Key points and summary




            Performance Measures at 18 State Agencies

                         Report # 95-055

Factors prevented certification due to the double counting of
intakes in two of the regions because referrals are counted as an
additional intake.  Therefore the integrity and accuracy of the can
not be ensured because the actual number of intakes would not be
determined.

A source of information for the calculation of the performance is
the statewide data base called CANRIS (Child Abuse/Neglect
Reporting and Inquiry system.  CANRIS is maintained by the agency. 
All regions report performance information to CANRIS, but also
maintain their own stand alone systems.  The regional system's
information varies significantly from the CANRIS information.  As
a result it could not be determined which, if any, of the numbers
were correct.

The source for the information used for this measure comes mainly
for the Bills Paid System and SSMS/POS (Social Services
Management/Purchase of Services).  The registration system is part
of SSMS.  The Agency was not able to reconcile the number of
children in substitute care receiving a purchased supportive and/or
a rehabilitative service with what is being reported to SSMS. 
Therefore, it cannot be determined which numbers, if and, are
accurate.

The source of the information used to measure the number of
Children in Substitute Care comes from the Foster Care, Adoption
and Conservatorship Track System (FACTS) and the SSMS.  SSMS
information is not reliable; therefore, it cannot be determined
which information, if any, is correct.



For a copy of the entire report, contact:

OFFICE OF STATE AUDITOR
TWO COMMODORE PLAZA
206 EAST NINTH STREET, SUITE 1900
AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701
PHONE: 512-479-4700
FAX: 512-479-4884
E-MAIL: AUDITOR@sao.state.tx.us