| Policy |
Investigators and children protective service
workers shall offer services to prevent out-of-home placement and to facilitate the
reunification of children in out-of-home care with their families. Legal
reference: PL 96-272.
Cross-reference: DCF policies:
- 34-10-2, "Alternatives to Removal"
- 34-10-3, "Standards for Removal"
- 46-3-6, "Reasonable Efforts Before Filing a
Petition".
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| Examples of Services and Referrals |
Family preservation/reunification services and
referrals that may be used include, but are not limited to, the following: |
| |
- assessment service
- case management
- counseling
- day care
- emergency caretaker/homemaker service
- emergency shelter
- intensive family preservation
- foster parent service
- FWSN
- parent aid
- psychiatric evaluation
- psychological evaluation
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- transportation
- unmarried parents program
- Department of Social Services referral
- drug, alcohol, in/out patient service
- housing services
- legal service referral
- medical care
- mental health in/out patient
- self help group (AA, NA, PA, etc.)
- youth services bureau.
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Note: For services needed to
enhance the above family preservation/ reunification services, please refer to the policy
on "Exceptional Non-Categorical Services" 36-100.
These exceptional non-categorical services are subject to a limited amount of funds, may
only be used after all other funding sources are exhausted, are time-limited,
individualized and must be specified in the service plan. |
| Safety/Risk Factors |
The willingness of a parent to accept a service
which is intended to prevent a child's placement shall be considered in determining the
degree of risk to a child if left in his/her own home. In some cases, although the
parent is willing to accept services, the risk may be too great to leave the child in the
home.
The investigator shall consult with his/her supervisor to make this decision, using the
Risk Assessment as a guide. The Regional Resource Group may also be consulted. |
| Documentation of Services Offered |
All services that are offered shall be documented
in LINK. |
| Documentation of Services Needed but Not Available |
If DCF is not able to provide or contract for a
service, the worker shall
- document the reasons on the LINK form "Services Needed but Not Available"
(DCF-2072B)
- forward the above form to the DCF Contracts Unit.
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