Safe Futures A Plan for Program Improvement - Department of ...

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
1 st and 2 nd t Quarter Reports: Four Foster Care staff has been assigned to work with county staff and other stakeholders on this
action step for foster care indicators. Staff needs to be trained on the qualitative review process.
3 rd Quarter Report: Achieved. We believe that the attached report 'First Placement/Best Placement Evaluation Final Conclusions'
dated February 1, 2003, completed by Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, addresses the review of the First
Placement/Best Placement Assessment Model. Descriptive statistics were completed to assess the following primary program
evaluation measures: 1). Whether or not children received the placement recommended by the multi-disciplinary team after the
assessment. 2). The stability of placements. 3). The length of time children spend 'in care' from time of removal. Additionally, the
qualitative case review process will indirectly tell us about our assessment practice in Georgia.
3 rd Quarter Federal Response: What about on site case reviews of 50 selected random cases?
4 th Quarter Reply/Report: We believe the Qualitative Reviews will provide insight on Georgia's First Placement/Best Placement
approach to the assessment process, especially as it relates to the needs and services of the child, family and foster parents. Three
counties have been selected by E&R to begin their review. Clayton Franklin and Lowndes counties are designated as the first selected
counties to receive the review.
4 th Quarter Federal Response: This has not been achieved and is related to the QA process. See questions/concerns noted above
under Step I6.
5 th Quarter Report: Per Annual Evaluation / Renegotiation Report this step is requested to be deleted due to the limited resources of
the State to secure a contractor to perform an analysis of the Comprehensive Child and Family Assessments model (First Placement
Best Placement). Additionally, State staff resources are not sufficient to undertake such an effort. Deletion of this step does not
adversely impact the goals. The Qualitative Case Review (I-6) process should provide the State with information regarding whether or
not the needs and services of the child, parent and foster parents are being adequately assessed. As mentioned under action step I6, at
least 100 cases will undergo Qualitative Case Review by September 2004. The initial counties only represented the first round of
reviews.
BARRIERS TO ACHIEVEMENT:
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Safe Futures – A Plan for Program Improvement
Georgia Department of Human Resources
March, 2004 Quarter 5 - Work Plan I Page 13