18.5 Residential Care Screening Team Coordinator Responsibilities
The Residential Care Screening Team (RCST) Coordinator is located in each of the seven Area Offices. His/her role is to screen and prioritize placement requests for the area, secure placements, match a child with a facility which can meet the needs of the child, and assure that the Area stays within the funds available for residential treatment services.
NOTE: The RCST Coordinator has final approval/authority for all children referred and accepted for residential treatment services, has oversight to ensure the ACTS system SS-61 is updated with an accurate REHAB Service Begin Date which is concurrent with the CSPI completion date, and oversees modification to a child’s residential treatment/service plan.
The RCST Coordinator reviews children’s needs, as identified on the CS-9, to assure residential treatment will best meet the child’s clinical needs. If residential treatment is not determined to be appropriate, this is discussed with the case manager and supervisor. The county staff will seek other options for treatment. As stated in other sections of this chapter and in other chapters, treatment for each child shall meet the clinical needs of that child and shall be offered in the least restrictive placement that assures safety for the child and for others.
The RCST Coordinator has responsibility to:
- Screen a referral within five (5) working days of its receipt in order to determine the treatment needs of the child.
- Verify child’s eligibility for REHABT-RT by confirming the entry/presence of CSPI scores in the ACTS system as well as a REHAB Service Begin Date that concurs with the date of completion of the CSPI. SEAS authorizations for residential treatment services are NOT to be entered without verification that the ACTS system indicates the child’s eligibility.
- Make written requests to appropriate contractual providers for admission/placement.
- Notify the referring Children’s Service Worker if an appropriate treatment resource is not available.
- Complete the CS-67 and enter the data indicating the child has been determined eligible and appropriate for residential treatment. Retain information about the child if no resource or funding is currently available.
- Notify the referring Children’s Service Worker when a placement becomes available.
- Determine a treatment period for the child. The treatment period will be based on an assessment of the child’s needs, the services supplied by the provider, and as determined by the specific contract with the provider. The treatment period will be dependent on the treatment plan as developed jointly by the FST with input from the case manager, residential treatment provider, the family, the youth, the juvenile court representative, and the Guardian ad Litem. Complete the CS-67, showing corresponding eligibility periods. Authorize services using CS-67A within the established eligibility dates.
- Review and approve/deny requests from the provider or the Children’s Service Worker for extensions of the treatment period. Such decisions will be based on the progress reports received from the provider as well as a review of the regularly submitted CS-1 that includes the recommendations of the FST. Assure that the treatment facility is providing rehabilitative services to the child and family, including encouraging visits as a part of the therapeutic process.
- Seek a another placement resource through the “matching” process if the child continues to need residential care services and the facility currently providing care cannot meet the needs of the child.
- Review treatment and progress reports received from the provider. These should include any changes in treatment, identify the involvement with the family, progress toward reunification, and progress at “rehabilitation” of the youth for the problems for which he/she was referred to the facility.
- Notify the county of jurisdiction 60 days in advance of the child’s planned discharge.
- Complete and enter data on the CS-67A authorizing residential treatment as necessary. Update the CS-67A to reauthorize or modify authorizations.
- Arrange for an evaluation of the child by the residential treatment provider so that the provider can develop a treatment plan for the child. The provider can require this evaluation be conducted in residence. If so, the provider must complete the evaluation and a recommended treatment plan within 15 days. This treatment plan must be provided to the RCST Coordinator and case manager. If the treatment plan differs from that of the FST, clear documentation of the recommended change must be provided.
- Coordinate, consult, and negotiate with the provider and the county with jurisdiction so that the objectives of the treatment plan for the specific child can be met. This treatment plan will be integrated into the comprehensive case plan (CS-1) developed with the child and family and all members of the FST during the FST meeting.
- Use the standards for selection of a placement resource, assuring that the child is placed in the least restrictive placement where his/her safety can be maintained. Meeting the child’s special needs will take priority over the standard of placement in proximity to the parents.
NOTE: Each child’s placement should be reevaluated every six (6) months to determine if residential treatment continues to best meet the child’s clinical needs.
NOTE: Providers are required to submit treatment and progress reports to the RCST Coordinator and the case manager at certain intervals. Refer to the contract under which the licensed residential child care agency operates for a description of these intervals.
NOTE: The RCST Coordinator shall authorize any special expenses or services not covered by the residential treatment contract. It continues to be the responsibility of the case manager to authorize payment for special expenses via the CS-65 for children receiving residential treatment program services.
NOTE: Family Support Teams (FSTs) are used to drive treatment planning, to determine placement goals and objectives, and to provide ongoing monitoring of progress. If the child is unable to return to the family of origin, the family and child shall both continue to be involved in planning for permanency utilizing extended family, kin, or other known resources. Staff may also contact the Residential Program Unit at 573-751-4920, for further information.