July 22, 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 CCAI. Thank you for your cooperation.

Table of Contents

CHILD WELFARE.. 1

UPDATE ON ADOPTION TAX CREDIT. 1

FEDERAL LEGISLATION TO AUGMENT CHAFEE ACT. 2

CONGRESSIONAL SCORECARD ON CHILDREN�S ISSUES.. 2

CARE ACT UPDATE.. 2

DCFS END-OF-YEAR STATISTICS.. 2

CWAC MEDICAID WORKGROUP.. 3

SACWIS � Residential and Foster Care Issues. 3

Federal Bill to Increase the Match for Medicaid.. 3

HIPAA.. 4

Code Set Changes for HIPAA in Rule 132. 4

Variances Between DCFS and DHS Regarding Interpretations of Rule 132. 4

Special Foster Care Implementation.. 5

RE-CERTIFYING FOR MEDICAID.. 5

GENERAL.. 5

CCAI MEMBERS NEEDED FOR COMMUNITY DIALOGUES.. 5

INCREASE MEDICAID AND SOCIAL SERVICES BLOCK GRANT FUNDING TO STATES.. 6

PROMOTING SAFE AND STABLE FAMILIES PROGRAM.. 6

UPCOMING EVENTS.. 6

Fall Membership Meeting - SAVE THE DATE! 6

Retooling with Wraparound Services - SAVE THE DATE! 7

Who should attend?. 7

FREE FIRST NONPROFIT SEMINAR �Unemployment Taxes: An Untapped Treasure� 7

SACY TRAINING for August. 8

Adolescent Assessment        Aug. 5. 8

Individualized Treatment Planning       Aug. 15. 8

CALENDAR.. 8

UPDATE ON ADOPTION TAX CREDIT

The House of Representatives passed HR 4800 on June 4, which repeals the sunset provision of the adoption tax credit of $10,000 (due to expire in 2010.) This now goes to the Senate for consideration. Senator Landrieu already introduced an amendment that would extend the new tax credit into 2002, thus eliminating the concern of many of our foster parents and agencies about waiting for finalize adoptions until next January. This amendment was referred to Senate Finance. As the House resolution is due to go to the Senate now, it is important to ask for the sunset provision to be passed, and for the extension amendment to be included. Contact Senators Durbin and Fitzgerald and ask them to:

�Support HR 4800 and S 1802.� You may want to add a brief example of how this legislation will benefit the children you serve. (MB)

FEDERAL LEGISLATION TO AUGMENT CHAFEE ACT

Two US Senate bills were recently introduced to augment opportunities provided by the Chafee Act, and to help foster youth find employment who have aged out of service eligibility. The Fostering Service Act, S. 2658, would provide new grant money for public service organizations, such as AmeriCorps, to provide job opportunities for former foster youth. The Opportunity Passport Act, S. 2657, would provide swipe cards containing school and medical information, for youth to keep necessary information in one place as the foster youth moves in the system. This should prevent unnecessary delays in school registration. The bill would also help youth establish their own Individual Development Accounts (IDA�s) to enable them to work with non-profit organizations to set up personal bank accounts and provide advice on saving money or building a personal line of credit. The bills were introduced by Senators Clinton and Landrieu, and are co-sponsored by Sentators Dodd and Edwards. We will keep you posted on the legislative progress of these bills. (MB)

CONGRESSIONAL SCORECARD ON CHILDREN�S ISSUES

The Children�s Defense Fund Action Council released its 2001 Nonpartisan Congressional Scorecard, which documents how U.S. Senators and Representatives voted on issues affecting the lives of America's children.  Members of Congress were scored on 10 key votes cast in 2001 that had a significant impact on children's well being.  Co-sponsorship of the comprehensive Act to Leave No Child Behind (S.940/H.R.1990), introduced in May 2001 was also considered.  This information will be helpful as CCAI members meet with members of Congress in the future. To review the record of Illinois congressional representatives go to: http://click.topica.com/maaariVaaSMZAaaaaaab/. (MB)

