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Attachment A: PIP Suggested Standard Format
Attachment B: Elements of an Effective PIP Process
Attachment C: Sample PIP Strategy Summary and TA Plan
Attachment D: Sample Completed Section of a PIP Matrix
Creating positive change in child welfare systems is the ultimate goal of the Federal Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSRs). During the two phases of the review process, the Federal and State Governments work in collaboration to assess how well State child welfare agency strategies are achieving positive outcomes for children and families. States then develop a Program Improvement Plan (PIP) to address areas in which they were found to be out of conformity with any one of the seven outcomes or seven systemic factors under review.
The PIP planning and implementation process is perhaps the most important component of the CFSR. It is intended to be an extension of the collaborative planning process that States use to develop the 5-year Child and Family Services Plan (CFSP). State child welfare agencies involve their staff and external partners in assessing the CFSR findings and then preparing, implementing, and evaluating the PIP. Through the PIP process, State agencies also can build their capacity to conduct continuous quality improvement activities.
The purpose of this document is to provide guidance to States on developing PIPs in response to the CFSR findings. This guidance, which originally was produced in 2002 for the first round of CFSRs, has been updated for use during the second round of reviews.
Although the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) does not require the use of any particular PIP format, this guidance document presents a suggested format for preparing a PIP. More important, it outlines the content or elements that must be included in the PIP regardless of the format used by the State, as noted in the regulations at 45 CFR 1355.35. These requirements are described in the guidance below, which is organized as follows:
The suggested PIP document consists of four components: (1) a general information section with key contact information, (2) a PIP Strategy Summary and TA Plan that provides information on the primary strategies and TA that the State plans to use to support outcome achievement, (3) an agreement form indicating approval of the PIP by the Children's Bureau Regional Office and the State, and (4) a matrix that summarizes the components of the PIP initially and permits tracking of progress and completion dates through quarterly status reports.
States must work jointly with the Children's Bureau Regional Office, in consultation with the Children's Bureau Central Office, to develop the content of the PIP. Suggested strategies for doing so are discussed in section II of this document, Strategies for Developing the PIP.
The following information is required content for the PIP. The document should provide sufficient detail and context to ensure that the Children's Bureau Regional Office and State agency staff can work in partnership to monitor PIP progress in implementing and completing the PIP.
The following timeframes apply to the PIP development and implementation process:
Although extensions to the 2-year timeframe for completing the PIP are rarely granted, there may be circumstances in which extensions, not to exceed 1 year, may be approved. States may request up to a 1-year extension to the 2-year timeframe for completing the implementation of the PIP, subject to approval by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Requests for extensions should be linked to specific strategies within the PIP requiring additional time and must be submitted to the Children's Bureau Regional Office in writing, with supporting documentation, at least 60 days before the approved PIP implementation completion date. Requests for extensions will be approved only in exceptional situations.
States will submit a copy of the PIP document electronically to the Children's Bureau Regional Office lead contact for the State. The Regional Office will submit a copy of the PIP to the Children's Bureau Central Office for review before approving the PIP.
The Regional Office, in consultation with the Central Office, will review the PIP submitted by a State and provide approval in writing (or electronically) to the State. A PIP will be approved if it meets the guidelines, as specified in 45 CFR 1355.35(a).
In the event that the Children's Bureau Regional Office and the State cannot reach consensus regarding the content of the PIP or the degree to which program or data improvements are to be achieved, the Children's Bureau retains the authority to assign the contents of the plan and/or the degree of improvement required for successful completion of the plan. Under such circumstances, the Regional Office will provide to the State a written (or electronic) rationale for the content and degree of improvement.
Once the PIP is approved, the Children's Bureau Regional Office will submit a copy of the final approved PIP to the Children's Bureau Central Office and to the following contractors:
The Child Welfare Reviews Project
c/o JBS International, Inc.
5515 Security Lane, Suite 800
North Bethesda, MD 20852
Email address: cw@jbsinternational.com
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Children's Bureau/ACYF
1250 Maryland Avenue, SW
Eighth Floor
Washington, DC 20024
Email address: info@childwelfare.gov
The Children's Bureau Regional Office, in collaboration with the State, will evaluate the State's achievements in relation to the terms and conditions of the approved PIP as follows:
Penalties are suspended while a State is implementing a PIP. If the Children's Bureau Regional Office determines, however, that the State failed to submit status reports, or that the State is not making satisfactory progress toward completing the action steps or achieving the goals in a timely manner, then the suspension of penalties will cease and withholding will begin (45 CFR 1355.36(e)(2)(i) and (ii)).
States may request to renegotiate the PIP with the Children's Bureau Regional Office, as needed, especially for complex strategies. Renegotiation may occur in regard to the timeframes for implementing program improvements, steps to be used, or measurable goals. Requests for changes to the PIP should be submitted in writing (or electronically) to the Regional Office for approval, to be followed by a discussion with the Regional Office of the issues leading to the request. The PIP Matrix may be used to document many renegotiated timeframes, steps, and goals. The Regional Office will submit copies of the renegotiated PIP to JBS International, Inc. (JBS); the Child Welfare Information Gateway; and the Children's Bureau Central Office upon approval.
A successful PIP requires thoughtful planning and implementation and a process for continually assessing the associated outcomes. Below are suggested ways in which States and Children's Bureau Regional Offices can work together effectively to achieve the objectives of the program improvement planning phase of the CFSRs in the following areas: (1) Children's Bureau Support to the States, (2) PIP Planning, (3) Managing Change, (4) Collaborating During the PIP, (5) Measuring Improvements, and (6) Using a Quality Assurance (QA) Approach.
The Children's Bureau Regional Office will provide support to States in designing a PIP through the following:
An effective State PIP planning process is critical for engaging the appropriate stakeholders, for designing effective strategies and measures, for managing change, and for ensuring positive PIP outcomes. States can use the following strategies when planning a PIP:
Setting the Stage for an Effective PIP Process
Analyzing the CFSR Results
Designing the PIP
States should consider the following strategies when planning to manage the organizational changes associated with the PIP or any child welfare reform process:
States can enhance the process of engaging their external partners in the PIP process through the following:
For additional information and guidance on collaborating during the CFSRs, see appendix J, "Collaborating During the CFSRs," in the CFSR Procedures Manual, available on the Children's Bureau Web site at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/cwmonitoring/tools_guide/procedures/appendixj.htm
States should consider the following when developing PIP measurement processes:
If States choose to adopt a qualitative review or QA process similar to the CFSRs to evaluate progress through the PIP, they must specify in the PIP exactly how that process will be used to evaluate performance and determine whether benchmarks and goals are being achieved. They should provide information about (1) the type of system and instrument to be used, (2) how often and where it will be used, by whom, and the sample size, and (3) how the QA system relates to the CFSRs.
