Training/Technical Assistance & Best Practices
Best Practice Summary: Outline for FAPT Presentations: Guidelines for Case Managers Training
Locality: Portsmouth
Contact: Gail Schreiner, CSA Program Administrator
Phone Number: (757) 405-1894
Email Address: ges740@eastern.dss.state.va.us
Description of Best Practice:
The Portsmouth and Suffolk CSA offices have worked collaboratively with Carpe Diem of Virginia, Inc. to develop a comprehensive three hour training to Case Managers to enhance their presentation skills and address locality specific expectations and procedures. The training can be made specific to each locality. Carpe Diem of Virginia , Inc. facilities this training on request.
What have been the benefit results of the implementations?
Case Managers are more effective presenters at FAPT meetings and have a clear understanding of there responsibilities.
Estimated savings:
None stated
Barriers to overcome:
None stated
Click here to access FAPT Case ManagerTraining Presentation 
Best Practice Summary: Permanent Parent FAPT Representative
Locality: Portsmouth
Contact: Gail Schreiner, CSA Program Administrator
Phone Number: (757) 405-1894
Email Address: ges740@eastern.dss.state.va.us
Description of Best Practice: The Portsmouth CSA Office in conjunction with the Planning Council’s Family Resource Center have collaborated in advertising, selecting and training a permanent Parent Representative for the FAPT. A daily stipend is provided to the Parent Representative for each full day of FAPT. The Parent Representative is responsible for explaining the FaPT process to family members, writing reminders cards of FAPT meetings for families sitting on CPMT and assisting with the development of the child’s ISP.
What have been the benefit results of the implementations?
The Parent Representative becomes acquainted with all children and families that are served in the locality. The Parent Representative works diligently to encourage increased parental participation in the FAPT process. Families appear more comfortable in having a permanent Family Representative available and are able to seek support and information about the FAPT process through the Parent Representative.
Estimated savings:
None stated
Barriers to overcome:
None stated
Click here to access FAPT Parent Training Presentation
Best Practice Summary: Parenting Skills Program
Locality: Lee County
Contact: Barbara Surber, Child Protective Services Supervisor
Phone Number: (276) 346-1010
Email Address: bjs105@western.dss.state.va.us
Description of Best Practice: Lee County Department of Social Services in collaboration with Lee County Head Start and Lee County Schools has developed a pro-active approach in building skills with families providing early intervention/prevention services. A parenting education program has been purchased by Lee County Department of Socials Services to be used by multiple agencies in teaching appropriate parenting skills. Additional local agencies will utilized the parenting skills program including the Lonesome Pine Office on Youth.
What have been the benefit/results of the implementations? The Lee County community as a whole will receive positive parenting information through collaborative community efforts. Approximately 8,000 “easy parenting” guides will be distributed to the community between September 2004 and May 2005. Since the mailing of some of these guides in September 2004, no responses have been received back from parents regarding the parenting guides as of yet, however, the locality is anxiously anticipating positive feedback within the upcoming months ahead.
Estimated savings: The Quality Initiative Funding provides funding for Lee County Head Start. “Al’s Pals”, a Head Start Program currently being utilized, uses these funds to provide staff training. Funding from the Lonesome Pine Office on Youth is being utilized for Day Care Provider Trainings. The “ABC’s of Parenting” is a seven-session-school-based program for parents and children from kindergarten through eight years of age. CSA administrative monies are also being utilized to purchase Parent Programs. “Common Sense Parenting Training” provides trainings, parent manuals, video tapes and a certificate of completion to its participants.
Barriers to overcome: Since this locality is a rural part of the state, request for funding from a number of other organizations is difficult to obtain, however this program has demonstrated numerous ways to obtain funding through various areas which has resulted in maximizing the use of funding to its full potential.
Best Practice Summary: Southwest Regional Steering Committee
Localities: City of Roanoke, City of Salem, Craig County, Botetourt County, Floyd County, Franklin County, Montgomery County and Roanoke County
Contact: Natalie Webster
Phone Number: (540) 853-5635
Email Address: Natalie_Elliott@ci.roanoke.va.us
Description of Best Practice:
The City of Roanoke, City of Salem, Craig County, Botetourt County, Floyd County, Franklin County, Montgomery County and Roanoke County CPMTs have been selected locality CSA representatives as members of a Southwest Regional Steering Committee. The Southwest Regional Steering Committee has a representative from all the localities listed above and meets on a quarterly basis to discuss current CSA trends within the region as to actions required to meet those needs.
What have been the benefits results of the implementation?
The Southwest Regional Steering Committee membership provides an ongoing opportunity for localities to form a regional perspective to assess and make recommendations that impact CSA across a wide variety of areas including local policies, procedures, providers, resources, trends, etc. as a regional committee.
Estimated savings: None stated.
Barriers to overcome: None stated.
