December 2010 A word from Richard gold Page 1

Congratulations for the great start in implementing change at the local level which is critical to the achievement of positive child, youth and family outcomes, particularly in a state-supervised and county-administered child welfare system. A well-developed Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) process is a vehicle to Inside this issue: continue to drive change forward in Pennsylvania. But CQI is not a time-limited project or initiative. The National Resource Center A Word From Richard 2 for Organizational Improvement and Casey Family Programs Gold continued define continuous quality improvement as “the ongoing process by 2011 Diversity 3 which an agency makes decisions and evaluates its progress”. Pennsylvania’s CQI approach is Taskforce Spring Event therefore, not “another new initiative,” and is not even an initiative but rather an effort to reshape the system at the local and state levels to support the achievement of positive outcomes for our Stop Bullying 3 children, youth and families. The Commonwealth will guide this work by better aligning existing quality and technical assistance efforts to meet county’s needs in a more coordinated, connected The Children in Foster 4 and collaborative way. Care Act

The development of Pennsylvania’s CQI process is one of the foundational strategies of our Child House Bill 2338— 5-6 and Family Services Review Program Improvement Plan (PIP). Because the implementation of a Children in Foster Care CQI effort is outlined in the PIP and, therefore, required to be implemented, we believe this Act—2010 Fact Sheet process will aid in our continuing shift from compliance-based efforts to more quality-focused work. We believe that in order for quality practice to be internalized and exhibited at the practice Act 148 Invoicing 7 level (with families), organizations need to create an environment in which quality practice is Training supported. Therefore, we need to create a system in which all organizational components of the Regional Team 7 state, county children and youth agencies, and private provider and technical assistance Contact Information communities are committed and able to effectively improve outcomes for children, youth and families. We will also need to work closely with community partners outside of the child welfare system to develop the comprehensive level of support children, youth and families need to achieve safety, permanency and well-being. Pennsylvania acknowledges that structural shifts are needed in order for local agencies to be better supported in their quality improvement efforts. To this end, key statewide stakeholders, including representatives from county children and youth agencies, Pennsylvania’s Department of Public Welfare, Office of Children, Youth and Families (OCYF), the private provider community, and the technical assistance community, are committed to reshaping their systems to best support this statewide continuous quality improvement effort. Pennsylvania’s CQI process will be using the American Public Human Service’s Association’s (APHSA) DAPIM ™ model of quality improvement. APHSA’s DAPIM™ model outlines five main steps: Define, Assess, Plan, Implement and Monitor, to facilitate and sustain change. In some ways, it is similar to other approaches you may have heard of including: Plan, Do, Study, Act. Major components of our CQI effort include: The identification of a leadership “sponsor” team to support and resource the county’s continuous quality improvement efforts. The identification of a work “implementation” team, consisting of primarily line staff and supervisors, to develop the plan and support the change effort. Continued on Page 2 P AGE 2 C OUNTY CONNECTION

Participation in Pennsylvania’s Quality Service Review (QSR) process to include site leads to manage logistics and local community members and staff to be reviewers. Implementation of change efforts, which will be supported by a technical assistance team (i.e. OCYF, The Pennsylvania Child Welfare Training Program, The American Bar Association, the Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network, the Administrative Offices of Pennsylvania Courts, and Hornby Zeller Associates). Support of implementation of the practice model, on an “as needed” basis. Implementation of this approach will include each county receiving support in achieving their individualized CQI effort while being supported by a more coordinated network of child welfare system collaborators through all five components as identified below: D – Define – Defining one’s desired state and what the organization wants to improve. Defining what a system seeks to improve in operational terms means engaging key stakeholders in discussion to strategically identify specific and meaningful issues that system partners are interested in improving. A – Assess – Assessing strengths and gaps in performance capacity, performance actions, outputs and outcomes. The locally driven assessment process will be an inclusive process since the achievement of positive outcomes will only be realized when the full resources of a community are garnered. Through formal and informal means, the state will support the counties’ ability to utilize existing data and other forms of assessment. This does not require the creation of additional assessments for counties, but rather streamlines existing forms of assessment that will better inform strategic decision-making and planning. P – Plan – Planning for quick wins, medium term improvements and longer term improvements that leverage strengths and address root causes for gaps. This process will culminate in the completion of each county’s County Improvement Plan, which will drive the Needs-Based Plan and Budget. The counties will be developing their own improvement plan based on mutually identified needs of the agency, community and system partners by engaging in a discussion to explore the root causes and possible remedies for the identified gaps. I – Implement – Implementing plans for maximum impact and sustainability. Successful implementation of these plans will require the county agency to engage key internal and external stakeholders who will actively support the implementation of both quick and action steps as well as the long term goals. Externally, the counties will be supported during the implementation of their plan(s) through coordinated efforts of all those external entities providing technical assistance to the county, as needed or requested by the county. M – Monitor – Monitoring progress through ongoing evaluation and follow through with CQI efforts. During this phase, the county will engage in monitoring activities that allow for evaluation and measurement of progress and impact. The Pennsylvania QSR process will be utilized to drive the evaluative process. Just as the federal Child and Family Services Review is a shared process between the state and federal government, Pennsylvania’s QSR process will be an equally shared process between the state and the local community. Pennsylvania is also committed to taking a more comprehensive look at practice by examining the assurance of both compliance and quality. Therefore, a crosswalk of the current compliance-based licensing process and the QSR will be completed in an effort to enhance Pennsylvania’s evaluation process. Full implementation of a CQI process across Pennsylvania represents a multi-year effort that is reflected in both the two year PIP and the five year Child and Family Services Plan (IV-B) that were approved by the Administration for Children and Families. Phase One began in October 2010 and will include six counties. The counties participating in Phase One are Allegheny, Butler, Lackawanna, Philadelphia, Venango and York Counties. Another six to eight counties will begin the CQI process for Phase Two in October 2011, while the Phase One counties will continue to follow the CQI framework and manage their own internal CQI process. Ongoing implementation of CQI will be individualized for each county in collaboration with regional OCYF staff and technical assistance providers that support the county. Another important component, specific to the six Phase One counties, is that their Pennsylvania QSR results will establish Pennsylvania’s PIP baseline during the first year of PIP implementation and will report subsequent progress during the second year of PIP implementation. We are currently working to identify the state and local review team members for the six Phase One counties conducting their QSRs during December 2010 – April 2011. Each of the six Phase One counties will have a stratified number of cases to be reviewed, but the entire Phase One will include reviewing only a total of 100 total cases. It is critical that county and private provider staff from across the Commonwealth, particularly those in counties that are considering participating in Phase Two of the CQI rollout, participate as state or local review team members. If you or your staff or your county stakeholders are interested in participating as a QSR reviewer, please contact Ms. Stephanie Maldonado of my staff at [email protected] or by calling (717)783-7376. Thank you very much for being an innovator and leader in supporting quality change for our consultants. Very truly yours, Richard J. Gold P AGE 3 C OUNTY CONNECTION

2011 DIVERSITY TASKFORCE SPRING EVENT

Save the Date

Mark your calendars for the Diversity Taskforce Spring Regional Events. Watch for details in an upcoming edition of the County Connection.

Northeast Region Central Region March 31, 2011 April 7, 2011 Mayfield Training Room The Pennsylvania Child Welfare Training Program

Southeast Region Western Region April 14, 2011 April 28, 2011 Montgomery County Training Room Monroeville Training Room

Philadelphia May 5, 2011 Temple University—Center City Campus

STOP BULLYING!!

The following message is sent on behalf of the Administration on Children, Youth and Families

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services this week released a video message from Secretary Kathleen Sebelius telling lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth suffering from bullying and intolerance that they are not alone, and that it will get better. The Secretary’s message is in response to the recent news of young people taking their own lives after being victims of bullying because they were gay or believed to be gay.

We encourage you to view the Secretary's message at http://Youtu.be/yXc-tc97XXA and to share it with others. Additional resources for adults and children about bullying and how to stop it, can be found at: www.BullyingInfo.org P AGE 4

The Children in Foster Care Act is Now Law

This morning, on the eve of Thanksgiving, Governor Rendell signed HB 2338 – The Children in Foster Care Act – establishing a bill of rights for children in foster care. Pennsylvania now joins only a handful of states that have a “bill of rights” in statute for children in foster care. The act will ensure that all children (and their caregivers) are informed about basic protections and requirements of their care.

We want to thank everyone who helped advance this important legislation – your voices were heard!

Rep. Phyllis Mundy (D-Luzerne) sponsored HB 2338 to compile Pennsylvania’s laws and regulations – scattered among statutes, regulations and policy bulletins – into a single document that can be easily understood by those involved in the foster care system. The law takes a significant step to improve the consistent provision of services across Pennsylvania’s 67 counties.

Information will now be shared with every child in foster care, caregiver, and birth parent so all parties know that children have the right to contact their attorneys or guardian ad litems, get notice of court hearings, have education stability, access necessary health services, consent to medical and mental health treatment consistent with current law, participate in religious observances, visit and have contact with family, and more. These “rights” are required to be listed on the child’s grievance procedure form. This way the child understands their rights along with who they can contact when they need assistance.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving I encourage you to thank your legislators for their unanimous passage of this legislation. Please feel free to use the following link to one of our e-advocacy messages to easily communicate with your members. http://support.papartnerships.org/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&id=587

Todd E. Lloyd, MSW Child Welfare Director Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children 116 Pine Street, Suite 430 Harrisburg, PA 17101-1244 P AGE 5 C OUNTY CONNECTION House Bill 2338—Children in Foster Care Act 2010 Fact Sheet

The Need

At the center of Pennsylvania’s foster care system are children. Surrounding the children are numerous supporting players – including birth parents, caseworkers, resource parents, private providers, judges, courts and others – all devoted to serving the best interests of children. With more than 31,000 young people served annually in Pennsylvania’s county-administered foster care system, it’s critical that the children and those who are responsible for their care are provided with clear and accurate information on what children are to be provided while they are in foster care.

Ensuring that children, birth and resource families and other providers are informed of the legal requirements for children in foster care will help eliminate confusion and improve the transparency and consistency of care and services for Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable population.