States should consider the following when assessing whether the proposed QA system will enable the Children's Bureau and the State to monitor PIP progress:
The Children's Bureau Regional Office staff also will consider how the State's largest metropolitan area is being reviewed through the State's QA system, because decisions about a State's PIP performance cannot be made without examining the impact on the largest metropolitan area. This does not mean that the State must review the largest metropolitan area every quarter; rather the Children's Bureau staff should work with States to ensure that their QA review results include the largest metropolitan area.
TA is available to States during all stages of the CFSRs, including PIP development and implementation. States should assess their TA needs for developing and implementing the PIP before the start of the Statewide Assessment and continuing through the PIP process. The Children's Bureau funds a network of National Resource Centers (NRCs) that provide TA related to the CFSRs. The NRCs can provide TA to the States during the PIP development and implementation process. (See the Children's Bureau Web site at www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/tta/index.htm for more information on the NRCs).
States should work with their Children's Bureau Regional Office, which is responsible for the coordination of TA to States during the CFSRs, to determine the most appropriate TA source on the basis of their identified TA needs. States also are encouraged to seek assistance from sources that will promote stronger relationships between the agency and community-based assistance providers (such as local universities) and build statewide capacity in the areas of child welfare and protection.
State TA activities are typically most successful when States involve the Children's Bureau Regional Office and TA providers early in their Statewide Assessment and PIP planning process. States can use the following questions when determining their TA needs:
The Children's Bureau has developed a standard format that States are encouraged to use in preparing the PIP for submission to the Children's Bureau Regional Office. The standard format begins immediately following these instructions. States are encouraged to use this format to facilitate ease of review, approval, and tracking of State PIPs. States choosing to use a different format for preparing the PIP must include all of the information required by regulation at 45 CFR 1355.35.
The PIP standard format contains the following sections:
For more information on the PIP development and implementation process, States should contact the lead Children's Bureau Regional Office staff member for the State's review.
*List key individuals who are actually working on the PIP and not necessarily everyone who was consulted during the PIP development process.
States are strongly encouraged to develop a PIP Strategy Summary and TA Plan, using the format that appears on the next page. Using this format helps to both provide a focus on overarching reforms and simplify the PIP document. The PIP Strategy Summary and TA Plan comprises three elements:
See Attachment C for a sample PIP Strategy Summary and TA Plan.
PIP Strategy Summary and TA Plan
State:
Date Submitted:
Primary Strategies | Key Concerns | TA Resources Needed |
---|---|---|
States are strongly encouraged to use the PIP Matrix form for both PIP submissions and PIP quarterly reports. A sample completed section of a PIP Matrix appears in attachment D. The matrix is designed to allow States to enter information by themes or broad strategy areas or approaches, under which each of the items out of conformity is addressed. Using a theme or broad strategy approach helps to both provide a focus on overarching reforms and simplify the PIP document.
The following are instructions for completing the PIP Matrix:
States should submit the PIP Strategy Summary and TA Plan and the PIP Matrix to the Children's Bureau Regional Office staff person responsible for the State's CFSR.
State child welfare agency staff and their external partners may use the following quality assurance checklist to review the State's PIP to determine whether it meets the requirements necessary to contribute to a successful PIP process that will result in improvements to child welfare practice:
___ Did the State negotiate with the Children's Bureau Regional Office the level of improvement to be achieved for each outcome and systemic factor determined not to be in substantial conformity, including a percentage of improvement for statewide data indicators that did not meet the national standards?
___ Does the plan contain action steps for each goal that build on strengths identified in the Summary of Findings (Final Report on the CFSR)?
___ Does the plan identify the person(s) responsible for overseeing the development, implementation, and oversight of each action step for achieving the goals?
___ Does the plan contain realistic timeframes for implementing the action steps and achieving the goals?
___ Have the goals been prioritized to ensure that action steps for achieving the most important goals (for example, those related to safety) are implemented first and within the timeframes outlined in the PIP instructions?
___ Does the plan explain how action steps targeted to one jurisdiction will lead to positive outcomes and adequate systemic functioning statewide?
___ Does the plan include benchmarks for measuring the progress of improvements towards goal achievement?
___ Are those benchmarks consistent with the level of effort required to improve performance and achieve PIP goals?
___ Does the plan include the State's method for evaluating the progress being made toward the goals and action steps?
The PIP should be signed and dated by the Chief Executive Officer of the State child welfare agency and by the Children's Bureau Regional Office responsible for the State. The approved PIP with original signature must be retained in the Children's Bureau Regional Office. A hard copy of the approved PIP must be submitted to the following parties immediately upon approval:
The following Federal and State officials agree to the content and terms of the attached Program Improvement Plan:
__________________________________________________________________
Name of State Executive Officer for Child Welfare Services Date
__________________________________________________________________
Children's Bureau Date
This section should be completed only in the event of renegotiations regarding the content of the PIP, pursuant to 45 CFR 1355.35(e)(4). Copies of approved, renegotiated PIPs must be retained and distributed as noted above immediately upon completion of the renegotiation process.
