PEFORMANCE TRACKING & PRACTICE IMPLICATION DIVISION OF FAMILY & CHILDREN SERVICES G-FORCE MEETING June 26, 2008

2 AGENDA G-Force Scoreboard Georgia SHINES: Exception Reports Performance Tracking & Practice Implications in Social Services & OFI Domestic Violence & Child Welfare Region 8 Presentation

3 G-FORCE SCOREBOARD ACTUALTRENDDESIRED Food Stamp Error Rate 2.99% (3.87% May 2008) 5% Diversions to Unsubstantiated Closed Investigations 3.7:1 April 2008 (3.1: 1 for March 2008 Reports) 4.0: 1 Timely Investigations without Reducing Quality 90% June 23, 2008 (98% for March 2008) 100% Permanency: Foster Care Re-entries 5.82% May 2008 (4.16% for April 2008) 5.0% IV-E Penetration Rate 30.5% March 2008 (30.0% for February 2008) 40%

4 PREVIOUSLY (MAY 2008) Georgia currently at 3.87% Error Rate Fourth Most Improved State in the Nation 1. Maine 2. Wyoming 3. Montana

5 CURRENTLY (JUNE 2008) Georgia currently at 2.99% Error Rate! Georgia is Number 1 in Most Improved in the Nation! 10 th Best State in the Nation! GEORGIA IS IN IT, TO WIN IT!

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Georgia SHINES EXCEPTION REPORTS

9 FRAMING OUR APPROACH TO PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT Over the past year, DFCS has focused on creating a culture of high performance, quality services and accountability. We have provided focus, common language, and a way of keeping score that engaged staff’s creativity. We have applied the Four Disciplines to child welfare and family independence services. We are currently motivated by a feeling that our progress matters. We can sense a moderate amount of anxiety and a sense of urgency.

10 OutcomeMedian Percentage of Cases Rated as Substantially Achieved Across States Range of Percentage of Cases Rated as Substantially Achieved Across States Georgia Percentage of Cases – Substantially Achieved – 2001 Georgia Percentage of Cases – Substantially Achieved Safety Outcome 1: Children are first and foremost, protected from abuse and neglect  Safety Outcome 2: Children are safely maintained in their homes when possible and appropriate  Permanency Outcome 1: Children have permanency and stability in their living situations  Permanency Outcome 2: The continuity of family relationships and connections is preserved  Well-Being Outcome 1: Families have enhanced capacity to provide for children’s needs  Well-Being Outcome 2: Children received services to meet their educational needs  Well-Being Outcome 3: Children receive services to meet their physical and mental health needs 

11 Today, we will consider… 1.What we have accomplished and what have we learned along the way. 2.What changes are needed as indicated by the work. 3.What leadership considerations and actions are critical to the success of our work.

12 SOCIAL SERVICES: VOLUME OF WORK COMPARISON Previous Year: Investigations (9/06 – 2/07; Family Preservation (9/06 - 3/07); Diversions (9/06 - 2/07) and Placements (7/ ). Current Year: Investigations (9/07 - 2/08); Family Preservation (9/07 - 3/08); Diversions (9/07 - 2/08) and Placements (7/07 - 3/08).

13 SOCIAL SERVICES’ WORK ANALYSIS 1. Changes in Social Services workload: 31% decrease in Investigations (from 12,540 to 8,658). 13% decrease in Family Preservations (from 9,181 to 7,961). 7% decrease in Placement (from 16,991 to 15,732). 43% increase in Diversions (from 2,397 to 3,424). 2. Reduction in caseloads have led to lowering the ratio of caseworker to cases

14 CPS ACTIVE CASES Our front door policy has changed since mid-2004 when diversions was instituted. Since then the number of investigations and active cases have decreased by 63%.

15 CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES ACTIVE CASES Diversions were implemented in SFY By SFY 2006, the number of active CPS cases had decreased by 29%. These numbers reflect the beginning of each fiscal year (July).

16 LEAD MEASURE 1: ELIMINATE OVERDUE PENDING CASES EXISTING AS OF JUNE 30, 2007 In June 2007, there were 3,378 overdue pending cases. Our goal was to complete these cases by December 31, 2007.

17 LEAD MEASURE 2: BEGINNING JULY 1, 2007, ALL NEW INVESTIGATIONS WILL BE COMPLETED WITHIN 30 BUSINESS DAYS Timely completion of investigations increased from 81% in June 2007 to 99% in February 2008.

18 COMPARISON OF INVESTIGATIONS DUE & NUMBER COMPLETED TIMELY The gap between total investigations due each month and the number completed timely has diminished.

