National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being: Infant Follow-Up -- Local Agency Survey
National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being Second Cohort (NSCAW II)
A5 - Local Agency Director survey
National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being: Infant Follow-Up -- Local Agency Survey
OMB: 0970-0202
National
Survey of Child and
Adolescent Well-Being
Local Agency Director Interview
Field Representative Administered
Agency Name: ______________________________ 
Field Rep ID: _______________________________
Respondent Name: ___________________________ Interview Date: ____/____/____
Respondent Title: ____________________________
IF RESPONDENT CANNOT COMPLETE ALL ITEMS IN THIS QUESTIONNAIRE, PLEASE ASK THAT HE/SHE DESIGNATE AN ALTERNATE REPONDENT TO BE CONTACTED BY RTI:
Alternate Respondent Name: _____________________________
Alternate Respondent Title: ______________________________
Alternate Respondent Contact Information: ______________________________
INTRODUCTION
This survey is about the general characteristics of your agency, your service delivery system, training provided to agency staff and caregivers, and policies that govern your agency’s operations. The interview will take approximately 60 minutes.
AGENCY STRUCTURE
My first questions are about the general characteristics of your agency.
Who is responsible for appointing the director of local child welfare administrative units, such as the county director or administrative district director? Would it be a…
State Administrator 
1
County commissioners such as an elected board, or
2
A County children’s services board
(appointed)
3
To what extent does county government make decisions about how money for child welfare services is spent? Does county government have...
Substantial control, or
1
Very little or no control?
2
Does your agency have a community board to provide input to the agency?
YES
1
NO
2
Does your agency have a citizen review board to review agency practice?
YES
1
NO
2
How would you describe your agency? Are you...
A free-standing entity, or
1 [GO TO Q7]
A unit within a larger agency?
2
I am going to read a list of other services. Please indicate if each service is also part of the larger agency by responding yes or no.
YES NO
6a. Substance abuse treatment?
1
2
6b. Mental health?
1
2
6c. Public health?
1
2
6d. Income maintenance/TANF?
1
2
6e. Juvenile justice services?
1
2
Does your agency have a worker or unit of workers devoted solely to determining whether a referral should receive an agency response?
YES
1
NO
2
[USE SHOW CARD 1]
Please look at Card 1. We would like to know which of the following are your three most common sources of referrals. Let’s start with the most common one. Which of the sources on Card 1 is your most common source of referrals?
STATE HOTLINE
1
LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES
2
SCHOOLS
3
HOSPITALS OR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS
4
OTHER LOCAL AGENCIES
5
SERVICE PROVIDERS
6
INDIVIDUALS (I.E. FAMILY, NEIGHBORS, FRIENDS, ETC.)
7
OTHER [SPECIFY:
_________________________________]
8
Which of the sources on Card 1 is your second most common source of referrals?
STATE HOTLINE
1
LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES
2
SCHOOLS
3
HOSPITALS OR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS
4
OTHER LOCAL AGENCIES
5
SERVICE PROVIDERS
6
INDIVIDUALS (I.E. FAMILY, NEIGHBORS, FRIENDS, ETC.)
7
OTHER [SPECIFY:
_________________________________]
8
Which of the sources on Card 1 is your third most common source of referrals?
STATE HOTLINE
1
LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES
2
SCHOOLS
3
HOSPITALS OR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS
4
OTHER LOCAL AGENCIES
5
SERVICE PROVIDERS
6
INDIVIDUALS (I.E. FAMILY, NEIGHBORS, FRIENDS, ETC.)
7
OTHER [SPECIFY:
_________________________________]
8
Does your agency automatically accept (without screening) referrals that come from certain types of reporters?
YES
1
NO
2 [GO TO NEXT SECTION]
11a. (IF YES) What types of reporters?
SPECIFY: ______________________________________________
SERVICE DELIVERY
[USE SHOW CARD 2]
The next questions are about the services your agency provides. Please look at Card 2. For each of the services I read off, please tell me how available the service is for the families you serve, using the responses on Card 2.
Mental health services for children? How available are these services for the families you serve?
NOT AT ALL
1
VERY LITTLE
2
GENERALLY ADEQUATE
3
ADEQUATE
4
VERY ADEQUATE
5
Mental health services for adults? How available are these services for the families you serve?
NOT AT ALL
1
VERY LITTLE
2
GENERALLY ADEQUATE
3
ADEQUATE
4
VERY ADEQUATE
5
Substance abuse treatment for children? How available are these services for the families you serve?
