CWB Update - June 2017

Key Highlights This Month:  

1. SAMHSA announced the awarding of a Systems of Care Grant to Minnesota to improve outcomes for children, youth and young adults who experience serious emotional disturbances, and their families.  DHS will be developing fact sheets regarding the grant to distribute to the 36 counties and 1 tribe and community partners who committed to supporting the grant process. 
2. Quality Parenting Initiative (QPI): Private foster care agencies are partnering through ASPIRE MN (formerly MCCCA) to explore use of QIP in MN.  It is an approach used in multiple states to strengthen foster care, by refocusing on excellent parenting for all children in the CW system.  It “rebrands” foster care by changing the expectations of and support for foster parents.  MACSSA and DHS were invited to a meeting to explore this initiative. A follow up planning meeting will be held in October for interested partners. See link to website for more information.  
3. Quality Improvement Center for Workforce Development (QIC-WD) is a 5 year projected aimed at understanding how to improve CW workforce.  A site visit was completed with DHS and MACSSA representatives.  MN is one of 16 jurisdictions being considered for this project.  5-10 sites will be selected.  Site selection will be announced August 2017.   
   
   

Requested Actions Needed From MACSSA:  Update on Child Mortality review process/CAPTA Disclosure format for counties to respond to media requests:  Within the next couple weeks DHS will be requesting MACSSA reps to have a workgroup to look at the format for a consistent response to media requests surrounding child fatalities/near fatalities.  DHS is willing to develop a form DHS will complete with County assistance for any media requests but it has been determined the county would have to be the releaser.  This process would provide consistency across the state in responses to media requests and will increase partnership with DHS in responding to these requests.  This supports the direction of the Collaborative Safety initiative and will parallel efforts in other states. 

New Trends in This Area:  

The legislature did not focus on policy or funding for child protection this session.  MACSSA will start meeting in June with DHS Child Safety and Permanency area to begin discussing mutual proposals for next legislative session to determine what areas we may wish to jointly work on for next session.

Mental health received more funding during the legislative session, including: 

• $300,000 for respite care
• $800,000 for crisis services (mobile, residential, co-location at urgent cares and co-responder models)
• First Episodes Program Funding ($1 million in FY 18/19
• Additional language passed regarding PRTF standards

Issues/Concerns Regarding This Topic:  

Requirement for Vulnerable Adult Plan for child foster homes if serving youth over age 18:  If a licensed CFC provider is serving a youth who is age 18 and older, then in addition to the requirements in the child foster care rule, the license holder must also comply with the vulnerable adult requirements in Minnesota Statutes, sections 626.557 and 245A.65 which requires all license holders serving vulnerable adults to establish and enforce written policies and procedures related to suspected or alleged maltreatment and to orient clients and mandated reporters who are under the control of the license holder to these procedures.  This has been in effect for a number of years but not widely understood.  DHS will be sending out more information in the near future especially given the new requirement mandating youth 18-21 who aged out of foster care the ability to return to care. 

Legislative Impacts:  

• IMD funding:  2 year funding was included in the final budget for backfill of possible lost funds effective July 1 should MA be pulled.  Also includes a study on intensive treatment services.  Draft RFP for the study should be out soon.  DHS has until the end of the month to survey all facilities considered to be in this category and then have 90 days to make a determination/recommendation on whether DHS believes they are IMD or not. The study has a report to legislature due NOVEMBER1 2018. 
• Foster Care School Transportation (Jamie H.):  A summary is included in attachments.  Included in the final budget bill is a $1m pilot to help with costs for transportation when nothing else is available.  There needs to be an MOU between the county and school to access this.  Reimbursement is at the end of the school year.  Funds available for up to two years.  The legislation calls for a report to the legislature in Feb. 2018 on how this is going and projections on annual costs.  MDE is responsible for making the report.  No plan yet on how to move forward but may reconvene a version of the Educational Stability workgroup to put framework for the report and requirements.  State added back in that state transportation funds can be billed for kids awaiting placement.  SO… schools can access this. 
• Child’s Right to Counsel and Notice/Waiver provided by the social worker:  Legislative bulletin is being worked on that will cover this area.  Unclear on effective date. 
• Funding for ICWA Placements:   Reimbursement to counties for tribal placement & funds for DHS for staff resources to review ICWA compliance by counties. 
• Other Child Protection/Child Welfare/CMH (Jamie S./Lori M./Bill W.)—reimbursement to counties for tribal placement.  Some funds were allocated to DHS for staff resources to review ICWA compliance by counties.

Supporting Materials:  

• Link to SAMHSA Grant press release:  https://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/press-announcements/201706131100
• Quality Parenting Initiative (QPI) website:  http://www.qpi4kids.org 
• Pilot for Foster Care Education

Contacts(s):