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

6 th Quarter Report: The second QCR indicates that of the 36 cases to which this indicator applied, 23 (63.89%) were rated as a
strength. For more details please see the attached QCR report.
6 th Quarter DOCUMENTATION: Social Services Quarterly Report, Qualitative Case Reviews, January 2004 - March 2004
6 th Quarter Federal Response: J1: The State reports as achieved in Q5based upon QCR results which are inconsistent with the
benchmark. Q5 reporting is also inconsistent with the request to renegotiate completion date to 7/04.
J1: State is requesting another renegotiation to change the benchmark to 'use QCR's…as an ongoing measure.' It appears as if the State
consistently requests changes until it finds something achievable. They have gotten far away from the sound initial goal of 'surveying
staff to measure understanding' which would provide the basis of practice change.
7 th Quarter Report: In the 6 th Quarter, the State had requested a change in the benchmark for this action step. It appears that the
federal response was to continue using the benchmark of “surveying staff” about family centered practice as a more effective way of
measuring understanding. Beginning April 2004, the State’s training curriculum again underwent a major revision. While based on
family-centered practices, it is too early to “measure” staff understanding of family involvement. The first certification class had not
completed the 16 weeks of our new worker training process. Again, the State asserts that the Qualitative Case Review (QCR)
measures the understanding of staff through direct practice; i.e., the actual involvement of families as measured by case record
reading and child and family interviews. The cumulative results of the QCR dated October 2003 - June 2004, indicates that 48 cases
(70.59%) out of 68 cases read rated involvement of the family as strength. Improvement has been demonstrated from the last QCR
reporting period. The QCR is an on-going measure of this action step. The second QCR included the States’ largest county. This
may attribute to the decreased percentage. The State recognizes the decline in Well-being outcome 1 and will continue to emphasize
the good practice of child and family involvement in case planning.
There has been a steady increase in the number of children entering the foster care system, which increases the case manager to client
ratio. This too may have a negative impact on the involvement of child and family in case planning indicator. Additionally, the State
has an abundance of new case managers and supervisors. The Division’s restructure, relocated former State Office staff to Regions as
Specialists, to assist in case consultation and training. These positions became effective July 1, 2004. Results of the QCRs will be
shared with the Regional Specialist to reinforce policy, new worker training and other state training initiatives.
7 th Quarter DOCUMENTATION: See Social Service Report, Qualitative Case Reviews (October 2003 – June 2004).
8 th Quarter Report: Achieved. The state's training curriculum Module 4 Case Planning is designed to include child and family
involvement in case planning. A revised training curriculum (see 7 th Quarter Report) is now being implemented and is comprised of
two methods of training: an Internet application and a core program. Both incorporate family-centered practices, and include training
content regarding the mutuality of case plan development. Included are questions, which are designed to measure the trainees’
Safe Futures – A Plan for Program Improvement
Georgia Department of Human Resources
November, 2004 Quarter 8 – Work Plan J Page 3