Quick Update from CFSA

[Beth Jamieson]

Please see this weekly update from CFSA below. It highlights what has taken place during the past week. Dr. Gerald reports that this will be distributed weekly. I will share them with you as I receive them.

 

Thanks so much!
Beth

 

Beth Jamieson, MSW

Senior Policy Analyst

DC Action for Children

1616 P Street, NW Suite 420

Washington, DC 20036

p. 202-234-9404 x.216

f. 202-234-9108

bjam...@dckids.org

www.dckids.org

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Want to stay on top of important and timely policy and budget information and news? Then sign on to the new Google group, dcchildadvocacy – just send an e-mail to dcchildadvoc...@googlegroups.com.

 

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GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Child and Family Services Agency

 

 

 

               

 

 

 

 

Accomplishments: Week of July 28

·         Launched internal “Together for Children” strategy, including training CFSA social workers and assigning backlogged investigations

 

·         External Staff resources were assigned to work on the backlog:

 

·         DHS sent 4 social workers that will be detailed to CFSA for 60 days

·         DYRS sent 6 Social Services Representatives (3 more will arrive next week) that will be detailed to CFSA for 30 days

·         Three temporary social workers came on board; 4 more are expected the week of 8/4; 12 are expected for the week of 8/11. Additionally, the temp agency will hold an open house to identify candidates to build a recruitment pipeline and identify the highest quality candidates.

 

·         Received offer of and discussed additional assistance from DOH

 

·         Met with Court Monitor to review and gain support for backlog and post-backlog strategies

 

·         Met with Program Operations administrators and managers to intensify focus on performance benchmarks, including clarifying expectations regarding management/supervision and determining how best to monitor performance progress in real time

 

·         Solidified strategies for filling key positions in Program Operations, including recruiting social workers

 

·         Backlog as of 8/1/08 1511 – great teamwork let’s keep it up.

 

 

 

Actions: Week of August 4

·         Launch major push to close backlogged investigations safely, including continuing to vet/train/assignment temporary help

 

·         Meet with senior managers to present and discuss post-backlog strategies and reiterate management/supervision expectations

 

·         Key hire—CFSA Chief Contracting Officer—on board August 4

 

·         Interview candidates for Deputy Director, Program Operations