4.10.1 Level One-No Services Needed: | 4.10.2 Level Two-Referral for Community-Based Services. | 4.10.3 Level Three--Short-Term Intact Family: | 4.10.4 Level FOUR-Regular Intact Services: | 4.10.5 Level Five-Intensive Family Preservation Services: | 4.10.6 Level Six --Substitute Care:

4.10 Levels of Service Intervention

By categorizing pertinent information into a depiction of the family, a significant conclusion about the level of service can be drawn. The factors listed above, together with those included on the CERAP are used to determine the level of intervention appropriate for each family. These categories are the basis for determining the nature of the Department's involvement with the family.

4.10.1 Level One-No Services Needed:

• Children are assessed as safe. There is no to extremely low risk to the child and the family is able to manage any risk issues using its own strengths and resources.

4.10.2 Level Two-Referral for Community-Based Services.

• There is low risk to the child but the family is able to use community resources for support without further DCFS intervention. The purpose of DCFS involvement is to actively link the family with those services and resources that effectively and safely address their needs. The CPSW shall be actively involved in the referral/linkage process. Referral/linkage activities include but are not limited to:
• contacting the provider about the referral
• advocating on the family's behalf
• documenting the intended recipient(s) of the service; possible frequency and duration of the service as identified by the service provider; and the condition or circumstance the service is designed to mitigate
• documenting the date and time of the intake session
• assisting with the family's development of transportation arrangements
• participate in the intake process if necessary
• verify that family members are following through and utilizing the service

4.10.3 Level Three--Short-Term Intact Family:

There is low to moderate risk to this category of cases. The purpose of Level 3 services is to enable the family to resolve minor to moderate needs that are contributing to risk and safety concerns for the children within a short time frame. The assessment must include a determination that child's safety can be assured during the short-term provision of services.

During the short-term involvement, permanency workers will: 1) assess the family's service need, implement indicated services, and develop a service plan; 2) refer the family to appropriate programs or agencies in the community; and 3) briefly provide on-going assessment of the family to assure that their children are safe and to monitor/assess their use of the services to which they are referred.

Cases appropriate for Level 3 classification must meet the following criteria:

• CERAP indicates that factors threatening child safety are relatively minor and can be controlled or modified by the family;
• Minimum parenting standards are being met;
• The family faces challenges that are not of an overwhelming nature and do not endanger the children's immediate safety;
• Risk assessment indicates low to moderate risk;

• Family is facing challenges and needs that may have an effect upon risk and safety, including special problems such as domestic violence, substance abuse, mental illness or developmental delays. However, these are not of an overwhelming, chronic or severe nature and the family has sufficient strengths and resources to deal with them with the assistance of DCFS short-term intervention.

• The family behaviors and conditions that contribute to risk to the child can be effectively controlled or modified within an average of 75 days.

4.10.4 Level FOUR-Regular Intact Services:

· There is moderate to high risk as assessed by the referring CPSW. The children may also be evaluated safe or unsafe formal protective services are needed.. If unsafe, a viable safety plan must be in effect at the time of the referral. Casework responsibilities include:

· 1) assisting the family in meeting minimum parenting standards through the professional comprehensiveassessment of problems;

· 2) the timely development of a formal service plan;

· 3) the provision of necessary services;

· 4) the development and implementation of timely and appropriate safety plans.

· Additional criteria for considering Level Four Services are :

_ All of the services and resources needed by the family may not be available and accessible in the community.

_ Parents may not be ready to accept responsibility for the incident and may be resistive and unmotivated to change or to be involved with dcfs. However, there are some indications that the family is likely to be able to change with dcfs support.

· The duration of service is intended to average 12 months. Some cases with court orders may be appropriate for this category.

· The following cases must receive Level Four or Five of Service Intervention unless the children are placed in the Department's custody :

_ Families newly indicated for the birth of a substance exposed infant

_ Families indicated for any abuse to a child aged six years or under

_ Families indicated for failure to thrive of malnutrition

_ Families in which a paramour is indicated for any abuse allegation

4.10.5 Level Five-Intensive Family Preservation Services:

· Intensive family preservation services are indicated where there are significant risk issues, and the child is at imminent risk of placement. Services at this level enable families to resolve moderate to significant needs that are contributing to risk and safety concerns for the children (in less than 12 months time). The family needs more intensive services than those provided in the Level Four of Regular Intact Services, has a high motivation to change, is willing to be involved in a program for this level of interventinon and will cooperate with services, has little or no support systems, and has no serious, debilitating substance abuse or mental health issues unless they are complying with necessary treatment for these conditions.

4.10.6 Level Six --Substitute Care:

· There are severe risk and/or safety issues that cannot be adequately controlled or mediated through service provision and necessitate the removal of the child from his or her caregivers via a Juvenile Court order. The case will be opened for permanency services.

4.10.1 Level One-No Services Needed: | 4.10.2 Level Two-Referral for Community-Based Services. | 4.10.3 Level Three--Short-Term Intact Family: | 4.10.4 Level FOUR-Regular Intact Services: | 4.10.5 Level Five-Intensive Family Preservation Services: | 4.10.6 Level Six --Substitute Care: