May 13, 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

STRATEGY FOR PROTESTING CUTS IN FAMILY CENTERED SERVICES. 1

THE STATUS OF THE STATE BUDGET. 2

FOSTER CARE INFRASTRUCTURE. 3

IV-E TRAINING WAIVER AND FOUNDATION TRAINING ADVISORY GROUP. 8

GENERAL. 10

SACWIS MIS Meeting. 10

�TEENS AS FATHERS�MAKING THE CONNECTION�. 10

PRESS CONFERENCES BY THE EMERGENCY CAMPAIGN FOR A FAIR BUDGET. 10

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS. 11

JUVENILE JUSTICE INITIATIVE � PREVENTION/INTERVENTION WORKGROUP. 11

HOUSE BILL 4129 � JUVENILE JUSTICE BILL. 11

HOUSE COMMITTEES PASS TANF BILLS. 12

SENATE TANF PROPOSAL. 12

UPCOMING EVENTS.. 12

SAVE THE DATE�COOK COURT MEETING WITH PRESIDING JUDGE. 12

CCAI�S ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING AND BARBECUE--JUNE 5-6. 12

Calendar. 13

STRATEGY FOR PROTESTING CUTS IN FAMILY CENTERED SERVICES

Agencies with Family Centered Services funds recently received notice from DCFS about cuts to these programs.  DCFS has requested to amend its state plan with the federal funding source to use these funds in other child welfare areas. To attempt to counteract this decision we ask you to take the following steps:

CCAI is tracking this information and will be reviewing the state�s amended plan for alternative uses of the funds. We are also trying to get information on the impact of the FCS cuts to include in our survey of the effects of budget cuts that is going to the General Assembly next week. Please keep us posted on your efforts. We will keep you posted on anything we hear, as well. (MB)

TAKE    ACTION    NOW!!!

THE STATUS OF THE STATE BUDGET

Last week, estimates of the budget shortfall increased the projected deficit to over $2 billion. At the same time, representatives of the state senate promised residents of downstate Illinois that they would not pass any budget that included closure of the Vienna prison as proposed in the Governor�s budget. This shows the impact that advocacy with state representatives and senators can have. The Governor�s budget includes the elimination of the CODB promised to human service agencies. Current program hits due to budget shortages include the Family Centered Services initiatives (as reported previously) cut by DCFS and Teen Reach programs cut by DHS. There will be more to come. Originally, the General Assembly was scheduled to adjourn on May 17. At this point, experts predict the session will last at least until the end of May. Therefore, you still have time left to meet with legislators.

It is critical that all CCAI members get in touch with the their state representatives and senators over the next two weeks to talk about the budget needs of your agency. Talk about your agency�s services and the difficulties you face in providing services in the current climate. Ask for recognition in the budget negotiations of not-for-profit agencies that are providing services for state wards and state funded clients. Mention the unfairness of the COLA that was promised and has disappeared, as well as the impacts of operating without any increase in next year�s budget. Ask for protection from further application of cuts to state funded contracts. Point out the private funds your agency raises to supplement services for state funded clients and how using more private dollars for these services decreases other community programs. Mention the number of tax paying staff your organization employs.  Follow up your conversation with a letter addressing the key points of your meeting. Remain in weekly contact via phone, fax or e-mail to remind legislators of your agency�s important services and to ask them the status of budget deliberations. Ask board members to do the same. If all CCAI agency executives and board members made contact with all legislators from the districts in which they provide programs, think of the extent of the message we would be sending at this most critical time.

Next week, we will distribute to the General Assembly the Impact Survey that CCAI has formulated to summarize the extent of current and potential cuts on our member agencies.  We will send a copy to CEO�s of all member agencies. If you need a copy earlier to assist you in any communication with elected officials, please contact the CCAI office.

The CCAI Strategic Directions mandate that we create a more influential and active association in the areas of state policy and budget development. This is where the rubber meets the road in that we must get the involvement of all member agencies to trigger the influence needed. (MB)

FOSTER CARE INFRASTRUCTURE

The Foster Care Infrastructure Committee met in Joliet on May 7. The following topics were addressed:

�      Cook Contract Adjustments

DCFS reviewed agency performance in permanency from �99 to �02 and stability and permanency in �02 and developed a combined rank.

