R512-100. In-Home Services, R512. Human Services, Child and Family Services, Utah Administrative Code

Utah Administrative Code (Current through November 1, 2019)

R512. Human Services, Child and Family Services

R512-100-1. Purpose and Authority

Latest version.

(1) The purpose of In-Home Services is to enhance a parent's capacity to safely care for their child in their home and to safely reduce the need for out-of-home care in Utah. In-Home Services include front-end services that help prevent removal and allow a child to remain at home with their parent or caregiver. It includes cases where a child is placed with a non-custodial parent or relatives who have custody and guardianship of the child. It also includes services for when a child returns home from out-of-home care and there are continuing services with Child and Family Services and court oversight.

(2) In-Home Services are a set of evidence-based services, strategies, and tools that support the safety, permanency, and well-being of a child and the strengthening of their family.

(3) The key components of In-Home Services interventions include:

(a) Case management based on Practice Model skills of engaging, teaming, assessing, planning, and intervening,

(b) Assessing and addressing safety and risk issues to help stabilize the family, providing purposeful home visits and a private conversation with the child,

(c) The application of an evidence-based assessment to identify child and family needs and protective factors early in the case, guiding caseworkers to better target the individual needs of the family with services, and informing the development of the Child and Family Plan, and

(d) Direct services and interventions that help the family make needed changes in addition to linking the family to evidence-based services and community resources.

(4) Pursuant to Sections 62A-4a-105, 62A-4a-201, and 62A-4a-202, Child and Family Services is authorized to provide In-Home Services.

(5) This rule is authorized by Section 62A-4a-102.

R512-100-2. Definitions

Latest version.

(1) "Child and Family Plan" is a written document that is developed by the Child and Family Team based on the assessment of the child and family's strengths and needs. The Child and Family Plan will guide and enable the family to make the changes that are necessary to meet their child's need for safety, permanency, and well-being.

(2) "Child and Family Services" means the Division of Child and Family Services.

(3) "Child and Family Team" is the family's identified informal supports and the service providers working with the family.

(4) "Utah Family and Children Engagement Tool (UFACET)" is an assessment tool used to identify child and family needs and guide addressing those needs with services in the Child and Family Plan.

R512-100-3. Qualifications

Latest version.

(1) In-Home Services may be provided to families under the following conditions:

(a) A child has experienced abuse or neglect but can remain safely in the home with a safety plan.

(b) A child is placed with a non-custodial parent or relatives who have custody and guardianship of the child.

(d) An adoptive placement is at risk of disruption and intensive services are needed to maintain the child in the adoptive home.

(e) When reunification is likely within 14 days and intensive support is needed in conjunction with a current out-of-home care caseworker to prepare for and facilitate the reunification.

(2) A family may not qualify for In-Home Services under the following conditions:

(a) A family has the ability to access resources, supports, and services on their own, and

(b) There is minimal risk of abuse/neglect to the child, and

(3) In-Home Services may be voluntary or court ordered. A petition may be filed for court-ordered protective supervision of the family.

(4) In-Home Services are available in all geographic regions of the state.

R512-100-5. Service Delivery

Latest version.

(1) Child and Family Team:

(a) The caseworker will engage the child and family to assemble a Child and Family Team. A Child and Family Team includes informal supports identified by the family in addition to the service providers who are or will be working with the family. The Child and Family Team meets regularly and assesses the strengths and needs of the child and family and plans for the child's safety, permanency, and well-being. Teaming occurs through ongoing information sharing and collaboration.

(2) Assessing:

(a) The purpose of assessing is to inform the Child and Family Team so that they know what they need to know to do what they need to do. Assessing is a sequential process of gathering information about the family's strengths and needs, analyzing the information, drawing conclusions, and acting on those conclusions by developing a plan to meet the identified needs. These needs are met through the provision of effective interventions that help the family achieve enduring safety, permanency, and well-being. Assessing is an ongoing and evolving process throughout the case.

(3) Planning:

(a) A Child and Family Plan shall be developed for each family receiving In-Home Services in accordance with Section 62A-4a-205. The Child and Family Plan guides the provision of services/interventions and is tracked and adapted throughout the case.

(b) Members of the Child and Family Team, including the parents and the child, if age appropriate, shall assist in developing the Child and Family Plan.

(c) A copy of the completed Child and Family Plan shall be provided to the parent or guardian. If In-Home Services are court ordered, a copy of the Child and Family Plan will be provided to the court, Assistant Attorney General, Guardian ad Litem, and legal counsel for the parent or guardian.

(4) Permanency Goals:

(a) All children receiving In-Home Services shall have a primary permanency goal and, if appropriate, a concurrent permanency goal identified by the Child and Family Team.

(b) For court-ordered In-Home Services, both primary and concurrent permanency goals, when applicable, shall be submitted to the court for approval.

(5) Duration of Services:

(a) For court-ordered services, the caseworker will continue to work with the family until the circumstances that brought the family to the attention of Child and Family Services are remedied and a ruling is made by the assigned judge to terminate Child and Family Services oversight.

(b) For voluntary services, the Child and Family Team assesses and determines when to end services with the family. This decision is staffed with the caseworker's supervisor.