| Policy |
Reports from hospitals or other medical providers regarding
newborn children considered to be at high risk due to their own special needs and
their mother's condition or behavior shall be investigated by a DCF investigator. |
Indicators of Special Needs
Newborns |
Indicators of special needs newborns include, but are not
limited to, the following:
· positive urine or meconium toxicology for drugs
· positive test for HIV infection
· serious medical problems.
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| Indicators in Mother's Condition or Behavior |
Indicators in the mother's condition or behavior which may
identify the newborn to be at risk include, but are not limited to, the following:
· substance abuse
· intellectual limitations which may impair the mother’s ability to nurture or
physically care for the child
· major psychiatric illness
· young age.
|
| Requirements of the Investigation |
A high risk newborn investigation shall include an assessment
of the following:
· extent of the mother's pre-natal care
· parent's willingness to participate in appropriate services
· support services within the family or community that are available to the parent
· safety and adequacy of the home
· parent's ability to provide appropriate care in the home.
|
| Report Substantiated: Provision of Intensive In-Home
Supervision |
If a report is substantiated, the DCF worker shall provide or
arrange for intensive in-home supervision to begin within three (3) days of discharge from
the hospital. Such in-home visits shall occur at least twice a week for at least four
weeks.
For any substance exposed child, the worker will request parental participation in a
substance abuse treatment program, including voluntary submission to urine testing. |
| Providers of In-Home Supervision |
In-home supervision and services may be provided by any of
the following, as appropriate:
· DCF staff
· parent-aides
· public health nurses
· Visiting Nurse Association
· other regional contractual services.
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