Case Plan 624-05-15-50

(Revised 1/7/08 ML #3125)

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PI-09-05

 

Each child in foster care is required by federal law to have a case plan which must be a written document, which is a discrete part of the case record.  

 

The information on CCWIPS case management captures information essential to generate the “Permanency Planning Committee Initial Report” (case plan) to meet federal foster care requirements.  

 

The “Permanency Planning Committee Initial Report” (SFN 902) was designed to meet the case plan requirements.  It now may be used only in very limited circumstances.  Before using the SFN 902, it is suggested that you verify whether it will be accepted.

 

All items on the case plan (CCWIPS or SFN 902, Single Plan of Care (SPOC)) must be thoroughly discussed at the committee/team meeting.  The initial case plan must be developed no later than 30 days following the placement.

 

The signed signature sheet from the Permanency Planning Committee Initial Report, or the Periodic Review (CCWIPS generated), or SPOC must be maintained as a hard copy in the child’s foster care case file.

 

In those limited situations where the permanency planning preprinted forms are allowed, Permanency Planning Committee Initial Report, SFN 902, and Permanency Planning Committee Progress Report, SFN 903, the entire form, signed, must be maintained as a hard copy in the child’s foster care case file.

 

Title IV-E of the Social Security Act, Sec. 475, specifies what must be in a foster care case plan.  Those requirements are summarized here:

• The plan must be a written document.  (The Single Plan of Care (SPOC), The CCWIPS “Permanency Planning Committee Initial Report” (SFN 902), plus the “Permanency Planning Committee Progress Report” (SFN 903) contain the essential elements and constitute the required written documentation to meet the federal mandates.)

• A description of the type of home or institution in which the child will be placed, discussion of safety and appropriateness of the placement, how the responsible agency plans to carry out court requirements (i.e. reasonable efforts).

• The plan must assure the child receives safe and proper care; that services are provided to the parents, child, and foster parents in order to improve conditions in parents’ home, facilitate return of child to their own safe home or the permanent placement of the child, and address the needs of the child while in foster care, including a discussion of the appropriateness of the services that have been provided to the child as reflected in their SPOC. The plan must also address visitations between the parent(s), siblings, and foster child. The timeframes for these visits must be appropriate and meet the needs of the foster child and his/her family.

• It must include the most recent information available pertaining to child’s health and education records, including:

• Names and addresses of child’s health and educational providers;
• Child’s grade level performance;
• Child’s school record;
• Assurances that the child’s placement in foster care takes into account proximity to the school in which the child is enrolled at the time of placement;
• A record of child’s immunizations;
• The child’s known medical problems;
• The child’s medication; and
• Any other relevant health and education information concerning the child determined to be appropriate by the State agency.

NOTE:  The above information related to education and medical must be reviewed and updated at the time of each placement of the child in foster care.  Also, included is a requirement that such records be supplied to the foster parents or foster care providers.

 

Where appropriate for a child 16 and over, the plan must include a written description of the programs and services which will help the child prepare for the transition from foster care to adulthood.

 

Youth who are age 16 and older; and have been identified as "likely to age out of foster care"; are required to be referred to the Regional Chafee Independent Living Program.

 

If the child’s permanency plan/goal is adoption or placement in another permanent home, federal law (ASFA) requires the plan must include documentation of the steps the agency is taking to find an adoptive family or other planned permanent living arrangement for the child, to place the child with an adoptive family, a fit and willing relative, a legal guardian, or in another planned permanent living arrangement, and to finalize a legal guardianship. At a minimum such documentation must include child specific recruitment efforts such as the use of State, regional, and national adoption exchanges including electronic exchange systems to facilitate orderly and timely in-State and interstate placements.

 

Foster parents, preadoptive parents, or relatives providing care for the child must be provided with notice of and a right to be heard in any proceeding held with respect to the child during the time the child is in the care of such foster parent, preadoptive parent or relative caregiver.  

 

For assistance in generating the child’s foster care case plan on CCWIPS, please refer to the CCWIPS user manual.

 

 

Case Reviews

The requirements for the periodic case reviews are spelled out in Title IV-E of the Social Security Act, Sec. 475(5), summarized here.

