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APPENDIX A.
CHILD WELFARE AGENCIES
- PARTICIPANT COMMENTS/FREQUENCIES
1. How would you rate your agency's staff in terms
of their understanding of ASFA requirements? We are particularly interested
in the level of understanding of managers, supervisors and workers. Please
rate their understanding on a scale from 1 to 5 with 1 being 'poor' and
5 being 'comprehensive'.
A. Managers:
| POOR |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
COMPREHENSIVE |
N=46
| Rating |
Frequency |
Percent |
| 2.00
|
2 |
4.3 |
| 3.00 |
7 |
15.2 |
| 4.00 |
20 |
43.5 |
| 4.50 |
5 |
10.9 |
| 5.00 |
12 |
26.1 |
Average of the
Rating: 4.08
N=18
| Comments |
Frequency |
Percent |
| Had
more training than supervisors or workers |
8 |
44.4 |
| Good
understanding of some elements, not others |
5 |
27.8 |
| Staff
already familiar with ASFA requirements |
3 |
16.7 |
| Understanding
at a high level; use ASFA requirements daily |
2 |
11.1 |
B. Supervisors:
| POOR |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
COMPREHENSIVE |
N=45
| Rating |
Frequency |
Percent |
| 1.00 |
1 |
2.2 |
| 1.50 |
1 |
2.2 |
| 3.00 |
14 |
31.1 |
| 3.50 |
2 |
4.4 |
| 4.00 |
23 |
51.1 |
| 4.50 |
1 |
2.2 |
| 5.00 |
3 |
6.7 |
Average of the
Rating: 3.62
N=13
| Comments |
Frequency |
Percent |
| Good
understanding of some elements, not others |
8 |
61.5 |
| Staff
already familiar with ASFA requirements |
3 |
23.1 |
| Understanding
at a high level, use ASFA requirements daily |
2 |
15.4 |
C. Workers:
| POOR |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
COMPREHENSIVE |
N=43
| Rating |
Frequency |
Percent |
| 1.00 |
3 |
7.0 |
| 2.00 |
5 |
11.6 |
| 3.00 |
22 |
51.2 |
| 3.50 |
3 |
7.0 |
| 4.00 |
10 |
23.2 |
Average of the
Rating : 3.06
N=25
| Comments |
Frequency |
Percent |
| Good
understanding of some elements, not others |
8 |
32.0 |
| High
staff turnover rate affects understanding |
6 |
24.0 |
| Just
started training |
4 |
16.0 |
| Understanding
at a high level, use ASFA requirements daily |
3 |
12.0 |
| Staff
already familiar with ASFA requirements |
2 |
8.0 |
| New
staff gets lots of ASFA information |
2 |
8.0 |
2.
Based on your agency's experience to date, what skills do you think managers,
supervisors and workers need to have to implement ASFA?
A. Managers:
N=142
| Skills |
Frequency |
Percent |
| Case
work |
13 |
9.8 |
| Collaboration |
11 |
8.3 |
| Understanding
the requirements of ASFA |
11 |
8.3 |
| Understanding
how to implement ASFA requirements |
10 |
7.6 |
| Using
data effectively |
10 |
7.6 |
| Basic
management |
8 |
6.1 |
| Familiarity
with new requirements for practice |
8 |
6.1 |
| Communication |
5 |
3.8 |
| Dealing
with challenge of time frames |
5 |
3.8 |
| Meet
ASFA requirements while maintaining good practice |
5 |
3.8 |
| Understanding
the philosophy of ASFA |
5 |
3.8 |
| Familiarity
with available resources |
4 |
3.0 |
| Focus
on implication of policies, safety, permanency and well being |
4 |
3.0 |
| Supporting
workers |
4 |
3.0 |
| Developing
and managing outcomes |
3 |
2.3 |
| Facilitation |
3 |
2.3 |
| Interaction
with court |
3 |
2.3 |
| Maintaining
good relationship with court |
3 |
2.3 |
| Negotiation |
3 |
2.3 |
| Strategic
planning |
3 |
2.3 |
| Modeling
best practice |
3 |
2.3 |
| Critical
thinking |
2 |
1.5 |
| Decision
making |
2 |
1.5 |
| Same
skills as before ASFA |
2 |
1.5 |
| Documentation
