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Initial Placement

Initial Placement. The Who, How and Why of Removing a Child from their Home. We Must Place When:. Child is unsafe AND The conditions for a safety plan can not be met. Family Team Decision Making Meetings. FTDM Facilitator will Inform relative/suitable other of process

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Initial Placement

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  1. Initial Placement The Who, How and Why of Removing a Child from their Home

  2. We Must Place When: • Child is unsafe AND • The conditions for a safety plan can not be met

  3. Family Team Decision Making Meetings FTDM Facilitator will • Inform relative/suitable other of process • Orientation (no child care at trainings) • Costs (Relative Support Funds if needed) • Distribute handouts at FTDM • 10-444 Relative Caregiver/Suitable Other Placement Fact Sheet and Home Study Checklist

  4. FTDM Policy • Prior to removing a child and anytime out-of-home placement of a child is being considered. • If a child is placed into protective custody by law enforcement, the FTDM must be held as soon as possible and no later than 72 hours of the placement and always prior to the shelter care hearing.

  5. How do Children Enter Placement in WA? Obtaining legal authority to place

  6. Police Protective CustodyRCW 26.44.050 • LE determination of probable cause: • Child is abused/neglected – OR – • Child would be injured/ couldn’t be removed if court order sought • Maximum of 72 hours w/o court order • RCW 13.34.060 • Notice of Protective Custody provided to parent • DSHS form 10-157 • Copy retained for case file

  7. Court OrderRCW 13.34.050 • File Dependency Petition • Request Pick-up Order • Alleges the child requires placement now • Shelter Care Hearing • Occurs w/in 72 hours • Court issues Shelter Care order

  8. Hospital HoldRCW 26.44.056 • Physician/hospital administrator • Imminent danger if child released • Maximum of 72 hours w/o court order • RCW 13.34.060 • If we return the child: • Must have a FTDM (policy) • Case must remain open at least 6 months (law)

  9. Providing Parental NoticeRCW 13.34.060 • Provide parents/youth with petition • “Service” • Temporary Custody Notification (09-731) • Notification to Parents (16-219)

  10. Voluntary Placement Agreement 09-004B VPAs may be used when: • There is a safety threat identified, an FTDM recommends a VPA • After business hours when a safety threat exists but law enforcement does not place the child • While a parent receives medical care/treatment and no one is available to care for the child • When the other (safe) parent is not immediately available to care for the child Practices and Procedures 4307

  11. Voluntary Placement Agreement Special Considerations • VPA lasts up to 90days • ICW clients must sign in front of a judge or commissioner • Child must be placed with a relative or in licensed care • Need supervisor approval • Both parents should sign • A VPA isn’t a “reasonable effort” to prevent removal

  12. Placement Options “In Home” w/ parent Unlicensed Placements: • Suitable Relatives • Suitable Adults Licensed Placements: • Foster Homes • Facilities

  13. Unlicensed PlacementsRCW 13.34.060, 13.34.130, 74.13.600 Legal definition of relative • Grandparents, Aunts/Uncles, Nieces/Nephews, 1st & 2nd Cousins, Step Parents, Siblings & Half Siblings, Step Siblings (+ spouses even after divorce) Legal definition of Suitable Adult: • An adult known to the child and/or family Must place w/a suitable relative unless: • Child’s health, safety, and welfare will be jeopardized • Efforts to reunify will be hindered Suitable adult placements = court approval

  14. Identifying Relatives • Ask parents prior to first hearing (preferably before or at FTDM) • Document all identified relatives • Provide written notice to relatives w/in 30 days (15-330) • Relative Search regardless of placement • Relative Search Specialists available

  15. Choosing a Placement • Honor parental requests when possible • Prioritize suitable relatives • Preference homes where the child can: • Visit regularly with parents • Remain with or frequently see siblings • Maintain existing relationships • Remain in the community • Consider the potential for permanency and long term stability • Avoid temporary placements • Consider the needs and abilities of caregiver & the needs of the child

  16. Determining Who Is Suitable:The Home Study Process

  17. Home Study Process Prospective Placement: • Conversation about the reality of parenting a child placed by DCFS • Confirm family has fact sheet (publication 10-444) • Complete Initial walk through (10-453) • Complete Background clearance • Referral to DLR(10-447)

  18. Initial Walk Through • Household Safety Inspection for Unlicensed Relatives/Suitable Others (DSHS 10-453) • Fire Evacuation Plan (DSHS 16-204) • Safety and Supervision Plan for Site Specific Conditions (DSHS 10-419) if indicated

  19. Complete Background Clearance • Criminal History • Finger Prints for adults • Electronic prints via Morpho-trust • Physical prints at local LE • BCCU background check for 16 yrs+ • Administrative Review (15-367) if needed • CPS Records • FamLink and other states/counties

  20. Referral to DLR • Home Study Referral (DSHS 10-447) • Most recent • ISSP or Placement Referral or Dependency Petition • Background check results for all >16 • Administrative approvals if required

  21. What if we need an Emergency Placement???

  22. Emergency Placements in Unlicensed Homes • Prior to placement • Complete NCIC for 18 yrs. + • Inform of finger print requirement • Provide Background Authorization form for 16 yrs + • Complete FamLink check • “Assess the suitability of the placement” • Complete initial walk through (DSHS 10-453)

  23. Emergency Placements in Unlicensed Homes • Within 72 hours: • Complete Placement agreement 15-281 • Complete Unlicensed placement caregiver checklist 15-280 • Initiate out of state CPS check Placements with a suitable other require a report to the court within 72-hour

  24. Emergency Placements in Unlicensed Homes • Within 10 days: • Verify fingerprints are submitted • Submit Background Check Authorizations • Within 60 days: • Receive fire evacuation plan 16-204 • Complete Safety and Supervision plan if necessary 10-419 • Provide fact sheets 10-444 if they don’t already have them • Complete Homestudy pre-screen 10-449 • Complete Homestudy referral 10-447 • At 60 days: • Refer to DLR

  25. Child Information and Placement Referral Form • Must be completed on ALL placements • Must be signed by the caregiver and uploaded into Famlink • Provides critical information to the caregiver about the child(ren) and should be completed thoroughly

  26. Sibling Placement & Visitation Policy • Reasonable efforts to place siblings together must be made and documented • AA approval needed for siblings being placed apart • If siblings aren’t placed together, siblings must have twice monthly visits unless there are concerns about a negative impact on well-being

  27. SAY/PAAY Youth • Youth who are sexually or physically aggressive • Require a Youth Supervision and Safety Plan for placement • Placement must complete special training

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