AREA I: INCREASED PARENTAL COMPETENCE AS MEASURED BY IMPROVED PARENTING SKILLS

General Program Description: The Parent Education Network (PEN) responds to the county-wide perception that Parenting Programs in Garrett County 1) are inadequately available, 2) are insufficiently publicized, and 3) are under-utilized. PEN has chosen the following strategies to deal with the above-described obstacles to Parenting Programs in the county: 1) development and implementation of a marketing strategy which promotes Parenting Programs, and 2) implementation of a PEN mini-grant program and semi-annual Parenting Training Program which, together, will promote the initiation of new Parenting Programs and the expansion of present Parenting Programs throughout the county. PEN is overseen by the PEN Committee. The Committee is made up of parent-training professionals from throughout the county.

Planned Activities for Next Year: PEN will complete baseline data collection on parenting program service utilization during quarter 1 and begin quarterly data collection on parent-program service utilization during quarter 2. In quarter 1, PEN will also launch the PEN media campaign, and during quarters 2, 3 and 4, PEN will continue the media campaign (see attached timeline for a description of different media campaign components). In quarter 3, PEN will begin a workshop/training series. Finally, PEN will award at least 9 mini-grants throughout the FY, and will continue to regularly review curriculums and educational materials for quality. The PEN committee will meet on a monthly basis and will oversee above-described activities.

Monitoring and Evaluation: During the last quarter of FY 1996, PEN began sending out a quarterly questionnaire to all parenting-program facilitators. Through the first quarter of FY 1997 PEN will collect responses to these questionnaires and tabulate baseline data for the following indicators:

-No. of parents which attend parenting programs during following quarter; -No. of parenting programs available in the community; -No. of parents which attend PEN-financed activities.

In quarter 2 of FY 1997, when PEN has cumulative baseline data for nine consecutive months, it will establish targets for the above indicators for future quarters and years.

AREA II: INCREASED FAMILY SUPPORT AS MEASURED BY INCREASED STABILITY AND INCREASED AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION TO SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES

A. Family Stabilization Services

Program Description: Family Stabilization Services (FSS) responds to the county-wide perception that the limited availability of comprehensive case-management and in-home intervention to certain families potentially at risk of out-of-home placement is an obstacle to decreasing the county's rate of out-of-home placement. FSS provides comprehensive case-management and in-home interventions to those families who are potentially at risk of out-of-home placement and in need of such services but currently unable to access these services through the Department of Social Services Family Now Program or the GC OCYF Family Preservation Program. The FSS program will provide comprehensive case-management services to a least 12 families throughout the year. Duration of care for individual families will be approximately 12 weeks. It is anticipated that FSS will increase the stability of Garrett County families as measured by a) a decrease in the number of referrals to more intensive family preservation programs, and b) a decline in the out-of-home placement rate. The FSS program is overseen by the Review Committee.

Planned Activities for Next Year: In quarter 1, the current contractor will continue to provide family stabilization services. In quarter 2, the Review Committee will issue a new Request for Proposal (RFP), review submitted proposals and award a new grant. Once the FSS contractor has been selected, it will provide FSS services to at least 12 families during the remainder of the fiscal year. Additionally, FSS will begin implementation of its evaluation/monitoring component in quarter 1 of FY 1997. Specifically, the Garrett County Office for Children, Youth and Families (GC OCYF) will administer a client satisfaction interview to recipients of FSS services and a client satisfaction questionnaire to referral sources, and will implement the first phase of MARFY's computerized tracking system (SumOne for Kids) which will monitor long- and short-term results (outcomes) over time. Finally, the Review Committee will continue to examine possible service delivery improvements which will strive to 1) better meet eligible families' needs and 2) improve the continuum of care for all family-based services in Garrett County.

Monitoring and Evaluation: The following two indicators are monitored on a quarterly basis:

-Number of families the FSS Program served; -Number of referrals made to more intensive family preservation services.

Quarterly targets for these indicators are as follows:

-FSS Program serves 4 families per quarter; -Number of referrals to more intensive family preservation services declines

Additionally, OCYF will begin collecting client satisfaction data, and outcome data on families who receive services from the FSS program during quarter 1 of FY 1997. Once sufficient baseline data are collected (by 3rd quarter, approximately), targets will be set.

B. Service and Activity Referral Directory (SARD) Henceforth, Garrett Information Centers

Program Description: SARD responds to the perception among Garrett County professionals that Garrett County families need a comprehensive directory which details services and activities available in the area. SARD will establish an on-line computerized directory of services and activities available in Garrett County. SARD is overseen by the SARD Committee, and a contracted SARD Coordinator is responsible for the day-to-day tasks of compiling directory information and formatting the computerized directory.

Planned Activities for Fiscal Year 1997: The primary activities of SARD during FY 1997 will be to 1) launch a county-wide media campaign during quarter 1 of FY 1997; 2) establish a central telephone information and referral service for children, youth and families in Garrett County by quarter 4; and 3) update database throughout the fiscal year.

AREA III: IMPROVED RECREATIONAL AND SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES IN GARRETT COUNTY BY INCREASING THE NUMBER OF FAMILY ACTIVITIES IN GARRETT COUNTY

A. Alternative Activities

Program Description: The Alternative Activities Program responds to the county-wide perception that there are too few activities for children and families available in Garrett. Additionally, it responds to the impression among Garrett County professionals that the Health Department's Alcohol and Drug Abuse Mini-Grant Program is an excellent--but under-funded--model for increasing the availability of activities for children and families. The Alternative Activities Program provides additional funding to the Health Department's Alcohol and Drug Abuse Mini-Grant Program so that additional community groups, religious organizations and non-profit agencies in different Garrett County communities can implement regularly-scheduled activities for adults and children. The Alternative Activities Program is overseen by the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Mini-Grant Committee.

Planned Activities for Next Year: Alternative Activities will award at least four mini-grants. Recipients of grant monies will implement proposed activities. Additionally, recipients, together with the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Mini-Grant Committee, will execute the monitoring/evaluation component of the mini-grant program.

B. Even-Starts Center

Program Description: The Garrett County Community Action Even-Starts Center is a pilot project at Center at one Head-Start site in the county. This Even-Starts Center provides more intensive services to Head-Start parents than do other Head-Start sites. The project anticipates that by providing more intensives services to Head-Start parents, parents who have received intensive services will be more self-sufficient that other Head-Start parents who do not receive more intensive services.

Planned Activities for Next Year: During quarters 1, 2 and 3 of FY 1997, Garrett County Community Action will continue to implement its experimental "Even-Starts Center." In quarter 3, endline data will be collected at the experimental site and at the control site. During quarter 4, data from the two sites will be cleaned and analyzed. Finally, data from the two sites will be compared in order to determine the impact of the Even-Starts Center on self-sufficiency (quasi-experimental case/control design).

Monitoring and Evaluation:

Indicators for increased self-sufficiency include

-% of parents with GEDS; -% of parents with employment; -% of parents receiving job training.

Baseline data on the control and experimental head start sites were collected during quarter 4 of FY 1997. Endline data will be collected during quarter 3 of 1997, and results will be available in quarter 4 of 1997.

MONITORING INSTRUMENT FOR LOCAL FPSS FIRST QUARTER OF FEDERAL FISCAL YEAR 1997

GARRETT COUNTY MARYLAND

I. Agency Contact. Please identify an agency contact(s) with whom we may coordinate discussions regarding topics in this survey.

Name: Robert T. Stephens Title: Executive Director Agency: Garrett County Office for Children, Youth and Families, Inc. Address: 12423 Garrett Highway Oakland, MD 21550 Telephone: (301) 334-1189 Fax: (301) 334-1893 E-Mail: bob@garrett.ncin.com Form Completed by: Robert T. Stephens Date: January 15, 1997

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II. Evaluation Program Overview. The goal of this report is to determine: How are we doing in meeting stated objectives? Are there issues we need to think about differently? Are we reforming the system through this process?

A. Administration of Program (List here programs identified for development in the local plan and timelines established for planning, development and implementation of activities?)

Area I. Increased Parental Competence as Measured by Improved Parenting Skills

Describe programs taking place. Are we doing what we said we would do? Have we changed or redesigned any of our major activities? Are we meeting established timelines? Identify any barriers/difficulties that may have impeded progress and what we propose to overcome them.