The renegotiated content of the attached PIP, as summarized below, has been approved by State personnel and the Children's Bureau Regional Office with authority to negotiate such content and is approved by Federal and State officials:
Renegotiated Action Steps, Benchmarks or Improvement Goal | Date Renegotiated | Approval of State Executive Officer for Child Welfare Services |
---|---|---|
Approval Children's Bureau | ||
State:
Type of Report: PIP:___ Quarterly Report:___ (Quarter:___)
Date Submitted:
Part A: Strategy Measurement Plan and Quarterly Status Report
Primary Strategy: | Applicable CFSR Outcomes or Systemic Factors: | ||||
Goal: | Applicable CFSR Items: | ||||
Action Steps and Benchmarks | Person Responsible | Evidence of Completion | Quarter Due | Quarter Completed | Quarterly Update |
Renegotiated Action Steps and Benchmarks |
Part B: National Standards Measurement Plan and Quarterly Status Report
Safety Outcome 1: Absence of Recurrence of Maltreatment | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
National Standard | 94.6% | |||||||||||
Performance as Measured in Final Report/Source Data Period | ||||||||||||
Performance as Measured in Baseline/Source Data Period | ||||||||||||
Negotiated Improvement Goal | ||||||||||||
Renegotiated Improvement Goal | ||||||||||||
Status (Enter the current quarter measurement for the reported quarter.) | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Q5 | Q6 | Q7 | Q8 | Q9 | Q10 | Q11 | Q12 |
Safety Outcome 1: Absence of Maltreatment of Children in Foster Care | ||||||||||||
National Standard | 99.68% | |||||||||||
Performance as Measured in Final Report/Source Data Period | ||||||||||||
Performance as Measured in Baseline/Source Data Period | ||||||||||||
Negotiated Improvement Goal | ||||||||||||
Renegotiated Improvement Goal | ||||||||||||
Status (Enter the current quarter measurement for the reported quarter.) | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Q5 | Q6 | Q7 | Q8 | Q9 | Q10 | Q11 | Q12 |
Permanency Outcome 1: Timeliness and Permanency of Reunification | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
National Standard | 122.6 | |||||||||||
Performance as Measured in Final Report/Source Data Period | ||||||||||||
Performance as Measured in Baseline/Source Data Period | ||||||||||||
Negotiated Improvement Goal | ||||||||||||
Renegotiated Improvement Goal | ||||||||||||
Status (Enter the current quarter measurement for the reported quarter.) | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Q5 | Q6 | Q7 | Q8 | Q9 | Q10 | Q11 | Q12 |
Permanency Outcome 1: Timeliness of Adoptions | ||||||||||||
National Standard | 106.4 | |||||||||||
Performance as Measured in Final Report/Source Data Period | ||||||||||||
Performance as Measured in Baseline/Source Data Period | ||||||||||||
Negotiated Improvement Goal | ||||||||||||
Renegotiated Improvement Goal | ||||||||||||
Status (Enter the current quarter measurement for the reported quarter.) | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Q5 | Q6 | Q7 | Q8 | Q9 | Q10 | Q11 | Q12 |
Permanency Outcome 1: Achieving Permanency for Children in Foster Care for Long Periods of Time | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
National Standard | 121.7 | |||||||||||
Performance as Measured in Final Report/Source Data Period | ||||||||||||
Performance as Measured in Baseline/Source Data Period | ||||||||||||
Negotiated Improvement Goal | ||||||||||||
Renegotiated Improvement Goal | ||||||||||||
Status (Enter the current quarter measurement for the reported quarter.) | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Q5 | Q6 | Q7 | Q8 | Q9 | Q10 | Q11 | Q12 |
Permanency Outcome 1: Placement Stability | ||||||||||||
National Standard | 101.5 | |||||||||||
Performance as Measured in Final Report/Source Data Period | ||||||||||||
Performance as Measured in Baseline/Source Data Period | ||||||||||||
Negotiated Improvement Goal | ||||||||||||
Renegotiated Improvement Goal | ||||||||||||
Status (Enter the current quarter measurement for the reported quarter.) | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Q5 | Q6 | Q7 | Q8 | Q9 | Q10 | Q11 | Q12 |
Part C: Item-Specific and Quantitative Measurement Plan and Quarterly Status Report
Outcome/Systemic Factor:_____ Item:_____ | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Performance as Measured in Final Report | ||||||||||||
Performance as Measured in Baseline/Source Data Period | ||||||||||||
Negotiated Improvement Goal | ||||||||||||
Method of Measuring Improvement | ||||||||||||
Renegotiated Improvement Goal | ||||||||||||
Status (Enter the current quarter measurement for the reported quarter.) | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Q5 | Q6 | Q7 | Q8 | Q9 | Q10 | Q11 | Q12 |
Outcome/Systemic Factor:_____ Item:_____ | ||||||||||||
Performance as Measured in Final Report | ||||||||||||
Performance as Measured in Baseline/Source Data Period | ||||||||||||
Negotiated Improvement Goal | ||||||||||||
Method of Measuring Improvement | ||||||||||||
Renegotiated Improvement Goal | ||||||||||||
Status (Enter the current quarter measurement for the reported quarter.) | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Q5 | Q6 | Q7 | Q8 | Q9 | Q10 | Q11 | Q12 |
Outcome/Systemic Factor:_____ Item:_____ | ||||||||||||
Performance as Measured in Final Report | ||||||||||||
Performance as Measured in Baseline/Source Data Period | ||||||||||||
Negotiated Improvement Goal | ||||||||||||
Method of Measuring Improvement | ||||||||||||
Renegotiated Improvement Goal | ||||||||||||
Status (Enter the current quarter measurement for the reported quarter.) | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Q5 | Q6 | Q7 | Q8 | Q9 | Q10 | Q11 | Q12 |
Outcome/Systemic Factor:_____ Item:_____ | ||||||||||||
Performance as Measured in Final Report | ||||||||||||
Performance as Measured in Baseline/Source Data Period | ||||||||||||
Negotiated Improvement Goal | ||||||||||||
Method of Measuring Improvement | ||||||||||||
Renegotiated Improvement Goal | ||||||||||||
Status (Enter the current quarter measurement for the reported quarter.) | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Q5 | Q6 | Q7 | Q8 | Q9 | Q10 | Q11 | Q12 |
Outcome/Systemic Factor:_____ Item:_____ | ||||||||||||
Performance as Measured in Final Report | ||||||||||||
Performance as Measured in Baseline/Source Data Period | ||||||||||||
Negotiated Improvement Goal | ||||||||||||
Method of Measuring Improvement | ||||||||||||
Renegotiated Improvement Goal | ||||||||||||
Status (Enter the current quarter measurement for the reported quarter.) | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Q5 | Q6 | Q7 | Q8 | Q9 | Q10 | Q11 | Q12 |
Outcome/Systemic Factor:_____ Item:_____ | ||||||||||||
Performance as Measured in Final Report | ||||||||||||
Performance as Measured in Baseline/Source Data Period | ||||||||||||
Negotiated Improvement Goal | ||||||||||||
Method of Measuring Improvement | ||||||||||||
Renegotiated Improvement Goal | ||||||||||||
Status (Enter the current quarter measurement for the reported quarter.) | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Q5 | Q6 | Q7 | Q8 | Q9 | Q10 | Q11 | Q12 |
State: Anystate
Date Submitted: September 30, 2008
Primary Strategies | Key Concerns | TA Resources Needed |
---|---|---|
|
|
National Child Welfare Resource Center for Organizational Improvement (NRCOI) NRC for Family-Centered Practice and Permanency Planning (NRCFCP) |
|
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NRC for Organizational Improvement NRC for Child Welfare Data and Technology |
|
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NRC on Legal and Judicial Issues |
State: Anystate
Type of Report: PIP:___ Quarterly Report:_x_ (Quarter:_4_)
Date Submitted: September 30, 2008
Below is a sample section of a completed PIP Matrix, which is designed to assist States in completing their own PIP Matrix. Inclusion of specific primary strategies, goals, or action steps in this sample are for purposes of illustrating how to use the PIP Matrix only and should not be construed as an endorsement of those strategies, goals, or action steps.
