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| PROJECT OFFICER: |
Pat Hagen U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau Washington, DC (202) 205-8575 pahagen@acf.hhs.gov
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| RESEARCH TEAM: |
Westat Rockville, MD |
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| Ronna Cook | (301) 251-4286 | Ronnacook@westat.com | |
| Liz Quinn | (301) 294-3878 | Elizabethquinn@westat.com
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| James Bell Associates Arlington, VA |
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| Elyce Kaye | (703) 528-3230 | Kaye@jbassoc.com | |
| Jacqueline Smollar | (703) 528-3230 | Smollar@jbassoc.com | |
The Children's Bureau of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is implementing a project designed to develop a performance assessment system for independent living programs funded under the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (CFCIP). The CFCIP, which is administered by the Children's Bureau, was established through the Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 (Public Law 106-169). It provides States with flexible funding to (1) help children who are likely to remain in foster care until 18 years of age make a successful transition to self-sufficiency, and (2) assist former foster care recipients between 18 and 21 years of age with services that complement their own efforts to achieve self-sufficiency. Services that may be provided include, but are not limited to: assistance in obtaining a high school diploma, career exploration, vocational training, preparation for post secondary education, job placement and retention, training in daily living skills, training in budgeting and financial management skills, substance abuse prevention, preventive health programs, mentoring, housing assistance, and counseling.
The current Children's Bureau project is a response to the data collection and performance measurement requirements set forth in the Act. Specifically, the Act requires that: "The Secretary, in consultation with State and local public officials responsible for administering independent living and other child welfare programs, child welfare advocates, Members of Congress, youth service providers, and researchers, shall-
"(A) develop outcome measures (including measures of educational attainment, high school diploma, employment, avoidance of dependency, homelessness, nonmarital childbirth, incarceration, and high-risk behaviors) that can be used to assess the performance of States in operating independent living programs;
"(B) identify the data elements needed to track -
"(C) develop and implement a plan to collect the needed information . . ."
The Act also specifies that the DHHS Secretary must submit a report to Congress that details the plans for accomplishing these requirements and includes a proposal for imposing penalties (as specified in the Act) on States that do not meet reporting requirements.
The Children's Bureau contracted with Westat Corporation (Westat) and its subcontractor, James Bell Associates (JBA) for assistance in (1) developing the outcomes and performance measures to assess CFCIP performance, and (2) preparing the Report to Congress.
These tasks will be accomplished through the following activities:
