IOWA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES

DIVISION OF BEHAVIORAL, DEVELOPMENTAL, AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES FOR ADULTS, CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

TITLE IV-B CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICE PLAN

2005 Annual Progress and Service Report

Submitted to:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

June 2005

Title IV-B Child and Family Service Plan

2005 Annual Report

State of Iowa

Department of Human Services

Division of Behavioral, Developmental and Protective

Services for Adults, Children and Families

Contact Person

Name: Krystine L. Lange

Title: State Coordinator: IVB, CFSR, & PIP

Address: Iowa Department of Human Services

Division of Behavioral Developmental, and Protective Services

Hoover State Office Building – 5th Floor

1305 E. Walnut

Des Moines, IA 50319

Phone: (515) 281-6215

FAX: (515) 242-6036

E-Mail:


Iowa Title IV-B Child and Family Services Plan

2005 Annual Progress and Service Report

Page

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Child Welfare Redesign 2

Promising Practices: Iowa’s Redesign 2

Principles of Child and Family Services 3

Section 1: Iowa Department of Human Services 5

Field Service Areas 5

State Offices 6

Field Operations 7

Facilities 7

Child Welfare Practice 7

Child Welfare Policy 8

CFSR 8

Section 2: Array of Child and Family Services 9

Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention, Intervention and Treatment Services 9

Prevention 9

Child Protection and Intervention 10

Child Abuse Treatment 10

Foster Care 11

Title IV-B Services 11

Services for Kinship Care 11

Chafee Independent Living Services 12

Services For Other Permanent Living Arrangements 12

System Linkages 12

Private Providers 12

Judicial 13

Education 13

Substance Abuse and Public Health 13

Juvenile Justice System 13

Mental Health 14

Domestic Violence 14

Linkages Through Child Welfare Partners 14

Linkages Through Community Partnerships for Protecting Children 15

Linkages through Drug Endangered Child and Rural Domestic Violence Projects 16

Section 3: Title IV-B Service Description 17

Family Support 17

Family Preservation 17

Time-Limited Family Reunification 18

Family Centered Services 18

Time-Limited Family Reunification 18

Adoption Promotion and Support Services 18

Section 3A: Goals and Objectives 18

I. Key Findings Related to Outcomes 19

Safety Outcome 1: Children are first and foremost protected from abuse and neglect. 19

Safety Outcome 2: Children are safely maintained in their homes when possible and appropriate. 19

Five-Year Safety Goals and Objectives: 19

2005 Progress on Safety Goals and Objectives 20

Permanency Outcome 1: Children have permanency and stability in their living situations. 28

Permanency Outcome 2. The continuity of family relationships and connections is preserved for children. 28

Five-Year Permanency Goals and Objectives: 29

2005 Progress on Permanency Goals and Objectives 30

Well Being Outcome 1: Families have enhanced capacity to provide for their children’s needs. 35

Well-Being Outcome 2: Children receive appropriate services to meet their educational needs. 35

Well-Being Outcome 3: Children receive adequate services to meet their physical and mental health needs. 35

Five-Year Well-Being Goals and Objectives: 36

2005 Progress on Well-Being Goals and Objectives: 36

II. Key Findings Related to Systemic Factors 37

Statewide Information System 37

2005 Progress for Statewide Information System 38

Case Review System 40

2005 Progress for Case Review System 41

Quality Assurance System 41

2005 Progress on Quality Assurance System 41

Service Array 48

2005 Progress: Service Array 49

Training 62

2005Training Update and Progress on Training Goals and Objectives: 62

FY 05 Course Summary 64

Proposed FY 06 Training 69

Agency Responsiveness to the Community 76

Foster and Adoptive Parent Licensing, Recruitment, and Retention 76

2005 Progress on Foster and Adoptive Parent Licensing, Recruitment, and Retention: 76

SECTION 4: ESTIMATED EXPENDITURES 78

Section 5: Permanency Services 80

State Plan for Child Welfare Services [422(b)(10), 42 U.S.C. 622] 80

State Plan for Foster Care and Adoption Assistance [471, 42 U.S.C. 671] 80

Promoting Safe and Stable Families [432(a), 42 U.S.C. 629b] 81

Section 6: Decision Making Process 82

Section 8: Coordination with Tribes 83

2005 Report on Coordination with Tribes 84

Collaboration With Tribal Representatives 85

ICWA Training, Access to Information and Consultation For Child Welfare Staff 85

Child Welfare Practice Supports To Improve ICWA Compliance 86

ICWA Compliance Review Activities/Report 86

Minority Youth and Family Initiative to Reduce Native American Overrepresentation 86

