January 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 CCA. Thank you for your cooperation.

MONDAY REPORT PASSWORD TO CHANGE ON JANUARY 28^TH

Table of Contents

CHILD WELFARE. 2

MEETING CANCELLED WITH JUVENILE COURT PRESIDING JUDGE. 2

CASH FLOW MEETING.. 2

CWAC FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION REPORT. 2

Excess Revenue: 2

Bed Hold Procedures: 2

Case Management Reimbursement: 3

Homemaker: 3

Payment Cycles for Foster Parents: 3

Specialized Foster Care Rate Decreases: 3

LOC Penalties: 3

DHS Sub-Recipient Letters: 4

Residential Special Assistance: 4

Permanency Hearings/Reasonable Efforts Compliance Initiative: 4

Boilerplate: 4

Staffing Changes: 4

Budget Status: 4

CHILD CARE ASSOCIATION OF ILLINOIS BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING.. 5

DOWNSTATE PERFORMANCE BASED WORK GROUP. 5

CCAI SUPPORTS RESOLUTION TO REDUCE YOUTH SMOKING.. 5

EDUCATION. 5

ISBE WEBSITE NOW CRITICAL SOURCE OF NEW INFORMATION. 5

ISBE FEDERAL COMPLIANCE PLAN IS MODIFIED AND PASSES ISBE GOVERNING BOARD. 6

MAJOR REORGANIZATION AT ISBE. 6

GENERAL. 6

SACWIS STEERING COMMITTEE. 6

SACWIS SEAT COUNTS. 7

CHALLENGE AMERICA GRANTS HELP ARTISTS TO WORK WITH YOUTH. 7

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS. 8

HELPFUL WESITES FOR PUBLIC POLICY AND ADVOCACY. 8

MINI-GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR KINSHIP CARE SUPPORT GROUPS. 8

UPCOMING EVENTS. 9

SAVE THE DATE FOR SPRING FOSTER AND ADOPTIVE PARENT CONFERENCE. 9

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT TRAINING WITH DR. FOTENA ZIRPS. 9

Calendar: 9

MEETING CANCELLED WITH JUVENILE COURT PRESIDING JUDGE

The meeting with Judge Patricia Martin Bishop scheduled for January 24 has been CANCELLED. We will inform agencies of the date of the next meeting as soon as it is confirmed. (MB)

CASH FLOW MEETING

This is the final reminder that 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 the Monday Report, the correct date is Wednesday, January 23. (MB)

CWAC FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION REPORT

CWAC Finance and Administration Committee met on January 15 in Chicago.

Excess Revenue:

Bed Hold Procedures:

An area of dispute was discussed between POS members of the group and DCFS. The current procedure developed by DCFS states: �If the child does not return to the previous living arrangement, DCFS will pay a �case management only� payment for each day during an �approved bed hold episode� that the provider provided one or more services to or on behalf of the absent child��

DCFS staff reported they do not want to pay for room and board expenses on days the child was not present when the intent of the future placement changes.  They felt that most residential programs did not have other purchasers for the bed anyway, so they weren�t losing money on the vacant bed.  The group debated this issue for some time. Ultimately, to get the final policy moving, a small work group will try to frame exception language to this provision.

Case Management Reimbursement:

Homemaker:

Payment Cycles for Foster Parents:

Specialized Foster Care Rate Decreases:

LOC Penalties:

DHS Sub-Recipient Letters:

Residential Special Assistance:

Permanency Hearings/Reasonable Efforts Compliance Initiative:

Boilerplate:

Staffing Changes:

Budget Status:

CHILD CARE ASSOCIATION OF ILLINOIS BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

The CCAI Board met on January 16 in Naperville. At this meeting the board:

�     Reviewed and approved the Annual Audit

�     Reviewed the Investments Report and appointed a work group to develop an investment policy

�     Reviewed key sections of the Board Policy Manual

�     Approved a language change to Employee Retirement plan to comply with new federal language

�     Reviewed the financial statements through November 30

�     Reviewed and ratified the key elements of the new strategic plan. This plan will be presented to the overall membership at the March 21 Membership Meeting in Oak Brook

�     Reviewed materials to date and confirmed the need for all member involvement in providing timely information to CCAI on the impacts of any cost of doing business cuts and potential budget cuts in the future

�     Reviewed the current developments with the general assembly and governor and confirmed the urgent need for all member agencies to participate in personal communication with state representatives and senators on the importance of their agency programs and need to protect their funding. (MB)

