very difficult. They predicted that caseworkers have a 50%-60% chance of finding all relevant educational data with which to plan for the child.

The study will continue for the next 2 years and findings will be used to generate policy decisions relating to increasing the educational well-being levels for DCFS children. These current findings, however, should provide food for thought for our member agencies on the importance of increasing stability for children, targeting educational performance as signals for future problems and for the training of staff and foster parents to work with the educational system. (MB)

SAVE THE DATE FOR SPRING FOSTER AND ADOPTIVE PARENT CONFERENCE

The 2002 Spring Foster and Adoptive Parent conference will be held March 8 and 9 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield. The theme for the upcoming conference is �Every Child Is A Success Story.� Foster parents received information and registration forms in the current Holiday Issue of Fostering Illinois. Agencies who wish to send representatives can obtain a copy of the form via fax by contacting the Springfield CCAI office. Registration deadline is January 25. (MB)

PERMANENCY STATISTICS THROUGH OCTOBER

Permanency statistics for the system through October 31 show the rate of permanencies  is slowing. As of 10/31, the state showed 1857 permanencies; 24.5% of the target.  DCFS cases were at 22.9% of their target, while the POS sector was at 22.8% of their target.  The breakout is as follows:

            Reunification: 896 to date, 24% of the annual target

            Adoptions: 716 to date, 17.9% of the annual target

           Subsidized Guardianship, 245 to date, 22% of the annual target.

The total permanencies should have been at 33% of the annual target by the end of October.  More up-to-date information on performance should be ready for release by DCFS by the end of January. We will provide more detailed analysis at that time. (MB)

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

The ACF Office of Community Services announced in the December 13, 2001 Federal Register the availability of funds and request for applications under the FY 2002 Family Violence Prevention and Services Discretionary Funds Program.  Two priority areas are expected to be funded:

1)      public information/community awareness campaign projects for the prevention of family violence

2)      collaborative efforts between faith-based organizations and domestic violence organizations

The announcement can be found on the ACF Internet site at: http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/ocs/famvio02.htm

Questions can be directed to: Ronald C. Stevens, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. DHHS, 233 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 400,Chicago, Illinois 60601-5519; Telephone: (312) 886-5036; Fax: (312) 886-5373; E-mail: [email protected]. (MB)

RULE AMENDMENTS FOR ABUSE INTERVENTION GRANTS

The Department of Human Services has proposed amendments for �Partner Abuse Intervention� (89 ILL Adm Code 501) to add regulations concerning grants awarded to local service providers who work under the Partner Abuse Intervention Program with individuals who commit domestic violence.  Topics covered include requests for proposal, grant eligibility criteria, application evaluation, grant agreements, and required reports and audits. Small businesses, small municipalities, and not-for profit corporations desiring to apply for PAIP grants will be affected by this.  Comments and requests for copies of this rule may be directed until 2/19/02 to Susan Weir at DHS, 100 S. Grand Ave. E., 3^rd Fl., Springfield, IL  62762, 217-785-9772.  (JMS)

FISCAL RELATED AMENDMENTS FOR DHS RULE

DHS has also proposed amendments for �Grants and Grant Funds Recovery� (89 ILL Adm Code 511), �Audit Requirements� (89 ILL Adm Code 507), and Fiscal/Administrative Recordkeeping and Requirements� (89 ILL Adm Code 509).  The part 511 amendment adds grant reports to the list of materials that DHS may require the grantee to provide for review and evaluation purposes.  Part 507 amendments specify that a grantee or service provider shall maintain records in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and state that Department rate calculations or expense and revenue analyses may independently trigger DHS to require that the provider submit certain revenue and expense data in a form prescribed by DHS regardless of currently specified dollar thresholds.  The list of provider fiscal requirements listed in Part 509 is expanded to include adequate internal controls and separate accounts for individuals for whom the agency manages funds.  Criteria for suspending provider funds or canceling an award or agreement are amended to add receipt of a founded complaint or report from another State agency that impacts DHS programs.  Outside public or private organizations are allowed to conduct DHS periodic, onsite provider reviews, and provider recordkeeping, property control, and written policy requirements are explained.  Comments and requests for copies may be directed until 2/19/02 to Susan Weir at DHS, 100 S. Grand Ave. E., 3^rd Fl., Springfield, IL  62762, 217-785-9772.  (JMS)

MENTAL HEALTH RESOLUTIONS THAT PASSED

As the new General Assembly begins shortly, following is a brief review of the mental health legislation related to children�s services that passed during the 92^nd General Assembly.

Two resolutions that passed during the 92^nd General Assembly were related to Project Success and the Early Intervention Program.  HR 374 creates the Project Success Oversight Committee to provide on-going oversight of the Project Success Program.  An amendment was added that also provides for 2 members appointed by the Speaker of the House and 2 members appointed by the Minority Leader of the House rather than one member appointed each by the Speaker and Minority Leader of the House and the President and Minority Leader of the Senate.  Designates the Speaker of the House to appoint the Project Success Program Administrator and chairman.

