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

esources as well as increased capacity at Level 4. In addition to resource development for specific levels of service, we are beginning to
identify placement needs based on geographical data.
6 th Quarter Federal Response: O9: State requested extension of completion date and revision of the benchmark in its Annual
Evaluation/Renegotiation Report.
O9: Q6 reporting is inconsistent with the action step.
7 th Quarter Report: The State did not request an extension of the completion date. The 6 th Quarter Report supports the revision of
the action step and the benchmark and demonstrates the State’s efforts to work jointly with other Departments and private providers to
identify the areas most in need of resource development and initiate development strategies to meet those needs.
The State believes that Q6 reporting is consistent with the revised action step. The LOC system is the State’s strategy to identify both
service gaps and geographical needs. Based on these identified areas of need, the State will be able to make recommendations for
budget priorities.
The State continues to implement the LOC system and gather data on areas in need of resource development. The LOC system has
just begun its 2 nd quarter of operation. Data collection remains in the initial stages.
8 th Quarter Report: Partially Achieved. The State is working to identify the areas most in need of resource development and to
begin development strategies to meet those needs.
Referral Central (www.referralcentral.net) is an on-line resource hosted by the Georgia Association of Homes and Services for
Children. Referral Central’s database includes information on First Placement Best Placement providers, Shelters, Family
Preservation providers, counseling services, psychiatric hospitals, foster and group homes and other services. This database is current.
Efforts are underway to make Referral Central an active on-line placement service for county departments. In the next few months
case managers will be able to enter a specific child’s profile and desired type of placement resource and receive back a listing of
providers able to meet the child’s needs. A long-range goal is to link Referral Central with CPRS so that specific placement
information will be available in CPRS. Another long-range goal of Referral Central is the development of a web based common
provider application.
The Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program has developed a hard copy Resource Guide giving site information for Family
Preservation, Family Support, and Time-Limited Reunification Services. The Guide includes a visual representation of sites across
Georgia. The entire Resource Guide is also available on-line (www.caresolutions.com).
Safe Futures – A Plan for Program Improvement
Georgia Department of Human Resources
November, 2004 Quarter 8 – Work Plan O Page 14