NOT AT ALL
1
VERY LITTLE
2
GENERALLY ADEQUATE
3
ADEQUATE
4
VERY ADEQUATE
5
Substance abuse treatment for adults?
NOT AT ALL
1
VERY LITTLE
2
GENERALLY ADEQUATE
3
ADEQUATE
4
VERY ADEQUATE
5
Academic assistance for children? How available are these services for the families you serve?
NOT AT ALL
1
VERY LITTLE
2
GENERALLY ADEQUATE
3
ADEQUATE
4
VERY ADEQUATE
5
Physical health care for children?
NOT AT ALL
1
VERY LITTLE
2
GENERALLY ADEQUATE
3
ADEQUATE
4
VERY ADEQUATE
5
Is there a policy in your agency that allows parents to relinquish rights to their child in order for the child to receive mental health services?
YES
1
NO
2 [GO TO Q19]
18a. Approximately how many cases of relinquishment for services occur in your agency each year?
Cases
Overall, about what percentage of children receive aftercare services following reunification?
%
Does your agency provide clinical services such as individual, couples, or family therapy, substance abuse treatment, domestic violence intervention, or crisis intervention, to families after reunification?
YES
1
NO
2
Does your agency provide material or financial services such as income support, job training, health care coverage, or housing assistance, to families after reunification?
YES
1
NO
2
Does your agency provide support networks such as day care, respite care, peer support groups, linkages with the health and education systems and other community-based services, to families after reunification?
YES
1
NO
2
Does your agency provide any other services to families after reunification?
YES
1 [SPECIFY:
__________________________________]
NO
2
Overall, about what percentage of children receive aftercare services in residential cases?
%
Overall, for about what percentage of children does your agency refer for continued care after the case has been closed?
%
Does your agency have regionalized services?
YES
1
NO
2
Does your agency assign only one caseworker to a case from the beginning to the end of the case?
YES
1
NO
2
To what extent does your agency use concurrent planning? Would you say..
Always
1
Sometimes
2
Rarely, or
3
Never
4
After completing the investigation, can the worker offer additional services to the family on a voluntary basis?
YES
1
NO
2 [GO TO Q33]
I am going to read a list of services. For each one, please indicate if the service may be offered to the family after investigation by saying yes or no.
YES NO
29a. Parenting classes
1
2
29b. Grief counseling
1
2
29c. Marital counseling
1
2
29d. Family systems therapy
1
2
29e. Child therapy
1
2
29f. Substance abuse programs
1
2
29g. Medical exam
1
2
29h. Dental exam
1
2
29i. Homemaker/chore
1
2
29j. Transportation
1
2
29k. Tutoring
1
2
29l. Financial planning
1
2
29m. Advocacy services (for housing or other services)
1
2
29n. Housing assistance
1
2
29o. Child care
1
2
29p. Employment services
1
2
29q. Domestic violence services
1
2
Are short-term services by the investigator offered at the conclusion of investigation?
YES
1
NO
2
Is the offer of short-term services by the investigator only allowed when the referral is substantiated?
YES
1
NO
2
Some child welfare agencies involve families they have previously served as partners in agency management. Here are some ways that an agency might involve such “alumni.” For each one, please indicate if your agency has involved previously served families in this way by saying yes or no.
Providing direct informal services to families who currently have cases open, for instance, working as part of a service team
YES
1
NO
2
Participating in a planning/policy-making group
YES
1
NO
2
Helping to train child welfare agency staff
YES
1
NO
2
During the fiscal year, how many reports alleging child abuse and neglect were received by your agency?
Reports
[USE SHOW CARD 3]
Please look at Card 3. For each of the types of placement shown, I’m going to ask you to estimate the number of children who entered out-of-home care during the most recent fiscal year and the number who were in out-of-home care on the last day of the most recent fiscal year.
During the most recent fiscal year, how many children entered kinship foster care?
Children
None
0 [GO TO Q37]
36a. On the last day of the most recent fiscal year, how many children were in kinship foster care?
Children
During the most recent fiscal year, how many children entered non-relative foster care?
Children
None
0 [GO TO Q38]
37a. On the last day of the most recent fiscal year, how many children were in non-relative foster care?
Children
During the most recent fiscal year, how many children entered therapeutic/ treatment foster care?
Children
None
0 [GO TO Q39]
38a. On the last day of the most recent fiscal year, how many children were in therapeutic/treatment foster care?
