Section 214-RICR-30-00-1.6 - Preventative ServicesA. The Department provides services to prevent the unnecessary removal of a child from his or her natural home. The desirable service goal is to maintain a child at home through the remediation of family issue(s) which contributes to the risk of harm to the child that brought the family into the Department. Reasonable efforts are made: 1. prior to the placement of a child in out of home care to prevent or eliminate the need for removal of the child from his home, and2. to make it possible for the child to return home.B. The Department's primary service worker serves as a case manager, coordinating services and monitoring progress toward the achievement of the service plan goal.C. The intensity of involvement of services is based on the needs of the family. The services provided by the Department can be decreased as services provided by natural support systems and community agencies are established and as the family begins to function as an autonomous and stable unit and provide a safe environment for their child(ren).D. The primary service worker must conduct an initial visit with the family within five (5) working days of the case assignment. This visit must occur in the family's home. Subsequent visits may occur in the family's home, the Department's office, or a community setting.E. The primary service worker must meet with the child, who is older than an infant, not in the presence of the parent(s) to discuss any problems or issues the child may be having. Additionally, the primary service worker is to observe the child and parent(s) together to observe the parent/child relationship.F. The primary service worker must have face-to-face contact with the child at a minimum of once a month. The frequency and length of face-to-face visits must be sufficient to address issues pertaining to the safety, permanency, and well-being of the child and to promote the achievement of case goals.G. Telephone Contact: 1. Family, including members of extended family, if appropriate, are encouraged to have frequent telephone contact with the primary service worker.2. The primary service worker ensures that children in the family, of appropriate age, are aware of the primary service worker's office address and telephone number.H. Should the family refuse services and one or more of the conditions listed below, exists, the primary service worker must schedule a consult with the Department's Office of Legal Counsel.1. A Child Protective Services (CPS) report of abuse or neglect has been indicated; and2. A Report of Examination was filed suggesting abuse or neglect either initiating CPS intervention, during an investigation, or subsequent to the case opening to the Family Services Unit (FSU).214 R.I. Code R. 214-RICR-30-00-1.6
Adopted effective 12/27/2018