skills |
2 |
1.5 |
| Problem
solving |
2 |
1.5 |
| Need
to know how ASFA, MEPA, ICWA interact |
2 |
1.5 |
| Change
management |
2 |
1.5 |
| Advocacy
skills |
2 |
1.5 |
| Ability
to train others |
2 |
1.5 |
B. Supervisors
N=150
| Skills |
Frequency |
Percent |
| Case
work |
13 |
8.7 |
| Communication |
12 |
8.0 |
| Collaboration |
11 |
7.3 |
| Understanding
how to implement ASFA requirements |
11 |
7.3 |
| Using
data effectively |
10 |
6.7 |
| Supporting
workers |
9 |
6.0 |
| Familiarity
with new requirements for practice |
8 |
5.3 |
| Understanding
the requirements of ASFA |
7 |
4.7 |
| Decision
making |
6 |
4.0 |
| Meeting
ASFA requirements while maintaining good practice |
6 |
4.0 |
| Basic
management |
5 |
3.3 |
| Critical
thinking |
5 |
3.3 |
| Monitor
implementation of ASFA by workers |
5 |
3.3 |
| Ability
to train others |
4 |
2.7 |
| Skills
to deal with time lines |
4 |
2.7 |
| Dealing
with challenge of time frames |
3 |
2.0 |
| Developing
and managing outcomes |
3 |
2.0 |
| Documentation
skills |
3 |
2.0 |
| Maintaining
good relationship with court |
3 |
2.0 |
| Modeling
best practice |
3 |
2.0 |
| Understanding
the philosophy of ASFA |
3 |
2.0 |
| Assessment
skills |
2 |
1.3 |
| Facilitation
skills |
2 |
1.3 |
| Focus
on implication of policies, safety, permanency, well being |
2 |
1.3 |
| Familiarity
with available resources |
2 |
1.3 |
| Interaction
with court |
2 |
1.3 |
| Negotiation
skills |
2 |
1.3 |
| Need
to know how ASFA, MEPA, ICWA interact |
2 |
1.3 |
| Maintain
successful relationships with stakeholders |
2 |
1.3 |
C. Workers
N=133
| Skills |
Frequency |
Percent |
| Case
work |
20 |
15.0 |
| Collaboration |
10 |
7.5 |
| Communication |
10 |
7.5 |
| Understanding
how to implement ASFA requirements |
11 |
8.3 |
| Familiarity
with new requirements for practice |
8 |
6.0 |
| Meeting
ASFA requirements while maintaining good practice |
6 |
4.5 |
| Understanding
the requirements of ASFA |
6 |
4.5 |
| Dealing
with challenge of time frames |
5 |
3.8 |
| Decision
making |
5 |
3.8 |
| Advocacy
Skills |
4 |
3.8 |
| Familiarity
with available resources |
4 |
3.8 |
| Focus
on implication of policies, safety, permanency, well being |
4 |
3.8 |
| Team
building skills |
4 |
3.8 |
| Using
data effectively |
4 |
3.8 |
| Critical
thinking |
3 |
3.0 |
| Facilitation
skills |
3 |
3.0 |
| Interaction
with court |
3 |
3.0 |
| Time
management |
3 |
3.0 |
| Maintaining
successful relationship with stakeholders |
2 |
1.5 |
| Change
management |
2 |
1.5 |
| Developing
and managing outcomes |
2 |
1.5 |
| Documentation
skills |
2 |
1.5 |
| Maintaining
good relationships with the court |
2 |
1.5 |
| Problem
solving |
2 |
1.5 |
| Skills
to deal with time lines |
2 |
1.5 |
3.
As part of your ASFA implementation has your agency undertaken any activities
in the following areas:
Agency structure?
Yes or No.
If yes, please describe.
N=46
| Responses |
Frequency |
Percent |
| Yes |
21 |
45.7 |
| No |
25 |
54.3 |
N=36
| Comments |
Frequency |
Percent |
| Restructured
department or unit |
9 |
25.0 |
| Added
additional staff |
7 |
19.4 |
| Changed
procedures or process |
5 |
13.9 |
| Added
new department, unit or division |
4 |
11.1 |
| Added
new position |
3 |
8.3 |
| Began
a new process or procedure |
3 |
8.3 |
| Moving
workers from one unit to another |
3 |
8.3 |
| Changed
a training process |
2 |
5.6 |
Internal communication?
Yes or No.
If yes, please describe.