Best Practice Summary: Resource Guide for Locality Children, Youth and Families
Location: City of Alexandria
Contact: Janet Bessmer or Janice Pritchett
Phone Number: (703) 838-0700
Email address: janet.bessmer@ci.alexandria.va.us
or janice.pritchett@ci.alexandria.va.us
Description of Best Practice:
The resource guide for the City of Alexandria children, youth and families was developed under the auspices of the Social Services Advisory Board, the Early Childhood Commission and the Youth Policy Commission. The guide contains a wide variety of comprehensive resource information of available services and programs provided by the City of Alexandria, state, regional and community agencies that serve Alexandrians. The resource guide contains helpful information about developmental milestones, immunization schedules, and other relevant information about successful parenting.
What have been the benefits/results of the implementation?
The resource guide has been distributed to over 7,000 families including to students in public and private schools. Resource Guides were also distributed to day care centers, libraries, recreation centers and the citizen assistance office. The City of Alexandria is currently in the final stages of developing a Spanish version of the resource guide. Approximately 4,000 Spanish versions of the resource guide will be distributed to schools, health departments and multi-cultural service agencies. The City of Alexandria continues to receive multiple requests for copies of the resource guide from a variety of agencies as well as local schools. Parents, schools and agencies have complimented the City of Alexandria regarding the resource guide.
Estimated savings: None stated.
Barriers to overcome: None stated.
Link to the City of Alexandria Resource Guide for Children, Youth and Families:
http://www.ci.alexandria.va.us/dhs/children_and_youth_services/CHILDI&R.PDF 
Best Practice Summary: Locality CSA Web Page
Locality: City of Roanoke
Contact: Natalie Elliot
Phone Number: (540) 853-5635
Email address: Natalie-Elliot@ci.roanoke.va.us
Web Site address: http://www.roanokegov.com/csa
Description of Best Practice:
The City of Roanoke has developed and implemented a locality specific CSA web site. Visitors to the web site can access FAPT meeting schedules, budget information, local contact information, state and local CSA training opportunities as well as frequently asked questions and CSA staff. The City of Roanoke indicates that the development time for the web site was approximately 36-48 hours which included classroom and office time. Maintenance of the web site is approximately 5 hours per month. Start-up costs were reported to have been approximately $2,000.
What have been the benefits/results of the implementation?
CSA stakeholders now have easy access to locality specific CSA information and a link to the state CSA web site at http://www.csa.virginia.gov. This Roanoke City CSA web site is especially helpful to parents whose children who are at-risk in the community through the provision of available resources identified on this local CSA web site. The local CSA Coordinator has received telephone calls for CSA referrals based upon information provided on the web site. Persons who were interested in attending the CSA Vendor Fair on May 21, 2004 were provided information about the fair on this web site. During the month of April 2004, there were 155 views to the web site and 86 views to the web site from May 1, 2004-May 16, 2004. Views are defined as visits to the web page by visitors. Roanoke City plans to add additional information to the web site on an ongoing basis.
Estimated savings: None stated.
Barriers to overcome: None stated.
Best Practice Summary: CSA Vendor Fair and Training
Locality: Southwestern, Virginia
Contact: Natalie Elliot
Phone Number: (540) 853-5635
Email address: Natalie-Elliot@ci.roanoke.va.us
Web Site address: http://www.roanokegov.com/csa
Description of Best Practice:
The Southwestern Regional CSA Coordinators Committee sponsored its 3rd Annual Southwestern Regional CSA Vendor Fair schedule on May 21, 2004 at the Roanoke Civic Center in Roanoke. Training was provided for participants in number of workshops including Medication Management, Therapy, Understanding the Individual Education Process and Foster Care to Adult Services. Attending the event were more than fifty CSA providers, CSA Coordinators, CPMT Members, FAPT Members, statewide CSA Case Managers and other CSA related participants.
What have been the benefits/results of the implementation?
Increased collaboration between local governments and CSA providers has occurred for most participants. The CSA Vendor Fair provided an opportunity to strengthen the "working relationship" between multiple CSA players. CSA provider rates were provided at the vendor fair by CSA providers. The CSA vendor fair provided an opportunity for both training as well as general information regarding CSA providers at the same venue. Community-based service provider participation and residential CSA provider participation continues to increase by 15-20 new CSA vendors’ participation each year over the last three years. Over 300 participants were estimated to attend the CSA Vendor Fair on May 21, 2004.
Estimated savings: Not known.
Barriers to overcome: None stated.
Best Practice Summary: CSA Data Set Checklists
Best Practice Area: Collaboration
Locality: King William County
Contact: Anne Porter
Phone Number: (276) 466-3006
Email Address: agp101@central.dss.state.va.us
Description of Best Practice: This locality has developed standardized CSA Data Set forms that are completed by the CSA Case Manager prior to being entered in the CSA Data Set
system.
What have been the benefits and/or results of implementation? Consistency in the collection and entering the case specific information in the CSA Data Set system.
Estimated Savings: None stated.
Barriers to Overcome: None stated.
