8.4 Procedures for Closing a Case
The decision to close a case must be made only after a risk re-assessment is completed following Structured Decision Making guidelines, and after the risk level supports the case closing as indicated in Section 2, Chapter 9.4 Assessment of Risk.
The final decision to close the family’s case must be approved by the worker’s supervisor. Once the Worker and supervisor agree on a closing date the worker must meet with the family within 15 days of the decision to close the case. The purpose of this visit is to address any unresolved issues relating to the termination of services. The following steps are to be completed when closing a FCS case:
- The worker will use the Termination of Services/Aftercare Plan (CD-14D)
tool to summarize the family’s positive change and the aftercare
plan developed to sustain that change and maintain an acceptable level
of risk. The worker should:
- Discuss/document positive behavioral changes that have occurred in the family’s functioning and the reduction of risk.
- Discuss/document challenges to maintaining positive growth;
- Discuss/document family’s strengths to build on;
- Discuss/document supports/services formal/informal needed for continued progress.
- Discuss/develop/document an aftercare plan with the family including any services/support remaining in place that will maintain positive changes.
- The plan should address the sustainability of positive change and linkage with formal or informal supports/services the family can access to maintain acceptable risk.
- Determine that the family knows how to access support systems and resources independently; and
- This plan should also include appropriate numbers or contacts the family can access in time of crisis that may impact the children’s risk or immediate safety.
- Identify any remaining problem areas to which problem-solving can be applied;
- Confirm the closing decision and date of closing with the family members;
- Notify the family of the termination of contracted services and inform all contracted service providers and others involved in the Written Service Agreement of the decision to close the case and closing date;
- Close any service authorizations that have been opened for the family; and
- Close the case in FACES:
- Go to the FCS Information page, enter the case number and click on the function closing button;
- Select the close date, close reason, and enter closing comments;
- Select supervisor and the supervisor consultation date;
- Complete the Family Centered Services Detail Closing Information;
- Enter additional comments and select add; and
- Click the update button at the top of the screen, scroll down to
the bottom, and click on the Send for Supervisory Review button.
For FCS cases, the supervisor must approve the case closure as soon as possible but no later than 2 business days after the worker enters the function closing