ASFA TRAINING PROJECT PHONE POLL OF CHILD WELFARE AGENCIES

New Mexico

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:

Comments: We implemented some changes to our policy and procedures in anticipation of ASFA so supervisors are doing what ASFA requires but may not know it as ASFA.

c. Workers:

Comments: We implemented some changes to our policy and procedures in anticipation of ASFA so workers are doing what ASFA requires but may not know it as ASFA.

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 social work practice skills and knowledge
• Following policy and procedures and complying with federal law
  

b. Supervisors?

• Good social work practice skills and knowledge
• Following policy and procedures and complying with federal law
  

c. Workers?

• Good social work practice skills and knowledge
• Following policy and procedures and complying with federal law
  
  

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 and issued a series of program and information guidance memos clarifying what policies and procedures are in effect now, anticipated changes and how these changes will effect practice.
• Performance appraisals? No Yes
  If yes, please describe.
  We are a consent decree state. Due to that and the requirements of ASFA, our performance appraisal system for managers, supervisors and staff includes outcomes, such as meeting staffing requirements and reviewing data, which they are evaluated against.
  
• 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.

The Supervisor's Association meets twice a year and ASFA requirements and related policy and procedures are discussed during those meetings.

We meet with the County Managers every 6 weeks and ASFA is a regular topic of discussion during those meetings.

We held all staff training with the ABA on legal issues relating to ASFA. We invited CASA's, court personnel and attorneys as well as our own staff to attend this session.

There is an annual Child Law Institute conference that can include discussion of ASFA issues.

When we complete the updating of our policies and procedures, we will hold regional training sessions to cover the revisions, as well as issue the updates in writing.

b. Who does the training?

Varies

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

Our pre-ASFA changes have already been incorporated into our core social worker training; the upcoming revisions will be included when they are completed.

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

Child Court Attorneys have meet with the court personnel around the state and we attend the Court Improvement project meetings.

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 data is captured but we have some difficulty getting it out of our system. For example, we would like to look at county by county breakdowns versus statewide data.

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

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

Providing adequate information to the supervisors so they can be knowledgeable and comfortable as they oversee the implementation of ASFA.

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

Our social worker turnover is high; we have a vacancy rate of 14% statewide. Although we have two schools of social work here in NM, they can't keep up with our demand.

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

n/a

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?

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