10.2.1  Initial Case Assignment

The supervisor must review the case information that resulted in the referral for treatment services.  He/She will then assign the case to the Children’s Service Worker for treatment delivery.

NOTE:  The worker who completes the CPS-1A should implement the plan prior to the case being assigned.  Since safety plans are designed to ensure immediate safety of child(ren), it is imperative that the same worker who developed the plan with the family follow through until the plan is completed.  The child’s immediate safety is secured before the case is transferred to another worker.

• Cases not originating from a CA/N report shall be assigned within five (5) working days after receiving the referral from intake.

  As no distinct risk assessment/priority status has been completed on these cases, the supervisor must communicate follow-up expectations to the Children’s Service Worker at assignment.

  The Children’s Service Worker's initial in-home face-to-face contact with the family shall occur within ten (10) working days from case assignment.

• If the case results from a CA/N investigation or assessment, the supervisor must note the priority status as determined on the CPS-1 Risk Assessment.  The supervisor shall assign the case for treatment within one (1) working day after receiving the case from the CA/N investigation or assessment unit or worker.

  The time frames corresponding with the priority status may dictate whether the case is assigned immediately without a Children’s Service Worker/supervisor conference.  The priority status will reflect the perceived overall safety and risk in the case.

  Related Subject: Section 2, Chapter 5.3.20  Priority of Initial Client Contact after a Case Opening Based on SDM Risk

  To assist in maintaining balanced caseloads among the staff in his/her unit, the supervisor should attempt to estimate the amount of casework each case may need.  High priority cases will probably place additional demands on the Children’s Service Worker as he/she attempts to reduce the risk factors in the family.  Therefore, cases should be assigned among staff so that high and intermediate priority cases are distributed throughout the unit.  This may help prevent any one worker from being overwhelmed by these types of cases.  Other considerations, in addition to case complexity, should include travel time and non-direct service time.

  Related Subject:  Section 3, Chapter 3.5  Children’s Service Worker and Supervisor Considerations

10.2.2  Consultation during Assessment

After the case assignment and the initial home visit(s), the Children’s Service Worker will determine if the family is still eligible and in need of services.  The worker must inform the supervisor if changes have occurred and if services are not needed by the family.  A mutual decision is then required to close the case.  If no agreement is reached to close the case, the worker will continue the family assessment.

10.2.3  Post-Assessment Consultation

The Children’s Service Worker will complete the CD-14 FCS Family Assessment Packet within 30 days of case assignment.  Case consultation is required after the assessment is completed.  This provides the opportunity for the worker to share his/her perception of the service needs of the family and discuss goals that should be contained in the CD-14B, Written Service Agreement.

The supervisor will determine if the CD-14B is based on sound social service or child welfare practice, reflects agency policy, and is targeted toward the identified risk factors.  The supervisor should encourage the Children’s Service Worker's creativity to assist the family to meet their service goals.

It will be the supervisor's responsibility to determine that the casework is reflecting a family-centered approach and that services are addressing the entire family unit.  Supervisors should address if all family members have been seen during the worker’s home visits.  If all family members have not been seen, the worker and supervisor should address why not and what activities need to occur to see all family members in efforts to address safety concerns.  Additional contacts may be necessary to assess the safety of the child(ren).  These may include additional home visits or collateral contacts.  The supervisor may use any completed Parental Home Visit Checklist forms (CD-83) to assess who was seen and what topics were discussed with the family during the worker’s home visits.

Also, at this time the supervisor should determine if the anticipated time required of the Children’s Service Worker (based upon the priority status, which was estimated at the initial case assignment), is still applicable.  This determination should serve as a basis for future case assignments to the worker.

10.2.4  Ongoing Consultations

The family situation will be discussed on an ongoing basis in conferences (recommended weekly, especially in high priority cases) between the Children’s Service Worker and supervisor.  Risk factors that have been identified should be evaluated.  Comparisons must be made between the current risk factors and those identified earlier.

Planning for balanced caseloads will be an important part of the weekly conferences.  The estimated time required for each case must be reevaluated during these conferences and taken into consideration for future case assignments by the supervisor.

Risk factors found in the individual cases will provide the supervisor and Children’s Service Worker with guidelines to assess the demands of the case and balance staff caseloads.