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HomeMy WebLinkAbout710472.tiff Fourth Interim Report WELD COUNTY WELFARE STUDY April, 1071 The Carl S. Becker Company Management and Planning Consultants Denver, Colorado 710472 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Introduction I Part I - The Casework Process 1 Introduction 2 Casework Planning 3 Steps in the Casework Process 9 The Intake Process 10 Social Service Information Form - Adults - Families 11 The District Caseworker 15 _ Initial Case Classification Schedule & Social Study - Family and Children's Services - Form 16 WIN Assessment Form 24 Nature of Casework 27 Memorandum of Agreement by the Client and the Caseworker 28 Casework Service Goals 29 Memorandum - RS7410 Revisions 30 Summary of Services to Families-AFDC (Workers Report) Major Areas of Services - Present - Proposed 31 Part II - Assignment of Functions and Related Procedures 32 Introduction 33 Memorandum - New Intake Procedure 34 New Intake Procedure - Family Services 35 _ New Intake Procedure - OAP and AND 38 Memorandum - Group Casework 40 Memorandum - Combining of Day Care and Foster Home Licensing 41 Memorandum - Transfer of Nursing Home Cases 42 TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) Page Memorandum - Foster Home Evaluation Procedure 43 - Family Foster Home Study and Evaluation Based on Minimum Standards - Form 44 Memorandum - Foster Home Form 52 Part III - Administrative Procedural Changes 53 Introduction 54 Memorandum - Printing Address Labels From EDP 55 Memorandum - PA-2A Revision 56 State Dept. of Social Services Redetermination of Eligibility Declaration. . Form 57 Memorandum - Requests for Revision on RS 700 58 Memorandum - Procedure for Change of Address 59 Memorandum - Change of Address 60 Memorandum - Use of ICardex file in Business Office 61 Memorandum - Filing of Computer Print-outs 62 Memorandum - Date of Issuance of Welfare Checks 63 Memorandum - Procedure for Mailing Case Records to Quality Control 64 Memorandum - Use of "Out" Cards 65 Memorandum - Filing Inactive Case Records 66 Memorandum - Pending Case Master File Card 67 Pending Case Master File Card 68 Part IV - Forms 69 Introduction 70 Receptionist Control List - Form 71 Memorandum - Printing of Stationery and Forms 72 Memorandum - Change of Address Form 73 TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) Page Part V - Food Stamp Operation 74 Introduction 75 Memorandum - Food Stamp Operation 76 Food Stamp Forms 77 Food Stamp Procedure 79 Control List - Food Stamps 82 Memorandum - Food Stamp Mail Order Procedure 83 Memorandum - Food Stamp Unit Operation 84 Part VI - Space Allocation and Use 86 Introduction 87 Floor Plan - Basement 88 Floor Plan - 1st Floor 89 Letter - Mr. Clementz 90 Part VII - Policy Changes in the Personnel Area 91 Introduction 92 Memorandum - Problems With Present Personnel Operation 93 Memorandum - Caseworker Assignment 94 Memorandum - Homemaker Aide Proposal 95 Part VIII - Committee 96 Introduction 97 Memorandum - Report on Committee Meetings 98 Memorandum - Sounding Board Meeting - February 11, 1971 99 Part IX - Study Progress 102 Achievements 103 INTRODUCTION This will be the last interim report before completion of our study. The end product will outline specific times to perform all elements r of work in the various divisions of the Weld County Department of Welfare and will recommend, with allowances for personal time, the staff necessary to carry out the July 1, 1971 workload. Our concept has been to achieve a hard-hitting total team approach, while at the same time, we have endeavored to complete the study of the total operation of the Department, to regroup the functions, to restructure the organization, to amend policy and to improve practice. The total team as we see it, will meet existing reality, will perform and provide services at a pragmatic and earthy level, will have the ability to move in and out of the lives of recipients to meet immediate needs, and to provide imaginative service to recipients through creative casework. _ It is essential that a fully functioning agency have the flexibility in its staff to meet the various skill requirements and to adapt to changing workloads . This also will be achieved by the time of completion of the work. i Part I THE CASEWORK PROCESS - 1 - Introduction This portion of the report is concerned with the quality of service being provided to recipients, the preparation of social studies, the nature of casework MEM planning, the actual approach to the recipient and the actual nature of case recording. A recommended change in service reporting categories is also included. WOW alMin - 2 - - ' .. CASEWORK PLANNING Present Situation A random sample of case records in both the adult and family service divisions has revealed a deficiency in casework planning. When plans for a client were recorded in the case they often were vague or unrealistic--unrealistic in the sense that subsequr*:t dictation revealed that progress in reaching the stated goal had not been achieved. Those cases which lacked a plan (or in which a plan was not recorded) for the client tended to fall into two patterns : 1) Repetition of the same facts, under diffenent dates; 2) A recording of the chronology of events in the life of a public assistance recipient. Many cases contained contact sheets and other loose papers. These had not been translated into a dictated plan. Therefore, it is necessary to sort through the bits and pieces of information each time the caseworker considers the services to be performed. A majority of the cases would contain very little dictation, if matters of eligibility were not recorded in minute detail (This, of course, was before the separation of eligibility and services) . The following are examples of the cases sampled: Case #5305, Mr. H. This case was judged, in early 1967, "a service case, at least for a short period of time . . . " Subsequent dictation repeats the original problems, as related by the client, but no solutions are recorded. The bulk of the dictation, including the last entry in May of 1969, concerns eligibility factors. The case is still in the service caseload. Case #18067, Mrs. A. This client appears to have only normal problems-- those of maintaining a home and enjoying social relationships. The client was classified as non-service nearly ten years ago and suddenly became a service case on the basis of a vague notation that something should be done for her. No plan was suggested at the time (June 1970) and there is no further dictation in the case. - 3 - Case #15582 , mr . H . This case , which is still in a service caseload , was designated as nor -service on the PA9 sent to the State Dept . in April . No dictation has been done since , so if any ser- vice was done , there is no record of it . Case #19925 , Mr . M . Dictation in this case records the same problems again and again . They are handled the same way by each caseworker . The client ' s biggest problem (it appears from the dictation) is handling money , however , no apparent effort is made to aid him in this area . There has been no dictation in the case (of a ser- - vice nature ) since March of 1969 . Case #24604 , Mr . G . — The only mention of services needed in this case was in the social history "obtain a new home or room and board situation . " There is no indication anything was ever done , - even in this area , and no other service has been provided (at least it is not in the case record ) . Case #24189 , miss C . This case his been carried as a service case , ap- parently , since 1964 on the basis of an evaluation "no special services are required for this client , however , if something should happen to her mother . . . " The latest dictation reveals that the if has not happened , but the case is still in the service caseload . Case #24186 , Mr . G . The last dictation in this case (November , 1968 ) tells the story "There is nothing that the worker can do in the way of services as long as the home situation is agreeable and set up the way it is now* everything seems to be all right . " This is still a service case . *and has been for 15 years Case #24192 , Mr . F . r- Dictation in this case is a mere chronology of the life of the client and the problems of his family in caring for him . Each home visit is evaluated the same way--there has been no change in the client ' s situation . The latest home visit , not yet dictated (since July 1970 ) , includes the assessment that this is not a service case--but it is in the service caseload . - 4 - r Case #24296 , mr . and Mrs . C . Quote "This ca a has been carried as a service case because the worker has made several contacts with Mr . and Mrs . C . " Dictation after this point is concerned mainly with eligibility factors , with no indication of service in any other a: ea . Case #9814 , Mr . D. The only service provided in this case , from its initiation 30 years ago , concerns eligibility factors . The latest evaluation (five months ago ) mentions the need of homemaker service , but there is no indication if this was taken care of . Case #24464 , Mr . H . This is a non-service case by the worker ' s own eval- uation (on the PA9 ) , but it is in the service caseload . Case #24234 , Mr . C . Caseworker plans in this case always mention the possibility of self-support for the client , however , nothing ever materializes and after three years of look-alike dicta- tion by several caseworkers , doubts are finally expressed about the validity of carrying this as a service case . The case remains status quo at this time . Case #24188 , Mr . G . The only possibility of service considered for this client was rehabilitation (that was 5 years ago ) . The end result of this service (no record appears until 1969) was that the client was judged unfit for any rehabilitation . It is still carried as a service case . Case #24151 , Mrs . D. Information concerning "case problems and progress" appears to be mainly a repetition of the initial social his- - tory for this case . The only problem , if it can be classed as such , is the fact that the children are illegitimate and the respective fathers do not support them . Subsequent paragraphs on the individual children re- veal that they are apparently happy , well-adjusted , typical teenagers . The "worker does not have a plan for the family , other than encouraging the children to remain in school and to acquire as much education as possible , " however , he desig- nates the case as a service case in two areas . _ 5 - • Case #25062 , Mrs . A . Dictation in this case is filled with details of questionable value , such as the complete listing of one child ' s school grades and the name of the church the family attended in another state . Despite the mass of information presented , no real problem are revealed . The worker ' s plan for the case appears to consist mainly of "encouraging the children to do well in school . " When problems manifest themselves , it seems the client comes to the office to talk to the worker about them , however , there is no indication of what the problems ac- - tully are or what is being done about them. Case #15027 , M. s . A . Quote "This case has not been accepted for intensive casework due to the fact the worker does not have time to give these services . " There is no evidence of a referral to special help outside the agency . When the last dictation was recorded , the client had reached a point where she could be interested in WIN , however , there is no indication of whether this potential has been explored further . Case #22572 , Mrs . M . There has been no dictation in this case since April , when it was revealed that the client was expecting her third out-of-wedlock child . There is no indication of the outcome of counseling on birth control after this point . Case #19752 , Mrs . A . The plan as stated for this client a year ago was primarily in the area of counseling , however , there is no further dictation in the case to indicate if any service was actually provided . Case #18502 , Mr . and Mrs . L . -- There is no mention of a plan for this client-family . Again , it appears the caseworker was only a listening post . Case #21457 , Mrs . C . All efforts were directed toward getting an educa- tion for this client so she could find a job . In the mean- - time (over a five year period ) she had three children , all out of wedlock . Lack of a plan appears evident . - 6 - �- • • Case #22070 , mrs . 8 . Services in this case appear to be mostly to listen to the problems of the client . Case #19123, mrs . A . There is little indication of any service provided in this case . The dictation is a continuing saga of what has happened to the family . Case #11221 , Mr . F . This is an example of the dependence on welfare . Workers have been trying for over 20 years to get this client into a steady job. Instead , he has grown more dependent . Case #16385 , Mr . G . A plan was devised for this client before caseworker left job , but there has been no apparent action on the case in recent months . Case #18860 , mrs . F . marital problems dominate this case record. No progress is indicated, and perhaps this should have been referred to an experienced agency to handle this area . Case #16047 , mrs . A . Quote "This case has not been chosen for intensive casework because the worker does not have the time . " Dictation makes it appear that caseworker has be- come a substitute father (even though female ) for this large family . Every plan for the case is filled with everyday family problems , but no real solutions are recorded . This case covers ten years . Evaluation The lack of casework planning (or the failure to record a plan) appears to have resulted in an agency-wide program of on-going crisis intervention , for each recipient . It may be true that a specific situation (a crisis ) is easier to face ; it is also true that an orderly plan could serve as prevention of the crisis . If a workable plan had been devised for each recipient at the time of his entry into the welfare program, then agency personnel could have directed their energies toward helping the client become self-sufficient . - 7 - The lack of a plan is self-defeating . Each new recipient , for whom no plan is made , becomes one more crisis for workers to handle . Workers , even idealistic workers , become frustrated and eventually succumb to the existing reality of action after the fact , not before . — It must he recognized that recipient need is a bot- tomless pit and that all of these needs cannot be met . The objective of welfare departments has to be to determine the real , earthy and practical needs which can be met and to get the job done . Recommendations The recommendations are as follows : 1 . That the Need Identification and Control form be used at Intake to determine the level of current need . 2 . That the Initial Case Classification Schedule (a new State Department form) and the Need Identification and Control form be used during the home visit made by the worker to gather social study information . 3 . That the level of service be determined on the basis of the facts revealed in 1 and 2 above , except in complex cases , where a ROC sheet will be utilized until the situation has crystallized and a need form can be completed . 4 . That , if a need is identified above , a specific plan for the client be delineated orally by the caseworker , and approved by the supervisor , before starting . However , - if the case plan is an involved one , it will be dictated . 5 . That any subsequent achievement on the plan be recorded , so that the meeting of the need is on record , showing the completion , and the date . 6 . That the meeting of the identified need be con- "' sidered the plan . Thus , progress is achieved by meeting needs . 7 . That casework training , both in the Department and in the State workshops , be pointed at the practical , rather than the theoretical and sophisticated approach . - 8 - • Steps in the Casework Process Introduction This portion of the report outlines the steps which must be taken in the casework process in order to assess the recipient's need to clearly identify, on paper, the nature of that need„to ask the recipient to define his problem as he sees it and to solve his needs and problems and record the solution. - 9 - The Intake Process The intake process will seek, using the new face sheet, to identify all factors pertinent to the recipient's need. Pages one and two of the face sheet will be used in all adult cases . All four pages of the face sheet will be used in family service cases. The client, after the interview, will be asked to state his need. The caseworker conducting the intake interview will comment about that need, and give his impressions of the need. Crisis intervention will occur in Intake. The degree has not as yet been determined. The case will be kept in Intake until such time as crisis intervention is complete. At this time, the Intake supervisor will initially assign the case to the proper Adult or Family Service unit based upon his or her evaluation of the degree of need. - 10 - • WCDPW 3-70 • SOCIAL SERVICE INFORMATION Adults - Families Complete in full Category at Intake HH No. New T7 Re-open r7 Ra_eval>>ati.nnl7 Applicant: Last First-"Middle Maiden Spouse: Dates Applied: Payroll: Mailing Address Phone Landlord-Name, address, telephone Street Address Rent: Utilities: (if different) No. in Cross Race Doctor(name & type) How often seen? HH Ref. Monthly?/'J Other Weekly 7 No. in Date 'arrived in Colo. Appl. From what state? Citizen? HOUSEHOLD (Circle l# of those in budget Adults suf.. to DOB Ed R Em No. p yment SS/VA # & type 1. 2. 3. 4. S. Marital status: S ( ) M( )- Sep ( ) Div( ) Leg:Sep( ) C.L. ( ) W( ) All. ( ) EMERGENCY CONTACT EMPLOYMENT DATA Names Dates Occupation Employer *. Local Relatives Rel. to Address & Tele. No. Employment 1. 2. 3. Other Relatives 1. 2. *For adult applicants, include children here. (OVER) Ii = What health problems are visi'_:le? Any medication being taken? Who provides .your transportation? walk drive taxi friend relatives Do you have any, friends nearby? No. — Name and phone Name and phone Address Address — What are your hobbies? Immediate Crisis Intervention Needs - to be met by Intake when client is not functioning physically and/or mentally — Physical and Mental Health. 1 7-77 See that doctor care is 6 /-7 Forestall impending provided" financial disaster & 2 / Arrange for immediate stabilize past finan- corrective,medical & cial patterns. — surgical techniques. 7 /-/ Contact children or 3 /-7 Refer to eligibility for other relatives. emergency food money or 8 /-7 Arrange nursing home, — food stamps. Intermediate care, 4 /_/ Arrange emergency residential care or housing. homemaker service. — • 5 /"-7 Arrange emergency 9 / 7 Seek consultation utility needs. from other agencies. 10 / 7 Other. -- Additional Information (include directions for finding home, if necessary) . State here what client sees as problem and add your impression. WC DPW '~ • 3-70 Page 3 Social Services Family Information HOUSEHOLD Circ e ;,` o those in budget Children Su DOB & R.S. Dep School (7: Rel. T. SS or VA No. Place Code Code Grade to XIX and •e 1. 2. 3 . 4. S. ■� 7 . 8. 9. PARENTS (indicate each child by using number assigned by line above) Natural Parent Status Parent Fi7ure. StatusUnknown *Name, Address "c SS No. 4- a (1.)g4 C,J 04 v � 4-4 i c- c-) v n c i cn •. 4 v. v u zs *!Cl o EU v +� cn nr o z o p., o 1 •- �+ x 'Lj O c� ttf N Rr O G'a r yb a u ,g I k P u w ' o cn z o H q •r a� cn Hi fi O - f4 H H c/n O•� 4-4 r I 4 _ 4- - -4 l *Repeat parent name in next box if not enough space is provided to cover the children involved. - 13 - CHRONOLOGY OF ALLIANCES Name & Address Length of Time Relationship IMarried! Div. I Dead Deserted Corn. Law All Non-Leg. CHILD SUPPORT RECORD _ ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - 14 - — The District Caseworker The district caseworker will be assigned to a caseload which might be identified as long-term intensive or supportive or short-term minimum or no service, or thirdly, protective or other type of child welfare service. The initial visit by the district caseworker will complete the social study and casework assessment of need. This will be completed on one form and will indicate all factors of need and social factors contributing to that need. The actual completion of the casework social study and the assessment of need may not occur in one visit. After completion of this form, the caseworker will present the total assessment of need and the social study to the supervisor for discussion of areas of activity or planning, specific immediate and long- term needs to be met and techniques to be used in meeting these needs. At this time, if the supervisor feels that the case is mis- assigned, it will be reassigned. Actual dictation will not be completed on the case except in those incidents where the forms are inadequate to comment on emotional factors and a ROC sheet is used as an auxiliary form. When a number of ROC sheets have been accumulated, and a summary statement in the case record will be necessary or the plan for the recipient is so complex as to justify detailing the steps to be taken and achieved, actual dictation may be added. - 15 - r INITIAL CASE CLASSIFICATION SCHEDULE & SOCIAL STUDY — (F icily and Children's Services) Name Category H H -- Status X==Nced. (Use X until a date of completion is entered) 1. Adequate Circle number on explanatory subheadings as appropriate _, 2. Marginal I v; ei m c ai ci v c ai v v ai a, ci 3 . Inadecn.3te x 1 E E E E E 1 41 a ,� x° x° 1 x ]° x° x z x° z o 1a wi. 4-1 s l� Q . a I � a < 4-1 - SERVICE AREA I A. Living. Arrangements 1 . 'efai s : Needs : Find new qtrs Arr. home repairs 0bt. appl or HH eq. '" Arr. trans. Other, ( ) - - — — - 4 B. Homemaking Skills 1. Poor eat. habits Details : 2. Poor Hous ekp. -- habits 3 . Inadequate diet Needs : _ _ Homemaker referral Refer to Food Stamps Arr. educ. in food prep. & nutrition - _ Other ( ) t . , i 1 . -- SERVICE AREA II A. Family Relationships I ` [ 1 1 _1. Par./Child problem fletaiIII s: 2 . Par./par. problem 3 . Sibling/sibling prob. -- 4. Other Relatives/ family Needs : . Ref. to Mental HLth. _ _ 1 _ Teach discipline ' _ Relp parents under- I srana chill's needs Family therapy Other ( ) i - 16 - ) Id aJ . ' CJ ' 4J W 4J Q1 OJ CJ 'U I CJ CJ QJ 41 E ' E Ei E E E E EE /-% • o O xI x x �, x z x �4.." 1 <4 , < , Q: <4 ; <i <t a < < <4 , B. Marital Situation I j 1 I 1. Stable relationship Derails : 2. Unstable relationship Needs : CounsTing r - 1 I 1 Ref. to Legal Aid 1 Contact absent par. Contact relatives Arrange support A;JC-6 signed CR-.1 completed CR-2 completed Other K C. Client's Feel. of Adeq. 1 1. se o drugs 1 Details: 2 . Use of Alcohol OH 3 . Promiscuity OM OF 4. Out-of Wedlock (Preg./Births)Needs : _ Counseling 1 Referral for Couns . r 1 _ Other ( ) D. Arrest Record Details: • 1. Non-Felonious I/N OF 2. Felonious L7M OF 3. Probation L7M L7F 4. Parole L7M /7F 5. None 4/N OF Needs : _ Confer w/authorities Counseling Other ( ) _, SERVICE AREA III A. Physical Condition 1. Low Level Details : Mobility- OH OF -` 2. Self-maint. inadequate -OM /7T 3. Health-Maint. -- inadequate L7M OF Physical Complaints Diag. //M 17F Undiag. QM OF Medical Care Reg. L7M /7F Occas . OM L7F Refuses OM L7F 4. Alcoholism S. Chron. Ill -- 6. Phys. Handicap OM OF - 17 - es• ins CU a v v v a v v v v v + a EEE e g EEE ga E EE� o xo oI o o ^ o _o o I oho Needs: Kr 4 a 4 4 4 4 4) 4 4_ 4 44 Refer to Pub. filth Arrange Med. aid Ret. to other agy. f_ Counsel Other ( ) B. Mental Condition 1. Cap. to form . Detai)s: • meanSagful reletiorships /7m /7F 2. Cap. for prob.— — solving /7 M /7F 3. Reaction to — — stress i7H /7F 4. Overall Curr. Functioning Normal /7M /7F Psychosis (diagnosed) /7M /7F Retarded (diagnosed /7M /7F Depressed 77M 77F Withdrawn 77M 77F Anxiety 77m 77F Grief 77M 77F Dependent 77M 77F Exploited 77M 777E Needs: Refer to Ment. 7flth. Counsel Other ( ) SERVICE AREA IV A. Social & Environ. Factors 1. Avail.. Rel. are Delai s: not helpful. 2. Soc. Relation- ships are poor. 3. Recr. int. and/or activ: are poor. 4. Access. to svcs/ Resources is poor. 5. Neighborhood econ. conditions are poor. ., Needs: Counsel w/relatives Refer to Other agency - Other ( 5 �- - 18 - ,,.1 CU v c Cl) Cl) u CD] a n' C q N cat O o o O O Si O O O� O x x x x x� G x x x z x x d d d d d 4 4 d 4 4 4 d B- Conditions within Hur- 1. Promiscuity Details : 2. Excess. gambling 3. Excess. drinking 4. Other abnormal act. Needs : Foster Home Placement Court Reinrral ., Refer to other agy. - Other ( ) SERVICE AREA V A. General Situation re: child rearing 1. Prov. of basic needs Details (food, clothing, shltr, med. care is inadequate. 