State: Anystate
Type of Report: PIP:___ Quarterly Report:_x_ (Quarter:_4_)
Date Submitted: September 30, 2008
Primary Strategy: 1. Implement Systems of Care practice approach |
Applicable CFSR Outcomes or Systemic Factors: |
Goal: Enhance infrastructure that builds on partnerships based on interagency collaboration, individualized, strength-based care, cultural competence, and community-based services to meet the multiple needs of children and families |
Applicable CFSR Items: |
State: Anystate
Type of Report: PIP:___ Quarterly Report:_x_ (Quarter:_4_)
Date Submitted: September 30, 2008
1.1. Develop work plan for implementing System of Care (SOC) approach statewide, including assessment of available service array, with assistance from NRCOI and NRCFCP | M. Jordan | Copy of work plan produced | Q2 | Q2 | Q2 - Final work plan reviewed by NRCOI and NRCFCP. Plan distributed statewide under cover of agency director. Copy of plan attached with Q2 quarterly report. |
1.1(A). Hold meetings with agency leadership, court leadership, and NRCs for kickoff of SOC implementation | Summary of meetings held and lists of attendees | Q1 | Q1 | Q1 - Kickoff meetings held. Copy of summary and lists of attendees attached with Q1 quarterly report. | |
1.1(B). Convene work group comprising families that receive services, front-line child welfare staff, and other key partners to guide development of the plan | Copy of meeting minutes and list of work group participants | Q2 | Q2 | Q2 - Three meetings of the work group held. Copies of meeting minutes and list of participants attached with Q2 quarterly report. | |
1.1(C). Conduct complete assessment of community- based service array. | Copy of assessment report, with needed services identified by county | Q2 | Q2 | Q2 - Assessment completed and report prepared. Copy of assessment report attached with Q2 quarterly report. | |
1.2. Provide training to all caseworkers, foster parents, kinship providers, supervisors, and interagency partners on SOC guiding principles. | I. Thomas | Identified in benchmarks below | Q5 | ||
1.2(A). Revise and implement core caseworker curriculum to provide focus on individualized strengths-based, culturally competent practice | Copy of revised core curriculum and summary of implemen-tation | Q4 | Q4 | Q4 - Trainings in final two regions completed in this reporting period; two trainings for new caseworkers also completed. Copy of curriculum, summary report, and training attendance lists attached with this quarterly report. | |
1.2(B). Revise and implement foster parent core curriculum to provide focus on individualized strengths-based, culturally competent practice | Copy of revised core curriculum and summary of implementation | Q3 | Q3 | Q3 - Trainings for foster parents completed. Copy of curriculum, summary report, and training attendance lists attached with Q3 quarterly report. | |
1.2(C). Revise and implement supervisor curriculum to provide focus on individualized strengths- based, culturally competent practice | Copy of revised supervisor curriculum and summary of implemen-tation | Q4 | Q4 | Q4 - Trainings in final region completed in this reporting period. Copy of curriculum, summary report, and training attendance lists attached with this quarterly report. | |
1.3. Develop and implement team decisionmaking | O. Robertson | Copy of State case record review results on implemen-tation of team decision-making | Q5 | ||
1.3(A). Revise current departmental policies regarding family involvement in case planning, and incorporate team decisionmaking at critical decision points | Copy of revised and approved departmental policies | Q2 | Q2 | Q2 - Departmental work group on case planning and case review met to finalize revised policies on case planning, including use of Family Group Conferencing. In developing the final policies, work group met with community stakeholders, caseworkers and supervisors, and parents and foster parents. New policies approved by Secretary of Health and Human Services. Copy of revised and approved policies attached with Q2 quarterly report. | |
1.3(B). Provide training to all caseworkers and supervisors on revised policies regarding child and family involvement in case planning and team decision- making | Copies of training curriculum and training attendance lists | Q3 | Q3 | Q3 - Trainings completed in all regions. Copy of training curriculum and training attendance lists attached with Q3 quarterly report. | |
1.3(C). Conduct case record review on implementation of team decisionmaking | Copy of State case record review results | Q5 | |||
Copy of State case record review results | C. Frazier | Copy of MOU | Q4 | Q4 | Q4 - Interagency work group met to address final budget issues related to implementing SOC work plan and added language related to financing into guiding principals and plan. The heads of departments signed the MOU. MOU attached with this quarterly report. |
1.4(A). Meet with staff representatives from three departments to discuss outlines of MOU. | Meeting minutes | Q1 | Q1 | Q1 - Meeting completed. Minutes attached with Q1 quarterly report. | |
1.4(B). Develop and obtain comments on draft MOU from designated department staff. | Copy of draft with departmental comments | Q2 | Q2 | Q2 - Draft developed and circulated; comments integrated. Marked-up draft attached with Q2 quarterly report. | |
1.4(C). Integrate and reconcile comments; obtain review of final draft from designated department staff. | Copy of draft with signoff from three departments | Q3 | Q3 | Q3 - Final comments from all three departments integrated into text. Signed draft attached with Q3 quarterly report. | |
1.5. Increase use of Child and Family Services Expert Consultants from 16% of cases to 42% of cases managed by caseworkers with fewer than 2 years of experience | J. Erving | Monitoring report issued on use of consultants by caseworkers with fewer than 2 years of experience | Q4 | Q4 | Q4 - Monitoring protocol reviewed by work group and agency administrator, and monitoring task conducted. Per attached monitoring report, rate of use of consultants among the target group of caseworkers stands near 65%. Report attached with this quarterly report. |
1.5(A). Develop and send agencywide announcement regarding availability of Child and Family Services Expert Consultants | Copy of announcement | Q1 | Q1 | Q1 - Announcement developed, reviewed by work group and agency administrator, and sent to all staff and contractors. Copy of announcement attached with Q1 quarterly report. | |
1.5(B). Hold conference call with supervisors statewide to review protocol on use of consultants | Copy of attendance list | Q3 | Q3 | Q3 - Talking points developed and reviewed by administrator. Initial and followup announcements sent to supervisors, and conference call held. Copy of attendance list attached with Q3 quarterly report. |
State: Anystate
Type of Report: PIP:___ Quarterly Report:_x_ (Quarter:_4_)
Date Submitted: September 30, 2008
Renegotiated Action Steps and Benchmarks | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1.3. Develop and implement team decisionmaking | O. Robertson | Copy of State case record review results on implemen-tation of team decision-making | Q8 (prev-iously Q5) |
State: Anystate
Type of Report: PIP:___ Quarterly Report:_x_ (Quarter:_4_)
Date Submitted: September 30, 2008
2. Strengthen continuous quality assurance (QA) program | Applicable CFSR Outcomes or Systemic Factors: Quality Assurance System Agency Responsiveness to the Community |
||||
Goal: Improve quality assurance data collected and strengthen systems for disseminating QA data to field | Applicable CFSR Items: 30, 31, 38 |
||||