Cook HMR contracts will be adjusted as follows:

Cook Traditional Contracts will be adjusted as follows:

�         Agencies below the second benchmark will be placed on half intake, resulting in approximately a 12% reduction (impacts 9 agencies.)

�      Downstate Contract Issues

24 Intake Availability: DCFS has agreed not to pursue mandatory 24 intake for all agencies. They will encourage the current agencies that have this availability to continue to provide this service.

Unified Intake: DCFS Director wants to pursue a single intake system based on PRO for HMR/TFC. With input from the Performance Contract Work Group, they have developed criteria and are conducting a qualitative review of all agencies by site and all DCFS downstate sites. This review should be completed by the end of May. DCFS will bring this material to the next Infrastructure for further review and discussion of how the unified system will impact agencies.

�      Interstate Compact Contract Language

DCFS presented draft of language for agency expectations when carrying interstate compact cases, based on previous discussion with the infrastructure committee.

�For children placed outside of Illinois with an authorized Interstate Compact, The agency is expected to utilize their administrative payment to cover travel costs associated with case planning and supervision. This includes costs for travel of: one staff member to conduct home visits twice a year to see the child in the approved home; and travel for caregivers and/or child to Illinois in order to attend court dates, Administrative Case Reviews, family visitation, and/or other case planning required meetings. Travel costs include but are not limited to:

Exceptional costs, which may include emergency travel, can be brought to the Department for possible reimbursement when travel related to the child case exceeds the following amount over the fiscal year:

$ 6,213.00 HMR Annual Administrative Payment per child

$ 5,415.00 Traditional Annual Administrative Payment per child

$ 5,868.60 Downstate Traditional/HMR Annual Administrative Payment per child

$ 4,904.28 Cook Small Traditional/HMR Annual Administrative Payment per child

*excludes counseling portion of $27.54 per child

Exceptional costs will not be considered to allow more than one staff person to travel together to visit the same placement. Agencies are encouraged to schedule visits with multiple children placed in the same area during one trip. Costs exceeding the annual administrative rate must be documented and may be reimbursable per Rule 359. �

Committee members expressed concern about the travel cap estimates since there are a number of expenses associated with extended travel besides the mileage or airfare. DCFS will look at numbers associated with current cases and report back to the next meeting.

�      Educational Outcomes

The group discussed how to add expectations on agency pursuit of positive educational outcomes for wards into the contracts. DCFS proposed the following:

�At this time, the Department tracks limited data on educational measures throughout the State and across age groups. The work group is recommending that FY03 be a year to focus on educational outcomes and to gather data. Data collection will be increased this year through SACWIS and the Integrated Assessment, as well as through a paper reconciliation process.

Similar to AODA measure currently in performance contracts, FY�03 achievement of educational benchmarks will not have contract implications, but instead may lead to technical assistance. With a baseline developed in FY03, however, educational outcomes will be tied to contract decisions in FY04. The work group recommends that the following areas be evaluated and compared to a set benchmark for all foster care cases in FY03.

Data collection twice per year (beginning and of the academic year) through a paper reconciliation process:

I. Children above age for grade level:

100% of children ages 6 and older will be enrolled in school

x% of children will be at age for grade level and x% will performing at grade level

a. Grades

b. Test scores

c. IEPs

d. Graduates (sixth, eighth, HS)

2. Quarterly reports:

Quarterly reports will be completed for 100% of assigned child cases

a. School contact

b. Other services (tutoring, after school programs)

3. Early Intervention:

x% of 3-5 yr olds will be enrolled in an educational program

4. Transition Services

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

Data collection twice per year, tied to the performance reconciliation process, utilizing DCFS and agency data.