Children
During the most recent fiscal year, how many children entered group homes (8 children or less)?
Children
None
0 [GO TO Q40]
39a. On the last day of the most recent fiscal year, how many children were in group homes (8 children or less)?
Children
During the most recent fiscal year, how many children entered residential group care (more than 8 children)?
Children
None
0 [GO TO Q41]
40a. On the last day of the most recent fiscal year, how many children were in residential group care (more than 8 children)?
Children
During the most recent fiscal year, how many children entered an emergency shelter?
Children
None
0 [GO TO Q42]
41a. On the last day of the most recent fiscal year, how many children were in an emergency shelter?
Children
On the last day of the most recent fiscal year, how many children were living independently?
Children
On the last day of the most recent fiscal year, how many children were in subsidized guardianship?
Children
The next questions are about the adoption status of children in care during the most recent fiscal year.
44a. On the first day of the fiscal year, how many children were in care with a goal of adoption?
Children
44b. Of the children in care with a goal of adoption, how many were legally free for adoption?
Children
44c. Of the children in care with a goal of adoption, how many were placed for adoption by the end of the fiscal year?
Children
44d. Of the children in care with a goal of adoption, how many were legally adopted by the end of the fiscal year?
Children
Next, I’m going to read a list of service areas that may be subcontracted by your agency. For each service area, please tell me whether your agency subcontracts any services this area.
Does your agency subcontract any services in CPS investigation or assessment?
YES
1
NO
2 [GO TO Q46]
45a. Is legal responsibility for the case transferred to the subcontractor?
YES
1
NO
2
Does your agency subcontract any services in family preservation/in-home services?
YES
1
NO
2 [GO TO Q47]
46a. Is legal responsibility for the case transferred to the subcontractor?
YES
1
NO
2
Does your agency subcontract any services in family reunification services?
YES
1
NO
2 [GO TO Q48]
47a. Is legal responsibility for the case transferred to the subcontractor?
YES
1
NO
2
Foster care placements?
YES
1
NO
2 [GO TO Q49]
48a. Is legal responsibility for the case transferred to the subcontractor?
YES
1
NO
2
Residential treatment?
YES
1
NO
2 [GO TO Q50]
49a. Is legal responsibility for the case transferred to the subcontractor?
YES
1
NO
2
Adoptive placements?
YES
1
NO
2 [GO TO Q51]
50a. Is legal responsibility for the case transferred to the subcontractor?
YES
1
NO
2
Recruitment for foster care and/or adoption?
YES
1
NO
2 [GO TO Q52]
51a. Is legal responsibility for the case transferred to the subcontractor?
YES
1
NO
2
AGENCY EXPENDITURES AND STAFF RESOURCES
[USE SHOW CARD 4]
The next questions are about your agency’s expenditures and staff resources including contractual workers. When answering these questions, please think about the most recent fiscal year.
Please look at Card 4. During the most recent fiscal year, what were your agency’s total child welfare expenditures? Please do not include costs incurred by other agencies servicing families, such as mental health or substance abuse.
UNDER $250,000
1
BETWEEN $250,000 AND $500,000
2
BETWEEN $500,000 AND $1 MILLION
3
BETWEEN $1 MILLION AND $2 MILLION
4
OVER $2 MILLION
5
[USE SHOW CARD 5]
Please look at Card 5. On the last day of the most recent fiscal year, what was the number of filled FTE (full-time equivalent) positions at your agency?
UNDER 25
1
BETWEEN 25 AND 49
2
BETWEEN 50 AND 74
3
BETWEEN 75 AND 99
4
BETWEEN 100 AND 249
5
BETWEEN 250 AND 499
6
BETWEEN 500 AND 749
7
BETWEEN 750 AND 999
8
1000 OR MORE
9
Approximately what is the annual turnover rate, or percent leaving, in your agency? Please include both voluntary and involuntary departures.
%
INVESTIGATION RESOURCES
The next set of questions is about resources you have for investigation and risk assessments.
[USE SHOW CARD 6]
We would like to know about the availability of various professionals or groups to assist in your investigation process. Assistance may include a variety of activities, such as providing information, consultation, or participation in the investigation. Please use the responses on Card 6.
How available are clinicians and psychiatrists for your investigations?
ALWAYS
1
SOMETIMES
2
RARELY
3
NEVER
4
How available are domestic violence specialists for your investigations?