19 DIVERSIONS SCREENOUTS SUB/ CLOSED SUB/OPEN UNSUB/ CLOSED DESIRED RESPONSE PATTERN REPORTS RECEIVED IN APRIL 2008 Note: Desired Response Pattern Based on Research on Family Centered Practices. REPORTS RECEIVED IN APRIL 2007 UNSUB/ CLOSED 30% RESPONSE PATTERN STATEWIDE DIVERSIONS 51% SCREENOUTS 17% DIVERSIONS 29% SCREENOUTS 15% SUB/OPEN 13% SUB/ CLOSED 11% UNSUB/ CLOSED 14% SUB/OPEN 11% SUB/ CLOSED 6%

20 SHIFT – PRACTICE CONCERNS Even in situations where imminent risk of harm is low, individual caseworker experience and skill in utilizing available tools may not adequately recognize and respond to the harm that can accumulate from multiple incidents of neglect, which if only viewed as isolated events, do not appear to impact the safety of the children

21 FAMILY SUPPORT & PERCENT THAT BECAME SUBSTANTIATED CPS CASES - STATEWIDE 5.86% 1.62% There were a total of 88,887 cases diverted statewide; 5.86% of them have become substantiated CPS cases. From May 2007 to April 2008, we have diverted 37,829 cases and only 1.62% of them have become substantiated CPS cases.

22 REGIONAL TREND: SUBSTANTIATIONS State Sub Open 10% State Sub Close 8% Wide margins among regions for both dispositions. Substantiated/ opened range from 5% to 18% and substantiated/closed range from 3% to 16%.

23 INSIGHT REFLECTED IN PERFORMANCE As we refined the practice of investigating mainly those cases rising to the standards of abuse and neglect, the percentage of cases in which allegations are substantiated rises. Practice still needs to become more consistent.

24 SUBSTANTIATIONS & UNSUBSTANTIATIONS From April 2007 to April 2008, the percent of investigations being substantiated rose by 11% and the number of unsubstantiated cases decreased by 11%.

25 RECURRENCE OF MALTREATMENT STATEWIDE National Standard: 5.40% (Effective 1/2007) National Standard: 6.10% ( )

26 RECURRENCE OF MALTREATMENT National Standard: 5.40% (Effective 1/2007)

27 State’s Overall Rate = 2.61%

28 CASEMANAGERS WITH 30 OR MORE CPS CASES - STATEWIDE

29 PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT TAKE AWAY We pursued information to reduce uncertainty and found ways to do better. We drew staff into active and enthusiastic participation. We taught the skills that matter and as a result, kids are safer.

30 FAMILY-CENTERED PRACTICE “A framework based on the belief that the best way to protect children, in the long run, is to strengthen and support their families, whether it be nuclear, extended, foster care, or adoptive.” Source: Best Practice, Next Practice: Family-Centered Child Welfare. National Child Welfare Resource Center for Family- Centered Practice, Summer 2000.

31 SHIFT IN CHILD WELFARE PHILOSOPHY TRADITIONAL CHILD WELFARE PRACTICES FAMILY-CENTERED CHILD WELFARE PRACTICES ENGAGEMENTEfforts focus on getting the facts and fathering information, and not in the building of the relationships. Families are engaged in ways relevant to the situation and sensitive to the values of their culture. ASSSESSMENTFocuses on the facts related to the reported abuse and neglect. Focuses on the families’ strengths and resources throughout the life of the case and are continuously assessed and discussed. SAFETY PLANNING The plan is developed by CPS, courts, or lawyers without input from the family or from those that know the child. Families are involved in designing a safety plan based on information and support of worker/team members. IMPLEMENTATION OF SERVICE PLAN Generally consists of determining whether the family has complied with the case plan, rather than providing services and supports or coordinating with informal and formal resources. Workers ensure that families have reasonable access to flexible, affordable, individualized array of services and resources so that they can maintain themselves as a family.

32 SHIFT IN THE PRACTICE - STRENGTH Child Protection services intervention is now aimed at assisting the parent in recognizing and remedying the conditions that are or may be harmful to the child, and in fulfilling their parenting role.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE & CHILD WELFARE Policy and Practice Forum Kim Washington DFCS / Family Violence Unit Family Violence Unit Manager

34 CPS & DIVERSION WITH RELATED OFI CASES (APRIL 2008) Notes 4.4% of CPS cases receive TANF, 51.8% receive Food Stamps, and 50.5% receive Medicaid benefits. 2.7% of Diversion cases receive TANF, 30% receive Food Stamps, and 35.6% receive Medicaid.

35 OFFICE OF FAMILY INDEPENDENCE

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39 State: 98.3%

40 State: 97.3%

41 State: 99.1%

42 State: 98.2%

43 State: 99.2%

44 REGION 8: PERFORMANCE TRACKING

45 Note: There has been a 63% decrease in the number of Active CPS cases from May 2004 to May 2008.

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47 CPS ACTIVE CASES 44% decrease in the number of CPS active cases from May 2007 to May 2008.

48 CPS INVESTIGATIONS 60% decrease in the number of CPS investigations from May 2007 to May 2008.

49 FAMILY PRESERVATION 30% decrease in the number of Family Preservation cases from May 2007 to May 2008.

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51 DISPOSITION OF REPORTS APRIL 2007 TO APRIL 2008 Notable changes occurred in diversions and unsubstantiated and closed cases: a 22% increase in the number of diversions and a 16% decrease in the number of unsubstantiated and closed cases.