l. Number of school transfers

 a. Initial placement

(approximately 1350 new children over the age of 5 are placed annually in non-related homes: 500 in Cook, 200 Northern, 450 Central, and 200 Southern)

 b. Subsequent placements

2. Number of days missed when placement moves occur and explanation

 a. School requirements

 b. Physical/immunizations

3. Number of suspensions/expulsions (UIR) & truancy reports (CPS)

 a. By age

 b. By geography

Private sector members of the group expressed concern about attempting to hold agencies responsible for actual grade level of wards. They recognized the need for improvement in securing attendance and stability in school for wards. They recommended DCFS carefully look at what resources may be necessary for agencies to assist them in developing expertise at furthering educational outcomes. These recommendations will be further reviewed by the DCFS work group and discussed at the next Infrastructure meeting.

�      Specialized Foster Care

The group discussed the Action Transmittal on Specialized/Treatment care issued on May 2. DCFS saw that the LOC system was being viewed as an �entitlement� to specialized rates. Since standardization of contracts and rates was not pursued, a new system of assessing case needs and identifying services for children is needed.

May 2 is the benchmark date. As of this date, the previous LOC review system is eliminated. There will no longer be a re-review. If any complete packets were submitted before May 2, they will be acted upon according to previous LOC procedures. If packets were submitted after May 2, these will not be processed. The new system and procedures must be followed on these cases.

DCFS is reviewing all specialized/treatment contracts. If an agency has no full-fledged program, the contract will be phased out next fiscal year. Any additional payments needed to support the child in current placement will be added to the HMR or TFC contract of the agency. Agencies with 10 or fewer cases may be asked to give up an existing specialized contract if they are not delivering a full-fledged program. The funds for those cases will be attached to the agency�s HMR or TFC program. New cases will be reviewed according to a new proposed Request for Review protocol. New DCFS cases in which the protocol results in a recommendation for specialized care will now be referred to private agency programs. The draft protocol is as follows:

�      Request for Review: Placement Authorization For A Specialized Foster Care Program

Appropriate Referrals

A request for placement of a child in a Specialized Foster Care Program may be appropriate when one of following events has occurred:

1. Psychiatric hospitalization or other intensive treatment settings (i.e. substance abuse intervention programs)

2. Hospitalization due to a chronic severe medical condition,

3. Stepping down from a group home or residential care, or

4. Placed with a licensed foster parent and a licensed clinician/medical practitioner has documented the severe, chronic nature of the children's disability, which requires the child to be placed in a highly structured program that requires additional training, skills and work on behalf of the foster parent and agency monitoring the case.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible, a child must be severely compromised where his/her functioning in all domains (foster home, school, community) are significantly impaired. The impairment may present in one or more of the following categories:

Medical/Physical condition,

Mental health/behavioral disorders, .Developmentally disabled.

Review Time Frames

Request will be reviewed on one of two schedules: Expedited Response or Scheduled Reviews.

Expedited Response: Only cases under Appropriate Referrals categories 1 and 2 warrant an expedited response, in order to facilitate a timely discharge process for the child once it is determined that the hospitalization is no longer medically necessary. These cases will be reviewed on an ongoing basis as requests are received. The gatekeeper will be responsible for conducting a review and will access appropriate experts to assist as needed.

Scheduled Review:

Cases that fall into categories 3 and 4 under Appropriate Referrals will be reviewed two times per month. A multi-disciplinary committee 'Specialized Foster Care Review Committee' (SFCRC) will be convened to conduct such reviews. Requests must be received 3 business days before the scheduled review in order for the case to be reviewed.

SFRC Packet

In order for a review to occur, a packet must be submitted that includes the following:

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

2. Placement History

3. If the child was referred to LAN/WRAP what services were requested and the outcome of the LAN/WRAP

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

5. Supporting documentation from a duly licensed or certified professional stating the child's identified needs. Such documentation may include, but is not limited to: assessments or reports- psychological/psychiatric, medical, counseling/therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, SASS, IFSP/IEP (Individual Family Service Plan or Individual Education Plan), Early Childhood, etc. Such documentation should specify the following:

a. Diagnosis

b. The severity of impairment

c. Services needed to meet the child's needs d. Medication(s) and/or equipment 6. Social History and updates

Once the worker has gathered all of the documents listed above, they must complete the SFCRC Checklist (see attached), compile a packet in the order listed and forwards the packet to the following address:

Department of Children and Family Services

Mary Sue Morsch, Executive Deputy Director Specialized Foster Care Reviews lOO w: Randolph, 6th Floor Chicago, IL 60601

Note: Be sure and retain a copy of the packet. Packets that are submitted will not be returned.