Program Description (Area I: PEN): The Parent Education Network (PEN) responds to a county-wide perception that Parenting Programs in Garrett County: 1) are inadequately available, 2) are insufficiently publicized, and 3) are under-utilized. PEN has chosen the following strategies to deal with the above-described obstacles to Parenting Programs in the county: 1) development and implementation of a marketing strategy which promotes Parenting Programs, and 2) implementation of a PEN mini-grant program and semi-annual Parenting Training Program which, together, will promote the initiation of new Parenting Programs and the expansion of present Parenting Programs throughout the county. PEN is overseen by the PEN Committee. The Committee is made up of concerned community members and parent training professionals from throughout the county.

Activity Summary for Quarter (Area I: PEN): In the last quarter PEN has: 1) approved two more mini-grants, 2) begun implementing a Media strategy (distributed printed materials, advertised in newspapers, selected video programming and finalized negotiations with the local TV station, planned radio spots, 3) provided County-wide training for current and potential parent trainers, 4) completed baseline data collection.

Planned Activities for Next Quarter (Area I: PEN): Next quarter, PEN will 1) Plan another County -wide training, 2) award up to four more mini-grants, 3) continue the PEN media strategy (including airing ads on PEN sponsored training.

Difficulties/Barriers and Overcoming Them (Area I): The PEN committee had developed a strategy to measure attendance over time for cost-related reasons. Base-line data was gathered for a six month period. Collection of data after the implementation of PEN strategies began this quarter. PEN has worked with some of the programs to collect data in an unobtrusive manner. because of the perception by some agencies that our method of collecting data would add work to their employees. A second barrier cited in our fourth quarter report is the apparent apathy and resistance to parenting programs. We have yet to see willing acceptance of a Parenting program that does not have any other drawing card (Youth recreation, mandated by a service provider, etc.). We are continuing to test our hypothesis that parents will take advantage of parent training if: 1) it is offered, and 2) it is well advertised. A. Administration of Program (Cont.)

Area II: Increased Family Support as Measured by Increased Stability and Increased Availability of Information to Services and Activities

Family Stabilization Services (FSS)

Service and Activity Referral Directory (SARD) Henceforth: "Garrett Information Center (GIC)

Program Description (AREA II: FSS): Family Stabilization Services (FSS) responds to the county-wide perception that the limited availability of comprehensive case-management and in-home intervention to certain families potentially at risk of out-of-home placement is an obstacle to decreasing the county's rate of out-of-home placement. FSS provides comprehensive case-management and in-home interventions to those families in need of such services but currently unable to access these services through the Department of Social Services, Families Now Program or the GC OCYF Family Preservation Program. It is anticipated that FSS will increase the stability of Garrett County families as measured by 1) a decrease in the number of referrals to more intensive family preservation programs, and 2) a decline in the out-of-home placement rate. The Local Management Board will use this information for planning. The FSS program is overseen by the "Review Committee".

Activity Summary for Quarter (Area II: FSS): Over the last quarter, the contractor (Burlington United Methodist Family Services, Inc.) continued to provide Family Stabilization Services. To date, 9 families and 25 children have received services via FSS. Last quarter, the contractor began closing cases that had received services. The Review Committee functions as the referral and single point of entry for FSS. The Review Committee is also being used to review all family preservation programs in Garrett County to determine service overlaps and areas of need. This information will be presented to the LMB to help improve the continuum of care. The committee also advertised a new RFP. Burlington Family Services was awarded the contract for FY' 97 with an option to renew for FY' 98 if agreed to by all parties in the contract.

Program Change/Redesign (Area II: FSS): The review committee opted to delay implementing the SumOne for Kids tracking system at this time. There are a number of logistical complications that have prevented implementation of Phase I. We hope to begin implementation of phase I of the SumOne for Kids project during the next quarter.

Planned Activities for Next Quarter (Area II : FSS): The review committee will implement the first phase of MARFY's computerized tracking system (SumOne for Kids) which will monitor long and short-term results (outcomes) over time. The Review Committee will continue to examine possible service delivery improvements which will strive to: 1) better meet eligible families' needs and 2) improve the continuum of care for all family based services in Garrett County.

During the next quarter the FSS review committee will: 1) gather baseline data for full year of FSS, 2) establish targets for future years, and 3) continue to monitor the provision of services by the contractor.