ALWAYS
1
SOMETIMES
2
RARELY
3
NEVER
4
How available are substance abuse specialists for your investigations?
ALWAYS
1
SOMETIMES
2
RARELY
3
NEVER
4
…Physicians?
ALWAYS
1
SOMETIMES
2
RARELY
3
NEVER
4
… Mental health professionals?
ALWAYS
1
SOMETIMES
2
RARELY
3
NEVER
4
… Forensic specialists?
ALWAYS
1
SOMETIMES
2
RARELY
3
NEVER
4
… Child advocacy centers?
ALWAYS
1
SOMETIMES
2
RARELY
3
NEVER
4
… Hospital-based sexual abuse trauma centers?
ALWAYS
1
SOMETIMES
2
RARELY
3
NEVER
4
… Child fatality review team?
ALWAYS
1
SOMETIMES
2
RARELY
3
NEVER
4
… Citizen CPS review team?
ALWAYS
1
SOMETIMES
2
RARELY
3
NEVER
4
[USE SHOW CARD 7]
Please look at Card 7 which shows various instruments, assessments or tools that can be used during the investigation process. For each one, please tell me if your agency has used it during the investigation process by answering yes or no.
INSTRUMENT YES NO
65a. A structured decision making model or other approach that
results in a point total related to safety or risk
1
2
65b. A formal safety assessment instrument that asks workers
to assign a numerical value to each factor, without calculating a
point total
1
2
65c. A formal risk assessment instrument that asks workers to
assign a numerical value to each factor without calculating a point
total
1
2
65d. A guideline for establishing safety or risk that outlines
factors to consider, but that does not ask workers to assign
numerical values
1
2
65e. A standardized substance abuse assessment instrument
1
2
65f. A standardized domestic violence assessment instrument
1
2
65g. A standardized parenting skills assessment
1
2
65h. A standardized child development inventory
1
2
65i. A standardized family support or connections assessment
1
2
65j. A standardized mental health assessment for parents
1
2
At what point in a child welfare case is a risk assessment approach used?
YES NO
66a. When deciding to investigate?
1
2
66b. When deciding whether or not the case is substantiated?
1
2
66c. When deciding what services to provide?
1
2
66d. When deciding about whether or not to close an in-home services
case?
1
2
66e. When deciding about whether or not to reunify a child?
1
2
66f. At other times? [SPECIFY:
________________________
_____________________________________________]
1
2
[USE SHOW CARD 8]
Please look at Card 8. I’m going to mention some methods that may have influenced your selection of risk assessments. For each one, use the responses on Card 8 to rate how much influence each method had in selecting your risk assessments.
67a. Mandate from a higher administrative level (e.g., the state agency)?
NO INFLUENCE
1
SLIGHT INFLUENCE
2
MODERATE INFLUENCE
3
STRONG INFLUENCE
4
67b. Advice from experts?
NO INFLUENCE
1
SLIGHT INFLUENCE
2
MODERATE INFLUENCE
3
STRONG INFLUENCE
4
67c. Literature review?
NO INFLUENCE
1
SLIGHT INFLUENCE
2
MODERATE INFLUENCE
3
STRONG INFLUENCE
4
67d. Ease of use?
NO INFLUENCE
1
SLIGHT INFLUENCE
2
MODERATE INFLUENCE
3
STRONG INFLUENCE
4
67e. Knowing that other systems were using the tools?
NO INFLUENCE
1
SLIGHT INFLUENCE
2
MODERATE INFLUENCE
3
STRONG INFLUENCE
4
67f. Validation on your own data?
NO INFLUENCE
1
SLIGHT INFLUENCE
2
MODERATE INFLUENCE
3
STRONG INFLUENCE
4
Is your agency currently validating any risk assessment tools with your own case data?
YES
1
NO
2
About what percentage of your caseworkers have had training on the use of structured risk assessments?
%
The next set of questions focus on factors that may affect how determinations of maltreatment or risk of maltreatment are made.
How often is the severity of the case considered in making a determination of maltreatment or the risk of maltreatment? Would you say…
Always
1
Sometimes
2
Rarely, or
3
Never?
4
How often are policy defined standards of evidence for maltreatment considered in making a determination of maltreatment or the risk of maltreatment? Would you say…
Always
1
Sometimes
2
Rarely, or
3
Never?
4
How often is the family’s need for services considered in making a determination of maltreatment or the risk of maltreatment? Would you say…
Always
1
Sometimes
2
Rarely, or
3
Never?
