CONNECTIONS Build Q4-08 New York State Office of Children and Family Services

Investigation Actions Districts can choose to make completion of the Investigation Actions Task optional for their workers: –If a district opts out, Investigation Actions will remain on the Task List, but its completion is no longer required for the Investigation to be approved –Supervisors can still require Investigation Actions for individual workers or specific cases –Whether optional or not, the Investigation Actions Event will still appear on the Event List as “PEND” or “APRV”, depending on status of the Investigation Conclusion –Districts must contact their regional Connections Field Staff in order to request that the Investigation Actions Task be made optional.

Progress Notes A New Using Button has replaced the Sort button on the Progress Notes Search Window –New Using enables worker to copy data fields from an existing note into a new one.

Progress Notes The Sort Function has been added to column headings so that users can sort directly on the Progress Notes Grid –Pre-Q4-08 sort options are still available through the Options menu –Arrow will show ascending or descending order –Can change sort order by clicking on column heading

Progress Notes Progress Notes entered in FSS Stages can now be entered with an event date on or after the CID or the FSI (Intake Date), whichever is earlier –Intake Date=Date of initial FSI save Will allow Progress Notes to be entered with an event date prior to FSI if the CID predates the FSI date.

Family Services Stage Improvements Check FASP Detail — Incomplete components will appear in same order as in FASP Tree

Family Services Stage Improvements FASP Tree — For an In Process FASP, the Tree will fully expand upon window entry, displaying all nodes

Family Services Stage Improvements Consolidated Error Messages —Upon launch of a FASP or a Plan Amendment, all error messages will present in one Message List

Family Services Stage Improvements FASP Due Dates—the “Next FASP Due Date” Field on the Family Assessment and Service Plan Window will display the date of earliest future “In process” or “Not Launched” FASP. –Prior to Build Q4-08, the field only displayed the due date of the next “Not Launched” FASP

Family Services Stage Improvements Tree will display due dates for FASPs in statuses: –Not Launched –In Process –Pending

Family Services Stage Improvements FASP Overdue Message—will display when earlier of “Not Launched” or “In Process” FASP is overdue

Family Services Stage Improvements Case Planner Summary FASP Case Planner Summary Navigation has been streamlined when only a Case Manager or Case Manager and Case Planner are assigned to the case and there is no need to summarize information recorded by multiple workers. Navigation will now be directly to the Case Planner Summary windows in the four instances described in the next three slides: –Note: Pre Q4-08 navigation supporting the Case Planner compiling information recorded by multiple workers will remain available when CPS monitor and/or Caseworker is assigned to the Stage.

Family Services Stage Improvements Case Planner Summary 1.Navigation to the Case Update Tab will display the Case Planner Summary window, bypassing the Case Update tab where draft entries are recorded by staff in the “Caseworker” role. 2.Navigation from the Assessment node will display the Case Planner Summary window for the Family View tab, bypassing the Family Assessment Analysis window

Family Services Stage Improvements Case Planner Summary 3.Choosing the Behaviors/Contributing Factors tab, the Strengths tab, or the Needed Improvements/Changes tab will also display the Case Planner Summary window for each of these tabs.

Family Services Stage Improvements Case Planner Summary 4.While in the Service Plan window, clicking on the Family Involvement Button will lead directly to the Case Planner Summary window.

Family Services Stage Improvements Education Tab academic year dates — Instead of only the current or previous academic year, workers will be able to enter and view information related to prior, current, or the next academic year.

Approvals Approval To Do’s not ready for approval by Case Manager will appear grayed out on the Manager’s To Do List –Once the initial approval(s) is done, the To Do will no longer appear grayed out –Will help Managers know when the initial approval(s) has been completed –Applies to FASP, Plan Amendment, and Stage Closing approvals

Permanency Hearing Report Permanency Hearing Date Certain –The Hearing Date Certain column on Child List grid changed to “Hearing Date Certain from CCRS” –“Amended Date Certain” check box added to Summary grid –If the “Hearing Date Certain” is changed on the Court Information window in Connections, the Check box will prefill and the date will update on the Permanency Hearing Report –Checkbox clarifies why hearing date in top grid may differ from the hearing date in the bottom grid. –Q4-08 does not impact Hearing Date Certain entered in CCRS; CCRS, as the system of record, should be corrected, as necessary.

FAD Homes A check box has been added to the Resource Detail Window to indicate if a resource is an adoption subsidy home, as recorded in the F/A Home License window.

FAD Homes Adam Walsh Child Protection Act requires mandatory revocation of foster/adoptive parents certification/approval or disqualification of foster/adoptive applicants convicted of certain categories of felonies New code (mandatory disqualifier) added to drop down closure reasons on FAD Close Home window. Screen print to be added shortly

Save Messages New message added when “Save as Final” is selected for Progress Notes Enables a worker to cancel the FINAL save of a Progress Note and save the note in DRAFT status instead. The pop up window “Changes have been saved” has been eliminated - found to be of little value because the only option was to check “OK”. Pop up formerly appeared when saving Progress Notes and when saving Safety or Risk Assessment in INV Stage