Policy & Practice articles from August 2008

Policy & Practice archives from August 2008

My dirty dozen and the roadmap.(director's memo)
August 1, 2008... Throughout my career, I have been both blessed and cursed to be involved in the development of a number of information technology projects. It is a perilous journey laden with multiple risks and great rewards. My experiences have ranged from...

Editor's note.(Editorial)
August 1, 2008... IT system infrastructure is an important element of any agency operations. The basic foundation of every agency communications, operations, servicing, accounting and other systems rests on a healthy, reliable platform that enables staff...

The key to alternative methods of service delivery.(my turn)
August 1, 2008... Due to declining administrative budgets, which often translate to decreasing field staff, and increasing caseloads resulting from the recessionary pressures in the economy, state and local governments have turned to alternative methods of...

HHS awards $49.1 million to states to increase access to health care coverage.(first things first)(Department of Health and Human Services)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... On July 21, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced that 30 states currently providing health insurance to residents who cannot get conventional health coverage because of their health status will be awarded grants totaling...

Study defends Florida Medicaid pilot.(first things first)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... A new report from a free-market think tank argues that Florida's Medicaid pilot program has had "numerous accomplishments" and should be expanded statewide. It contends that previous studies critical of the program were flawed. ...

Options for delivering financial incentives to participants for purchasing targeted foods.(first things first)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... The diets of many low-income individuals, like the U.S. population overall, do not meet federal dietary guidelines. With new authority provided as part of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, the Food and Nutrition Service at the...

SAMHSA Evidence-Based database posts 100th program review.(first things first)(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices has added two programs, bringing to 100 the number of evidence-based programs to its system. The system is a searchable...

Helping 'disconnected' single mothers.(first things first)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... A growing number of low-income single mothers who tend to be very poor and face serious barriers to achieving economic self-sufficiency for their families. This group includes long-term welfare recipients as well as those who left welfare...

West Virginia social worker killed during home visit.(first things first)(Brenda Lee Yeager)
August 1, 2008... The West Virginia chapter of the National Association of Social Workers is calling for better protection for social workers after one of its own went missing while making a scheduled home visit. Brenda Lee Yeager, 51, of Lincoln County,...

Lessons learned from technology projects in Maine state government.
August 1, 2008... In 2005, I was asked to assume the duties of information technology director for the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. Part of my charge was to help salvage the state Medicaid Information System project, whose implementation had...

Using automation to transform the lobby: San Joaquin County Human Services Agency's automated lobby flow, client appointment, and eligibility worker caseload balancing system.(San Joaquin County, California)
August 1, 2008... San Joaquin County is east of San Francisco and sits in the middle of California's Central Valley. Agriculture is an important part of the local economy but contributes to seasonal unemployment. The population has been steadily increasing in...

Auto-dialer helps increase child support payments in Arizona.(Arizona Department of Economic Security, Division of Child Support Enforcement)
August 1, 2008... In 2004, the National Training Conference in Washington offered a workshop titled "Harnessing Technology to Improve Child Support Services." At this workshop, North Carolina child support staff demonstrated that early case monitoring and...

Taming the flood the Iowa way.(focus)
August 1, 2008... On June 16, the day after Father's Day, a simple e-mail was sent from central headquarters in Des Moines to local leaders of the Iowa Department of Human Services. "Immediate attention," read the subject line. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Good enough for government work.(legal notes)
August 1, 2008... Good Enough for Government Work! Which of us in government has not been irritated that the expression is used in characterizing civil servants as less talented and hardworking than those outside of government? Made famous, and originating...

Application Service Provider the way to host services data.(technology speaks)
August 1, 2008... The issue is control. Who has it, consumer/citizen or government/supplier? Can it be effectively shared by more than one interested party at a time? Is it simply a matter of policy or is it something that transcends into the realm of...

Washington update.
August 1, 2008... Congressional Timetable Grows Short The number of days left for Congress to complete its "to-do" list this year is rapidly growing shorter. With the fall election season about to move into high gear, legislators are looking to adjourn for...

California bill advances rights for foster children.(state and local news)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... SACRAMENTO, Calif.--Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger strengthened the rights of California's 80,000 children in foster care by signing a bill into law that ensures greater opportunities for youth to be present in court hearings that decide the course...

Louisiana caseworker honored for her work.(state and local news)(Rachel Polo)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... BATON ROUGE, La.--Louisiana child welfare worker Rachel Polo of Denham Springs was recently honored by AdoptUSKids, a national program to promote foster homes and adoption, for her dedication to children and families. Polo, 26, who was...

Nebraska welfare clients can see HHS case files.(state and local news)(Health and Human Services)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... LINCOLN, Neb.--Individuals who receive public benefits can now gain access to documents in their public benefits case files thanks to regulation changes made by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Under the old rule, HHS...

