Provider

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Provider G

• What the Heck is That?!

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G-Force Process

• Georgia has pioneered a performance management
  approach which shapes practice according to DHS
  goals and values and utilizes system data in
  charts and graphs to reveal practice patterns.
• Once practice patterns are revealed staff is
  engaged in a facilitated open dialogue designed
  to yield hypotheses regarding possible root
  causes.

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G-Force Process

• These hypotheses are then tested and practice
  patterns as evidenced by data are charted to
  determine whether the right work the right way
  can be discerned.
• This method is known as the G-Force process and
  is utilized at the state, regional and county
  level on a monthly basis.

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G-Force Process

• By supporting and focusing this practice on
  effective permanency case work practice we will
  further improve outcomes for children and their
  families as reflected in the Child and Family
  Services Review as well as the Kenny A. consent
  decree indicators

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G-Force Background

• The G-Force process has been instrumental in
  influencing significant improvements in outcomes,
  honing staff thinking and stimulating creativity.
  
• Commissioner B.J. Walker introduced the G process
  in the spring of 2004.
• She began by working with the nine counties in
  Georgia that represented 70 of the child welfare
  caseload
• (G-9).

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G-Force Background

• At that time four issues were placing
  unprecedented pressures on Georgias child
  welfare system.
• Significant increase in Child Protective Services
  cases (investigations) causing increased strain
  on caseworkers and resources
• Investigations not completed on a timely basis

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G-Force Background

• Over 40 annual turnover in staff
• High caseloads limiting the amount of time
  caseworkers could devote to families in need
• Between July 03 and June 04, the number of
  families being investigated for child abuse and
  neglect rose more than 40. Today by using the G-
  process we are focusing resources to help
  families when they are first introduced to the
  system.

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G-Force Background

• The number of families being investigated for
  child abuse and neglect has dropped 42, the
  lowest it has been since 2002.
• In July of 2004, more than 4,000 investigations
  each month were exceeding 90 days to complete.
  Increased staff training and resources have
  resulted in the elimination of cases pending
  beyond 90 days.

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G-Force Background

• In 2004, DHR experienced annualized turnover
  rates up to 42 . Today, turnover has been
  reduced to about 29, closer to the national
  average of 22.
• In 2004, the average caseload per caseworkers was
  about 26. By 2008, average caseloads were down to
  15.

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G-Force Background

• As a result of reducing these pressures on the
  system Georgia has improved practice and turned
  the tide on key indicators.
• This means
• More help for at risk families who come to the
  attention of DFCS
• Fewer children in foster care
• More children living with relatives
• Progress on federal measure

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G-Force Background

• One of the practice initiatives introduced as a
  result of the G process is a differentiated
  response sometimes referred to as Diversion. The
  initiative involves informed and experienced case
  managers and their supervisors conducting the
  following activities
• Reviewing the facts of the case reported
• Identifying family needs
• Assessing child safety
• Referring families to resources and services when
  a full investigation does not seem warranted.

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G-Force Background

• Since 2004 more than 33,000 families statewide
  have been referred to other services and
  programs.
• Only 11 have been referred back for a full
  investigation and of those receiving a full
  investigation only 5 have been substantiated.
• As of July 2004, foster care (child placement)
  caseloads in Georgia have been declining for the
  first time in five years.

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G-Force Process

• G-Force Question
• Use of Data to Describe, Explain, Hypothesize
  and/or Predict
• Examples of Data Usage
• Source of Data

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G-Force Begins Ends with a Question

• If G-Force is to be an environment
• for hypothesis testing and critical
• thinking, what will you do differently as a
  result of participating in this G-Force Meeting?

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Use of Data

• Describe
• Trend
• Explain
• Hypothesize
• Test
• Research Findings

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Example of descriptive trend data This chart
shows the number of children in the legal custody
of DFCS beginning in SFY 2007.
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Example of a chart used to develop a hypothesis
and test strategies to determine reasons for the
increase in the number of children entering care
in January 2007.
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40of January re-entries exited care October 1
through December 2006. 8 of those who
re-entered in January 2007 had exited during that
month.
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This chart reflects the impact of hypothesis
formulation and implementation of strategies
developed at a G-Force meeting the v-shaped
pattern seen previously on this slide in January
2007 did not occur in January 2008.
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How do we establish a practice that is effective
in decreasing running behavior?How do we
intervene effectively with children to prevent
repeat running?
Two Major Goals for G-Force
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Last Placement Prior to Run-Away from 2004 to 2007
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FRIENDS RUNAWAYS
PLACEMENT TYPE More in Foster Care More in Residential Care X X
LENGTH OF TIME AWAY Longer Less X X
IMMEDIATE REASONS Time with friends/family-centered reasons Placement centered reasons/personal difficulties X X
RUN AWAY ALONE OR WITH OTHERS More likely alone More likely with others 62 53
DURING ABSENCE Stayed with Friends/Family Slept Rough Committed an Offense while Away 92 -- 27 49 30 68
NATURE OF RETURN Voluntarily 62 48
Habitual runners are more at risk of increased
detachment from caregivers and are more likely to
participate in criminal activity.
Source Biehal Wade, 2002 Characteristics of
Children Missing from Care.
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Recommendations for Decreasing Running Behavior

• Provide as much normalization as possible for the
  child.
• Case managers can make preparations to optimize
  the ability of the child to build and maintain
  relationships with others.
• Ensure child is in program / therapy to build
  self-esteem.
• Ensure child is acquiring practical and financial
  skills and knowledge (ILP).
• Awareness of future sources of support and how to
  access them.

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Source of Data used in G-Force Process

• SHINES (Statewide Automated Child Welfare
  Information System
• Qualitative Reviews (PEAS CFSR)
• Field Operation Review Guide
• AFCARS File (Adoption and Foster Care System)
• NCANDS (National Child Abuse Neglect Data
  System
• National Child Welfare Databases Research

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How will the Provider G be structured?

• The first Provider G will be held in October,
  2010 at 2 Peachtree in the DHS Board Room
• There will be two Provider Gs one for CPAs
  and one for CPIs
• We will be looking at Global Data of CPAs and
  CCIs however we will drill down on the data of
  the top 15 CPA Providers by census in the State
  and the top 20 CCI Providers. These providers
  represent over 50 of the children represented in
  CCIs and CPAs across the state
• These agencies will receive personal invites as
  there data will be represented at the Provider
  Gs, however the G will be open for all providers
  to attend if they like

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Q A