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2001
Foster Parent Law Implementation Plan
Award Winners Named
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- For the third year in a row, Director Jess McDonald haspresented awards
to honor agencies who achieved top scores in their 2001 Foster Parent Law
implementation plans. The five winners include the Lakeside Community Committee
(Chicago), the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago , Catholic Social Services of
Peoria, Baby Fold (Bloomington), and Webster Cantrell Hall (Decatur).
The required
annual plans are scored on a variety of criteria, including how well narratives
explain how the agency or region implements each of 14 foster parent rights
outlined in the state's Foster Parent Law. Plans must also describe how
the agency helps their foster parents achieve each of 17 foster parent
responsibilities contained in the Foster Parent Law, and also describe
how management includes foster parents and direct service staff in developing
and monitoring the plan.
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"This
award recognizes the importance of supporting foster parents, teamwork,
quality assurance and determination. They're all imporant in the work
that we do."
Foster parent Wille Green.
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(Left
to Right) Irwin McEwen, foster parent Irma Young, foster parent Willie
Green, Director of Quality Improvement Jackie Sharp and DCFS Director
Jess McDonald.
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The
Lakeside Community Committee. provided narratives that were very thorough
and detailed. Its annual report was among the best. Their plan describes
a solid approach to monitoring via the foster parent council and the Oversight
Committee. Their plan also contains supports for foster parents, such
as emergency cash within one hour. The strategy for implementing and distributing
the plan could well serve as a model for others to follow.
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"The
award not only shows that we have a plan that is put together well and
in place, but it also shows the very hard work that is put into making
the plan a reality."
YMCA Committee Chair Leon Intrater
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| (Left to Right)
Director of Child Welfare Sherise Alexandar, YMCA Committee Chair Leon Intrater,
foster parent Joyce Reed, foster parent Brenda Bland, with DCFS Director
Jess McDonald. |
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The YMCA
of Metropolitan Chicago scored the highest among all plans submitted.
The foster parent involvement in the plan wass excellent, and foster parents
serve on the board and other agency committees. The plan, itself, was
complete, thorough, and well written. Dignity and respect for foster parentswas
interwoven throughout the plan. Among its important features, the plan
now requires supervisors to make quick decision on reimbursements.
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"The
award demonstrates how much we include foster parents in every aspect
of our work and the importance of a team approach to foster care."
Support Services Coordinator Ruth Urbanc
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| (Left to
Right) DCFS Director Jess McDonald with Foster Program Support Services
Coordinator Ruth Urbanc and Resource Worker Jennifer Walls. |
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Most narratives
in the organization's plan were succinct, thorough, and well written.
Thorough sign-off by staff and foster parents suggests broad involvement
in developing the plan and broad support of it. Licensing staff give the
implementation plan to all foster parents on their first visit each year.
The agency offers finders' fees to foster parents who recruit others.
Agency management and foster parent leaders train their foster parent
council on some aspect of the plan at each of their monthly meetings.
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"This
award stands for a lot of hard work by staff and foster parents, and
it reflects how the people at Baby Fold meet these important responsibilities."
Foster parent John Bowman
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| (Left to
Right) DCFS Director Jess McConald with Director of Child Welfare Services
Karen Blum, Supervisor Jean Guy and foster parent John Bowman. |
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Baby Fold's
narratives in the plan were very thorough and detailed, and the organizaiton's
annual report was among the best. The plan described various ways of including
agency foster parents in its activities.Staff and foster parents were very
involved in developing the plan. Monthly co-training for foster parents
and staff appear to help forge a teamwork approach to service.
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Webster
Cantrell Hall
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"The
award demonstrates how much we include foster parents and the importance
of a team approach to foster care."
Clinical Director Mrs. Kevin Morrison Otis
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(Left to
Right) DCFS Director Jess McDonald with Clinical Director Mrs. Kevin Morrison
Otis, Foster Care Director Jane Waller Anderson and Foster Parent Ginny
Karl.
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Webster
Cantrell Hall's board has emphasized their support of the implementation
plan by including a policy statement about the plan in the agency's policy
manual, as well as in their annual strategic plan. Their plan also provides
for quarterly meetings between staff and foster parents. Administrative
team meetings also include foster parents, as well as the agency's CEO.
The plan is very thorough and well written, and the annual report is one
of the best submitted this year.
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