If any of the required information is missing or insufficient, the worker will be notified of the additional information that is needed for the review in order to proceed. In some cases the gatekeeper or member of the SFCRC may contact the foster parent and/or collateral service providers directly to answer and questions.

Decisions/Recommendations The gatekeeper and/or the SFCRC will determine whether a child is appropriate for a specialized foster care program and which specialized program is equipped to meet the child's special needs.

The following variables may be taken into consideration in determining entry into a specialized program:

.Child's age,

.Degree of severity/chronicity, .Role impairment,

.Placement history,

.Availability of services in the community to meet the child's special needs,

.The amount of time and resources that will have to be put in place to meet the child's needs,

.Resources and services that have already been utilized.

When a specialized program is deemed appropriate, the gatekeeper will authorize the case to be transferred to the selected private agency. The agency will be selected based on the child's needs and the agency profiles. Additional considerations may include:

a.      Timely responsiveness from an agency

b.      Available capacity

c.      Location of the program

Notification of Decisions made by the Department will be sent in writing to the worker and foster parent. Outcomes of the Gatekeepers/SFCRC's review may entail: request for additional assessment; specific services that should be accessed; refer to ITS for case coordination; and determination of whether a child should be referred to a specialized foster care program. In certain situations the gatekeeper/SFCRC may request an in-person staffing to discuss the needs of the child.

The net result of the specialized changes is that there are now 2 sets of �legacy� cases in specialized care: those covered in the 5/8/96 group and those now in the pre-May 2 group. The committee recommended that DCFS develop notification for foster parents.

A key issue not yet resolved is the impact on agency HMR/TFC programs of absorbing kids with special needs into regular programs. DCP must develop better skill at assuring children not appropriate for regular care are referred through case assignment for contracts with a no-decline intake. Better instructions are also needed for agencies as to how to handle placement disruptions. Finally, there are concerns about the ability of LANS to �wrap� so many children effectively, for line caseworkers to master the wrap process and understand LAN functioning and for agencies to track and monitor so many services. There is still much work for the committee to do on these issues.

DCFS is still re-considering the possible use of ITS and/or Placement Stabilization programs and funds for facilitating services to children with special needs. A more complete recommendation on these contracts will be given at the next infrastructure meeting in early June.

Questions on the Specialized Action Transmittal of May 2, or questions pertaining to pending LOC cases, or new cases needing assessment can be directed to Melinda Woods-Lis at 312-814-6880 or Alexis Oberdoerffer at 312-814-6853. (MB)

IV-E TRAINING WAIVER AND FOUNDATION TRAINING ADVISORY GROUP

The IV-E training waiver and foundation training advisory group met in Chicago on May 6. The following topics were addressed:

�      Foundation Training Update:

The newly revised 10-day foundation training is ready. The classes beginning May 28 will be 10-day sessions with testing on the morning of the 11^th day. The test will be revised so that it serves as a post-test for foundation as well as a pre-test for the enhanced training.

�      Financial Agreement

DCFS confirmed it was able to accept the recommendations of CCAI and the private sector members for the following financial incentives to agencies that participate in the waiver and are assigned teams under the enhanced training:

�      For each new worker who enrolls in Enhanced Training, DCFS will pay the agency $1250. The payment will be made through the existing performance contract. This is expected to cover expenses associated with 16 days of off-site training. Participating agencies have complete discretion in determining how the $1250 is allocated across expenses. Agencies will be asked to report and document all expenditures of the $1250 for IV-E claiming purposes. If an agency finds it must spend more than the $1250 due to extraordinary lodging or travel expenses, it can request reimbursement for these extraordinary expenses.

