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Home My WebLink About990370.tiff RESOLUTION RE: APPROVE LETTER OF AGREEMENT FOR SAFE AND STABLE FAMILIES PROGRAM AND AUTHORIZE CHAIR TO SIGN WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, pursuant to Colorado statute and the Weld County Home Rule Charter, is vested with the authority of administering the affairs of Weld County, Colorado, and WHEREAS, the Board has been presented with a Letter of Agreement for the Safe and Stable Families Program between the County of Weld, State of Colorado, by and through the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, on behalf of the Department of Social Services, and the Colorado Department of Human Services, commencing January 1, 1999, and ending September 30, 1999, with further terms and conditions being as stated in said agreement, and WHEREAS, after review, the Board deems it advisable to approve said agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, ex-officio Board of Social Services, that the Letter of Agreement for the Safe and Stable Families Program between the County of Weld, State of Colorado, by and through the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, on behalf of the Department of Social Services, and the Colorado Department of Human Services be, and hereby is, approved. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Board that the Chair be, and hereby is, authorized to sign said agreement. The above and foregoing Resolution was, on motion duly made and seconded, adopted by the following vote on the 3rd day of March, A.D., 1999, nunc pro tunc January 1, 1999. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS D COUNTY, COO DO ATTEST: Dale K. Hall, Chair Weld County Clerk t e r � `�� 'Barbara Kirkmeyer, Pro Tem U BY. Deputy Clerk to th � / ." George E. Baxter O D A TO FORM: EXCUSED DATE OF SIGNING (AYE) M. J. Geile unt Attorney t/.4buti /414(45` Glenn Vaad - ) 990370 5.5 SS0026 ii , ,,f,,t , _ . , . , ..._ _ DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES Inn pi c: I1 I PO BOX A WI D IGREELEY, CO 80632 LE Administration and Public Assistance (970)352-1551 (Co Child Support (970) 352-6933 TO l P Protective and Youth Services (970) 352-1923 MEMORANDUM COLORADO TO: Dale K. Hall, Chair Date: February 26, 1999 Board of County Commissioners FR: Judy A. Griego, Director, Social Services 0 !lt RE: Letter of Agreement Between the Weld Co ty Departmen of a Social Services and Colorado Department of Human Services Concerning Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program Enclosed for Board approval is a Letter of Agreement between the Weld County Department o f Social Services and the Colorado Department of Human Services Concerning Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program. The major provisions of the Letter of Agreement are as follows: 1. The term of the Agreement is January 1, 1999 through September 31, 1999. Previously the Board approved a Letter of Agreement between the Weld County Department of Social Services and the Colorado Department of Social Services for the period of October 1, 1998 through December 31, 1998. 2. The funding under this Letter of Agreement is $150,000. With the funding under the previous Letter of Agreement of$50,000, the total funding for the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program is $200,000. 3. The Letter of Agreement defines the services to be provided under the Time Limited Reunification and Adoption Program of$80,000, as follows: A. Respite Care 1. Short-term respite care through licensed facilities at $8.00 an hour: $15,000 2. Short term respite care for special needs children through licensed facilities at$18.00 an hour: $ 5,400 • 3. Overnight respite care through County Certified Foster Care homes at $30 per day for a maximum of seven days $ 8,000 4. Summer Camp fees $ 8,000 990:10 Memorandum Dale K. Hall February 26, 1999 B. Pre- and Post-Adoption Mentoring Program Reunification Program Adoptive Parents will be reimbursed $20.00 per hour for mentoring services for pre- and post-adoptive parents and families. Total reimbursement of $6,000. C. Travel Expenses through the Adoptive Process Based on financial need, travel reimbursement for adoptive parents. Total reimbursement of$8,000. D. Training and Educational Materials 1. Pre- and Post-Adopt Training Services $6,000 2. Educational Materials $8,000 E. One time Emergency Funding for Children Not Covered by Medicaid or other Resources. Total reimbursement fund of$7,200. F. Support Staff Costs Total reimbursement fund of$8,400. 4. Additional narrative was provided to describe the methods by which Catholic Charities Northern and the Weld County Department of Human Services projects include parent participation. If you have any questions, please telephone me at extension 6510. LETTER OF AGREEMENT THIS AGREEMENT, made this first day of January 1999 and between the Colorado Department of Human Services; Division of Child Welfare and Weld County Department of Social Services. WHEREAS authority exists in the LAW and FUNDS have been budgeted, appropriated and otherwise made available and a sufficient balance thereof remains available for payment in Fund #287, Agency ID IRA, Org#4110, Appr. #076, Program#9521, GBL#xg8c. WHEREAS the parties desire to coordinate their efforts with respect to the local federal Family Preservation and Family Support Project. NOW THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows: The term of this agreement is from January 1, 1999 through September 30, 1999. The Weld County Department of Social Services will provide the following: • Comply with the Fiscal Agency responsibilities listed in the Family Preservation and Family Support 1998-99 Request for Application (Exhibit 1). • Be responsible for the duties outlined in the Weld County Proposal for Family Preservation and Family Support (Exhibit 2) with the additional Plans for Family Involvement and for Time-limited Reunification and Adoption Promotion and Support Services (Exhibit 3). • Adhere to the Budget submitted as part of the above mentioned proposal and plans. Payment pursuant to this contract will be made as earned, in whole or in part, from available funds encumbered in an amount not to exceed $150,000 for the purchase of the within-described services for a period of January 1, 1999 through September 30, 1999. The Contract shall submit requests for reimbursement on a monthly basis. All requests for reimbursements must be submitted by September 30, 1999. Of the $150,000 total available funds, it is further understood and agreed that the maximum amount of funds available are as follows: A. For Fiscal Year 1999 (January 1, 1999 through June 30, 1999) for the purchase of the above described services is in the amount of$100,000; and B. For Fiscal Year 2000 (July 1, 1999 through September 30, 1999) is in the amount of$50,000. The liability of the State, at any time, for such payments shall be limited to the encumbered amount remaining of such funds. Financial obligations of the State of Colorado payable after the current fiscal year are contingent upon funds for that purpose being appropriated, budgeted, and otherwise made available. Either party may terminate this agreement by providing the other 30 days notice of its intent to terminate. This agreement is intended as the completed integration of all understanding between the parties. Nor prior, contemporaneous or subsequent change, addition, or deletion shall have any force or effort unless embodied in writing and approved pursuant to State Fiscal Rules. By CA OtO By Wel Y�(�ounAj Departmnt of For the Executive Director So I Serv'ides Department of Human Services Chair, Board of County Commissioners Dale K. Hall (03/03/99) ATTEST: � Ei� AVX i �i*.� WELD COUNTY CLERK TO/ H. IBGI (0-e f4cv BY: ► ?. �.w _� Deputy Clerk to the Board a AA `- r EXHIBIT 1 14 REQUEST FOR APPLICATION STATE OF COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES DIVISION OF CHILD WELFARE PROMOTING SAFE AND STABLE FAMILIES (TITLE IV-B, SUB-PART 2) Application Deadline:Completed applications must be received at 1575 Sherman Street,Second Floor, by 4:30 p.m.Friday,August28, 1998. I. ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION 1. ISSUING OFFICE: This Request for Application(RFA) is issued for the state of Colorado by the Department of Human Services for the benefit of the Colorado Division of Child Welfare Services, Family Resource Unit. The Department of Human Services is the sole point of contact concerning this RFA. Inquiries should be directed to either/or: Charles Perez, Ed.D. Debra Cady, LCSW Division of Child Welfare Division of Child Welfare Colorado Dept. of Human Services Colorado Dept. of Human Services 1575 Sherman Street, Ground Floor 1575 Sherman Street, Ground Floor Denver, CO 80203 Denver, CO 80203 303 866-5139 303 866-4629- Fax 303 866-4129 303 866-4629- Fax 2. PURPOSE This RFA provides applicants with sufficient information to enable them to prepare and submit applications for consideration by the Colorado Division of Child Welfare, Family Resource Unit, to meet the goals of this RFA. 3. SCOPE: This RFA contains the instructions governing the application to be submitted and mandatory requirements to be eligible for consideration. 4. TIMELINES: July 17, 1998 Fiscal Agent returns Confirmation of Intent to Apply form (Appendix A) to State. August 28, 1998 Completed applications(Original and nine (9) copies) due to State. September 30, 1998 Negotiations completed between State and fiscal agent. October 1, 1998 Earliest date for beginning new programs under this funding. a December 31, 1998 Final date for first billing under this funding. January 15, 1999 First quarterly report due to State. April 16, 1999 Second quarterly report due to State. June 19, 1999 Final date to bill for January, 1999 through May, 1999 expenses. July 16, 1999 Third quarterly report due to State. September 24, 1999 Final bills due from all PSSFP grant recipients. October 30, 1999 Final reports due to State 5. WHO MAY APPLY: Seventeen(17) areas of the state were selected to receive funds through a non-competitive application process. The criteria for selection was based on the information provided in the document At What Risk: County Assessments of Safety and Risk for Child Abuse and Neglect in Colorado, percentage of ethnic minority children with open child protection cases, history of an active collaborative council, proximity of a family resource center, and availability of resources to mitigate for risk factors. The targeted communities, counties, and/or regions for 1999 are: • Aurora • Commerce City • Delta/Montrose Counties • Four Denver County Neighborhoods Five Points/Curtis Park Southwest Denver Northwest Denver Montbello/Green Valley Ranch • Fremont/Custer/ChaffeeCounties • Huerfano/Las Animas Counties • La Plata/Archuleta/MontezumaCounties • Morgan County • Otero County • Pueblo County • Prowers/Bent/Baca Counties • San Luis Valley(six counties) • Ute Mountain Ute Tribe • Weld County Each area will submit one and only one application for funds. This application will be submitted by the designated fiscal agency selected by the local area to serve in that capacity. Technical assistance will be made available as needed to help groups in targeted areas prepare their applications. Upon approval of their continuation application,these areas will be funded. 2 . t The seventeen targeted areas MUST fill out and return the attached form, Appendix A, Confirmation of Intent to Apply for Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program Funds, by 4:30 p.m. Friday,July 17, 1998. Any targeted area failing to return the form by that date could be eliminated from the application process and the funds designated for that area would be divided proportionatelyamong the remaining targeted areas. Return this form to Debra Cady, LCSW at the address or fax noted above. 6. ACCEPTANCE OF THE RFA TERMS: An application submitted in response to this RFA shall constitute an offer. Acknowledgment of this condition shall be indicated by the signature of the representative duly authorized to execute obligations for the applicant. An application submitted in response to this RFA acknowledges acceptance by the applicant of all terms and conditions, including compensation,set forth herein. 7. BUDGETS: Applications must include Budget(Cost Data)and provide factual information concerning the cost of labor, material, travel, overhead and other cost elements which are expected to be incurred. 8. RFA CANCELLATION: The State of Colorado reserves the right to cancel this Request for Application at any time, without penalty. 9. INCURRING COSTS: The State of Colorado is not liable for any cost incurred by applicants prior to issuance of the Grant Award. Further, no interest of any nature shall occur until a grant is awarded and the documents are signed by the State. 10. NON-DISCRIMINATION The applicant shall comply with all applicable state and federal laws, rules and regulations involving non-discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, or disability. 11. REJECTION OF APPLICATION The State of Colorado reserves the right to reject any or all applications and to waive informalities and minor irregularities in applications received and to accept any portion of an application or all items proposed if deemed in the best interest of the State of Colorado, or return incomplete applications for additional work. In cases of rejection of an application, the State will provide the applicants with technical assistance to modify or correct the application to bring the application into compliance with the requirements of the RFA. 3 12. CANCELLATION OF AWARD: The State reserves the right to cancel, for cause, any grant award resulting from this RFA, by providing timely written notice to the contractee. 13. FAILURE TO PERFORM: In any case where the contractee's failure to perform in accordance with this grant results in a loss of federal financial participation(as in the case of a federal audit exception),contractee will bear full financial responsibilityfor the loss. Financial responsibilityshall also include payment of any legal expenses incurred in the defense of such an audit exception. Human Services shall also have the right to implement other available remedial actions. 14. INDEMNIFICATION To the extent authorized by law, the contractee shall indemnify,save and hold harmless the State, its employees and agents, against any and all claims, liability and court awards, including costs, expenses and attorney fees incurred as a result of any act of omission by the contractee,or its employees, agents, sub-contractees,or assignees pursuant to terms of this grant. 15. LIABILITY INSURANCE/FIDELITYCOVERAGE- CONTRACTEE During the term of this grant, and any extension(s)hereof, contractee agrees that it will keep in force an insurance policy or policies, issued by a company authorized to do business in Colorado, in the minimum amounts specified below unless specifically waived herein. In the event of cancellation of any such coverage, contractee shall immediately notify the State of such cancellation. a. Standard Worker's Compensation and Employers' Liability 1) As required by State statute including occupational disease, covering all employees at the work site. b. Except as to a "public entity"described below, General Liability(PL. and PD) (Minimum) 1) Combined single limit - $600,000 (effective 1/1/93) written on an occurrence basis. 2) Any aggregate limit will not be less than $1 million. 3) Contractee must purchase additional insurance if claims reduce the annual aggregate below $600,000. 4) State of Colorado to be named as additional insured on each comprehensive general liability policy. 5) Certificate of insurance to be provided to the State (within 10 working days after receipt of award) and a copy of the policy endorsement naming the State of Colorado as additional insured as indicated in "4" above. 6) Insurance shall include provisions preventing cancellation without 60 days prior notice by certified mail to the State. 4 c. Except as to a "public entity" described below, Automobile Liability (Minimum): 1) Contractee to carry a minimum of$600,000 combined single limit auto Insurance. d. For licensed professionals providing services in their professional capacity, professional liability insurance in an amount not less than $150,000 for any injury to one person in any single occurrence, and, no less than $600,000 for an injury to two or more persons in any single occurrence. If the contractee is a "public entity" within the meaning of the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act, 24-10-101, et seq., C.R.S., as amended ("Act"); contractee shall maintain such insurance, by commercial policy or self-insurance, as is necessary to meet contractee's liabilities under the Act. Proof of such insurance shall be provided upon request by the State. 