4
How often is the willingness of the parent to cooperate with the caseworker considered in making a determination of maltreatment or the risk of maltreatment? Would you say…
Always
1
Sometimes
2
Rarely, or
3
Never?
4
How often is the availability of services considered in making a determination of maltreatment or the risk of maltreatment? Would you say…
Always
1
Sometimes
2
Rarely, or
3
Never?
4
TRAINING
My next questions are about educational requirements and training for agency staff and caregivers. First, I would like to ask you about training for agency staff.
Is a college degree required for workers who do investigations?
YES
1
NO
2 [GO TO Q77]
[USE SHOW CARD 9]
Please look at Card 9. Which degrees are required for workers who do investigations? [MARK ALL THAT APPLY.]
BACHELORS IN SOCIAL WORK
1
MASTERS IN SOCIAL WORK
2
OTHER BACHELORS DEGREE
3
OTHER MASTERS DEGREE
4
Is a college degree required for in-home service workers?
YES
1
NO
2 [GO TO Q79]
Please look at Card 9. Which degrees are required? [MARK ALL THAT APPLY.]
BACHELORS IN SOCIAL WORK
1
MASTERS IN SOCIAL WORK
2
OTHER BACHELORS DEGREE
3
OTHER MASTERS DEGREE
4
Is a college degree required for foster care workers?
YES
1
NO
2 [GO TO Q81]
Please look at Card 9. Which degrees are required? [MARK ALL THAT APPLY.]
BACHELORS IN SOCIAL WORK
1
MASTERS IN SOCIAL WORK
2
OTHER BACHELORS DEGREE
3
OTHER MASTERS DEGREE
4
Is a college degree required for adoption workers?
YES
1
NO
2 [GO TO Q83]
Please look at Card 9. Which degrees are required? [MARK ALL THAT APPLY.]
BACHELORS IN SOCIAL WORK
1
MASTERS IN SOCIAL WORK
2
OTHER BACHELORS DEGREE
3
OTHER MASTERS DEGREE
4
[USE SHOW CARD 10]
Please look at Card 10. How much pre-service training is required for adoption workers? (Training can be at the state, regional, or local level)
NONE OR LESS THAN 1 DAY
1
1-3 DAYS
2
4-10 DAYS
3
11 OR MORE DAYS
4
Now I would like to ask you about training for different types of caregivers.
(Please look at Card 10.) How much pre-service training is required licensed or approved kinship caregivers? (Training can be at the state, regional, or local level.)
NONE OR LESS THAN 1 DAY
1
1-3 DAYS
2
4-10 DAYS
3
11 OR MORE DAYS
4
(Please look at Card 10.) How much pre-service training is required non-licensed or unapproved kinship caregivers? (Training can be at the state, regional, or local level.)
NONE OR LESS THAN 1 DAY
1
1-3 DAYS
2
4-10 DAYS
3
11 OR MORE DAYS
4
Is pre-service training required for foster parents? (Training can be at the state, regional, or local level.)
YES
1
NO
2 [GO TO Q88]
(Please look at Card 10.) How much pre-service training is required for foster parents? (Training can be at the state, regional, or local level.)
NONE OR LESS THAN 1 DAY
1
1-3 DAYS
2
4-10 DAYS
3
11 OR MORE DAYS
4
(Please look at Card 10.) How much pre-service training is required for adoptive parents? (Training can be at the state, regional, or local level.)
NONE OR LESS THAN 1 DAY
1
1-3 DAYS
2
4-10 DAYS
3
11 OR MORE DAYS
4
(Please look at Card 10.) How much annual training is required for caseworkers? (Training can be at the state, regional, or local level.)
NONE OR LESS THAN 1 DAY
1
1-3 DAYS
2
4-10 DAYS
3
11 OR MORE DAYS
4
(Please look at Card 10.) How much annual training is required for licensed or approved kinship caregivers? (Training can be at the state, regional, or local level.)
NONE OR LESS THAN 1 DAY
1
1-3 DAYS
2
4-10 DAYS
3
11 OR MORE DAYS
4
(Please look at Card 10.) How much annual training is required for non-licensed or unapproved kinship caregivers? (Training can be at the state, regional, or local level.)
NONE OR LESS THAN 1 DAY
1
1-3 DAYS
2
4-10 DAYS
3
11 OR MORE DAYS
4
(Please look at Card 10.) How much annual training is required for foster parents? (Training can be at the state, regional, or local level.)