Rhode Island offers proposal for consumer-driven Medicaid overhaul.(state and local news)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... PROVIDENCE, R.I.--Rhode Island Gov.Don Carcieri (R) has offered a proposal to save taxpayers $67 million by overhauling RIte Care, the state's Medicaid program. Under the proposal, details of which are still being worked out between the...

South Dakota set to modernize 30-year-old Medicaid technology.(state and local news)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Pierre S.D.--South Dakota has awarded a $67 million contract to replace its 30-year-old legacy Medicaid Management Information System with a web-compatible platform. The deal went to CNSI, a Rockville, Md.-based software services firm, for...

Wisconsin launches web tool to protect children.(state and local news)(Wisconsin Department of Children and Families)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... MADISON, Wis.--The new Wisconsin Department of Children and Families has launched a web tool that allows the public to search for licensed child care programs and view any inspection reports, rule violations and enforcement actions. The...

American Association of Food Stamp Directors.(affiliates' corner)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... The American Association of Food Stamp Directors board is working hard on this year's conference set for Burlingotn, Vt., Oct. 26-29. The theme is "Fall and Food Stamps-Changing Colors." This is an appropriate theme and title for the...

ISM's ready for bid meeting in San Francisco.(affiliates' corner)(IT Solutions Management)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... All things are set for ISM's 41st annual conference to be held at the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco Aug. 24-27. It promises to be another outstanding conference, with one of the strongest agendas ever and a beautiful venue in the heart of...

NAPIPM eyes History of Innovation.(affiliates' corner)
August 1, 2008... "Philadelphia-A History of Innovation" is the theme for the 29th annual National Association for Program Information and Performance Measurement conference to be held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Philadelphia on Aug. 24-27. The conference is...

Bush signs moratoriums on Medicaid regs.(affiliates' corner)(George W. Bush, regulations)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... On June 30, President Bush signed an emergency was spending bill that included moratoriums on six Medicaid regulations. The regulations are: Optional Case Management, Rehabilitation Opinion, School Based Services, Public Provider Cost Limit,...

Initiative aims to provide standards for child welfare.(the field works)
August 1, 2008... If we were to conduct a scan of public child welfare in the United States, odds are that we would be unable to find two agencies that approach their work in the same way. To a certain extent, this variance between agencies is necessary. Every...

Child Protection: Using Research to Improve Policy and Practice.(Book review)
August 1, 2008... The National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being was the first nationally representative study of children who have been reported to authorities as suspected victims of child abuse. Child Protection: Using Research to Improve Policy and...

The Promise of Welfare Reform Political Rhetoric And the Reality of Poverty In the Twenty-First Century.(Brief article)(Book review)
August 1, 2008... Since the landmark 1996 welfare reform legislation, researchers and advocates have generated a plethora of studies about this policy shift and its implications for poor women and families, while politicians and public officials in the United...

Staff spotlight.(Trischana Davies)(Interview)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Name... Trischana Davies Time at APHSA... Two years [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Title... Program Analyst, Organizational Effectiveness Place of Birth... Prince Frederick, Md. A Typical Day Starts With...

Sharlynn Bobo.(newsmakers)
August 1, 2008... Sharlynn Bobo, director of the D.C. Child and Family Services Agency, has resigned. Roque Gerald was named as interim director.

Bob Butterworth.(newsmakers)
August 1, 2008... Florida Department of Children and Families Secretary Bob Butterworth resigned after exceeding his 18-month commitment to Gov. Crist.

Cari DeSantis.(news markers)(Casey Family Programs)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... APHSA Board President Cari DeSantis has been named executive vice president for public affairs and communications for Casey Family Programs in Seattle. She was Delaware's Cabinet secretary for children, youth and their families for nearly eight...

Bill Hogan.(newsmakers)
August 1, 2008... Bill Hogan is serving as acting commissioner of Alaska's Health and Social Services Department. Hogan replaces I Karleen Jackson.

Howard Hendrick.(news markers)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... APHSA Board member Howard Hendrick, an attorney and former state senator, marked his 10th year at the helm of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services in July. Of all the human service directors currently in office nationwide, Hendrick is...

Bryan Johnston.(news markers)(Obituary)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... We were deeply shocked and sad dened to learn of the sudden death of Bryan Johnston, who was serving as interim Oregon child welfare director. Johnston was a dedicated public servant who was a former member of the Oregon state legislature. He...

Michael Noda.(news markers)
August 1, 2008... Michael Noda is the new director of human services for Siskiyou County, California. He replaced Nadine Della Bitta.

Kimberly Ricketts.(news markers)
August 1, 2008... Kimberly Ricketts was appointed to lead the New Jersey Department of Children and Families in June.

Don Thompson.(news markers)
August 1, 2008... Don Thompson has been named head of the Mississippi Department of Human Services, replacing Don Taylor who retired on July 1.

