CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES PLAN and REVIEW

CFSP Child and Family Service Plan

What is it? Partnership between Federal and State Governments to to fund our state’s Child Welfare System.

Child Welfare and Federal Regulation Levels of Federal Requirements [Public Law (Act), CFR, and Review Requirements] Social Security Act Title IV-B Foster Care is one program under Title IV-B Title IV-E Payment and Individual Eligibility Requirements Public Law Adoptions and Safe Families Act 45 CFR Parts 1355, 1356, and 1357 IV-E Review CFSR Review

Public Law Adoption & Safe Families Act ASFA seeks to strengthen the child welfare system’s response to a child’s need for safety and permanency at every point along the continuum of care. In part, the law places safety as the paramount concern in the delivery of child welfare services and decision-making, clarifies when efforts to prevent removal or to reunify a child with his or her family are not required, and requires criminal record checks of prospective foster and adoptive parents. ASFA shortens the frames for conducting permanency hearings, creates a new requirement for States to make reasonable efforts to finalize a permanent placement, and establishes time frames for filing petitions to terminate the parental rights for certain children.

IV-B Protections [422(B)(10)] Provide assurance that the state is operating to the satisfaction of the Secretary: an information system a case review system a service program designed to help children return to families from which they have been removed; or be placed for adoption, with a legal guardian; or some other planned permanent living arrangement; and preplacement preventive services program designed to help children at risk of foster care placement remain safely with their families.

IV-E Review and Child and Family Service Review [Ensures States Accountability] IV-E Review Reviews individual eligibility of children. CFSR Reviews IV-E and IV-B state plan requirements and operationalizes 45 CFR 1355, 1356, and 1357.

Child Welfare Programs Title IV-B Foster Care Title IV-B & IV-E Requirements FFP for Foster Care IV-E Requirements

How is it developed? The development of the Five Year Child and Family Service Plan for fiscal years is based on information in the Final Report for fiscal years , and Iowa’s CFSR, as well as input from stakeholders and the public gathered through the CFSR and the Better Results for Kids redesign.

Where are we now? We are in the third [3 rd ] year of our five [5] year plan.

WHAT Does the Plan Include? The plan includes:   Child Welfare Services   Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program Services   Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) Services   The Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (CFCIP)   The Education And Training Vouchers (ETV) Program

WHAT Does the Plan Include? The information provided in our CFSP includes: State Agency Description Child and Family Services Continuum Service Description Estimated Expenditures for Services Services in Relation to Permanency Planning Decision Making Process for funded Community-Based Family Support Services Assurances and Certifications Coordination with Tribes Inter-country Adoptions Adoption Incentive Payments Staff Training Evaluation and Technical Assistance

WHAT Does the Annual Report Include? This 2006 annual progress and service report includes:  Results of the interim review of the progress made in the previous year toward accomplishing the goals and objectives in the plan, based on updated information. A description of how we have involved the agencies, organizations, and individuals who are part of the ongoing CFSP-related consultation and coordination process.  Specific accomplishments and progress made in the past fiscal year toward meeting each goal and objective, including improved outcomes for children and families, and a more comprehensive, coordinated, effective child and family services continuum;  A description of the child protective, child welfare, family preservation, family support, and independent living services provided in the upcoming fiscal year.  Information on activities in the areas of training, technical assistance, research, evaluation, or management information systems that will be carried out in the upcoming fiscal year in support of the goals objectives in the plan  Information required to meet the maintenance of effort (non- supplantation) required in section 432(a) (7) and (8) of the Act;

How does this impact Stakeholder Panel? Our federal partners also require that we have stakeholder input in evaluation our child welfare system

Why are we talking about it? MEANINGFUL COLLABORATION

WHAT IS Meaningful Collaboration? "Meaningful, ongoing collaboration" means that the courts and State child welfare agencies will identify and work toward shared goals and activities. In general, these goals and activities must be aimed at increasing the safety, permanency, and well-being of children in the child welfare system. Collaboration should include scheduling, planning, and participating in ongoing meetings between the courts and the State child welfare agencies.

The plan is based on extensive consultation with a wide array of representatives of Tribal, State and local, Federal, public and private community-based agencies and organizations (this may also include faith-based organizations), with experience in administering programs for infants, children, youth, adolescents, and families. WHAT IS Meaningful Collaboration?