N=45
| Responses |
Frequency |
Percent |
| Yes |
36 |
80.0 |
| No |
9 |
20.0 |
N=70
| Comments |
Frequency |
Percent |
| Increase
in communications |
27 |
38.6 |
| Circulating
written material about ASFA |
11 |
15.7 |
| More
teamwork, interaction among team members |
8 |
11.4 |
| Training
on ASFA |
8 |
11.4 |
| Establishing
new working groups |
7 |
10.0 |
| Developing/using
websites to disseminate information |
3 |
4.3 |
| Expanding
role of existing groups to include ASFA topics |
3 |
4.3 |
| Using
of teleconferences to disseminate information |
3 |
4.3 |
Performance appraisals?
Yes or No.
If yes, please describe.
N=46
| Responses |
Frequency |
Percent |
| Yes |
16 |
34.8 |
| No |
30 |
65.2 |
N=17
| Comments |
Frequency |
Percent |
| Changed
to reflect ASFA mandates |
13 |
76.5 |
| Implementing
performance appraisal based on federal review |
2 |
11.8 |
| Set
up performance based contracts for providers |
2 |
11.8 |
Job descriptions?
Yes or No.
If yes, please describe.
N=46
| Responses |
Frequency |
Percent |
| Yes |
10 |
21.7 |
| No |
36 |
78.3 |
N=10
| Comments |
Frequency |
Percent |
| Some
descriptions changed, but not all |
3 |
30.0 |
| Some
tasks reassigned or restructured |
3 |
30.0 |
| Filling
new position(s) |
2 |
20.0 |
| Now
based on job performance plans |
2 |
20.0 |
Staff recruitment?
Yes or No.
If yes, please describe.
N=45
| Responses |
Frequency |
Percent |
| Yes |
7 |
15.6 |
| No |
38 |
84.4 |
N=5
| Comments |
Frequency |
Percent |
| Changed
way of evaluating job candidates |
3 |
60.0 |
| Added
staff |
2 |
40.0 |
4.
How do you handle staff training on ASFA?
A. Please describe
the training.
N=87
| Comments |
Frequency |
Percent |
| Statewide
training sessions on ASFA |
29 |
33.3 |
| Part
of regular in-service, pre-service training |
17 |
19.5 |
| Forums
and conferences on ASFA topics |
10 |
11.5 |
| ASFA
is discussed at regularly scheduled meetings |
9 |
10.3 |
| Managers
were trained; then trained others |
9 |
10.3 |
| Interactive
video training on ASFA topics |
5 |
5.7 |
| Teleconferences
on ASFA topics |
3 |
3.4 |
| Staff
attended training given by federal group |
3 |
3.4 |
| Circulate
information about ASFA |
2 |
2.3 |
B. Who does the
training?
N=84
| Comments |
Frequency |
Percent |
| Agency
staff |
23 |
27.3 |
| Outside
consultants |
15 |
17.9 |
| Partnership
with state university; their staff trains |
12 |
14.3 |
| Training
unit staff |
11 |
13.1 |
| Court
staff |
9 |
10.7 |
9
10.7
Central office staff |
7 |
8.3 |
| Regional
staff |
7 |
8.3 |
C. Is the training
just on ASFA or is it incorporated into other training that you provide?
N=48
| Comments |
Frequency |
Percent |
| Incorporated |
35 |
73.0 |
| It
is incorporated into new worker training |
8 |
16.7 |
| Not
incorporated |
5 |
10.4 |
D. Have you done
any training with or for the courts? Yes or No.
If yes, please describe.
N=45
| Responses |
Frequency |
Percent |
| Yes |
38 |
84.4 |
| No |
7 |
15.6 |
N=50
| Comments |
Frequency |
Percent |
| Joint
training sessions attended by agency and court staff |
21 |
42.0 |
| Agency
and court staff have worked togetheron local level |
14 |
28.0 |
| Court
Improvement Project events attended by agency people |
5 |
10.0 |
| ASFA
workgroups composed of agency and court staff |
4 |
8.0 |
| Agency
staff have trained court personnel |
4 |
8.0 |
| Agency
published a newsletter for court staff |
2 |
4.0 |
5.
How well does your information system support the work of managers, supervisors
and workers in implementing ASFA? Please rate the support provided by
your system on a scale from 1 to 5 with 1 being 'poor' and 5 being 'outstanding'
| POOR |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
COMPREHENSIVE |
N=47
| Responses |
Frequency |
Percent |
| 1.00 |
3 |
6.4 |
| 1.50 |
1 |
2.1 |
| 2.00 |
8 |
17.00 |
| 2.50 |
1 |
2.1 |
| 3.00 |
15 |
31.9 |
| 3.50 |
1 |
2.1 |
| 4.00 |
13 |
27.7 |
| 4.50 |
1 |
2.1 |
| 5.00 |
4 |
8.5 |
Average of the
Rating: 3.14
A. Why did you
give your system that rating?