Action Steps and Benchmarks | Person Responsible | Evidence of Completion | Quarter Due | Quarter Completed | Quarterly Update |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2.1. Develop outcome measures for all required practice skills, with assistance from NRCCWDT and NRCOI | M. Johnson | Copy of approved outcome measures issued | Q2 | Q2 | Q2 - See below. Copy of outcome measures attached with Q2 quarterly report. |
2.1(A). Develop list of practice skills to which outcome measures can be applied | Copy of approved list | Q1 | Q1 | Q1 - List of measurable practice skills drafted and circulated to unit heads, revisions integrated, and final list approved by agency administrator. Copy of approved list attached with Q1 quarterly report. | |
2.1(B). Draft outcome measures for each measurable practice skill | Copy of list of outcome measures | Q1 | Q1 | Q1 - List of outcome measures drafted and circulated to unit heads, revisions integrated. Copy of list attached with Q1 quarterly report. | |
2.1(C). Test outcome measures with previous year data/obtain final approval of measures | Copy of outcome measures with approval signoff from agency admini-strator | Q2 | Q2 | Q2 - Data unit ran outcome measures for full year of data, refined measures to address minor issues, and circulated to agency administrator, who approved the measures. Copy of outcome measures with agency administrator signoff attached with Q2 quarterly report. | |
2.2. Train caseworkers and supervisors on new outcome measures | E. Baylor | Attendance verification | Q3 | Q3 | Q3 - See below; caseworkers and supervisors trained on approved outcome measures Attendance lists attached with Q2 and Q3 quarterly reports. |
2.2(A). Develop training curricula for supervisors and for caseworkers | Copy of approved curricula | Q1 | Q1 | Q1 - Curricula developed and approved by chief of training unit and other unit heads; new curricula tested through training of sample of supervisors and caseworkers. Copies of curricula attached with Q1 quarterly report. | |
2.2(B).Train supervisors in each region | Copies of attendance lists | Q2 | Q2 | Q2 - Supervisors in all five regions trained. Attendance lists attached with Q2 quarterly report. | |
2.2(C). Train agency caseworkers statewide | Copies of attendance lists | Q3 | Q3 | Q3 - Caseworkers in all five regions trained. Attendance lists attached with Q3 quarterly report. | |
2.3. Develop and implement survey mechanism for obtaining input from foster parents and parents receiving family preservation services on system performance | B. Russell | Copy of survey mechanism | Q3 | Q3 | Q3 - See below; copy of survey and evidence of dissemination attached with Q2 and Q3 quarterly reports. |
2.3(A). Draft survey mechanism | Copy of draft survey | Q1 | Q1 | Q1 - Draft survey mechanism developed, circulated to heads of foster care and family preservation units, and revisions integrated. Copy of draft survey mechanism attached with Q1 quarterly report. | |
2.3(B). Test survey with sample of foster parents and parents receiving family preservation services/revise survey | Copy of revised survey | Q2 | Q2 | Q2 - Survey mechanism tested with sample of foster/family preservation parents, and focus groups held. Survey revised to address issues, and tested with new sample. Copies of revised survey and focus group comments attached with Q2 quarterly report. | |
2.3(C). Survey disseminated to QA Unit, and QA staff briefed on survey implementation | Copy of memo to QA Unit | Q3 | Q3 | Q3 - Survey mechanism disseminated to QA Unit staff statewide. Conference call for all QA staff held to train staff on use of new survey instrument. Copy of memo to QA Unit and attendance list for conference call attached with Q3 quarterly report. | |
2.4. Implement mechanism for distributing quarterly QA data to all caseworkers and supervisors statewide, with assistance from NRCCWDT | J. West | Monitoring report issued on implemen-tation of new system | Q4 | Q4 | Q4 - See below; Office on Quality Assurance issued monitoring report in this reporting period on the new electronic QA Data Platform. Monitoring report attached with this quarterly report. |
2.4(A). Meet with NRCCWDT to discuss options. | Summary of TA meeting | Q1 | Q1 | Q1 - Meeting held with NRCCWDT, options outlined, and preferred option selected by Office on Quality Assurance and departmental information technology (IT) staff. Summary of meeting attached with Q1 quarterly report. | |
2.4(B). Develop test version of selected instrument, test with sample of agency supervisors and caseworkers, and collect feedback | Printouts from test version, and copy of user comments | Q1 | Q1 | Q1 - Beta version of QA Data Platform developed and pilot-tested, and user feedback collected. Link to online beta version and copy of user comments attached with Q1 quarterly report. | |
2.4(C). Revise instrument to address user comments, and re-test with new sample of supervisors and caseworkers | Printouts from revised test version, and copy of any additional comments | Q2 | Q2 | Q2 - Beta version of platform revised and pilot-tested with second group of agency staff , and minor additional comments collected and used to make minor adjustments to beta version Link to online beta version and copy of additional user comments attached with Q2 quarterly report. | |
2.4(D). Make final revisions, launch instrument, and disseminate agencywide announcement | Copy of announce-ment | Q3 | Q3 | Q3 - QA Data Platform launched and announced to agency staff statewide. Link to platform and copy of dissemination announcement attached with this quarterly report. | |
Renegotiated Action Steps and Benchmarks |
State: Anystate
Type of Report: PIP:___ Quarterly Report:_x_ (Quarter:_4_)
Date Submitted: September 30, 2008
Primary Strategy: 3. Implement concurrent planning in collaboration with courts | Applicable CFSR Outcomes or Systemic Factors: Permanency Outcome 1 Case Review System |
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Goal: Improve and expedite permanency for children entering care | Applicable CFSR Items: 7, 9, 26, 27, 28, 29 |
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Action Steps and Benchmarks | Person Responsible | Evidence of Completion | Quarter Due | Quarter Completed | Quarterly Update |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
3.1. Convene Steering Committee, including agency and court stakeholders and NCWRCLJI, for 1-day TA event | J. Havlicek | Summary of TA event notes and list of participants | Q2 | Q2 | Q2 - 1-day TA event held, and summary developed. See below; summary and list of participants attached with Q2 quarterly report. |
3.1(A). Schedule and hold 1-day TA event with Steering Committee and NCWRCLJI | Copy of e-mail scheduling TA event | Q2 | Q2 | Q2 - TA event scheduled and held; as part of session, NRC and Committee drafted outline of key priorities in implementing concurrent planning. Copy of scheduling e-mail and outline attached with Q1 quarterly report. | |
3.1(B). Develop summary of TA event identifying key issues | Copy of TA event summary and list of participants | Q2 | Q2 | Q2 - Summary drafted and circulated to Steering Committee for comment; comments integrated and summary sent to committee. Summary attached with Q2 quarterly report. | |
3.2. Conduct joint training on concurrent planning for agency management, children's court judges, foster parents, and caseworkers | W. Chamberlain | Copies of curricula and attendance verification | Q4 | Q4 | Q4 - All agency managers and caseworkers, children's court judges, and foster parents trained. Copies of curricula and attendance lists attached with this quarterly report. |
3.2(A). Develop curriculum for agency management; adapt to develop curricula appropriate for judges, foster parents, and caseworkers | Copies of draft curricula | Q2 | Q2 | Q2 - Curricula finalized and circulated within agency for comments; comments integrated and curricula approved by agency administrator. Copies of curricula attached with Q2 quarterly report. | |