2. Emot. needs not met. 3 . Prov. of sub. care recom. 4. Control of children is inadequate. -- S. Parent's relationship w/schools and/or instit. is inadequate. 6. Parent's overall atti- tude toward children needs improvement. 7 . Parental example is inadequate. Needs: Counsel J ,_ Refer to other agy. Other ( ) T . B. Supervision, Guid. & Disc. , • 1. Parents unint. in Child Detail's: 2. Aggr. or Destruc. child 3. Withdrawn or depr. child Needs : Counsel parents Confer w/schools r J f r- Homemaker Court referral _ 4 _ Other ( ) T 1 - 19 - v v E E E E E E E E E g E a N x xo x° xo x° x x xo xc u xo x SERVICE AREA VI "- A. Parent's attitude toward Fam. Plane. , 1. Children are planned Details: for. 2. Unplanned and/or un- wanted children. Needs: Counsel. on sex educ. xeter to Other Agy. Refer to Pub. Hlth. Arrange Transport... Other ( ) B. Children/s Reflect. of parents attitude on sex. 1. Unmarried pregnancy. Details: 2. Fathering of illegiti- mate child. Needs: Counseling on sex educ. Other ( ) SERVICE AREA VII • A. Education level 1. Educ. inadeq uate Ietnilss �- 2. Language barrier 3. Children are spec. problem. Needs: Help obtain GED Arrange testing Counsel Parents Refer to other agy. Refer to WIN Other ( SERVICE AREA VIII -- A. Management of Funds j I III II I I II 1. Chron. Fin. Depend. Details: 2. Eviction or Shut-off .. 3. Bankruptcy 4. Garnishment Needs : Budget Counseling Protect. or Vend. pymt. +lr mediate w/debtors - 20 - 7....." ... 1 52 v .a er o ,o 0 0= E EE 0 0 0 0 0 o o {.1 {J .'J iJ 4-I 4-1 i- {J 4J .P 444J -P. 4-1 T SERVICE AREA IX 1 A. Employment History 1. Never worked betails : 2. Can't we _'k 3. Seasonal worker 4. Lacks marketable skill S. Chronically unemployed 6. Lacks motivation — Needs : Refer to WIN _Refer to Voc. Rehab. ' —' Refer to Emply. Office "4 Arrare Transportation ' ' Arrange Day care ' - — Counsel - . - Other ( ) ._ - 1 , • 1 a 4 — a B. WIN Assessment: ` 1. Appropriate for immed. - referral. 2. Not approp. for referral. (See separate form for further assessment if applicable) SERVICE AREA X -1. Make Referrals to other Details: agencies -- Needs : ' WIN - — T ' Voc Rehab. ' - Mental Health - ' "---- GIRA . Spec]. Educ. needs ~ - _ ' . . CR S O ► • Salvation Army Churches - -- . ' Public Health NYC - - r • Community Center Migrant Council -. — 4 • T -1 - - Other Guide client in dealing ' _. r • G ' w/gov. agys or the courts - 21 - C) al C) C) C) Cl C) C) C) C) C) C) C) C) Q t o E. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 666 c I 4I 41 4 44 44 4 4 4. 4 4 4 4 <4 4 SERVICE AREA XI . Child's Name — A. Phys. Dev, B. Ment -Emot. Deg. C. Accept. of parental care D. Adjust. in Fam. E. Adjust. to _ substitute care F. Rel. w/peers G. Sch. Attend. 1. Reg. 2. Truant 3. Prev. court H. School Perform. I. Soc. Behavior 1. Rebel. - Details: '(on any 0 above areas 2. Chins Pet. a. Date of Hear. b. Adjudicated c. Date of next hear. 3. Del. Petition a. Date of Hear. b. Adjudicated c. Date of next hear. Child's Name A. Phys. Dev. B. Ment.-Emot. . Dev. C. Accept. of parental care D. Adjust. in Fam. E. Adjust: to substitute care —F. Rel. w/peers _ G. Sch. Attend. 1. Reg. 2. Truant 3. Prev. court H. School Perform. I. Soc. Behavior 1. Rebel. Details: (on any o above areas) 2. Chins Pet. a. Date of Hear. b. Adjudicated _ c. Date of next hear. 3. Del. Petition a. Date of Hear. b. Adjudicated c. Date of next hear. - 22 - ,.s\ ,"%, xCif -P E E E E E E E 0.1 E E E 0.1 4 H x x x x x x x ° x x x x x �I 4-1 c < c 4 a 4 a 4-1 < a 4-4 a — SERVICE AREA XI Child's Name A. Phys. Dev. I -. B. Ment.-Emot. Dew. C. Accept. of parental care D. Adjust. in Fam. E. Adjust. to substitute care F. Rel. w/peers — — G. Sch. Attend. . Reg. 2. Truant ._ 3. Prev. court H. School Perform. I. Soc. Behavior 1 1. Rebel. Details: (on any o above areas 2. Chins Pet. a. Date of Hear. b. Adjudicated c. Date of next hear. 3. Del. Petition a. Date of Hear. .� b. Adjudicated c. Date of next hear. Child's Name -' A. Phys . Dev. B. Ment.-Emot. Dev. C. Accept. of — parental care D. Adjust. in Fam. E. Adjust. to substitute care ' f. Rel. w/peers G. Sch. Attend. 1. Reg. -' 2. Truant 3. Prey. court H. School Perform.I. Soc. Behavior { 1. Rebel. etails: (on any of above-areas) 2. Chins Pet. a. Date of Hear. b. Adjudicated c. Date of next hear. 3. Del. Petition -' a. Date of Hear. b. Adjudicated c. Date of next hear. - - 23 - WIN ASSESSMENT NAME (Use X to indicate w iii ^ statements are appropriate. ) a a a4-1 a) v cu rncn N m . 45 co ui Q I. To be completed i deter- ^ mined to be approp. referral A. Motivation of Individual: Wants to go to work. Has specific expect. of tng & employment. Employment will provide needed emot. outlet. Client has own goals for family. Tng & employ. can help _ achieve client goals. Client has neg. attitude toward involvement. _ B. Capacity of Individual: Age & Hlth make referral feasible. Recent phys . exam. Nee. Ment. Hlth exam. Emot. problems are appar. Has. formal educ. or previous experience. Has had voc. tng or On- the-job training. Has had succ. in prey. work experience. Work habits are estab. Childr. can emot. permit mother to wk outside hm. Another rel. or sitter is avail. to meet needs of Ch. There is possib. that plan might be harmful to Ch. • II_ To be completed if not approp- riate referral: Illness, incap. or adv. age Too remote fr. projects. Child attending sch. full-time. � f Is essential person for another member of household. Adequate child care not avail. - Other ( ) - 24 - /--4. r 4-1 44 44 v v v v v Fl) N (0 N .. . - co u1 uJ .. u1 ul y i+ y b , b u1 .4 W .t. (!W) _ .y N .cC co) Pi in M .14 Q LRi III. To be completed if referral should be delayed. — A. Reasons for ul.1y: Too large a family for mother to adeq. be trnd or work & still meet needs of children. Pregnancy. Pre-school children. Child w/problems. — 1. Soc. Adjustment. 2. Emotional. 3. Phy. handicap. — Bad debts which could result in garnishment. ' Lack of phy. or ment. hlth to be successful at this time. Is fearful of ft.ilure. Lack of management for all areas of responsibility & - — would probably fail in all areas . Does not want to work or — leave the home. No feasible means of trans. to get to training site. Lack of essential home — equipment, so physical job of maintaining home becomes unsurmountable or too -- demanding. B. Length of time before referral can be made: _ 3 months 6 months 16 months Other - 25 - WCDi=W 3-7C ,• "` Adult Social^`rvice Information Intensive & _upportIve Needs Minimum .service Needs (to be provided to 1Llp cent (To help with info. when the client -- funct. In a meaningful way) is funct. effectively, but picture - _ can be .improved) I S Choosing a home. 11 How to select appr. qtrs. Information. 12 'I How to make qtrs liv- 30 Dentist. -- 1 ! - able, thru furn.& dec. . 31 WIN 13 '- I"--� How to maint. qtrs 32 Voc Rehab. properly 33 ._.I Mental Health. 141 1 I Provide homemaker to a 34 _.._I Medicare & Medi- aid in housekeeping caid duties. 35 1 -- GIRA Nutrition. 36 UNC Lab School 1S How to purch. food econ 37 CRLS 16 How to prep & pres . food 38 Salvation Army 17 How to plan diet. 39 Churches . 18 __,____! How to live within 40 Public Health budget. 41 NYC Adult Identity & Self- 42 Food Stamps — Worth. 43 Community Center. 19 (---"1 ;� Help client express con- 44 —.-. Mentally Retarded I ( filets & accept own Center emotions. 45 r---.. Migrant Council. — 2Q Counsel perm. disabled 46 L_1 Other ----I � 4 to accept situation. 21! Assigh"visiting couple" Guidance. I____2. to widen soc. act. 47 Guide client in with adults. �� dealing with Participation in Retreat. government _1 • & cultural activities. agencies . 22 ' h Help client choose 48 Guide client in { 14-- 1 approp. areas of int. 1 dealing with Meaningful work. community. — 23 # + I Arrange Tor compl. of 49 Guide client in _- I I_I of high sch. educ. ; r_;_ dealing with own obtain GED. family -- 241 1- `� Help client enroll in job trng. to learn 5: I I Other new skills. L _ 251 1 I Encourage client in re- I I_J viving old skills. Clothing. 26 r_.� What kind of cloth. to --- 5-,.. buy. 27t -1 1-i How to repair & maint. clothing. 28 Suggest sources of ,1 L• .I donated clothing. 29 '1 ,—) Other. l Client Harr:e Date of Visit _ HH No. _ Caseworker — (see over for detail of unmet needs) - 26 - Nature of Casework All casework will be of a directive nature. The worker will work with the recipient to determine the steps which the recipient must take. The steps will be in the nature of a contractual agreement between the caseworker and the recipient wherein the worker will outline, in simple terms, what the recipient should do between this visit and the next visit, and will write these items down on a memo of agreement. The specific agreement of the recipient to each of the steps which the recipient is going to take and the recipient's initial of the memo agreement will r. help give the agreement substance. One copy of this memo agreement is given to the recipient. The second copy will be placed in the case record. The opening of a future casework interview with the recipient will start with a review of what the caseworker has done for the recipient and what the recipient has done for himself. At such time as progress on the case reaches that point wherein a new assessment of need should be prepared, the old one should be indicated to be superseded and a new assessment of need should be prepared by the caseworker, presented to the supervisor upon completion, and placed in the case record. The new assessment of need may be prepared on the next column of the form or, if the form has been fully used, on a new form. - 27 - Mf:DRAiv'DUM of Z GhEEMEi`JT }.;y the CLIENT PND TEE CASEWOR'<ER The caseworker and have agreed Recipz.en t that the recipient will do the following things between this date and the next caseworker visit. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Signed this day of , 19 Caseworker Client Comments: - 28 - Casework Service Goals The overall goals of the caseworkers and the supervisor in the total program must be to: 1. Limit casework to those needs wherein actual solutions can be achieved. 2. Limit caseworkers to the actual performance of casework and eliminate all clerical functioning. 3. Limit the recording need, plan or actual achievement to an• indication of identified need. The marking or "x" ing of a box on the proper form and the support of this marking only when extremely essential with comments, written ROC sheets, or dictated summaries of ROC sheets should be the recording technique. - 29 - IcmoRANDUM To : State Department of Social Services, Welfare Division From: Carl S . Becker Date: February 5 , 1971 Re: RS7410 revisions The major areas of service as listed on the RS7410 appear to be inappropriate to many cases . We have prepared a new breakdown of major areas of service and recommend that the 7410 be revised to reflect these new areas . The order of items as proposed reflects the recommended ranking by casework supervisors in Family — Service--Weld County . See copy attached. • - 30 - Colorado Department of Social Services--Division of Public Welfare Summary of Services to Families--AFDC (Workers Report) Major Areas of Services Present Proposed 1. Employment 1. Homemaking & Housing Problems 2. Child Care 2. Education for Family Living 3 . Foster care 3. Mental & Physical Health Needs 4. Prevention or Reduction of 4. Social & Environmental Factors Births out of Wedlock 5. Family Planning 5. Child Rearing 6. Health Needs 6. Family Planning 7. Education 7 . Education 8. Homemaking and Housing 8. Money Management Problems 9. Re-unite Families 9. Employment (includes WIN Assessment) 10. Money Management 10. Refer to other Agencies ~ 11. Child Rearing 11. Confer with other professionals 12. Education for Family Living 12. Services to Children 13. Protective and Vendor 13. open Payments 14. Protect. Serv. and Co-op 14. open with courts - 31 - Part II ASSIGNMENT OF FUNCTIONS and. RELATED PROCEDURES - 32 - Introduction This portion of the report includes recommended changes in the assignment of responsibilities and activities within the organization. A detailed form and procedure for evaluating foster homes on a significantly simplified basis is also included. - 33 - MEMORANDUM TO: Mr. Eugene McKenna FROM: Carl S. Becker DATE: February 26, 1971 SUBJECT: New Iritake Procedure We have attached a new procedure for Intake which is designed to speed up the processing of applicants for public assistance. The procedure is built around an "intake screener", whose function is to briefly assess the potential applicant's current situation and direct him to the agency employe who can best handle his needs. Use of the professional in the screening procedure will eliminate long interviews with intake service workers when the screener (a fully qualified caseworker) can determine that the applicant's emergent need is only financial. The applicant is then seen immediately by an eligibility technician. - 34 - . New Intake Procedure Family Services Receptionist I. Makes record of name, purpose of visit and arrival time. A. Checks with master file room for previous case. B. Notifies Intake Screener that client is waiting. C. Records time client is seen, and by whom. D. Redirects client, if Intake screener determines they must be seen by Intake worker or Intake technician (or both) . Intake Screener I. Fills out Face Sheet. A. Fills out Pending Case master file card. B. Makes manila file folder (or folders, if this case will go to both an Intake worker and Intake technician) for all new cases (re-opened cases will already have case records) . II. Assesses client's need. A. If immediate need (crisis) exists. (1) Helps client begin filling out application. (a) If client is unsure about actually applying for assistance, refer client directly to Intake worker for in-depth interview.