NONE OR LESS THAN 1 DAY
1
1-3 DAYS
2
4-10 DAYS
3
11 OR MORE DAYS
4
The next questions are about any parenting training your agency provides. I’m going to read a list of elements that might be included in your parenting training program. Does your parenting training program include elements focused on…
Building the parent’s self-esteem?
YES
1
NO
2
How to handle stress and anger?
YES
1
NO
2
Growth and development of children?
YES
1
NO
2
Improving communication skills?
YES
1
NO
2
Improving social skills?
YES
1
NO
2
Positive discipline techniques?
YES
1
NO
2
Approaches for addressing difficult child behaviors (e.g., stealing, sexual acting out)?
YES
1
NO
2
Help with school-related issues?
YES
1
NO
2
Basic skills for infant care such as feeding, changing, and monitoring?
YES
1
NO
2
Discussion or feedback on real-life parenting situations?
YES
1
NO
2
Parenting roleplays or practice sessions?
YES
1
NO
2
Does your agency provide any other parent training programs that I have not mentioned?
YES
1 [SPECIFY:
__________________________________]
NO
2
POLICY ENVIRONMENT
The next questions concern the policies under which your agency operates and their impact on service delivery.
Is there a System of Care currently operating in your County?
YES
1
NO
2
Is your agency currently operating under one or more active consent decrees? (A “consent decree” refers to a class action suit or court order related to child welfare.)
YES
1
NO
2
Does your agency participate in any Federal IV-E [“four-ee”] waiver demonstration projects related to child welfare?
YES
1
NO
2
Does your agency participate in any other demonstration projects funded by foundation, state, or federally-supported grants or initiatives?
YES
1
NO
2
[USE SHOW CARD 11]
I’d like to ask about the nature of your agency’s collaboration, if any, with other agencies.
Please look at Card 11. For each type of agency that I ask you about, please tell me which types of collaboration listed on Card 11 you have with this type of agency.
Which types of collaboration does your agency have with mental health service providers? [MARK ALL THAT APPLY.]
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) OR OTHER FORMAL INTER-AGENCY
AGREEMENT
1
CROSS TRAINING OF STAFF
2
JOINT BUDGETING OR RESOURCE ALLOCATION
3
AGENCY IS CO-LOCATED WITH THIS TYPE OF PARTNER
4
NO COLLABORATION
5
(Please look at Card 11) Which types of collaboration does your agency have with drug/alcohol service providers? [MARK ALL THAT APPLY.]
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) OR OTHER FORMAL INTER-AGENCY
AGREEMENT
1
CROSS TRAINING OF STAFF
2
JOINT BUDGETING OR RESOURCE ALLOCATION
3
AGENCY IS CO-LOCATED WITH THIS TYPE OF PARTNER
4
NO COLLABORATION
5
(Please look at Card 11) Which types of collaboration does your agency have with police? [MARK ALL THAT APPLY.]
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) OR OTHER FORMAL INTER-AGENCY
AGREEMENT
1
CROSS TRAINING OF STAFF
2
JOINT BUDGETING OR RESOURCE ALLOCATION
3
AGENCY IS CO-LOCATED WITH THIS TYPE OF PARTNER
4
NO COLLABORATION
5
(Please look at Card 11) Which types of collaboration does your agency have with family courts? [MARK ALL THAT APPLY.]
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) OR OTHER FORMAL INTER-AGENCY
AGREEMENT
1
CROSS TRAINING OF STAFF
2
JOINT BUDGETING OR RESOURCE ALLOCATION
3
AGENCY IS CO-LOCATED WITH THIS TYPE OF PARTNER
4
NO COLLABORATION
5
(Please look at Card 11) Which types of collaboration does your agency have with juvenile justice? [MARK ALL THAT APPLY.]
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) OR OTHER FORMAL INTER-AGENCY
AGREEMENT
1
CROSS TRAINING OF STAFF
2
JOINT BUDGETING OR RESOURCE ALLOCATION
3
AGENCY IS CO-LOCATED WITH THIS TYPE OF PARTNER
4
NO COLLABORATION
5
(Please look at Card 11) Which types of collaboration does your agency have with schools? [MARK ALL THAT APPLY.]
