ASFA TRAINING PROJECT PHONE POLL OF CHILD WELFARE AGENCIES

Minnesota

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: Since Minnesota is a county-based system, the comments below reflect Ms. Renstrom's knowledge of central office staff, not the staff in the counties.

b. Supervisors:

Comments: Supervisors in foster care (rated #4) have excellent understanding of ASFA requirements; the others were rated #3 because they are not in positions involving direct implementation of ASFA.

c. Workers:

Comments: N/A. There are no workers in the central office; they are all located in the counties

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?

Collaborative skills because collaboration with other systems, such as the courts and mental health system has become very important.

b. Supervisors?

Same collaborative skills as managers, and, in addition, expertise in the system and familiarity with the new requirements for practice.

c. Workers?

Collaborative skills, ability to work with staff in county to develop strategy

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
  Have had to work more as a team.
  
• Performance appraisals? No Yes
  If yes, please describe.
  • Staff are evaluated in terms of how well they meet the ASFA mandates for permanency.
  • Established performance outcomes
    
    
• Job descriptions? No Yes
  If yes, please describe.
  
• Staff recruitment? No Yes
  If yes, please describe.
  Hired more people with legal and social work expertise
  
  

4. How do you handle staff training on ASFA?

a. Please describe the training.

There were three efforts on various aspects of ASFA.
(1) Concurrent/permanency planning training. The agency arranged for Linda Katz to conduct train the trainers sessions throughout the state. There was also training on recruitment of families to support permanency planning and forums and conferences on the subject.
(2) Court rules training. This training was focused on the time lines connected with permanency. Was attended by judges, court officials and county staff. Participants were expected to leave with implementation plans in hand.
(3) Video training on rules and regulations. Conducted via interactive TV linking about seven sites.

Would like to do more training on foster parents role.

b. Who does the training?

The training is provided by DHS and contractors.

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

ASFA sessions were separate from other kinds of training, but work is underway to incorporate concurrent, permanency planning into the core curriculum.

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

There was a training on court rules. It focused on the time lines connected with permanency. Attended by judges, court officials and county staff. Participants were expected to leave with implementation plans in hand.

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?

The system Minnesota is using is a SACWIS system that was implemented in late 1999. Presently it does not provide the support that is needed to track achievement of permanency through the permanency hearing..

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

Their SACWIS system was implemented in late 1999. It has not been approved yet and still needs some enhancements to work efficiently. There is lots of capacity, but can't use it yet.

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

The presence of two specialized staff members who helped with ASFA implementation. One was the county attorney who worked with the counties on various aspects of ASFA requirements. In addition, she did some of the training and disseminated information to county staff regarding ASFA. The second was a county social worker who worked in the central office for awhile to work with the counties as they implemented ASFA.

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

• Limitations of present computer system.
• Lack of funding for additional staff
  

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

Some counties object to time frames. Hopefully Court Rules Training will encourage judges to uphold ASFA time frames.

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?

Helpful to have Linda Katz train on concurrent planning and permanency.

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