Child Welfare Monitoring: Child and Family Services Reviews Update

Child and Family Services Reviews Update

Volume 4, Issue 1, October 2007

In This Issue:
FY 2007 Review Update
Consultant Travel
Consultant Reviewer Update
Trainer Needed

Onsite Child and Family Services Review Update

The fiscal year (FY) 2007 onsite Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSRs) have been completed, with 14 States reviewed this year. As they become available, review documents, such as the Statewide Assessments, Preliminary Assessments, Final Reports, and Key Findings Reports are posted on the Children's Bureau Web site at http://basis.caliber.com/cwig/ws/cwmd/docs/cb_web/SearchForm.

FY 2008 reviews will begin in January, with 19 States being reviewed in 2008. The full FY 2008 review schedule is also available on the Children's Bureau Web site at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/cwmonitoring/general_info/fy2008.htm.

Consultant Travel

Working With Travel-On: JBS International, Inc. (JBS), assists the Children's Bureau in planning the CFSRs and Title IV-E Foster Care Eligibility Reviews (IV-E FCERs). Consultants selected to participate in an onsite review are required to contact the JBS corporate travel agent, Travel On, to schedule flights to the review site. In accordance with Federal travel regulations, the travel agent is instructed to book consultant travel with a nonrefundable ticket at the lowest rate available, which may include a connecting flight. JBS has requested, however, that Travel On attempt to limit connections to one per flight and also to work with consultants to plan a convenient and economical travel schedule. This means that consultants should not have to leave their home before 6:00 a.m. or arrive home after midnight, unless requested by the consultant.

Participating in Back-to-Back Reviews: Consultant Co-Local Site Leaders participating in CFSRs or IV-E FCERs scheduled for succeeding weeks (back-to-back reviews) have the option of traveling home between reviews or traveling directly to the next review site. Consultant Co-Local Site Leaders, who are required to remain onsite until the completion of the review on Friday, now are eligible for reimbursement for Saturday night accommodations and for the M&IE reimbursement for Saturday. This is a change from the previous rules.

Boarding Passes Now Required: Consultants are now required to submit copies of boarding passes or Internet check-in receipts for all flights or rail trips. Effective with the FY 2008 reviews, consultants that do not submit the required documentation with their expense vouchers will be responsible for the cost of the airline or train ticket.

The Children's Bureau and JBS appreciate the dedication of the consultant reviewers and are committed to making the review experience a positive one for everyone involved. Consultants that have questions or concerns regarding travel arrangements are welcome to contact JBS directly at cw@jbsinternational.com or (301) 565-3260.

Consultant Reviewer Update

Consultants who have signed a contract with JBS International, Inc., to serve as consultant reviewers or Consultant Co-Local Site Leaders for the CFSRs will be asked to sign a new contract this fall. The current contract with JBS expires on September 30, 2007. More information will be provided by e-mail.

Consultants who completed either a FY 2007 Child and Family Services Reviews Consultant Reviewer Training or State Team Training are eligible to participate in onsite reviews during the second round. The Child Welfare Review Projects identify available consultant reviewers for Children's Bureau staff, who then form review teams. Occasionally, review team members need to drop out at the last minute due to emergencies. In this case, it is necessary to identify consultant reviewers available to participate on short notice. Consultant reviewers who have been trained and may be available to participate in a review on short notice are invited to notify the Child Welfare Review Projects by e-mail at cw@jbsinternational.com of their availability.

The Children's Bureau also will be identifying two alternate reviewers for each FY 2008 review. Consultants agreeing to serve as alternates would be require-ed to hold their schedules open for the review week and prepare for the review by reading the review documents. Alternates will receive $150 for preparing to participate in the review. Alternates who are called upon to participate in the onsite review also would receive the $350 per day honorarium.

Consultants who were not trained this year may have another opportunity during FY 2008. The Child Welfare Review Projects also continue to accept applications from eligible individuals. There is a special need for Spanish-speaking consultants and those with Tribal experience. Information regarding consultant recruitment and the application process is available on the Children's Bureau Web site at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/cwmonitoring/recruit/con-recruit.htm.

CFSR/IV-E FCER Trainer Needed

Through the Child Welfare Review Projects, JBS provides support to the Children's Bureau in administering the CFSRs and IV-E FCERs, including training, logistics coordination, information development and dissemination, and data collection software development. JBS is seeking recommendations of experienced child welfare professionals that may be qualified to provide training for all projects associated with the Child Welfare Review Projects. The position involves traveling to training locations and providing training to all review participants, including CFSR consultant reviewers and Consultant Co-Local Site Leaders, CFSR State Teams, and IV-E FCER peer reviewers. For the right candidate, we will consider part-time and/or offsite options.

The essential functions of the position include: providing 12-24 trainings per fiscal year; facilitating and providing training sessions on child welfare, CFSR, and IV-E FCER content and process; and participating in curriculum development.

In order to be considered for the position, applicants must demonstrate the following qualifications:

BA, professional child welfare experience, and CFSR or Quality Service Review (QSR) experience required. Master's Degree and experience developing/providing training preferred.
Strong public speaking and presentation skills.
Willingness to travel.
Writing skills that allow concise, professional communication with correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to work under tight timelines.
Flexibility in response to changing project needs, reliability, and ability to maintain a collegial relationship with colleagues.
Competence with Microsoft Office software at an intermediate level or higher. Willingness to learn new computer software and databases.

Interested applicants should send a resume and salary history to HR 1454, JBS, 8630 Fenton Street, Suite 1200, Silver Spring, MD 20910; or e-mail to JOBS@JBS.BIZ.

The Child and Family Services Reviews Update is designed for professionals interested in the Children's Bureau Child and Family Services Reviews. It is supported by the Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and published by the Child Welfare Reviews Project, which is managed by JBS International, Inc. For more information, contact the Child Welfare Reviews Project by e-mail at cw@jbsinternational.com or by telephone at (301) 565-3260.