Illinois Scope of Work 2026-2027.docx

Department of Children and Family Services The Child Welfare Policy and Practice Group Sole Source B-51262 Section VI #2 Scope of Work FY26-27 Activities and Deliverables:

1. Division of Quality Assurance The Child Welfare Policy and Practice Group (CWG) will provide training, coaching, and consultation in the Division of Quality Assurance’s (QA) program and practices areas to gather and document findings through case reviews and child, parent, caregiver, and stakeholder interviews. CWG will use training and performance coaching methods to strengthen reviewers’ practice knowledge and increase interview and documentation skills for staff to gather quality information during the review process.

Active Listening: Listen to the interviewee, making sure to hear and understand their points. Avoid interrupting and let them finish their thoughts before responding. Show empathy and understanding through non-verbal cues like nodding and maintaining eye contact.

Effective Questioning: Use open-ended questions to encourage detailed responses (e.g., "Can you describe a time when...?"). Follow up probing questions to dig deeper into specific areas (e.g., "What happened next?"). Avoid leading questions that might influence the interviewee's responses.

Building Rapport: Establish trust and a comfortable environment to help interviewees feel at ease. Show genuine interest in their experiences and perspectives. Be respectful and non-judgmental, regardless of the information shared. Be aware of and respect cultural differences that may affect the interview process. Adapt your interviewing techniques to be culturally sensitive and inclusive.

Observation Skills: Notice non-verbal cues such as body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice, which can provide additional context. Be attentive to inconsistencies between verbal and non-verbal communication.

Documentation: Take clear and concise notes during the interview to ensure accurate recording of information. Summarize key points at the end of the interview to confirm understanding with the interviewee.

Neutrality and Objectivity: Remain unbiased and avoid injecting individual opinions or assumptions. Stay focused on the facts and evidence presented during the interview.

Patience and Sensitivity: Be patient and give interviewees time to respond, especially when discussing sensitive or traumatic experiences. Show sensitivity to the emotional state of the interviewee and provide support if needed.

CWG will use the following Learning techniques to develop DQA reviewer skills.

Coaching:

· CWG will work collaboratively with ACR, QEST, RST, and UIUC-FCURP to review, adapt and or create case review guidelines, interview processes, and validation activities to improve quality reviews. CWG will train, demonstrate and coach reviewers to successful implementation of review practices.

Training

· Provide cross-division training focused on collaborative learning and relationship building with and among DQA offices. Training courses include yet are not limited to: 1) inquiring about quality child and family team meeting, 2) probing the quality services planning including the use of SMART goals, 3) use of interviewing skills such as reflections, reframing, open-ended solution-based questions etc., to gather qualitative information for parents, youth, staff and providers.

· CWG will support the DQA managers to develop and deliver learning labs to agencies that request help to address areas in need of improvement in critical practice areas as identified during the reviews.

· Attend and present at annual all staff meetings.

Consultation and Planning Meetings:

· CWG will team with DQA leadership regarding changes to their program review instruments and provide coaching that emphasizes quality inquiries with families, DCFS, Child Welfare Contributing Agency’s, and stakeholders.

· CWG will facilitate monthly check-in with DQA unit leadership to update progress as well as to surface challenges and to identify opportunities to improve the review process.

Project Management

· Report writing and attending DQA staff meetings.

2. Agency Performance Monitoring & Execution Agency Performance Monitoring and Execution plays a critical role in monitoring quality and outcomes for children and their families. When direct service utilizes Child and Family Team Meetings (CFTM) in a frequent and quality-focused manner, practice and outcomes for safety, permanency, and well-being will improve. It is further believed that Agency monitoring has a positive impact on the use of CFTM by reinforcing CFTM as a priority and using a more hands-on approach in the participation and coaching of selected CFTM’s. For this to occur, the Department will utilize CWG as support for APME staff in the CFTM model, with the intent that APME will attend selected CFTM meetings with an agency worker for the purpose of supporting supervisors to coach and reinforce the need for quality CFTM’s. (CWG will work with DCFS to revise the current CFTM Model.)

CWG deliverables for Agency Performance, Monitoring and Execution – Note that trainings and coached observations may occur in person; however, virtual platforms are the primary venue.

Coaching:

· CWG will continue to provide coaching and consultation to the APME managers, supervisors, and monitors on the use of the CFTM rating tool and scoring guide.

· CWG will continue coaching the managers and monitors on how to provide behaviorally specific strengths and need-based feedback to the permanency worker/supervisors or designated CFTM facilitators relative to the quality of the CFTM observed.

· CWG will develop a tool for approval of monitor’s ability to observe, rate and provide feedback to CWCA’s and DCFS on CFTM observation findings.

Consultation and Planning Meetings:

· CWG will provide skills building training to APME in order to develop strategies to engage and educate CFTM team members about guardianship options with an emphasis on Kin Gap/Subsidized Guardianship.

· CWG will collaborate with the Associate Deputy Director in developing a data collection instrument and methodology to analyze findings from the CFTM observations.

Training

· At the request of the APME Associate Deputy Director and or APME regional managers, CWG will provide the Overview of CFTM, Navigating the CFTM Rating Tool and Scoring Guide, “Playbook” and “Permanency Talk” trainings to newly hired monitors and/or offer refresher courses at the request of APME Managers

· CWG will host bi-annual Permanency Skill Building Sessions with APME leadership and monitors. CWG will develop targeted skill building workshops at their request.