Page Walley.(news markers)(Alabama Department of Human Resources)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Alabama Department of Human Resources Commissioner Page Walley has resigned, effective Sept. 1, to take the position as managing director at Casey Family Programs after the Seattle-based foundation agreed to make Birmingham a Southeastern hub...

Jeff Woodard.(news markers)
August 1, 2008... Jeff Woodard is the new director for Warren County Social Services, Warrenton, N.C. He replaced Henry Hayes.

Family centered in all that he does, Hendrick shares.(news markers)(Brief article)(Photograph)
August 1, 2008... Family centered in all that he does, Hendrick shares an emotional moment after three of his four children, from left, Christiana, Cally and Hudson thanked the audience for honoring their father. Not pictured is Chelsey, who is married and lives...

Most common writing mistakes.(words on words)
August 1, 2008... Most writing errors are a mixture of misspellings and grammatical errors, although these days there is an increasingly thin line between what is right and what is acceptable as proper usage, what is literate and what's colorful. Over my past 31...

Turn your clients into advocates.(communications corner)
August 1, 2008... Marketing isn't usually the main focus of human service agencies. It isn't even one of the top 10 priorities. Hampered by budget cuts, high employee turnover, a tidal wave of paperwork and a fractured system of public and nonprofit delivery,...

Kids to receive declining share of federal spending.(noted studies)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... "Kids' Share 2008: How Children Fare in the Federal Building," a study from the Urban Institute and New America Foundation, demonstrates that children are a diminishing priority in the federal budget. If the current spending and revenue...

CLASP studies Low-Income Babies.(noted studies)(Center for Law and Social Policy's report Ensuring Quality Care for Low-Income Babies: Contracting Directly with Providers to Expand and Improve Infant and Toddler Care)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... "Ensuring Quality Care for Low-Income Babies: Contracting Directly with Providers to Expand and Improve Infant and Toddler Care," says that the supply of high-quality infant and toddler child care is limited, particularly for low-income...

Reducing unplanned pregnancies through Medicaid family planning services.(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... There is widespread consensus among the American public that rates of teen pregnancy and unintended pregnancies to young, unmarried women are too high. Approximately 30 percent of teenage girls in the United States become pregnant and 20...

A new safety net for low-income families.(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Low-income families have not progressed much in the past two decades. One-third of America's families with children are low income, meaning their incomes fall below twice the federal poverty level (about $40,000 for a family of four in 2006)....

Low-income working families face the greatest risks, according to the authors.(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... This essay synthesizes an integrated set of policy proposals designed to fulfill these goals and based on four principles: * Work should pay enough to cover the basic costs of everyday family living. When hard work fails to cover the costs...

Social enterprise collaboration for improved client outcomes.(making things happen)
August 1, 2008... Record high gas prices, the rising cost of food and a struggling economy are only a few of the realities facing families across the country today. For many, the only alternative is to seek assistance from the community, including government...

Children's share.(numbers in the news)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... * The children's share of the federal budget inched up 0.7 percent from fiscal year 2006 to 2007 (1.6 percentage points slower than the gross domestic product) while the non-child portions of three major entitlements (Social Security, Medicare...

Head Start.(numbers in the news)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... * In 2006, the Head Start Program served 1, 080, 627 young children and 10, 825 pregnant women through 2, 696 grantees throughout the country, about 26, 000 more children and 340 more pregnant women than in 2005. Eighty-eight percent of...

Health care.(numbers in the news)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... * Increasingly, children in Head Start are receiving health care through public programs, even though 70 percent of families had one or both parents working in 2006. The percentage of children with private insurance declined to 10 percent...

Pregnancies.(numbers in the news)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... * Half of all pregnancies in the United States are reported by the mother as being unintended. More than one-third of these (1.1 million pregnancies in 2001) are to unmarried women in their twenties. These pregnancies accounted for nearly...

The June 2008 employment rate.(numbers in the news)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... * U.S. payroll employment declined by 62,000 in June 2008, which represents the sixth straight month of job losses. The June 2008 employment rate of the nation's teens was only 37 percent, 2.5 percentage points below the teen employment...

Without any changes federal law.(numbers in the news)(health care spending)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... * Without any changes in federal law, total spending on health care will rise from 16 percent of gross domestic product in 2007 to 25 percent in 2025 and 49 percent in 2082. At the same time, net federal spending on Medicare and Medicaid...

In our do'ers profile, we highlight some of the hardworking and talented individuals in public human services. This issue features Uma Ahluwalia of the Montgomery County (Maryland) department of health and human services.(our do'ers profile)(Personal account)
August 1, 2008... Name: Uma Ahluwalia Title: Director, Department of Health and Human Services, Montgomery County, Maryland [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Years of Service: 18 months in current job; over 18 years of health and human services experience ...