CARE ACT UPDATE

The CARE Act of 2002, as approved by the Senate Finance Committee on June 18, includes many provisions that are important to the nonprofit community, including the elimination of tax barriers to charitable gifts from retirement assets, a tax deduction for charitable gifts made by taxpayers who don't itemize other deductions, increased funding for Social Services Block Grants, and simplification of the record-keeping requirements and other confusing limitations on nonprofit lobbying activities. Now, the Senate leadership must decide on whether to call this for a full vote. Agencies may want to contact their Senators about this important issue and may want to contact the Senate leaders about the importance of this pending legislation. Two web sites will allow members to do this directly: http://givevoice.org/campaign/careactsignon/wxe3ng2l78x3b8\ and  http://givevoice.org/campaign/careactsignon/forward/wxe3ng2l78x3b8. (MB)

DCFS END-OF-YEAR STATISTICS

We encourage members to review the Executive Statistical Summary available on the DCFS web site (see link available on CCAI web site.)  Abuse and neglect indicators show a decrease in FY�02 in every category used by DCFS to track abuse/neglect trends, except for the number of Initial Oral Reports. There is a 14.4% decrease in the number of indicated victims and a 13.2% decrease in the number of indicated reports.

The substitute care caseload decreased by 3627 children, with 203 fewer institution care placements, 1722 fewer foster care cases and 1612 fewer relative placements. (MB)

CWAC MEDICAID WORKGROUP

The CWAC Medicaid Workgroup met in Bloomington at The Baby Fold on Thursday, July 18, 2002.   The agenda included discussion of the following items: SACWIS - Residential and Foster Care issues, Bill for Increased Federal Match, HIPAA, Specialized Foster Care Redesign, Revisions to Rule 132 and Interpretations, Suspension, Termination and Appeal Procedures, Certification of Campus-Based Programs and Residential Program Plan Update.

SACWIS � Residential and Foster Care Issues

There was extensive discussion by the group around the impact of integrating Medicaid programs and SACWIS.  Reports were given about two meetings held on the issue.  One meeting occurred June 12^th to discuss the overall issue of Medicaid and SACWIS for foster care services since those were the original targets for private agencies.  There was a general agreement at that meeting that Medicaid would be integrated into SACWIS with the details yet to be determined.  However, with the loss of spec foster care in Medicaid the issue was raised about whether it was worth the cost to proceed since the identified larger piece of the Medicaid funding was residential, which for providers was not being included in SACWIS.  Was there a solution to including the residential providers as a part of SACWIS and if so what would that be?  A second meeting was held with residential providers to discuss the issue further and lay out the discussion points for consideration by DCFS.  The general recommendation was that once the minimal data set is determined providers would be able to determine who from their agency would need access. It was the general feeling that access to some funding would be needed.  Additional concerns were raised by the Medicaid Committee members that this would put additional requirements on staff or might require duplication of information, adding onto what agencies currently do.  Next steps would be submitting a letter to DCFS with initial discussion of items at the same time DCFS is proceeding with the internal develop of data needs around Medicaid and SACWIS. 

Federal Bill to Increase the Match for Medicaid

It was raised at the last workgroup meeting that a bill had been introduced to attempt to increase the federal match for Medicaid due to the economic situations in states.  An update provided indicated that an additional bill has been introduced but neither bill had further action.  However, an amendment was proposed this week to address the issue, including the Social Services Block Grant.  (For further information see article later in Monday Report).

In addition to the discussion of the increase to Medicaid, a representative from CBHA reported that they had succeeded in getting DHS to create a budget line that established a Medicaid funding pool for DHS.  Efforts in this area were driven by the fact that some behavioral health care providers would reach their Medicaid cap before the end of the fiscal year but were unable to make additional claims even though some other providers may not have reached their Medicaid spending level.  Efforts were discussed to pursue a similar approach with DCFS.  As part of the discussion it was noted that there were several sources of funding within DCFS that would seem to be conducive to expanding Medicaid funding if such a funding pool could be established for DCFS also and therefore maintaining the Medicaid reimbursement received by the state with DCFS.  A small workgroup was identified to outline the proposal further for submission to Stephanie Hanko as the DCFS co-chair for the Medicaid workgroup.