52 Note: There has been a 21% decrease in the number of Placement cases since May 2004.

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54 CHILD PLACEMENT SERVICES ACTIVE CASES - STATEWIDE

55 PLACEMENT SERVICES 14% decrease in the number of Placement cases from May 2007 to May 2008.

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57 FOSTER CARE RE-ENTRY National Standard: 8.60%

58 MALTREATMENT IN CARE: SUBSTANTIATED & UNSUBSTANTIATED March 2008 April 2008 Largest number of reports in Non-DFCS Foster Homes. Higher substantiation rates in Non-DFCS foster homes Fewer Incidents in April 2008.

59 ABSENCE OF ABUSE/NEGLECT IN FOSTER CARE National Standard: 99.68%

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REGIONAL COMPOSITE SCORES & TARGETING FAMILY ENGAGEMENT

79 REGIONAL COMPOSITE SCORES MAY 2008 SafetyPermanencyWell-BeingOverall May 2008Overall for April 2008 Region 187%79%84%83%86% Region 285% 75%82%84% Region 386%73%86%82% Region 482%80%76%79%76% Region 595%89%80%88%93% Region 693%83%79%85%84% Region 793%86%84%88%90% Region 885%83% 84% Region 992%79%81%84%86% Region 1094%91% 92%86% Region 1194%80%79%84%80% Region 1284%69%71%75%67% Region 1480%76%79%78%77% Region 1596%81%96%91%81% Region 1689%83%55%76%81% Region 1784%56%64%68%74% State89%80%79%82% Notes: Green indicates 95% or above; yellow indicates that the region either remained the same or increased in that area and red indicates a decrease from cases reviewed in April 2008.

80 COMPOSITE TREND STATEWIDE

81 SAFETY 1 AND 2 STATE AND & REGIONS Safety 1Safety 2 Region 187% Region 284%85% Region 383%88% Region 481%83% Region 594%96% Region 694%91% Region 795%90% Region 892%77% Region 988%95% Region 1093%95% Region 1195%94% Region 1280%89% Region 1472%88% Region 1598%94% Region 1698%80% Region 1776%91% State88%89% Red = a decrease from last month. Yellow = an increase from last month. Green = 95% or above.

82 Permanency 1Permanency 2 Region 179% Region 285% Region 371%74% Region 475%84% Region 587%90% Region 681%86% Region 787%84% Region 883% Region 975%83% Region 1091% Region 1177%82% Region 1266%72% Region 1472%79% Region 1579%83% Region 1678%87% Region 1751%62% State77%82% PERMANENCY 1 AND 2 STATE AND & REGIONS Red = a decrease from last month. Yellow = an increase from last month.

83 Well-Being 1Well-Being 2Well-Being 3 Region 184%81%87% Region 274%72%79% Region 380%89%90% Region 474%77% Region 576%89%74% Region 682%75%79% Region 782%84%87% Region 882%85%83% Region 980%81%83% Region 1087%99%88% Region 1174% 88% Region 1271% 70% Region 1477%82%78% Region 1595% 97% Region 1662%49%53% Region 1764%49%78% State78% 76% Red = a decrease from last month. Yellow = an increase from last month. WELL-BEING 1, 2 & 3 STATE AND & REGIONS

84 CASE REVIEWS COUNTY DIRECTORS & PEAS

85 REGION 4 MARCH 2008

86 REGION 5 APRIL 2008

87 REGION 6 MARCH 2008

88 REGION 8 DECEMBER 2007

89 REGION 11 MAY 2008

90 REGION 12 APRIL 2008

91 TARGETING FAMILY ENGAGEMENT Caseworker Visits to Children Caseworker Visits to Family Diligent Search Conducted Family Team Meetings Response Time Met

92 TARGETING FAMILY ENGAGEMENT TREND

93 CASEWORKER VISITS TO CHILDREN

94 EVERY CHILD EVERY MONTH Note: OF the 51% of children visited every month they were in care in FFY 2007, 82% of those visits occurred in the child’s residence.

95 DateLocationFacilityRegions July Metro Atlanta AreaGA Tech Conf. Ctr.Statewide July 31-Aug 1Morrow Clayton State UniversityMetro 13, 16 Aug. 4-5DuluthHilton Garden InnNorth 3, 15 Aug. 6-7GainesvilleHoliday Inn Lanier Ctr.North 1, 2 Aug SavannahHampton Inn & SuitesSouth 7, 12 Aug MaconFairfield Inn & SuitesMiddle 4,6 Aug AthensHoliday InnNorth 5,17 Aug DecaturHoliday Inn Conf. Ctr.Metro 13, 14 Sept ValdostaComfort Inn & SuitesSouth 9,11 Sept Albany Holiday Inn Albany MallSouth 8,10 Oct. 1-2ColumbusColumbus MarriottOverflow Location PSSF CASEWORKER VISIT TRANINGS

96 CASEWORKER VISITS TO FAMILIES

97 DILIGENT SEARCH CONDUCTED

98 FAMILY TEAM MEETINGS

99 THE BEST IS YET TO COME! NEXT G-FORCE MEETING JULY 24, 2008