Page 187

              on quality issues within the Department and to involve all Department staff as well as
stakeholders in such processes. The basic framework and structure to the Department’s
CQI process continues to be as follows:
Regional/Site/Local Quality Improvement Councils
Each of the six Department regions continues to maintain a Regional QI Plan which
delineates for staff the region’s vision as well as framework for the implementation of their
regional CQI process. Regions maintain a fully inclusive QI structure via a functioning
RQC, Site QI teams for regional offices and Local QI teams throughout the region. All QI
teams operating in the region are expected to adhere to the standard 5-point QI agenda
(peer review, incidents/accidents/grievances, consumer satisfaction, program evaluation,
special projects/action planning).
Local QI teams are organized in keeping with the present Department team structure (e.g.
Child Protection teams, Intact Family teams, Adoption teams, Permanency teams, etc.).
The focus for Local QI teams is on individual team performance and it is essential that all
staff on the team participate, which is to include clerical and other team support staff.
Like RQC’s, Local QI teams are expected to meet a minimum of once per quarter and to
follow the standard 5-point agenda.
Site or Office based QI teams are comprised of representatives from each of the Local QI teams
occupying the office or designated geographical area. The focus of the QI agenda at the Site QI
team level shifts from the individual team to the site or office with each Local QI team
representative bringing team issues as well as input to the site QI process. The Site QI team has
the responsibility of reviewing action plans from Local QI teams and to determine the
applicability of individual team issues to other teams within the site.
Both Local and Site based QI teams are also responsible for recording the events and outcomes
of QI meetings into minutes that are to be distributed to all staff on the team or in the site.
The DCFS Statewide Quality Council (SQC) was re-initiated in DCFS in April 2004. Since that
time, the SQC has met consistently on a quarterly basis with representation from each of the six
DCFS Regional Quality Councils in addition to members from other CQI related divisions,
including DQA, ACR, and APT. The SQC seeks to develop or facilitate solutions to issues
raised by RQC’s. Some of the issues raised to and resolved at the statewide level during FY08
includes enhancements to the case assignment process, distribution of laptops to case carrying
staff, the development of a new statewide foster parent recruitment plan as well as various
SACWIS system improvements.
Regional Peer Review
IDCFS has had a fully operational quarterly peer record review process in place since
1997. Investigative, intact family, foster care and adoption case files are reviewed using a
defined process and qualitative criteria in order to identify areas of strengths as well as
areas needing enhancements in the provision of services. Peer review provides the basis for
182