an overview georgia program improvement plan - Department of ...
an overview georgia program improvement plan - Department of ...
an overview georgia program improvement plan - Department of ...
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Established more flexible hours <strong>an</strong>d locations to accommodate scheduling <strong>of</strong> visits.<br />
Item 17, Needs <strong>an</strong>d Services <strong>of</strong> Child, Parents, Foster Parents<br />
There were originally 14 action steps on “Needs <strong>an</strong>d Services <strong>of</strong> Child, Parents, Foster Parents”. All were achieved except two. Item 17 is largely dependent upon the completion<br />
<strong>of</strong> Qualitative Case Reviews conducted by the Evaluation <strong>an</strong>d Reporting Section. This indicator was applied to 106 records. Eighty-one received a strength rating (76.42%).<br />
Ninety-nine <strong>of</strong> the cases received <strong>an</strong> FP/BP assessment <strong>an</strong>d Wrap Around <strong>an</strong>d other services were identified <strong>an</strong>d provided to address the needs in the case pl<strong>an</strong>. There were 25<br />
cases in which areas needing <strong>improvement</strong> were identified; <strong>an</strong>d in all 25 cases the issue was inadequate service provision.<br />
Issues: While CPRS was enh<strong>an</strong>ced to include the FP/BP assessment, the reporting function has not been developed to help identify gaps in service. The effort to produce reports is<br />
still underway.<br />
Item 18: Child <strong>an</strong>d Family Involvement in Case Pl<strong>an</strong>ning<br />
The QCR (Cumulative Report for October 2003 – September 2004) reveals that family involvement in case pl<strong>an</strong>ning is a strength in 65% <strong>of</strong> the cases reviewed. While a majority<br />
<strong>of</strong> records indicated that the agency actively involved the family in the case pl<strong>an</strong>ning process, a signific<strong>an</strong>t percent (35%) were not in compli<strong>an</strong>ce with this requirement.<br />
The following steps related to family involvement in case pl<strong>an</strong>ning have been taken in order enh<strong>an</strong>ce a family’s capacity to provide for<br />
the needs <strong>of</strong> its children:<br />
Both Georgia statute <strong>an</strong>d DFCS policy require that the parents be provided written notice <strong>of</strong> the case-pl<strong>an</strong>ning meeting so that they c<strong>an</strong> participate. Such notice is<br />
required at least five calendar days in adv<strong>an</strong>ce <strong>of</strong> the meeting <strong>an</strong>d includes not only the logistics <strong>of</strong> the meeting, but also critical information concerning how the pl<strong>an</strong> will<br />
be considered by the court for incorporation into <strong>an</strong> order.<br />
Training to reinforce the involvement <strong>of</strong> the child <strong>an</strong>d family in case pl<strong>an</strong>ning has targeted three “key players” who are responsible for ensuring family involvement:<br />
1. DFCS staff: A training curriculum based on CWLA core competencies <strong>of</strong> family-centered practice was developed. As <strong>of</strong> April 2004, a revised New Worker<br />
Training curriculum, which is considered more relev<strong>an</strong>t to the learning needs <strong>of</strong> case m<strong>an</strong>agement staff, was implemented.<br />
2. Judges: Judges have been surveyed twice about the inclusion <strong>of</strong> parents <strong>an</strong>d children in pl<strong>an</strong>ning. The PIP findings regarding this measure have been presented at<br />
conferences to improve their underst<strong>an</strong>ding <strong>an</strong>d awareness. A judge’s list serv has also been set up for accessing information about this measure.<br />
Safe Futures – A Pl<strong>an</strong> for Program Improvement<br />
Georgia <strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong> Hum<strong>an</strong> Resources<br />
November, 2004 Quarter 8 – Table <strong>of</strong> Contents Page xiii