Section 9: Child Welfare Demonstration Waivers 87

Section 10: Intercountry Adoptions 88

2005 Progress on Intercountry Adoptions 88

section 11: Adoption Incentive Payments 88

Incentive Payments 88

Section 12: Staff Training 89

IV-B and IV-E Training 89

IV-E Training 89

Provider of Training 90

Duration Category and Administrative Functions the Training Addresses 90

Setting/Venue for the Training Activity 90

Audience to Receive Training 90

Brief Syllabus Overview of Training 91

Evaluation 91

Description of Cost Allocation Methodology 91

Estimated Total Cost Per year 91

2005 Training Update 92

CAPTA Training 92

Child Protection Training 92

section 13: Evaluation and Technical Assistance 92

Evaluation 92

CFCIP 92

University-Agency Partnerships to Improve Child Welfare 93

Multi-state Foster Care Data Archive 93

Iowa Based Research 94

Technical Assistance 94

National Resource Centers 94

Section 14:Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act 96

A. Program Areas Selected for Improvement [Section 106(a)(1) through (14) of CAPTA] 96

B. Outline of Activities 97

Intake, Assessment, Screening and Investigation of Child Abuse 97

Mandatory Reporters 97

Risk and Safety Assessment Tools 97

Protocols for Children Exposed to Methamphetamine 98

Shared Leadership Strategies between Parents and Professionals 98

Community Partnerships for Protecting Children 98

Multidisciplinary Teams 99

Interagency Collaboration with Juvenile Justice System 99

Child Protection Teams 99

Collaboration Among Public Health Agencies, the Child Protection System, and Private Community-Based Programs 99

Iowa Community Empowerment 99

Early ACCESS 100

How These Activities Differ from Activities Described in the Previous State Plan 100

C. Description of the Services and Training to be Provided under the Grant as Required by Section 106(b)(2)(C)(i), (ii), (iii) 101

D. Assurance Form: (New CAPTA Activities for Iowa) 102

SEC. 106 (b)(2)(A): 102

SEC. 106 (b)(2)(A): 104

Citizen Review Panel Requirements 105

2005 Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment State Plan (CAPTA) Progress Report 106

Introduction/Overview 106

Statewide Citizen Review Panel 125

Focus Area: Children & Methamphetamine 125

Panel Activities 126

Information Gathering& Training 126

Drug Endangered Children (DEC) Pilot Projects 126

IDHS Policies and Practices 126

Legislation 126

Recommendation to the 2005 Iowa General Assembly 127

Iowa Department of Human Services Policy Manual 127

Bridges 128

Bridges Membership: 128

How Collective Interventions Impact the Relationship between Battered Women and their Children 129

Recommendations 131

Cerro Gordo CountyFamily Violence Response Team 133

Membership 133

Meetings 134

Functions 134

Re-dissemination 134

Department not bound 134

Confidentiality 134

Reports 135

Cerro Gordo County Family Violence Response Team Safety and Accountability Audit 135

Audit Question 135

Audit Findings: 135

Northwest Iowa Citizens Review Panel 137

Membership: 137

Meetings: 137

Functions: 137

Re-dissemination: 138

Department Not Bound: 138

Confidentiality: 138

Reports: 138

Recommendations: 138

Iowa’s Citizen Review Panels 2004 Recommendations & State Responses 139

State Citizen Review Panel (2004 Recommendations) 139

State Response & Implementation (2004) 139

Regional Recommendations (2004) 140

Linn County Citizen Review Panel 140

Northwest Iowa Citizen Review Panel 140

State Response & Implementation to Regional Recommendations (2004) 141

Section 15: Chafee Foster Care Independence and Education and Training Voucher Programs 142

John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program 142

2005 Update John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program 156

State of Iowa’s FY ’04-‘05 Progress Report for the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (CFCIP) and Application for FY ’06 CFCIP Funds 156

1. Help youth make the transition to self-sufficiency FY ’04-‘05 Accomplishments and Progress: 156

2. Help youth receive the education, training and services necessary to obtain employment FY ’04-‘05 Accomplishments and Progress: 159

3. Help youth prepare for and enter post-secondary training and educational institutions FY ’04-’05 Accomplishments and Progress: 160

5. Provide financial, housing, counseling, employment, education and other appropriate support and services to former foster care recipients between 18 and 21 years of age FY ’04-’05 Accomplishments and Progress: 161