Best Practice Summary: Local CSA Web Group
Locality: Bristol City/Washington County
Contact: Ernie Braganza
Phone Number: (276) 645-4710
Email Address: ebraganza@highlandscsb.org
Description of Best Practice: This locality has established a on- line web group for FAPT Members, CSA Case Managers and referring agencies as a resource for CSA forms, local and state CSA
polices and training materials. Also included is a calendar feature
that reminds FAPT members of upcoming meetings, a local CSA
data base, FAQ’s, message board and a variety of links to helpful
web sites.
What have been the benefits and/or results of implementation? Local CSA stake holders are notified when any new form/s is modified or new to the system and the reader can download and save the form. This has prevented outdated forms from being utilized thereby saving time and costs for copying outdated materials for FAPT meetings. In a broader perspective, the
on-line web group for FAPT members increases communication among the local team and keeps interested CSA partners
updated.
Estimated Savings: None stated.
Barriers to Overcome: None stated.
Best Practice Summary: CSA Services Needs Assessment of
Community Based Services
Locality: Highland County
Contact: Beth Armstrong
Phone Number: (540) 499-2062
Email Address: emtb77@intelos.net
Description of Best Practice: A rural, community based “needs assessment” was conducted by United Methodist Family Services which included rural Highland County.
What have been the benefits and or results of implementation? Two service providers of home-based services are, as a result of the needs assessment, considering delivery of home-based services based upon the needs identified.
Estimated Savings: Information not available
Barriers to Overcome: Travel distances for potential providers
Best Practice Summary: County Day Services Program
Locality: Bedford County
Contact: Gary Harper
Phone Number: (540) 586-7646
Email Address: harpergl@djj.state.va.us
Description of Best Practice: The Bedford County Day Services Program was established in the Summer of 1999 as a much needed collaboration between the schools, law enforcement, social service agencies and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. The Bedford County Day Services Program is funded through locality dollars and the Bedford YMCA operates the program.
What have been the benefits and or results of the implementation? The program has improved the self esteem, communication skills, team work, cooperation support, trust, self reliance and problem solving skills of the participants through participation in the ropes course, community awareness projects and recreational activities. Specific examples of benefits include visiting local nursing homes, assisting senior citizens with yard work and clean up projects and volunteering for other community activities.
Estimated Savings: Information not available
Barriers to Overcome: None stated
Best Practice Summary: Collaboration with local Community Services Board
Locality: Essex and King and Queen Counties
Contact: Beth Moon
Phone Number: (804) 330-5818
Email Address: bethmoon@attbi.com
Description of Best Practice: The Middle Peninsula Northern Neck Community Services Board has been expanding its services to youth and families. The CPMT utilized Safe and Stable funding for the Community Services Board therapist to work 1 day a week at the local DSS to provide no cost counseling services to families.
What have been the benefits/results of the implementation? There is currently no waiting list for Community Services Board counseling services. The therapist is willing to see families in their homes which is helpful considering there is little or no public transportation in the locality.
Estimated savings: $150.00 per assessment
Barriers to overcome: None stated
Best Practice Summary: Collaborative Retreat
Commonwealth of Virginia
Office of Comprehensive Services
Locality “Best Practices” Proposal
Locality Name: Fluvanna County
Locality Contact Employee: Jacqueline A. Meyers, PhD
Address: PO Box 540 Palmyra, VA 23022
Phone Number: 434-591-1933
Email Address: jmeyers@co.fluvanna.va.us
Title of “ Locality Best Practice”: CSA Retreat
Description of Locality “Best Practice”: Twice, yearly, in the
months of April and October , the Fluvanna County CSA department sponsors
a retreat for all CSA stakeholders.
The CSA Department develops a training manual of all the materials that will
be used in the retreat, and are relevant to discussion topics. The CSA department
hires a professional to facilitate the morning activities, which are negotiated
ahead of time between the facilitator and the local CSA staff. Activities
address issues between stakeholders in the CSA system, promote understanding
of roles and expectations each might have of the other, and work on relationship
issues that may be the cause of friction between agencies. Lunch is provided.
In the afternoon, we have a joint CPMT/FAPT meeting, where cases are presented
by case managers to both teams. The case managers are present to answer any
questions CPMT/FAPT may have. Lively debates often occur!
What have been the benefits/results of the implementation of this “Best
Practice?” How long has the locality been utilizing this practice?
Both teams develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of the role and
challenges facing each team. This approach has been especially helpful in
creating a vehicle where problems can be addressed early and resolved. It
gives an equal voice to all parties, and over time, participants have become
more comfortable with initiating discussions of a more sensitive nature. Each
team comes away with a positive attitude and an increased willingness to work
together. CPMT understands cases from a service perspective, and FAPT develops
a more profound knowledge of fiscal issues. This process has resulted in more
use of community based services and has reduced our local match rate. The
Fluvanna County CSA department has been hosting CSA Retreats since 2002.
After the retreats, all of the notes from both the facilitator’s exercises
and discussions from the joint CPMT/FAPT meeting are written up in a CSA Retreat
Summary and distributed to all the participants. The CSA department’s
goals and objectives are taken from this document, so that it translates into
a working document, mutually agreed upon by the teams. Ultimately, it provides
our CSA program with direction and guidance for the future, so that development
is an on-going process.
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