16. LICENSES/APPROVALS/INSURANCE Contractee certifies that, at the time of entering into this grant, it has currently in effect all necessary licenses, certifications,approvals, insurance,etc. required to properly provide the services and/or supplies covered by this grant. Additionally,all employees of contractee performing services under this grant shall hold the required license or certification, if any, to perform their responsibilities. Any revocation,withdrawal or nonrenewal of necessary license, certification,approval, insurance,etc. required for contractee to properly perform this grant, shall be grounds for termination of this grant by the State. Contractee further certifies that, if a foreign corporation, it currently has a Certificate of Authority to do business in Colorado issued from the Colorado Secretary of State designating a registered agent in Colorado to accept service of process. 17. CONFIDENTIALITY OF RECORDS: Contractee shall protect the confidentiality of all records and other materials containing personally identifying information that are maintained in accordance with this grant. Except as provided by law, no information in possession of contractee about any individual constituent shall be disclosed in a form including identifying information without the prior written consent of the person in interest, a minor's parent, or guardian. Contractee shall have written policies governing access to, duplication and dissemination of, all such information. Contractee shall advise its employees,agents and subcontractors,if any, that they are subject to these confidentiality requirements. Contractee shall provide its employees, agents and subcontractors,if any, with a copy or written explanation of these confidentiality requirements before access to confidential data is permitted. 5 II. BACKGROUND In 1993, The Family Preservation and Support Services Act was signed into law as part of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Funds were made available to states to serve as a catalyst to help communities find innovative,collaborative ways to deliver services that will promote healthy families and keep children safe. The funds were designed to create and enhance two kinds of locally based projects: family support networks on behalf of all families to increase family well-being,and family preservation programs geared to families in crisis who have children at risk for maltreatment and/or children with disabilities. The goal of the act was to increase the capacity of all families to nurture their children. It was predicated on the belief that families who receive support are more capable of supporting themselves and their children; and that respect for parents is vital in the delivery of services. Funds were received by Colorado at the end of 1994, and the next year was spent consulting with parents, child advocates,youth, public and private service providers, and representatives of diverse cultures including families with a member with a disability,to create a plan for the next five years, to accomplish our goals, and distribute federal and state funds. Appendix B, Colorado Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program, provides the vision, principles and goals for the state plan. The intent of the vision seeks systemic redesign whereby all families will have access to a system of care that individualizes their care based on.an assessment of strengths and how those strengths can be built upon to address specific family needs as well as meeting the mandate of keeping children safe. • The vision expands the efforts to include all families and children, not just those at risk for maltreatment. • The vision anticipates that families will have access to support at any point along the service continuum, from prevention/education efforts through foster care, to aftercare and follow-up. If families have appropriate support, the likelihood of a child staying in their family, and/or reunifying with their family successfully, is much greater than if they remain isolated. • The vision also anticipates that families will have access to family preservation services when they are in crisis. Traditional family preservation services and other treatment services have their own funding streams for target populations (e.g. Medicaid recipients, open child welfare cases through core services, ADAD programs, S.B. 94 funds, etc.). PSSFP funds can be used to enhance these 6 • Targeted areas are strongly encouraged to enhance or expand an existing collaborative council rather than creating a new entity, but the manner of formation of this council will be left to the discretion of the area. It is the intent of this RFA to increase coordination and collaboration among local, state, county, community based programs,families and their advocates in both treatment and support services,from prevention through intervention and reunification. The dollars available under this RFA are not sufficient to address the strongest areas of concern reflected by parents, youth and service providers during the state wide focus group process(especially economic conditions/employmentand housing). However, bringing together the representatives listed below should permit targeted communities to focus existing resources on these critical areas, and use some or all of the funds available through this RFA to leverage services that will directly impact these concerns. 1) Required membership of the local collaborative council shall, at a minimum, include: • at least three (3) parents/consumers whose children have been served or are being served by the local human services system (preferably parents of children with disabilities— including emotional disabilities and adoptive families); • the Family Advocate(s)for the targeted area; • the CORRA representative for the targeted area; • Family Resource Center Staff(state funded or other) • at least one representative from state and/or local government agencies, specifically,social services, health, mental health, juvenile justice, substance abuse treatment, community centered boards, and school districts; • at least one representative from agencies that provide support for families such as social services- TAN F, employment, housing, transportation,and domestic violence shelters and programs, and Head Start; • at least five (5) representatives from the local community such as churches and civic groups, organizations providing community services, community action agencies, and recreation centers; • at least one representative from agencies and community-based organizations that provide prevention programs(i.e. child abuse prevention programs, DARE programs, Bright Beginnings,etc.) 2) Other suggested representatives for the collaborative council: 11 • representatives of each local county and municipal government within the targeted area; • representatives of groups with expertise in providing services to children,with disabilities; • representatives of the business community; • a youth representative or a youth advocate; • other individuals with expertise in services that family resource programs in the state intend to offer; • vocational rehabilitation agencies; • economic development agencies. If it is initially not possible to involve all of these key players, it is expected that each targeted area will document its efforts to include all the required parties listed above. Further, ongoing efforts to include representatives who are unavailable at the beginning of the grant year should be documented quarterly. It is acceptable to have one individual take more than one role, i.e. the representative from one of the required agencies may also be a parent of a child with special needs. It is also understood that decision making with such a large group presents many problems. Within the spirit of inclusion,the areas must include within their plan, how decisions are made and how oversight by the total council will occur. Within the spirit of the PSSFP plan, the council represents a "capability team"that includes consumers and parents of children with special needs as equal partners, to oversee the project. The council will entertain feedback as to how they are enhancing a system of care that advocates for families and children, with the ultimate goal being that children will be safe within their own families and communities. Expectations of the Council would include but not be limited to the following: • Selection of a local designated fiscal agency. • Design a coordinated vision for families with regard to family preservation services, family support linkages, time-limited reunification services, and adoption promotion and support services. • Development of a PSSFP plan, that coordinates the system of care for families in both the prevention and treatment arenas, to provide consistent, comprehensive services and support. • Develop oversight criteria which will provide the council with information regarding the progress of the project, as well as information regarding spending of the funds. 12 • • Establish policy and procedures for decision making that involves community and parent participation. • Work with the fiscal agency around the local project coordination. This would include policies and procedures around decision making, sub-committees to accomplish tasks, etc. • Address how agencies work together in a more coordinated manner, with emphasis toward linking the county DSS with the community. • Address how families can be seen as experts on their own families. • Address the need for culturally competent services and support. • Continually assess the strengths and needs of the community and how to change the local plan to address the needs accordingly. • Establish a support and treatment services mechanism that allows the system of care to respond quickly to family needs and has the flexibility to address non-traditional needs. - b. Family Advocate(FA): Each targeted area will be required to select an individual from the community to be employed in this position. It is preferred that the FA be a parent or family member of a child or adolescent who is at risk, and who has been, or currently is, an active consumer of some aspect of the local service system (i.e.: social services, mental health, special education, developmental disabilities,juvenile justice). It is hoped that s/he will have first-hand knowledge of the obstacles faced by service recipients. There is no specific educational requirement imposed by the State, although it is expected that the advocate will have sufficient oral and written communication skills to perform the duties of the position. If a targeted area already has an individual employed in this capacity and can clearly demonstrate that the expectations described in this section and in Appendix C, Family Advocate Job Description, are being accomplished by that person, the Council may choose to use the designated funds to enhance existing family advocacy efforts or, with specific consent of the State, it may apply the funds planned for the FA to the other areas. See Appendix C for a complete description of the expectations of the FA. c. Parent Involvement In order to maximize parent participation,the Collaborative Councils are expected to provide training for parent participation as well as set aside funds to reimburse parents for their time, travel and child care, or other reasonable expenses that will permit their participation. Parents must have an equal interest and benefit from their 13 4. participation as any other member of the council. Parent must be seen as equal partners throughout the process, given the opportunity to teach agency and community providers about their perspectives and support needs. d. Cultural Competence: Indicate the method/manner by which the area has chosen to address cultural competence within the plan. This will include the following factors: (1) the Collaborative Council will reflect the diverse populations within an area; (2) the.Family Advocate will demonstrate skills and sensitivity to the cultural and linguistic differences of the local areas; (3) cultural strengths of family and community will be reflected in the planning and delivery of support and treatment services; (4) any planned training and technical assistance must address an aspect of cultural competence; (5) part of the evaluation component will objectively measure an area's degree of cultural competence(technical assistance will be available to assist the targeted areas in complying with this requirement). 5. USE OF FUNDS: A minimum of 20% of the each targeted area's funding must be applied to each of the four service areas. Coordination and administration of the local project cannot exceed 20% of the local grant. a. Dual Roles - Because family advocacy is a key component, more than 20% can be budgeted to employ family advocates who will be working in the local area to accomplish the goals and objectives within all four of the service areas. b. Family Resource Centers- In an effort to provide a base of family support,funds received through this application process may be used to create family resource centers with the objective being to address the gaps in the four services areas through coordination of the existing service system. c. Supplantation: Because these funds are time-limited,they may not be used to supplant existing funds for existing programs or for those that are being eliminated. These dollars are not meant as replacement dollars for existing programs that are being abolished, or to continue programs that have exhausted their funding streams. 14 d. Matching Funds- Each targeted area will be required to provide a match of ten (10) percent to the funds made available. Five(5%) percent may be matched through in-kind contributions of service provision, project coordination,capital outlay, or provision of office space and equipment for the Project Coordinator and/or Family Advocate. Time spent attending meetings will NOT be acceptable as an in-kind match. Five(5%) percent must be in cash,which should be raised collaboratively and collectively by all participating agencies and families. An alternative,nontraditional match can come from other agency or grant funding that is expanding the work of this grant will be allowed to use that as the match Federal funds may NOT be used as the cash match for these dollars. The sources and amounts of the in-kind match must be documented in the application,and the sources and amounts of the cash match must be outlined. The cash match must be accounted for with the Second Quarterly Report, due May 1, 1997. The Designated Agency will be responsible for collecting and maintaining the funds comprising the cash match, and for distributing those funds under the direction of the Collaborative Council. e. Budget Amendments- Budget amendments and re-allocations of more than $1,000.00 must have prior approval from the state. f. Prefunding- Prefunding is not an option under the terms of this RFA and the contract. 6. DESIGNATED(FISCAL)AGENCY: Because the State can only enter into a fiscal arrangement with an existing qualified fiscal entity as opposed to an interagency council such as the Collaborative Council, the local council in each targeted area must select a Designated Agency which will function as a fiscal agent for the funds to be received through this RFA process. This agency may be public, governmental,or private non-profit. The Designated Agency will be responsible for receiving and distributing funds, keeping records, and will be accountable to the State. For that reason, a representative of the Designated Agency should be an active member of the decision making branch of the Collaborative Council. The Designated Agency will also be responsible for the coordination of the local project and possibly the hiring, housing, and supervising of the Family Advocate. As an employee of the Designated Agency, the Project Coordinator and possibly the Family Advocate will be required to comply with the applicable rules, regulations and policies of the hiring agency. The fiscal agency shall be responsible for the following: 15 a. be the fiscal agent for the local Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program project and assure that the guidelines within this RFA, are adhered to. b. be responsible for the overall program coordination and ensure the completion of the coordination duties expected by the State and described in Appendix D Working Job Description for PSSFP Local Project Coordinator. c. ensure the completion of duties described in the approved local PSSFP plan submitted by the local Collaborative Council. d. be an entity authorized by law to enter into legal contracts and to sue and be sued on such contracts. e. be responsible to provide qualified staff to coordinate and oversee the appropriate and lawful obligation and expenditure of Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program funds; receiving and distributing funds, keeping records, and auditing acceptable procedures of sub-contractors. f. present evidence of a current audit(last fiscal year), and produce balance sheets and income statements for the last two years. g. have capability to set up a separate account for the federal Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program funds. h. be responsible to gather data and provide quarterly reports regarding the attainment of the local plan's goals and objectives, and final financial and narrative reports detailing the amounts of funds obligated and liquidated, as well as gather appropriate data for the State evaluation of the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program. i. designate one individual as CEO, authorized to sign contracts and be the central contact person with regard to fiscal matters. j. list all actual or pending federal, state, county grant applications related to Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program services including agency name and amount requested. If applicable, list private grants as well. k. have capacity to maintain confidentiality of records. 