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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Item 9, Adoption:<br />
Georgia’s Program Improvement Pl<strong>an</strong> identified 27 action steps to be taken in <strong>an</strong> effort to achieve the goal <strong>of</strong> 19.1% <strong>of</strong> children being adopted in 24 months or less from their last<br />
foster care entry. For FFY 2004, quarter 4 the percentage was 19.67. Although this is the first time the rate has reached its goal level, there are other indicators related to length <strong>of</strong><br />
time to achieve adoption finalization that look promising. We are also pleased to note that the number <strong>of</strong> finalized adoptions for SFY 2004 increased by 24% from the previous<br />
year <strong>an</strong>d represents <strong>an</strong> all time high (1,246) for Georgia. The QCR rated this indicator as 65.69% compli<strong>an</strong>t.<br />
There are two other measures the state was reviewing:<br />
Reduce time from TPR to registration <strong>of</strong> child’s life history from average (FFY 2000) <strong>of</strong> 10.17 months to six months by June 2004. The FFY 2004 average was 5.77<br />
months.<br />
Reduce time from child’s adoptive placement to finalization from the average <strong>of</strong> 7.56 months to six months by June 2004. The FFY 2004 average was 4.42 months.<br />
We established the following goals to increase the percent <strong>of</strong> children adopted within 24 months <strong>of</strong> their last entry into care:<br />
1. Reduce lengthy time period to file TPR (Termination <strong>of</strong> Parental Rights).<br />
2. Reduce lengthy time periods to finalize adoptions.<br />
3. Expedite movement <strong>of</strong> children from foster care to adoption finalization.<br />
4. Determine if court delays are impacting length <strong>of</strong> time to achieve adoption.<br />
5. Inform foster parents <strong>of</strong> service options available to them if they adopt.<br />
GOAL: REDUCE LENGTHY TIME PERIOD TO FILE TPR (Action Steps E-1 to E-8)<br />
According to the Trend Analysis Report for SFY 2003, in 71% <strong>of</strong> the cases reviewed, the agency filed timely to terminate parental rights or documented compelling reasons why<br />
TPR was not in the best interest <strong>of</strong> the child. The quarterly Qualitative Case Reviews have identified <strong>an</strong> area that continues to need <strong>improvement</strong>--delays in filing the petition to<br />
terminate rights. Other areas needing <strong>improvement</strong> are court hearings being continued <strong>an</strong>d issues related to case m<strong>an</strong>agers (staff vac<strong>an</strong>cies <strong>an</strong>d ch<strong>an</strong>ges/turnover.).<br />
The following strategies were developed <strong>an</strong>d implemented to improve accountability <strong>an</strong>d compli<strong>an</strong>ce with policies <strong>an</strong>d procedures related to the filing <strong>of</strong> TPR:<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 – Table <strong>of</strong> Contents Page vi