Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children

2007Executive Retreat

GAHSC Executive DirectorNormer Adams

Emerging Trends

September 20-21, 2007

GAHSC – Emerging Trends

“This is not your father’s child welfare system”

Looking to the horizons – “reading the river”

GAHSC – Indicators of TrendsPublic Policy – The Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980 – least restrictive

environments Medicaid Regulations – Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) –

reductions of rehab services to child welfare clients, increased requirements for providers, reduction of funding, “siloing” of services IMDS – Institutions of Mental Diseases

Title XIX of the Social Security Act – Medicaid funding

GAHSC - Indicators

Best Practices

Home and Community Based Services – “No services provided outside the home”

Permanency – “A child should be with their families”

Evidence Base Practice – “Social service work should be based on practices that have demonstrated effectiveness.”

GAHSC - Indicators

Best Practices

Home and Community Based Services – “No services provided outside the home”

Permanency – “A child should be with their families”

Evidence Base Practice – “Social service work should be based on practices that have demonstrated effectiveness.”

GAHSC

Funding

Federal Maximization is out

4 E Dollars are capped to a look back provision

More State Dollars - $24 million to cover Medicaid shortfall

GAHSC

Populations Indications - Since 2005

Child Protection Services – 28,000 case to 18,000 casesChild Placement Services – 18,000 to 17,000 casesRecurrence of Abuse – 6% to 3.6%Placement with relatives – 19.2%

Georgia ranks about average nationally for the percentage of children in child protective services, in out of home placement, in group homes and

GAHSC – Advocacy Groups

“War on Institutions”

The “good” is an enemy of the “good.”

National GroupsChildren’s Rights, IncCasey FoundationChaplin Hall, ChicagoPew Foundation

In their efforts to support families and home services, they often denigrate the good work of residential agencies.

GAHSC – Advocacy Groups

Dominance of Community Supported Agencies

Privatization will continue1995 - 5% to 2007 - 50%

Foster CareSpecial Needs Group HomesFamily Preservation and Supports

“Policy Makers will come and go, but our community supported agencies will abide.”

GAHSC – Governmental AgenciesAgencies will have to determine whether they

are governmental agencies or community supported or a hybrid of the two.

Community Supported – Take direction from community and wholly funded by them.

Governmental – A non profit in service to the community by serving as a govermental agency of services and change. Funding wholly by them.

GAHSC – Reading the River

Family Centered Work will be more importantmore work with familiesmore work in the homes

Shared outcomes will drive the work.

Better funding but more competition

GAHSC – The Future