6. Information on specific training conducted during reporting period in support of the goals and objectives of the States’ CFCIP FY ’04-’05 Accomplishments and Progress: 162

7. Nature and results of the consultation and coordination undertaken in determining eligibility for benefits and services and ensuring fair and equitable treatment for Indian youth in care FY ’04-’05 Accomplishments and Progress: 164

8. A report of activities that enhanced service collaboration in accordance with section 477(b)(3)(F) by coordinating and cooperating with other Federal and State programs for youth (especially transitional living programs funded under Part B title III of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974), workforce investment and school-to-work programs offered by high schools or local workforce agencies, abstinence education programs, local housing programs and programs for disabled youth (especially sheltered workshops) FY ’04-’05 Accomplishments and Progress: 164

9. Describe if and how the State has utilized the option to expand Medicaid to provide services to youth ages 18 to 20 years old who have aged out of foster care. FY ’04-’05 Accomplishments and Progress: 165

10. Progress achieved and planned activities to meet the sixth purpose of CFCIP – Education and Training Vouchers (ETV). FY ’04-’05 Accomplishments and Progress: 165

11. Design and delivery of trust fund program. FY ’04-’05 Accomplishments and Progress: 167

12. Information on specific training that will be conducted in FY 2006. 168

13. A report of activities planned to enhance service collaboration in accordance with section 477(b)(3)(F). 168

14. Describe if and how the State will coordinate efforts to utilize the option to expand Medicaid to provide services to youth ages 18 to 20 years old who have aged out of foster care. 168

Section 16: Current Executive Initiatives 168

5


Iowa Title IV-B Child and Family Services Plan

2005 Annual Progress and Service Report

Introduction

The development of the Five Year Child and Family Service Plan for fiscal years 2005-2009 was based on information in the Final Report for fiscal years 2000-2004, and Iowa’s CFSR, as well as input from stakeholders and the public gathered through the CFSR and the Better Results for Kids redesign. The plan includes:

¨ Child Welfare Services

¨ Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program Services: Family Preservation; Family support, Time-Limited Family Reunification, and Adoption Promotion and Support Services

¨ Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) Services

¨ The Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (CFCIP)

¨ The Education And Training Vouchers (ETV) Program

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

Through the Child Welfare Redesign: Better Results for Kids [BR4K], the CFSR Statewide Assessment, and the CFSR Program Improvement Plan, we reviewed and updated the agency’s vision for child welfare, assessed the state of child welfare services and provided coordination and joint planning for the Child and Family Service Plan [CFSP]. We utilized the findings and plans for improvement as an integral part of determining the adequacy of what is currently in place and to construct the strategic, 5-year plan to advance the overall child welfare system.

This 2005 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;

The CFS-101 Part I and Part II the Annual Budget Request and Annual Summary of Child and Family Services includes:

¨ Services and Activities

¨ Number to be serviced

¨ Population to be served; and

¨ Geographic area to be served.

Child Welfare Redesign

Promising Practices: Iowa’s Redesign

A year ago the Iowa Department of Human Services initiated a redesign, “Better Results for Kids,” to improve outcomes for Iowa families served within the child welfare system. “From the moment someone calls to report abuse until the moment the case is closed, we now have a clear, consistent vision on how we’ll make decisions and how we’ll direct services,” said Kevin Concannon, Director.

To support the consistent vision throughout the department, a “Child Welfare Model of Practice” was established. The model of practice is intended to define whom we serve and define the intended outcomes of child welfare services. It provides the guiding principles for our work and expectations related to practice, program, and organizational capacity. It defines, affirms, guides, reinforces and supports the departments’ strength-based and family-centered model of practice at all levels.

The model of practice is intended to guide practice in individual cases and at the program and organizational level. It can also be used as a basis of comparison in measuring or judging capacity, quantity, and quality. The standards in this document establish the departments’ expectations for front-line practice and for program and organizational capacity.

· The first set of standards is framed in terms of front-line practice. They are organized around a "life of the case" framework – starting with intake and moving through service provision and case closure

· The second set of standards is framed around the program and organizational capacity of the child welfare system.

A copy of the “Child Welfare Model of Practice” can be found at: .state.ia.us/dhs2005/dhs_homepage/docs/IW_CW_Model_of_P r actice4.pdf

Other key strategies of the redesign call for:

· Standardized risk assessments and differentiated services: decisions on services, such as counseling, will be based on age of a child, outcomes of an abuse assessment, and levels of risk in the home, such as drug abuse or domestic violence