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Child Wellbeing Update - July 2018

Key Highlights This Month:  

  • QPI-Please see invitation attached to this document regarding upcoming training and first year celebration. 
  • The first PRTF opened 6/18/18 at Northwoods (Duluth, MN)
  • MACSSA representatives will be meeting with AspireMN to discuss 2019 priorities and identify opportunities for collaboration.  Potential collaboration around IMD bridge funding, continuum of service and funding and MH rate methodology.
  • The MAPCY tool will be evaluated in order to examine cultural impacts and disparities
  • DHS is pursuing a pilot of Binti-an online foster care application and workflow process.  The pilot will include private agencies and 1 county. 
  • Families First Act—Staff from DHS and MCAA representatives are attending a meeting in Washington DC related to the new requirements.  Information from this meeting may assist with planning and better understanding the fiscal impacts. 
  • The Safety Framework Advisory Committee through DHS with MACSSA representation had a first meeting.  A second is scheduled for August 30.  This group is looking at the framework for child protection assessments.

Requested Actions Needed From MACSSA:  

New Trends in This Area:  

  • The Child Safety and Permanency (CSP) Division, Minnesota Department of Human Services, has expanded over the past few years, with quite a few staff turnovers and retirements. This can make it challenging for county and tribal agency staff to know whom to connect with in the division regarding specific programs or questions.  In an effort to improve communication and provide a clear point of contact, each unit and/or program area within the CSP Division now has a unit email. The in-boxes for these email addresses are continuously monitored. (See attachments for listing of email addresses).
  •  SAMHSA Systems of Care Grant Funding Proposals:  The requests for funding under the service expansion are due the 17th for the counties and Fond du Lac Tribe eligible to request funding

Issues/Concerns Regarding This Topic:  

    • Employment and Housing areas are now to be included in the functional assessment for CMH.  A recent webinar produced questions on requirements and expectations.  Clarification from DHS has been requested.  A response was received that a bulletin is to be released soon clarifying requirements. 
    • As of July 1, timelines for contact with alleged victims in a child maltreatment assessment/investigation are being based on time of intake for purposes of child protection funding withholds.

Legislative Impacts:  

A meeting was held recently with the juvenile law area of the MN County Attorney Association (MCAA) to discuss legislative topics for the 2019 session.  A follow up meeting will occur in September.  Topics of join interest include:

  • McKenna’s Law clarifications
  • Passing of the recodification of MN Statute 626.556 (Child Maltreatment Act)
  • Impact of the Federal Families First Prevention Act
  • Funding for all parts of the child protection system

Supporting Materials:  

 Link to the comment period for the Federal Register about the evidence-based standards for Families First.  The comment period ends the 22nd.

 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/06/22/2018-13420/decisions-related-to-the-development-of-a-clearinghouse-of-evidence-based-practices-in-accordance

Contact(s):  Brenda Mahoney, Suzanne Arntson

© Minnesota Association of County Social Service Administrators

125 Charles Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55103

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