16 I. collect,maintain and account for the funds comprising the cash match, and distribute those funds as directed by the Collaborative Council through the local PSSFP plan or any amendment thereof. m.distribute funds to agencies/individuals providing Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program services,according to the local PSSFP plan. n. adhere to agreed upon timelines as delineated in this contract as well as those written into the approved local PSSFP plan. o. use Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program Local Plan Amendment (Appendix E), to notify the State in writing of any anticipated or actual deviations from the agreed upon timeline, or deviations within the local PSSFP plan; such deviations shall require the prior written approval of the state. p. ensure participation with the State staff, as requested to allow for open discussions of progress, problems encountered, and problem solution both at the local and state level of operations. q. ensure participation with other Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program coordinators in all aspects of the ongoing technical assistance provided by the State. r. provide adequate plans for the disbursement and ownership of equipment purchased through payments pursuant to This contract, in the event that State and Federal funding is no longer provided for the maintenance and support of the local program, or in the event that the Contractor fails to fulfill the obligations of this contract. In the event that the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program funding is revoked from the designated area, all prrchased equipment shall revert to the State. s. agree that any and all work products which are the result of this contract (in whole or in part) will be the property of the State. Any product of this contract which is distributed to the public or made available to the public must prominently acknowledge the use of Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program funds through the Colorado Department of Human Services; Division of Child Welfare. 7. RELATIONSHIP TO INFORMATION AND REFERRAL COMPONENT: State wide access to resources and information are included in the goals of the state plan. Indicate in the application an agreement to work with this process. A 17 separate component of the initiation of the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program Plan is the expansion of information and referral(I&R)services state wide. A contract exists between the State and the Colorado Office of Resource and Referral Agencies(CORRA), an agency which currently provides state wide l&R for child care. CORRA subcontractors are located in or responsible for coverage of all of the targeted areas. The CORRA representative will be a member of the Collaborative Council, and will work closely with the Family Advocacy Coordinator. Separate funds have been earmarked for CORRA, distinct from the funds to be granted to the targeted areas. 8. EVALUATION: Indicate in the application an agreement to work with the State in the evaluation of PSSFP. A contract exists between the State and the Colorado Foundation for Families and Children (CFFC) Specifically,CFFC will work with the state and local projects as follows: a. Work with the project staff, including family advocates,to flesh out what the various"measures of success"for the goals and objectives of the local project are. This could involve completing an Outcomes Matrix as one way by which defining of measures of success could be facilitated. b. Facilitating a self-evaluation on the progress being made by the Local Collaborative Council. The Local Collaborative Councils are an integral part of the PSSFP initiative and we at the State are interested in what is the "value added" of utilizing this collaborative decision-making entity. It is believed this process can strengthen the councils. c. Assist the local site in designing a local evaluation plan that will produce information about the strengths and challenges of the project, as well as, the impact of the local project. IV. INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARING APPLICATIONS 1. FORMAT: Please use the forms included in this RFA (Appendix F) and attach them to the end of your application. Duplicate the forms as needed. 2. NARRATIVE The application narrative must be written as concisely and concretely as possible. Narrative must be limited to no more than fifteen (15) single-spaced typed pages (#12 font), numbered consecutively. These fifteen pages DO NOT INCLUDE the cover page, goals and objectives, budget summary and budget narrative. 18 In attempting to meet the requirements of this RFA, applicants should at all times be guided by the spirit and intent of this entire initiative. These funds serve as a catalyst to help communities and agencies find innovative,collaborative ways to provide families with support and to deliver services that will promote healthy families and keep children safe. The following subject areas must be addressed in the application narrative. Address the subject areas in the order in which they are listed here. a. Provide a brief description and scope of the project. Provide a brief description of the progress made toward goal accomplishment from previous years of PSSFP funding. b. Describe the process for selecting a Designated Agency to enter into formal agreement with the State. Résumé of the individual authorized to sign applications for the Designated Agency should be attached. c. List members of the collaborative council (Use the form provided in appendix F) - names and affiliations. How does this roster fulfill the requirements of the RFA, (Section III, Part 4-a-1). If unable to include any of the required members, detail efforts made to find an appropriate representative OR selection and justification of an acceptable substitute. d. Describe the process for selecting a chairperson or spokesperson for the Collaborative Council, and plan for rotating such responsibility among the members during ensuing grant years. The chairperson should be a representative of some entity other than the fiscal agency. e. Describe the structure of the Collaborative Council by way of an organizational chart; tell how the Council will provide oversight of the local project and how final decisions are made. f. Describe and document through quarterly reports, the involvement of parents of children who are consumers within the local human services system, parent advocates, and youth or youth advocates in the design and implementation of this plan from inception through evaluation. g. Describe other coordinated efforts in the targeted area which demonstrate full community participation(among service system agencies, community support networks churches,families, etc.) for 19 keeping children safe and providing family support and efforts to link PSSFP with those projects. h. Describe how the local project will be coordinated anadministered. Indicate the dollar amount(maximum 20%) and number of hours to be spent in this role.Also, include expected duties of the coordinator (Appendix D), other expectations of this person with regard to the local PSSFP project, administrative support provided, and the relationship to the community and collaborative council. i. Describe the selection process for hiring the Family Advocate:criteria for selection, office arrangements,supervision,specific duties,strategy for assuring cultural competence of chosen individual(Appendix C). Describe the role of the Family Advocate in assisting the Collaborative Council to implement the goals and objectives of the local plan. j. Document your vision statement and describe the process for developing the vision statement for your targeted area (Appendix F). Refer.to the vision of Colorado Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program (appendix B) in developing your vision. k. Address the four service areas as outlined in Appendix G. Briefly describe how the service areas will be addressed and justify at least 20% of the local grant toward each service area. I. Describe how the CALLS Plus system will be implemented and made available for the general public. m.Indicate readiness to prepare and submit quarterly reports in a timely manner. Quarterly reports will address the progress made in achieving the goals and objectives delineated in each local plan. Reports should address the success of programs and services in both fiscal and human terms. n. Indicate willingness to cooperate with the larger evaluation process undertaken by the state to measure achievement of the goals outlined in the State Plan for Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program. o. Describe how the targeted area will assure that families participating in programs and services funded under this RFA will be informed of the short-term nature of the available funding. Steps should be taken to assure that services and programs funded under this application 20 procedure do not result in financial harm to participants(for example, loss of TANF benefits);or that participants are fully informed of the risks of losing such benefits and given the opportunity to make informed decisions about the potential risks. Describe how these steps will be taken in the targeted area. p. Describe the cultural and/or ethnic make up of the targeted area and how implementation of the plan will ensure ethnic and cultural diversity in the planning and delivery of services. q. Indicate efforts being made by the targeted community to continue this process when federal and state funding are no longer available. Also, indicate how families who receive assistance as a result of this initiative are encouraged to give back to the project. 3. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES: Keep in mind that the state goal for PSSFP is to facilitate change in the process as to how the needs of all families can be addressed by the local service system, in coordination with community-based support networks, develop goals and objectives of the local plan for use of the allocated PSSFP funds (use Appendix F). Goals of the plan should state which of the following domains it is addressing: • Family Advocacy • Collaboration • Parent Involvement • Cultural/ethnic competency Further, it will reflect the vision for families and children around service and support coordination and delivery. The goals will address coordination and linkage within each of the four service areas to more effectively meet the needs of families and keep children safe. Ultimately,accomplishment of the goals should lead toward a positive link between agencies, communities,and families for the safety of children. Objectives should reflect measurable outcomes that lead to the accomplishment of the goals. Several objectives can be written for the goals (one objective per page). Objectives should address the use of the collaborative council, the effectiveness of family advocacy, incorporation of parent expertise and the strengths of cultural diversity. The improvement of family functioning as a result of coordination, linkage and enhancement. Writing goals and objectives with measurable outcomes allows effective evaluation of program success. Service strategies will be written into the four target areas: 21 • Family Preservation • Family Support Services • Time-limited Family Reunification Services • Adoption Promotion and Support Se vices These are the specific activities that will occur in order to meet the objective and ultimately accomplish the goal. A strategy in each target area may not be indicated and several strategies may be indicated in other areas. 4. BUDGET INFORMATION: a. Detailed Budget Report(Use Appendix F): -To be completed by the designated agency as follows: 1) The grant period for the first year is based on a Federal Fiscal year- October 1, 1998 through September 30, 1999. 2) Personnel for the grant will include any staff employed by the local project's fiscal agency(i.e. project coordinator,family advocacy coordinator,supervisors, support staff, etc.) and who directly serve in the capacity of this award. 3) Indicate the "Title"of the staff with regard to the award initiative. 4) "% of time on Proj"indicates the percentage of time spent working for the PSSFP initiative. (i.e. a full-time support staff might spend only 20% of his/her time on the PSSFP initiative,therefore, 20% of their salary fringe and indirect would be written into the budget.. 5) Indicate the yearly salary, fringe, and indirect costs that will be spent for personnel. The dollar amount should be in line with the percent of time on the project and only indicate the PSSFP funds spent for personnel. (i.e. A full-time family advocacy coordinator might be funded through PSSFP dollars as well as other dollars. If 50% of his/her time is spent for the PSSFP project, only half the salary, fringe, and indirect costs should be totaled into this budget). 6) "Administrative Expenses"includes funds used to purchase office supplies, phone, mailing, copying, etc. The total of personnel and administrative cannot exceed 20% of the grant awarded. 22 7) "Travel"includes funds budgeted for travel, beyond that provided by the State,to attend required meetings. 8) "Equipment and Supplies"includes any major capital outlay used to support the local project and/or any particular agency within the project. 9) "Publicity and Printing"includes funds budgeted for publicity beyond that provided by the State. 10) "Contract/Consultant"costs includes the amounts to be used specificallyfor the four service areas, or for services within the scope of this grant. (i.e. family advocates contracted through an agency other than the fiscal agency, home visitation, crisis respite, other supports and preservation enhancements,services for under served populations,wrap around contracts). 11) "Other"includes any costs budgeted not included in the above categories,such as technical assistance beyond that provided by the State. b. Budget Narrative: The Budget Narrative will justify the expenditures listed in the Detailed Budget Report. The figures will be supported with explanations how the figures were calculated.Vitae will be provided as part of the Budget Narrative. Funding must not be used to replace existing federal, state, or local expenditures. V. REVIEW OF LOCAL PLANS A panel of representativesfrom the state PSSFP Advisory Council will review the plans. The review will take place shortly after the plans are received, the targeted areas will receive feedback and be instructed what to do before the contracting process to receive the funding can continue. 23 APPENDIX B COLORADO PROMOTING SAFE AND STABLE FAMILIES PROGRAM Vision Principles Components Goals iii • COLORADO PROMOTING SAFE AND STABLE FAMILIES PROGRAM VISION: Colorado will be a state which values and respects the diversity and unique structures of its families. Families,communities,providers,and government will be partners in the development and implementation of an integrated system of family-focused services that ensure that all children grow up in nurturing,safe,and stable environments. PRINCIPLES: The ultimate safety and nurturance of children must be the goal of an integrated family preservation and family support system. Most families are able to care for themselves and their children through a variety of informal and formal supports. Supports and services for families and children must: • assure the safety,health,and well-being of children,families,and communities; • build on family strengths; • respect the various ways families define themselves; • emphasize prevention and early intervention; • be accessible to all families; • recognize that connectedness and relationships are keys to strong families and communities; • honor cultural and ethnic diversity; • work with families as equal partners in all levels of decision-making;and • be provided in a timely manner. The array of public and private family preservation and family support services must be provided as a coordinated,community-based effort which includes support, prevention, intervention,treatment,transition and aftercare. The human services work force must have the values,skills,cultural competence, knowledge, and support to engage as partners with families in ways that promote and support-positive family functioning. COMPONENTS: GOALS: 1. Formalized collaborative councils to oversee the 1. Assure the safety and protection of children and local project and provide an avenue for family members. individualized case planning. 