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

the Division. The review should be complete prior to the close of this PIP reporting period. An outcome of the States’ review should
help in determining the need to change policy as it relates to improved outcomes for needs and services.
8 th Quarter Report: Achieved. As the QCR process continues, areas with significant declines or lack of improvement will be
targeted for new worker and on-going training and applicable policy changes. A memorandum outlining these areas was developed to
support the Education and Training Services Section in planning didactic offerings as well as for the regions to assist them in planning
remedial supportive efforts. The memo addressed case planning deficiencies, lack of understanding of permanency options/planning,
need for cross training of CPS and placement case managers, and training in the early identification of relative resources.
The entire foster parent policy was revised and released in September 2004. This section focuses on the training and evaluation of
foster parents. The policy and the companion pre-service training, IMPACT, is expected to positively impact Item 06:Stability of
Foster Care Placement (emphasis in pre-service training), Item 17: Needs and Services to (Child, Parents and) Foster Parents (preservice
and on-going training), and Item 02: Repeat Maltreatment (strengthen assessment and pre-service training). Additionally,
updated foster care policy on provisions and procedures for referral of a child under the age of 3 who is involved in a substantiated
case of child abuse or neglect to early intervention services has been released. The IMPACT curriculum and Social Services Policy
1014 has been previously submitted as documentation 7 th Quarter Item 2.
8 th Quarter DOCUMENTATION: November 4, 2004 Memorandum from the State Social Services Section Director to Education
and Training Services Section and Managers of Field Operations regarding QCR findings and training recommendations.
BARRIERS TO ACHIEVEMENT:
I16 ACTION STEPS:
START
DATE
COMPLETION
DATE
Test whether needs and services to children and families changes after training and policy changes.
5 th Quarter Report: Per Annual Evaluation / Renegotiation Report request to change Action Step to read:
'Determine' whether needs and services to children and families changes after training and policy changes.
Reason: The word 'test' implies a more formal research effort than was intended.
RESPONSIBLE
PERSON(S)
MEASURABLE
BENCHMARKS
Safe Futures – A Plan for Program Improvement
Georgia Department of Human Resources
November, 2004 Quarter 8 - Work Plan I Page 16