HIPAA

There was once again discussion on the status of HIPAA for DCFS service providers with no definite direction developed.  DCFS reported as the state agency they will not be impacted by the requirements for HIPAA but it was stated that the providers should go ahead and file the extension plan asked for by October 2002 even though you might not be impacted.  CCAI responded that contacts are being made with various resources to attempt to get an answer to the general question who is impacted by these requirements.  The way current regulations and guidelines are written it is difficult to determine if a child welfare agency falls within the organizational categories as written by the guidelines.  It was stated that if an agency receives funding from DHS Office of Mental Health that HIPAA would apply to them.  Also if any part of the agency is covered by HIPAA then an agency will be impacted.  An example raised by participants was anyone that uses Cornerstone.  The CWLA does have training scheduled for late Sept. 23^rd in Cincinnati, Ohio; Dec. 6^th in Washington D.C.; and Jan. 10^th 2003 in Los Angeles.  CCAI is continuing to pursue this issue through numerous resources and hopes to issue something to members soon with any informational seminars if needed.  A small workgroup from the Medicaid committee is being formed to research and issue recommendations to the providers.  The question was asked about some general overall direction out of the Governor�s office on this issue since it is statewide and people were told that they need to determine on their own if it applies to them.  

Code Set Changes for HIPAA in Rule 132

Related to HIPAA and changes to Rule 132 at this time are the code sets that will be used for billing.  These are standard code sets for all Medicaid providers and these approved code sets will be added to Rule 132.  At this time comprehensive services does not have a separate code set but the strategy is to review all approved code sets and determine how it can fit in with the ones that have been developed.

Variances Between DCFS and DHS Regarding Interpretations of Rule 132

Although both DHS and DCFS use Part 132 requirements as the framework for evaluating Medicaid compliance, there are some areas where the two state agencies are not interpreting or applying the requirements in the same way.  Ultimately, there is the desire that there will be an increase in consistency for interpreting and implementing the requirements for Part 132.  Some of the interpretation issues identified by DCFS are: 1.) Service provision pre-dating plan completion; 2.) Documentation of rehabilitative stabilization; 3.) Provider site compliance for accessibility requirements; 4.) ITP outcomes; 5.) ITP goal-coding in service documentation; 6.) Service prescription expectations; 7.) Billing for report writing; 8.) Billing for supervision; 9.) DHS review of DCFS client records; 10.) Personnel review; 11.) Identification of Medicaid service on service documentation; 12.) Subcontracting arrangements; 13.) Diagnosis requirements; and 14.) Assessment expectation.   The two that DCFS is requesting specific feedback are 1 and 2.  For the treatment plan, DHS allows the providers to bill for all services during the time period between completing the assessment and the ITP.  Providers submitting Medicaid billing under the DCFS Medicaid contract must complete the ITP or RSP before billing for services other than the stated exceptions in 132.42a)1).   Under the documentation issue DHS allows agencies to complete monthly narrative summaries.  For comprehensive programs, DCFS would expect to see Rehab Stab sessions fully documented on a daily basis. 

Special Foster Care Implementation

It was generally stated that the changes to specialized foster care were being implemented and asked for questions from anyone.  The only statement made was that agencies were making changes to remove the Medicaid requirements for that program and reduce staff as was appropriate.  Based on the discussion of a possible funding pool for Medicaid funds for DCFS, the question was raised whether agencies should maintain their certification for Medicaid?  (See next section on re-certifying for Medicaid) (JMS)

RE-CERTIFYING FOR MEDICAID

During the discussion of possible expansion of DCFS Medicaid funding if a similar funding line that was developed in the DHS budget could also be developed and implemented for DCFS, the question was asked about agencies that may be coming up for recertification.  Should agencies maintain their Medicaid certification?  With the establishment of this Medicaid funding line in the DHS budget, Medicaid reimbursement back to the state for those services provided by DHS providers would return to DHS.  The CWAC Medicaid workgroup will outline the possible impact of a similar funding line within DCFS including those services that may be greatly impacted.  The key with this funding mechanism is that the Medicaid dollars which were previously reimbursed into the state�s general revenue fund would now return to DCFS�s budget line.  Agencies at this time may want to maintain their current certification or if up for recertification pursue it with current certifying body until the funding implications of a Medicaid pool are reviewed.   (JMS)