* (b) If client's need is financial, refer client directly to Intake technician.* *All papers pertaining to the case are also sent (in manila file folders, if new case) at this time'. - 35 (c) If client is definite about making an ^-. application, but sett ^sr has other clients waiting, the client will be asked to fill out own application as much as possible while waiting to be seen by the Intake worker or Intake technician.** B. If no immediate needs are identified: (1) Helps client begin filling out application. (see (c) above) (2) Directs client immediately to Intake technician.* C. If client decides not to apply but needs are identified: (1) Face sheet and master file card are filled out. (2) Client is referred directly to Intake worker. D. If client decides not to apply and no needs are -- identified: (1) Screener handles whole procedure as an inquiry following already established routines. Intake Worker I. Conducts in-depth interview. A. Helps client fill out application if he so desires (he may decide against applying) . B. Determines extent of need. r. (1) Takes steps to provide services indicated. C. Refers client to Intake-Eligibility technician for emergency financial aid and final interview. II. Holds service case record. A. Puts the application in file folder for use of Intake- Eligibility technician. B. Initials Pending Case master file card and attaches to Technician's folder. *All papers pertaining to the case are also sent (in manila file folders if new case) at this time. **Screener will leave all papers with the receptionist who will be responsible for redirecting client to next interview. - 36 - ). p. Intake Technician I. Helps client fill out application. II. Initials master file card and forwards immediately to master file room (except when client must see Intake worker next) Application Clerk I. Maintains Pending Case master file II. Follows standard procedure for denied or approved cases when they are received from Intake-Eligibility technician. A. Pulls pending case file card and destroys (permanent master file cards are made at this time.) - 37 - } S Ho. �\ New Intake Procedure GAP and AND Receptionist I. Makes record of name, purpose of visit and arrival time. A. Checks with master file room for previous case. B. Notifies Intake screener that client is waiting. C. Records time client is seen, and by whom. D. Redirects client if Intake screener determines they must be seen by Intake worker or Intake technician (or both) . Intake Screener I. Fills out face sheet and Pending Case master file card. II. Helps client begin filling out application. III. Assesses client's need. A. If no immediate need is identified: (1) Direct client to Intake technician* B. If a need is identified: (1) Refer::client to Adult Division Intake worker.* Intake Technician I. Helps client begin filling out application. II. Retains eligibility file and initials Pending Case file card. Intake Worker (Adult Division) I. Conducts in-depth interview. A. Identifies needs. (1) Plans services to satisfy needs. II. Retains service case record and initials Pending Case file card. *All papers pertaining to the case are also sent (in manila file folders, if new case) at this time. - 38 - } , A. For AND cases, makes home visit and writes social study prior to approval or denial by State Department. B. For OAP cases, makes home visit within required time. New Intake Procedure (When household already has caseworker assigned) Caseworker will: 1. Fill out Face Sheet. 2. Fill out Master file card for Pending Cases. 3. See that application is correct and complete before submitting to Intake Technician. 4. Forward file folder containing application and Pending Case master file card to Intake Technician.* 5. Keep service portion of case record until notified otherwise. *Intake Technician will immediately initial file card and forward to Master File room. - 39 - - .-. ION MEMORANDUM To : State Department cf Social Services, Welfare Division From : Carl S . Becker Date : January 4 , 1971 Re : Group Casework OAP recipients have a mutual concern for many problems , which caseworkers find they must deal with re- peatedly . Some of these problems relate to the filling out of the redetermination form . We recommend that group casework be initiated for OAP recipients who are designated for minimum service . These group sessions could be set up at a central* loca- tion and arrangements made for transportation of those clients who need it . The session will provide a social outlet for the pensioners , as well as a forum for their questions . If necessary , the caseworker can make appointments to deal with a client ' s specific problems . *We are devising a system under which redetermination dates will coincide for all recipients residing in a defined area of the county . - 40 - MEMORANDUM To: State Department of Social Services Welfare Division From: Carl S . Becker Date: March 1 , 1971 Re : Combining of Day Care and Foster Home licensing The criteria for ovaluating of foster homes and day ca7:e hones , and the requirements for reporting this information , appear to be basically the same . This is supported by the fact that the same forms (Ex: CWS 37 ) are used in both instances , and the same study outline guide is required by the manual (A-7234 . 72) . On the basis of the similarity of the two programs , we recommend that the responsibility for licensing of day care homes and foster homes be consolidated into one position in the county departments . - 41 - MEMORANDUM TO: Eugene McKenna FROM: Carl S. Becker DATE: January 26, 1971 SUBJECT: Transfer of Nursing Home Cases The transferring of cases between the Adult Medical Services section and the regular Adult Services section appears to create unnecessary paperwork. Clients move in and out of nursing homes frequently and each change entails a major shift of paper. We recommend that the records of any recipient who enters a nursing home be transferred to, and retained in, the Adult Medical Services Section regardless of whether that recipient returns to his home at some future date. - 42 - MEMORANDUM To : State Department of Social Services Welfare Division From: Carl S . Becker Date : march 1 , 1971 Re : Foster Home Evaluation Procedure Present procedures for evaluating prospective foster parents , and recording this information , appear to be redundant. An application (CWS 6) is completed by an interested couple and returned to the Department . This information , along with a detailed account of every aspect of the family ' s past and present life , is then dictated and typed in the record. The dictation thus consists of : 1 . A repetition of the factual information from the application. 2. An exhibit of the worker ' s knowledge of what an "ideal" foster family should be--disguised as a social study of a particular family . 3. In the required re-evaluation the repetition of previous information is again presented, even though the situation rarely changes enough in one year to warrant a complete re-assessment. We recommend that dictation be limited to information which cannot be adequately recorded on any of the following forms: CWS-6 Application to Care for Children CWS-11 Physician ' s Report on Foster Parent (for all adults in home) . Supplemental form to be used for natural children in home . CWS-42 Reference letter ( to be re-designed for use in all child care situations ) . Family Foster Home Study checklist - our design (copy attached) - 43 - f FAMILY FOSTER HOME STUDY and EVALUATION BASED ON MINIMUM STANDARDS NAME Foster Home No. DATE I. Initial evaluation data. A. First heard of program. [Q Through friends. C7 Through relatives. d News media. — 0 Other ( ' ) B. Motivation basis. L7 Fulfill personal need (explain below) /? Can't have own children. /7 Charitable intent. /7 Monetary reward. C] Looking for child to adopt. /_7 Negative reason (ex. exploitation of child wish to relive own life I plan of treatment for marriage) e I L7 &ther I( 1 I ) C. The foster mother & father. F M Z:7 L% Has set reasonable goals for self & children. /7 /_7 Has set reasonable standards. 7-7 /-7 Expectations are flex- ible & can be modified. C7 /7 Is available (time-wise) when needed most by child. /7 /7 Has clear self-image & understanding of role as parent (division of responsibility is clear but decisions are mutual) /�- L7 Understand effects of various methods of dis- cipline (verbal, corporal, withdrawal) •- L7' L:7 Is tolerant of possible deviancy or short- comings of natural ` parents. 1-7 Cl Has capacity to give w/o expectipg immediate return.' I Comments d I On following pages use X to indicate affirmative evaluation. Explain any unchecked items (on required areas) on separate sheet. - 44 - W /'` r IH H H m ro ++ a s awl a a 01 a ai a 01 a •H }+ 4 1 44 tri g1 ro.) aall� 4.1 1 .1-1 1 4 HHq O.i La Ci PI' f� q 6:4 C4 II. Requirements to be met by — Foster family. 1. Parents ' image c:1 role fits needs of foster children and agency. 2. Parents ara emotionally mature & secure in marital and family relationships. a. Parents relate well to natural children. b. Natural children relate well to each other. c. Natural children relate well to foster children. .� 3. Parents understand the problems of growing child- ren & have not lost touch with the times. 4. All members of family are willing to accept foster child as member of family group. 5. Family includes father and mother (or has been excepted _ from this requirement- explain in Part I Comments) 6. Parents cooperate fully with the agency. a. They understand that legal authority rests with the agency. b. They understand that all planning for child's own family is done by agency. _ c. They accept the role ofd. the agency as mediator & use it constructively. 7. Confidentiality is observed by all foster family members. 8. The family has had experience in meeting crises & has learned to use outside resources in doing so. 9. The family has reliable income source & money management. 10. The family is able to tolerate change & disruption. 11. The family is permeable- members can enter or leave w/o trauma to family; strangers are accepted readily. 12. The family is in reasonable conformity w/norms of society. The parents have reputable character, values & ethical standards. - - 45 - • A • • • • • l m• 5.4 w cc, CC ro F a1 W COW WW WW ail a N 4-1m aim aim aim 4-1 v � vm NHL] Riq fY. LI O.iA CC GI O.4Q III. Minimum Standards : the home; location, housing & equipment. 1. Home is located in neighbor- „ hood conducive to well-being of child, where child can attend school regularly. 2. Home has no unnecessary hazards to children & meets local and state fire regulations. 3 . Indoor & outdoor space & facilities for play are adapted to ages & needs of ,-, children. 