ASFA TRAINING PROJECT PHONE POLL OF CHILD WELFARE AGENCIES

Kentucky

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:

b. Supervisors:

c. Workers:

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?

• Managing data
• Providing leadership
• Setting priorities
• Organizing work
  

b. Supervisors?

• Staff development
• Managing data
• Analytical skills related to achieving outcomes
  

c. Workers?

• Basic social work skills
• Collaboration
• Greater emphasis on child development
  
  

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
  
• 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.

• Have had several training sessions for all staff.
• Continue to assess how to convey the elements/expectations of the law, as well as the importance the law has in relationship to individual children and families.
  

b. Who does the training?

• Training staff
• Program specialists from central office
  
  

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

There have been sessions devoted only to ASFA. ASFA training is also integrated into new worker training and into in-service training.

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

Some county attorneys and judges participated in the agency training. Some agency staff participated in training developed and given by the courts.

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?

Rating is for Kentucky's SACWIS system. It does provide some support, but needs constant revision.

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?

• Constantly focusing on issues related to ASFA, especially outcomes and Child and Family Services Review.
• Analyzing both simplicity and complexity of ASFA and addressing these issues.
  
  

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

• Not enough resources to support families and children to the degree necessary
• Unable to make maximum use of technology
• Our inexperience in being able to thoughtfully and logically work to achieve successful outcomes
  
  

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

State supervised; state administered

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?

ASFA is very complicated. Managers and supervisors need to be able to break down complexity into manageable pieces for field workers so they can manage requirements. Management and support people need to be able to help people in field.

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