CCAI MEMBERS NEEDED FOR COMMUNITY DIALOGUES

Voices for Illinois Children has established Community Dialogues and seeks CCAI members to help co-sponsor, plan, promote and participate. These Community Dialogues are forums to exchange ideas between community members and their current and future representatives in state, local and federal government.  At a Community Dialogue, candidates and current office holders learn about children�s issues through a discussion designed by community members.  Having a room filled with local residents concerned about children�s issues sends a powerful message to candidates about the importance of children and families.

So far, forums are scheduled for Adams, Champaign, DuPage and Lake Counties, East St. Louis, Freeport, Rockford, Peoria, Harvey and in the Englewood and Pilsen neighborhoods in Chicago. In some communities, members of the Child Care Association are an integral part of the event � but other members may be interested in co-sponsoring or becoming part of the planning and publicity. Additional communities are also needed for possible planning of a forum.  Information on the forums can be found on the VIC website at www.voices4kids.org/cd02.html.

Voices for Illinois Children will help facilitate this process and will be providing materials for the dialogues, such as a discussion guide, as well as support for publicity. Any CCAI agency interested in helping with the forums already planned, or who would like to sponsor forums in other communities should contact Marge Berglind via e-mail at [email protected]. We will then coordinate all responses with VIC staff.

CCAI will also be working with Voices for Illinois Children to co-sponsor a forum on children�s issues for the gubernatorial candidates this Fall. Watch the Monday Report for more details in the late summer. (MB)

INCREASE MEDICAID AND SOCIAL SERVICES BLOCK GRANT FUNDING TO STATES

Last week CCAI received an alert that the Senate was scheduled to vote on an appropriations bill where Senators Rockefeller, Collins, and Nelson would offer an amendment to increase the federal share of funding for Medicaid.  The �FMAP Amendment� would provide $9 billion in federal funding to states; two-thirds of this total ($6 billion) will be distributed to states as a temporary one year increase in their Medicaid FMAP rates.  The remaining $3 billion would be made available as a temporary increase to the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG).  States have been severely affected by the recent economic downturn and need immediate and effective fiscal relief.  The �FMAP Amendment� will provide states with temporary increases to Medicaid and SSBG to help during the current fiscal crisis.  With this additional funding, states may not be forced to make deeper cuts in health, social services and education programs.  CCAI contacted both Senator Durbin and Senator Fitzgerald to request their support of this amendment and ask that they vote YES.  (JMS)

PROMOTING SAFE AND STABLE FAMILIES PROGRAM

Last year, Congress passed a law to reauthorize the Promoting Safe and Stable Families program through 2007.  The law guarantees that states will receive $305 million in funding each year.  The law also permits Congress to approve an additional $200 million each year in discretionary funding, which has to be approved annually through the appropriations process.   In FY 2002 Congress only appropriated an additional $70 million, bringing total FY 2002 funding to $375 million. 

Additional funding for PSSF will support efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect, support families in crisis, and promote and support adoption for the tens of thousands of children waiting in foster care for permanent families.  It will also fund increased child protection activities in state courts and Indian tribes. 

In addition to reauthorizing PSSF, the law passed last year also created a new education and training voucher program for youth aging out of foster care and youth adopted from foster care at age 16 or older.  Congress must approve funding for this program, up to $60 million each year, through the annual appropriations process.  No funding was provided in FY 2002. 

On July 16, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education was scheduled to vote on the FY 2003 appropriations bill that will determine the funding level for all discretionary programs administered by the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services.  CCAI contacted both Senators Durbin and Fitzgerald and asked them to support $505 million for the Promoting Safe and Stable Families (PSSF) program and to support $60 million in first time funding for educational and training vouchers for youth aging out of foster care and youth adopted from foster care at age 16 or older.  (JMS)

Fall Membership Meeting - SAVE THE DATE!

