Safe Futures A Plan for Program Improvement - Department of ...
Safe Futures A Plan for Program Improvement - Department of ...
Safe Futures A Plan for Program Improvement - Department of ...
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Services are currently available to families in 143 counties statewide. Service accessibility has been enhanced through delivery in a<br />
variety <strong>of</strong> community-based settings including, Family Resource Centers, Schools, Domestic Violence Shelters, Residential and Day<br />
Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities, Hospitals, Therapeutic Treatment Facilities, CASAs, Colleges <strong>of</strong> Social Work, Church based<br />
organizations and community-based Family Visitation centers throughout the state.<br />
In January 2002, Governor Roy Barnes convened 32 individuals representing public and private sectors to the Governor's Action<br />
Group <strong>for</strong> <strong>Safe</strong> Children to assess and develop a plan <strong>for</strong> safe placements <strong>for</strong> children in state custody. The assessment included the<br />
immediate availability <strong>of</strong> foster homes, medially fragile foster homes and therapeutic foster homes. The Action Group met from<br />
January through August 2002 to develop findings and recommendations.<br />
2 nd Quarter Report: Achievement. The number <strong>of</strong> agencies required to conduct a thorough assessment <strong>of</strong> all existing support<br />
resources requires the full input <strong>of</strong> several DHR Divisions and child and family advocacy agencies.<br />
2 nd Quarter Federal Response: (THIS STATEMENT APPEARS TO BE A BARRIER TO ACHIEVEMENT) Coordination<br />
with the <strong>of</strong>fice <strong>of</strong> Evaluation and Reporting and the Barton Law Clinic has been requested to facilitate the analysis and documentation<br />
<strong>of</strong> statewide service array, accessibility and geographic distribution.<br />
2 nd Quarter Federal Response: HAVE YOU ACHIEVED THIS TASK?<br />
3 rd Quarter Report/Georgia's Reply: No, the task has not been achieved. Work is in progress.<br />
3 rd Quarter Federal Response: 3 rd . Qtr progress?<br />
4 th Quarter Report: The state expects to renegotiate this action step.<br />
5 th Quarter Report: Achieved. The comprehensive assessment conducted January through August 2002 by the Governor's Action<br />
Group <strong>for</strong> <strong>Safe</strong> Children satisfies the requirements <strong>of</strong> this action step. The Action Group, which was comprised <strong>of</strong> leaders from state<br />
agencies, the judiciary, service providers and advocacy organizations was charged with developing an action plan to assess the current<br />
continuum <strong>of</strong> placements, services and supports <strong>for</strong> children in care. The assessment included the immediate availability <strong>of</strong> foster<br />
homes, prevention, early intervention, crisis intervention support services including mental health and treatment services <strong>for</strong> children<br />
in care. Many <strong>of</strong> the findings and recommendations put <strong>for</strong>th by this task <strong>for</strong>ce have been incorporated into the states Child and<br />
Family Service <strong>Plan</strong> and are reflected in the states plan <strong>for</strong> program improvement. A PDF file copy <strong>of</strong> the Action Group's Final Report<br />
can be accessed on-line at www.opb.state.ga.us/safekids<br />
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<strong>Safe</strong> <strong>Futures</strong> – A <strong>Plan</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>Program</strong> <strong>Improvement</strong><br />
Georgia <strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong> Human Resources<br />
March, 2004 Quarter 5 – Work <strong>Plan</strong> Q Page 2