DOWNSTATE PERFORMANCE BASED WORK GROUP

The next Downstate Performance Based Work Group is scheduled for Thursday, January 31, 2002 at 1:00 p.m. at 628 East Adams. (MB)

CCAI SUPPORTS RESOLUTION TO REDUCE 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)

ISBE WEBSITE NOW CRITICAL SOURCE OF NEW INFORMATION

With the reorganization (described below), ISBE has become serious about timely distribution of information.  I encourage all members to use this source for the latest updates on special education certification requirements (a new transition plan is on the site), alternate assessment, best practices, positive behavioral interventions, and numerous other topics.  In fact, under �special education,� and �nonpublic SE facilities,� please log on to your school information, which is now available to school districts, parents and any member of the public.  It is organized by student disability, proximity to zip code, school name, and city. This is a great resource, and I have already referred a number of parents to it.

Early teacher certificate exchange options for special education teachers as of January 1, 2002, and changes to special education approvals and authorization for assignment (PZZ�s) are available under www.isbe.net/coreyh/htmls/certchange.htm.  This is accessible under the general ISBE website(BRH).

ISBE FEDERAL COMPLIANCE PLAN IS MODIFIED AND PASSES ISBE GOVERNING BOARD

Education interest groups have aggressively maneuvered around the contents of the Illinois special education plan that will be sent to the U.S. Department of Education.  Much work has been done to ensure that the focus on and measurement of children�s placements will be balanced by a focus on and measurement of the appropriateness of service.  CCA has consistently opposed a �quota� or percentage requirement for LRE and has lobbied for means of measuring the appropriateness of a child�s education so accountability of school districts can be established.  ISBE�s �compromise� was to reduce the percentage requirement (from 5 to 4.5%) of the students required to be placed in the general education classroom per year and has added this footnote to the goal: �Goal Number 2 includes the premise that a continuum of services and settings will be available as appropriate to meet the needs of individual students with disabilities.�  The Board has maneuvered this percentage requirement, and has tied its own hands in doing so.  The document is available on the abovementioned website.  CCA responses and data analysis will be shared with members as soon as our advocacy is completed, which will be when the Federal government approves the plans.  Specific questions are encouraged (BRH).

MAJOR REORGANIZATION AT ISBE

Not only did ISBE lose its superintendent (Max McGee is now superintendent of the Wilmette School District), but all top leadership at ISBE has shifted.  The incoming superintendent is Ernest Wish, a former managing partner of the Chicago office of Coopers & Lybrand.  Mr. Wish is the former Chairman of the Board of the Chicago United Way, a graduate of DePaul University (B.S. in Accountancy) and the University of Chicago (M.B.A.).  Education groups have already criticized his lack of background in education.  In addition, education groups narrowly lost an effort to replace Ron Gidwitz as the Chairman of the Illinois State Board of Education.  Chris Koch, former Assistant Superintendent for  Special  Education is now the Director of Teaching and Learning, which includes the Specialized Support Division. This Division now includes special education and alternative education. On the ISBE organizational chart, Dr. Koch has authority over all Division Directors, which means he fills the number two position at ISBE.   now includes special education and alternative education.  The position for the Director of that Division remains unfilled.   Other positions include David Wood, Director of Operations, Lynn Haeffle, Director of Planning and Performance, Eugene Findley, Director of Information Technology.  A new organizational chart will be distributed to all members as quickly as we can get it.  As of l/18/02, it was not available on the ISBE website (BRH).

Publication Available:  �Schools Respond to Family Violence: A Guidebook for Educators,� a project of the Illinois Family Violence Coordinating Council.