2. Avoid unnecessary placement of children in out-of 2. Formalization of the use of family advocacy for the home care and reunify children with their families entire system of care. whenever possible, and achieve permanent, stable 3. Enhance family support for families with children at living arrangements for all children. risk for maltreatment and families with children who 3. Enhance parents'ability to create a safe,stable, have disabilities,specifically through home and nurturing home environment that promotes visitation and crisis respite. healthy child development. 4. Address the support needs of under served 4. Assist children and families to resolve crises, populations,specifically adoptive families and connect with necessary and appropriate services, transient populations. and remain safely together in their homes whenever possible. 5. Promote themes of collaboration and consultation in developing meaningful partnerships around family preservation and support services and reform of the broader child and family service system. iv APPENDIX C FAMILY ADVOCATE JOB DESCRIPTION V FAMILY ADVOCATE JOB DESCRIPTION Definition: Family advocates support and encourage families to identify their own strengths. Advocates are members of the community and have often experienced the same needs and issues as the families with whom they work. Family advocacy work is guided by the beliefs that every family is unique; that family members have the capacity to set their own goals, and implement them; and that the culture of families should be recognized, understood and respected. Family advocates and families work together, with communities in a partnership which focuses on the strengths of families, and acknowledges that families should have choices and the power to invest in those choices. They mediate, guide, support and educate as they assist families to meet their own needs. Brief Description of Expected Family Advocacy Activities: A family advocate assists families either directly or through referral efforts and works with providers in the planning for families,children,and adolescents. This person will serve on the local collaborative council and work in conjunction with the council toward linking community- based family support networks with agency family preservation programs. Some of the duties would include but not be limited to: • work with the local system of care toward the design, implementation and evaluation of a model of care that is collaborative,participation oriented and that views parents and families as key in the service provision and safety of children and adolescents who are at risk. • work toward the linkage of family support networks(those that are focused on enhancing the ability of families and surrogate families to better care for children)with Family Preservation Programs (services aimed for families with children at risk for out of home placement)in an effort to create an easily accessible array of services for families and children, especially adoptive families and families with children in foster or residential care. • work with the local interagency council toward the identification of strengths and services gaps in the local area. • work with existing community information and referral systems for parents and families to enhance accessibility. • provide education materials for parents and families. • Coordinate local family advocacy efforts for all families, especially those with children who have special needs. • work as a liaison between families with children and adolescents who are at risk and the various agencies that form the local service system of care • will be knowledgeable of the local area service provision and provide information regarding access to the local system of care • demonstrate skills and sensitivity to the cultural and linguistic differences with respect to the local area. vi Other Recommended Family Advocacy Activities: • Be a parent or family member of a child or adolescent who is at risk, who is or has been an active consumer of some aspect of the local service system. • Have access to transportation for outreach efforts. • Possess adequate verbal and written skills to interact and communicate successfully with parents, youth, and professionals. • Be willing to participate in training activities/internshipswith local service agencies to enhance knowledge base. vii APPENDIX D PROMOTING SAFE AND STABLE FAMILIES PROGRAM WORKING JOB DESCRIPTION FOR PSSFP LOCAL PROJECT COORDINATOR viii PROMOTING SAFE AND STABLE FAMILIES PROGRAM WORKING JOB DESCRIPTION FOR PSSFP LOCAL PROJECT COORDINATOR EXPECTATIONS FROM THE STATE: • Liaison to the state community development specialist (state coordinator for PSSFP). • Liaison to the local community, facilitating linkages with and among the PSSFP project; consumers (parents); other community based initiatives; and programmatic service providers within the traditional service system (social services, mental health, juvenile justice, education and substance abuse). • Establish and maintain records and files. • Responsible for data collection to complete the quarterly and year end reports. • Provide information to the local collaborative council with regard to the activities related to the complex components of the partnership and communicate with partners about the status of each component as well as the accomplishment of the goals and objectives of the local PSSFP plan. • Schedule and plan for the recording of PSSFP meetings. • Attendance at all meetings regarding PSSFP • Organize and implement local PSSFP activities and events. • Represent PSSFP in the community. • Establish and maintain contact with other advocacy organizations Some areas have included supervision of the family advocates into the above list. This has not been included as an expectation, as some areas have actually contracted with agencies for the family advocacy component and include the supervision as an expense to the project (either in-kind or actual expense). So, if a coordinator does include supervision of family advocates into their description, this could be billed as such and not as part of the coordination of the project. PERSONAL QUALITIES HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: • Initiative • sense of humor • flexibility • excellent interpersonal skills • multi-cultural sensitivity • willingness to take risks ix APPENDIX E PROMOTING SAFE AND STABLE FAMILIES PROGRAM LOCAL PLAN AMENDMENT x DATE: TO: Debra Cady, LCSW Program Coordinator 1575 Sherman 4th Floor Denver, CO 80203 303 866-4129 303 866-4629 (Fax) FROM: PSSFP PROJECT AREA Please note and approve the following amendment to the (targeted area) local PSSFP project: The aforementioned amendment(s) (were) (will be) discussed and approved by the local Collaborative Council, and with the States permission, will be implemented as of . Minutes of the meeting approving the amendments (are attached) (will follow in the mail). Required Signatures: Designated Agency Representative Collaborative Council Chairperson Local Project Coordinator xi APPENDIX F Face Sheet Collaborative Council Vision Statement Project Goals and Objectives Detailed Budget Report Budget Narrative Xii FACE-SHEET Page APPLICATION FOR PROMOTING SAFE AND STABLE FAMILIES PROGRAM FUNDS 1998-99 1. DESIGNATED FISCAL AGENCY ADDRESS: FEDERAL I.D. NUMBER: CENTRAL TELEPHONE NO. FAX NO. E-Mail address: How many years have you been fiscal agency for PSSFP ? 2. AWARD AMOUNT(Amount of the state grant): $ 3. APPROVALS (Signature, Date, Phone): Full Legal Name of Fiscal Agent Director Signature: Collaborative Council Chair or Equivalent: Signature Project Coordinator Signature xiii COLLABORATIVE COUNCIL: Page List members of your Collaborative Council(Copy page if necessary) Name Affiliation Title Council Role xiv VISION STATEMENT Describe the process for developing your vision statement: State your Vision Statement xv PROGRAM GOALS& OBJECTIVES Page GOAL Objective Family Preservation Service Strategy(s) Family Support Service Strategy(s) Time-Limited Family Reunification Service Strategy(s) Adoption Promotion and Support Service Strategy(s) Expected Results: Use additional sheets as necessary- use same format Xvi DETAILED BUDGET REPORT Page Local Project From To Designated Fiscal Agency % of time on Project Title Salary Fringe Indirect Total Project Coord. Total Personnel Administrative Expenses Travel Equipment and Supplies Publicity and Printing Contract/Consultant (Funds specifically identified for the four service areas) Other Total Budget (State allocation plus 10% match - Please highlight in kind and cash match portions of the budget) xvii SERVICE AREAS BUDGET NARRATIVE(Budget justification) Page xviii APPENDIX G SERVICE AREAS xix Service Areas to Address Regarding specific services,the local areas must plan within the project goals and objectives how the funding will address the need for, coordination,utilization enhancement,and funding of: 1) Family Preservation Services - Services for children and families designed to help families (including adoptive and extended families) who are in crisis and at risk of a child being placed outside their home. • Increased linkage to the local department of social services to enhance the department's core services program to impact the many and varied needs of families with children at risk for maltreatment. • Increased linkage with the local Mental Health Assessment and Services Agency (MHASA) to enhance the mental health services for families with children who have mental health risks and receive Medicaid. • Increased linkage with the local substance abuse providers to enhance the substance abuse services for families where this presents a crisis. • Increased linkage with the local juvenile probation to identify family and youth needs and to work collaboratively toward an enhanced treatment service delivery system for families with children at risk for juvenile detention. • Increased linkage with the local Community Centered Boards and local school districts to enhance the services for families with children who have developmental disabilities. • Coordinated interagency efforts to provide crisis respite care for families with children at risk of being placed outside of their homes. • Coordinated interagency efforts to provide follow-up care for families when a child has been returned from out of home placement. • Identify and address the needs of transient families. 2) Family Support Services - Services to promote the safety and well- being of all children and families designed to increase the strength and stability of families (including adoptive, foster, and extended families). Family support is available to all families throughout the continuum of prevention and treatment services. • Provide resources for local efforts for interagency coordination of prevention programs at the local level. • Provide resources for family advocacy in order to enhance family support efforts at the local level for families with children at risk for maltreatment and families with children who have disabilities (including emotional disabilities). xx • Sponsor the development and provision of on-going family advocacy training. • Continued development and support for the coordination of family advocacy efforts at the local level in order to have consistency in the provision of family advocacy. • Promote linkage of community support networks, both formal and informal with the agency providers to establish a base of support for families all along the continuum of care, from prevention through intervention and treatment. • Increased linkage with local home visitation programs to enhance the support network for families. • Increased linkage with the community to provide adjunct services for families in the areas of housing, transportation, child care, employment assistance, emergency expenses, etc. • Increased linkage with the local department of social service's office of self-sufficiency to encourage joint programming for family support for families receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) programs. • Increased linkage with state family centers as well as other family center efforts to enhance the continuum of prevention and treatment for all families. • Encourage linkage with other coordinated efforts to improve family functioning such as Healthy Families Colorado, and the Patch Model in West Denver. • (identify and address the needs of transient families. 3) Time-Limited Family Reunification Services - Services and activities that are provided to a child that is removed from the child's home and placed in a foster family home or a child care institution, and to the parents or primary caregivers of such a child, in order to facilitate the reunification of the child, safely and appropriately within a timely fashion, but only during the 15-month period that begins on the date that the child is considered to have entered placement. • Linkage with the efforts for expedited permanency by the local department of social services. • Assist the local departments of social services to link with agency service providers to provide individual, group, and family treatment in mental health,. substance abuse, domestic violence, as well as other need areas of the family. • Provision of and linkage with service providers to address family needs around temporary child care, including crisis nurseries for respite. • Support training in the area of domestic violence to provide information around appropriate services for families, keeping them safe while 'working toward reunification. xxi • Provision of information to link social services expedited permanency • population with the early intervention mental health efforts provided at local mental health centers that address the needs of children from 0- 8. 4) Adoption Promotion and Support Services - Services and activities designed to encourage more formal and informal adoptions out of the foster care system, when adoptions promote the best interests of children, including such activities as pre and post adoptive services and activities to expedite the adoption process and support adoptive families. • Information will be provided through agencies, family centers, and/or family advocates for families considering adoption. The names of local department of social services adoption personnel will be available. • Plan for coordinated efforts from agencies to meet the extensive needs of adoptive families and kinship care providers. This could be provision of specialized wraparound services, respite, tutoring, child care, legal fees, transportation, etc. • Support specialized training around the needs of adoptive families for providers, advocates, and lay people who provide treatment and support for adoptive and kinship care families. • Increased linkage with the kinship care projects at the local department of social services to identify needs of informal adoptive families. • Incorporation into the local collaborative councils of private agencies that provide specialized support networks for adoptive families and kinship care. xxii EXHIBIT 2 FACE SHEET Page_j_ APPLICATION FOR PROMOTING SAFE AND STABLE FAMILIES PROGRAM FUNDS 1998-99 1. DESIGNATED FISCAL AGENCY Weld County Department of Social Services ADDRESS: P.O. Box A Greeley. CO 80634 FEDERAL I.D. NUMBER: 84-6000-813 CENTRAL TELEPHONE NO: (970) 352-1551, Ext. 6510 FAX NO. (970) 353-5215 E-Mail address: daldridge(caco.weld.co.us. How may years have you been fiscal agency for PSSFP? 3 year 2. AWARD AMOUNT (Amount of the state grant): $ 200,000.00 3. APPROVALS (Signature, Date, Phone): Full Legal Name of Fiscal Agent Director Constance L. Harbert, Chair Board of Weld County Commissioners (Gove ling Board) Signature: 4ir,,(. 