Program Description (AREA II: SARD): SARD responded to the perception among Garrett County professionals and key informants that Garrett County families needed a comprehensive directory which detailed services and activities available in the area. The SARD committee's initial goal was to establish an on-line computerized directory of services and activities available in Garrett County. The committee has developed a much broader goal of being the information hub for family services in Garrett County. To reflect this expanded vision as the Garrett information center, the SARD committee changed the name of the project to "Garrett Information Center (GIC)." The GIC committee is overseen by the GIC Committee, and a contracted GIC Coordinator is responsible for day-to-day tasks of compiling directory information and formatting the computerized directory.

Activity Summary for Quarter (Area II: SARD [GIC]): During the quarter the GIC Committee hosted a Community Information Services course for agency representatives. The course has enabled participants to become proficient in the use of electronic media for accessing and exchanging information about services for families via the Garrett Information Center. The committee continued receiving and entering data in the directory. Policies and procedures for utilization of the directory were established.

Planned Activities for Next Quarter (Area II : SARD [GIC]): In the next quarter the GIC Committee will finish data collection and data entry, and verification of the priority programs. Hard copies will go to print in February and be distributed shortly thereafter. A WEB page with links to County Government and State Agencies will be developed. A media campaign will be initiated to inform the public of the existence and utility of the Garrett Information Center. The GIC Committee will further define their timeline to reflect the addition of the community calendar project (activities directory).

Program Change/Redesign (AREA II): The GIC committee has modified it's timeline due to unexpected complications associated with verification of data. The committee is working with the LMB and community interests to further improve the service delivery system to children and families via the Garrett Information Center.

A. Administration of Program (Cont.)

Area III: Improved Recreational and Social Environment for Children, Youth and Families in Garrett County by Increasing the Number of Family Activities in Garrett County

General Administration The third component of area II, Income Enhancement continues to be in the hands of the "Transition Team" which responded to the closing of Bausch and Lomb. No FFPS funds are being used for the Transition Team. This area will be monitored closely by GC OCYF staff who serve on the Transition Team.

Description and Update (AREA III: Alternative Activities) The Alternative Activities Program responds to the perception among Garrett County citizens that too few activities for children and families are available. Additionally, it responds to the awareness among Garrett County professionals that the Health Department's Alcohol and Drug Abuse Mini-Grant Program is an excellent--but under-funded--model for increasing the availability of activities for children and families. The Alternative Activities Program provides additional funding to the Health Department's Alcohol and Drug Abuse Mini-Grant Program so that additional community groups, religious organizations and non-profit agencies throughout Garrett County can implement regularly scheduled activities for adults and children. The Alternative Activities Program is overseen by the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Mini-Grant Committee.

Activity Summary for Quarter: (Area III: Alternative Activities): During the quarter, mini-grant recipients began implementing their activities. The committee has received reports and data from some of the grant recipients. This data will be used to establish baseline by which future progress will be reported.

Planned Activities for Next Quarter (Area III: Alternative Activities): Next quarter, Alternative Activities will work with the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Mini-Grant Committee to develop guidelines for the award up to four additional mini-grants. They will also continue to gather data for the monitoring and evaluation component of the project.

Program Description (Area III: Even Start): The Even Start project is a collaborative project between the FFPS program and Garrett County Head Start. It has been developed as a pilot which will provide more intensive services to parents of the pilot site. Parents who receive intensive services will be more self-sufficient than other Head Start parents.

Activity Summary for Quarter: (Area III: Even Start): Head Start began full implementation of the Even Start program at the Jennings site. Pre-test data was collected at the experimental and control sites to allow for analysis of the data after the intervention. Center staff began developing treatment plans and began providing services to parents at the center.

Planned Activities for Next Quarter: (Area III: Even Start): The Even Start Center will continue operation and collection of data. Head Start staff will begin looking for funding sources to continue operation after the grant is completed, if it proves to be an effective model.

Program Change/Redesign (AREA III):

Update on General Administration of FFPS (OTHER):

B. Target Areas/Target Populations

Area I: Increased Parental Competence as Measured by Improved Parenting Skills

Area II: Increased Family Support as Measured by Increased Stability and Increased Availability of Information to Services and Activities

Family Stabilization Services (FSS)

Service and Activity Referral Directory (GIC)

Describe target areas/target populations for which the evaluation program is being carried out. Have we met units of service objectives? Are we reaching the appropriate population?

Target Areas/Target Populations (AREA I:) As for all components of the Garrett County FFPS program, the target area for Area I: Increased Parental Competence, is the entire county. Target population for Increased Parental Competence is with children between the ages of 0 and 18.

Units of Service Objectives (AREA I): Previous Quarters: SERVICE UNITS -No. of adults which attended parenting programs during previous quarter:978 -No. of PEN Mini-grants awarded during quarter: 2 (total of 6 to date) -No of parenting programs provided in the community: 25 -No. of parents which attended PEN financed activities: 53 -No. of parent training hours available in County 128 Next Quarter: TARGET -No. of parents attending parenting programs during quarter: 300 -No. of PEN Mini-grants awarded during quarter: 2 -No of parenting programs to be provided in the community: 25 -No. of parents attending PEN financed activities : 60 -No. of parent training hours available in County As stated in section A, PEN has just begun implementation of its three strategies (the mini-grant program, the training program and the media strategy). Baseline data is now being collected. The data will need to be examined over time in order to determine if there are seasonal trends (such as fewer training opportunities available during the winter months) which will impact our outcomes. Data obtained from surveys completed by parent training participants is being collected and will be compiled in the 2nd quarter report.

Target Area/Target Populations (AREA II: FSS): As with all components of the Garrett County FFPS program, the target area of the Family Stabilization Services Program under Area II is the entire county. The target population of this program is children and families who are at potential risk of out-of-home placement but unable to access comprehensive case-management services through the Department of Social Services, Families Now Program or the Garrett County Office for Children, Youth and Families' Family Preservation program.

Units of Service Objectives (AREA II: FSS): SERVICE UNITS Previous Quarter: -No. of new families receiving services during previous quarter:4 -No. of families who have received services to date: 11 -No. of new children receiving services during previous quarter:8 -No. of children who have received services to date: 28 TARGET Next Quarter: -No. of new families to receive services during next quarter: 3 -No. of new children to receive services during next quarter: 7 Target Area/Target Populations (AREA II: GIC): As with all components of the Garrett County FFPS program, the target area of GIC is all of Garrett County. GIC's target population is all children, youth and families in Garrett County.

Units of Service Objectives (AREA II: GIC): SERVICE UNITS Previous Quarter: -SARD Directory is on-line listed as Garrett Information Center -Number of verified entries listed on Garrett Information Center344 -No. of volunteers trained to serve as referral source 20

TARGET Next Quarter: -Distribution of Hard Copies* 150 -No. of log-ons to GIC on-line services (establishment of baseline)** * The Family Resource Directory was not ready for printing during the previous quarter. It will be printed and distributed during the next quarter. The committee is developing a strategy to sell hard copies of the directory as a way to offset the printing costs. The number for distribution has been readjusted since the cost to print the directories is so high. It is anticipated that many private citizens and service providers will desire copies of the Family Service Directory. The target number of 100 will be a total of those directories given to participating agencies, library branches and public officials, and sold. B. Target Areas/Target Populations (Cont.)

Area III. Improved Recreational and Social Environment for Children Youth and Families Garrett County by increasing the Number of Family As in Garrett County Target Area/Target Populations (AREA III: Alternative Activities): As with all components of the Garrett County FFPS program, the target area of the Family Stabilization Services Program under Area III is the entire county.

Units of Service Objectives (AREA III: Alternative Activities) SERVICE UNITS Previous Quarter: -No. of mini-grants awarded: 0 -No. of 6 to 20 year olds attending mini-grant sponsored activities:451

TARGET Next Quarter: -No of mini-grants to be awarded: 0 -No. of individuals attending mini-grant sponsored activities: 400

Target Area/Target Populations (AREA III: Even Start:) The target area for the Even Start Program is the unincorporated community of Jennings Maryland. The Even Start program is operated as an enhancement to the Head Start Center. The program will be evaluated against a Head Start Center in Friendsville which has similar demographics. The Even Start grant was approved in late September.