4. Water supply is tested & approved. (Annual approval required in rural areas) 5. Adequate & sanitary bathing & toilet facilities avail- able. 6. Housing conforms to state & local r?gulations for light, heat, plumbing, ventilation & adequate rooms . 7 . Sewage; garbage disposal meet state & local regu- lations. 8. Surroundings are homelike, clean & well managed. 9. Food is properly cared for & prepared. Special diets and formulas are provided when necessary. 10. Dishes are washed in hot, soapy water & rinsed in hot water (170 degrees minimum) . IV. Minimum Standards : The Foster Family Attitude, Health, Income and Records 1. Foster parents & other persons in home are of good moral character. 2. Foster parents & other persons in home are emotion- ally stable & have genuine interest in children. 3 . Foster parents & other persons in home do not use profane or obscene language & are not addicted to the use of intoxicants or narcotics . - 46 - • U1 •i>�+ i .-t � i '- 4 r•4 4- Et Ctl W ID Wi a) W al CU al e a) W CU *II 44 +, I +, 1 1 4+ I ++ 1 4-+ :q1-9 a & AA MA ark A' 4. Foster parents (will fulfill) - are fulfilling responsibility to provid& religion' training in the faith of child's `^ natural parents. 5. Foster parent:: are aware of importance of cultural & _ educational training for children and are of an age & flexibility to share in child's development. 6. Medical reports on all per- sons in the foster home sub- stantiate sound mental health, freedom from communicable disease or any handicap that would affect the child. 7. Foster parents are alert to any signs of illness & seek medical help. 8. Discipline excluding harsh punishment and is tailored to the individual child. Author. ity to punish is not dele- gated to older children. 9. Foster mother is employed outside the home but meets the criteria* for this action. *See detailed minimum stand- ards pamphlet. 10. A competent adult is left in charge of the children during foster parent's absence. 11. The foster parents are not conducting a rooming or _ boarding house for adults that would be a detriment to the best interest of the child. .. 12. Reports of missing are being made promptly to the proper authority & to the parent, guardian or supervising agency. 13. Reports are made to the juvenile authority if parents have not been in contact w/the foster child for some time w/o satisfactory explanation. - 47 - n W v • H •r1 .1 ri H .1 •-i > > > 0 > ++ G1 N G1 Gl 1 Ol Ol 01 Ol 0.101 a A NW pcO a A MS 14. The foster family has promptly reported changes e. of address & any accident or illness which occurs in the home. 15. The foster family has not accepted children from any other source w/o permission of the certifying agency. - 16. The foster family is keeping adequate records* on each child. *See detailed minimum standards pamphlet. V. Minimum Standards : The Foster -- Child. Health, Happiness and Proper Care. 1. Proper procedures w/regard to the children s ' health (including diet) are being followed. (See details in minimum standards pamphlet) 2. Opportunity for normal :social contacts outside the family are`provided. -- 3. Training in good health habits is being provided. 4. Adequate clothing & inciden- tals are supplied for each child. 5. Suitable study areas & necessary school equipment are provided for each child. 7. Foster children are not exploited. 8. Infants, under the age of 2, are being cared for according to explicit standards out- lined in standard 5 of minimum standard pamphlets. - 48 - CO • r1 .4 '-1 r-I r1 rl r-i cti co }I C) N W G) Will W N N Ili Wei IM r 44 I {.J 1 {J 1 44 1 }J 1 4-I .— VI. Evaluation is ccl CU A `� a ° a o°7c Home is adequate Home is average •� Home is above average Comments: VII. Recommendations Home shou_2 be apprcred Home should be denied Comments: VIII. Home Approved for: # of children (enter figure) Sex of Children (enter info) Ages (enter: Ex. 3-12) 1 *Specific child or children Child over 16 Receiving home Work home Comments: *List names here - 49 - iPIPI1 3 r—{ V r—ica ca a) N N GJ Cu Ol N CU a) OJ N tlJ 'VI 14-s 1 4-I 1 4J 4i c4 I - ca mA A aA s A aA IX. Home could be used for: -- Emotionally d sturi.cd children Adolescents Special home for adolescents Minority groups Jewish Physically handicapped Mentally handicapped Convalescent care Catholic Receiving home •�� Other Comments: PIMA S 50 - Department of Public Welfare CWS-42A t . Date Dear has applied for a license to care for children and has given you as a reference. As the main purpose of licensing is to protect children, we would like your opinion of this person's genuine liking for children, state of physical and mental health and standards of personal behavior. The information that you give us will be held in strict confidence. It is also realized that personal opinions may vary, therefore, your statement will only be a part of the final evaluation. For your information, we have enclosed a copy of the rules and regulations that apply to the type of facility this person wishes to operate. Thank you for your cooperation. Sincerely, r How long have you known this person? Make a statement about this person's emotional stability and moral character. State your opinion of this person's ability to work with children. Are there any specific factors that you feel need to be considered in evaluating this person for a child care license? Wy do you think this person wants to care for Children? Additional comments may be made on the reverse side. PLEASE MAIL TO THE ADDRESS INDICATED ABOVE. (Signature) - 51 - • MEMORANDUM To : Eugene McKenna From: Carl Becker Date : March 1 , 1971 Re : Foster Home form We have made several recommendations to the State Department of Social Services for changes in Foster Home evaluation procedures . A copy of our recommendations is attached. In addition to these changes , we recommend that you discontinue using the Weld County form "Foster Home Infor- - mation Sheet" which is being utilized as a preliminary application. Information on this form merely duplicates that required on the CWS 6 application. - 52 - ~ Part III ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURAL CHANGES - 53 - Introduction This portion of the report is devoted to procedural changes which will simplify processing, eliminate unnecessary work, provide better planning information and improve the total control process. - 54 - MEMORANDUM To : State Department of Social Services, Welfare Division From: Carl S . Becker Date: February 5 , 1971 Re: Printing address labels from EDP We have requested that information stored in your EDP system be utilized to print gummed labels for addressing redetermination forms . Mr . Kepler has informed us that implementation of this request is being delayed because a significant number of 700 ' s do not show a redetermination date. We recommend that gummed labels be printed for those recipients whose redetermination date is available . The counties will then be aware of which 700 ' s lack a redeter- mination date and can send in a correction showing the date . Over a year ' s time this information should then be correct and complete . - 55 - • MEMORANDUM To : State Department of Social Services, Welfare Division From: Carl S . Becker Date : February 5 , 1971 Re: PA-2A revision The requirement that names of all persons on the grant be typed on the PA-2A before mailing to an AFDC , AFDC-U or WIN recipient for redetermination imposes an unnecessary burden on county eligibility stenos . We recommend that the first page of the PA-2A be revised , as shown on sample attached. This will permit utilization of gummed address labels (which we have requested to be printed by the State EDP unit ) for mailing the PA-2A . Asking the recipient to list names of adults and children in the house may also provide a means for spotting discrepancies in the original or previous declaration of eligibility . .- - 56 - COLORADO ST:"TE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES DTVISPTIN OF PUBLIC WEI,iARE REDETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY DECLARATION-AFDC-AFDC-U-WIN County Welfare Department This form will be used to make sure you are still eligible for welfare payments . You may ask relatives, friends, or others to help fill out this form. Then sign the form and return it in the enclosed envelope. If you have any questions, please call the Eligibility Technician. HH No CAT TECHNICIAN Name: Address co basic suf position n. City, State, Zip DATE MAILED / / mo. day year 1. At the present time you are receiving a Public Assistance Grant. The needs of all eligible persons in your household (Adults and children) were included in the last money payment you received. Indicate all persons who continue to live in your household. Fill in the additional information requested for each child. Adults in Grant Are these adults living in your home? suf Name : Last First Middle yes no PLEASE FILL OUT THE FOLLOWING PAGES COMPLETELY AND RETURN IN ONE WEEK. Children in Grant r Birth Is the ! Are these Is the Where is the date child in! children Mother child's school living in in the father? your home? home? suf Name: mo/day Last First Middle yr yes no yes no yes no - 57 - r 'r MEMORANDUM TO: Mr. Robert Kepler State Department of Social Services FROM: Carl S. Becker DATE: March 1, 1971 SUBJECT: Requests for Revision on RS 700 Contemplated changes in service casework have eliminated the need for placing the caseworker number on the RS 700. We would like to request the following: "Intake Worker" space - Place Eligibility Technician No. "AssJd' Worker" space - Place census tract no:. _ The census tract code would be used to group cases geographically for redetermination home visits. - 58 - 1 1f' I-' MEMORANDUM To : Eugene McKenna From: Carl Becker Date : February 8 , 1971 �- Re: Procedure for change of address The original copy of the change of address form , which is now being routed to the Business Office , should be sent directly to the master file clerk . All changes in the Business Office must be made on the basis of an RS700 , which is submitted by the eligibility secretaries according to established deadlines . The practice of trying to match change of address forms with the 700 is merely a duplication of effort and can delay the updating of master file information for as long as a month. It should be impressed upon all employes that ad- dress change information must reach the eligibility stenos in time to have the 700 typed before checks are mailed. The 700 will be the only source for address changes sent by the Business Office to the keypunch operator . - 59 - f V /1 COPY MEMORANDUM TO: All Staff FROM: Fred M. Rutherford DATE: March 8, 1971 SUBJECT: Change of Address Please disregard the procedures for address changes as outlined in the memo dated July 9, 1970. Computer services have changed the procedures for writing the public assistance checks. The business office will only process the RS 700-2 form. The new procedure will provide a more current address to the master file clerk. The address change form is being revised but will not have any effect on the distribution of the new form. Changes of address can be initiated by any staff member. It will be completed in triplicate. The first copy is sent to the master file clerk. The second copy is sent to the eligibility secretary. A RS 700-2 is completed and sent to the business office. The RS 700-2 must reach the business office by the day before the mailing of the checks. This copy of the change of address is then given to the technician for further action, i.e. budget revision, inter-county transfer and. discontinuation for out-of-state residence. The person originating the address change should indicate whether it is permanent or temporary with a time limit indicated. Please indicate to whom you are sending the form in the upper righthand corner of the form; separate and place in basket for distribution. Your adherence to these procedures will be appreciated. FMR:ss - 60 - ,-. MEMORANDUM To : Eugene McKenna From: Carl Becker Date : January 26 , 1971 Re : Use of Kardex file in Business Office It has come to our attention that all payments are again being entered in the Kardex file in the business office . This is contrary to our recommendation that only changes in payment amount be noted in the Kardex . We recommend that all agency employes be advised of the new system