CFSR Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
August 18, 2010
Present:
Susan Savage, Deputy Director; Debi Word, Lincoln University School of Social Work; Sally Belt, Foster Parent, Retired Teacher; Phyllis Hackman, Foster Parent; Sally Gaines, Older Youth PDS, Kirk Schreiber, Children’s Trust Fund; Clark Peters, University of Missouri, Columbia, School of Social Work; Teresa Hayner, Good Shepherd Family Services; Keith Noble, Alternative Opportunities; LeAnn Haslag, Interdepartmental Initiative Unit Manager; Beth Dessem, CASA; Tom Schlimpert, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education; Kim Abbott, OSCA FCI lead; Ryan Dowis, Cornerstones of Care; Nancy Blue, Heart of American Indian Center; Becky Porter, CFSR Lead.
State Update:
Susan Savage, Deputy Director, updated the group on the current budget situation for the state. Currently, no definite cuts have been made to Children’s Division; however, there is a 600 million dollar shortfall in the state budget so cuts are expected. Proposed legislation for the upcoming legislative session is not yet known. Paula Neese, Children’s Division Director, will be leaving September 24th. A nationwide search is underway to fill her position. The target for a start date for the new Director is October 1. The hiring freeze has been lifted and CD has been able to fill a number of vacant positions. Susan also reported the CSFR review went well and Missouri is being considered a model state on many areas of the CSFR.
Discussion on CFSR Advisory Committee Direction:
Becky Porter pointed out the review went well and the National Resource Center is utilizing Missouri’s model for this CFSR advisory committee, the QA/QI structure, and the Supervision Advisory Committee for possible implementation in other states. Missouri submitted an entry to CWLA and won the Walter E. Trieschmann award for the Supervision Advisory Committee structure and uniqueness.
Becky Porter passed out an article entitled, The Advisory Committee Advantage. Creating an Effective Strategy for Programmatic Improvement. ERIC Digest. Each element mentioned in the article represents an effective advisory committee and this committee meets most of the elements. This article serves as a "check and balance" or barometer in determining if this committee is on the right track. According to this article, the committee seems to be on the correct course for success.
The group reviewed its next steps and direction, such as, brainstorming to inform the Program Improvement Plan (PIP), reviewing and understanding the PIP, monitoring the PIP providing continual recommendations. In addition, there will be recommendations sought for the Title IV-B Plan which, since the CFSR on-site is over, will be merged with the PIP and the five year plan. One of the new elements for the Title IVB is the Fostering Connections Act of 2007, requiring in particular, the health care requirements. Transitioning youth are required to receive health care counseling.
Building the PIP
The final report from the CSFR should be available around August 28, 2010. Becky Porter handed out a CSFR results overview which identified the strengths, needs and foundation for program improvement planning. A short discussion was held with the group regarding the educational needs federal requirement. Children in foster care should have school records information (IEP’s etc.) in their file; however, these are sometimes missing. Several suggestions were provided for ensuring the communication between children’s services worker and foster parents does not break down around educational records. These suggestions include the use of thumb drives storing school information to a checklist or an alert system which draws the CD worker’s attention to the missing information and the need to enter it into the system.
Another area of need noted was the lack of services available to women suffering from domestic violence. This finding came from the on-site review findings in a particular area of the state. The group suggested Colleen Cobble be invited to come to the next meeting to consider this issue and possible solutions.
A handout, "Building the PIP", was shared which provided a framework CD is using for the second round PIP. The first step in this structure is to identify PIP issues and set up feedback loops which are solution focused. After feedback has been solicited a Strategic Focus Committee will filter through the possible solutions and craft out strategies. A CFSR committee member is needed to be a part of the Strategic Planning Committee on September 29 and 30th in Jefferson City. Becky indicated the nominees should be someone who is familiar with CSFR and the child welfare arena as a whole and preferably have national knowledge. The group nominated Keith Noble and he accepted.
Discussion began about goals or benchmark for the PIP and how this may be carried out statewide. As soon as PIP bench marks are set, the Quality Assurance /Quality Improvement units will assist in monitoring and strategizing. Then the group suggested an invite to Linda Miller for the November meeting to update the group on Accreditation activities.
Group Breakouts:
There were 3 breakout groups who addressed the following areas:
- Timely reunification;
- Increasing oversight of practice; and,
- Strengthening of family involvement.
Each group worked for approximately 30 minutes then reported their findings back to the group at large. The recommendations of the workgroups will be considered by the Strategic Focus Committee as possible PIP strategies.
Future Meetings 2011:
The February meeting was moved from 2/16 to 2/9 due to a conflict. Other meetings in 2011 will be May 18, August 17 and November 16.
Meeting Adjourned.