10.11.1  Assess Parents Progress

Assess parents' progress in resolving the initial problem necessitating placement and identify with the parents a tentative return date.  Consistent contact with the family in the home is essential to assessing the progress of the family and for recommending reunification.  The Children’s Service Worker should meet in the home, face-to-face with the family at a minimum of once per month during the course of the intervention.  However, this contact should increase as the family progresses toward reunification.

NOTE:  Parents/caretakers who are or may be eligible for temporary assistance should be evaluated for the Families Together program. 

Related Subject: Section 4, Chapter 6, Attachment D: Families Together Program (FSD Program for Temporary Assistance)

10.11.2  Prepare Summary of Recommendation for Court

Prepare summary for court and request custody be returned to the parent, unless special circumstances exist (i.e., Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children-ICPC cases, the court has previously indicated an expectation that CD retain custody, trial visitations if the child has been out of the home for a relatively long period of time).

NOTE:  No child shall be returned to his/her parents for the purpose of a permanent placement without first informing the court of the placement and assuring that the court order allows such a placement.

10.11.3  Development and Implementation of Reunification Support/Written Service Agreement

The Children’s Service Worker and the FST shall develop a time-limited Reunification Support/Written Service Agreement with the parent and child (if appropriate) which outlines the continued responsibilities of the Division, parent, and child in order to ensure successful reunification.  The worker shall continue to provide any specialized treatment services needed to maintain family stability and prevent recurrence of the behaviors, which resulted in the original placement.  Reunification support services may continue for up to six (6) months, subject to continuing court jurisdiction, and depending on the needs of the family, which are continually assessed by the worker and Family Support Team.

If the birth parent(s) or legal guardian resides out of state and the case plan is to reunite the family, Interstate Compact procedures shall be followed.  For example, the receiving state will be requested to evaluate the home of the parent(s) and approve or disapprove the pending placement.

The receiving state should agree to monitor the placement.  The sending state will retain legal custody until the receiving state recommends that custody be returned to the parent(s) or legal guardian.

Related Subject: Section 4 Chapter 25 Interstate Placements.

10.11.4  Preparing the Birth Parent(s)

In preparation for the child’s return, the Children’s Service Worker and parent should discuss anticipated issues and develop plans for coping with those issues.  These issues include, but are not necessarily limited to:

• Change in parent's lifestyle, particularly if they have not had any child care responsibility.
• How current family relationships might be affected.
• Child's behavior,(i.e., feelings of separation and loss from placement provider, testing rules and limits).
• Child may compare parents to placement provider.
• Child must adjust to new community and school.
• Child may feel insecure and be "clingy" due to fear of another separation from parents.
• Parents may have periods of uncertainty about their ability to adequately meet the child's needs.

As the time for the child's return nears, visits between parent(s) and child should be more frequent and of longer duration, (i.e., overnight, weekends, etc.).  Also, the parent(s) will likely need additional support during this time.  The Children’s Service Worker should attempt to meet face-to-face with the parent(s) at least once per week in the home during this transition phase.

Prior to the child’s actual return to the home, the Children’s Service Worker shall provide the parent(s) and child with a reunification packet which must contain:

1. The original birth certificate (one copy must be retained in the case record);
2. The original social security card (one copy must be retained in the record);
3. Copies of medical records or medical log, including immunization record and names and addresses of primary medical practitioners.  This summary shall emphasize special medical needs of the child and appropriate treatment;
4. A copy of report cards, transcript or grade records and the most current IEP;
5. Written information or brochures on helpful resources (i.e., food stamps, housing authority, and energy assistance).  The Children’s Service Worker shall assist the family in accessing these services in the community;
6. Written summary of out-of-home placements and his/her growth, behaviors, and experiences during that time;
7. Pictures of the child contained in the case record;
8. Personal records (i.e., baptism record);
9. Information regarding the child's KIDS account.  The Children’s Service Worker shall assist the family in the payee application process if the child has been receiving SSA (OASDI) or SSI benefits; and
10. Life book.

In addition to the continued responsibilities of the agency, parent and child, the aftercare plan shall address the specific needs of the family and child, (i.e., child care, medical care, counseling, parent aide services and other supportive services).

Title XIX MO HealthNet (formerly called Medicaid) may be left open for a maximum of 180 days after the child has been placed in the parent's physical custody when CD retains legal custody.  The MO HealthNet card will be sent to the placement provider.  Therefore, the Children’s Service Worker will need to ensure that the parent receives the card to use for the child.  If applicable, the worker shall encourage the parent to apply for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or medical insurance benefits for the child during the trial visit.

10.11.5  Preparing the Child

When the recommendation of the FST is return of the child to the birth parent(s), steps should be taken to prepare the child for this move.  The amount and kind of preparation necessary will vary according to the child's age, length of time in out-of-home care and relationship with the birth parent(s) and placement provider.  The placement provider shall be involved in, and aware of, the plans to return the child to the birth parent(s).  The placement provider will need to take appropriate steps to prepare the child for separation.  The positive attitude of the placement provider toward the return of the child to the birth parent(s) will influence the child's view of return.