of entering only changes in payment , so that they will not be confused when they have occasion to refer to the Kardex . (This confusion was given as the reason for reverting to the old system) . - 61 - MEMORANDUM To : Eugene McKenna From : Carl Becker Date : January 26 , 1971 Re: Filing of computer print-outs The computer print-out sheets for the recipient and employe payrolls should be kept in chronological order in hard-cover binders designed for this purpose . This pro- _ cedure will ensure that valuable records will not be mis- placed and that current information is easily accessible . We recommend that you purchase a sufficient number of covers to serve the needs of the Department. - 62 - MEMORANDUM To : Eugene McKenna From : Carl Becker Date : January 26 , 1971 Re : Date of issuance of welfare checks The practice of issuing all welfare checks on the same day of the month is causing an unnecessary bulking of work at the Food Stamp sales office. We recommend that you stagger check issuance dates so that not all recipients will desire to purchase Food Stamps on the same day of the month. This could be accomplished by issuing all OAP checks on one day and ADC checks on two other days (split- - ting the mailing by Household number ) . - 63 - MEMORANDUM To : State Department of Social Services, Welfare Division From: Carl S . Becker Date : February 5 , 1971 Re : Procedure for mailing case records to Quality Control The lack of an appropriate mailing envelope to be used for sending case records to the Quality Control unit in Denver is causing unnecessary work for county employes . County employes , in an effort to preserve the case jacket from destruction in the mails , are removing the case record contents and placing them in ordinary file folders . The papers must then be refiled in the case jackets when re- - turned by Quality Control. We recommend that a supply of padded mailing enve- lopes be provided to the counties for sending case records to Denver . These envelopes would then be used by Quality Control to return the case records to the counties . - 64 - MEMORANDUM To : Eugene McKenna From: Carl Becker Date: March 4 , 1971 Re : Use of "out" cards Missing case records continue to pose a problem in the Department. Most of these problems could be eliminated by enforcing the requirement that an "out" card* be used. We recommend that you purchase a supply of "out" cards and make them available to all employes , with instructions to use them oven if they are taking a case record "for just a minute . " *This is a letter-size card designed to indicate a missing file folder ; it provides space to show who has removed a particular file , and the date it was removed . - 65 - t . MEMORANDUM To : Eugene McKenna From: Carl Becker Date: February 8 , 1971 Re: Filing inactive case records The cardboard file cabinets presently used for filing inactive cases are not suitable for this purpose . They are not sturdy enough to permit one person to do the frequent filing which is necessary with the ever-changing welfare rolls. We recommend that you purchase ten 5-drawer metal file cabinets to he used for inactive case records. These cabinets and those metal cabinets which are already available* for fil- ing inactive cases should be placed in the basement room formerly used as a coffee room. In the interim period the filing situation can be im- proved by arranging for some manpower to shift drawers around so that all cases are in numerical order . This disorder oc- - curs in three separate areas--the master file room and its annex, and the basement file room at the foot of the stairs . The basement file room should also be cleared of non- case record storage , and the case records of those people who are deceased (the case records of the latter can continue to be stored in the cardboard cabinets) . There is storage space available in the room formerly used for Addressograph equipment. *Some drawer space is not properly utilized in the file cab- inets already in use in the master file room and its annex . Other cabinets may be available in the building , if a need for them is made known to employes . - 66 - • C O P Y MEMORANDUM TO: All Staff FROM: Gene McKenna SUBJECT: Pending Case Master File Card DATE: March 9, 1971 A new procedure, designed to provide a master file of pending cases, is being initiated as of this date. — A pending case master file card (copy attached) will be filled out for each new case by whomever initiates action on the application. For example: Intake Worker Eligibility technician (Intake) Case Worker (If a case is already open in the household) The initiator will fill in all available information on the card and initial; he will then forward it with the case. If the applicant will not be seeing any other employee, the card will be sent immediately to the master file room. The eligibility technician (Intake) who normally is the last employee to handle a new application, will initial the card and forward it immediately to the master file room. The pending case master file card will be maintained in the master file room until definite action (approval or denial) is taken on the case. Blank cards are to be made available to all areas where there is a need, i.e. receptionist, service secretaries, etc. Attachment - 67 - PENDING CASE MASTER FILE CARD Name HH# Cat. Last Name First Name Services Intake Worker Date /7 Only Elig. Tech. (Intake) Date j-7 Making Applic. Caseworker Date Comments : This card MUST reach master file room on same day application process is initiated. - 68 - Part IV FORMS - 69 - Introduction This portion of the report contains new forms which have been designed and amendments of existing forms. All forms designed during this period are not necessarily included in this portion of the report, but are in some instances attached to the actual procedural material. - 70 - - w O O x al a) 4a) 3 N F+ ++ m Lk 0 O4 O a/ N n O O O — U O •G v a, a) — a) A p d O F O [n a1 LH Fa A (tl G •i W 1-1 as O •N ✓1 I:4v co - H e4 C _ O O••i U 44 44 a •• a cn < - I-I rl v o rd H x H Pi 5 W EO q U Gy F4 F t!] H • 01 N N 5 F+ +4 E-LCC rl F4 rg tr R44 N r0 44 g LL O al ••-1 m m Fa W a CU O A a1 A 'O Nca ✓ o v — E tH P fa m Z v1 41 H .• — 71 — • MEMORANDUM TO: Mr. Eugene McKenna FROM: Mr. Carl S. Becker DATE: March 1, 1971 SUBJECT: Printing of Stationery and Forms All stationery and forms used by the Agency should be printed without the names of persons so that they will not be rendered obsolete by changes in personnel. This would also apply to the use of Commissioners ' names. - 72 - MEMORANDUM To : Eugene McKenna From: Carl Becker Date : February 19 , 1971 Re : Change of address form The change of address form which is being used at this time is inadequate . We recommend that you adopt the following form and have it printed in triplicate on NCR paper . CHANGE OF ADDRESS Date Effective H .H. # Category Name Old MAILING address New MAILING address Residence address (if different from above ) Original - Master File Clerk Remarks : 2nd Copy - Eligibility Secretary 3rd Copy - Services Secretary WCDPW 2-71 Initiated by 10.4 - 73 - Part V FOOD STAMP OPERATION - 74 - Introduction This portion of the report is concerned with an evaluation of problems in the food stamp operation as it faces an ever_ increasing volume, and the development of solutions to those problems. - 75 - MEMORANDUM TO: Mr. Eugene McKenna FROM: Mr. Carl S. Becker DATE: December 15, 1970 SUBJECT: Food Stamp Operation We have again evaluated the food stamp operation and our recommendations for alleviating the problem areas are as follows : 1. A separate case numbering system should be initiated for non-PA food stamp recipients. The practice of assigning We'.�:'3re Department case numbers to non-PA cases is creating chaos in the Welfare Department filing system. If a non-PA food stamp recipient becomes a PA recipient at a later date, the non-PA case number can be dropped and the case assigned a normal Welfare Department case number. 2. A safe large enough for storing the food stamp supply should be provided at Island Grove. It could be located either in the trailer or in the Child Welfare building. The possibility of moving the large safe now in use at the main welfare building should be considered. A smaller safe could be purchased for welfare business office use. 3. Signs directing food stamp clients to the proper door (see our procedure attached) of the trailer and listing business hours should be installed at once. 4. The food stamp mail order secretary should be provided with a supply of postage stamps. This would allow food stamp orders to be mailed out directly from the food stamp office and avoid the one or two-day delay caused by the necessity of routing all mail through the main welfare building. Food stamp books can be weighed and a chart of standard postage amounts prepared so that purchase of a postal scale will not be necessary. 5. A lock should be installed on the food stamp sales office door for security. 6. Benches should be installed in the south waiting room of the trailer. More seating space will be necessary with the adoption of our procedure for processing all food stamp — clients (sales and certification) through the Control Technician. - 76 - • 7. The food stamp file card (3 x 5) presently in use should be adapted to serve as a master file for mail order clients, per sample attached. 8. A mimeographed appointment slip (per sample attached) should be used for food stamp clients in place of the relatively expensive caseworker appointment card now being utilized. 9. Better use must be made of food stamp division employes ' time during periods when work is slack or when the office is closed to clients . This time should be spent keeping all files up to date, including those in the sales office. It will be the supervisor's responsibility to see that each employe is engaged in a productive endeavor during working hours. He will make note of any tasks which are routine in nature and can be done by any employe at any time. This would include filing in any area of the operation. 10. A procedure for handling food stamp sales and certifications must be implemented. This procedure (amended copy attached) will eliminate the bottleneck created when a client reaches the sales clerk's window and discovers his papers are not in order. It will also eliminate the need for the Control Technician to stand at the end of the sales line as a "cut-off" point. (The Control Technician now stands at the end of the line and advises late-comers that the sales office is closed. ) - 77 - Pftft Food Stamp Forms To be printed on reverse side of present food stamp file card (3 x 5) for use as mail order master file: Money Received To Sales FS21 FS22 FS23 Date Amt Type Clerk Sent Sent Sent Comments mom omm awn To be mimeographed for use as appointment cards for food stamps: Food Stamp Appointment FOR: ON: (day of week) (Date) ATi A.M. P.M. Weld County Department of Welfare Greeley, Colorado 7a - Food Stamp Procedure - Amended for use in new trailer December 21, 1970 1. All food stamp clients will report to the Control Technician at the south door of the trailer and will receive a pre-numbered tag.* On busy days, the Control Technician or a helper will take I .D. 's in exchange for the number tag at the trailer door until capacity of waiting room is reached. These clients will be processed '- before allowing more clients into trailer. 2. The Control Technician will note on the FSSO Form (copy attached) the tag number, last name of client and purpose of visit to the office. 3. If client wishes only to purchase food stamps, the Control Technician will acquire, from the client, his ID card. The Control Technician will write, in pencil, the tag number on the client's ID card and ask the — client to wait. A. Control Technician will give the ID card to the Thinner (a Food Stamp office employe designated for the job by the supervisor) . The runner will check the ID card against the F59 on file.