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