ASFA TRAINING PROJECT
PHONE POLL OF CHILD WELFARE AGENCIES

West Virginia

1. How would you rate your agency's staff in terms of their understanding of ASFA requirements? We are particularly interested in the level of understanding of managers, supervisors and workers. Please rate their understanding on a scale from 1 to 5 with 1 being 'poor' and 5 being 'comprehensive'.

a. Managers:

b. Supervisors:

c. Workers:

2. Based on your agency's experience to date, what skills do you think managers, supervisors and workers need to have to implement ASFA?

a. Managers?

Need the same skills as they used before ASFA. They need to understand the philosophy behind ASFA; be familiar with the broad picture.

b. Supervisors?

Need to understand the underlying philosophy behind ASFA too. Have to learn to accept new way of practice.

c. Workers?

Tenured workers have trouble accepting a different way of doing things. Need skill to handle change.

3. As part of your ASFA implementation has your agency undertaken any activities in the following areas:

• Agency structure? No Yes
  If yes, please describe.
  
• Internal communication? No Yes
  If yes, please describe
  
• Performance appraisals? No Yes
  If yes, please describe.
  They have been changed so they are structured around ASFA.
  
• Job descriptions? No Yes
  If yes, please describe.
  Job descriptions have not formally changed, but certain work activities at the state level have. More of a focus for several state staff on federal Child and Family Services Review.
  
• Staff recruitment? No Yes
  If yes, please describe.
  

4. How do you handle staff training on ASFA?

a. Please describe the training.

When the state statutes were changed to reflect ASFA requirements, there was a teleconference held in various locations throughout the state regarding the changes. All staff attended.

b. Who does the training?

There are trainers in each region; staff is used to train as well.

c. Is the training just on ASFA or is it incorporated into other training that you provide?

Now the elements of ASFA training are incorporated into regular staff training sessions.

d. Have you done any training with or for the courts? No Yes
If yes, please describe.

5. How well does your information system support the work of managers, supervisors and workers in implementing ASFA? Please rate the support provided by your system on a scale from 1 to 5 with 1 being 'poor' and 5 being 'outstanding'

a. Why did you give your system that rating?

West Virginia has a fully implemented SACWIS system that gives staff the things they need. It was changed to incorporate the provisions of ASFA. These have worked well.

b. If a rating of 1 or 2 is given, probe as to the status of the SACWIS system.

In the process of implementing a SACWIS system. It is being used in one county at the moment. It should be implemented statewide by 2004.

6. What has worked best for you in terms of supporting staff as they implement the ASFA requirements?

• The successful implementation of the information system.
• Revising policy to reflect ASFA
  
  

7. What do you view as barriers to your agency's support for staff as they implement the requirements of ASFA?

• Work load pressure
• High staff turnover
• Problems caused by mostly young, inexperienced staff and need to support them
  

8. (For County based systems only.) To what extent does the fact that your state is county-based impact your ASFA implementation?

State supervised

9. Is there anything else that you want to tell us regarding the best way to support staff as they implement the requirements of ASFA?

• The training about ASFA should include the philosophy behind ASFA; give a broader picture
• Specific skills training
• Develop competent supervisors
• Need a good information system to support case work
• It would be helpful if the feds studied the way the child welfare system looks.
  

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