SACWIS STEERING COMMITTEE

The Steering Committee of the SACWIS Advisory Committee held a conference call on January 17 since the January meeting of the Advisory Committee had been cancelled.  The main agenda item was the status of the Medicaid and SACWIS and how the integration of the two systems should be addressed during the design process.  With the delay of Phase II of the design of SACWIS related to the case management, planning and treatment portion of the client record, it has been emphasized that steps need to continue as to how Medicaid client records would be addressed as part of SACWIS.  POS representatives on the SACWIS Advisory Committee and the CWAC Medicaid workgroup continued to recommend the need for inclusion of the assessment, treatment plan and case notes since the decision had been made that the financial aspects of client records would not be included in SACWIS and therefore the Medicaid billing system would also be maintained separately.  The Steering Committee recommended that the original Medicaid/SACWIS workgroup meet with representatives from the Infant Parent Institute to determine based on the Medicaid rule which items would need to be added to SACWIS that currently were not included in the design.  A list of the fields developed to date from AMS would be cross walked with the assessment, treatment plan and case notes requirements of the Medicaid rule.  This recommendation will be raised at the Medicaid workgroup meeting on Feb. 7, 2002.  Even though Phase II for SACWIS has been delayed until the summer of 2002, Phase I with intake and investigation is still scheduled to be implemented April 22, 2002.   With the delay in the schedule the issue was raised about the need for revision of the August 2002 certification for SACWIS readiness and what the impact would be on an overall schedule revision for the project.   As soon as information is available on revised dates for implementation of Phase II of the SACWIS, it will be provided to agencies.  The next scheduled meeting of the Advisory Committee is Feb. 5, 2002.  (JMS)

SACWIS SEAT COUNTS

This is to advise agencies that revisions to the seat count process that was used to determine funding for implementation of the SACWIS readiness plans is still in process.  Agencies were requested to return the information at the end of December 2001.  Approximately 30 agencies have not returned their seat count information which will be used to determine how funding allocations would need to be adjusted with fewer agencies providing SACWIS related services and reduced caseloads.   Please contact the POS advocate for your agency if you should have any questions related to the seat count information.  Joanne Dedert at 217-747-7608 for downstate and Priscilla Parker for Cook County at 312-328-2882.  (JMS)

CHALLENGE AMERICA GRANTS HELP ARTISTS TO WORK WITH YOUTH

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) will award about 400 Challenge America grants, of $5,000 or $10,000 each, for arts projects that serve rural areas or underserved communities. All grants must be matched at least dollar for dollar. NEA has a simplified application and review process for Fast Track Grants. Complete information, guidelines, and applications are available at http://www.arts.gov/guide/Challenge02/ChallengeIndex.html.

State, local, or tribal agencies as well as 501[c]3 organizations are eligible to apply.  Groups may apply for existing or new projects that address only ONE of the two major topics and six subtopic areas:

1. Positive Alternatives for Youth (artist-led programs during nonschool hours OR job training for youth OR artist-teacher collaborations)

Note:  Applications for these grants must be received by February 1, 2002.

2. Community Arts Development (activities that use arts as a focus for cultural tourism

or the development of cultural districts OR civic design issues OR community  cultural plans) 

Note: Applications for these grants must be received by May 1, 2002.

Key elements in the grant review criteria are involvement of partnerships and the community. Other review criteria include:

--the potential of the project to advance the quality and availability of the arts in the

   community;

--the quality of the arts organizations, artists, and/or services the project will involve;

--potential of the project to reach rural areas or underserved communities and make the

   arts central to community life;

--the quality of the proposed interaction among the partner organizations potential impact

   of the project on its targeted audience and/or the community; and

--the feasibility of the plan and the ability of the partners to carry out the project.

For information on and examples of other NEA programs for youth, go to http://www.arts.endow.gov/learn/Facts/Youtharts.html or http://www.arts.gov/partner/Youth.html.

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

(Looking for helpful websites to track candidates� positions, research legislators� voting records, or contact your public officials? Contact CCA for a listing of helpful websites that�s updated each week to provide resources for members.  (To obtain a complete a complete list of helpful websites for advocacy, contact Linda Lenzini, Director, Marketing and Communications, at [email protected].)

Studying the Illinois State Budget. Check out this site: www.ilpeoplesbudget.org

The People's Budget Project, funded by the Woods Fund of Chicago, has these objectives:

Engage nonprofit groups, the media, lawmakers, and active citizens into an understanding of the Illinois state budget, so that future allocations of values will more closely reflect those of the larger Illinois public.

Create a baseline analysis of the Illinois budget that can be updated annually for purposes of continuing evaluation of trendlines as well as progress or backsliding in achieving a true people's budget.

Create products that will engage the target groups identified in No. 1 above and also teachers and students in our high schools and colleges. The first of these products is the discussion group/message board that is contained within this website.

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.

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)

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].

Calendar:

January 31 - Downstate Performance Based Work Group at 1:00 p.m. at 628 East Adams

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 5 - �Discipline of Students with Special Needs in Illinois,� Bev Johns, Gary Kerr,

                 Springfield IL, register by phone:715-833-3959

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

May 3 - Learning Disabilities Association of Illinois Spring Workshop, featuring Reed Martin, Special Education Attorney, Holiday Inn, Naperville, (708) 430-7532