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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DFCS county departments by 7/2003.<br />
Evaluation: The Social Services (Foster Care) Manual is<br />
updated to reflect any new agency directives regarding the<br />
granting <strong>of</strong> waivers by 7/2003<br />
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:<br />
1 st Quarter Report: 1. Core workgroup met to discuss implications <strong>of</strong> this Action Step and agreed that this item would be addressed<br />
as part <strong>of</strong> the overall review <strong>for</strong> uni<strong>for</strong>m licensing standards.<br />
2 nd Quarter Report: 1. This item was addressed during the quarter. It was determined by the group that both ORS and DFCS grant<br />
waivers <strong>for</strong> required foster home standards. Both require that the home, however, meet the intended purpose <strong>of</strong> the rule or policy<br />
through the implementation <strong>of</strong> equivalent procedures. The primary difference here is in the level at which waivers are granted. Only<br />
ORS grants waivers and DFCS County Directors are able to grant most waivers. The difference in the process <strong>of</strong> granting waivers lies<br />
in the overall structure and function <strong>of</strong> the two agencies (DFCS & ORS): DFCS agency directors are given greater autonomy in<br />
approving homes, but this authority is guided by state policies and procedures. It was the consensus <strong>of</strong> the group that this Action Step,<br />
in and <strong>of</strong> itself, is not relevant; however, this discrepancy in procedures would be resolved with establishment <strong>of</strong> uni<strong>for</strong>m licensing<br />
standards. Method <strong>for</strong> measuring achievement: DFCS and ORS policies governing waivers reviewed and discussed, with any<br />
discrepancies or possible resolution noted.<br />
3 rd Quarter Report: Achieved.<br />
4 th Quarter Federal Response: Has the State revised and implement policy changes? ACF has a concern regarding waiver <strong>of</strong><br />
minimum standard requirements <strong>of</strong> Foster Home. It appears the evaluation piece <strong>of</strong> this item is not complete (Completion date is April<br />
2004).<br />
5 th Quarter Report: Achieved. Georgia, as with other states, provides some flexibility in the implementation <strong>of</strong> policy by way <strong>of</strong><br />
waivers. Policy directive 1015 gives county directors this authority and indicates that only under unusual or exceptional situations is it<br />
permissible <strong>for</strong> the director or the director's designee <strong>for</strong> that agency to waive a policy requirement. The written request, along with<br />
justification <strong>for</strong> the request and assurances that in all other respects, the home is able to maintain the required standards <strong>of</strong> health,<br />
safety and well being <strong>of</strong> the child being served is submitted to the director <strong>for</strong> approval. No waivers are allowed <strong>for</strong> standards<br />
established by local or state governing bodies regarding established safety and health codes.<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> R Page 4