N=46
| Comments |
Frequency |
Percent |
| The
SACWIS system in use provides good support |
14 |
30.4 |
| Using
a system that does not support child welfare work |
13 |
28.3 |
| System
does provide adequate support for child welfare work |
12 |
26.1 |
| Using
a SACWIS system not able to provide support |
7 |
15.2 |
B. If a rating
of 1 or 2 is given, probe as to the status of the SACWIS system.
N=14
| Comments |
Frequency |
Percent |
| SACWIS
system in use, but does not support user needs |
9 |
64.3 |
| There
is no SACWIS system in place |
5 |
35.7 |
6. What has worked
best for you in terms of supporting staff as they implement the ASFA requirements?
N=113
| Comments |
Frequency |
Percent |
| Training |
21 |
18.6 |
| Increased
communication |
14 |
12.4 |
| Having
resources available to support staff |
13 |
11.5 |
| Collaborative
efforts with stakeholders |
13 |
11.5 |
| Seeing
ASFA as good casework practice |
10 |
8.9 |
| Management
support |
10 |
8.9 |
| Revising
policy to reflect ASFA |
7 |
6.2 |
| Monitoring
implementation |
6 |
5.4 |
| Additional
funding |
3 |
2.5 |
| Additional
staff |
3 |
2.5 |
| More
effective use of computer system |
3 |
2.5 |
| Supporting
legislation |
3 |
2.5 |
| Using
data to support ASFA implementation |
3 |
2.5 |
| Change
management process |
2 |
1.8 |
| Effective
implementation team |
2 |
1.8 |
7.
What do you view as barriers to your agency's support for staff as they
implement the requirements of ASFA?
N=106
| Comments |
Frequency |
Percent |
| Lack
of resources - funding, staff, equipment, etc. |
27 |
25.5 |
| Difficult
relationship with courts |
13 |
12.3 |
| Staff
turnover |
12 |
11.3 |
| Limitations
or lack of computer system (s) |
9 |
8.5 |
| Lack
of understanding/knowledge about ASFA |
6 |
5.7 |
| Heavy
workload |
6 |
5.7 |
| Lack
of support |
6 |
5.7 |
| Difficulty
meeting ASFA requirements |
6 |
5.7 |
| Large
number of cases |
5 |
4.7 |
| Differences
in interpretation |
5 |
4.7 |
| Lack
of services |
4 |
3.8 |
| Lack
of time |
3 |
2.8 |
| Lack
of training |
2 |
1.9 |
| Problems
caused by county-based system |
2 |
1.9 |
8.
(For County based systems only.) To what extent does the fact that your
state is county-based impact your ASFA implementation?
N=17
| Comments |
Frequency |
Percent |
| Responsive
to local needs |
5 |
29.4 |
| Lack
of uniform practice standards |
3 |
17.6 |
| Communication
is difficult |
3 |
17.6 |
| Approach
is more fragmented; less efficient |
2 |
11.8 |
| Lack
of state control |
2 |
11.8 |
| Lack
of resources (funding, staff, equipment) in smaller counties |
2 |
11.8 |
Note: County
Based states: AL, CA, CO, NC, ND, NY, OH, PA, WI, VA, and MN. Data included.
Regionally Administered states: WA and TN. Data not included.
Bifurcated state: NV. Data not included.
9.
Is there anything else that you want to tell us regarding the best way
to support staff as they implement the requirements of ASFA?
N=57
| Comments |
Frequency |
Percent |
| Need
adequate or additional resources to implement |
9 |
15.8 |
| Specific
skills training |
9 |
15.8 |
| Don't
get caught up in the specifics of ASFA; do the best casework possible |
8 |
14.0 |
| Focus
on good communication |
7 |
12.3 |
| Have
to view changes caused by ASFA as a way of thinking and make implementation
a priority |
5 |
8.8 |
| Management
support for workers |
4 |
7.0 |
| The
process takes a long time |
3 |
5.3 |
| Greater
federal support |
3 |
5.3 |
| Trained
central office staff available to help |
3 |
5.3 |
| Develop
competent supervisors |
2 |
3.5 |
| Existing
legislation made ASFA implementation easier |
2 |
3.5 |
| Understanding
how court resources affect ASFA implementation |
2 |
3.5 |
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