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Minutes Children Services Committee Meeting
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1. Review Agenda, Approve Minutes and Set New Agenda Items |
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Present: |
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Conclusion: The meeting was called to order by Donn Gunderson. In the absence of Karen Hoyle, who was in training, Colleen Turner agreed to take the minutes. The minutes of the 11/10/04 meeting were discussed. Questions were raised about language used under the Appeals section #2 stating "if Director finds…" and whether DSS will file a petition on every appeal. JoAnn Lamm clarified that if the Alleged Perpetrator (AP) questions the agency decision, the Director reviews and upholds the decision and the AP still disputes it, DSS files a petition. It was further clarified that the appeal request must be in writing and submitted within 15 business days of receiving the agency's decision. MRS should help with this as there is no finding of sub/unsub in a family assessment. The minutes were approved by motion/second of Denise Shaffer/Karen Thurman and unanimous vote. |
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Action Items: • n/a |
Person Responsible: n/a |
Deadline: n/a |
2. Consumer Cost Contribution Policy |
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Discussion: Nancy Warren, Vicky Church, Hope Hunt and Mark Hensley presented the new Division of Aging and Adult Services Manual section on Consumer Contributions Policy and Procedures. The DOA and AS merge has resulted in this new manual material. There are still two sets of rules, but they back up this one, streamlined policy. Some of the major changes include: the name change; 58 DSSs now have only 1 manual; new policy uses federal poverty guidelines to determine contribution rates; annual reviews as opposed to quarterly; etc. A brief walk-through of the policy ensued. |
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Conclusion: Following some discussion, the Committee endorsed the new policy by motion/second of Wanda Knight/Karen Thurman and unanimous vote. |
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Action Items: • n/a |
Person Responsible: n/a |
Deadline: n/a |
3. Malicious Reporting Changes |
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Discussion: Adolph Simmons and Monique McKenzie shared some proposed updates/ changes to the 5104 in response to the House Referendum Committee on CPS/FC/AD recommendations that the Division address malicious reporting and non-reporting. A "Type Found" code (08) was added for "Services Provided, Protective Services no longer needed." A new field (21a) was added to provide reasons for code (08). A "Valid Values" field was added with 7 codes clarifying the reason for the unsubstantiation/services recommended/services not recommended case decisions, including code (07), "Misreport - Allegations unfounded and reporter's motives unclear." Lots of discussion about liability and relying on SW judgement regarding a reporter's motives and what would constitute a malicious or misreport (custody dispute, for example?). A new field, (25a) "Failure to Report Reasons," is added to capture reason(s) why a person(s) did not report known CA/N. "Valid Values" and "Reason" fields follow. Maltreatment Code (32) is added to reflect "Abandoned child based on safe surrender law." Finally, "Contributory Factors" is being added back in to 5104. Committee members are encouraged to review and email suggestions to Adolph and/or Monique by Wednesday 12/15 at Adolph.simmons@ncmail.net and Monique.mckinzie@ncmail.net. While these 5104 changes are not ready for committee action, JoAnn Lamm is meeting with the HRC Co-chairs next week to provide an update. |
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Conclusion: no action |
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Action Items: • n/a |
Person Responsible: n/a |
Deadline: n/a |
4. Meth Lab Policies/Procedures |
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Discussion: Jo Ann Lamm and members of the Drug Endangered Child Task Force presented proposed policy/procedures for the handling of Meth Lab referrals. Some highlights include: MRS counties will screen all reports of Meth Labs in as traditional, forensic investigations (due to involvement of law enforcement, evidence collection, etc.). MRS counties may screen Meth use only in for family assessment. SWs are to respond ONLY accompanied by law enforcement (LE) and in pairs (strongly recommended). They are not to enter the home if the lab is located in the home (shed if in shed, etc.), and must rely on LE for data collection. LE response time may delay DSS response time as they may need as much as a week to observe lab and intervene at the "right time." SWs must clearly document reason for delayed response in record and there will be no recourse. Committee members raised serious concerns about leaving children in such a dangerous situation until LE can respond. DECTF members assured that the risk of interrupting a "cook" could result in an explosion, creating far greater risk for SWs and children alike. This is not new protocol. NC is following the lead of states who have much experience in Meth Lab response. There was very brief discussion on the fiscal impact of the policy which, according to JA Lamm, should be similar to sexual abuse and physical abuse cases, which usually involve a team of 2 SWs and similar degree of data collection. There was discussion about the difficulty counties are having getting 1 st responders to the table for training or task force development. DECTF members indicated that all 1 st responders are being trained across the state and suggested counties let the DECTF know where problems are and they will see that their counterpart on the task force addresses them. Advertising and awareness campaigns are stronly encouraged and Committee members were reminded that Van Shaw, SBI, is willing to come to counties for training. See page 10 of the policy for more information on training. Next, there was brief discussion about Section 8 on decontamination. A legislative decision has not been made yet, but the Committee sent a letter of concern. Discussion was held about subsequent contact with the caretaker and victim child(ren) within 48 hours. This contact can be made by phone to check on well-being of child(ren) and see if symptoms are present. Finally, some discussion was held about doctors' willingness vs. legal ability to assess a child without parental permission or DSS custody. GS19-21.1 will be included in policy to remind that doctors CAN treat without same. The Task Force and counties who participated were thanked for their hard work on this policy and a vote to approve followed. |
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Conclusion: The Methamphetamine Lab Policy/Procedures was approved by motion/second of Lisa Roberson/Agenda Turner and a unanimous vote. |
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Action Items: • n/a |
Person Responsible: n/a |
Deadline: n/a |
5. Section 1205 IV-E Eligibility Policy Changes |
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Discussion: Jo Ann Lamm and staff shared several changes to IV-E Eligibility policy. These changes are a result of new federal interpretation of the existing law and are effective January 1, 2005. Some of the changes will have fiscal impact as new interpretation allows for the coding of administrative activities with IV-E children, SSI eligible and other previously ineligible children will be IV-E eligible, etc. |
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Conclusion: The Section 1205 IV-E Eligibility policy changes were approved by motion/second of Denise Boyette/Karen Ellis and a unanimous vote. |
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Action Items: • n/a |
Person Responsible: n/a |
Deadline: n/a |
6. Incorporation of Dear Director Letters in On-Line Manuals |
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Discussion: Jo Ann Lamm reported that progress is being made on this. There is need for final review of the procedure, but by the 1 st of the year, DCDLs should be available in the on-line manual. Sara Mims did note that once an email is sent out to the Directors' listserv indicating the information is available in the on-line manual, there is some delay. |
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Conclusion: n/a |
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Action Items: • n/a |
Person Responsible: n/a |
Deadline: n/a |
7. Other |
Discussion: At the beginning of the meeting, a suggestion was made to develop a listserv for committee members. When information is sent out to Directors prior to the monthly meetings and if the Director is not in the office for a day or 2, the information is not received by committee members. Donn asked everyone to indicate their email address on the sign in sheet and he would try to set up a "mini-listserv" to prevent this from happening in the future.
Beverly Daniel is putting together a work group for the Child and Family Review protocols. Let Donn Gunderson know if you are interested.
The IV-E Review is scheduled for the last week in April, 2005.
The next meeting is scheduled for January 12, 2005 at the Child Support Enforcement building.
Meeting adjourned. |
