ASFA TRAINING PROJECT PHONE POLL OF CHILD WELFARE AGENCIES

Iowa

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:

Comments: We have done extensive communication about the requirements of ASFA. There is a good level of understanding here.

b. Supervisors:

Comments: We have done extensive communication about the requirements of ASFA. As with Managers, we believe that there is a good level of understanding here.

c. Workers:

Comments: At worker orientation we hit the ASFA principles but since we have a high turnover rate, the understanding may be a bit less here. We view ASFA as practice so we expect workers to integrate and apply the ASFA concepts into their work every day.

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?

• Good basic practice skills combined with a solid knowledge of the guiding practice principles
• Ability to analyze and synthesize information on families and cases
• Excellent communication skills
• Case management skills
• Data analysis skills
• How to conduct focus groups
• How to do outcome analysis and incorporate into policy and practice
• Ability to provide technical assistance to local offices

b. Supervisors?

• Good basic practice skills combined with a solid knowledge of the guiding practice principles
• Ability to analyze and synthesize information on families and cases
• Excellent communication skills
• Case management skills
• Data analysis skills
• Ability to quality assure case records and plans
• Coaching and modeling skills
  

c. Workers?

• Good basic practice skills combined with a solid knowledge of the guiding practice principles (permanency, safety, kin care, etc.)
• Ability to analyze and synthesize information on families and cases
• Excellent communication skills
• Case management skills
• Data analysis skills (although to a lesser degree than Managers and Supervisors)
• Cultural awareness and competence
• Partnership and teamwork skills
  
  

3. As part of your ASFA implementation has your agency undertaken any activities in the following areas:

• Agency structure? No Yes
  If yes, please describe.
  
  
• Internal communication? No Yes
  If yes, please describe
  We developed a multi-phase ASFA implementation. In the first phase, we focussed on revamping the policy to reflect ASFA requirements and best practice and then updating the Code of Iowa and DHS manual. During this phase major provisions of ASFA were communicated to all DHS staff, Juvenile Court Judges, and Juvenile Court Officers. We issued several memos describing and clarifying best practices and related policy and included that guidance in several training initiatives. We also focussed on strengthening our partnership with the courts and encouraged communication between our agency and the courts at all levels.

  In the current phase, we are implementing a Quality Service Review process that involves workers, supervisors and managers in an intensive, coordinated case review process that provides feedback on how the worker is doing in meeting case and practice requirements. We are also developing tools to share data/information about local office performance on federal outcomes with staff, and to train on how to use data on outcomes to inform policy and practice.

• Performance appraisals? No Yes
  If yes, please describe.
  
• Job descriptions? No Yes
  If yes, please describe.
  
• Staff recruitment? No Yes
  If yes, please describe.
  

4. How do you handle staff training on ASFA?

a. Please describe the training.

In 1997, we did a state -wide series of training sessions on the requirements of ASFA in the regions. Since then, we have incorporated ASFA training into our new worker orientation and on-going staff training. Also, we added special courses on concurrent planning.

We have a series of monthly-televised forums on various topics and regularly include such ASFA related topics as 'ASFA Legal Issues' and 'IV-E Eligibility'.

We actively participate in provider (Foster Care and Residential) and court conferences to share policy and practice information.

Future ASFA related training is being incorporated into upcoming Judicial training in partnership with the Iowa Court Improvement Project.

b. Who does the training?

The Organization Development & Support Division within DHS directly and through contracts with universities. State level child welfare policy staff and regional office have also provided training to staff.

c. Is the training just on ASFA or is it incorporated into other training that you provide?

Incorporated.

d. Have you done any training with or for the courts? No Yes
If yes, please describe.

The Juvenile Court held a 3-day training for court personnel on court practices, ASFA requirements, and best practice. DHS has presented on ASFA and MEPA at Judges conferences and the Judges have done their own presentations at their conferences.

As part of our New Worker and on-going staff training we routinely offer two courses utilizing local juvenile judges: Testifying in Juvenile Court and Permanency & Termination of Parental Rights. We also utilize the juvenile judges in providing a one day course for foster parents: Juvenile Justice for Foster Parents.

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'

a. Why did you give your system that rating?

We rely on our MIS system s to give us data that helps us understand how to support and impact practice, performance and compliance. From Excel and Access, central office creates and distributes management reports on county and regional outcome performance so we all can look at and understand the local practice, environment and special situations.

b. If a rating of 1 or 2 is given, probe as to the status of the SACWIS system.

N/A

6. What has worked best for you in terms of supporting staff as they implement the ASFA requirements?

The QA Process (Quality Service Review), including feedback and the expectation that people want to do best for kids and families. We used the QA process to inform people about their performance. They took the information, looked at it and then improved their performance.

The variety of training options.

Our attempts to quickly revamp or develop responsive policy options.

7. What do you view as barriers to your agency's support for staff as they implement the requirements of ASFA?

Understaffing and high caseloads.

Staff turnover and the lack of availability of good supervision.

Limited number of staff at the Central and Regional offices, which is perceived to slow down decision making.

Expectations without adequate supports. For example, in the area of computer skills we expect a high level of computer skills and abilities and don't always attend to helping develop those skills as well as we should.

8. (For County based systems only.) To what extent does the fact that your state is county-based impact your ASFA implementation?

NA

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?

Communicate that ASFA is about good practice that needs to be applied everyday in every case.

Back to Top