3.2(B). Test curricula with sample audiences; revise as needed. | Copies of test audience comments | Q3 | Q3 | Q3 - Curricula tested with sample group from each target audience; comments addressed in revised draft; and revised curricula circulated within agency for comments and then approved by agency administrator. Copies of sample audience comments attached with Q3 quarterly report. | |
3.2(C). Conduct training of agency managers and caseworkers | Copy of attendance list | Q4 | Q4 | Q4 - Agency managers and caseworkers statewide trained through in-person trainings and Web-assisted audioconferences. Copies of attendance lists attached with this quarterly report. | |
3.2(D). Conduct training of judges, foster parents, and caseworkers | Copies of attendance lists | Q4 | Q4 | Q4 - Children's court judges and entering and existing foster parents trained statewide through in-person trainings. Copies of attendance lists attached with this quarterly report. | |
3.3. Conduct policy review and revision, incorporating permanency planning principles | R. Barry | Copy of revised policy and evidence of implementation | Q4 | Q4 | Q4 - Policy review conducted and revisions made (see below). Copies of revised policies attached with this quarterly report. |
3.3(A). Assign members of Steering Committee representing both agency and court to use results of action step 3.1 to draft revisions to agency and court policies, respectively | Copy of draft revisions | Q2 | Q2 | Q2 - Revisions to existing agency/court policies drafted by three representatives of agency and three representatives of Administrative Office of Courts. Copies of draft revisions attached with Q2 quarterly report. | |
3.3(B). Circulate revisions/obtain signoff of agency administrator and Office of the Chief Justice for policy changes | Signed revised policies (Agency admini-strator and Administra-tive Office of Court) | Q3 | Q3 | Q3 - Drafts circulated to agency and court leadership and then shared between agency and court for final approval. Meeting held between agency and court midway through Q3 to work out final details. Copies of signed revised policies attached with Q3 report. | |
3.3(C). Final policy revisions reviewed/ approved by Steering Committee | Signed revised policies (Steering Committee) | Q4 | Q4 | Q4 - Revised policies reviewed by Steering Committee subcommittee; revisions incorporated and circulated to full committee; final approval provided. Copies of signed revised policies attached with this quarterly report. | |
3.4. Survey foster parents on willingness to accept concurrent placements | L. Bird | Written summary of survey results | Q4 | Q4 | Q4 - Survey results collected, and report on results written. See below; attached with this quarterly report. |
3.4(A). Use parameters provided in Steering Committee meeting in action step 3.1 to design draft survey instrument | Draft instrument | Q2 | Q2 | Q2 - Draft instrument developed by agency QA Unit, with oversight by Steering Committee subcommittee. Survey routed to subcommittee; comments incorporated, and revised survey routed to full Steering Committee, who approved the instrument. Draft instrument attached with Q2 report. | |
3.4 (B). Revise survey instrument and produce final version; test instrument with foster parent focus group, and make revisions | L. Bird | Draft instrument and focus group comments | Q3 | Q3 | Q3 - Final survey instrument produced and tested with focus group. Per focus group comments, sections 3 and 4 revised significantly, and revised survey re-tested with new focus group. Final revisions made, and final approval provided by QA Unit manager and Steering Committee subcommittee. Draft instrument and two sets of focus group comments attached with Q3 report. |
3.4(C). Administer surveys to all foster parents | Survey results | Q4 | Q4 | Q4 - Survey results collected, and report on results written. Results and report attached with this quarterly report. | |
3.5. Update foster parent training to include concurrent planning module | D. Cowens | Copy of revised curriculum | Q4 | Q4 | Q4 - Revised module finalized (see below). Finalized module attached with this quarterly report. |
3.5(A). Use survey results from action step 3.4 to develop concurrent planning module for inclusion in foster parent training | Draft module | Q4 | Q4 | Q4 - Concurrent planning module written by Training Unit, with oversight from Steering Committee subcommittee. Subcommittee provided extensive feedback to ensure that draft curriculum of reflected survey results from step 3.4. Draft module attached with this quarterly report. | |
3.5(B). Have draft module reviewed/approved by Training Unit manager | D. Cowens | Draft module with approval signature of Training Unit manager | Q4 | Q4 | Q4 - Draft module routed to Training Unit manager, and comments incorporated; final signoff provided. Signed draft module attached with this quarterly report. |
3.5(C). Test new module with foster parent focus group, incorporate comments, and finalize | Focus group comments and finalized module | Q4 | Q4 | Q4 - Draft module tested with training focus group. Comments collected, and module revised by Training Unit; revised module approved by Training Unit manager and Steering Committee subcommittee. Focus group comments and revised module attached with this quarterly report. | |
Renegotiated Action Steps and Benchmarks |
State: Anystate
Type of Report: PIP:___ Quarterly Report:_x_ (Quarter:_4_)
Date Submitted: September 30, 2008
Safety Outcome 1: Absence of Recurrence of Maltreatment | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
National Standard | 94.6% | |||||||||||
Performance as Measured in Final Report/Source Data Period | 85.2%/FY 2007 | |||||||||||
Performance as Measured in Baseline/Source Data Period | 83.7%/FY 2008a | |||||||||||
Negotiated Improvement Goal | 84.2% | |||||||||||
Renegotiated Improvement Goal | None | |||||||||||
Status (Enter the current quarter measurement for the reported quarter.) | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Q5 | Q6 | Q7 | Q8 | Q9 | Q10 | Q11 | Q12 |
83.9 | 83.8 | 84.0 | 84.1 | |||||||||
Safety Outcome 1: Absence of Maltreatment of Children in Foster Care | ||||||||||||
National Standard | 99.68% | |||||||||||
Performance as Measured in Final Report/Source Data Period | 99.77%/FY 2007 | |||||||||||
Performance as Measured in Baseline/Source Data Period | 99.82%/FY 2008a | |||||||||||
Negotiated Improvement Goal | NA; in substantial conformity | |||||||||||
Renegotiated Improvement Goal | None | |||||||||||
Status (Enter the current quarter measurement for the reported quarter.) | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Q5 | Q6 | Q7 | Q8 | Q9 | Q10 | Q11 | Q12 |
NA | NA | NA | NA |
State: Anystate
Type of Report: PIP:___ Quarterly Report:_x_ (Quarter:_4_)
Date Submitted: September 30 2008
Permanency Outcome 1: Timeliness and Permanency of Reunification | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
National Standard | 122.6 | |||||||||||
Performance as Measured in Final Report/Source Data Period | 101.5/FY 2007 | |||||||||||
Performance as Measured in Baseline/Source Data Period | 103.0/FY 2008a | |||||||||||
Negotiated Improvement Goal | 106.0 | |||||||||||
Renegotiated Improvement Goal | None | |||||||||||
Status (Enter the current quarter measurement for the reported quarter.) | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Q5 | Q6 | Q7 | Q8 | Q9 | Q10 | Q11 | Q12 |
105.3 | 104.1 | 105.4 | 105.8 | |||||||||
Permanency Outcome 1: Timeliness of Adoptions | ||||||||||||
National Standard | 106.4 | |||||||||||
Performance as Measured in Final Report/Source Data Period | 94.3/FY 2007 | |||||||||||
Performance as Measured in Baseline/Source Data Period | 97.2/FY 2008a | |||||||||||
