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

Training initiative for DFCS and DPH local and regional staff on policy and practice issues related to Babies Can’t Wait, Children 1 st and Health Check services.
The QCR rated this indicator as a strength in 86.27% of the applicable cases reviewed. In the cases needing improvement, all lacked evidence of appropriate medical and dental
care.
FP/BP “Back to Basics” Training: During FFY 2003, revisions and modifications were made to FP/BP policies and procedures to assure providers, staff, courts and other
stakeholders consistently utilize the FP/BP assessment process in case planning and service delivery. In July 2002, Foster Care Staff began training DFCS staff and providers on
the revised FP/BP Assessment and Wrap-Around policies and standards. Foster Parents, judges, and court appointed special advocates (CASA) also received FP/BP training.
The training provided information on how to translate and integrate the assessment information into clear case plan goals and how to conduct family conferences. DFCS staff and providers together were instructed on when
and how to use wrap around services for children and families and how to conduct and approve relative care placements and subsidies.
More than 2,141 staff and providers received training delivered in 17 sessions across the state. Additional Advanced Skills Training and technical assistance was provided in
FFY2003 to over 2,900 providers, county and state office staff and other stakeholders. This training was designed to increase the level of consistency in FP/BP implementation for
all providers statewide. Statewide training concluded for County Staff in February 2003, and has now been incorporated into new worker training.
Back to Basics and Advanced Skills Training is provided on an ongoing basis to individuals interested in becoming approved FP/BP Providers. Approximately 180 individuals
attended six sessions in 2003 and 2004 in Macon and Atlanta.
First Placement/Best Placement Re-enrollment Process for providers: Before the re-enrollment of FP/BP providers, there were 110 approved providers delivering a full-continuum of First Placement/Best Placement services.
Provider re-enrollment procedures were established in 2003 to include an assessment of experience, a qualitative review of assessments, and a thorough review of credentialing information for employees providing
assessment and therapeutic services. Re-enrollment was initiated in March 2003 and concluded June 30, 2003. There were approximately 71 applications received from Private Providers across the state. At the conclusion
of the process, there were approximately 73 Private Provider agencies approved to deliver a full continuum of FP/BP services.
With the new enrollment/re-enrollment process the quality of the assessment information has improved. To date there are ninety-eight (98) approved providers to support FP/BP
service delivery.
Safe Futures – A Plan for Program Improvement
Georgia Department of Human Resources
November, 2004 Quarter 8 – Table of Contents Page xvii