4.,-,`' Collaborative Council Chair or Equivalent: Sue Ruth, Chair Weld County Families. Youth, and Children Commission (Advisory Committee to the Governing Board) i Signature: f f�.. - U. Project Coordinator: - &a ha' _nil .Dort Council Signature: rs I Adm\fppgrant.jag 5. COLLABORATIVE COUNCIL: Page 2a The Board of Weld County Commissioners is the Governing Body of the Weld County Department of Social Services. The Board of Weld County Commissioners has determined that Weld County Department of Social Services is the fiscal agent for the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program. The Families, Youth and Children Commission does not "agree upon the designated fiscal agent." The Families, Youth and Children Commission(the Collaborative Body with Community Representatives described below) is an advisory committee that provides recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners and the Weld County Department of Social Services concerning: (1) designing a vision for families and children in the local area around service and support coordination and delivery; (2) developing a local plan to address the coordination and delivery of services and supports in the areas of family preservation; family support; time-limited reunification, and adoption promotion and support; (3) recommending policy and procedure for project oversight and decision making regarding the implementation of the approved plan; (4) recommending a manner to deal with confidentiality; (5) promoting a shared commitment from the collaborative council members to implement the local coordinated plan. (6) developing a forum to provide interested members of the community participation in the Collaborative process; (7) recommending future distributions of Promoting Safe and Stable Families funds based upon the needs of the community. Constance L. Harbert, Chair Board of Weld County Commissioners List members of your Collaborative Council (Copy page if necessary) Name Affiliation Title Council Title Esteban Salazar Attorney Member FYC Commission Collaborative Council, Chair Sue Ruth Dream Team, Organization Member FYC Commission, Providing Community Chair Services Elisabeth Wirick Community Member, Member FYC Commission Retired UNC Professor LeAnn Reid Community Member, Member FYC Commission Child Care Provider Page 2b Jeff Figgs Minister, Churches and Member FYC Commission Civic Organizations Dr. Daniel Fahrenholtz Physician, Health Member FYC Commission Representative Judge Gilbert Guiterrez Court and SB-94, Juvenile Member FYC Commission, Justice Community Representative Mike Hoover School District 6, Special Member FYC Commission, Education. Vice Chair Melanie Hernandez CORRA Representative, Member FYC Commission WIRS Ed Rubedieu Private Sector Employer, Member FYC Commission, Regional Work Force Board Community Representative Mary Lou Walton CDSI, Community Center Member FYC Commission, Board Community Representative Jennifer Penner C.A.R.E., Community Member FYC Commission, Organization that Provides Community Child Abuse Prevention Representative Programs Kinship Care Member FYC Commission Dick Palmisano Community Representative Dawn Mayhew Parent with a Child with Member FYC Commission, Disabilities, Head Start Community Parent Policy Council Representative Sherill Hardesty Adoptive Parent Member FYC Commission, Community Representative Theresa Guiterrez Adoptive/Foster Care Parent Member FYC Commission, Community Representative Jacque Crick Parent Advocate(Catholic Member FYC Commission, Charities) Community Representative Page 2c Linda Larson Project Manager(Human Member FYC Commission, Services Project), Community Transportation, Community Representative Action Agency Sharon Mitchell A Woman's Place Member FYC Commission, Domestic Violence Community Representative Mary Orleans Project Manager (Catholic Member FYC Commission, Charities Project), Community Organizations Providing Representative Community Services Becky McMahan Weld County Health Member FYC Commission, Department, Child Communiri, Protection Team Representative Jackie Martinez Foster Parent (Adoptive Member FYC Commission, Parent) Community Representative Dave Aldridge Social Services/Housing Member FYC Commission, Authority Community Representative Vacancies: Mental Health Services; Alcohol and Drug; Foundation Representative *FYC - Families, Youth and Children Commission Page 3 WELD COUNTY FAMILIES, YOUTH, AND CHILDREN COMMISSION WELD COUNTY PROMOTING SAFE AND STABLE FAMILIES PROGRAM (PSSFP) NARRATIVE The State of Colorado, through the Colorado Department of Human Services, applied for and was awarded funds under the Family Preservation/Family Support provisions of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993. On November 19, 1997, President Clinton signed into law the Adoption and Safe Families Act 1997. As part of this law, the Family Preservation and Support Services Program was reauthorized for three more years through September 2002. The Colorado Department of Human Services made major changes to the program and notified counties on August 14, 1998, of these changes as follows: • New Program Title: Promoting Safe and Stable Families (PSSF) • New Program Areas: In addition to the family preservation program and community-based family support services, two new program areas were added as a requirement as follows: Time-limited Family Reunification Services with 20% of the plan's resources devoted to these services.This area is defined by the State Department of Human Services as services and activities that are provided to a child who is removed from the child's home and placed in a foster family home or a child care institution and to the parents or primary caregiver of such a child, in order to facilitate the reunification of the child safely and appropriately within a timer fashion. This must be done during a 15-month period (Weld County's requirement is a 12- month period) that begins on the date the child enters foster care. Services include: individual_ group and family counseling; inpatient, residential or outpatient substance abuse services; mental health services; assistance to address domestic violence; services designed to provide temporary child care and crisis nurseries; transportation to or from any of the services and activities defined. Adoption Promotion and Support Services with 20% of the plan's resources devoted to these services. The State Department of Human Services defines this area as services and activities designed to encourage more adoptions of children in the foster care system, when adoptions promote the best interest of children, including such activities as pre- and post- adoption services and activities designed to expedite the adoption process and support adoptive families. Emphasizing Safety. The Colorado Department of Human Services added references to "safety" to the definitions of family preservation and family support services to assure that safety of the children be served shall be of"paramount concern." A. Brief Description and Scope of the Project. This coming year of October 1, 1998, through September 30, 1999, constitutes the fourth year of Weld County's plan and a transitional year for Weld County's Program. Xs one of 10 original local area/comrriunities selected by the State, Weld County's original selection was based on high risk for child maltreatment, high percentage of children of color in the child welfare caseload, community capacity to mitigate risk, and other factors discussed in the State's plan. Weld County developed its original family advocacy program to focus funds on family support services for "Young Families at Risk". Page 4 With the new addition of responsibilities required by the State, the Weld County plan reflects three major components: 1. Maintaining and Refining Weld County's Family Support Program with 60%o of resources devoted to these activities in its plan. In particular, those family support services that will enable families to care for and nurture their children, and prevent crises that might lead to out- of-home placement; and to encourage more formal local collaborative efforts to delivery family support services within Weld County. The purpose of the Weld County Family Support Program will be to expand, through collaborative community efforts, a family's support system that will: * provide quality family education, mentoring, and client assessment/service access; * use family advocates from the community who will provide case management directly to "young families at high risk", as defined in this section. Cultural competency, services to Adoptive Families, and migrants will be addressed, as appropriate. To assure the Weld County Family Support Program will focus on its purpose, several basic project standards were developed as follows: a. The program will be based on a short-term funding basis. The Weld County project will be ending its third-year program and entering into a transitional planning phase with the collaborative committee to deal with decreased funding to this-program. b. The program will have an integrated bilingual/bicultural component that will be shown in its goals and objectives. This strong integration will assist migrant families. c. The program will be developed from the community perspective or neighborhood driven. d. The program will provide direct services on a one-to-one basis with families. e. The program will focus on those methods or services that have the potential to continue without additional resources from the Family Preservation/Family Support provisions of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993. f. The program will provide services to a targeted population that is "Young Families at Risk", to measure outcomes effectively, goals, and objectives of the project. The target population selected for the Weld County Family Support Program is "Young Families at Risk". The definition of"Young Families at Risk" is composed of selection criteria as follows: a. Families with children twelve years of age and under; and b. Families that quality under two risk areas or more as follows: I) Economic Risk: Families receiving public assistance meet the definition of economic risk. 2) Family Risk: A family may qualify under the Family Risk category by meeting at least one of the following three criteria: * Families isolated by culture, language, and/or from natural family members; a Page 5 * Families with parent(s) or children who are physically and mentally challenged; ar * Families with a divorce within the last year 3) Stress Risk: A family may qualify under the Stress Risk category by meeting at least one of the following three criteria: * Families that are new to the community, i.e., migrant families (residents of one year or less); Qr * Families that have rent or mortgage expenses that exceed 30% of income; or * Families.with a head of household having less than a high school education The Weld County Family Support Program will have two major service components for "Young Families at Risk". The two major service components of the project are as follows: a. Fancily Advocacy Services: The enhancement of existing family advocacy coordination services would best meet the needs of our targeted population and provide the best vehicle to deliver the Family Education component under the Weld County Family Support Program. The major area of need for family support services was Family Education that would provide for case management resources for "Young Families at Risk". The Family Education component would consist of three major elements as follows: I) Parenting Education including budgeting, family/in-home recreation. health. and crisis management 2) Mentoring for self-esteem and support system skills 3) Client Assessment/Service Access including alcohol and drug education and special skills/needs with a target group of families with disabled chi Id(ren) The intent of Family Advocacy Services is to: I) Focus on retraining existing or training new family advocates (i.e., a parent or family member of a child or adolescent who is at risk, and who has been, or currently is, an active consumer of some aspect of the local delivery system) who can closely identify with "Young Families at Risk"; 2) Provide case management services directly to "Young Families at Risk" through family advocates; 3) Train family advocates to provide quality services as outlined under the Family Education component; 4) Provide support services directly to "Young Families at Risk" through family advocates from the community. (Support services are defined as transportation, child care, recreation services, employment and education related and other support services as defined and approved with contractors.); • 5) Continue to contract, as a result of the first year's competitive bid process, with public or non-profit organization(s) which can clearly demonstrate the skills and ability to: Page 6 • Develop and implement collaboration among agencies, community groups, and other organizations who employ or have as volunteers family advocates who may provide the scope of services described under the Weld County Family Support Program; • Access training opportunities for family advocates through the Weld County Department of Social Services; • Manage support resources on behalf of family advocates to provide support; and • Designate a current or contract manager to oversee the_Family Advocacy Component of the project and as required under the bid contract provisions. The Weld County Department of Social Services will continue to develop, in conjunction with the Weld County Families, Youth and Children Commission, and implement a training program for family advocates. This training program will assure consistency of training for family advocates. The Weld County Department of Social Services, through the assistance of professionals and training programs, will focus training for family advocates in those areas identified in the Family Education component of the Project and to assure cultural competence A resource library and other resources will be made available for family advocates. Contractor(s) that were identified through the competitive bid process will also assist in the development of the training program for family advocates as well as to participate in the training program. To assure that the Weld County Family Support Program is community-driven and meeting the basic standards of the program design as developed by the Weld County Families., Youth and Children Commission, two public/nonprofit contractors have been retained to assure that a Greeley Area project and a South Weld County project are funded. Weld County's intent is to continue a fourth year for these projects and reassess, through the Weld County Families, Youth and Children Commission, the structure of program and criteria for contractors, as appropriate. The contractors are Catholic Charities and the Weld County/ Division of Human Services. These contractors are responsive to the Weld County Department of Social Services that is the administrator of the Weld County Family Support Program. The contractors will be reimbursed for: family advocacy project management, planning, and development; and support services for families through the family advocates. 1. Catholic Charities Northern: Catholic Charities Northern will have a part time Project Coordinator/Advocate and a part time Family Social Worker/Advocate to serve 75 at risk families. The program continues to approach a variety of community organizations to recruit volunteer advocates to work with families. Collaborative efforts with Weld County Department of Social Services and other agencies, organizations and groups will ensure the success of this program and increase its self-sustain ability in the future. The program offers at-risk families for access to supports already available in the community through the guidance of family advocates trained in case management skills. Recognizing how difficult it is for some families, particularly those facing special Page 7 challenges such as financial hardship , social isolation, and special family situations including divorce, family separation, migrant transient conditions, single parent households, or children with special needs, the partnership between family advocates and clients is designed to increase access to services for clients in such areas as housing, employment, social services, mental health, parenting support, family counseling, and crisis intervention. The family advocate assists the family, role modeling and teaching, with the ultimate goal of increasing the family's ability to solve its own problems and access the supports necessary to achieve self-sufficiency. Case management is provided on an individualized basis. As each family is assessed, a written service plan is developed by the staff/advocate and family is tailored to its unique needs. Families are encouraged to identify their strengths and weaknesses and, with guidance, to seek the necessary services which can help them build on those strengths and minimize weaknesses. An assessment tool is used to assist advocates and family to identify eligibility requirements, their specific needs, and to set realistic goals and strategies to achieve these goals in order to improve the quality of life for the family. A. key element in the accomplishment of this goal is effectively training the family advocates in problem solving techniques in their work with families and in case management services Advocates are trained to understand cultural issues and increase awareness of their own cultural competence. Culturally sensitive curricula is identified and selected for trainings with advocates and families. Training materials and information about the program are produced in Spanish and English. 