016.15.10 Ark. Code R. 004

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 10, October, 2024

Rule 016.15.10-004 - POLICY V-E: INTENSIVE FAMILY SERVICES Program

EXCERPT, DIVISION OF CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES POLICY & PROCEDURES MANUAL, POLICY V-E

POLICY V-E: INTENSIVE FAMILY SERVICES

10/2010

Intensive Family Services (IFS) are time-limited intensive counseling, skill building, support services and referrals to resources that target the needs of the family. The service is primarily intended for families whose children are in imminent risk of an out-of-home placement, but may include under certain circumstances families who have already experienced an out-of-home placement and reunification is planned. Services are aimed at ensuring the safety of all family members while helping the family learn how to stay together successfully. The goal is to safely keep children with their families, when possible, by providing services aimed at restoring families in crisis to an acceptable level of functioning. IFS may be prodded by Division staff or by contractors. Efforts are made to consistently maintain an IFS provider for each county in the state.

PROCEDURE V-E1: Screening

10/2010

Prior to referral, the Family Service Worker will, for new Cases:

A. Complete the CFS-6009: Family, Strengths, Needs, and Risk Assessment in CHRIS. Indicate whether IFS is considered to be an appropriate service.

B. Complete a case staffing and the CES-6010: Case Plan in CHRIS. Indicate whether IFS is considered to be an appropriate service.

C. Refer the family to the County Supervisor for a final determination of referral need.

Prior to referral, the Family Service Worker will for existing cases:

A. Update the CFS-6009 and the CFS-6010. Indicate whether IFS is considered to be an appropriate service.

B. Refer the family to the County Supervisor for a final determination of referral need.

The County Supervisor will:

A. Determine if the family's children are at imminent risk of out-of home placement or the family's children have recently experienced an out-of-home placement and reunification is planned.

B. Decide if the family is appropriate for a referral for IFS.

PROCEDURE V-E2: Referral

10/2010

The Family Service Worker will:

A. Refer families to the IFS Practitioner on the CFS-345: Intensive Family Services Referral Form.

B. Accompany the IFS Practitioner to a joint introductory session with the family.

C. Provide the IFS Practitioner with a copy of the completed CFS-6009 and other pertinent information about the family as appropriate.

The IFS Practitioner will:

A. Within 24 hours of receipt of the referral, hold a joint introductory session with the family and the Family Service Worker.

B. Within 72 hours of receipt of the referral, complete an assessment of the family to determine if IFS is appropriate and the short-term crisis intervention services can be of benefit to the family. Outcomes will be measured through the North Carolina Family Assessment Scale, which is a validated, evidence-based assessment tool with performance indicators. This baseline assessment will guide the family's treatment plan.

C. Within 72 hours of receipt of the referral, recommend to the County Supervisor if the family is appropriate for IFS on the CFS-345: Intensive Family Services Referral Form.

D. Assessment for IFS will focus on:

1) The potential that the health and safety of the child and other family members can be assured by frequent home visits, counseling, and other support services.

2) The potential that meeting the critical needs of the child will increase to an acceptable level.

3) The potential that the parents or caregivers can recognize the needs of the child and their ability to nurture and protect the child.

4) The parents or caregivers are present and are willing to accept help.

PROCEDURE V-E3: Service Provision

10/2010

If IFS is appropriate, the County Supervisor will:

A. Add IFS to the Service Log.

B. Delete IFS from the Service Log after termination of IFS.

The IFS Practitioner will:

A. Provide services based on the results of the assessment tool.

B. Provide services on a frequent, often daily, basis within the family's home.

C. Be available to the family 24 hours a day, Seven days a week by telephone.

D. Provide services at times convenient to the family.

E. Provide services to no more than four families at a time.

F. Provide a mixture of counseling and support services, as appropriate to the family's needs.

G. Devote 75% of work time to direct contact with the family.

H. Document the Services provided to the family. Documentation includes:

1) A completed CFS-345: Intensive Family Services Referral Form and assessment of the family within 72 hours of receipt of the referral from the County Supervisor

2) A completed individualized Family Action Plan within 2 weeks of initiation of IFS

3) Dated narratives on the types of services provided and the family's progress

4) Completed CFS-347: IFS Family Counselor's Time Record

5) A Transition Plan describing the family's continued needs after IFS and the linkages established to meet those needs 2 weeks prior to the termination of IFS

6) A final report on the family's progress and continued needs within one week of termination of IFS

7) Any additional reports requested by the Division

I. Provide follow-up services once a month for three months after termination of IFS, and again at six months after termination of IFS

J. Provide brief reports to the County Supervisor on the status of the family.

Maintain confidentiality. See POLICY I-F: CONFIDENTIALITY.

