ASFA TRAINING PROJECT PHONE POLL FOR COURT IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

Maryland

1. How would you rate the child welfare agency staff in terms of their understanding of ASFA requirements? Please rate the understanding on a scale from 1 to 5 with 1 being 'poor' and 5 being 'comprehensive'.

a. Why did you give them that rating?
Mostly comes in contact with staff on the state level; they are very
knowledgeable.

2. Following are some of the skills that supervisors and workers need to have to implement ASFA. Please rate each of these on a scale of 1-5 with one being ‘do not need it’ and 5 being ‘extremely important.’

a. Supervisors

Ability to develop relationship with court where information is shared

Ability to explain law and requirements to staff

Knowledge of the law and requirements

Monitor staff to assure time lines are met

Ability to set up hearings and court dates

Knowledge of gathering information about families for court use

How to testify in court regarding permanency and safety planning

Ability to identify resources

B. Workers

Knowledge of the law and requirements

How to testify in court regarding permanency and safety planning

Ability to develop relationship with court where information is shared

Ability to make decisions quickly

Concurrent planning skills

Knowledge of gathering information about families for court use

Monitor staff to assure time lines are met

3. In the past year, since our earlier survey, as part of your ASFA implementation have the court and the child welfare agency undertaken or changed any day to day joint activities?
Yes No
If yes, please describe
Jurisdictions are meeting on a more regular basis to discuss concurrent planning and the mediation project. A statewide committee, including members from the Court Improvement Office, are looking at Child Protective cases to look at ways to move them more quickly.

a. Has communication changed? Yes No
If yes, please describe
Problem with getting data; sometimes it is not entered. Need to improve data collection and reporting.

b. Are you getting the information you need regarding cases from the agency?
Yes No
If no, please describe.
Problem with getting data; sometimes it is not entered. Need to improve data collection and reporting.

4. In the past year, since our earlier survey, has there been any ASFA training for court personnel?

If yes, go to 4a.

If no, go to 4e.

Yes, the annual judicial conference was held. Agency and court staff attended.
a. What topics were covered in the training?

Some sessions were devoted to ASFA topics, including permanency planning options and ASFA as it related to state case law.

b. Which of the following did you use for staff training on ASFA?

Joint training sessions
Conferences
Seminars
Meetings
Regularly distributed publications/bulletins/newsletters
Presentations on ASFA
Part of training on other topics
Other. Please describe.

c. Who did the training?

Court Improvement Project personnel
Court staff
Consultants (ABA staff)
National conferences
Attorney
Other Who?

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

Incorporated
Incorporated into new worker training
Not incorporated

e. In the past year, since our earlier survey, did you do any of the following ASFA training with or for the child welfare agency?

Joint training sessions
Agency staff invited to some court training sessions
Other. Please describe

f. What were the topics covered in the ASFA training for the child welfare agency?

Agency staff were invited to the annual judicial conference - topics covered included permanency planning options; ASFA as it related to case law.

g. In the past year, since our earlier survey, have you done any of the following training with or for the agency attorneys?

Joint training
Agency attorneys invited to some court training sessions
District Attorney handled training
Other. Please describe.

h. What were the topics covered in the ASFA training for the agency attorneys?

Agency staff were invited to the annual judicial conference - topics covered included permanency planning options; ASFA as it related to case law.

5. Please rate the importance of the following in terms of working with the child welfare agency as it implements the ASFA requirements, with 1 being ‘not important’ and 5 being ‘crucial.’

Increased communication

Having sub-committees that deal with interagency issues

Having the Director of Court Improvement Projects involved in planning discussions

Having the Agency's active involvement in the Court Improvement Project

Good working relationship among court and agency staff

6. Do you see any of the following as barriers to your work with the agency as it implements the requirements of ASFA? (check if 'yes')?

Lack of resources: staff, funds, time, etc
Federal and state law not clear on what a permanency hearing is
Timelines for TPR are too short, unable to make informed decisions in every case
Lack of understanding of the key stakeholders responsibilities and how they are structured
Lack of understanding of the law
Other. What is the barrier?

7. Is there anything else that you want to tell us regarding the best way to implement the requirements of ASFA?
No

Do you mind if we call you again if we need additional information?
No
Yes

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