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

1 st Quarter Report: This goal was inadvertently marked as "completed" on the federally approved PIP Work Plan Detail Table -
Appendix O. However, the date of September 2003 remains the same. The work group met several times to develop specific tasks and
review the findings of Governor Barnes' Action Group for Out of Home Placement. Method for measuring achievement: A
comprehensive list of commercially available risk assessment and mental health assessment tools with validation reports is needed for
comparison and selection. Validation risk and mental health assessment and diagnosis tools will be selected and agreed upon. Actions
for next quarter: 1. Meet with work team to compile list of commercially available validation tools. 2. Review tools currently in use
within the State agencies. 3. Determine what tools will be selected for risk assessment, mental health, and mental retardation and
substance abuse assessments.
2 nd Quarter Report: A comprehensive list of commercially available risk assessment and mental health assessment tools with
validation reports is needed for comparison and selection. Representatives from DFCS, Division of Mental Health, Developmental
Disability and Addictive Disease (MHDDAD), Department of Public Health (DPH) and Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) have
met regularly throughout this reporting period to explore common screening and assessment tools. The screening and assessment tools
of each agency were inventoried and compared including brief descriptions, reason for use and what age or issues each tool was
appropriate to address. This effort continues; however, it does not appear that a standard single assessment will result for all agencies'
usage. There needs to be a choice depending on the age and issues of the child as well as ensuring that the requirements imposed by
the accreditation bodies of each agency are met. It is clear that many of the same instruments are used by several agencies. Thus, the
work group plans will also focus on how to reduce duplicative efforts by sharing screening and assessment information.
3 rd Quarter Report: Due to changes in staff and leadership for this action step additional time is required for review of the
screening and assessment tools inventoried earlier. Once the tools are categorized discussions may continue as to how best to
encourage agencies to accept each others assessments if they are timely and meet the presenting needs of the children.
3 rd Quarter Federal Response: Above statement appears to be a barrier to achievement.
5 th Quarter Report: Achieved. A list of screening and assessment tools within State Government is developed.
5 th Quarter DOCUMENTATION:
Developmental Screening and Screening Tools (Including Mental Health) Within State Government.
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 O Page 6