Greetings Providers,

As you may already be aware, The Children's Bureau conducted the Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) in Georgia, which are periodic reviews of State Child Welfare Systems, to achieve three goals:

• Ensure conformity with Federal Child Welfare requirements
• Determine what is actually happening to Children and Families as they are engaged in Child Welfare Services
• Assist states in helping Children and Families achieve positive outcomes

After a CFSR is completed, states develop a Program Improvement Plan (PIP) to address areas in their Child Welfare Services that need improvement. Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) is currently in the process of developing a PIP to address deficiencies that were identified as a result of this review.

Georgia received an overall rating of needs improvement for ongoing training. Data in the statewide assessment indicated that many private agency staff completed annual ongoing training timely. However, there was no method for tracking the completion of ongoing training requirements for private agency staff. Georgia also received an overall rating of area needs improvement concerning both public and private agency foster and adoptive parents complete required pre-service and ongoing training and that there are methods to monitor and track this along with trainings for Child Care Institutions.

Georgia’s investment in collaborative relationships with stakeholders was identified as a strength. "A key pillar of the governor’s "Blueprint for Change” strategic plan includes a focus on constituent engagement that further demonstrates the state’s commitment to collaborative partnerships. The Children’s Bureau believes this work can be leveraged to support improvements in all outcomes.” The Office of Provider Management is aligned with this mission and supports the integration of stakeholder engagement and alignment of key planning and reporting structures. Therefore, OPM intends to formulate a work group to develop the PIP to specifically address tracking and monitoring of private agency staff and foster parents’ ongoing training.

OPM will randomly select a total of six (6) RBWO providers which would include two (2) CPA’s, two (2) CCI’s and two (2) ILP providers. If your agency is interested in participating in this work group please contact OPM Training and Curriculum Specialist, LaShaunda Daniel, via email at lashaunda.daniel@dhs.ga.gov by COB, Monday, 12/19/2016. Notification of selected providers will be emailed no later than Wednesday, 12/21/2016.

Thank You,

The Office of Provider Management