2. The Division of Human Services (DHS) provides comprehensive services addressing the needs of children and families. The Division of Human Services is able to coordinate services with the Weld County Employment Services, the Family Educational Network of Weld County, and the Area Agency on Aging. The Weld County Employment Services provides job search activities, instructional activities, assessment activities and youth competency programs to families either through direct delivery of programs or through purchase of services agreements with local educational agencies or other appropriate service providers. DHS also provides basic services including outreach, employment counseling, occupational and vocational training, placement activities,job solicitation,job development, marketing and participant tracking activities. The three major objectives of the Department of Human Services are 1) providing employment, training and education programs to families to assist them in becoming self-sufficient through the acquisition and retention of employment, with an emphasis on quality placement, in accordance with Welfare Reform Programs, 2) coordinating activities with human service providers, school districts, and other community agencies to avoid duplication of services and increase resources available to families, and 3) targeting training activities for families in areas that are identified during initial interviews as needed services and focusing on resolving issues in the family's lives that place them at risk. Extensive case-management and support will be provided for TANF clients and families entering the work force. This will support the family and resolve any issues which may impede adult members' ability to continue gainful employment and realize "self- sufficiency." Page 8 The Division of Human Services will provide services mentioned previously to participants of the Family Support Program. Department of Human Services will provide services to approximately fifty(50) families identified by the Weld County Department of Social Services, the Division of Human Services and other helping agencies. 2. Developing Weld County's Program for Time-limited Family Reunification Services with 20% of the plan's resources. The Weld County Families, Youth and Children Commission will undertake major planning and development process of this program area to assure that services are coordinated with Weld County's Expedited Permanency Planning Program and Family Preservation Program(Core Services). It is essential that: a. services to child welfare families compliment and are nonduplicative to programs and services described under the Weld County Family Preservation Program (core services) and the provisions of the Expedited Permanency Planning Program. b. the provisions described between the 19th Judicial District and the Board of Weld County Commissioners are met. c. services to child welfare families focus on the reunification and permanency planning goals of the family. d. family advocacy services be provided. e. Services and programs be developed from a community perspective through an including planning process. The target population to be addressed are foster parents and kinship/relative caretakers who are caring for children in the Child Welfare System. These children are designated by the 19th Judicial Court an the Weld County Department of Social Services as Expedited Permanency Planning cases. The initial objective of the program will be to provide services to an average of 40 families per year. 1. A one half-time Family advocate will assist in: a. identifying service needs and system gaps for foster parents and kinship/relative care families. b. assisting foster parents and kinship/relative care families with transportation of children/parents to clinical appointments, school staffings, visitation sites, and other activities deemed necessary by the Court and caseworker. c. participating in the planning process with the Collaborative Council 2. Respite care reimbursement will be available to foster parents and kinship/relative care parents. The major goal of the Weld County.Families, Youth and Children Commission will be to survey and assess the needs of foster parents and kinship/relative caretakers to identify needs and to develop programs that serve these needs, and to incorporate these programs/services in its • Page 9 PSSFP Plan. 3. Developing Weld County's Program for Adoption Promotion and Support Services with 20% of the plan's resources. It has been initially assessed that comprehensive pfofessional training around psychological and behavioral problems presented by pre- and post-adoptive children is essential. These psychological and behavioral problems may present serious problems to successful adoptions or other situations of permanency. The initial objective in providing services in this area is as follows: a. Provide comprehensive professional training by a State Licensed Adoption Agency or qualified experts on matters of adoption to 30 pre- and post adoptive families. b. Develop specialized support groups for pre-adoption parents including foster parents; and relative/kinship parents providing permanent caretaking. c. Purchase supplies and materials for purposes of training and future resources. The target populations to be served in this area include: adoptive parents, pre-adoptive foster parents, relative/kinship caretakers offering placement permanency, i.e., guardianship or permanent custody. The major goal of the Weld County Families, Youth and Children Commission will be to survey and assess the needs of adoptive parents, pre-adoptive foster parents and kinship/relative caretakers to identify needs, to develop programs/services that meet these needs, and to incorporate these programs/services in its PSSFP Plan. B Describe the Process of Selecting a Designated Agency. The Board of Weld County Commissioners, through the Weld County Department of Social Services, will be the fiscal agent and administrator of the local PSFFP that incorporates the Weld County Family Support, time-limited family reunification services, and adoption promotion and support services. Because the local collaborative body would be advisory, the local collaborative body would not have the authority to designate the Weld County Fiscal Agent or distribute these funds. The Chair of the Board of Weld County Commissioners is authorized to sign applications for the PSSFP funding. The Board of Weld County Commissioners, through the Weld County Department of Social Services, will not hire a Family Advocacy Coordinator as an employee or a contract position. Funds will be designated, as a part of the Weld County program design, to provide family advocacy services in Weld County. C. Members of the Collaborative Council. The members of Weld County's Collaborative Council are described in the required form on page 2a-c. The representatives listed on the roster fulfill the requirements of the Request For Applications (RFA), Section III. Part 4-a-1. The Weld County Families, Youth and Children(FYC) Commission, with community representatives, forms Weld County's Collaborative Council. As the local collaborative council, the Weld County Families, Youth and Children Commission will function in its advisory capacity to the Board of Weld County Commissioners and the Weld County Department of Social Services. The Weld County • Page 10 Families, Youth and Children Commission will recommend a plan for the Program for Promoting Safe and Stable Families. This plan will be coordinated as part of the continuum of programs and services to prevent child abuse, preserve and reunify families, and support families. D. Describe the Process for Selecting a chairperson for the Collaborative Council. The Board of Weld County Commissioners approves Bylaws for the Weld County Families Youth and Children(FYC) Commission, the Weld County Collaborative Council. The Weld County Families, Youth and Children Commission Bylaws outlines the process for selecting a chairperson and other officers. The Weld County Families, Youth and Children Commission selects a Chairperson for a one year term. A Vice-Chairperson (or Chairperson-Elect) is selected by the Families, Youth and Children Commission membership for a one year term and will ascend to be the Chairperson the following year. This process assures the rotation of officers on a timely basis and is according to its bylaws E. Describe the Structure of the Collaborative Council. On July 1, 1997, and under the auspices of SB97-6, counties were allowed to combine and consolidate many advisory types of boards in the human services delivery system that have similar functions and purposes. The State law's intent was to: 1. support local flexibility in the planning and delivery of health and human services. 2. foster continuing coordination, communication, and collaboration at the local level. 3. support local decisions to utilize people and resources at the local level in a more efficient, effective, and economical manner through consolidation of local advisory boards. 4. streamline local planning and community input mechanisms. Under SB97-6, the Weld County Placement Alternatives Commission (PAC), the Weld County Collaborative Council, undertook its work to review other committees in Weld County and to determine the feasibility of merging such committees under the PAC or as a new advisory committee. This process began in September 1997 and ended in January 1998. The Board of Weld County Commissioners accepted and approved the final report of the PAC, adopted Bylaws, and structured the Weld County Families, Youth, and Children Commission. Its organizational structure is described in Appendix A. F. Describe Involvement of Parents in the Design of the Plan. The Weld County Families, Youth and Children Commission, as the local collaborative council, designated a committee to develop a plan for approval by the Families, Youth and Children Commission. This committee, the Family Support Committee, was intentionally structured to directly involve those members who were parents and youth advocates in the design of the plan and its formulation of goals and objectives. Its membership is included as part of the local collaborative council in page 2a-c. I. Planning Process for the Weld County Family Support Program was accomplished through a three year process that was initiated by the Weld County Placement Alternatives Commission, the Committee has developed, refined and modified the Weld County Family Support Program by recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners. * assess needs * identify targeted populations to be served Page 11 * identify a service delivery system and services to be provided * outline goals and objectives The Weld County Family Support Committee, under-the Weld County Families, Youth and Children Commission, will continue to monitor the Goals and Objectives of the Weld County Family Support Program, to continue to monitor the training program for family advocates, to assess the process to select Bidders for Families, Youth and Children Commission approval, and to recommend changes to the program design as appropriate. The Weld County Family Support Committee has begun to plan and develop the two new components of the PSSFP: time limited family reunification services and adoption promotion and support services. These two components target a different population (at risk of child welfare versus child welfare families). 2. Future planning process of the Weld County Family Support Committee of the Families, Youth and Children Commiscion. The Committee will undertake a planing process to: • assess needs in the community through an inclusion planning process; complete its planning transition under the Families, Youth and Children Commission; comprehensively view services for families scan "at risk" of entering the Child Welfare System The Weld County Families, Youth and Children Commission will recommend distribution of the $178,000 funds to successful Bid contractors and other program plans to the Board of County Commissioners. The allocation of funds will be based on the ability of the contractors to serve families at reasonable costs, and the ability of the contractors to provide 2.5% cash match and 7.5% In-Kind match, according to the requirements outlined in the State's Request for Application.. G. Describe Other Coordinated Efforts in Weld County. Of the non-administrative funds provided, 60 percent will be directed to the Weld County Family Support Program, 20 percent to the time-limited reunification program, and 20 percent to the adoption services. a. Catholic Charities Northern: Families have participated in numerous trainings and workshops through Aims Community College and Link Program. CARE provides training in parenting skills, child development and family relations for our participants. Collaboration continues with the Weld County Department of Social Services. A Woman's Place, Weld County Health Department, School districts, Area Agency on Aging, Fort Lupton Housing Authority, area churches, Weld Food Bank, local food pantries. South Weld/North Adams Agency Coalition police department, North Range Behavioral Health. and others. Families are assisted in accessing services, trained in strategies for access, and encouraged to make effective use of these resources in the community. b. Department of Human Services: The Department of Human Services currently uses a collaborative approach in its family support systems and has created a network of services which extend community-centered services to targeted families. The Page 12 Department of Human Services currently is connected with the mental health center to provide services to mono-lingual Spanish speaking families as well as our"general" population, has linkages with support systems dealing with children and families with developmental and emotional issues and coordinates closely with literacy and employment training programs. All of these systems are effective components of our approach to case-management, which meets the fundamental needs of families. 2. Time-limited Reunification Services and Adoption Promotion Services: The Director of the Weld County Department of Social Services has involved members of our Placement Alternative Commission regarding the evolution of our proposal for the Weld County Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program. Therefore the following agencies have been involved in the process for this proposal: Mental Health, Colorado State Patrol, private physicians, School District Six, Centennial Developmental Services, Probation, Weld County Health Department, private attorneys, Weld County Board of Commissioners, Weld County Department of Human Services, North Colorado Medical Center, Weld County Department of Social Services foster parents, Coordinator of the S.B. 94 Committee, as well as several members of the lay community. The Department's liaison from the Weld County Board of Commissioners has been involved in writing this proposal. The Board of County Commissioners will review the proposal before submittal. A meeting was held for all community service providers in February/March of 1998 H. Describe How the Local Project will be Coordinated and Administered. The Project will be coordinated through the Weld County Families, Youth and Children Commission. as the Local Collaborative Council. The Weld County Department of Social Services will administer the overall project through its contractors. L Catholic Charities: The current full time (40 hours per week) Project Coordinator will work 30 hours per week due to the decrease in funds available (40 percent cut) to Catholic Charities for operating this project. The project will provide two of the four service areas, Family Preservation and Family Support. The Coordinator will function 50 percent of the time as Coordinator and 50 percent of the time as Family Advocate. Twenty percent of the funds will go toward each, Family Preservation and Family Support. Duties of the Coordinator will include: • liaison to State project and evaluation personnel, • liaison to local community, facilitation linkages a month the project, consumers, and w community agencies, • maintain records, files, reports, • provide information to local Collaborative Council regarding project, attendance at meetings regarding PSSFP, and represent PSSFP in community, establish and maintain contact with other advocacy organizations • coordinator will spend 50 percent of time as a Family Advocate. Page 13 2. Weld County Division of Human Services: The Division of Human Services (DHS) will hire one .38 FTE Family Support Program supervisor and one 1. FTE Family Advocate to serve 50 families throughout northern Weld County, who meet established criteria and screening standards by: • Identifying qualified persons currently or previously enrolled in Division of Human Services programs, including TANF clients, clients who have recently entered the workforce and migrant seasonal farm worker programs. • Identifying persons currently or previously enrolled in Division of Human Service programs who meet cultural/ethnic criteria and who have children with developmental disabilities. • Coordinating outreach efforts with agencies providing adoptive services, through referral to the Division of Human Services Family Support Program. • Coordinating services for families referred by the Weld County Department of Social Services, Family Services Unit. Describe the Selection Process for Hiring the Family Advocate. Family Advocates are selected by using the State's proposed job description as its basis and adhere to the hiring practices of Catholic Charities, the Division of Human Services, and the Department of Social Services. as appropriate. Recruitment practices are county-wide. J. Document Your Vision Statement and Describe the Process for Developing the Vision Statement. The Weld County's initial visitation encompasses two major components as follows: 1. Develop a comprehensive planning process through the Weld County Families, Youth and Children Commission that will result in family-focused services as identified by families. 