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The Federal Child and Family Services Review Project

PROGRAM IMPROVEMENT PLAN

Background
The Program Improvement Plan (PIP) planning and implementation process officially begins after the onsite review is completed. For any of the outcomes or systemic factors in which the State is determined not to be in substantial conformity, the State must develop and implement a PIP designed to correct the area of non-conformity. The determination is made based on the findings of the statewide assessment, onsite review and State data profile in the outcomes and systemic factors areas. The PIP, which will be finalized during the summer of 2008, will allow the State two years to achieve specific performance targets in these areas. The PIP will incorporate actions to ensure that California moves in the direction of conformity with federal requirements.

PIP KICK-OFF MEETING MATERIALS

Statewide Assessment

California is currently in the 2nd round of Child and Family Service Reviews (CFSR). The initial phase, the Statewide Assessment, was completed in December 2007. The assessment analyzed items of safety, permanency, well-being and systemic factors of the state's child welfare system.

Onsite Review

The onsite review is the second phase of the CFSR and will consist of case reviews in three counties during the week of February 4-8, 2008, as well as local and State level stakeholder interviews. During the onsite review, a combined total of 65 cases will be reviewed. The counties chosen are Los Angeles, Fresno and Santa Clara counties. Los Angeles is a required site as the state's largest metropolitan area and the other sites were chosen based on a representation of State demographics, innovative practices, and their representation of cross-section practice. For further information regarding the selection of the onsite counties, please click here.