Negotiated Improvement Goal | 101.2 | |||||||||||
Renegotiated Improvement Goal | None | |||||||||||
Status (Enter the current quarter measurement for the reported quarter.) | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Q5 | Q6 | Q7 | Q8 | Q9 | Q10 | Q11 | Q12 |
98.7 | 101.2 (met) | Met Q2 | Met Q2 |
State: Anystate
Type of Report: PIP:___ Quarterly Report:_x_ (Quarter:_4_)
Date Submitted: September 30 2008
Permanency Outcome 1: Achieving Permanency for Children in Foster Care for Long Periods of Time | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
National Standard | 121.7 | |||||||||||
Performance as Measured in Final Report/Source Data Period | 89.2/FY 2007 | |||||||||||
Performance as Measured in Baseline/Source Data Period | 87.5/FY 2008a | |||||||||||
Negotiated Improvement Goal | 90.0 | |||||||||||
Renegotiated Improvement Goal | None | |||||||||||
Status (Enter the current quarter measurement for the reported quarter.) | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Q5 | Q6 | Q7 | Q8 | Q9 | Q10 | Q11 | Q12 |
87.7 | 87.9 | 87.2 | 87.5 | |||||||||
Permanency Outcome 1: Placement Stability | ||||||||||||
National Standard | 101.5 | |||||||||||
Performance as Measured in Final Report/Source Data Period | 91.3/FY 2007 | |||||||||||
Performance as Measured in Baseline/Source Data Period | 92.5/FY 2008a | |||||||||||
Negotiated Improvement Goal | 95.3 | |||||||||||
Renegotiated Improvement Goal | None | |||||||||||
Status (Enter the current quarter measurement for the reported quarter.) | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Q5 | Q6 | Q7 | Q8 | Q9 | Q10 | Q11 | Q12 |
93.4 | 90.1 | 90.9 | 92.3 |
State: Anystate
Type of Report: PIP:___ Quarterly Report:_x_ (Quarter:_4_)
Date Submitted: September 30 2008
Part C: Item-Specific and Quantitative Measurement Plan and Quarterly Status Report
Outcome/Systemic Factor:_____ Item:_____ | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Performance as Measured in Final Report | In 76% of cases reviewed, the agency conducted adequate risk assessments and safety management | |||||||||||
Performance as Measured in Baseline/Source Data Period | 80%/State Quarterly QA Q4 07 | |||||||||||
Negotiated Improvement Goal | In 82% of cases, the agency will conduct adequate risk assessments and safety management | |||||||||||
Method of Measuring Improvement | Case reviews and State quality assurance reviews | |||||||||||
Renegotiated Improvement Goal | ||||||||||||
Status (Enter the current quarter measurement for the reported quarter.) | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Q5 | Q6 | Q7 | Q8 | Q9 | Q10 | Q11 | Q12 |
74% | 73% | 75% | 77% |
State: Anystate
Type of Report: PIP:___ Quarterly Report:_x_ (Quarter:_4_)
Date Submitted: September 30 2008
Outcome: Permanency 1 Item: 7 | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Performance as Measured in Final Report | In 73% of cases reviewed, the agency established appropriate permanency goals for children or established goals in a timely manner | |||||||||||
Performance as Measured in Baseline/Source Data Period | 82%/State QA quarterly summary Q4 07 | |||||||||||
Negotiated Improvement Goal | The agency will establish appropriate permanency goals for children or establish goals in a timely manner, utilizing the upper limit of a 95% confidence interval and with percent improvement adjusted by base size | |||||||||||
Method of Measuring Improvement | State and local quality assurance reviews, minimum sample size 60 cases per quarter | |||||||||||
Renegotiated Improvement Goal | ||||||||||||
Status (Enter the current quarter measurement for the reported quarter.) | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Q5 | Q6 | Q7 | Q8 | Q9 | Q10 | Q11 | Q12 |
81% | 79% | 82% (met) | Met Q3 |
State: Anystate
Type of Report: PIP:___ Quarterly Report:_x_ (Quarter:_4_)
Date Submitted: September 30 2008
Outcome: Permanency 1 Item: 17 | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Performance as Measured in Final Report | In 66% of cases reviewed, the needs and services of children, parents, and/or foster parents had been or were being adequately addressed by the agency | |||||||||||
Performance as Measured in Baseline/Source Data Period | 72%/State QA quarterly summary Q4 07 | |||||||||||
Negotiated Improvement Goal | The needs and services of children, parents, and/or foster parents will be adequately addressed by the agency, utilizing the upper limit of a 95% confidence interval and with percent improvement adjusted by base size | |||||||||||
Method of Measuring Improvement | State and local quality assurance reviews, minimum sample size 60 cases per quarter | |||||||||||
Renegotiated Improvement Goal | ||||||||||||
Status (Enter the current quarter measurement for the reported quarter.) | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Q5 | Q6 | Q7 | Q8 | Q9 | Q10 | Q11 | Q12 |
70% | 68% | 71% | 71% |
State: Anystate
Type of Report: PIP:___ Quarterly Report:_x_ (Quarter:_4_)
Date Submitted: September 30 2008
Outcome: Child and Family Well-Being 1 Item: 18 | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Performance as Measured in Final Report | In 64% of applicable case records, the agency appropriately involved parents or children in developing the case plan | |||||||||||
Performance as Measured in Baseline/Source Data Period | 70%/statewide supervisory review reports/Q4 07 | |||||||||||
Negotiated Improvement Goal | The agency will appropriately involve parents or children in developing the case plan and demonstrate improvement, utilizing the upper limit of a 95% confidence interval with percent improvement adjusted by base size | |||||||||||
Method of Measuring Improvement | Statewide supervisory review reports with minimum sample size of 120 cases per quarter | |||||||||||
Renegotiated Improvement Goal | ||||||||||||
Status (Enter the current quarter measurement for the reported quarter.) | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Q5 | Q6 | Q7 | Q8 | Q9 | Q10 | Q11 | Q12 |
70% | 71% | 69% | 76% |
State: Anystate
Type of Report: PIP:___ Quarterly Report:_x_ (Quarter:_4_)
Date Submitted: September 30 2008
Systemic Factor: Case Review System Item: 26 | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Performance as Measured in Final Report | Area Needing Improvement | |||||||||||
Performance as Measured in Baseline/Source Data Period | 86%/State CRB aggregate quarterly reports/Q2 07 | |||||||||||
Negotiated Improvement Goal | 90% of cases will have court or administrative reviews occur at least every 6 months | |||||||||||
Method of Measuring Improvement | State CRB quarterly summary reports | |||||||||||
Renegotiated Improvement Goal | ||||||||||||
Status (Enter the current quarter measurement for the reported quarter.) | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Q5 | Q6 | Q7 | Q8 | Q9 | Q10 | Q11 | Q12 |
81% | 78% | 84% | 88% |
State: Anystate
Type of Report: PIP:___ Quarterly Report:_x_ (Quarter:_4_)
Date Submitted: September 30 2008
Systemic Factor: Case Review System Item: 27 | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Performance as Measured in Final Report | Area Needing Improvement | |||||||||||
Performance as Measured in Baseline/Source Data Period | 86%/State AOC aggregate annual reports, FY 07 | |||||||||||
Negotiated Improvement Goal | 90% statewide permanency hearing completion rate within 12 months | |||||||||||
Method of Measuring Improvement | State AOC aggregate annual reports | |||||||||||
Renegotiated Improvement Goal | ||||||||||||
Status (Enter the current quarter measurement for the reported quarter.) | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Q5 | Q6 | Q7 | Q8 | Q9 | Q10 | Q11 | Q12 |
NA | NA | NA | 89% |
Safety Outcome 1: Children are, first and foremost, protected from abuse and neglect.