HJR 46 creates a legislative Advisory Committee concerning an Early Intervention Program and a list of items for which the Committee shall be responsible and the list of items the Department of Human Services must include in their monthly, interim and final reports to the Committee.   In addition, it resolves that the Legislative Advisory Committee established by the resolution is the same committee that would be established under Section 13.50 of the Early Intervention Services System Act, pending the enactment of Senate Bill 461 of the 92^nd General Assembly.

SB 1341 amends the Illinois Insurance Code and requires coverage for serious mental illnesses to be provided on the same terms and conditions as are applicable to other illnesses and diseases.  Requires group health benefit plans to provide coverage for 45 days of inpatient treatment and 60 visits for outpatient treatment for mental illness.  Provides that the changes made by this amendatory act are inoperative after December 31, 2005.  Amends the Department of Insurance Law to require the Department to perform a study of mental health coverage.  Effective January 1, 2002.  Amendments limited the scope of the bill to coverage under group policies of accident and health insurance and provided that the coverage shall include 35 rather than 60 visits for outpatient treatment each year.  (Public Act 02-0185) 

SB 461 passed and is Public Act 92-0307.  This legislation is related to the Early Intervention Program and includes numerous requirements for operation of the program concerning definitions, reports, interagency agreements, insurance coverage, etc. 

SB 1305 amends the Adoption Act and provides that a child shall not be considered neglected or abused for the sole reason that the child�s parent or other person responsible for the children�s welfare failed to vaccinate, delayed vaccination, or refused vaccination for the child whether due to a waiver on religious or medical grounds as permitted by law. (Public Act 92-0375) (JMS)

2002 CONGRESSIONAL CALENDAR

With Congress just finishing the 2001 session during December, Congress posted the schedule for 2002.  The House and Senate will reconvene January 23, 2002 with targeted adjournment for October 4, 2002.  During that schedule both chambers will recess in the spring from March 25-April 5.  There will also be a summer recess for most of August.  (JMS)

HEALTHY FAMILIES POLICY/ADVOCACY COMMITTEE

The Healthy Families Policy/Advocacy Committee met on Friday, January 11, 2002 in Chicago.  It was stated that the planned cuts for Healthy Families for this fiscal year are $690,000.  This is has not been finalized but it appears to be a fairly firm figure at this time.  Since the $690,000 represents a cut in the HFI budget for 6 months of FY 02, this would translate to an annualized figure next year of $1.4 million.  Since increased funding for this fiscal year was about $850,000, this actually would represent a cut in current programs not just expansion funding.  There was some discussion among the group about other alternatives for funding such as pooling prescription purchases, but no position was taken on other revenue enhancement mechanisms.  The group attempted to review the guidelines that had been used previously in making funding decisions for the Healthy Families program to determine how those might be used in making funding cuts.  The overall consensus of the group was that programs must adhere to the critical elements of the Healthy Programs design so cuts could not be made that would require additional caseloads by staff.  Also it was agreed that any new dollars that may be added to the budget should go towards restoring any cuts that had been made.  Three components that were discussed as possible areas where cuts might be considered would be community level planning for starting new Healthy Families programs, less costly means to conduct evaluation activities, and state level coordination.  However, it was noted that if cuts where made in the area of state coordination there is only minimal staff support now.  There appeared to be agreement that the program would have to absorb some cuts but would take the position that there not be any further cuts.  The group also suggested the need to work with other Healthy Family partners and urge them to contact the Governor and legislators.  Some states are facing even more drastic cuts to the Healthy Families programs than in Illinois.  Virginia will be losing the total amount for the program of $15.9 million.  West Virginia will also be losing all funding of $500,000.  Michigan will be losing $48 million out of $52 million.  Summary of suggestions from the meeting will be distributed to the Policy/Advocacy for further review and comment.  (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 for information and JPG�s for pictures are preferred.)

HELPFUL WESITES FOR PUBLIC POLICY AND ADVOCACY

NEW SITE FOR MONITORING CANDIDATES� CONTRIBUTORS:

To track campaign contributions to gubernatorial and legislative candidates in Illinois:

http//www. ilcampaign.org/

The site, which is managed by the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, is the location for the searchable Illinois Sunshine Database.  By accessing the database, visitors can find the biggest contributors for current executive state officeholders. After January, 2002, the site will add gubernatorial candidates as well as incumbents, and statewide candidates and officeholders as well as members of the General Assembly. The Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, chaired by former U.S. Senator Paul Simon, is a not-for-profit, non-partisan organization.

(To obtain a complete a complete list of helpful websites for advocacy, contact Linda Lenzini, Director, Marketing and Communications, at [email protected]. )

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.

February 5 � CWAC SACWIS Advisory Committee, LSSI, DesPlaines

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

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

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

                     Story.�  Crowne Plaza Hotel, Springfield.

March 20-21 � CCAI�s Spring Membership Meeting, The Hyatt Lodge, Oak Brook