** (1) If the FS9 indicates the client is properly certified, the runner will check the name off the FS50 list and sent the client to the sales office with his card and FS9. On busy days, clients will be sent to the sales office in groups as called for by the sales clerk. The first client in the group will carry the FS9's for the group and give them to the sales clerk. (2) If certification is not valid, according to the FS9, the runner will inform the client (identified by the tag number), return the client's ID card, and ask him to report to the Control Technician. The Control Technician will note on his FS50 list the change in "purpose" and ask the client to wait. (See 4 (1) below) 4. If client has an appointment to make application or be re- certified for food stamps, the Control Technician will check the name off the appointment calendar. Appointments are to be entered on the FS50 one-half hour before actual time to assure service to the client. If client does not appear for the appointment, his time can be re- - assigned to another client. A. If client has no appointment, he will be informed by the Control Technician of the approximate time he will be served. If he chooses to make an appointment for a later day, the Control Technician will not issue a _ number tag to this client. *Control Technician will stop issuing numbers when maximum capacity has been reached. Tentative numbers can be issued after this point in case more clients can be served. **The F59 files will be moved from the sales office to the certification office. - 79 - B. Clients waiting for certification will be called, by tag number, by the Control Technician as Eligibility Technicians are available to serve them. The Control Technician will also handle certifications when he is free to do so. (1) Clients who have been pulled out of the sales line (3 (2) above) will be given the first open appointment spot in order of their tag numbers. — They have priority over clients who have not made appointments (4A above) S. When certification process is complete: A. If the client wishes to purchase food stamps immediately, the Eligibility Technician will note client's tag number on his ID card and ask client to wait in sales office line. B. If client does not wish to purchase food stamps, the Eligibility Technician will keep the number tag and return it to the Control Technician. C. The Eligibility Technician will take client's papers to the typist immediately. Papers for those clients who wish to purchase food stamps immediately will be marked "emergency" so that the typist will process the papers promptly and have them available (with ID card attached) to the cashier by the time client reaches head of sales line. 6. When food stamp cashier has on hand the ID card and FS9 for one or more clients, he will begin serving clients in ordew by tag number. A. Cashier will notify Control Technician, by telephone, when he can serve more clients (the waiting area in the sales office is limited; therefore, on busy days when the weather is bad, many clients will have to wait in the larger room at the south end of the trailer) . B. Client will give his number tag to the Control Technician when called to go to the sales office. — (Cashier will erase pencil notation of tag number off the ID card before returning it to the client.) C. Normal sales procedure will follow. (1) On peak over-the-counter days, each cashier — will have his own supply of food stamps and an FS 11 for recording sales. Each cashier will tally his sales at the end of the day in accordance with established procedures. - 80 - res 7. The Food Stamp office staff will be as follows : A. Maximum: 1 Control Technician 3 Eligibility Technicians 1 Typist and a back-up secretary 1 Runner 2 Cashiers B. Minimum: 1 Control Technician 1 Eligibility Technician 1 Typist 1 Cashier - 81 - } FS50 CONTROL LIST FOOD STAMPS Seen by Tag Client's ' Certifi- at sent Comments Number Name Sales ! cation to Bales - 82 - DEMGRANDUM TO: Mr. Eugene McKenna FROM: Mr. Carl S. Becker DATE: December 21, 1971 SUBJECT: Food Stamp Mail Order Procedure There appears to be some difficulty in sorting out food stamp money orders from reicbursemert funds received by the business office. We recommend that all food stamp mail order clients be reminded to designate "Food Stamps" as part of the mailing address each time money is sent to the Welfare Office. - 83 - mUORANDUM To : Eugene McKenna From : Carl Becker Date : February 8 , 1971 Re : Food Stamp Unit operation Our latest observation of the operation of the Food Stamp Unit has revealed the following deficiencies : 1 . Lack of supervision is a continuing problem. Most employes in the unit appear to lack the initiative to proceed with necessary tasks , or to switch to more impor- tant tasks as the need becomes apparent. An example of this occurred last week when all the technicians continued to file FS9 ' s while clients (who had verified appointments) waited for certification. This lack of initiative must be compensated for by the close and continual guidance of the supervisor . On the day cited above , as on other days , the supervisor appeared oblivious to the situation. 2 . Present staff is not being utilized to the best advantage . Each employe should be aware that it is neces- sary that he step in and perform any task for which he is qualified when the need exists . For example : a . Either secretary , or any tech, can fill in when filing needs to be done; b . The Control Tech can handle certifications when necessary , by having the secretary take over the con- trol function (on low volume days ) ; c. The supervisor should be ready to personally step in to fill any void at any time , or to shift personnel to fit the situation. 3. The maximum number of applicants and recipients are not being seen by the technicians , due to an overly strict policy on appointments . Appointments are made on a basis of 10 per day per technician , however , quite often people fail to keep an appointment , which leaves a free period for at least one technician . Tentative appointments could be made with drop-in clients each day--with the under- - standing that they will be served if someone does not show for an appointment. Also , it is evident that each technician can handle more than 10 appointments each day. During the ob- servation on Tuesday , February 2, 1971 , one technician was - 84 - — r . memo to Eugene McKenna Page 2 absent , but 31 clients were easily seen by the two techs on duty . These were all re-certifications (new applicants are seen only on Wednesday ) , which process takes an average of less than 20 minutes . One tech should be able to handle 15-20 re-certifications each day ; 15 would allow over an hour and a half of "free" time . 4 . The group sessions appear to be a very ineffi- cient means of certifying new applicants . Under the proce- dure now in use it takes as much (or more) time to certify one applicant by the group method as it takes to process him on an individual basis . This is due to the fact that during the half hour preceding the start of a group session and during the actual group orientation (conducted by one tech) the other techs are doing nothing . The techs are doing nothing because no individual appointments are made on "group day . " On the day the office was observed , only two of the nine appointments showed up for the morning group ses- sion . They were handled individually (as were some drop-ins ) . Two people did not show for the afternoon session , however , one quite angry client , who wanted to be recertified , was turned away , because "we just can ' t squeeze you in until February 16 (almost two weeks ) . The three techs on this day handled only 20 applicants . If individual appointments had been made , each tech could have seen 10 people (this allows one-half hour per client and two hours of inter- spersed "free" time ) . The Control Tech could also see clients on slow days , and especially on Wednesday , when sales are closed. 5 . The procedure developed by the Carl S. Becker Co . for handling the entire sales and certification process is not being consistently followed. While it may be necessary to adapt the procedure (the issuing of number tags when clients are arriving one at a time is obviously superfluous ) , it nevertheless is important that the basic theory and pro- cedure be adhered to at all times . 6 . The "Inquiry" form now being filled out by ap- plicants at the group orientation should be given to each person who makes an appointment (individual ) . The form can be filled out by the applicant before he returns for his appointment. This will save much of the technician ' s time in filling out the FS 3 and 4 . - 85 - r • Part VI SPACE ALLOCATION and USE - 86 - Introduction This portion of the report is concerned with the effective use of space. New space allocations for the separated family service units have been prepared in order to place secretaries adjacent to the caseworkers for whom they work. 87 - — -- . r I 01 CS 4J ., v CU r. F.1 CU .4-) P a) 3 btl•d CJ vh � CI C) O F+ U 3 O 'ri H 'LP C.3 oW Fr H rn -- a x ...r Q) Q • H Cn C W F, i a, x o a 4-1 x E CO 6-1 XXp E O 4-4 CI N H • a 0 tz U n C) w Co l n tat) P4 H co, O 4 .N w Z Cr)ca• H C) CU a H P W H O • 0 • Fa U -- (/) o > 44 E C)) 3 ' O r� �• fC r0 q •r1 al v G O I co co x FI cc a) o 4 L3 Z CII '0 ba C) '� x P -- I— °s O = Cr) O 4-+ P CJ WO a—IE r HX UA m W 4-1 P _ J al O 4-i O• H CJ U Z co CJ -4 F+ 0 O o ms W U U cc CO CJ bt) O a) PP r r••1 r--1 •r1 O •r•1 • G U W Cr) i~ W H Pa C1 1 •o H IC O N FI r-. !Zi CJ CJ GA 03 4-1 X b al cif .r1 w o 86 .. — r ^ ^ ..- » k \\ ) }\ 2 — ]IJ . W CW co W = m k � /) \ H ) m � . m \ \ . / C $ Q ] •G ) _ � H § • \) 0 ) cn < ue / \ { . / 4 ) ) / \ 7» • ' 4.4 a) 3 cna ) a ^ \ 0 § ® \ ) ( _ \ $ \ C & CO c mu4•J al ~ / . 44 | -I \ m § . S4 ] 2 � • � ] H CO o < ` �) 3G SH § Gta % 0 w c cUHw w | & a41na 44 % G m 8 — e e _ 0.1 ») ) 0 \ — ® ) \) •' \ § 0 § * • e a ° ) j al co / § § \ H � 2Q — I \ \ ] 3 % 4 \ 44 % / ( .— e9« ) Q %n 33 I CO im al �r j § @ \ o eoA \ & � 44 CI �\) / f Gem § \ aa / \ ) \W Up \ \ \ ) \ ] ° ] - 89 - ,-. • January 26, 1971 Mr. Clementz Building & Grounds Superintendent Weld County Courthouse Greeley, Colorado 80631 Dear Mr. Clementz: We would like to suggest that the problem of providing convenient parking for employes of the Welfare Department at Island Grove could be alleviated by posting the area along the front sidewalk "Employe Parking Only, Between Signs. " This should discourage Food Stamp clients from parking in this area. We appreciate the extensive help you have been over the last year. Thanks again. Carl S. Becker The Carl S. Becker Company Management and Planning Consultants CSB/ad - 90 - Part VII POLICY CHANGES in the PERSONNEL AREA 91 - Introduction This portion of the report is concerned with the recognition of certain operational problems in the personnel area and suggested solutions to those problems. 92 • MEMORANDUM To : State Depaitment .of Social Services, Welfare Division From: Carl 5 . Becker Date : February 8 , 1971 Re : Problems with present personnel operation Certain aspects of the present state merit System appear to need revision or modification. Two problems are directly related to the practice of placing prospective employes on a register and then al- lowing employers to choose only from the top three candi- dates . Employers outside the metro-Denver area are often forced to hire a person because two of the top three do not wish to relocate . This person may be unacceptable to the employer , but if he is desperate for help he has no choice but to hire that applicant . Present policy should be in- terpreted to provide counties outside of metro-Denver with the top three candidates who are willing to settle in the county doing the hiring. The testing system itself serves to limit the choices , even among the top three who appear on the register . The top three may be recent college graduates or "professional" test takers who do well on the exam, but who lack real know- - ledge or the ability to do the job . The test essentially appears to test the applicant ' s ability to take tests , but does not reflect the applicant ' s experience and ability to perform on the job . In Weld County recently , a fully quali- fied man was interviewed for a casework supervisor position , but could not be hired because he was not among the top three on the register . The department is seriously handicapped in one unit , due to the lack of supervision, and prospects of enticing another qualified person to make the move to Greeley appear bleak at this time. - 93 - — MEMORANDUM To : State Department of Social Services From: Carl S . Becker Date : January 30 , 1971 Re : Caseworker assignment Effective use of caseworker time requires that each individual be placed in a job situation which matches his education , experience and ability . We recommend that caseworker assignments be made on the following basis : - Caseworker I Non-service cases minimum service cases Caseworker II Intensive service cases Caseworker , Specialized Services Intensive Service cases Intake (crisis intervention ) 94 - MEMORANDUM TO: State Department of Social Services Welfare Division -- FROM: Carl S. Becker DATE: December 21, 1970 SUBJECT: Homemaker Aide Proposal Requests for Homemaker service in Weld County are now being received by several agencies, including the Welfare Department, Department of Public Health, LIRA (Greeley Information and Referral Agency) , 0E0, and the Colorado Department of Employment. Homemaker service is presently provided by the Welfare Department and 0E0 is inadequate for the needs of Weld County residents (both public and non-public assistance) . At the suggestion of Mr. Marshall Anderson, Weld County Commissioner, and Mrs. Betty Schulte, the Commissioners ' secretary, we are making the following recommendations: 1. That a homemaker program for Weld County be coordinated through the Welfare Department. 