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) OR OTHER FORMAL INTER-AGENCY
AGREEMENT
1
CROSS TRAINING OF STAFF
2
JOINT BUDGETING OR RESOURCE ALLOCATION
3
AGENCY IS CO-LOCATED WITH THIS TYPE OF PARTNER
4
NO COLLABORATION
5
(Please look at Card 11) Which types of collaboration does your agency have with TANF (“tan-eff”) or another income security agency? [MARK ALL THAT APPLY.]
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) OR OTHER FORMAL INTER-AGENCY
AGREEMENT
1
CROSS TRAINING OF STAFF
2
JOINT BUDGETING OR RESOURCE ALLOCATION
3
AGENCY IS CO-LOCATED WITH THIS TYPE OF PARTNER
4
NO COLLABORATION
5
Does your agency have any priority status arrangements for CPS clients with mental health service providers?
YES
1
NO
2
Does your agency have any priority status arrangements for CPS clients with substance abuse treatment providers?
YES
1
NO
2
Does your agency have any priority status arrangements for CPS clients with any other agency or providers
YES
1 [SPECIFY:
__________________________________]
NO
2
Is your agency accredited by COA?
YES
1
NO
2 [GO TO Q121]
Does the state require your agency to be accredited?
YES
1
NO
2
AGENCY POLICY
Next, I’d like to ask you a few questions about policies within your agency.
Do you have any mechanisms in place to ensure that children receive needed health care immediately on entry to the Child Welfare System (CWS)?
YES
1
NO
2
Does the CWS have any written policies in place that require periodic developmental screening for ANY children while in out of home care?
YES
1
NO
2
Does the county have any written policies in place that require a health screening evaluation for ANY children entering out of home care in the CWS?
YES
1
NO
2
Does the county have any written policies in place that require a comprehensive physical health examination for ANY children entering out of home care in the CWS? This exam is not only for evidentiary purposes or to substantiate abuse, but addresses both acute and chronic medical conditions.
YES
1
NO
2 [GO TO Q126]
125a. (If Yes) Does the CWS require an initial physical health examination for ALL children entering out of home care in the CWS or only for specific groups of children?
ALL CHILDREN ENTERING HOME CARE
1
ONLY SPECIFIC GROUPS OF CHILDREN
2
Does your county have any written policies in place that require an initial mental health assessment for ANY children entering out of home care in the CWS? Remember that “initial” refers to services that take place in the first 30 days following entry to the CWS.
YES
1
NO
2 [GO TO Q127]
126a. (If YES) Does the CWS require an initial mental health assessment for ALL children entering out of home care in the CWS or only for specific groups of children?
YES
1
NO
2
Does your county have any written policies in place requiring an initial developmental assessment for ANY children under the age of 6 who are entering out of home care?
YES
1
NO
2 [GO TO Q128]
127a. (If YES) Does the CWS require an initial developmental assessment for all children under the age of 6 who are entering out of home care, or only specific groups of children?
YES
1
NO
2
I am going to read a list of settings for children. For each setting, please indicate if your county has a policy in place for monitoring the use of prescription medications for emotional or behavioral problems for children in the setting:
Group homes/residential care/treatment foster care?
YES
1
NO
2
Living with non-relative foster parents?
YES
1
NO
2
Living with kin as foster parents?
YES
1
NO
2
Living with family who are receiving child welfare services such as family maintenance or preservation services?
YES
1
NO
2
Courts can be involved with prescription medication use in children with emotional or behavioral problems. The next set of questions focuses on how courts in your area may involved with the use of prescription medication in children with emotional or behavioral problems
How often are the courts in your area involved in reviewing and approving medication plans before a prescription is written? Would you say…
Always
1
Sometimes
2
Rarely, or
3
Never
4
How often are courts in your area involved in reviewing and approving changes to a medication prescription? Would you say…
Always
1
Sometimes
2
Rarely, or
3
Never
4
How often are courts in your area involved in monitoring the use of prescription medications at court hearings? Would you say…
Always
1
Sometimes
2
Rarely, or
3
Never
4
How often are courts in your area involved in requiring that medications be prescribed? Would you say…
Always
1
Sometimes
2
Rarely, or
3
Never
4
How often are courts in your area involved in requiring that medications be stopped or dosages changed? Would you say…
Always
1
Sometimes
2
Rarely, or
3
Never
4
My next questions are about your agency’s policies on foster care.
Does your agency have a written protocol on the placement of a foster child’s siblings into foster care?
YES
1
NO
2 [GO TO Q139]
How would you describe your protocol for the placement of children together? Is this placement...