The Child Care Association of Illinois� Fall Membership Meeting will be held on October 23 & 24, 2002 at Starved Rock Lodge and Conference Center, Highway 178 & 71, Utica, Illinois.  Rooms are being held at Starved Rock for the night of October 23.  If you would like to make your reservation you may call 800.868.7625 or 815.667.4211.  Rooms range in price from $85.00 to $105.00 in the Lodge.  Please be sure and tell them you are attending the Child Care Association meeting. (SKA)

Retooling with Wraparound Services - SAVE THE DATE!

Locations: Two convenient locations near you.

Springfield: Monday, September 23, 2002

Chicago: Tuesday, September 24, 2002

Mark your calendars for this important one-day session on retooling services for wraparound and community based programming.  With the System of Care initiative underway by DCFS and a vast amount of changes ahead for Foster Care and Residential services providers CCA has designed a training session to help agencies retool services to meet these challenges.  At the heart of providing services in the community and least restrictive setting, wraparound services play an important role in the community-based system of care.  Now you can learn how your agency can retool existing services and resources to take advantage of these changes.  CCA has acquired Patricia Miles from Portland, Oregon, a leading developer and initiator of wraparound services in several states to conduct this training.  Ms. Miles has years of experience in training and technical assistance and has initiated wraparound projects in schools, child welfare, mental health, and juvenile justice settings.  Pat has been consultant to Illinois DCFS in regard to the System of Care initiative.  She knows the system planned by DCFS and can be a great value to you as you retool your services into a community-based framework.

Who should attend?

Mark your calendars and plan now to attend this important training.

Brochures and details will be mailed soon. (BMO)

FREE FIRST NONPROFIT SEMINAR �Unemployment Taxes: An Untapped Treasure�

You will learn:

�      How to reduce employment costs by 40-60% a year

�      Why you should consider reimbursing the state instead of taxpaying in the current recession

�      The benefits of being in an unemployment program vs. the state pool

�      How you can prepare for unemployment hearings

�      Plus, a lot of HR tips on hiring/firing techniques

Select the Chicago date best for you:

�      Thursday, Sept. 12

�      Thursday, Nov. 21

All sessions will be held from 2:00 � 3:30 p.m.; at First NonProfit Companies; 111 N. Canal Street, Main Level Conference Room

Reservations are required.  Please call Linda Kirk at 312/930-0375 to register.  Refreshments will be served and free information packets will be given. (SKA)

SACY TRAINING for August

Adolescent Assessment                                                          Aug. 5

Including adolescent development: Self-concept and abstract thinking meets sexuality, societal attitudes towards sexuality and the media, what�s �normative� and what�s �problematic�?  The importance of a comprehensive risk assessment, including assessing the adolescent: Conducting the interview, and assessment tools.  

Individualized Treatment Planning                                               Aug. 15

Including placement issues and protection planning, multi-modal JSO treatment techniques, Individual, group, family and milieu.  Related Adjunct Treatment, including Social/interpersonal skills training, anger management and conflict resolution, chemical dependency issues, school-related issues, and therapy: using �fulcrums� effectively.  Case Management, including setting up the treatment plan and tracking therapeutic progress.

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.

Special session for Foster Parents.

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

July 26            1^st Circuit Court Improvement Project Forum � Session Full

July 31            8^th Circuit Court Improvement Project Forum � Fulgenzi�s Restaurant, Petersburg, IL.

Aug. 01           18^th Circuit Court Improvement Project Forum �DuPage County Courthouse, Wheaton, IL.

Aug. 05           Cook County Court Improvement Project Forum � Session Full

Aug. 05           SACY - Adolescent Assessment, Chicago, IL

Aug. 09           10^th Circuit Court Improvement Project Forum � Peoria County Courthouse, Peoria, IL

Aug. 15           SACY � Individualized Treatment Planning, Chicago, IL