2. That a Homemaker Aide position be created under the Merit System. 3. That the Homemaker Aide be permitted, after one year of service, to take the exam for the position of Homemaker.* - 4. That public assistance recipients be encouraged to apply for positions as Homemaker Aides. *This may require some revision of the Homemaker job description now in effect. - 95 - Part VIII COMMITTEE - 96 - - Introduction This portion of the report is concerned with work done by the consultant with the Weld County Welfare Advisory Committee appointed by the County Commissioners and with the "Sounding Board", a self appointing group of employes. 97 - • MEMORANDUM TO: State Department of Social Services FROM: Carl S. Becker SUBJECT: Report on Committee Meetings DATE: March 17, 1971 Two types of meetings have been held during the preceding quarter as follows : 1. Sounding Board meetings. The sounding board consists of members of the staff, both professional and clerical of the County Department. Meetings have been held with the Sounding Board on an irregular basis for purposes of discussing problems in adoption of recommended changes and to test out ideas . During this quarter, three meetings were held. 2. Meetings were held with the Weld County Welfare Advisory Committee as appointed by the County Commissioners. Purpose of these meetings was to advise the Committee as to progress being made as a result of the study and to get .- their reactions and recommendations as developed, and to hear thdir suggestions as to areas of concern. Two meetings were held with the full committee and three _ individual meetings were held with subcommittees during this period. - 98 - • COPY TO: All Supervisors FROM: Sounding Board Meeting, February 11, 1971 The following were present at the Sounding Board meeting of February 11, 1971: John Carlson, Sandy Amato, Lori Rasmussen, Jim Lenters, Bonnie Shull, Anne Rice and Sue Sughroue The first item brought up for discussion was the parking situation. John Carlson wondered if the situation was greatly ^ improved in Mr. Becker's estimation. Mr. Becker felt it had improved a great deal, that whenever he was here there seemed to be parking spaces available both on the street and in the parking lot. There has been some difficulty with the reserved spaces in the nursing home lo . Mr. Becker said he would check into this and see if this could be improved. The purpose of the parking lot is for workers coming into the office for short stops only, If the workers are to be in all day they should not use the parking lot. Some of the workers present stated they started making home calls after 8:30 and Mr. Becker wondered if the half hour or the hour before starting their daily calls was not a wasted hour. He wondered if the workers should have a 9 to 5 work day. The workers present felt the time before starting their daily calls was used to good advantage, clearing up their desks, taking care of the next day's schedule, etc. , Some workers already stagger their hours according to their workload. Scheduling was next discussion. Mr. Becker wondered how it was working our for the workers to be out in the field more days . John Carlson stated he spends about 3 days in the field now and it seems to be satisfactory. Child Welfare staff present indicated that they had so many hours required time in the office they didn't have sufficient time in the field. For example: Monday mornings, Friday afternoons and Tuesday mornings are times when the Child Welfare staff is required to be in the office. Everyone seems to be out in the field Wednesdays and Thursdays; therefore, there isn't much office coverage on those two days. Mr. Becker wondered about the necessity of the entire Child Welfare staff needing to be in the office on Friday afternoons to cover emergencies. Mr. Becker stated he would do some work in this situation and see if it can be improved so the Child Welfare workers can have more time for work in the field. Lori Rasmussen asked when a Child Welfare supervisor would be obtained. There are no definite plans in the immediate future. She also asked if there would be more than one supervisor in Child Welfare. Mr. McKenna was to answer this question, but he did not attend the meeting. _ 99 _ • 4 / , There was a question about Family Services secretarial services . There will be a secretary assigned to each group of service workers . The question was also asked if the secretaries would be moved from their present location. No answer could be given. Mr. Becker is hoping that the Family Service secretaries can answer the phone and do all the clerical work for the service workers. Bonnie Shull reported that the new safe at Island Grove is very helpful and is a tremendous improvement in business office operations . There was a question raised about eliminating incompetent workers. Mr. Becker felt service ratings were being used to regulate this. He stated that a concrete case must be built before anything could be done about eliminating an incompetent worker. Lori Rasmussen mentioned the wire fence at the Island Grove office. She felt it was very unsafe as it is hard to see and children could be hurt. Mr. Becker suggested that she get red ribbon and tie on the wire fence until something permanent could be done with the fence. The furniture in the Child Welfare interview room was discussed. It is felt it is inadequate. Mr. Becker thought there was to be a church room available for adoptive placements. Evidently nothing definite has been worked out. Mr. Becker stated he would check with the Advisory Committee to see if a church room could be made available to the adoption workers. John Carlson was concerned there is no interview space available. He asked if the old coffee room could be made into an interview room. Mr. Becker stated this area is to be utilized as a central filing room in the near future. The third interim report was discussed. Mr. Becker feels that the antagonism has decreased considerably and feels that the department must begin to build techniques and work toward the ultimate end. Mr. Becker wants workers to do services, not clerical work. Another pay survey will be made at the end of the study. Mr. Becker feels cooperation is much better between his staff and our staff. Questions were asked about the third interim report. Anne Rice requested clarification of the last paragraph of the Introduction, page (i) . Mr. Becker indicated that "desired incentive" referred to employes ' support of the goals of the Becker Company's study. He said that although there was major progress, this support and agency morale needs further improvement. Lori Rasmussen asked if the intensive Family Service workers could help on the 24-hour emergency service. She also wondered about the intensive Family Service workers making Child Welfare foster home placements. Sometimes the other workers do not know when a child has been placed in a foster home and, therefore, the — homes are overcrowded and then they do not know when a Family Service worker has removed a child from a foster home. Mr. Becker stated he would discuss this situation with Kay Story. - 100 - • . s ,_. Lori Rasmussen also discussed the necessity of cooperation between county agencies, also within our own agency. She suggested group therapy sessions be set up, feeling this would add to our '- efficiency. The next meeting of the Sounding Board will be in three or four weeks . Please share this with your supervisees. - 101 - Part IX - STUDY PROGRESS - 102 - Achievements The following achievements have been made as a result of this study: 1. Essentially, all clerical work has been eliminated as a concern or responsibility of the caseworker. 2. The process of adding a new, or deleting an old case has been simplified. 3 . Payrolls are now written mechanically using electronic data processing. The deadline for cut off is artificially established many days ahead of actual need, thus creating internal processing problems between the cutoff deadline date and the actual payroll date. 4. The casework process, including development of a simplified social history, the recording of service needs, reviewing and developing a plan for each case, and recording achieve- - ments has been improved to significantly simplify the clerical and the caseworker involvement and to improve performance of the supervisory function. 5. The food stamp process has been polished to a point wherein we believe it will handle significant variations in purchase volume effectively. 6. Minimum control over the intake operation, applicant processing and eligibility review has been established. Significant additional work has to be completed in this area. r. 7. Techniques for case control, revisit control and statistical preparation have been developed. Most of these techniques are not operational. - 103 - 8. Efforts to eliminate extensive dictation and recording for foster home studies are now underway. 9. A need identification control form for unwed mothers or relinquishing parents has been prepared to eliminate unnecessary recording, to record actual needs and indicate when met. 10. Clerical employes have all been assigned specific jobs as follows: a. To assist individual caseworkers. b. To assist eligibility technicians. c. To carry out the administrative process. 11. All supplies are now being rigidly controlled. Evaluation During the course of this study, significant changes in the concept of casework have occurred. At the beginning of the study, caseworkers were still handling matters of eligibility and food stamps in addition to making gallant efforts to provide service. The separation of services and eligibility in the adult area occurred in April, — 1970, and in the family service areas in December, 1970. This separation made possible the initial changes in the concept of caseworker service and provided the eligibility units with the responsibility of determining whether or not a family should or should not continue to receive assistance. Development of a fully operational food stamp program has been a major factor in freeing the caseworker to provide service. - 104 - A second new concept in casework service has, during the course of this study, gradually developed. Traditional habits and patterns have been cast out. The latest concept encompasses what might be described as group casework to be provided for those people having needs which are not clearly identified. Conclusions In the final report, to be delivered August 15th, 1971, we plan to evaluate the effectiveness of the staff, professional, technical and clerical, and to recommend work loads which can be realistically performed. One of the difficulties which will occur as a result of these changing concepts in casework will be that we will not have had an opportunity to correct any of the bad practices which may develop or be inherent in the operation under the new group casework concepts. Corrections of clerical-technical processing will have been completed and the evaluation herein will be based on effectively managed programs. - 105 - Hello