I had the pleasure of traveling the state with the CDHS executive team over the last couple of months visiting with our tribal leaders and listening to community partners through our strategic planning process. It has been a great way to kick-off the new state fiscal year and an inspirational reminder of the amazing work being done to improve practice and, in turn, improve lives of children, youth and families.
Last year, we focused on many important child welfare measures, but highlighted one specific measure, Timeliness of Assessment Closure. Thanks to all of you, we have achieved this goal for several months. When we started measuring this goal, we were performing at 50.3% and today, because of counties efforts, our performance is 90.3%. While this measure will remain in our CSTAT slide deck and we will continue to monitor progress, it is time now to turn our laser-like focus to a new measure.
Last year, we focused on many important child welfare measures, but highlighted one specific measure, Timeliness of Assessment Closure. Thanks to all of you, we have achieved this goal for several months. When we started measuring this goal, we were performing at 50.3% and today, because of counties efforts, our performance is 90.3%. While this measure will remain in our CSTAT slide deck and we will continue to monitor progress, it is time now to turn our laser-like focus to a new measure.
Over the past three years, counties have often asked me, “How do all of our measures and initiatives fit together?”. With this in mind, we wanted to align this year’s measure with the good work counties are already doing.
Our new measure fits perfectly with our value that children and families should be supported to thrive in their communities. We want to be sure that children in out-of-home placement are placed in the least restrictive setting possible. The new measure also supports our Federal IV-E Waiver, of which 48 counties participate.
So, for our 2014-2105 Wildly Important Goal (WIG) we will focus on the safe reduction of congregate care.
As you will see from the slides below, we have already made significant progress on this measure. I look forward to working together to see that children are receiving the right services at the right time in the community when possible.
Our new measure fits perfectly with our value that children and families should be supported to thrive in their communities. We want to be sure that children in out-of-home placement are placed in the least restrictive setting possible. The new measure also supports our Federal IV-E Waiver, of which 48 counties participate.
So, for our 2014-2105 Wildly Important Goal (WIG) we will focus on the safe reduction of congregate care.
As you will see from the slides below, we have already made significant progress on this measure. I look forward to working together to see that children are receiving the right services at the right time in the community when possible.
Here’s to continuing our good work together!
All the best,
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Julie Krow, MA, LPC
Director of the Office of Children, Youth and Families
All the best,
--
Julie Krow, MA, LPC
Director of the Office of Children, Youth and Families