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

12-30-02 and proposal approved by 1-31-03. Actions to be taken next quarter: Submit proposal for approval; select contractor;
completion of the comparative analysis of DFCS and ORS standards/policy for licensure of foster homes by contractor; and
submission of written report. Follow-up meeting coordinated by contractor to review comparative analysis & make recommendations
for change re: outcomes of comparative analysis of uniform licensing standards.
2 nd Quarter Report: Meeting held with GAHSC, ORS, and DFCS. Decision made to research states (Winifred Abdullah) that have
transitioned from duel to uniform licensing standards for foster-adoptive homes to obtain feedback on what the process involves. A
written Request for Proposal to outsource the completion of a comparative analysis of DFCS and ORS licensing standards completed
and approved by social services. Method of measuring achievement: A report of research findings completed and presented to PIP
committee. Proposal selected for implementation of the comparative analysis.
3 rd Quarter Report: 1. Nine states were contacted regarding licensure standards (for public and private agencies). All nine indicated
the use of uniform licensing standards for all family foster homes (public and privately operated). None was aware of having used
separate standards. 2. The agency's IV-E Foster Home Standards Committee agreed to adopt ORS' (private agency standards)
Minimum Standards for Family Foster Homes to guide DFCS's approval of family foster homes. A draft of these standards is being
reviewed by the state's Quality Task Force after which it will be reviewed by the Director's Management Team for consensus. 3. Due
to funding constraints in outsourcing the completion of the comparative analysis of DFCS and ORS standards, this strategy was
abandoned and a member of the PIP Group completed a basic comparison of the two standards. See Attachments entitled Minimum
Standards for Family Foster Homes (DRAFT) and A comparison of DFCS and ORS Minimum Standards for Family Foster Home
Approval.
4 th Quarter Report: The draft of the Minimum Standards for Family Foster Homes was presented to the Management Team for
feedback and approval on September 9 th . Revisions in content suggested in order alleviating any confusion in implementation of
standards by local county agencies. Revisions due by October 31, 2003.
4 th Quarter Federal Response: What is the status of the State making recommendations on exploring the development of uniform
licensing standards? Recommendations based on information gathered in this action step appear to be pending (Completion date is
April 2004).
5 th Quarter Report: Achieved. The state has achieved the exploration of this action step, with outcomes as follows: 1) a workgroup
was established to review DFCS and ORS licensing standards. 2) A comparison of the two standards was completed, reviewed by the
committee for comments/changes. A copy was submitted with the 3 rd Quarter report. 3) Recommendation was made by the DFCS IV-
E policy committee that we revise our Minimum Standards for Foster Homes to more closely parallel those of ORS, while
simultaneously reducing our foster home IV-E errors. The state's QTF and Management Team reviewed the draft, with
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Safe Futures – A Plan for Program Improvement
Georgia Department of Human Resources
March, 2004 Quarter 5 – Work Plan R Page 2