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Georgia’s Childcare Crisis

Georgia’s Childcare Crisis. Our Children’s Changing Needs in an Unchanged System. The Current Crisis. Georgia’s Present Residential Childcare System. Federal $27,389,822 (32%) State $33,149,436 (38%) Private Donations $25,837,939 (30%).

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Georgia’s Childcare Crisis

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  1. Georgia’s Childcare Crisis Our Children’s Changing Needs in an Unchanged System

  2. The Current Crisis Georgia’s Present Residential Childcare System

  3. Federal $27,389,822 (32%) State $33,149,436 (38%) Private Donations $25,837,939 (30%) Funding (per diem) set by State for Individual Providers of Service 109 Different Rates throughout State No Funding for Educational Programs Funding Does Not Follow Child Current Funding of Georgia’s Residential Childcare Costs Total: $86,377,197 (100%)

  4. Present Levels of Care Basic Care Includes Foster Homes Intermediate Care Match (State) Committee Approval Includes Therapeutic Foster Homes Intensive Hospital Needs Assessment used only for First Placement/Best Placement Children Private Providers Furnish Children in State Custody 2450 Placements Only Private Providers are Licensed by DHR’s Office of Regulatory Services Current System Facts

  5. A New Child Care System in Georgia Levels of Care Confronting the Crisis

  6. History • 1998 – Level of Care system proposed by Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children (GAHSC) • 1998 – Peg Peters, DFACS Director, guides Level of Care system developments • 2000 – Change in State’s DHR Leadership delays efforts • 2001 – Jim Martin encourages GAHSC to renew effort • 2002 – February – GAHSC presents completed Level of Care to DFACS director along with funding requirements • 2002 – February – Governor Barnes’ Task Force for Safe Children begins work • 2002 – August – State DFACS, DJJ, Mental Health, Governor’s Task Force, and Private Providers (GAHSC) agree on Level of Care System for Georgia’s Children

  7. Proposed Level of Care System Requirements • Every Child requires Needs Assessments to provide safe and appropriate placement (In-Home or Residential) • Funding should follow the child for efficient/flexible maximization of all Federal, State, and Private Dollars. It must also focus on needs of child, and be consistently available. • All Federal Funds should be Leveraged • Funding Decisions should be based on Performance • Develop Desired Outcomes and Results, and Design Accountability Systems • State should publish a Children’s Out-Of-Home placement budget so accountability of Government programs and expenditures for children can be monitored and presented annually to policy makers and the public.

  8. Proposed Level of Care Descriptions • Level 1 – Foster Home – Mild Functioning Problems • $33.00 per day • Level 1 – Residential Agencies – No Foster Homes Available • $80.00 per day • Level 2 – Foster Care – Mild Emotional/Behavioral Problems • $40.00 per day Wrap Around Services • Level 2 – Residential Agencies – No Qualified Foster Homes Available • $90.00 per day • Level 3 – III Therapeutic Foster Care – Moderate Emotional/ • $95.00 per day Behavioral Problems • Level 3 – III Residential Agency – Moderate Emotional/Behavioral • $105.00 per day Mgt. Problems Requiring a Mix of Services Continued

  9. Proposed Level of Care Descriptions (cont.) • Level 4 – IV Therapeutic Foster Care – Moderate/Serious Emotional/ • $120.00 per day Behavioral Problems –Client Function Impaired • Level 4 – IV Residential Agency – Same as above when client requires a • $120.00 per day more structured environment • Level 5 – Match II Therapeutic Foster Care – Severe Emotional/ • $180.00 per day Behavioral Problems • Level 5 – Match III Residential – Same as above • $235.00 per day • Level 6 – Intensive (Hospital) – Requires Secure Hospital Environment • $330.00 per day NOTE: This system of funding allows the State to support its own policies, but does not represent the total cost of care for these services. Private Providers must still use substantial donated funds.

  10. Facts about Levels of Care • Within each Level of Care, there are a variety of treatment options and settings to meet each child’s unique need for treatment and support. • Each child is served in the least restrictive, most family-centered and community-based setting that meets his/her treament needs and ensures the safety of the child, the family, and the community. • Each child is monitored during placement, and their needs are periodically reviewed. • This new system will allow the State to better identify needs, project expenditures, and track results. Continued

  11. Facts about Levels of Care (cont.) • This new system provides a common language for describing children’s services and treatment needs, bringing consistency in placements across State agencies, DFACS, DJJ, and Mental Health. • Equal licensing for Public and Private Providers • Equal sanctions for Public and Private Providers when violations occur. • Some other States that use a Level of Care Service System: • Texas, Kentucky, South Carolina, and Arizona

  12. Required Action • All State Agencies and the Governor’s Office must accept the recommendations of the Governor’s own Action Group for Safe Children, commonly referred to as Level-of-Care System. • Full Funding must be placed in the Governor’s Budget, and approved by the Legislature. Quality service delivery depends on adequate funding.The Estimated Cost above the current system is15 Million. This funding level equals: • 3 miles of a 4-lane road * • 1/3 mile of the Northern Arc around Atlanta ** • Cost of a Used 1996 Gulfstream 200 *** (8-10 pasenger new Gulfstream 400 cost 25 Million) Sources: * DOT Website, ** GA Conservancy Website, *** Gulfstream Website

  13. Summary The most recent review of our child welfare system by the United States Department of Health and Human Services confirmed Georgia is failing children at risk of Abuse and Neglect. Many Studies have reviewed Georgia’s child welfare system – All have come to the conclusion that without major additional resources, and changes in policy, Children will continue to be neglected and abused by the very Government Agencies charged with their protection. Class Action lawsuits against the State, filed to force the State to reform, are currently pending.Children are dying – we have a crisis. The Governor’s Action Group for Safe Children has recommended a solution that includes a systemic change. The private, not-for-profit providers are convinced this approach will improve the protection we provide to Georgia’s children.

  14. Contact Information For more information, contact: Normer Adams, Executive DirectorGeorgia Association of Homes and Services for Childrenphone: 404-572-6170email: normer@gahsc.org

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