Subsidized Permanent Subsidized Permanent Guardianship (SPG)Guardianship (SPG)Implementation of the Tennessee Implementation of the Tennessee

ProgramProgram

Incorporation into Daily Incorporation into Daily Casework PracticeCasework Practice

The State of Tennessee Department of Children’s Services visualized The State of Tennessee Department of Children’s Services visualized the SPG program as an extension of the department’s present the SPG program as an extension of the department’s present permanency toolbox.permanency toolbox.

There were several committees’ that initially met to develop the SPG There were several committees’ that initially met to develop the SPG process in TN: process in TN:

Steering CommitteeSteering Committee (group reviewed and researched any issues or concerns (group reviewed and researched any issues or concerns around moving forward with the SPG waiver project)around moving forward with the SPG waiver project)

Research Advisory CommitteeResearch Advisory Committee (to monitor how the research for the waiver project (to monitor how the research for the waiver project was completed)was completed)

Office of Information Services (OIS)/FiscalOffice of Information Services (OIS)/Fiscal CommitteeCommittee (which obviously monitored (which obviously monitored and reviewed IV-E and State payment issues along with ensuring the SACWIS and reviewed IV-E and State payment issues along with ensuring the SACWIS system was able to manage the changes required of the program.)system was able to manage the changes required of the program.)

Training TeamTraining Team which included a comprehensive Communication Plan for all the which included a comprehensive Communication Plan for all the regions.regions.

Incorporation into Daily Incorporation into Daily Casework Practice (continued)Casework Practice (continued)

The department consciously put its efforts into integrating the The department consciously put its efforts into integrating the discussion of permanent guardianship into the already established discussion of permanent guardianship into the already established discussion around Adoption and exiting custody to that of a kin or discussion around Adoption and exiting custody to that of a kin or relative. relative.

This process was part of the Child and Family Team Meeting This process was part of the Child and Family Team Meeting (CFTM)/Permanency Planning process: we not only invited family, (CFTM)/Permanency Planning process: we not only invited family, friends and kin to the meetings but we engaged them in discussion friends and kin to the meetings but we engaged them in discussion around what permanency options were in the best interest of the around what permanency options were in the best interest of the child/youth. These discussions allowed for a team decision making child/youth. These discussions allowed for a team decision making process.process. ““Clinical Discussions” were held that addressed child-specific cases Clinical Discussions” were held that addressed child-specific cases

either within CFTMs or with regional staff separately before convening a either within CFTMs or with regional staff separately before convening a CFTM in regards to eligibility criteria in order to assist in permanency CFTM in regards to eligibility criteria in order to assist in permanency decision making. This continues today.decision making. This continues today.

The CFTM provided an opportunity for the families to understand the The CFTM provided an opportunity for the families to understand the rule out of reunification or adoption. This also continues today.rule out of reunification or adoption. This also continues today.

Incorporation into Daily Incorporation into Daily Casework Practice (continued)Casework Practice (continued)

A Communication Forum was developed and is A Communication Forum was developed and is consistently held on a monthly basis which allows for all consistently held on a monthly basis which allows for all DCS regional staff to call in for new information around DCS regional staff to call in for new information around SPG and to review and discuss any issues or concerns SPG and to review and discuss any issues or concerns any region may have. This practice continues today. any region may have. This practice continues today.

A spreadsheet was developed tracking the number of A spreadsheet was developed tracking the number of children who exited custody to the SPG program, the children who exited custody to the SPG program, the number of children who returned to state custody from number of children who returned to state custody from the SPG program, and youth who exited out of the SPG the SPG program, and youth who exited out of the SPG program at age 18.program at age 18. A Disruption Questionnaire was developed to document the A Disruption Questionnaire was developed to document the

reasons for return to custody. (Were post-permanency services reasons for return to custody. (Were post-permanency services offered to the family? Was this an emergency/CPS removal? offered to the family? Was this an emergency/CPS removal? Court ordered removal? Was guardianship vacated?)Court ordered removal? Was guardianship vacated?)

Documents Developed for the Documents Developed for the Waiver ProjecWaiver Projectt

Subsidized Permanent Guardianship Policy 16.39 Subsidized Permanent Guardianship Policy 16.39 Including forms and protocolsIncluding forms and protocols SPG Checklist and approvalSPG Checklist and approval Comparison ChartComparison Chart

Which shows the differences between Adoption/Permanent Guardianship Which shows the differences between Adoption/Permanent Guardianship and Exit custody to a relative or kinand Exit custody to a relative or kin

Options for Relative CaregiversOptions for Relative Caregivers Which provides the relative with an understanding of what services Which provides the relative with an understanding of what services

are available in the region ie: Relative Caregiver Program, Families are available in the region ie: Relative Caregiver Program, Families First, SPG program.First, SPG program.

Overview and Advantages of the Subsidized Permanent Overview and Advantages of the Subsidized Permanent Guardianship program. Guardianship program.

Which covers the Tennessee Codes Annotated (law) that provides Which covers the Tennessee Codes Annotated (law) that provides permanent guardianship as an option to TN, this document reviews permanent guardianship as an option to TN, this document reviews the role and responsibilities of the guardian and what the the role and responsibilities of the guardian and what the expectations of the guardian are.expectations of the guardian are.

Documents Developed for the Documents Developed for the Waiver ProjecWaiver Project (continued)t (continued)

Created a training Video called “ Paths to Permanency” Created a training Video called “ Paths to Permanency” The video provided front line staff with information on all The video provided front line staff with information on all

permanency options including how to discuss Permanent permanency options including how to discuss Permanent Guardianship with the family during the CFTM meeting.Guardianship with the family during the CFTM meeting.

Frequently Asked Questions document:Frequently Asked Questions document: This document included questions asked by front line staff, This document included questions asked by front line staff,

permanency specialists and families. It was used during CFTM to permanency specialists and families. It was used during CFTM to assist in discussion of SPG.assist in discussion of SPG.

CFTM Summary:CFTM Summary: Document that summarizes the discussion between the department, Document that summarizes the discussion between the department,

the birth parents, resource parents and youth regarding the birth parents, resource parents and youth regarding Permanency Options and What is in the best interest of the Permanency Options and What is in the best interest of the child/youth.child/youth.

Contact InformationContact Information

Odessa KrechOdessa KrechSubsidized Permanent Guardianship Program Subsidized Permanent Guardianship Program ManagerManagerState of TennesseeState of Tennessee(615) 253-6906(615) 253-6906Odessa.Krech@tn.govOdessa.Krech@tn.gov