WHY DO WE DO THIS? Find out what is actually happening to children/youth and families when they receive services; Partner with others to assess and improve the child welfare system

WHAT’S REALLY ACCOMPLISHED HERE? SAFETY Children/Youth protected from abuse/neglect; Children/Youth safely maintained in their homes when possible and appropriate;

WHAT’S REALLY ACCOMPLISHED HERE? PERMANENCY Children/Youth have permanency and stability in their living situations; Family relationships and connections are preserved

WHAT’S REALLY ACCOMPLISHED HERE? FAMILY AND CHILD WELL BEING Families have more ability to provide for their child/youth’s needs; Children/youth receive appropriate services to meet educational needs; Children/youth receive adequate physical and mental health needs

WHY it is so important to involve Youth and Families? A voice in what services are needed and received; A voice in how to keep a relationship or connection between family members ; Improve the system for other families and children/youth; Improve permanency and stability; Input on how your State provides services and works with children/youth and families; The youth and family voice is heard.

WHY it is so important to involve ALL Child Welfare Partners? SAME REASONS Your voice is important in assessing and improving the child welfare system

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT j Panel- CFSR Review Planning CFSP (4B) Input Panel meeting- CFSP Review Meeting Panel meeting- CFSR Review with PIP update CFSP (4B) Review final draft Panel meeting- CFSR Review with PIP update CFSP (4B) final review report PIP Closing Panel meeting Sample Cases Panel Meeting CFSR Systemic Factor Review Statewide Assessment Onsite Planning and Preparation Onsite Review Final Report Due PIP Panel Meeting CFSR Planning and Preparation TIME LINE FOR PARTICIPATION

What are the opportunities for input and involvement? Child & Family Service Plan Annual Report Stakeholder Panel Focus Groups Review of the Annual Reports Participation on Stakeholder Panel: Sharing Input from Others

What are the opportunities for input and involvement? Child & Family Service Review Statewide Assessment Onsite Review Development of the Program Improvement Plan

CFSR

WHAT IS IT? Partnership between Federal and State Governments to review each state’s Child Welfare System.

WHY DO WE DO THIS? Make sure States are following Federal Child Welfare requirements; Find out what is actually happening to children/youth and families when they receive services; Lend a hand to States to help improve their ability to help children/youth and families reach positive outcomes

WHAT’S REALLY ACCOMPLISHED HERE? SAME OUTCOMES AS IN CFSP SAFETY Permanency Child and Family Well-Being

HOW DOES IT WORK? The CFSR involves 3 Steps STATEWIDE ASSESSMENT ON-SITE REVIEW PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (PIP)

Statewide Assessment Involves workgroups and development of a document. Shows success and areas for improvement in our programs and services. Report submitted to Washington, D.C.

What happens during the Statewide Assessment? A statewide assessment team evaluates the state’s performance by: Conducting focus group, surveys or seeking feedback from stakeholders, like courts, parents, youth, resource families, case workers, community agencies and service providers. Gathering and analyzing information, e.g. quality assurance and data

On-Site Review A REALLY IMPORTANT EVENT! Federal and State Team works together to complete On-Site Review. Week Long Event! Expected to be Scheduled after January, 2009.

What happens at the On-Site Review? The team evaluates the state’s performance by: Reviewing case records; Interviewing children, youth, and families who receive services; Interviewing other stakeholders, like courts, resource families, case workers, community agencies and service providers.

Completion of On-Site Review Federal team provides their findings. This is called the Exit Interview. Final Report from the Federal Government describes where the state has met or not met the requirements of the CFSR.

WHAT IS A PIP? A plan developed by the State showing what will be done to improve in areas which did not meet the federal standard. Submit plan to Regional Office for approval within 90 days of CFSR final report.

Who Prepares the PIP? State Agency with the help of stakeholders. STAKEHOLDERS State Agency Director Social Workers CFSR Coordinator Court Improvement Project Officer Resource and Adoptive Parents Private Agencies Tribal members Parents Youth and Children

YOU ARE THE EXPERTS! As a partner and stakeholder in the Child Welfare System, you can help identify what works and what doesn’t. You can also help put in place what will work better.

If I Participate, What Will I Do? AS A MEMBER OF THE STAKEHOLDER PANEL: Help decide mechanisms for stakeholder feedback and participate in gathering feedback. Review the statewide assessment report and provide feedback.

If I Participate, What Will I Do? Be a Member of the On-Site Review Team. Interview stakeholders, which may include Judges, Community Partners and other youth just to name a few.

If I Participate, What Will I Do? Be a Member of the PIP Team. Help the State Agency and other stakeholders put together practices in place to provide the best services possible for families, children and youth.

If you choose to participate you will be C HANGING F UTURES BY S HARING R ESPONSIBILITY

If you want to participate please let us know. Who to Contact: Krys Lange Iowa Department of Human Services Child and Family Service Hoover State Office Building, 5th Floor Des Moines, Iowa Phone: [515] FAX: [515]