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Minutes Children Services Committee Meeting April 7, 2004 |
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1. Review Agenda, Approve Minutes and Set New Agenda Items |
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Present: Donn Gunderson, Brenda Jackson, Belinda Sims, Velvet Perdue, Denise Shaffer, Rita Bland, Lee Roberts, Karen Ellis, Bertram A. Wilson, Joyce Edwards, Esther High, Hope Hunt, Becky Kessel, Karen Hoyle, Joyce Gardner, Linda Cole, Pam Grantham, Beckie Kimbrell, Margaret Johnson, Kristy Preston, Cyndy Benson, Denise Boyette, Marlon Land, Lisa Roberson, Adolph Simmons, Tammy Johnson, Judi Akers, Angela Mendell, Tracy Turner, Keith Davis, Leotis McNeil, Tony Troop, Debbie Jones, Chris Sinha, Warren Ludwig. |
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Conclusion: The Committee considered the Agenda for the meeting and the Minutes from the March 10, 2004 meeting. There were no additions, deletions or corrections to the Minutes from the March meeting. Karen Hoyle moved that the March Minutes be approved as transmitted. Denise Boyette seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. |
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Action Items: • None |
Person Responsible:
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Deadline:
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2. Hopkins Appeal Case |
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Discussion: In this case the father appealed the Permanency Planning court hearing decision and then when DSS filed the TPR, appealed the TPR. The Court held that the TPR could not proceed until the PP hearing appeal was heard. Hopkins also vacated the mother's TPR because she did not either appear in court or ask for a court appointed attorney. One judge concerned that DSS rush for TPR without concerns for ASFA. Chris warned counties to be careful to include all matters in the adjudication. TPR's alleging new actions will not work. State Court Improvement is trying to expedite TPR's and these appeals will some bearing on how this plays out in court. |
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Conclusion: Brenda Jackson made motion requesting a letter of guidance from the Division as to how to interprete Hopkins. Cyndy Benson seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. |
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Action Items: • Chris to continue providing information on this appeal. |
Person Responsible: Chris Sinha |
Deadline: June 9, 2004 |
3. Coding 215-Z |
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Discussion: Chris Sinha informed the Committee that DSS can do a non-secure order and immediately place child in the custody of a relative; however, the child will never be eligible for IV-E coding, adoption assistance and TPR. This is not a problem for the courts but a problem in terms of DSS funding based on the IV-E language. |
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Conclusion: Chris Sinha to come back to the Committee to clarify the question of non-secure custody that works toward guardianship and VPA's where the social worker is working toward reunification without court involvement and whether or not those cases would be IV-E eligible. |
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Action Items: • Research the two question noted under Conclusion above. |
Person Responsible: Chris Sinha |
Deadline: June 9, 2004 |
4. Media Release re: CPS Data Card |
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Discussion: Brenda Jackson and Adolph Simmons informed the Committee that the Division did not collaborate with the NC Child Advocacy Institute to produce and print the CPS Data Card as indicated in the report. Much of the information is skewed and/or incorrect. Both reiterated that the central registry is not a data analysis system but the Institute used the information in the registry to publish their report. Other advocacy groups are not supportive of this report. Brenda stated that she is aware that the Division is unhappy; however, she is not sure of their plans for a response to this report. |
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Conclusion: The Association will be writing a letter to the editor of the News and Observer in response to the release of this data card. |
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Action Items: • None |
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Deadline:
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• Fiscal Note Requirement for Policy Approvals |
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Discussion: Donn Gunderson informed the Committee of the decision of the Association to require fiscal notes for all policy approval based on lessons learned from the DV and Structured Intake policy approval. Donn and Brenda have been in discussion with the JoAnn Lamm at the Divison to determine what this may look like for the Committee. Hope that data will be collected to identify caseload standards, time spent to implement and complete task of policy and cost to implement policy. It would be an expectation that pilot counties and work groups would be responsible for identifying fiscal impact of new/revised policy. |
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Conclusion: Co-Chairs will be working closely with the Divisions to implement this process. |
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Action Items: • None |
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Deadline:
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6. Domestic Violence Policy Refinement Work Group |
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Discussion: The Work Group will be meeting immediately after the Committee meeting today. Tony Troop, Division of Social Services and Tracy Turner, Director's Association will facilitate the meeting. |
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Conclusion: Work Group to give update at June 9th Committee Meeting |
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Action Items: • None |
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Deadline:
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• Update on Child Welfare House Committee |
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Discussion: Brenda Jackson stated that the House Committee has accepted the recommendations from the Association including assistance for counties with lower social worker pay. The House Committee seemed very interested in capturing data on malicious reporting. |
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Conclusion: Brenda Jackson to continue updating the group on the recommendations. |
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Action Items: • None |
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Deadline:
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8. Cancellation of May 12, 2004 Meeting |
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Discussion: Co-Chairs informed the Committee that the May 12th meeting would be cancelled due to the Association's Annual Meeting. |
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Conclusion: Next meeting would be June 9, 2004 |
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Action Items: • None |
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Deadline:
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