SERVICE UNITS Previous Quarter: -NA TARGET Next Quarter: -No of parents eligible for services; 11 -No of parents enrolled in sessions: 8 -Participation rate: 47%

C. Outcome goals or indicators being tracked:

Area I: Improved Parental Competence by Improved Parenting Skills

-Increase in parenting program attendance (baseline currently not available)

-Decrease in child abuse (1995 baseline--5.1 children per 1,000 with indication of child abuse/neglect)

Area II: Increased Support for Families by Increased Stability and Increased Availability of Information on Services and Activities

Family Stabilization Services (FSS)

-Decrease in the number of children referred to intensive preservation services (1995 baseline--26 Family Preservation referrals)

-Decrease in the number of children placed in out-of-home placement (1990-1995 baseline-50 placements)

-Increase in the availability of mental health services to children and families according to key informants (1995 baseline--46% of key informants indicated that more mental health services were needed for children and families)

Service and Activity Recourse Directory (GIC)

-Decrease in the percentage of key informants who indicate that Garrett County needs more information about available resources in Garrett County (1995 baseline--72%)

-GIC Committee is currently assessing the need for additional outcome indicators (e.g. population-based data on knowledge of and use of GIC directory, etc.)

Area III: Improved Recreational and Social Environment for Children and Families in Garrett County

-Increase in the number of community and family activities in Garrett County (Baseline currently not available)

-Improved sense of community in those communities where mini-grants are awarded (Baseline currently not available)

-Percentage increase of parents obtaining GED at control site

-Percentage of parents becoming employed at control site

-Percentage of parents receiving job training at control site

C. Is the effort paying off? Have we made an impact?

Area I: Above questions are not applicable at this point of implementation.

-The process outcome (Attendance) will be measured against baseline beginning next quarter. The data will still be highly suspect since the baseline was for such a short period.

-A decrease in indicated child abuse neglect referrals will not be effected by the intervention until 1997 data is available.

Area II (FSS): Above questions not applicable at this point of implementation. FSS interventions will not be able to measure impact until one full year after the initiation of the service.

Area II (GIC): Above questions not applicable at this point of implementation. The GIC committee will not survey key informants until after the Garrett Information Center is fully operational and a media campaign has been implemented.

Area III (Alternative Activities): Above questions not applicable at this point of implementation. Mini-grants will not be awarded to different communities until next quarter. Additionally, the Committee cannot provide a figure for "Total No. of activities held in Garrett County for families and children" until it has collected baseline data. Baseline data will be collected during the next quarter.

AREA III (Even Start Center): Above question not applicable at this point of implementation. Baseline data on the control and experimental Head Start sites were collected during quarter 4 of FY 1996. Endline data will be collected during quarter 3 of FY' 1997, and results will be available in quarter 4 of FY 1997.

D. Outcome goals for the system of services should be listed here. What did we plan to do to make a difference in the way kids and families receive services?

The following are state Systems Reform Initiative goals. In the near future, the State, and the Garrett County Local Management Board (LMB) will be evaluating and modifying these goals as necessary.

To change the way we provide support for children and families so that services are:

Family focused; comprehensive, timely and responsive; directed toward enhancing family strengths; home-and community-based; culturally competent; intensive.

To change the way we make decisions from single agency to interagency, using data and outcomes as the basis for decisions.

To change the way we fund services:

Redirecting funds from out-of-home, end-of-service continuum to services which support families; Maximizing federal funding opportunities; Providing incentives for the development of community-based services; Making funding decisions based on setting goals and meeting outcomes; Accepting local control and accountability for the allocation of resources with state guidelines. Have we reformed the system of services?

The Garrett County LMB is currently engaged in an on-going strategic planning process. As part of the planning process, the LMB is determining results and indicators which they will use to evaluate services and drive decision making. The FFPS program is an integral part of this process since it is being used to improve services and monitor our progress. This program will help us reform the system by increasing our skill in planning, monitoring and decision making.

E. Best Practices Below, please respond (per attached instructions) to each of the Best Practices Family Support Principles listed in the attached document.

Programs are community-based and operate at hours convenient for the consumers: The Family Stabilization Services (FSS) program strives to provide services during the most convenient hours and in the most convenient locations for its clients by offering home-based services 24 hours a day. Additionally, the FSS monitors client satisfaction with an interview at discharge. The interview addresses both convenience of location in which services are offered and convenience of hours during which FSS offers services. The results of the client satisfaction interviews serve as the basis of future changes in hours of FSS operation and location of FSS services.

The Even Start Program provides services at a local Head Start Center. This center is rural and geographically isolated from the rest of the County. The services offered at this center are arranged to best fit the schedules of the clients.