 

The case review system means a procedure for assuring that:

• Each child has a case plan (SPOC) designed to achieve placement in a safe setting that is the least restrictive (most family like) and most appropriate setting available and in close proximity to the parents’ home, consistent with the best interest and special needs of the child, which:

• If the child has been placed in a foster family home or child-care institution a substantial distance from the home of the parents of the child, or in a State different from the State in which such home is located, sets forth the reasons why such placement is in the best interests of the child, and

• If the child has been placed in foster care outside the State in which the home of the parents of the child is located, requires that, periodically, but not less frequently than every 6 months, a caseworker (from either State) visit such child in the home or institution where the child is placed, and submit a report on such visit to the State agency (Children and Family Service Division) of the State in which the home of the child’s parents is located.

The periodic review (North Dakota reviews quarterly) determines the safety of the child, the continuing necessity for and appropriateness of the placement, the extent of compliance with the case plan, and the extent of progress which has been made toward alleviating the causes which necessitated the foster care placement, and projects a likely date when the child may be returned to and safety maintained in the home or placed for adoption or legal guardianship.

 

Foster parents, preadoptive parents, or relatives providing care for the child must be provided with notice of and a right to be heard in any review (Permanency Planning Committee/Foster Care Child & Family Team meetings) or hearing with respect to the child.

 

The CCWIPS case management system is designed to capture the information required to generate the “Permanency Planning Committee Progress Report.” Hard copies of the CCWIPS information can be generated and copies made for distribution. Please refer to the CCWIPS User Manual for technical assistance.

 

The periodic review document is SFN 903, “Permanency Planning Committee Progress Report,” which may be used only in very limited circumstances.

 

The signed signature sheet from the Permanency Planning Committee Initial Report, or the Permanency Planning Periodic Review (CCWIPS generated) must be maintained as a hard copy in the child’s foster care case file.

 

In those limited situations where the permanency planning preprinted forms are allowed (Permanency Planning Committee Initial Report, SFN 902, and Permanency Planning Committee Progress Report, SFN 903), the entire form, signed, must be maintained as a hard copy in the child’s foster care case file.

  

In addition to the requirements outlined above, good practice dictates and federal law requires the case plan to include at a minimum the following items:

1. The goal(s) of placement.  Goals must be time framed.

2. Identification of the specific circumstances which necessitated and cause the separation of the child from the family. Refer to the Agency View and Family View of Situation in the Single Plan of Care (SPOC).

3. Identification of the specific services to be provided by the agency in alleviating or helping to alleviate the conditions which led to the placements; project the date(s) by which each of these goals is to be accomplished. Refer to the Life Domains, Strengths Discovery, Safety Plan, Goals, and Task Sections of the Single Plan of Care (SPOC).

4. Identification of the specific actions to be taken by the parents in correcting the conditions which led to the placement and the date by which each of these activities is to be accomplished. Refer to the Goals and Tasks sections of the Single Plan of Care (SPOC).

5. Identification of the specific actions, when appropriate, to be taken by the child in correcting the conditions which led to placement and the date by which each of these activities is to be accomplished. Refer to the Goals and Tasks section of the Single Plan of Care (SPOC).

6. Identification of the specific services to be provided by the foster parents to the child. Refer to the Goals and Tasks section of the Single Plan of Care (SPOC).

7. Anticipated length of placement stated in months.

8. Written plan for visitation stating frequency, location and participation.

9. Specific information addressing the health, safety, and well being of the child. Refer to the Life Domains and Safety Plan in the Single Plan of Care (SPOC).

 

This information is included in the child's case plan on CCWIPS and can also be found in the Single Plan of Care (SPOC). Refer to the CCWIPS user information for technical assistance with CCWIPS system and also refer to the SPOC User Guide Third Edition 2005 for technical assistance.

 

NOTE: High Risk Youth (at risk of harming self or others)

 

Great emphasis is placed on youth in foster care receiving safe and proper care. Each child/youth's case plan must include strategies for dealing with any behaviors or emotional needs which place him/her in the high risk category. Upon identification of such behaviors or emotional needs, a safety plan must be developed immediately for implementation.

 

A safety plan must be developed and distributed to all appropriate parties, specifically including the foster parents.

 

(Refer to High Risk Youth with Suicide Indication at 05-15-50-30.)