2.3 Purchased or Referred Services

Service implementation - either delivering services directly or ensuring that appropriate, effective services are delivered - is one of the most important determining factors in accomplishing permanency. Providing families with appropriate, accessible and timely services can help caseworkers and the courts quickly decide whether the child will be able to return home safely. When a child or family needs a service that cannot be provided directly by DCFS, caseworkers must arrange for the service to be delivered. Services can be delivered by other, related agencies such as the Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse (OASA), Department of Public Health (DPH), Public Aid, etc, or through private provider networks, such as LANS.

The specific array of services to be delivered will depend on a thorough and complete assessment of the issues necessitating Department involvement. However, some of the frequently accessed services are described in the following sections.

2.3.1 Housing Assistance

Housing is a vital service need for children and families. A stable home environment assists the family in their efforts to reconnect as a family. The caseworker and supervisor must assess and provide casework services to ensure that housing issues are addressed as early in the case as possible. The caseworker is expected to assist the parent in developing a housing resource that is in concert with the permanency goal.

Norman Fund Services are available to assist families by offering assistance with rent, security deposits, furniture and food (see Norman guide). The Norman liaison in each region is an expert who can assist caseworkers to assess the housing needs of families and children. Families who may be eligible for TANF can make application for these services prior to the return home of their children. The Norman specialist in each region can facilitate this transaction.

In addition, the caseworker should:

· Discuss with the parent how the current housing arrangement will assist the parent in addressing the agreed-upon service planning goals.

· Discuss with the parent where (in which community) the family anticipates reunification will occur and coordinate or arrange for reunification services within that community.

· Clarify with the family any outstanding housing needs.

2.3.2Respite Care

Respite services are those services that are available to provide children and families with a short-term period of supervision by someone other than the caregiver. In some instances, reunification plans may require this type of service. The caseworker and family should discuss the specific purpose of this intervention and outline in detail the implementation of this service. In placement cases, the caseworker and supervisor must use licensed foster homes or approved relative caregivers to provide respite services for the family and should follow all Placement Clearance Desk protocols. The respite plan must be individualized to the needs of the family. Specific tasks and objectives must be outlined. In intact cases, the worker should assist parents in locating extended family members or community resources (such as neighbors) that may be able to provide respite. Some community organizations provide respite funds for eligible children.

2.3.3 Homemaker Services

This service may be provided to assist families in developing routines that will help the family system function in the home environment. Issues around budgeting resources, developing a daily schedule, organizing and developing techniques to maintain the actual home environment can be addressed with this service. This service should be time limited with very specific objectives and tasks. The most important aspect of this intervention is to assist the family in developing techniques to manage their home environment independent of outside supports. These providers should be invited to administrative case reviews, quarterly reviews and family meetings.

2.3.4 Supportive Health Services

If a caseworker becomes aware that a client or significant family member is suffering from a chronic or acute medical condition, the worker should contact the medical provider to determine what supportive services are available to assist the family.

2.3.5 Therapeutic Services

During the assessment process there may be needs identified that require a therapeutic intervention. Using the assessment as a guide, the caseworker and family can begin to address the need for further exploration of patterns that hinder parents from meeting minimal parenting standards and placing children at risk. The supervisor and caseworker should refer clients to community-based providers. In some instances, specialty services such as domestic violence, mental health, substance abuse and sexual abuse require treatment providers with additional skills and specialized intervention techniques. The caseworker and supervisor must ensure that these specialists provide additional guidance when making decisions regarding these treatment issues. Individual, group and family models are available approaches for families. For substance-affected families, caseworkers must follow the guidelines of Policy Guide 99.13, Services for DCFS Substance Affected Families, particularly as it relates to collaborative drug treatment services.

NOTE: In cases involving domestic violence, the supervisor should confer with the Department's domestic violence consultant about appropriate services to be incorporated into the plan.

2.3.6 Service Selection

· The caseworker must use the assessment, along with all other available information regarding the family, to select appropriate services.

· The caseworker, in conjunction with the supervisor and treatment provider, must ensure that the treatment selected directly addresses the presenting problem of the client.

· Treatment plans must be individualized to the specific needs of the client and have clear objectives.

· In both placement and intact family cases, the caseworker must maintain at least monthly contact (by phone, in person or written) with the treatment provider. Significant family issues and case related matters must be shared with the provider within the bounds of confidentiality.

· The caseworker and supervisor should invite service providers to all administrative case reviews and family meetings.

· The caseworker must obtain written progress reports that outline the identified treatment issues, progress in treatment as well as future treatment recommendations.