Georgia DFCS Performance-Based Permanency Initiative

1. Georgia DFCS Performance-Based Permanency Initiative Utilizing Performance-Based Contracting to Ensure CFSR Success

2. Goals of Project Improve performance on CFSR outcomes related to reunification and permanency for children in foster care Broaden the availability of intensive home-based programming across the state Provide community partners with more opportunities to share in the responsibility and reward of accomplishing critical initiatives Introduce performance-based concepts through an optional annex to current RBWO contracts

3. Service Array Participants should provide document an array of services to youth and their community-based resource (family, kinship, etc) with a goal of permanency. These services should include, but are not limited to: Family support Individual support School-based reintegration activities Crisis intervention services Case management activities as indicated Aftercare service coordination as indicated

4. Minimum Standards All children participating in this program must be approved by the Office of Provider Utilization and Outcomes Management Complete a social history for all youth and family members associated with the identified placement to ensure the appropriateness of the placement Develop an individualized support plan (in conjunction with the DFCS Permanency Plan) based on the assessment results and the youth, families and DFCS Case Manager’s input. Each barrier to reunification in the assessment should be addressed in order to ensure safety and successful transition

5. Minimum Standards cont. Submit copies of the assessment and the developed support plan to the DFCS Case Manager Staff to client ratio of no greater than 1:6 with staff possessing a masters degree or bachelors degree plus two years experience working with emotionally troubled youth and their families Supervisor to staff ratio of no greater than 1:4 with supervisors possessing a masters degree or bachelors degree plus three years working with emotionally troubled youth and their families A licensed clinical professional must provide consultative oversight to all support services provided to the family

6. Minimum Standards cont. 24/7 on-call availability clients No fewer than three successful over-night home visits must occur prior to permanent step-down After permanent step-down has occurred there must be a minimum of two face to face visits per week with the youth and family. Attendance at all court dates related to the client Participation in all Family Team Meetings Coordination of monthly visitation with siblings and parents

7. Reporting and Evaluation Provide a monthly report to the case manager which documents the services provided and outlines progress made and continuing barriers to permanency. Provide a monthly report to OPUOM which outlines raw data related to the population being served and outlines progress made and continuing barriers to reunification. Services should result in at least 70% of accepted children be placed in a permanent living environment and that 80% of those children remain stable at the six-month anniversary of their discharge from the program. Outcomes will be tracked by the Provider Utilization and Outcomes Management Unit of DFCS and reviewed with all providers during monthly G meetings.

8. Performance Benchmarks Providers are paid performance incentives as they reach benchmarks along a timeline. Once a benchmark is reached a performance incentive is awarded for that achievement. The awarded incentive is retained even if progress stalls or regression occurs. The benchmarks are as follows: Payment 1 – Step-down to permanent placement (enrollment in school, parental supervision and safety plan submitted) Payment 2 – Discharge (school or vocational attendance 80% of the time during the past 30 days, zero incidents of serious physical aggression in the last 30 days) Payment 3 – 90 days post-discharge

9. Incentive-Based Payments Providers are paid performance incentives as they reach certain benchmarks. Payment 1 - $12,000 Payment 2 – $14,000 Payment 3 - $9,000 _______________________ Total---------------$35,000

10. APPLA Considerations A move to independent living may be considered permanency for youth with an APPLA permanency goal Incentive payments will be administered when the youth moves into stable housing in the community (phase 1), is discharged from the aftercare portion of your program (phase 2) and 90 days post-discharge from aftercare (phase 3). Providers should intensely pursue a permanent family connection even though independent living may be the primary goal. As with all potential permanent placements in this project, the DFCS case manager must approve a move to independent living.

11. The Performance-Based Permanency Initiative is comprised of three stages. An Authorization Stage A Monitoring Stage An Accounting Stage

12. Authorization StageProvider Readiness Providers interested in participating in the Performance-Based Permanency Initiative will submit an Agency Readiness Evaluation Form to the Office of Provider Utilization and Outcome Management (OPUOM) via KidSTAR. OPUOM will review and approve or deny the Evaluation Form within 7 business days of submission.

13. Authorization StageYouth Authorization Providers will receive an automatic notification via KidSTAR regarding the status of the Evaluation Form. In agreement with DFCS: If approved, the Provider will submit a Request for Authorization form via KidSTAR along with a completed Social History for each qualifying child. If denied, the Provider can schedule a conference with OPUOM to discuss reasons for denial and opportunities to clarify or correct Evaluation Form.

14. Key Considerations Is there a target care giver? Has the care giver agreed to participate in the initiative? Has the child agree to participate in the initiative? Are home visits currently occurring? Does DFCS agree with the reunification plan?

15. Authorization Approved For approved Providers, OPUOM will review submitted Request for Authorization forms and render a decision based on criteria established. An automated e-mail response identifying a start date will be provided via KidSTAR within 3 business days to the following: The Provider DFCS Regional Director DFCS County Director Other appropriate Staff Persons identified by the DFCS Leadership Team

16. Family Team Meeting A Child and Family Team Meeting will be coordinated by the DFCS Case Manager within 14 days of the approved start date to discuss Permanency Goals as well as Discharge Planning. Within 30 days of approval, the Provider will submit a Support Plan to OPUOM and the DFCS Case Manager. (note: no visits are to occur until the plan has been submitted unless previously scheduled and approved by the DFCS Case Manager)

17. Monitoring Stage Providers will be required to submit the following three REPORTS monthly via KidSTAR. Progress Report Data Report Staff Data Report

18. REPORTING The monthly reports should be submitted by the 15th of the month following the previous month’s work. KidSTAR will send an automated alert to OPUOM and DFCS Case Managers when reports are ready for viewing.

19. SITE VISITS OPUOM Staff will complete random site visits monthly of participating Providers to determine and assess if data submitted on the Providers’ Reports are accurate. Once the visit occurs, OPUOM Staff will then submit a 1-page report to Contract Monitoring by the 5th of each month outlining their findings and recommendations.

20. Accounting Stage

21. PAYMENTS Providers will submit one monthly invoice via KidSTAR to include all children participating in the Performance- Based Permanency Initiative as they complete Phase 1, Phase 2 or Phase 3 (see Annex D, Contract Modification for payment associated with each Phase). Providers will be required to submit their invoice by the 15th of each month for the previous month’s work. Director of Contract Monitoring will compare monthly reports, invoice and SHINES database information to determine accuracy of invoice.

22. Questions ?