The following steps should be taken by the Children’s Service Worker, placement provider and parent in preparing the child for reunification with his/her family:

• Privately discuss with the child their feelings regarding reunification with the parent.   Address fears, anxiety, expectations, responsibilities and safeguards that ensure the child's safety.  The Children’s Service Worker should recognize that the child may feel more comfortable discussing reunification issues with the current placement provider.  Conversely, the child may experience feelings of disloyalty to the placement provider for wanting to return home.  Also, the child may experience feelings of disloyalty to parents demonstrated by new acting out behavior.
• The child’s visits with the parent(s) should become more frequent and longer in duration with increasing child care responsibility given to the parent.  When the child will be with the parent for a week or longer, the Children’s Service Worker should make at least one home visit with the family during the extended visit to assure safety and provide support to the family.
• Provide opportunity for the parent, child, placement provider, and Children’s Service Worker to identify and resolve problems which occur during visits.
• The placement provider shall assist the child in making the transition to the birth family.
• The Children’s Service Worker and the placement provider should review the child's life book with the child and biological parent during the transition phase of reunification.

10.11.6  Preparing the Placement Provider

As a member of the FST, the placement provider participates in making significant decisions in the child's life.  The placement provider will also assume an active role as mentor and helper to the parent to facilitate a successful family reunion.  The goal of reunification should not come as a surprise to the placement provider.  However, the bonds that develop between some placement providers and children are so significant that both the child and the adult may grieve the loss.  Therefore, it is important that the Children’s Service Worker recognizes the signs of grieving and assists the child and placement provider through this difficult transition.

Related Subject:  Section 7, Chapter 7  Separation and Loss

The Children’s Service Worker and placement provider should also discuss:

• Placement provider's fears or anxieties regarding the child's return to the parents.
• Anticipated changes in the child's behavior during the transition phase.
• Placement provider's role in helping/supporting the parent and child make the transition.
• Updating the life book and other records maintained by the placement provider.
• Continued contact, if any, with the child and parent.

10.11.7 Preparing the Non-Custodial Parent

In preparing the non-custodial parent for reunification with the child, the Children’s Service Worker should consider the non-custodial parent's awareness and involvement in the child's placement, (i.e., communication and visitation and his/her previous role in the child's life).  In addition, the worker and non-custodial parent should discuss anticipated issues and methods for coping with those issues.  Refer to the previous section in this chapter concerning “Preparing the Parents.”  If necessary, an aftercare plan may be developed with the non-custodial parent to ensure successful reunification.

NOTE:  If the family/juvenile court terminates jurisdiction, legal custody will revert to the prior legal custodian.  Non-custodial parent must obtain legal custody through civil court.

10.11.8  Develop Visitation Schedule

When the FST recommends a trial home placement, the worker, along with the FST, should develop a visitation schedule.  Both announced and unannounced visits should be conducted to assess the safety of all household members.  The household is to be visited a minimum of once a week for the first 30 days of a trial home visit either by the CSW or an external agency worker providing services to the family or child.  When visits are conducted by an external agency worker, the CSW must document the visit date, how the safety of the child(ren) was assured, and other information provided by the external agency worker.  If the weekly visits are conducted by an external agency staff member, the CSW should encourage them to utilize the CD-82 and CD-83 when meeting with the family.  This provides for consistent information collection and documentation across the state.  A parental trial visit may last up to 180 days prior to the court relieving the Division of custody.  Contact after the initial 30 days shall be based upon the assessed level of risk on the Risk Re-Assessment (CS-16E).  The minimum contact standards are outlined in Section 2, Chapter 9.

NOTE:  Except for the Families Together program, Title XIX should not be closed until the child has been placed with the parent(s).  Since the Alternative Care Client Form (SS-61) still reflects the child's current out-of-home placement, the MO HealthNet card will be sent to the address of the out-of-home care provider.  The CSW shall assure that the MO HealthNet card is given to the parent(s) for use for the child.  If the parent/caretaker is approved for temporary assistance for the child during the trial visit, the Title XIX should be closed on the Alternative Care Client form, SS-61, in order for the child to receive Title XIX through temporary assistance.

10.11.9  Post-Reunification Support

Reunification support services are critical to a successful family reunion.  Reciprocal and open communication between the Children’s Service Worker, parent, child, placement provider and external agencies providing services to the family or child is essential to identifying services needed for successful family reunification.  Services should be consistent with the individual needs of family members.  The following represents the minimum expectations for worker contact with the family:

1. Assure that face-to-face contact with family and child in the home occurs once a week for the first month of reunion by either a CSW or an external agency worker providing services to the family or child.  When face-to-face contact  is conducted by an  external agency worker, the CSW must document the contact date and any other information provided by the external agency worker;
2. The Children’s Services Worker must update the CD-14 and CD-14A during the first 30 days and complete the CS-16E Risk Re-Assessment;
3. Face-to-face contact with parent(s) and child(ren) in the home according to the minimum contact standards indicated on the Risk Re-Assessment (CS-16E) thereafter until the court terminates jurisdiction;
4. Identify community supports needed to aid family reintegration;
5. Continue any specialized treatment services needed to maintain the family stability and prevent reoccurrence of behaviors which resulted in the original placement;
6. Continue any needed referrals and assistance to the parent(s) for accessing primary and preventative health care, including prenatal care, well-baby, and post-natal care, and child spacing services;
7. Contact by telephone, as needed;
8. Determine that the family demonstrates adequate care of children and termination of services can be considered;
9. Determine with the parents a projected date for case closing; and
10. Closure visit after the court terminates jurisdiction, at which time the Children’s Service Worker should complete the Termination of Services/Aftercare Plan (CD-14D).

Issues that the Children’s Service Worker should discuss with the family and child during contacts should include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:

• The progressive periods of child's adjustment, (i.e., separation and grief, honeymoon, testing of limits, etc.);
• Parent's uncertainty about their ability to adequately meet the child's needs;
• Increased responsibility for meeting child's needs for safety and security;
• How family relationships have been affected by the child's return home; and
• What services have been helpful and what additional services are needed.

The Children’s Service Worker mayutilize the Parental Home Visit Checklist (CD-83) to address these issues and to assess the continued safety of the child(ren) in the parental home.  The worker may also utilize the Worker/Child Visit Checklist (CD-82) to document contact with the children in the home.

10.11.10   Requesting Termination of Court Jurisdiction

The Children’s Service Worker shall request, in writing, termination of court jurisdiction according to the requirements of the presiding court.

10.11.11  Termination of Reunification Support Services

Termination of reunification support services shall be a planned and natural component of the casework process.  Due to its importance in the provision of services, the Children’s Service Worker should prepare carefully for this process.  Skills in terminating the helping relationship are just as important as skills that are used in establishing the relationship.  The following are important factors to consider when recommending termination of aftercare services.  However, this list is not all encompassing and the FST should consider the circumstances of each family:

1. The family has stabilized and the risk of abuse/neglect to the child is minimal:
   1. The client is engaging in those behaviors which were defined as desirable in the original or modified treatment plan.
   2. Evidence exists that the family has methods that support the capacity to cope adequately with life stresses, problems, and complexities without producing harm to the child(ren).
   3. The parent is capable of establishing warm, give and take, relationships with others and expresses recognition for the individuality of the family members.
   4. The parent can tolerate frustration and other discomfort such as anxiety, guilt, anger, or grief.
   5. The parent can use his energies to concentrate on meeting needs of the children and others.
   6. The reasons for needed services no longer exist.
   7. Consultation with service providers used in the treatment plan supports the client's progress or improved degree of well-being and safety of the children.
2. The family has demonstrated an awareness of available community support services, i.e., counseling, and the ability to utilize these services as necessary.
3. Closure has been discussed with the family and they are aware of the plan.
4. The family has optimally benefited from services and is not likely to demonstrate further progress given additional services.
5. Court jurisdiction has been terminated.

10.11.12  Procedures for Closing a Case

The following procedures are required by the Children’s Service Worker after the FST has determined that aftercare services should be terminated and the court has terminated jurisdiction. Once the family, 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:

1. To address any unresolved issues relating to the termination of services.
2. 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:
   1. Discuss/document positive behavioral changes that have occurred in the family’s functioning and the reduction of risk.
   2. Discuss/document challenges to maintaining positive growth;
   3. Discuss/document family’s strengths to build on;
   4. Discuss/document supports/services formal/informal needed for continued progress.
   5. Discuss/develop/document an aftercare plan with the family including any services/support remaining in place that will maintain positive changes.
   6. 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.
   7. Determine that the family knows how to access support systems and resources independently;
   8. 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; and
   9. Identify any remaining problem areas to which problem-solving can be applied.
3. Confirm the closing decision and date of closing with the family members;
4. Notify the family of the termination of contracted services;
5. Inform all contracted service providers and others involved in the Written Service Agreement of the decision to close the case and closing date;
6. The Children’s Service Worker shall close the necessary forms which include all SEAS forms (CS-67 & 67A), the Alternative Care Client Form (SS-61), and Family Centered Services Case Report (SS-63), and the KIDS account.
7. The Children’s Service Worker shall send a letter to the family reminding them of the agreed upon date of closing and offer services if needed by the family in the future.
8. The Children’s Service Worker shall ensure that the court order terminating jurisdiction is in the file.

Sources:  The Risk Assessment was adapted from the Utah Child Protective Services Risk Assessment Project, Utah Department of Social Services, and the Utah Child Welfare Training Project, Graduate School of Social Work, University of Utah; 1987.

The Risk Assessment was adapted from Understanding Families, written by Jo Ann Allen, with contributions by Eloise Cornelius and Consuelo Lopez, and edited by Kittsu Swanson.  It was developed under Contract #105-79-1107 for the Children's Bureau, Administration for Children, Youth and Families, Office of Human Development Services, United States Department of Health and Human Services.

Technical Assistance in the development of the Family Assessment and Treatment Plan, its explanation, and instructions was provided by the National Resource Center on Family-Based Services, University of Iowa School of Social Work, Iowa City, Iowa.