14.3.1  Referring Children’s Service Worker:

1. Receive oral and written decision from  Behavioral Foster Care (BFC) Children’s Service Worker, including identification of potential BFC home and pre-placement visitation plan.

NOTE:  Pre-placement visits are vital to a successful placement and should not be rushed.

2. Carry out any of the following actions, as appropriate:
   1. Coordinate all planning with Service County, if county of BFC placement is different from Case Manager County;

   NOTE:  Prior to BFC staffing, such a referral must be reviewed by the Circuit Manager of the receiving county;

   2. Continue case management if the child is placed on a waiting list for a BFC home;
   3. Continue case management if child is placed on a waiting list; and
   4. Notify BFC Worker in writing if placement is no longer needed.
3. Provide services consistent with the case plan to the birth parents.
4. Assess and monitor the birth parents’ progress and keep them informed of their child's progress.

14.3.2  BFC Program Children’s Service Worker:

1. Share a thorough description of the potential BFC the family with the child and assess his/her interest in them.
2. Assure transportation for the child to/from pre-placement visits:
• BFC parents may be reimbursed, via the Children’s Services Integrated Payment System Invoice (CSIPS), CS-65, for transportation costs of pre-placement activities;
• Actual number of visits is governed by the needs of the child and the BFC family;
• A minimum of one in-home, overnight pre-placement visit is required;
• An assessment period where the child is removed from the home must follow every pre-placement visit;
• BFC parents may receive a pro-rated BFC maintenance payment, via the CSIPS, CS-65, on a per diem basis, for lengthy pre-placement visits, even though the child remains officially with another caregiver; and
• Gain commitment from both child and the family; then proceed with placement.
3. Assure child's arrival at the BFC home, when all parties agree that the child is ready.
4. Update the Alternative Care Client form, SS-61.
5. Complete CSIPS, CS-65, monthly, for approved and earned incentive and reinforcer payments.

Related Subject:  Section 4 Chapter 11, Financial Support Planning

6. Assess the child's overall treatment needs, including educational, psychiatric, and emotional.  If needed, obtain evaluations.
7. Develop a treatment plan for the child's behavior problems within ten (10) days after placement.  This plan should be developed using the Step and Positive Time Chart, CS-11, and the Program Planning Sheet, CS-12, as tools.
8. Provide at least weekly consultation to BFC parents:
1. Assess and monitor progress;
2. Review and discuss the STEP charts, positive time charts, and other appropriate material; and
3. Maintain 24 hour availability to BFC parents to assist with any emergency.
9. Assist the birth parents in carrying out the ABC (Antecedant/Behavior/Consequence) plan while the child is in the birth parents’ home.
10. Submit child's progress to the Family Support Team at required intervals.
11. Submit reports regarding the BFC child to court at required intervals, incorporating progress reports and the case Child Assessment and Service Plan, CS-1, including FST recommendations.

Related Subject: Section 4 Chapter 7.2.4 Lack of Consensus at Family Support Team (FST)/Permanency Planning Review Team (PPRT) Meetings

12. Record all activities every 30 days, incorporating progress reports, FST/PPRT meetings, court hearings, and case plan changes, as appropriate.
13. Work collaboratively with the case manager to arrange sibling visits.