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Annual Report
Services to Children and Families Committee
During FY 2002-2003 the focus on the Services to Children and Families Committee has been on changing policy in response to the Federal audit of child welfare. Work in the prior year had resulted in a structured risk assessment. During this year we have focused on implementing a pilot of a Multiple Response System and developing a Structured Intake Process. Highlights of the year include:
• Multiple Response System (MRS) – Ten counties had been selected to pilot a MRS system in North Carolina. MRS provides for an alternative means of response for neglect cases, puts in place greater involvement of families and community in decision making and calls on foster parents to play a greater role in working with birth families. The pilot counties “went live” on August 1, 2002. The Committee has monitored the experiences of the pilot counties and advised the Division on expanding the pilot program so that it would be statewide by July 2005.
• Structured CPS Intake Process – A work group involving staff from counties and the State developed a structure intake process whose aim was to provide consistent decision making across the state in CPS intake. The Committee reviewed and approved the process which will be implemented May 1, 2003.
• IV-E Federal Review – The Committee served as a conduit between the Division and counties as preparations were made for the Federal IV-E Audit. A great deal of effort was put into the preparation and, as a result, the State passed review without any ineligible records!
• Urine Testing in CPS Investigation Assessments – The State Attorney Generals staff working with the Division had raised issues about social workers conducting urine testing. After exploring the issue the advice to counties was that the cleanest way to do testing was with a court order. Lacking that you need: 1) reasonable suspicion and 2) competent testing. The Department was to seek an AG’s written opinion on the issue.
• Foster Home Licensing Requirements – Requirements for licensing foster homes were amended. Part of the aim was to combine the licensure requirements for foster homes and therapeutic homes. A number of restrictions were lessened to permit more flexibility for licensing homes. The Committee worked on refining the requirements and approved the final requirements.
• Policy on Missing and/or Run-away Children – In reaction to publicity about the Rilya Wilson case in Florida and questions from elected officials about how North Carolina would prevent similar cases; the Division proposed policy changes. The Committee approved a policy on how to deal with missing and/or run-away foster children.
• Testing Out of Pre-Service Training – The issue was raised as to whether new CPS employees could “test out” of some or all pre-service training. The issue was examined by the Training Advisory Committee who recommended that testing out not be permitted. The Committee voted not to pursue testing out.
• New Allocation Format for LINKS Funding – In order to spend all of the Federal money allocated for LINKS the Division recommended a reallocation process similar to the one used with Child Day Care funds. After review of the proposal, the Committee endorsed permitting reallocations.
• Safety Assessments in Kinship Placement Cases – Questions concerning use of the structured safety assessment process when placing children with relatives, especially out-of-county, were raised. After spirited debate, it was decided that the structured process should be used and policy was changed to clearly reflect that decision.
This report is respectfully submitted to the Association.
Brenda Jackson, Co-Chair |
John Shore, Co-Chair |