Item 1. Timeliness of initiating investigations of reports of child maltreatment.
Item 2. Repeat maltreatment.
Data Indicator: Absence of Recurrence of Maltreatment
Data Indicator: Absence of Maltreatment of Children in Foster Care
Safety Outcome 2: Children are safely maintained in their homes whenever possible and appropriate.
Item 3. Services to family to protect child(ren) in home and prevent removal or re-entry into foster care.
Item 4. Risk assessment and safety management.
Permanency Outcome 1: Children have permanency and stability in their living situations.
Item 5. Foster care re-entries.
Item 6. Stability of foster care placement.
Item 7. Permanency goal for child.
Item 8. Reunification, guardianship, or permanent placement with relatives.
Item 9. Adoption.
Item 10. Other planned permanent living arrangement.
Permanency Composite 1: Timeliness and Permanency of Reunification
Permanency Composite 2: Timeliness of Adoptions
Permanency Composite 3: Achieving Permanency for Children in Foster Care for Long Periods of Time
Permanency Composite 4: Placement Stability
Permanency Outcome 2: The continuity of family relationships and connections is preserved for children.
Item 11. Proximity of foster care placement.
Item 12. Placement with siblings.
Item 13. Visiting with parents and siblings in foster care.
Item 14. Preserving connections.
Item 15. Relative placement.
Item 16. Relationship of child in care with parents.
Child and Family Well-Being Outcome 1: Families have enhanced capacity to provide for their children's needs.
Item 17. Needs and services of child, parents, foster parents.
Item 18. Child and family involvement in case planning.
Item 19. Caseworker visits with child.
Item 20. Caseworker visits with parents.
Child and Family Well-Being Outcome 2: Children receive appropriate services to meet their educational needs.
Item 21. Educational needs of the child.
Child and Family Well-Being Outcome 3: Children receive adequate services to meet their physical and mental health needs.
Item 22. Physical health of the child.
Item 23. Mental/behavioral health of the child.
Systemic Factor: Statewide Information System
Item 24. The State is operating a statewide information system that, at a minimum, can readily identify the legal status, demographic characteristics, location, and goals for the placement of every child who is (or within the immediately preceding 12 months, has been) in foster care.
Systemic Factor: Case Review System
Item 25. The State provides a process that ensures that each child has a written case plan to be developed jointly with the child's parent(s) that includes the required provisions.
Item 26. The State provides a process for the periodic review of the status of each child, no less frequently than once every 6 months, either by a court or by administrative review.
Item 27. The State provides a process that ensures that each child in foster care under the supervision of the State has a permanency hearing in a qualified court or administrative body no later than 12 months from the date the child entered foster care and no less frequently than every 12 months thereafter.
Item 28. The State provides a process for termination of parental rights proceedings in accordance with the provisions of the Adoption and Safe Families Act.
Item 29. The State provides a process for foster parents, pre-adoptive parents, and relative caregivers of children in foster care to be notified of, and have an opportunity to be heard in, any review or hearing held with respect to the child.
Systemic Factor: Quality Assurance System
Item 30. The State has developed and implemented standards to ensure that children in foster care are provided quality services that protect the safety and health of the children.
Item 31. The State is operating an identifiable quality assurance system that is in place in the jurisdictions where the services included in the Child and Family Services Plan are provided, evaluates the quality of services, identifies strengths and needs of the service delivery system, provides relevant reports, and evaluates implemented program improvement measures.
Systemic Factor: Staff and Provider Training
Item 32. The State is operating a staff development and training program that supports the goals and objectives in the Child and Family Services Plan, addresses services provided under titles IV-B and IV-E, and provides initial training for all staff who deliver these services.
Item 33. The State provides for ongoing training for staff that addresses the skills and knowledge base needed to carry out their duties with regard to the services included in the Child and Family Services Plan.
Item 34. The State provides training for current or prospective foster parents, adoptive parents, and staff of State licensed or approved facilities that care for children receiving foster care or adoption assistance under title IV-E that addresses the skills and knowledge base needed to carry out their duties with regard to foster and adopted children.
Systemic Factor: Service Array and Resource Development
Item 35. The State has in place an array of services that assess the strengths and needs of children and families and determine other service needs, address the needs of families in addition to individual children in order to create a safe home environment, enable children to remain safely with their parents when reasonable, and help children in foster and adoptive placements achieve permanency.
Item 36. The services in item 35 are accessible to families and children in all political jurisdictions covered in the State's Child and Family Services Plan.
Item 37. The services in item 35 can be individualized to meet the unique needs of children and families served by the agency.
Systemic Factor: Agency Responsiveness to the Community
Item 38. In implementing the provisions of the Child and Family Services Plan, the State engages in ongoing consultation with tribal representatives, consumers, service providers, foster care providers, the juvenile court, and other public and private child- and family-serving agencies and includes the major concerns of these representatives in the goals and objectives of the Child and Family Services Plan.
Item 39. The agency develops, in consultation with these representatives, Annual Progress and Services Reports pursuant to the Child and Family Services Plan.
Item 40. The State's services under the Child and Family Services Plan are coordinated with services or benefits of other Federal or federally assisted programs serving the same population.
Systemic Factor: Foster and Adoptive Parent Licensing, Recruitment, and Retention
Item 41. The State has implemented standards for foster family homes and child care institutions that are reasonably in accord with recommended national standards.
Item 42. The standards are applied to all licensed or approved foster family homes or child care institutions receiving title IV-E or IV-B funds.
Item 43. The State complies with Federal requirements for criminal background clearances as related to licensing or approving foster care and adoptive placements and has in place a case planning process that includes provisions for addressing the safety of foster care and adoptive placements for children.
Item 44. The State has in place a process for ensuring the diligent recruitment of potential foster and adoptive families who reflect the ethnic and racial diversity of children in the State for whom foster and adoptive homes are needed.
Item 45. The State has in place a process for the effective use of cross-jurisdictional resources to facilitate timely adoptive or permanent placements for waiting children.