Although exact procedures must still be worked out, agencies will most likely be able to request the financial incentive on a subsequent months� voucher once enrollment of the worker is confirmed. Agencies will need to establish a separate cost center for accounting for these funds. There will be language pertaining to this incentive and its use in the FY�03 contracts.

�      Testing and Evaluation

The RFP for evaluation of the waiver is being developed. Pre and post-test questions are under development by WIU.

�      Trainer Selection and Evaluation

Trainers for the enhanced portion will be specially selected. They must apply to participate. Their track record of evaluations by past foundation trainees will be reviewed, along with background characteristics, supervisory experience and practice expertise in child welfare. They will also be interviewed by trainers as to training experience and style in actual role-playing scenarios. National standards are being reviewed pertaining to evaluation of trainers to assure a good evaluation system is developed.

�      Agency Participation

DCFS reported a high level of interest at the Open House meeting. The decision is to use agencies as a whole for selection of the random teams. Using sites of agencies might not provide the overall selection needed. All eligible agencies will go into the sampling plan and teams will then be selected to be either a control group team or enhanced training team. Agencies will soon be asked for their final decision as to participation. They should remember that the decision they make on this will be in effect and cannot be changed for 5 years. If they decide not to participate they will be unable to access participation for 5 years.

Due to size of caseload, smaller agencies may not be eligible to participate in the enhanced model. However, DCFS was amenable to considering these agencies sending workers to the enhanced training when open slots are available. Such agencies would not be eligible for the financial incentives but would receive the benefit of the training. DCFS staff will check on the final decision to this request.

�      Training Grants

There is little likelihood of the training grants continuing for subsequent years due to the current budget shortfalls. DCFS will issue a memo to agencies outlining the timing for expenditure of the current training grants. Agencies are reminded they must document how these funds were spent prior to the expiration of the grant period or they will need to return unexpended or undocumented funds. (MB)

SAVE THE DATE�COOK COURT MEETING WITH PRESIDING JUDGE

The next meeting of agencies with Presiding Judge Patricia Martin Bishop is scheduled for May 30, 10:00 a.m. �Noon, at the Juvenile Court Auditorium. We urge executive directors and executive program staff of agencies to attend this meeting. (MB)

SACWIS MIS Meeting

Child Care Association would like to invite the agencies involved in SACWIS to a CCAI sponsored MIS meeting.  CCA has asked Steve Bradshaw (DCFS Private Agency Liaison) to update the private agencies on the SACWIS FY03 calendar and answer any technical questions/issues.

The meeting will be on May 21st, 10:30 AM, at the Catholic Charities of Chicago Facility at 651 W. Lake Street, Chicago Illinois.  There are paid and metered parking available in and around the Lake Street area, and the meeting is scheduled to end at noon.

If you plan to attend, please send an RSVP, by May 20th, to Rommel Sangalang at [email protected].  I am working with Steve to arrange for a duplicate meeting in the Springfield area around June.  We highly encourage your POS Technical Staff to attend. (RJS)

�TEENS AS FATHERS�MAKING THE CONNECTION�

This is the topic of Chicago Child Care Society�s 14^th Annual Child Care Symposium. The event will be held Friday, June 14, 2002 from 1:00 p.m. � 3:00 p.m. in the lobby of the University of Chicago, School of Social Service Administration (969 East 60^th Street, Chicago, IL). Guest speakers include: Waldo Johnson, Jr., PhD, University of Chicago; Constance Dallas, PhD, University of Illinois at Chicago; Milton Brown, Kismet Family Services; Erwin McEwen, Lakeside Community Committee; and Azell Madden, Chicago Child Care Society. The event is free and open to the public. Limited seating available. For registration, contact Erin Walton at 773/256-2464. CEUs are available.

PRESS CONFERENCES BY THE EMERGENCY CAMPAIGN FOR A FAIR BUDGET

The Emergency Campaign for affair Budget is having press conferences throughout Illinois on Wednesday, May 15 at 11:00 to: (1) release a study documenting the fiscal impact of the cuts and (2) put a human face on the suffering.

They are looking for clients and families of clients to testify.  If someone has a good possible client, they can call Suzanne Strassgerger at Metropolitan Family Services at 312-986-4173 or email her at [email protected].  She also recommends that you send her the names of any contacts in the target areas, listed below:

Bloomington at the YMCA

Springfield at a TBA place

Rockford at Easter Seals Developmental Center, 4848 Turner

Elgin at the YWCA, 220 E. Chicago at 11:30

Peoria at the YWCA, 1013 Lake

Belleville TBA:  Any suggestions?

Chicago will be on Tuesday at 11:00 at Chicago Commons Nia Family center.

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Janice Gould, a teacher at Lawrence Hall Youth Services has been awarded the Golden Apple Award for her achievements as a teacher. The National Teachers Hall of Fame (NTHF) was founded at Emporia, KS in 1989 to honor preK-12 teachers and the teaching profession through a recognition program, museum, and conference and resource center. The NTHF has been endorsed by every major professional education organization.  Annual induction recognition takes place in Washington, DC and Emporia, KS.  Since the inaugural induction ceremonies in 1992, 50 educators from 25 states have been inducted.  Nominees must be certified public or non-public schoolteachers, active or retired, with at least 20 years of experience in teaching grades preK-12.  Ms. Gould will receive a number of  prizes, including an all-expense paid trip.

(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.)

JUVENILE JUSTICE INITIATIVE � PREVENTION/INTERVENTION WORKGROUP

The Juvenile Justice Initiative Prevention/Intervention Workgroup met in Bloomington on May 9, 2002.  The purpose of the meeting was to review the recommendations that had been developed last fall and develop strategies for implementation.  As part of the Workgroup�s efforts last fall, recommendations under prevention/intervention had been developed in three different areas: 1.) Special needs; 2.) Availability of Services (Mapping); and 3.) Program Evaluation and Effective Programs.  The focus of the discussion for the May 9^th meeting was availability of services and mapping.  Recommendations previously made on availability of services were: 1.) The JJI should develop/locate a format for mapping youth programs in Illinois, along with a database that will accommodate local, state, private and federally funded programs.  2.) The JJI should recommend that the mapping format be piloted, preferably in a downstate location like Champaign utilizing local university resources.  Mapping is critical since no one entity has a list of all the prevention/intervention programs in a community.  A presentation was given by Dan Bassill of the Tutoring Network on a successful mapping strategy.  In Dan�s presentation, he used several different maps that showed the highest areas of poverty in the city of Chicago, the number of public schools in an area and the number of tutor/mentor programs in those areas.  This information could in turn be used to identify the needs in an area and solicit involvement from the business community in any local community.  Key to this strategy is the collection of data from different sources and constantly updating the information in some consistent manner.

Some of the recommendations made by the workgroup with regards to the mapping strategy included:  1.) Target Code Depts. And urge them to develop list of prevention/intervention programs � DCFS, DHS, ISBE, DOC, DCCA, DPH.  2.) Urge Depts. to require funded programs to fill out forms on services provided.   3.)  Urge local councils/Title V to share mapping information.  4.) Make sure Governor candidates include solid mapping proposals in their platform.  5.) JJI convene meeting of key state stakeholders to discuss sharing of information and mapping.  (JMS)

HOUSE BILL 4129 � JUVENILE JUSTICE BILL

It was reported at the Juvenile Justice Initiative meeting that HB 4129 passed both houses and was on the way to the Governor for signature.  HB 4129 creates a reverse waiver to allow the adult court discretion to send juvenile drug offenders charged in adult court back to juvenile court.   This bill was needed to reduce the disparity of present �automatic� transfer policies of juvenile drug offenders.  �Drugs and Disparity: The Racial Impact of Illinois� Practice of Transferring Young Drug Offenders to Adult Court� concluded in its report that Illinois had the most racially biased drug transfer laws of any state in the nation. Another report found that 99% of all youth automatically transferred for drug offenses in a one-year period were minority. (The Status of Automatic Transfers to Adult Court in Cook County, Illinois, Oct. 99-Sept. 2000).  (JMS)

