an overview georgia program improvement plan - Department of ...

2004.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
1 st Quarter Response: This was partially achieved. A study of the initial seven pilot FP/BP counties was completed in September
2002. A report of the findings will be available in February 2003. This study compares the seven pilot counties to non-participating
FP/BP counties. The study was conducted from January 1, 1998 through October 31, 2001 prior to the statewide implementation of
FB/BP assessments for all children entering foster care. Completion date December 2002.
In February 2001 counties were required to complete a comprehensive FP/BP assessment on all children entering care. A contractor
needs to be selected to conduct will be selected to conduct a study on the efficacy of FP/BP using data from all 159 counties.
2 nd Quarter Report: No report is due this quarter. Due to limited funds for contracts, this work group will meet to develop a survey
to capture types of placements needed and available and permanency plans of children based on FP/BP assessments.
2 nd Quarter Federal Response: How will this impact implementation?
3 rd Quarter Report: The Foster Care Unit is moving towards developing an access database to assist in identifying placement
resource gaps. The Division's implementation of the Assessment component of First Placement/Best Placement will continue to
provide information on needs and services of children, parents and foster parents for reporting.
4 th Quarter Report: A monthly-by-monthly report has not been implemented. An Access database has not been developed to assist in
identifying placement resource gaps, however with CPRS, tracking the types of placements recommended from the MDT will be
available in 12/03. Consideration will also be given to capturing the actual placement recommended and the actual type of placement
available for the child. Also through CPRS, information on permanency recommendations will be captured along with all information
recommended from the MDT meeting. Once, CPRS is updated with these features, a quarterly report will be feasible for the
department instead of a monthly report.
The department is moving toward a leveling system of all children when they enter foster care. This will entail an assessment of the
child's emotional and physical needs to determine an appropriate placement. The child will have a comprehensive child and family
assessment within thirty days of placement in foster care, which will reinforce the initial placement recommendation, or support the
need for an alternative placement.
4 th Quarter Federal Response: This has not been achieved. The completion date was December 2003. State requested for a change in
completion date to September 2004. RO would consider July 2004.
Safe Futures – A Plan for Program Improvement
Georgia Department of Human Resources
November, 2004 Quarter 8 - Work Plan I Page 10