Common use of Summary of Progress and Challenges Clause in Contracts

Summary of Progress and Challenges. In this section, the Co-Neutrals offer preliminary observations of DHS’ Year One reform efforts, including progress and challenges, in implementing the Pinnacle Plan. This section is not intended to imply a final judgment by the Co-Neutrals on any of these issues. • Reorganization – DHS invested a great deal of time and effort during Year One (July 1, 2012 – June 30, 2013) to restructuring its child welfare services by creating the DHS Child Welfare Division. Doing so created an integrated reporting and leadership structure consistent with 11 Some records in KIDS are restricted for various reasons, including there being some relationship between a particular child or family and a DHS employee. Adoption records are also restricted. commitments in the Pinnacle Plan and the law established through House Bill 3134. The reorganization creates an agency framework DHS believes is needed to achieve sustained progress, greater accountability, more effective and efficient communication and implementation of DHS policies, services and reform goals. • Leadership and Management Team – As an extension of the restructuring effort, DHS dedicated much of the first half of Year One to setting in place a new management team, extending from the highest level appointments of a new DHS Director and the first Child Welfare Services Director to regional and district directors and front line supervisors and field managers. With the need to hire and substantially increase the number of new caseworkers, DHS understandably placed great stock in solidifying its management team so that new and current workers could have the necessary leadership and supervisory guidance and support to carry out their child welfare responsibilities and understand their role in DHS’ overall reform plan and goals.

Summary of Progress and Challenges. In this section, the Co-Neutrals offer preliminary observations of DHS’ Year One reform efforts, including progress and challenges, in implementing the Pinnacle Plan. This section is not intended to imply a final judgment by the Co-Neutrals on any of these issues. •  Reorganization – DHS invested a great deal of time and effort during Year One (July 1, 2012 – June 30, 2013) to restructuring its child welfare services by creating the DHS Child Welfare Division. Doing so created an integrated reporting and leadership structure consistent with 11 Some records in KIDS are restricted for various reasons, including there being some relationship between a particular child or family and a DHS employee. Adoption records are also restricted. commitments in the Pinnacle Plan and the law established through House Bill 3134. The reorganization creates an agency framework DHS believes is needed to achieve sustained progress, greater accountability, more effective and efficient communication and implementation of DHS policies, services and reform goals. •  Leadership and Management Team – As an extension of the restructuring effort, DHS dedicated much of the first half of Year One to setting in place a new management team, extending from the highest level appointments of a new DHS Director and the first Child Welfare Services Director to regional and district directors and front line supervisors and field managers. With the need to hire and substantially increase the number of new caseworkers, DHS understandably placed great stock in solidifying its management team so that new and current workers could have the necessary leadership and supervisory guidance and support to carry out their child welfare responsibilities and understand their role in DHS’ overall reform plan and goals.

Summary of Progress and Challenges. In this section, the Co-Neutrals offer preliminary observations of DHS’ Year One reform efforts, including progress and challenges, in implementing the Pinnacle Plan. This section is not intended to imply a final judgment by the Co-Neutrals on any of these issues. • Reorganization – DHS invested a great deal of time and effort during Year One (July 1, 2012 – June 30, 2013) to restructuring its child welfare services by creating the DHS Child Welfare Division. Doing so created an integrated reporting and leadership structure consistent with 11 Some records in KIDS are restricted for various reasons, including there being some relationship between a particular child or family and a DHS employee. Adoption records are also restricted. commitments in the Pinnacle Plan and the law established through House Bill 3134. The reorganization creates an agency framework DHS believes is needed to achieve sustained progress, greater accountability, more effective and efficient communication and implementation of DHS policies, services and reform goals. • Leadership and Management Team – As an extension of the restructuring effort, DHS dedicated much of the first half of Year One to setting in place a new management team, extending from the highest level appointments of a new DHS Director and the first Child Welfare Services Director to regional and district directors and front line supervisors and field managers. With the need to hire and substantially increase the number of new caseworkers, DHS understandably placed great stock in solidifying its management team so that new and current workers could have the necessary leadership and supervisory guidance and support to carry out their child welfare responsibilities and understand their role in DHS’ overall reform plan and goals. • Office of Client Advocacy Investigations – The integration of OCA and CPS investigation protocols, standards and reporting systems not only positions DHS to provide more complete reports to the public on all child maltreatment but, more importantly, it allows DHS to ensure more timely initiation and completion of investigations of suspected maltreatment and enhance its ability to protect vulnerable children who may be victims of abuse and neglect.