HOUSE COMMITTEES PASS TANF BILLS

The House Education and Workforce and Ways and Means Committees passed TANF legislation a week ago as reported by This Week in Washington.  The Ways and Means measure (the Personal Responsibility, Work and Family Promotion Act. H.R. 4090) was introduced as an amendment.  It added poverty to the second TANF goal; extended present waivers through FY 2004; created a new credit for states; increased education and training to four months; and eliminated a provision that the training had to be in consecutive months.  It also identified the Social Services Block Grant and TANF as allowable programs under the super waiver but not child support.

The Education and Workforce committee passed the Working Toward Independence Act H.R. 4092.  It included amendments to provide TANF recipients with one-stop centers and to allow TANF recipients to receive microgrants to start up businesses; to expand education services from three to four months; to require states to identify and address barriers to employment.  Both bills now go to the House floor for a vote.  (JMS)

SENATE TANF PROPOSAL

It was also noted in This Week in Washington that the Senate Finance Committee announced a welfare reform proposal that combines elements backed by both parties and the administration.  It includes a 30-hour workweek with a requirement that recipients work 24 hours in selected work activities and six hours in other activities.  It also increases the work participation rate by 5% each year up to 70% and provides an employment credit that reduces the participation rate 1% for each percentage point that states reduce caseloads through placing recipients into jobs.  It contains several provisions related to clarification of rainy day funds, universal engagement of all recipients, elimination of the separate two parent family rate, level funding, and provides up to 24 months of vocational education to meet the work requirement.  It also restores SSBG to $2.8 billion and allows basic adult education to be counted as full work participation for three months.   (JMS)

SAVE THE DATE�COOK COURT MEETING WITH PRESIDING JUDGE

The next meeting of agencies with Presiding Judge Patricia Martin Bishop is scheduled for May 30, 10:00 a.m. �Noon, at the Juvenile Court Auditorium. We urge executive directors and executive program staff of agencies to attend this meeting. (MB)

CCAI�S ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING AND BARBECUE--JUNE 5-6

A notice and registration form for CCAI�s June 5-6 Annual Membership Meeting and Barbecue was sent to members last week by fax and mail.  The theme of the meeting is �The Future of Child Advocacy in Illinois�, and gubernatorial candidates Blagojevich and Ryan have been invited.  Keynote presenters will share ideas on creating an Effective Children�s Advocacy Strategy.

Further information on the agenda will be forthcoming.  In the meantime, you can register at The Crowne by calling 217/529-7777 or toll free 800/227-6963.  Please be sure to say you are attending the Child Care Association meeting to get a $98.00 special rate.  To guarantee this rate and room availability, please make your reservation by May 17^th.

If you would like to register for the meeting on line with a credit card you can go to CCAI�s website at cca-il.org under �members only� to find the registration form. Email your registration to [email protected].

CCAI�s Annual Barbecue will be held at the Island Bay Yacht Club on Lake Springfield on the evening of the 5^th.  Please mark your calendar for June 5-6, make your room reservation at The Crowne, and register soon. (SKA)

Calendar

May 14 - The 3^rd Annual Autism Conference, Holiday Inn and Convention Center, 18501 S.

               Harlem Ave., Tinley Park IL  60477.  For more information contact (708-206-1930).

May 30 - Meeting of agencies with Presiding Judge Patricia Martin Bishop, 10:00 a.m.�Noon,

               at the Juvenile Court Auditorium.

June 5-6 � CCAI�s Membership / Annual Meeting / Barbecue, Crowne Plaza, Springfield

July 10-14 - Developing Local Systems of Care for Children and Adolescents with Emotional

                    Disturbances and their Families Training Institutes, Marriott Wardman Park

                    Hotel, Washington, D.C. For more information phone (202-687-5000)