For children…. For caregivers...

While children in foster care are come of the Resource parents and congregate providers most vulnerable members of our communities, have the tremendous responsibility for the they can also be their own best advocate if care of children who are in the legal and they have a full understanding of the system. physical custody of county government. When government and private agencies are Assuring that all caregivers understand what entrusted with their care, it is critical that every children are to be provided while they are in effort be made to assure their safety and foster care will help improve consistency of well-being including taking steps to fully inform services and support. children and youth.

For birth parents…. For Pennsylvania...

Helping birth parents understand what services Improved understanding, efficiency and and supports are available to their children consistency in practice and services among while they are in foster care provides them the 67 different county administered child peace of mind and helps parents continue to welfare systems and more than 200 private support their children when their children are providers caring for Pennsylvania’s children in removed from their care. foster care.

Where are we Now? Requirements for children in foster care are scattered throughout various state laws and regulations. A 2002 Joint State Government Commission report concluded that, “access to services needed by children and families is restrictive and confusing and often poorly coordinated.”

Continued on Page 6 P AGE 6 House Bill 2338—Children in Foster Care Act 2010 Fact Sheet Continued from page 5

Recommendations In order to help alleviate confusion and improve coordination of services to children, the Pennsylvania General Assembly should enact and the governor should sign into law House Bill 2338, the Children in Foster Care Act. This will help to assure that children and the adults who care for them, whether in foster homes or congregate facilities, have a full understanding of the requirements and opportunities for their care.

House Bill 2338 would codify existing state statute and regulations to ensure that children are provided with, among other things:

1. The ability to contact their attorney or guardian ad litem; 2. Notice of their court hearings and the opportunity to be heard; 3. Education stability consistent with the law; 4. Opportunity to develop job and life skills; 5. First consideration for placement with relatives if it is in the child’s best interest; 6. Consideration of any previous resource family as a preferred placement resource if relative and kinship resources are unavailable; 7. Permission to visit and have contact with family consistent with the family service plan and a permanency plan; 8. Access to necessary health services; 9. Consent to medical and mental health treatment consistent with current state regulations; 10. The ability to live in the least restrictive, most family-like setting that is safe, healthy, comfortable and meets the child’s needs; 11. Freedom from harassment, corporal punishment, unreasonable restraint and physical, sexual, emotional and other abuse; 12. Clothing that is clean, seasonal and age and gender appropriate; 13. Permission to participate in religious observances of the child’s preference; 14. A permanency and transition plan that is developed with the child and addresses the child’s need for safety, permanency and well-being; 15. Notification that youth may request to remain under the court’s jurisdiction after age 18 in certain circumstances; and 16. A copy of the county or private agency’s grievance policy and procedure. 17. Ability to file a grievance related to any provisions of the act.

The bill does not establish a private cause of action for violation of any of its provisions.

i 11 P.S. § 2603 defines the term “resource family” as a family which provides temporary foster or kinship care for children who need out-of-home placement and which may eventually provide permanency for those children, including as an adoptive family. ii The Children and Youth Delivery System in Pennsylvania. Report of the Joint State Government Commission. November 2002.

P AGE 7 Regional Team Contact Information Our local number is 717-795-9048 Our fax number is 717-795-8013

Act 148 Invoicing Central

Training Christina Fatzinger, Central Regional Team [email protected] Supervisor This training introduces Child Welfare Deborah Mock, Practice Improvement [email protected] Fiscal Professionals with less than three- Specialist years experience to the portion of the Kimberly Deiter, Practice Improvement [email protected] Child Welfare Fiscal Cycle associated with Specialist the Invoicing component. The trainer [email protected] introduces participants to pertinent laws, Claudia Witmer, Practice Improvement regulations, and bulletins related to the Specialist Child Welfare Fiscal Invoicing policy and Mike Danner, Training Specialist [email protected] procedure. The trainer demonstrates and guides participants through accurate classification of expenses and application of revenues. Northeast

Jody Price, Northeast Regional Team [email protected] April 12—14, 2011 Supervisor 9:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m. Gene Caprio, Practice Improvement Specialist [email protected] William Dougherty, Practice Improvement [email protected] The Pennsylvania Child Welfare Specialist Training Program Jayme Toczylousky, Practice Improvement [email protected] 403 East Winding Hill Road Specialist Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 Josh Foose, Training Specialist [email protected] Presented by: Claudia Conrad and Gloria Gilligan Southeast

Christine Reese, Southeast Regional Team [email protected] Supervisor Register by: Andrea Richardson, Practice Improvement [email protected] Specialist Dialing 1-877-297-7488 or Cathy Goens, Practice Improvement Specialist [email protected] Emailing Rachael Ickes at Jessica Shiffler, Training Specialist [email protected] [email protected]

Western

Kathleen Swain, Western Regional Team [email protected] Supervisor Laura Borish, Practice Improvement Specialist [email protected] Calvin Kulik, Practice Improvement Specialist [email protected] Jennifer Caruso, Practice Improvement [email protected] Specialist Steve Eidson, Practice Improvement Specialist [email protected] John Suhina, Training Specialist [email protected]