0555b664__Alcohol_and_Other_Drug_Issues__Program_Improvement_Plan__PIP_
[State] Georgia Georgia DFCS manages the Multi-Agency Team for Children (MATCH) program that arranges care for Georgia�s most severely emotionally disturbed children. It is multi-agency serving children and partnering with the Department of Education, DMHMRSA (Department of Mental Health/Mental Retardation/Substance Abuse, DFCS and DJJ. Georgia participates in the Georgia Mental Health Planning and Advisory Council. Stakeholders explained that in 148 counties, DFCS works closely with Family Connections, a network of service providers established to resolve substance abuse and family issues, such as domestic violence. In the larger site, there are more standardized services, rather than individualized. For instance, there were situations where anger management services were provided, but not the needed substance abuse services. There is a need to focus more on what families and children need and not just focus on what services are available, not just parenting classes, anger management, etc. There is concern that case managers and even supervisors do not always know what services are available. Stakeholders commented that the needed continuum of individualized, community-based services is not accessible or available to families and children in all jurisdictions. The following list is critical service needs identified by stakeholders: Expand the service array to insure all families with serious multiple issues such as mental illness, family violence, and substance abuse have immediate access to needed services Time-limited reunification services have been particularly effective in safely reunifying families separated due to parental substance abuse. In FY 1999, services to substance abusing mothers and their children increased through the expansion of treatment and post treatment support services funded through PSSF programs Within 18 months of employment, workers are required to take: Developing and Writing Case Plans, Interviewing for Change, Focusing on Substance Abuse in Families and Toward Cultural Responsiveness. Quarterly Basic Investigative Training and Education is provided. Courses for the supervisor are: Strategic Planning, Substance Abuse Intervention, Stress Management, and Evaluating Case Plans for Successful Outcomes and Evaluating Assessments for Successful Outcomes. In all three sites, there are issues around provision of appropriate services for needs related to mental health, substance abuse and domestic violence. Also in the larger site, there is concern about the lack of follow through when assessments are done and the duration of services, especially in substance abuse cases. The State meets the standard in the area of foster care re-entries and attributes their success to the reunification services (family-centered reunification services) provided to families statewide since 1990. These services include in-home support services, parent aide services, counseling, substance abuse treatment services and assistance with family concrete needs, such as, but not limited to rent and household goods to prevent re-entries into foster care. Record reviews surfaced premature case closures particularly involving substance abuse and domestic violence. In these cases, assessment of risk beyond the immediate problem identified at the time of report was not conducted.
Regarding maintaining children safely in their home: Calls for addressing the CFSR findings regarding premature closure of cases: Review policy regarding assessment Review & develop policy regarding case closure Involve SA & DV experts in cross planning between DFCS programs, policy and service needs Evaluate revised CPS assessment processes regarding DV, MH & AOD Implement community partnerships regarding services for AOD Regarding enhancing families� capacity to provide for children�s needs calls for appropriate services in MH, SA and DV Calls for proving technical assistance to staff and private providers on comprehensive assessments & how to use the info to meet the needs of child and family Develop policy regarding case closure to prevent premature closure especially in substance abuse and DV situations Regarding Service Array Conduct a needs assessment survey of existing support services and distribution to determine gaps in service array to include SA, MH, DV and other services
A Review of Alcohol and Other Drug Issues
Program Improvement Plan (PIP)