WRI Current Projects

Child Welfare Training and Technical Assistance – The implementation of the Child Welfare Reform Act (CWRA) and the federal Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) require that the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) develop and implement standards for child welfare practice.  This project seeks to reduce barriers to permanency planning for children in out-of-home care.  Through training and technical assistance, caseworkers, supervisors, attorneys, and administrators develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities to overcome local barriers to permanency.  WRI coordinates and manages the training and technical assistance and develops materials for use in training.

Eligibility Manual for Child Welfare Programs – WRI is assisting OCFS in developing a manual for workers across the state responsible for documenting eligibility for child welfare programs (e.g., Title IV-E, TANF-EAF, Title XX Below 200% of Poverty, Medicaid).  This project is part of a response to a federal review process that required a Program Improvement Plan, including a manual for training staff on documenting eligibility.

Handbook for Youth in Foster Care – Working with teens in foster care, WRI is writing and designing a handbook that outlines rights and responsibilities and gives information on health care, education, legal issues, sexuality, money, and day-to-day life in foster care.  The handbook will be distributed to youth ages 14-21 coming into care and already in care throughout New York State.  A workgroup from OCFS oversees the project.

Health Services Manual for Foster Care Services – WRI is assisting OCFS in developing Working Together: Health Services for Children in Foster Care. A workgroup from local districts, regional offices, voluntary agencies, and the State Department of Health (DOH) is providing advice and resources.  The manual is based on the standards of health care developed by OCFS and DOH and will draw on State law, policies, and regulations as well as materials from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Child Welfare League of America.  The manual is targeted to health and non-health care staff of local service districts and voluntary agencies and will form the basis of a curriculum and subsequent training around the state.

Newsletter on Child Welfare Projects – To inform the public and child welfare stakeholders on current initiatives that promote permanency for children, OCFS is disseminating a newsletter electronically statewide.  WRI writes and designs Challenges & Solutions, a quarterly newsletter that highlights state and local initiatives and announces upcoming conferences and events.

Pamphlet for Parents of Children in Foster Care – This pamphlet for parents whose children are about to be placed in foster care provides information on parent rights and responsibilities.  In particular, the pamphlet highlights aspects of the federal Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) and how the law affects birth parents and their children.  WRI is providing editorial and design support for this OCFS publication.

Quality Enhancement Fund – WRI provides administrative support to the Quality Enhancement Fund, which coordinates resources at the county level to address issues identified through OCFS’s Program Improvement Plan. 

Reinvestment Fund, Intensive Case Management, and Early Intervention Services – WRI is providing administrative services to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in relation to Reinvestment Fund, Intensive Case Management, and Early Intervention activities.  WRI’s assistance includes program planning and development, program auditing, and fiscal auditing and monitoring.