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Reunification services are directed to families in which one or more children have been removed from their home and placed in foster care, as defined in Section I.C. Definitions. The target populations include children who are found to be abused, neglected or dependent or in need of services; adjudicated undisciplined or delinquent; emotionally disturbed; or developmentally delayed; and are currently in the custody of the local Department of Social Services.
Eligibility for services must be certified through documentation of the following referral/acceptance criteria:
1. The criteria for parent(s)/caregiver(s) to participate in the program are as follows:
a. is the parent/caregiver whom the child was removed;
b. willing to participate in reunification on a voluntary basis;
c. willing to work with the Reunification Worker to achieve goals of DSS Case Plan;
2. The criteria for child(ren) to participate in the Program are as follows:
a. must be in the custody or placement authority of the local DSS;
b. must be in an out of home placement when services are initiated
c. age birth through 17 years
Once services have begun the parents/caretakers must continue to demonstrate willingness to participate in the program. If they become unresponsive to contact from / with the reunification worker such that and face to face contact cannot be achieved once every two weeks, the case shall be closed due to family withdrawal or unwillingness to participate.
If the children are returned to the home during the provision of services (parents/caretakers granted physical custody) and DSS retains legal custody, services may continue in order to help the family adjust to being reunified. However, these services may only be provided for a maximum of 45 days after physical custody is returned to the parents/caretakers.
If the child’s permancency plan is changed, either by the county DSS of the judge such that the goal is no longer reunification, services shall cease immediately.
If the child is reunified, legally and physically, during the provision of services, services shall cease immediately.
If Termination of Parental Rights is granted, services shall cease immediately.
Children who participate in the Reunification program must be in the custody or placement authority of the local Department of Social Services. Because reunification efforts can only be initiated and approved through the local DSS in collaboration with the local court system referrals may only be submitted to Reunification Programs by the local DSS.
NOTE: A referral for Reunification services does not substitute for nor replace or in any manner the duties of the assigned Social Worker from the local Department of Social Services. For more information about role clarifications during service provision, contact your assigned NCDHHS/DSS Community-Based Programs Regional Program Consultant.
Caseloads range from 4 – 10 families per worker, depending on the intensity and duration of the approved program model as described in the contract between the provider agency and NCDHHS/DSS. Although there is no mandated range or maximum number of children per worker at any given time, it is expected that programs make every effort to allow flexibility for caseload management.
For program documentation, programs must maintain individual case records for each client/family. Case records should include, but are not limited to, the following items:
1. Date and time of request for service, assessment visit, and acceptance for services;
2. Severity of risk resulting in the out-of-home placement, including the number and types of previous placements;
3. Family assessment that includes the family’s factors which led to the out of home placement, immediate problems, needs, strengths, and goals;
4. The DSS services case plan, which may be expanded as needed with DSS approval;
5. Documentation of all counseling sessions, including dates, service provider, service recipient, and type of service (e.g., individual, family);
6. Progress notes regarding the family’s service plan;
7. Termination summary noting family situation, goals met, any additional service needs, and referrals made;
8. Any additional information from other community partners deemed important to reunification efforts. (It is particularly relevant to include documentation for any and all contact and communication with the DSS Social Worker).
9. Reports prepared for the Court of jurisdiction, if applicable; and
10. Copies of court orders verifying custody, if applicable.
REUNIFICATION FORMS
All programs are required to correctly complete and have on-file the following forms for each client/family:
1. Reunification Client Information Reporting Form;
2. Reunification Case Closure Form;
3. Signed Reunification Consent Form;
4. NCFAS-R: North Carolina Family Assessment Scale Reunification;
5. Reunification Weekly Progress Form;
6. Substance Abuse Risk Tool, if applicable;
7. Reunification Referral Only Form, if applicable;
NOTE: It is highly recommended that programs have on-file a current parental substance abuse assessment from a substance abuse professional (see Section I.C. Definitions) as part of a continuing assessment of the parent and children’s readiness for reunification. Research indicates that nationally, approximately 70% or more of all foster care cases involved parental substance abuse as a mitigating factor. As such, provider agencies need to be aware of possible parental substance abuse hindering reunification efforts (another important justification for involving the entire human services community as collaborative partners in reunification efforts). Further, it is expected that provider agencies afford their workers opportunities for continuing education n the areas of substance abuse prevention and relapse; loss and grief issues; etc. {See also Section III. Training}.
Additionally, in order to certify that eligibility requirements have been met and that there is a continuing need for the service to families and children, it is required that programs maintain on file a written and signed verification from the local DSS that the child is in DSS custody or that DSS has placement authority for the child .
It is expected that Reunification Programs frequently review with the assigned DSS Social Worker and have practical knowledge of the following for each case:
• Family Services Case Plan
• Child Services Case Plan
• Visitation Plan
• Foster Care information
The length of service provision for each client/family is dependent upon the approved Reunification model for programs as stated and defined in their contracts with NCDHHS/DSS, not to exceed a total of 12 months.
Each Reunification program must have written policies that address the educational experience and qualifications for Reunification Workers and Supervisors as well as the methods and procedures by which the program assures that such staff have the body of knowledge, competence and practice skills required to effectively provide Reunification services under North Carolina’s Program. Each program should have a written plan for orientation, training and on-going staff development. It is expected that programs will allow for continuing education for workers and supervisors. {See Section III. Training}.
Each program must provide supervision for Reunification Workers in the following supervisor:staff ratios:
• one supervisor for every six Reunification Workers;
Reunification Supervisors are expected to:
• provide on-the-job training and coaching to newly employed Reunification Workers in addition to any formal training provided by the agency;
• provide back-up for Reunification Workers;
• attend initial family screenings with Reunification Workers as needed;
• provide at least one hour per week of individual consultation to Reunification Workers;
• be available or make arrangements for consultation 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.
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For questions or clarification on any of the policy contained in these manuals, please contact your local county office.
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