Attachment 5: Coordination and Collaboration with the CFSR/PIP and the CFSP/APSR Processes: ACYF-CB-PI-08-01

Coordination and Collaboration with the Child and Family Services Review (CFSR)/Program Improvement Plan (PIP) and the Child and Family Services Plan (CFSP)/Annual Progress and Services Report (APSR) Processes

Below are some suggested ways in which the CBCAP programs can work more closely with the child welfare agencies in their States:

CBCAP lead agency contacts and/or members of their prevention network can become more active participants in various stakeholder meetings and planning committees related to the CFSR/Program Improvement Plan (PIP) and Child and Family Services Plan (CFSP)/Annual Progress and Services Report (APSR). Review the goals and objectives of the CFSR/PIP and CFSP/APSR and identify which of them are related to child abuse prevention, family support and family strengthening. Schedule meetings with representatives from the child welfare agency to discuss ways to collaborate and coordinate efforts. The ACF Regional Office is also available to help facilitate this process.
CBCAP lead agencies can use the relevant sections of the CFSR Statewide Assessment, PIP and/or CFSP that pertains to prevention programs as part of the required description of the inventory of unmet needs in the State.
Prepare the CBCAP plan by incorporating the relevant goals and objectives contained in the State’s CFSR/PIP and CFSP/APSR. Lead agencies may choose to place a stronger emphasis on prevention-related goals identified in these two processes as part of their CBCAP program plans. For example, if the CFSR finds that the lack of prevention resources is a prime concern, and the State child welfare agency is required to redirect its resources to address this area, the CBCAP program may identify specific programs and activities that will be focused on those issues.
CBCAP lead agencies can work with the child welfare agency to pool the IV-B prevention and family support funding with their CBCAP funds and issue a joint Request for Proposals to fund programs that meet the shared goals and objectives of the two programs.
CBCAP lead agencies can work with the State’s child protective services (CPS) system to plan and develop triage procedures to refer children not at imminent risk of harm to community organizations or voluntary preventive services. Developing such triage procedures is a provision of the Basic State Grant for CPS agencies outlined in the Child Abuse and Treatment Act, 2003 requirements.
ACF also believes that Responsible Fatherhood, Positive Youth Development, Faith-based and Community outreach, and Rural Initiatives merit special attention. CBCAP lead agencies are encouraged to identify ways to support the efforts of these initiatives. Please see Attachment 6 for more information.

For more information about the Child Welfare Services and Promoting Safe and Stable Families programs, contact: Eileen West at (202) 205-8438, email: eileen.west@acf.hhs.gov.

For more information about the Child and Family Services Reviews, please visit the Children’s Bureau website at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb