Audience
Open to the general public.
Date/Time
October 6, 2011, 10am-1pm
Location
Via Video Conference at:
- 401 S. Clinton in Chicago, Illinois-Lg. Executive Conference Rm-7th Fl.
- 400 W. Lawrence St. in Springfield, Illinois-Carl Suter Conference Rm-3rd Fl.
Agenda
- Call to Order
- Introduction of Council Members
- Approval of July 21, 2011Draft Meeting Report
- SFY 2011 Family Outcomes Results
- Discussion of Improving Family Outcomes Response Rates for Hispanic/African American Families
- Revised Monitoring Process
- Service Delivery Approaches Workgroup
- Local Interagency Council Report
- Lead Agency Report
- Adjournment
Meeting Report
ATTENDANCE
Present
- Lisa Becker for Gerri Clark, Division of Specialized Care for Children
- Bob Cammarata, ICG Health Care Services
- Janet Gully, DHS, Bureau of Early Intervention
- Sheila McCurley, IL Department of Public Health
- Beatrice Nichols, IICEI Chairperson, Head Start
- Pam Reising-Rechner, IL State Board of Education
- Sandy Ryan, IL Council on Developmental Disabilities
- Kathy Schrock, Easter Seals DuPage and Fox Valley
- Connie Sims, DHS, Division of Developmental Disabilities
- Therese Wehman, Elmhurst College
- Robin York , IL Department of Children and Family Services
Absent
- J. Diane Adams-Alsberry, CALM, Inc.
- Diane Blythe, parent, Crystal Lake
- Julie Doetsch, IL Dept of Healthcare and Family Services
- Mary Petersen, Department of Insurance
- Deanna Pratscher, parent, Thornton
- Dorelia Rivera Martinez, parent, Elmwood
- David Rubovits, PhD, Jewish Child and Family Services
- Gina Ruther, DHS, Bureau of Child Care and Development
- Constance Williams, PhD, DHS/Division of Mental Health
Contents of Council Packet
- Agenda
- Draft Meeting Report - July 21, 2011
- Lead Agency Report - October 6, 2011
- FY2011 and FY2012 EI Revenues and Expenses Comparison
- Focus Monitoring Tool - March 2011
- FY2011 Local Interagency Council (LIC) Report
- 2011 Ethics Training & Acknowledgment Form
- Draft 2012 Council Dates
- New Part C Regulations (separate attachment, 170 pages)
Call to Order
The Illinois Interagency Council on Early Intervention (IICEI) convened at 10:08 a.m.
Introduction of Council Members
Council members introduced themselves.
Approval of July 21, 2011 Meeting Report
The Meeting Report from July 21, 2011 was approved as written.
SFY2011 Family Outcomes Results and Discussion of Improving Family Outcomes Response Rates for Hispanic/African American Families
Ted Burke reviewed the family outcomes survey form and provided a history of its distribution and return rate. The survey focuses on the helpfulness of Early Intervention and ways that families support their children's needs. Strategies that have been used to improve the survey return rate were discussed. The return rate has been around 20 percent. Distribution of the survey has changed from hand to mail delivery. Concerns about the low return rate for Hispanic and African American families were expressed.
Initial analyses of the SFY2011 family survey results were shared. Although the return rate has remained the same, more surveys were distributed in SFY2011, leading to better representation. In general, survey results were very positive, with responses averaging well over 4 on a 5 point scale. Two items with a lower rating included families knowing their options when the child leaves the program and their ability to talk with other families who have children with similar needs. Several questions were significantly lower for Hispanic and African American families and included having support systems with family members or friends who listen and care and can be relied upon when help is needed. Access to community resources for medical, dental, transportation, food, clothing and house needs were also reported lower for these populations.
Training efforts to support the family outcomes process include an online module which is part of systems overview training and is available as a stand-alone module. Information is also embedded into face-to-face training sessions. A better job needs to be done to inform providers about the survey and to let them know when the surveys have been mailed so that providers can encourage families to complete and return the surveys.
In response to questions from the Council, Mr. Burke talked about the provision of survey data to CFC offices and plans to enhance this information, including how to use the data to inform practice. Keena Sims has joined the EI Training Program as a project coordinator and will be involved in this work. Data analysis suggestions included time in the system, correlation to child outcomes results, comparison of family responses over time, and family income. Strategies to improve return rates included personal contact for Hispanic populations, completion of surveys online or through a new data system, and focus groups.
