» research & statistics » outcome studies & research » child and family services reviews 2001-2004 » systemic factors

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Systemic Factors

1. Information System Capacity
   
   Performance indicator:
   1. State is operating a statewide information system that, at a minimum, can readily identify the status, demographic characteristics, location, and goals for the placement of every child who is (or within the immediately preceding 12 months, has been) in foster care.
2. Case Review System
   
   Performance indicators:
   1. Provides a process that ensures that each child has a written case plan to be developed jointly with the child's parent(s) that includes the required provisions.
      
      
   2. Provides a process for the periodic review of the status of each child no less frequently than once every 6 months either by a court or by administrative review.
      
      
   3. Provides a process that ensures that each child in foster care under the supervision of the State has a permanency hearing in a qualified court or administrative body no later than 12 months from the date the child entered foster care and no less frequently than every 12 months thereafter.
      
      
   4. Provides a process for termination of parental rights proceedings in accordance with the provisions of the Adoption and Safe Families Act.
      
      
   5. Provides a process for foster parents, preadoptive parents, and relative caregivers of children in foster care being notified of, and having an opportunity to be heard in, any review or hearing held with respect to the child.
   
   
   
3. Quality Assurance
   
   Performance indicators:
   
   
   1. The State has developed and implemented standards to ensure that children in foster care placements are provided quality services that protect the safety and health of the children.
      
      
   2. The State is operating an identifiable quality assurance system that is in place in the jurisdictions where the services included in the CFSP are provided, evaluates the quality of services, identifies strengths and needs of the service delivery system, provides relevant reports, and evaluates program improvement measures implemented.
4. Staff and Provider Training
   
   Performance indicators:
   1. The State is operating a staff development and training program that supports the goals and objectives in the CFSP, addresses services provided under titles IV-B and IV-E, and provides initial training for all staff who deliver these services.
      
      
   2. The State provides for ongoing training for staff that addresses the skills and knowledge base needed to carry out their duties with regard to the services included in the CFSP.
      
      
   3. The State provides short-term training for current or prospective foster parents, adoptive parents, and staff of State licensed or approved facilities that care for children receiving foster care or adoption assistance under title IV-E that addresses the skills and knowledge base needed to carry out their duties with regard to foster and adopted children.
5. Service Array
   
   Performance indicators:
   1. The State has in place an array of services that assess the strengths and needs of children and families and determine other service needs, address the needs of families in addition to individual children in order to create a safe home environment, enable children to remain safely with their parents when reasonable, and help children in foster and adoptive placements achieve permanency.
      
      
   2. The services in item 35 are accessible to families and children in all political jurisdictions covered in the state's CFSP.
      
      
   3. The services in item 35 can be individualized to meet the unique needs of children and families.
6. Agency Responsiveness to Community
   
   Performance indicators:
   1. In implementing the provisions of the CFSP, the State engages in ongoing consultation with tribal representatives, consumers, service providers, foster care providers, the juvenile court, and other public and private child and family-serving agencies, and includes the major concerns of these representatives in the goals and objectives of the CFSP.
      
      
   2. The agency develops, in consultation with these representatives, annual reports of progress and services delivered pursuant to the CFSP.
      
      
   3. The State's services under the CFSP are coordinated with services or benefits of other Federal or federally assisted programs serving the same population.
7. Foster and Adoptive Parent Licensing, Recruitment, and Retention
   
   Performance indicators:
   1. The State has implemented standards for foster family homes and child care institutions which are reasonably in accord with recommended national standards.
      
      
   2. The standards are applied to all licensed or approved foster family homes or child care institutions receiving title IV-E or IV-B funds.
      
      The State complies with Federal requirements for criminal background clearances as related to licensing or approving foster care and adoptive placements and has in place a case planning process that includes provisions for addressing the safety of foster care and adoptive placements for children.
      
      
   3. The State has in place an identifiable process for assuring the diligent recruitment of potential foster and adoptive families that reflect the ethnic and racial diversity of children in the State for whom foster and adoptive homes are needed.
      
      
   4. The State has in place a process for the effective use of cross-jurisdictional resources to facilitate timely adoptive or permanent placements for waiting children.