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

data reported from the system and the on site review.
START
DATE
COMPLETION
DATE
RESPONSIBLE
PERSON(S)
MEASURABLE
BENCHMARKS
May 2002 May 2003 Shirley Vassey, Kathy Herren Provide report of findings to team.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
1st Quarter Report This benchmark was partially achieved. In examining the methodology for collection of this data, the
procedures for calculation of this data was correct. The findings in the onsite review differed from the calculations of the data due to
incomplete data fields in the data files. Further examination revealed the case managers were not reporting a change in the AFCARS
data with each move of the child. To alleviate this problem a validation has been placed in the database to force the case manager to
input the date of placement in the current foster care setting each time a change is made in any AFCARS field. A second check and
balance to this item is the change in the data collection to include the name of the foster home/institutional placement as well as the
names of the children in the home. A report generated from these two items will provide a history of placements from this time
forward. Another step in evaluating the data involves how Georgia's placement changes are calculated for the AFCARS submission in
comparison with other states. This comparison indicated variation in the ways the child's placement moves are calculated as well as
diversity in the child welfare population in AFCARS. Since placement stability in foster care is such an important factor, Georgia will
continue to be aware of any concerns or directives on data comparability issues in conjunction with meeting the national standard.
2 nd Quarter Report - A change in the completion was approved. No report due for this quarter.
3rd Quarter Report: Achieved. The methodology was examined and the data discrepancy was resolved. See 1 st quarter report.
8 th Quarter Report: Achieved. Per ACF 7 th quarter request to clarify what was done: A pop-up box was added as an edit check to
ask "did the child's placement change". This appears with any change in the child's data in the system. The 1 st quarterly PIP report for
this Action Step provided a report to the work team for this action step and accomplished the benchmark.
BARRIERS TO ACHIEVEMENT:
C4 ACTION STEPS:
Revise and distribute policy definition of how to count a placement move for AFCARS.
Safe Futures – A Plan for Program Improvement
Georgia Department of Human Resources
November, 2004 Quarter 8 - Work Plan C Page 2