For child protective services cases, one category on the Strength/Needs Assessment for substantiated reports is Child Characteristics. This addresses any physical, emotional or intellectual problem and the degree of severity for each child. As part of the on-going case planning with the family, the case manager and family must address a child's educational needs in the case plan whenever this is identified as a need in the family.

The Standards for Comprehensive Child and Family Assessments - FORM #65 (Rev. 6/1/00) developed by the Division of Family and Children Services supports the Division's Reform Strategy - First Placement Best Placement. As part of the Comprehensive Child and Family Assessment, there is an Educational Evaluation Assessment that must be completed. If counties choose to purchase just the Educational Evaluation, they may do so on the Prorated Assessment Invoice for a maximum amount of $100.00 per child.

The Education Evaluation portion of the comprehensive assessment includes a copy of any school records (grades, discipline reports, attendance records and achievements) within the last school year, a brief summary statement on the child's current functioning in the current grade level and any other significant issues and the completion of a three (3) page Educational form. This form was designed by a consultant from the Department of Education who participates on our State Agency MATCH Committee. It is valid for a one-year period, after which the Case manager is responsible for maintaining the child's school records and updating any school information in the file. (Social Services Manual Chapter 1011.7) The three (3) page form covers the child's strengths, needs, and request results of a child's Individualized Educational Plan (IEP).

Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Staffings are a requirement of the FORM #65. Private providers are allowed a maximum of 60 days from date of removal to complete the comprehensive assessment process. The MDT is comprised of the private provider, DFCS staff persons (case manager, supervisor, director, etc.) and any additional representatives of the child and/or family involved in the life of the child/family. The charge of the MDT is to review the assessment components and provide recommendations on placement appropriateness and service provision. Recommendations are then incorporated into the Case Plan. These recommendations are individualized and tailored to meet the needs of the child, birth family and caregivers.

The Case Plan Reporting System (CPRS) - {Online Case Plan) is an Internet based data entry system that was developed as a collaborative effort between the Supreme Courts of Georgia, Georgia Tech Research Institute and the Division of Human Resources - Division of Family and Children Services. The CPRS is currently in process of being implemented by DHR. Training began February 19 and continues to March 31, 2001. The CPRS is being piloted in 19 counties statewide with a users base of over 400 case managers. The pilot project for the CPRS began in late September 1999.

The CPRS should be used to complete Case Plans for every child entering care by the casemanager. The Case manager will enter information regarding the Case Plan Goals and Steps and other valuable information and Permanency Plan for the child. An Initial Case Plan is completed within 30 days from Removal and transmitted via Internet to the Juvenile Court Judge assigned to the case. The Judge will offer changes, recommendations and/or approve the Case Plan. Once approved the Case Plan is locked into a data base housed at the Archive Building. Periodic reviews are completed on a child from a mirror image or "draft" case plan available to the case manager. Each case manager has been assigned a user ID and password. They may access the Case Plan from any computer in the world via Internet access.

There is an Education section on the CPRS. This section should be completed on every child who is 4 years and older. This section covers the name of the school system, address, phone number, type of classroom placement, explores, it the child is attending school on a regular basis and performing at grade level and whether or not the child has any special educational needs. It also asks if the child has changed schools because of the removal and whether or not the school records are found in the child's file.