2. Refer and maintain quality services for families through an ongoing process of evaluation and monitoring and responsive collaboration. The process for developing the final vision for Weld County will be recommended through the Weld County Families, Youth and children Commission. K. Address the Four Service Areas. The four service areas are addressed through its goals and objectives. L. Describe How the CALLS Plus System will be implemented. The Weld Information and Referral Services (WIRS), which is the local Colorado Office of Resources and Referral Agency (CORRA), is a member of the local collaborative council. As a member of the local collaborative council, WIRS has paficipated in the initial development of and the ongoing refinement of the Weld County Program to Promote Safe and Stable Families (the Weld County Family Support Program) Plan. Currently, WIRS will help the Contracted Project Managers to recruit families and market the program. As a part of the collaborative council's planning process, WIRS will outline strategies and options to implement the CALLS Plus System. Page 14 M. Indicate Readiness to Prepare and Submit Quarterly Reports in a Timely Manner The Weld County Department of Social Services has the administrative and fiscal accountability and commitment to prepare and submit quarterly reports in a timely manner to the Colorado Department of Human Servicyes. Each of its contractors has assured the Department of Social Services of its compliance in this area. N. Indicate Willingness to cooperate with the Larger Evaluation Process. The Weld County PAC has designated $2,000 under this plan to purchase an evaluation of case management documentation and outcomes and has been incorporated in the budget category, "Contact/Consultant". Also, the project will cooperate fully with the State on the Evaluation of the project. The Weld County Department of Social Services with its contractors and the Weld County Families, Youth and Children Commission agree to work with the State as follows: a. Work with project staff, including family advocates, to flesh out what the various "measures of success" for the goals and objectives of the local project are. b. Work with the State and the Weld County Families, Youth and Children Commission to incorporate the information received from the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation's Results Mapping instrument and technique in its Weld County's evaluation model for the PSSFP initiative. O. Describe The Short-Term Nature of the Available Funding It is Weld County's understanding that, after the funding period of October 1, 1998 through September 30, 1999, the State Department of Human Services will be expanding the number of sites selected for Promoting Safe and Stable Families funding. This action will result in decreased funding over a three- year period and, as projected by the State Department, an end to future funding. P. Describe the Cultural and/or Ethnic Make-up of the Targeted Area and How Implementation of the Plan will Ensure Ethnic and Cultural Diversity in the Planning and Delivery of Services. Weld County was initially selected as a targeted area by the Colorado Department of Human Services for the following reasons: * It is in the greatest risk category and currently has a child welfare caseload of 2,244 children, including 41%children of color; * Services may potentially reach those children as well as an overall child population of 39,300; * Weld. County is a rural county with an urban center and includes a migrant population; The geographic area to be served under the Weld County Family Support Program will be Weld County. Weld County is 4,004 square miles, is primarily rural, and has two distinct service areas: the Greeley Area that includes Greeley (urban center), Evans, Windsor and towns north of Platteville; and the South Weld County area that includes Fort Lupton, Frederick., Firestone, and towns south of Platteville. The goals and objectives of the Weld County Family Support Program outlines the measures by which cultural competence will be incorporated. Page 15 In addition,the local collaborative council made efforts to ensure that ethnic and cultural diversity was reflected in its membership for purposes of planning and monitoring. Q. Indicate efforts being Made to Continue This Process When Federal and State Funding are No Longer Available. How Do Families Give Back to the Project. Falililies participating in the Weld County Family Support Program will receive services which shall include: • Case management services with Family Advocates. Family advocates will not receive direct subsidies through Weld County Program. • Family support services for families participating in case management services. These family support services will be purchased and are intended to be intervention and support resources for families only. The support services to be purchased will not result in a loss of TAW-Benefits but are intended to be short-term intervention service. The Weld County Family Support Program is based on decreasing and yearly funding. WELD COUNTY.PSSFP PLAN PROGRAM GOALS AND OBJECTIVES g S i w° 3eC y- y YonCt �.x x�ath%.F�:P�i('x�<a� s5 �at Ee a �6aC Y�r� � t � �atiy - .: yn� ,. r 1.,.»..,«w..w,.�,,,.a.......a,...,..�k.�.....'�'t.....�..,,,s,...av ?Al?.-.:,,...,.w...w..s.".'.w6o�At�v..tHzw.....H..„s,' a, : Objective: The Weld County Families, Youth and Children Commission (WCFYCC) will refine the Weld County Family Support Program and develop a time-limited reunification program and adoption promotion and support services program for approval of the Weld County Board of Commissioners that will result in family-focused services that are identified by families. Family Preservation Service Strategy(ies) I. The WCFYCC will review, refine, and coordinate strategies under the Family Preservation Program (core services) with the FSSFP Plan. 2. The WCFYCC will develop and implement a process to obtain parent input concerning parent needs. 3. The WCFYCC will review and evaluate outcomes to determine the effectiveness of services. Family Support Service Strategy(ies) I. The WCFYCC will continue to refine and modify the family advocacy services through Catholic Charities and the Weld County Division of Human Services. 2. The WCFYCC will continue to monitor the expected outcomes of its contractors (Catholic Charities and the Weld County Division of Human Services). 3. Parent advocates will continue to offer support groups to parents. 1 Time-limited Family Reunification Service Strategy(ies) I. The WCFYCC will develop and implement a process to obtain foster parent and kinship/relative parent input concerning parent needs. 2. The WCFYCC will identify standards and outcomes to measure the quality of reunification services. 3. The WCFYCC will assess the coordinate of services between the PSSFP and Weld County Expedited Permanency Plan and its agreement with the 19th Judicial District. 4. The WCFYCC will identify the effectiveness of the parent advocacy program identified for support of the foster parents and kinship/relative caretakers. Adoption Promotion and Support Service Strategy(ies) 1. The WCFYCC will develop and implement a process to obtain pre- and post adoptive parent input concerning parent needs. 2. The WCFYCC will identify standards and outcomes to measure the quality of adoption promotion and support services. 3. The WCFYCC will assess the coordination of services between the PSSFP with Weld County's Expedited permanency Plan and its agreement with the 19th Judicial District. 4. The WCFYCC will identify the effectiveness of the parent advocacy program identified for support of the pre- and post adoptive parents. • A coordinated and effective community plan will be developed that will result in family- focused services. Collaboration among service providers will be increased. Catholic Charities, CWDHS, and WCDSS will meet its expected family outcomes as outlined in the plan. 2 $3�`'9�yo`�'�'.�rE.�.'»,�€.�3'gra,� xsa� 4e x z x� •� s <n � r'�� " . DCc �8'�, s�E 3yBtti je 'f eaTee3 • o a `axa za are eci 3k✓�ryY•�4, a .'Bt > kta �r.�a'Bfa7c�a'r �yER xv�,q ✓I.' r�f�.N ' BTx : ""�z�J y x<cfxaB t'( F;wZ' • :. t N a, �"�?*: c. eve p�.a:�R :, z a a`x�a x e'�o-':t, u7 a¢ae�t93 o E"a ?. ' u.: ate..a..2(.�n'..:,..�,M ? ax•k. Objective: Family advocates will have the skills necessary to provide services and activities at a level appropriate for the families under the Weld County Family Support Program or the newly developed program of time-limited reunification service and adoption promotion and support services. Family Preservation Service Strategy(ies) 1. The WCFYCC will assess the needs of parents who participate in the PSSFP, the Family Services Program (Core Services) and the Expedited Permanency Planning to assure the appropriate standards for effective family advocates. 2. The WCFYCC will obtain parent and other community input to incorporate in its comprehensive planning for approval to the BOCC. 3. The WCFYCC will maintain the involvement of foster parents, adoptive parents, and kinship/relative caretakers on the WCFYCC by addressing participation barriers of transportation, child care, and time. Family Support Service Strategy(ies) The WCFYCC will monitor the parent involvement strategies of its contractors: Catholic Charities and the Weld County Division of Human Services. 2. Same as #2 and #3 under Family Preservation Services Strategies. Time-limited Family Reunification Service Strategy(ies) 1. Same as #1, #2, and #3 under Family Preservation Service Strategies. 2. The WCFYCC will monitor the parent involvement strategies of a parent advocate for foster parents and kinship/relative caretakers. Adoption Promotion and Support Service Strategy(ies) 1. Same as #1, #2, and #3 under Family Preservation Service Strategies. SV �R^ta Catholic Charities and the Weld County Division of Human Services, including the WCDSS, will have an advocate working jointly with families. 3 The WCFYCC will develop a comprehensive plan, for BOCC approval, to meet its goal. YS n ',� ' r J 3'" •r u y s s s�f 3'. a£Ic3;;t�✓2"Ssc ` s�,a.•' s _ Zt� t�eS33 xnt�$%� i.��`a2�1S �a§n'yavYxp�"e{��YA�a3m�t£s�a .,�'t�k��7•�` Objective: The family advocates will deliver culturally relevant services and activities and promote such services to community and service providers. Family Preservation Service Strategy(ies) I. The WCFYCC will continue to promote diversity among providers of service that provide services tailored to families not to the program. • 2. The WCFYCC will continue to reflect the ethnic and cultural diversity of the community through this representation. Family Support Service Strategy(ies) 1. The WCDSS will continue to train, through professional and family involvement, Family advocates in cultural diversity training through professionals and culturally sensitive materials. 2. Same as #1 and #2 under Family Preservation Strategy(ies) Time-limited Family reunification Service Strategy(ies) 1. The WCFYCC will develop, for BOCC approval, a comprehensive plan through input of parents to address ethic and cultural diversity in its PSSFP, Expedited Permanency Planning Program, and Family Preservation Program (core services). 2. Same as #1 and #2 under Family Preservation Strategy(ies) 3. Same as #1 under Family Support Service Strategies Adoption Promotion and Support Service Strategy(ies) 1. Same as #1 under Time-limited Family Reunification Service Strategy. 2. Same as #1 and #2 under Family Preservation Strategy(ies) 3. Same as #1 under Family Support Service Strategy(ies). s a at t ) :xj e:77 , 71777 n7 =777 mzn 74I'0 .� A,rs3,1 '�k� z ",`,y 4 Advocates that are hired or will be hired will be representative of the community and its consumers. Advocates will be trained in the cultural diversity and have the ability to apply such skills with families. •: s� ` � icS a3 x.fr v.x 3 B „ 6s €& :3�'��r � .n .�� .Fycs wsbs y �. nr .yi rg+ n u r*. i ₹� ybl. ,Y3y.5) : Yi 5yyt t Y < 5'5 5. S aS x' � • „ � xn s:a E;;3.15: xos r i$e r at r ti/ x( "t'x x y� . < M era s. . x Sa x,f RC f sR�„ �§�<�E�'��, t.�p�>��2nrfn;�.`de4�v^°f, f �x�b; 'sAt, Objective: The Weld County FYC will develop a comprehensive approach in its planning and its process to obtain community input for the purpose of developing and recommending a quality PSSF Program Family Preservation Service Strategy(ies) 1. The WCFYCC will provide a forum to obtain community input concerning services. 2. The WCDSS will host cross-systems training between community providers and family support staff as developed with the WCFYCC. 3. The WCFYCC will develop outcome measurements of effective collaboration that will result in quality family-focused services. Family Support Service Strategy(ies) 1. Same as #1, #2 and #3 under FPSS. Time-limited Family reunification Service Strategy(ies) 1. Same as #1, #2 and #3 under FPSS. Adoption Promotion and Support Service Strategy(ies) 1. Same as #1, #2, and #3 under FPSS. c n`TA r� ° e x � 3 �3 r' R N✓,<%----- y'it „�i� z •z F:;:to n✓ E.yy"' �nP ? 2' Z `ct �.w�44�u"' uuaW..a.••>�r.H�i" 'y�a`Yu'CSa'..s,.�".a.;.uuawtFz �5. ` 3i.2nk.�.iAv ,•,,^:�'iCc�"%�3.LV`Sa&2.". ' The WCFYCC will develop, for BOCC approval, a plan to address collaboration and to incorporate such plans into the PSSFP. 5 DATE MAJOR ACTIVITIES October 1, 1998 Family Support Program Begins Fourth -Year October 6, 1998 Effectiveness and Outcomes Committee Meeting October 8, 1998 Family Support Committee Meeting/Collaborative Council Meeting y" October 15, 1998 FYC Executive Committee Meeting/Report to Executive Committee October 22, 19913 Collaboration and Innovation Committee Meeting November 3, 1998 Effectiveness and Outcomes Committee Meeting November 12, 1998 Family Support Committee/Collaborative Council Meeting November 19, 1998 FYC Executive Committee Meeting/Report to Executive Committee November 26, 1998 Collaboration and Innovation Committee Meeting December 8 , 199E: Effectiveness and Outcomes Committee Meeting December 10, 1998 Family Support Committee/Collaborative Council Meeting • December 17, 1998 Families, Youth and Children Commission (FYC) Quarterly Meeting/Report to Commission December 24 , 1998 Collaboration and Innovation Committee Meeting December 31, 1998 First Quarterly Report Due January 5, 1999 Effectiveness and Outcomes Committee Meeting January 14, 1999 Family Support Committee/Collaborative Council Meeting January 21, 1999 FYC Executive Committee Meeting/Report to Executive Committee January 28, 1999 Collaboration and Innovation Committee Meeting February 2, 1999 Effectiveness and Outcomes Committee Meeting February 11, 1999 Family Support Committee/Collaborative Council Meeting February 18, 1999 FYC Executive Committee Meeting/Report to Executive Committee , February 25, 1999 Collaboration and Innovation Committee Meeing ' March 2, 1999 Effectiveness and Outcomes Committee Meeting . March 11, 1999 Family Support Committee/Collaborative Council Meeting March 18, 1999 Families, Youth and Children Commission (FYC) Quarterly Meeting/Report to Commission March 25, 1999 Collaboration and Innovation Committee Meeing March 31, 1999 Second Quarterly Report Due April 6, 1999 Effectiveness- and Outcomes Committee Meeting April 8, 1999 Family Support Committee/Collaborative Council Meeting April 15, 1999 FYC Executive Committee Meeting/Report to Executive Committee April 22, 1999 Collaboration and Innovation Committee Meeing May 4 , 1999 Effectiveness and Outcomes Committee Meeting May 13, 1999 Family Support Committee/Collaborative Council Meeting May 20, 1999 FYC Executive Committee Meeting/Report to Executive Committee May 27 , 1999 Collaboration and Innovation Committee Meeing June 1, 1999 Effectiveness and Outcomes Committee Meeting June 10, 1999 Family Support Committee/Collaborative Council Meeting June 17, 1999 Families, Youth and Children Commission (FYC) . Quarterly Meeting/Report to Commission June 24, 1999 Collaboration and Innovation Committee Meeting July 6, 1999 Effectiveness and Outcomes Committee Meetinq July 8, 1999 Family Support Committee/Collaborative Council Meeting July 15, 1999 FYC Executive Committee Meeting/Report to Executive Committee July 22, 1999 Collaboration and Innovation Committee Meeting ' August 3, 1999 Effectiveness and Outcomes Committee Meeting August 12, 1999 Family Support Committee/Collaborative Council Meeting August 19, -1999 FYC Executive Committee Meeting/Report to Executive Committee August 26, 1999 Collaboration and Innovation Committee Meeting September 7. 