Revised Monitoring Process
Leigh Milward, the downstate program manager for the EI Monitoring Program, reviewed the proposed CFC office focused verification review process. This process is being added to the current compliance monitoring visits, which document compliance with policy and procedures. The focused verification process looks more at system issues and was developed in response to comments from OSEP during its fall 2010 verification visit. On a three-year cycle, each CFC office will be receive a focused verification visit which includes staff review of files followed by EI Monitoring Program verification of data; interviews with the CFC manager and service coordinators; surveys to providers, stakeholders, and families; analysis of collected data; and the development and implementation of corrective action/improvement plans by CFC offices, with technical assistance and training provided, as needed. Concerns about the EI Monitoring Program's role in both a compliance and qualitative review of CFC offices were discussed. Questions about the process were answered, including how files are selected for review.
Service Delivery Approaches Workgroup Report
Therese Wehman provided an update on the work of the Service Delivery Approaches Workgroup, with additional comments from Chelsea Guillen. The group has met face-to-face (two times) and on the phone (three times). The group began by looking broadly across other states and has come to terms with the fact that no other state's service delivery system can be fully replicated in Illinois. The group has begun a discussion of Illinois' current policies and procedures for system components (i.e., intake/referral, evaluation/assessment, IFSP development, service implementation, and transition), identifying challenges in each component and developing a vision for improvements/changes. The discussion of the intake process will be reviewed at the work group's October meeting, and the group will begin a discussion of the evaluation/assessment process. Council members agreed that this was a thoughtful approach to these discussions. The Council was assured that new Part C regulations would get incorporated into the discussions and that the primary focus of the work group is to improve outcomes for children and families.
Local Interagency Council Report
A copy of the state statute regarding Local Interagency Councils (LICs) and the LIC annual report to the Council was provided for review. This year's report included the impact of the 10% decrease in funding that CFC offices experienced in SFY2011. Council members expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to review the work of LICs. The LIC annual report will be discussed at the next CFC managers meeting. Janet Gully will report the results of sharing this information to the Council at its next meeting.
Lead Agency Report
Janet Gully reviewed a comparison of SFY11 and SFY12 revenues and expenses, recognizing that FY2012 numbers are projections. Clarification about CFC office expenses was provided. It was recognized the efforts to increase adherence to Early Intervention principles have not been done for budget reasons. A payment update was given regarding provider payments (paid through 9/7 voucher) and CFC office and Admin contracts (paid through September).
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C final regulations were published in the Federal Register on September 28, 2011 and will go into effect on October 28, 2011. This year's grant was based upon old Part C regulations, so changes need to be made prior to the start of next fiscal year (i.e., July 1, 2012). Bureau of Early Interventions staff are participating in webinars sponsored by the Office of Special Education Programs and the Infant and Toddler Coordinators Association (ITCA), which has been working with DEC to develop a side-by-side comparison document of the new and old regulations. In addition, Bureau staff are meeting weekly to consider policy and procedure changes. DHS legal staff is reviewing the new regulations to assist with compliance efforts.
An overview of changes included: the definition of multidisciplinary team; services in natural environment justification based upon the child's outcomes; data sharing between Parts B and C; evaluation/assessment not required with referral less that 45 days before a child's 3rd birthday; screening taking place within the 45-days period; consent from Medicaid participants for billing; loss of ability to require families to apply for All Kids; definition of ability to pay; and use of other records to determine eligibility. Public hearings and a comment period are required for changes to system components. The impact on Medicaid dollars was discussed.
Connie Sims announced that Kevin Casey has joined the Department as Director of the Division of Developmental Disabilities.
Bea Nichols asked Council member to submit the form documenting completion of the 2011 ethics training. No objections were received to the proposed 2012 Council meeting dates. Janet Gully is going to inquire if face-to-face meetings can be held. The months of April and October were suggested for face-to-face meetings, so that members do not have to travel in bad weather.
Bob Cammarata and Kathy Schrock received framed certificates in appreciation of their work as chairpersons of Council work groups. Certificates of appreciation will also be sent to work group members.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 12:00 p.m.
