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

next few weeks by a more in-depth two-day training on the new requirements. Several forms have been revised to better capture the
individual conditions and needs of each child.
Additions being made to CPS policy also include additional requirements for supervisor review and for supervisor and case manager
conferences and more documented joint decision making at key decision points. A copy of the enhancements to policy and procedure
that become effective next PIP quarter will be included with Georgia's next quarterly report. Another tool that will support this is a
newly developed Supervisor's Handbook that will be introduced to supervisors at the mandatory training beginning in October.
The pilot discussed in the 3 rd Quarter Report for Internet training began in October 2003.
DOCUMENTATION PROVIDED 4 TH Quarter:
(See attachment -- Form 455A Safety Assessment; Form 457 Risk Assessment). (See attachment -- Supervisor's Handbook)
5 th Quarter Report: Achieved. Additional policy and procedure changes pertaining to Safety and Risk (MT 2003-05) and Suspicions
of Child Maltreatment (MT 2003-07) are written and in the field. These changes strengthen the review process for screening out a
report, helps the case manager to better individualize each child's safety needs, require a risk assessment on every investigation (both
substantiated and unsubstantiated) and strengthens supervisor requirements at all major decision points. Policy now requires that every
report, received from a mandated reporter on any age child, will be opened for investigation. A reporter's reasonable suspicions or
concerns are sufficient to accept the report and to begin an investigation.
5 th Quarter DOCUMENTATION: (See Attachments -- MT 2003-05 and MT 2003-07)
BARRIERS TO ACHIEVEMENT:
Additional policy and procedure will add to the responsibilities of CPS staff, whose numbers continue below what is needed to
adequately handle the number of CPS cases in the state. It is anticipated that training on Domestic Violence policy/procedure will
alleviate some of these concerns. Preplanning for the pilot for DV policy is underway in two selected counties. Meetings with DFCS,
local law enforcement and other community players have begun.
3rd Quarter: The department has designated funding ($60,000 for each county) to assist with this pilot. Each county will demonstrate
a different approach to piloting policy. One county will pilot a 'first responder' concept, for which the additional funding will provide
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Safe Futures – A Plan for Program Improvement
Georgia Department of Human Resources
March, 2004 Quarter 5 - Work Plan B Page 4