1999 Effectiveness and Outcomes Committee Meeting September 9, 1999 Family Support Con¢nittee/Collaborative Council Meeting September 16, 1999 Families, Youth and Children Commission (FYC) Quarterly Meeting/Report to Commission September 23, 1999 Collaboration and Innovation Committee Meeting September 30, 1999 Annual Report Due to the State July 22, 1999 Collaboration and Innovation Committee Meeting August 3, 1999 Effectiveness and Outcomes Committee Meeting August 12, 1999 Family Support Committee/Collaborative Council Meeting August 19, -1999 FYC Executive Committee Meeting/Report to Executive Committee August 26, 1999 Collaboration and Innovation Committee Meeting September 7. 1999 Effectiveness and Outcomes Committee Meeting September 9, 1999 Family Support Committee/Collaborative Council Meeting September 16, 1999 Families, Youth and Children Commission (FYC) Quarterly Meeting/Report to Commission September 23, 1999 Collaboration and Innovation Committee Meeting September 30, 1999 Annual Report Due to the State EXHIBIT 3 : 4. r ft, Arp)„, DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES C Family Support Program 1551 NORTH 17TH AVENUE PO BOX 1805 COLORADO OR A DO GREELEY, CO 80632 1J (970)353-3800 FAX(970)356-3975 December 22, 1998 Dave Aldridge, Resources Services Manager Weld County Department of Social Services P.O. Box A Greeley, CO 80631 RE: Written Plan to Form Parent Advisory Group for Parent Support Program, Division of Human Services,North Weld County Dear Mr. Aldridge: As requested, the following written plan will outline the formation of a parent advisory group for our Family Support Program. This group will be informal in nature and will hopefully provide valuable client/parent input that will be relayed to the Families, Youth, and Children (FYC) Commission. Purpose : The purpose of the parent advisory group will be to get feedback from parents involved in our program about how to continue to help prevent child abuse and neglect and promote safe and stable families by: 1. helping meet the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of the families in our program order to help them gain self-sufficiency and/or remain self-sufficient, 2. determining what services "gaps"are in the community and how to fill those gaps, and 3. providing information to the FYC about how to sustain, improve, and build the Family Support Program. • 2 oals : The goals of the parent advisory group are to: 1. Review how the Family Support Program refers families to other programs/agencies and if the referral process is meeting the famili„ss' needs. 2. Review how the Family Support Program determines which families to help financially and give input as to whether it is helping the family toward self-sufficiency or leading to dependency. 3. Discuss strategies that will help the Family Support Program help families better meet their own needs. 4. Discuss strategies on how to help the Family Support Program help families "connect with"one another and offer each other mutual support. 5. Give input as to activities/workshops needed to help promote safe and stable families. 6. Brainstorm about how to fill"community gaps"that stand in the way of self- sufficiency, such as day care problems, transportation problems, lack of employment skills, lack of education, lack of medical benefits, etc. Organization : As mentioned above, the parent advisory group will be informal in nature. We plan to involve parents by inviting them through our January and February Newsletter to contact us if they are interested in being on the parent advisory group. If no parents respond, we will personally contact several parents and ask them to be part of the group. We plan to hold our first meeting on January 25, 1999 from 11:30a.m.-1:00p.m. at the Dos Rios Head Start Facility, so that we can also offer child care. At our first meeting, we will discuss when and where future meetings will be held. The role of the members of the parent advisory group will be advisory in nature. Minutes will be kept at each meeting by the Family Support Program Manager or the Family Support Advocate and these minutes will be sent to the FYC. We plan to meet on a monthly basis for at least the first three months and then, depending on the need, probably every other month after that. In order to encourage parents to attend or participate, we will offer pizza and child care during our first meeting and some type of food and child care at future meetings. Please contact me if you have any questions about the above written plan. Sincerely yours, Linda Moore Larson Family Support Program Manager 12/27/1998 21:45 3533861 CP RAGE 02 December 15, 1998 Family Support Program - South Weld County Plan to Increase Parent Involvement in Family Support Program purpose: Parent involvement in the planning and development of the Family.Support Program continues to be an important component of the Program. The purpose of parent feedback is to provide staff and the Collaborative Council with information from the participants'point of view regarding the effectiveness of the program and to what extent individual parent/family goals are being met. This information is used in Program evaluation, development and planning which will result in improved services for the families. 1. To assure parent participation in the Program assessment process. 2. To involve parents in program planning and development. 3. To insure that families with special needs have an opportunity to express those needs resulting in appropriate programming. 4. To provide parent input to the Collaborative Council to assist them in Program evaluation and planning. S. To provide input to the Program manager and advocates to assist them in providing appropriate, quality, effective services. How will the FYC Comntmission measure the effectiveness of the committee in providing parent involvement? Effectiveness will be measured by: I. The number of parents participating in the parent involvement process. 2. Information in monthly reports to the Commission by program manager and advocates. 3. Programmatic changes which reflect input from parent participants. What areas will you request input from the parent advisors? Areas of input will be: 1. Helpfulness, respectfulness of staff and volunteers in working with the family. 2. Staff and volunteer attentiveness to family problems and effectiveness in accessing needed community services. 3. Trainings, Workshops offered. 4. Family activities. 5. Appropriateness of time, location, and accessibility of services offered. 6. Cultural sensitivity in services and program planning. 7. Effectiveness of the program in assisting families in making changes to improve their quality of life. 8, Responsiveness of staff to family input. 12/27/1998 21:45. 3533861 CP PAGE 03 Organization: 1. After each educational program or family activity all parents are asked to complete a satisfaction questionnaire to rate their satisfaction with the Program and snake suggestions for changes or improvements. This input is compiled and used in quarterly Program review and planning. 2. At monthly Parent Support Group meetings parents arc encouraged to provide feedback on the program and-how they-are benefiting from theservices.—Any-problem arras which are identified are.discussed in a problem solving session. Input is used in quarterly Program review and planning. 3. All parents participating in theProgratttwill be invited to a quarterly Parent Advisory meeting to discuss the Program and how it is benefiting than. They are encouraged to make suggestions for additions, deletions, changes, or improvements. Parents who have exited the Program in the past quarter will also be invited to the Parent Advisory meeting. famsvpp TIME LIMITED REUNIFICATION AND ADOPTION PROMOTION PROGRAM DEVELOPED BY WELD COUNTY FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES COLLABORATIVE COUNCIL With Special Thanks to: Dick Palmissano, Foster Grandparent Dawn Mayhew, Parent of Child with Disabilities Jacque Martinez, Adoptive/Foster Parent Mary Lou Walton, Executive Director, Centennial Developmental Services, Inc. Sherril Hardesty, Foster Parent 1. Respite care for kinship, relative and pre/post adoptive and biological* caregivers A. Short term respite care (daytime, hourly) for children without special needs, i.e., medically fragile, developmentally disabled, etc. • Contracts with eight (8) commercially licensed facilities in Greeley, Windsor, Ft. Lupton, and Kersey • Hourly rate - $8.00 until September 30, 1999. Funds available - $15,000 B. Special needs rate available to families with a child at or beyond the threshold of "profound" developmental disability - hourly rate - $18.00 until September 20, 1999. Funds available - $5,400 • Subject to availability of qualified providers and approval C. Overnight respite care Current Weld County foster parents holding permanent State certificates in good standing will be networked to provide overnight care for above named providers at a 24-hour care rate of$30.00 for a maximum of seven days. Funding pool of $8,000 available through September 30, 1999. On a case-by-case basis of need, funds will be provided for summer camp fees. A resource fund of$8,000 is available. 2. Pre/post Adoption Mentoring Services Selected adoptive parents who have completed finalization will be reimbursed $20.00 per hour for mentoring services to pre/post adoptive parents and families. A resource fund of $6,000 will be available for this service. *Biological parent eligibility- Biological parents involved in the Child Welfare system may be eligible for services through the Time Limited Reunification and Adoption Promotion programs if their needs cannot be provided for through existing services, e.g., Core Services,TANF, etc. 3. Travel Expenses Based on financial need, post adoptive study prospective adoptive parents may be reimbursed for any or all travel expenses incurred through the adoption process. These funds may be used for travel for permanent guardianship through Probate Court and less formal long-term permanency arrangements. A funding source of$8,000 will be available for this service. 4. Training and Educational Materials A. Training • Basic and advanced parenting skills • Parenting and care of the developmentally disabled • Needs of psychological/emotional disorders, reactive attachment disorder • Fetal alcohol syndrome, grief/loss issues, etc. • Medical needs, chronic illness, prevention and maintenance, medications, physical therapy in the home, etc. • The legal system-role of the court, the adoption/guardianship/D&N/custody, etc., process While many of these training services will be provided through Core Service, special and intensive training may require funding, particularly in large settings designed to enhance time-limited reunification and adoption promotion. A resource fund of$6,000 will be available for this purpose. B. Educational materials A resource fund of$8,000 will be available for purchase of videos and other educational materials for training and educational purposes. One time emergency funding for services or material needs not covered by Medicaid or other resources - $7,200. Support Staff: Adoption Caseworker: Hourly salary (includes fringe benefits) = $22.49 Foster Care Caseworker: Hourly salary (includes fringe benefits) = $20.80 Staff will prepare and coordinate population surveys, mailing, trainings, and other support services as necessary. Resource fund + $8,000 Mailing costs - Resource fund - $400 Total Funding 1998 - 1999 = $80,000 NOTE: All billings for all above direct services will include client verification. TIME LIMITED REUNIFICATION AND ADOPTION PROMOTION PROGRAM DEVELOPED BY WELD COUNTY FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES COLLABORATIVE COUNCIL With Special Thanks to: Dick Palmissano, Foster Grandparent Dawn Mayhew, Parent of Child with Disabilities Jacque Martinez, Adoptive/Foster Parent Mary Lou Walton, Executive Director, Centennial Developmental Services, Inc. Sherril Hardesty, Foster Parent 1. Respite care for kinship, relative and pre/post adoptive and biological* caregivers, A. Short term respite care (daytime, hourly) for children without special needs, i.e., medically fragile, developmentally disabled, etc. • Contracts with eight (8) commercially licensed facilities in Greeley, Windsor, Ft. Lupton, and Kersey • Hourly rate - $8.00 until September 30, 1999. Funds available - $15,000 B. Special needs rate available to families with a-child at or beyond the threshold of "profound" developmental disability - hourly rate - $18.00 until September 20, 1999. Funds available - $5,400 • Subject to availability of qualified providers and approval C. Overnight respite care Current Weld County foster parents holding permanent State certificates in good standing will be networked to provide overnight care for above named providers at a 24-hour care rate of$30.00 for a maximum of seven days. Funding pool of $8,000 available through September 30, 1999. On a case-by-case basis of need, funds will be provided for summer camp fees. A resource fund of$8,000 is available. 2. Pre/post Adoption Mentoring Services Selected adoptive parents who have completed finalization will be reimbursed $20.00 per hour for mentoring services to pre/post adoptive parents and families. A resource fund of $6,000 will be available for this service. *Biological parent eligibility- Biological parents involved in the Child Welfare system may be eligible for services through the Time Limited Reunification and Adoption Promotion programs if their needs cannot be provided for through existing services, e.g., Core Services,TANF, etc. 3. Travel ,penes Based on financial need,post adoptive study prospective adoptive parents may be reimbursed for any or all travel expenses incurred through the adoption process. These funds may be used for travel for permanent guardianship through Probate Court and less formal long-term permanency arrangements. A funding source of$8,000 will be available for this service. 4. Training and Educational Materials A. Training • Basic and advanced parenting skills • Parenting and care of the developmentally disabled • Needs of psychological/emotional disorders, reactive attachment disorder • Fetal alcohol syndrome, grief/loss issues, etc. • Medical needs, chronic illness, prevention and maintenance, medications, physical therapy in the home, etc. The legal system-role of the court, the adoption/guardianship/D&N/custody, etc., process While many of these training services will be provided through Core Service, special and intensive training may require funding, particularly in large settings designed to enhance time-limited reunification and adoption promotion. A resource fund of$6,000 will be available for this purpose. B. Educational materials A resource fund of$8,000 will be available for purchase of videos and other educational materials for training and educational purposes. One time emergency funding for services or material needs not covered by Medicaid or other resources - $7,200. Support Staff: Adoption Caseworker: Hourly salary (includes fringe benefits) = $22.49 Foster Care Caseworker: Hourly salary (includes fringe benefits) = $20.80 Staff will prepare and coordinate population surveys, mailing, trainings, and other support services as necessary. Resource fund + $8,000 Mailing costs - Resource fund - $400 Total Funding 1998 - 1999 = $80,000 NOTE: All billings for all above direct services will include client verification. SS0026 990370 PER JUDY CROSBY - UNABLE TO LOCATE SIGNATURE PAGE FROM THE STATE. ALL FUNDING WAS RECEIVED AS INDICATED ON THE AGREEMENT. Hello