Mandatory,
1
Mandatory, except with written approval,
2
Recommended, or
3
Stipulated in some
other way [SPECIFY:
_______________
__________________________________________]
4
Does your agency recruit adoptive homes for special needs children from among foster parents?
YES
1
NO
2
Does your agency recruit foster-adopt parents and identify placements as foster-adopt?
YES
1
NO
2
Does your agency allow conversions from foster care?
YES
1
NO
2 [GO TO Q143]
Does your agency encourage or discourage conversions of foster homes into adoptive homes?
ENCOURAGE CONVERSION
1
DISCOURAGE CONVERSION
2
Next I’d like to ask you about your agency’s policy on adoption by relatives.
Does your agency recruit relatives as foster or adoptive parents?
YES
1
NO
2
Does your agency encourage relatives of caregivers to adopt children?
YES
1
NO
2
Does your agency expect that relative caregivers who plan to care for a child for a long time will become their legal guardian or adoptive parent?
YES
1
NO
2
Next, I’d like to ask you a few questions about your agency’s policies on case investigations.
Does your agency provide voluntary services to families who are investigated or assessed when the allegations are unsubstantiated?
YES
1
NO
2
What is the maximum time allowed to complete an investigation?
Days
Weeks
Months
According to statute, what is the maximum time allowed between placement and an initial court hearing?
Days
Weeks
Months
According to policy, what is maximum time allowed from initial contact and a disposition hearing?
Days
Weeks
Months
In many child welfare agencies there have been concerns about the over-representation or under-representation of minority children in certain services, such as foster care or community-based services. Has this been identified as a concern for your agency?
YES
1
NO
2 [GO TO Q152]
Is your agency involved in any of the following special initiatives designed to address the over-representation or under-representation of minority children in services?
150a. Training?
YES
1 PLEASE DESCRIBE
____________________________
NO
2
150b. Matching child welfare workers and families?
YES
1 PLEASE DESCRIBE
____________________________
NO
2
150c. Performance measures to reduce racial imbalance in placement?
YES
1 PLEASE DESCRIBE
____________________________
NO
2
DIRECTOR BACKGROUND
Before we finish the interview, I’d like to ask you a few questions about your background.
How long have you been in this position?
YEARS
OR
MONTHS
[USE SHOW CARD 12]
Please look at Card 12. What is the highest degree, diploma, or certificate you have completed?
NONE
1
H.S. DIPLOMA OR HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY (GED)
2
VOCATIONAL TECH CERTIFICATE/DIPLOMA
3
NURSING DIPLOMA/CERTIFICATE
4
ASSOCIATE DEGREE (for example: AA, AS, ASN)
5
BACHELOR’S DEGREE (for example: BA, AB, BS, BSN)
6
MASTERS DEGREE (for example MA, MS, MEng, Med, MSW, MBA)
7
GRADUATE OR PROFESSIONAL DEGREE (for example MD, JD, PhD, EdD)
8
[If college or more (Q153 = 5,6,7 OR 8)] Is that degree in social work?
YES
1
NO
2
[ASK ONLY IF NECESSARY]
Are you male or female?
MALE
1
FEMALE
2
Are you Spanish, Hispanic or Latino?
YES
1
NO
2
[USE SHOW CARD 13]
Please look at Card 13. What is your race? You may pick one or more groups from the card. [MARK ALL THAT APPLY.]
AMERICAN INDIAN OR ALASKA NATIVE
1
ASIAN
2
BLACK OR AFRICAN AMERICAN
3
NATIVE HAWAIIAN OR OTHER PACIFIC ISLANDER
4
WHITE
5
CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES REVIEWS
Before we complete the interview, I'd like to ask you a few questions about your recent experiences with the Child and Family Services Reviews or CFSRs.
What is the biggest change your agency has been making as a result of the Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSRs)?
Can you provide a few examples of how you are implementing this change?
[USE SHOW CARD 14]
Please look at Card 14. How much funding have you received from your state to help with your Performance Improvement Plan or PIP?
UNDER $1,000
1
$1,000 – $9,999
2
$10,000 - $49,999
3
$50,0000 - $99,999
4
$100,000 - $249,999
5
$250,000 - $499,999
6
$500,000 OR MORE
7
CONCLUSION
That’s all the questions I have. Thanks again for your assistance with this important study.
END TIME:
:
| File Type | application/msword |
| Author | danny occoquan |
| Last Modified By | danny occoquan |
| File Modified | 2007-12-03 |
| File Created | 2007-11-29 |
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