Services are provided through a non-deficit model, building on the strengths of families, communities, and individuals: Family involvement and input form an integral part of the FSS program. For instance, families have an active role in the FSS initial assessment and actively assist the FSS service providers in the development of their service plans.

Additionally, the FSS program uses a strengths-based service-delivery model. From the initial family assessment to the development of service plans and to the delivery of actual services, FSS builds on the strengths of both the local community and the family. FSS caseworkers often act as "networkers" between local agencies and their client families in order to tailor client needs to local resources. FSS caseworkers also address family deficits by building on and thereby accentuating family strengths.

The Even Start program also uses a strengths-based service-delivery model. The parents are asked to provide input in the development of courses and curriculum used for the center program. Families choose their own courses that best meet their needs.

Programs and services are responsive to the needs of individual families, communities, and situations: The FSS program has a monitoring component which allows for program managers and service providers to rapidly; 1) detect problems, and 2) implement timely changes accordingly. This component is made up of three inter-related parts: A client satisfaction interview; a referral-source questionnaire; and monthly Review Committee gatherings. In the case of the client satisfaction interview, an anonymous interviewer will hold a confidential telephone conversation with each client family at discharge. The interviewer asks if the client family; 1) felt involved in the initial FSS assessment, in the development of its service plan and in the actual delivery of services; 2) felt that the FSS program addressed its needs; 3) felt more knowledgeable about accessing local resources; 4) felt more able solve problems on its own; etc. In the case of the referral-source questionnaire, referral sources answer a series of questions about 1) their involvement during the initial family assessment and development of the service delivery plan; 2) their assessment of how well the FSS program addressed family needs; and 3) their assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the FSS program.

Results from both the client satisfaction interview and the referral-source questionnaire are being compiled and distributed to the Review Committee on a monthly basis. The Review Committee uses these results as the basis for changes in service delivery (e.g. hours of service, length of service, etc.). As stated above, the FSS program anticipates that this monitoring component will allow for rapid problem detection and subsequent program adjustments.

The Even-Start program is monitored on a monthly basis. Indicators that will be used to evaluate the efficiency of the program include, but are not limited to: 1) new jobs secured by the participants; 2) Completion of GED requirements; 3) Clients obtaining Driver License; 4) Participation rate among Head Start parents at the center; 4)Client satisfaction.

Services are family-centered, not just focusing on individuals within that family: The FSS program uses a modified home-builders model which strives to address and subsequently meet the needs of families, and not just individuals within families. Needs of entire families are met either through direct service delivery or through referrals to local resources. All FSS case managers are trained in, believe in and practice family-centered principles during initial family assessments, service-plan development, service delivery and when making referrals to local resources.

The Even Start program is a service enhancement to a traditional Head Start program. The services strengthen the family focus of the center to better include the parents of the children in the program.

Programs establish strong relationships with other services and community-based groups in order to better serve participants and strengthen the community: Two Family Preservation and Support initiatives, in particular, emphasize and accentuate strong relationships with other services or community-based groups.

The Parent Education Network (PEN) committee, made up of parenting-program advocates and coordinators in Garrett County, has facilitated increased communication and resource sharing among parenting-group coordinators. Consequently, the committee has a firm grasp on the full array of parenting programs offered in Garrett County and is currently designing county-wide initiatives which address identified service delivery/support gaps and strengths. One such example is the PEN media strategy, which began in September, 1996. Once the PEN committee realized that utilization of parenting programs was more a result of poor publicity and less a result of availability, the committee chose to focus its efforts on supporting all parenting programs offered in Garrett County. The PEN committee meets on a monthly basis.

E. Best Practices The FSS program has also worked to strengthen inter-agency relationships. The Review Committee is made up of Department of Social Services; Office for Children, Youth and Families; Mental Health; and Department of Juvenile Justice representatives. These representatives have worked 1) to identify present service-delivery gaps in family preservation services and 2) address those service-delivery gaps during the design of the FSS program. Now that the FSS program is up and running, the Review Committee focuses on 1) improving the FSS program, and 2) improving the continuum of care of all family preservation services currently available in the county.

F. Attach proposed budget for the program. Is money spent as we said we would spend it? Please complete the attached Expenditure Report. Budget modifications up to 10% may be indicated on this report.

Please note that the Expenditure Report reflects slight modifications in fiscal year 1996 FFPS grant money spending (see column entitle "Illustrative Budget").