18 Miss. Code. R. 6-1-A-I-IV
DFCS shall ensure that the public continues to be effectively informed of its mission, programs and services through a defined structure of Community Involvement, Advocacy and Representation and DFCS Oversight. The Deputy Administrator, through assigned designees, shall be responsible for developing, modeling, monitoring and evaluating this structure at the state level. RDs shall be responsible for developing, modeling, monitoring and evaluating the defined regional structure and ASWSs shall be responsible for the same at the county level. Modifications should be made as needed based on the DFCS' ongoing strategic planning.
This structure of Community Involvement, Advocacy and Representation and DFCS Oversight includes the following activities, goals and qualities:
* Communicate DFCS' mission, role, functions, capacities and the strengths, needs and challenges of individuals, families and groups that it serves
* Implement all applicable laws and regulations concerning the service population.
* Improve existing services, filling gaps in services
* Assist eligible individuals with access to the full array of services by reducing barriers and improving supports and accommodations for persons with special needs
* Ensure oversight by reflecting the demographics and representing the interests of the communities served
* Ensure that DFCS partnership and oversight teams have experience and skills in policy development, leadership and financial management.
* Effectively connect DFCS to other resources and develop public recognition and respect
Each year the Annual Progress and Services Report (APSR) should contain an update on the active teams. Active teams will be evaluated through the strategic planning process. DFCS staff team leads will be assigned to each of the active teams. The assigned lead will report and communicate through the chain of command to keep the Deputy Administrator apprised of the activities undertaken and outcomes achieved by each the teams, and to produce reports to be included in the APSR. Examples of these teams are listed and described below.
Pursuant to Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) requirements (42 U.S.C. § 5101 [c]), the Mississippi Citizen Review Panel was created by CAPTA which is a key piece of legislation that guides child protection. The Citizens Review Panels (CRP) are composed of citizen-volunteers who are federally mandated by the Child Abuse Protection and Treatment Act to evaluate their state's child protective services agency.
In Mississippi there are three Citizens Review Panels covering the northern, central, and southern parts of the state. They each have the support of a university with a School of Social Work. The Citizens Review Panels report to a State Level Citizens Review Board. Oversight and support are provided by the DFCS Prevention/Protection Unit.
Panel Membership is comprised of 1) providers of services to abused and neglected children and families, including adoption services, and 2) local citizens, including consumers of the Child Protective Services system such as foster parents, former foster children, adoptive parents, parents, interested business and civic representatives, educators, and members of the community at large.
Pursuant to 1993's Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (P.L. 103-66), DFCS partners with the Administrative Office of Courts in the "Court Improvement Program". Typical activities include development of mediation programs, joint DFCS-court training, case tracking, linked DFCS-court data systems, formalized relationships with the child welfare DFCS, improvement of representation for children and families, CFSR program improvement plan (PIP) development and implementation, and legislative changes. DFCS should work with the Administrative Office of Courts to implement initiatives such as the Mississippi Youth Court Information Delivery System (MYCIDS) program for DFCS and Court information systems interface. The Division partnered with the Administrative Office of Courts to develop the Uniform Rules of Youth Court Practice.
The Multidisciplinary Child Abuse Review Teams were initiated pursuant to the C hildren's Justice Act ( P.L. 99-401) to develop a standard response to the investigation and prosecution of all child abuse cases and to function in a manner that causes the least possible trauma to the children and their families. The Team accomplishes this by inviting all disciplines involved in child abuse cases to work collaboratively using the team approach. These teams may be formed through agreements between DFCS, the courts and local stakeholders.
The Child Death Review Panel was authorized by MISS. CODE ANN. § 41-111-1 to "foster the reduction of infant and child mortality and morbidity in Mississippi and to improve the health status of infants and children." The state's child fatalities are reviewed by a multi-disciplinary statewide panel, including Mississippi Department of Human Services, in order to make recommendations for child fatality prevention.
Mississippi's Foster Care Review program was implemented to meet the federal periodic review requirement found in Title IV-E of the Social Security Act. ( See also MISS. CODE ANN. § 43-15-13(3)). The Foster Care Review program provides clients with an opportunity to participate in their case planning and Workers with an opportunity to discuss their practice on a case-by-case basis. Reviewers are based throughout the state and review each child's case every six months. Parents, their representative support systems, relatives, service providers, children in care and their guardians-ad-litem are engaged as a team to oversee, assess and develop appropriate plans for foster care cases.
These are teams which are organized for the purpose of addressing findings from CQI reviews or responses to needs identified by other administrative or partnership teams at the state, regional or county levels.
The Deputy Administrator will collaborate with appropriate private, state and federal agencies to develop MOUs for the purpose of developing goals to partner with agencies to enhance community involvement, advocacy and representation.
18 Miss. Code. R. 6-1-A-I-IV