Support to the Child Welfare Contributing Agencies and DCFS.

Targeted Support is phase II in partnering with APME monitors, DCFS and CWCAs through our monthly CFTM observations and feedback. It provides direct coaching to supervisors and workers regarding the Child and Family Teaming Practice and its direct impact on the Child and Family Team Meeting. The coaching and modeling focus on all core elements of an effective CFTM, which can help achieve permanency more efficiently. Targeted Support also aids in developing individualized coaching plans for supervisors and workers, enhancing their facilitation skills and competency in delivering effective CFTMs and shifting practice from compliance plans to behaviorally driven planning. Additionally, Targeted Support bolsters the partnership for permanency with APME and strategic planning. Lastly the Quality Enhancement and Sustainability program (phase III) is designed to increase the frequency of quality applications of key practices such as family engagement, child and family teaming and the strategic use of CFTM’s. This in turn supports timely permanency, placement stability and reduction of maltreatment in care.

Project Management

· Report writing and attending APME leadership meetings.

3. Office of Research and Child Well-Being’s Equity-Centered Strength-Focused Approach

CWG will provide support to the Office of Research and Child Well-Being’s Equity-Centered Strength-Focused Approach as they continue to explore practice strategies to improve wellbeing through teaming with families:

· Provide technical assistance and consultation on the application of CFTM practice.

· Provide curriculum modifications and strategic consultation relative to the expansion of the CFTM model.

4. BH Executive Support and WIRL

CWG will collaborate with the BH Executive Administrators and BH Liaisons to refine SIP implementation strategies aimed at reducing maltreatment in care and increasing permanency exits from long‑term care to reunification, guardianship, and adoption. CWG will also continue providing coaching and clinical consultation services to support the WIRL program.

CWG will continue coaching the BH Liaisons, who in turn will provide consultation to DCFS and CWCA supervisors and workers. This consultation is designed to strengthen case practice through the implementation of high‑quality child and family team meeting practices. This includes training and coaching to enhance family engagement, strengths‑ and needs‑based planning, and trauma‑informed casework practices.

· CWG will provide clinical consultation, coaching, and training to support the Multidisciplinary Team, Professional Team, and Child and Family Team in their work with Youth Needing Intervention (YNI).

· CWG will conduct case record reviews and interviews with YNI youth, parents and/or caregivers, and the caseworker to complete the WIRL review tool.

· CWG will partner with the BH Team Lead to ensure high‑quality child and family teaming practice, reinforcing consistent, family‑centered facilitation across regions.

· CWG will identify and elevate systemic barriers that impede timely permanency and collaborate with partners to address those challenges.

· CWG will surface program needs and recommend solutions aimed at reducing placement disruptions for YNI youth and strengthening stability and relational security.

· CWG will provide weekly “Coaching Time” for WIRL supervisors and workers, focusing on identifying services, interventions, and solutions for children and young people with complex needs through the child and family teaming process.

· CWG will provide guidance, coaching, clinical support, and technical assistance to ensure that child and family teaming is strengths‑ and needs‑based, family‑driven, trauma informed, culturally responsive, and aligned with agency standards and emerging best practices.

· CWG will design and deliver targeted learning labs that prepare liaisons for virtual, or in‑person practice coaching sessions. For example, a learning lab may focus on conducting the “permanency talk” with unlicensed homes/caregivers or crafting need‑based services. These sessions will lead into coaching opportunities where CWG models effective practice techniques for facilitating the CFTM process

· Drawing on insights gained from collaboration with partner sites, CWG will continue its partnership with BH to deliver coaching and technical assistance to additional regions within the state. This effort will be guided by an updated Action Plan Blueprint (APB), designed to support the Child and Family Teaming Practice model and promote timely permanency for youth.

Project Management

· Report writing and attending staff meetings.

Justification:

On September 28, 2016, the Court entered a jointly proposed DCFS Implementation Plan. In that Plan, the Court Order provides that The Child Welfare Policy and Practice Group (CWG) will assist DCFS with development of the curriculum, development and implementation of the Core Practice training model and training logistics at immersion sites, as well as the development and implementation of a Quality Service Review (QSR) process. Because the Core Practice Model represents a fundamental shift in casework and supervisory practice in Illinois, DCFS has retained The Child Welfare Policy and Practice Group as an expert to consult and provide input on the implementation of the model. The Child Welfare Policy and Practice Group will assist DCFS with development of the curriculum, development and implementation of the training model, and training logistics at immersion sites.

Implementation of the second phase of expansion of the Core Practice Model began in FY20. As the Core Practice Model rolls out to the state, we believe that casework practice will improve and that more children will achieve permanency and exit the child welfare system. FY21 goals included CWG consultation to the Department to help identify and sustain the implementation drivers that support taking the model to scale. CWG has supported DCFS in these efforts to implement statewide since 2016 and has developed a working knowledge of operations within Illinois. To change vendors mid-stream would significantly delay DCFS’ efforts to achieve statewide implementation.

Budget Expense Assumptions

· Professional Fee $1200.00 per consultant day/ $150.00 per hour.

· Airline Travel $1000.00 (Average)per trip

· Federal Meal per diem $68.00

· Federal Lodging (Average) $175.00 per day

· Ground Transportation (car rental, taxi/uber, mileage and airport parking etc.) $80 per day.

The Child Welfare Policy and Practice Group 360 North Hull Street Montgomery, Alabama 36104 334-264-8300