The following forms are used in the matching process:

• DCF-345 Log of Foster Home Requests

• DCF-469 Child Placement Document (LINK)

• DCF-469A Foster Homes Contacted by Matcher

• DCF-741 Medical Alert (LINK)

• DCF-2100 Notification of Child Removed from Foster Care

The table below presents the steps to request a placement from the FASU matcher by utilizing the DCF-469 Placement Document in LINK.

Cross-Reference:  The DCF-469 is utilized for all types of placements. For more information see also Policy 36-50-2, "To Request and Make a Placement:  Use of the Placement Portfolio".

Upon receipt of the DCF-469 request for placement, the matcher shall complete the following steps, as necessary: 

·        Review the request and determine if the child is eligible for a SAFE Home placement and if so, follow SAFE Home placement procedures.  See Policies 36-52-1 through 36-52-9, “SAFE Homes”. 

·        Telephone or make an in-person contact with the requesting worker and/or supervisor to discuss the child's placement needs.  In case of an extreme emergency when the matcher cannot make this contact, the reason shall be documented in LINK and the matcher will attempt to complete the match. 

·          Obtain any further information needed to make the match. 

·          Log all requests on DCF-345, “Log of Foster Home Requests”.

The search for a foster home shall be governed by the child’s needs and the principles of foster care matching as stated in Policy 41-19-2. 

When the request is for a single child placement, the matcher shall, whenever possible, select an appropriate home that has a single bed available and reserve those homes with multiple available beds for sibling placements.

After discussing the placement needs with the child's worker and/or supervisor, as necessary, the matcher shall take the following steps: 

·        Search LINK for all available and appropriate homes:

-         First search for homes located in the matcher’s region.

-         If no homes in that region are suitable, search in the next closest region. Homes in another region may be utilized only with the approval of that region’s Program Supervisor.

-         Notify the matcher in the other region before making a final selection from that region. 

·          Utilize the Regional Resource Group, as appropriate. 

·          Log attempts to contact foster families on DCF-469A, “Foster Homes Contacted by Matcher”. 

·        Identify the most appropriate foster home for the child in LINK. 

·          Make the initial phone contact with the foster parent, providing as much information as possible about the child, including any special needs, and the circumstances of placement.

If the foster parent agrees to the placement, the matcher shall 

·          facilitate the match by making arrangements for the contact between the child's worker and the foster family 

·          notify the child's worker of the match via e-mail

·          for all first time placements that are not being referred to a SAFE Home, notify the regional office health advocate, or designee, to schedule a multi-disciplinary evaluation  

·          update the foster family’s record (the child’s worker will share information about the foster family with the child). 

·          notify the foster family's support worker of the details of the anticipated placement, including:

• the specific needs of the child

• when necessary, the need for appropriate training materials and other family support systems

•  whether the placement is overcapacity or otherwise non-conforming

•  whether there is a need to call a disruption conference for this child if he/she has had multiple placements due to behavioral issues.

If appropriate placement resources are not available, the matcher shall 

• notify the child’s worker and/or supervisor, and 

• discuss alternative options with the worker and/or supervisor.

The child's worker shall

• meet with the foster family to confirm the appropriateness of the match and complete the placement

• utilizing the Placement Portfolio, provide the family with written information and materials necessary for the child's proper care and supervision, and 

• provide for the child's specific needs, including special needs tapes. 

For emergency placements, necessary information shall be provided to the foster parents within twenty-four (24) hours, or one (1) working day, of the time the child is placed. 

Cross-References:  For the content of the Placement Portfolio and the procedures for its use, see 36-50-2, “To Request and Make a Placement:  Use of the Placement Portfolio”; Section 36-55 regarding foster care issues; and Policies 44-5-6.1 through 44-5-6.5, “Health Content of the Placement Portfolio”.

The child’s worker shall complete the Placement screens in LINK.

The FASU supervisor shall 

• at least weekly, review the following with the matcher:

  • the Log of Foster Home Requests (DCF-345)

  • pending requests, and

• provide reports on matching activities as required by the OFAS.

Cross-Reference:   For policy and procedures on the removal of a child from a foster home, see 36-55-15, "Moving a Child in Foster Care"; and 22-6-1 through 22-6-10, "Removal Hearings".

• make daily updates on the foster family in LINK, as appropriate, including placement information and removal information from DCF-2100, "Notification of Child Removed from Foster Care".
• enter appropriate information in the foster family’s LINK record, including refused placements and any changes in the family's circumstances
• make daily notations of all requests on the Log of Foster Home Requests (DCF-345)
• maintain accurate statistics for reporting on matching activities as required by the Office of Foster and Adoption Services.