POLICY V-E: INTENSIVE FAMILY SERVICES

09/2010

Intensive Family Services (IFS)-are time-limited intensive counseling, skill building, support services, and referrals to resources that target the needs of the family. The service is primarily intended for families whose children are in imminent risk of an out-of-home placement, but may include under certain circumstances, families who have already experienced an out-of-home placement and reunification is planned. Services are aimed at ensuring the safety of all family members while helping the family learn how to stay together successfully. The goal is to safely keep children with their families, when possible, by providing services aimed at restoring families in crisis to an acceptable level of functioning. IFS may be provided by Division staff or by contractors. Efforts are made to consistently maintain an IFS provider for each county in the state.

PROCEDURE V-E1: Screening

09/2010

Prior to referral, the Family Service Worker will, for new cases:

A. Complete the CFS-6009: Family, Strengths, Needs, and Risk Assessment in CHRIS. Indicate whether IFS is considered to be an appropriate service.

B. Complete a case staffing and the CFS-6010: Case Plan in CHRIS. Indicate whether IFS is considered to be an appropriate service.

C. Refer the family to the County Supervisor for a final determination of referral need.

Prior to referral, the Family Service Worker will for existing cases:

A. Update the CFS-6009 and the CFS-6010. Indicate whether IFS is considered to be an appropriate service

B. Refer the family to the County Supervisor for a final determination of referral need.

The County Supervisor will:

A. Determine if the family's children are at imminent risk of out-of home placement or the family's children have recently experienced an out-of-home placement and reunification is planned.

B. Decide if the family is appropriate for a referral for IFS.

PROCEDURE V-E2: Referral

The Family Service Worker will:

A. Refer families to the IFS Practitioner on the CFS-345: Intensive Family Services Referral Form.

B. Accompany the IFS Practitioner to a joint introductory session with the family.

C. Provide the IFS Practitioner with a copy of the completed CFS-6009 and other pertinent information about the family as appropriate.

The IFS Practitioner will:

A. Within 24 hours of receipt of the referral, hold a joint introductory session with the family and the Family Service Worker.

B. Within 72 hours of receipt of the referral, complete an assessment of the family, to determine if IFS is appropriate and the short-term crisis intervention services can be of benefit to the family. Outcomes will be measured through the North Carolina Family Assessment Scale, which is a validated, evidence-based assessment tool with performance indicators. This baseline assessment will guides the family's treatment plan.

C. Within 72 hours of receipt of the referral, recommend to the County Supervisor if the family is appropriate for IFS on the CFS-345: Intensive Family Services Referral Form.

D. Assessment for IFS will focus on:

1) The potential that the health and safety of the child and other family members can be assured by frequent home visits, counseling, and other support services.

2) The potential that meeting the critical needs of the child will increase to an acceptable level.

3) The potential that the parents or caregivers can recognize the heeds of the child and their ability to nurture and protect the child.

4) The parents or caregivers are present and are willing to accept help.

PROCEDURE V-E3: Service Provision

If IFS is appropriate, the County Supervisor will.

A. Add IFS to the Service Log.

B. Delete IFS from the Service Log after termination of IFS.

The IFS Practitioner will:

A. Provide services based on the results of the assessment tool.

B. Provide services on a frequent, often daily, basis within the family's home.

C. Be available to the family 24 hours a day, seven days a week by telephone.

D. Provide services at times convenient to the family.

E. Provide services to no more than four families at a time.

F. Provide a mixture of counseling and support services, as appropriate to the family's needs.

G. Devote 75% of work time to direct contact with the family.

H. Document the services provided to the family. Documentation includes:

1) A completed CFS-345: Intensive Family Services Referral Form and assessment of the family within 72 hours of receipt of the referral from the County Supervisor

2) A completed individualized Family Action Plan within 2 weeks of initiation of IFS

3) Dated narratives on the types of services provided and the family's progress

4) Completed CFS-347: IFS Family Counselor's Time Record

5) A Transition Plan describing the family's continued needs after IFS and the linkages established to meet those needs 2 weeks prior to the termination of IFS

6) A final report on the family's progress and continued needs within one week of termination of IFS

7) Any additional reports requested by the Division

I. Provide follow-up services once a month for three months after termination of IFS, and again at six months after termination of IFS

J. Provide brief reports to the County Supervisor on the status of the family.

Maintain confidentiality. See POLICY I-F: CONFIDENTIALITY.

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016.15.10 Ark. Code R. 004

9/15/2010