4.5  Selecting the Placement Resource

In the event there is no non-custodial parent, relative or kinship placement available, or if that resource is found unacceptable, the Children’s Service Worker shall use the information obtained from the family regarding the child's placement needs to make an appropriate placement match:

1. The initial placement should ideally be carefully selected based on the child's needs and the foster parent's capacity to meet those needs that are in the best interest of the child.  Mismatched placements may result in multiple placements, loss of cultural identity or inadequate care and lead to unnecessary trauma to the child.  The initial placement should ideally be the child's only placement until he can safely return home or otherwise achieve permanency.  In determining an appropriate placement match for the child, the Children’s Service Worker shall consider the following information regarding the child and the foster parent's capacity for meeting the child's needs:
   1. Age, health - nutritional status, sex;
   2. Religious and cultural needs;
   3. Developmental stage, level of school achievement, school behavior;
   4. General behavior;
   5. Relationship to parents, siblings, other adults and peers;
   6. Effect of abuse or neglect experience(s);
   7. Response to separation from parent or other caretaker;
   8. Talents, vocational desires and interests;
   9. Legal status of each parent and their potential involvement in the placement;
   10. Impact and response to school setting; and
   11. Other indicators, which will assist in determining the most appropriate placement.
2. Secure any special evaluations if increased knowledge is needed to complete a comprehensive assessment of the child's needs.
3. Decide appropriate placement resource setting using child's assessed needs and criteria outlined in Attachment B of this chapter:
   1. Give preference and first consideration for foster care placement to a grandparent or other relative/kinship of a child as required in section 210.565, RSMo.
   2. If a relative/kinship cannot be considered, document thoroughly in the case record the reasons a placement cannot be made with the relative/kinship.
   3. If a child reenters the foster care system and is not placed in a relative home, the child’s former foster parents shall be given first consideration for placement of the child, per Section 210.566 RSMo.
   4. Placement should be made with a family that has the capacity to meet all of the needs of the child including the child’s cultural identity on a long-term basis;
   5. Maintain child in current placement facility if child's condition requires other corrective treatment and begin plan for child's move;
   6. Conduct a resource search using ACTS/ZVRS transaction, if foster family care is needed; or, if family is located in another county. The CSW should review the Foster Family Profiles of potential placement providers in their process of selecting a placement provider that could meet the needs of the child.

      The Division prefers that minor mothers and their children be placed with the same foster family if either or both are in CD custody.

   7. Complete CS-9 and refer to Residential Care Screening Team (RCST) if needs assessment indicates residential care services at Levels II, III, or IV are needed;

      NOTE:  CD staff may serve as foster parents for public and private agencies other than our Division.  If employees provide foster care services for another agency, they may not accept for placement a child who is in the custody of CD.  This includes emergency foster care and respite care.  The only exceptions to this policy are:

      • A child in the custody of CD may be placed with an employee if all parental rights have been terminated and the intent is for that employee to adopt the child.  In this situation, the Division will refer the employee to an agency with a special adoption contract to provide supervision of the placement; and
      • If a child of a relative/kinship or child of a close friend of an employee is placed in the custody of CD, and it is in the best interest of the child to be placed with the employee, case management services shall be provided by a contracted individual.  The home study for the employee and recommendation to the court shall also be provided by a contracted agency.  There may be CD employees who are currently foster parents.  The Division does not want to disrupt current placements, but no future children should be placed outside the parameters of this policy, unless placement of a sibling is needed.
4. Assess and review the Foster Family Profiles of selected resource for capacity to meet the child's needs:
   1. Assess other selected resource if the first choice does not have the capacity to meet the child's needs; or
   2. Assess, in cooperation with RCST, if referral is made to RCST.
5. Contact the prospective resource to determine if they are available as a resource for the particular child:
   1. Continue search if the resource is not available or does not wish to accept the child.

      NOTE:  RCST will make this contact for children referred for residential treatment.

   2. Begin recruitment activities for a foster or adoptive family if no appropriate resource is available according to the case plan and goal established for the child.
6. Make an entry on the Child Assessment and Service Plan form, CS-l, which describes the reason why a particular placement resource was selected.
7. Repeat steps 1 through 6 if replacement becomes necessary.
8. If an appropriate match does not exist within the county, a resource search shall be conducted using ACTS/ZVRS transaction.  The Children’s Service Worker may also send an e-mail request to selected counties and/or statewide, describing the child's placement needs.

   If the resource search identifies a possible placement match in another county, the worker shall proceed by making contact with the county office to determine the appropriateness of the placement.  The worker should give consideration to the need for visitation between parent and child and that CD will facilitate transportation.  This may include reimbursement to placement providers, parents or others for transportation.

9. If an emergency residential placement is needed, obtain approval from designated Regional personnel and, if necessary, initiate procedure for extended residential treatment.
10. If it appears that psychiatric hospitalization may be necessary, staff should follow local procedures for referral to the Psychiatric Diversion Team.  The Psychiatric Diversion Team must approve all psychiatric hospitalizations.
11. When an appropriate match is identified, the Children’s Service Worker contacts the placement provider and discusses the following issues and information:  (For cross-county placements, the worker and local worker should determine who would provide information to the provider.  Consideration should be given to conference calls to ensure all issues are communicated and to ensure coordination of placement activities.)

    Related Subject: Section 1 Chapter 3 Attachment A:  Foster Parent Bill Of Rights And Responsibilities.

    1. The Children’s Service Worker shall provide to foster parents and potential adoptive parents accurately describe all pertinent information including but not limited to full disclosure of all medical, psychological, and psychiatric conditions of the child, as well as information from previous placements that would indicate that the child or children may have a propensity to cause violence to any member of the foster family home.  The foster parents shall be provided with any information regarding the child or child’s family, including but not limited to the case plan, any family history of mental or physical illness, sexual abuse of the child or sexual abuse perpetrated by the child, criminal background of the child or the child’s family, fire-setting or other destructive behavior by the child, substance abuse by the child or child’s family, or any other information which is pertinent to the care and needs of the child and to protect the foster or adoptive family, per RSMo 210.566.  The description of the child should also include the child's strengths and his/her endearing qualities, not simply problem identification.  It is extremely important for the worker to be totally honest with the potential placement provider about both positive and negative qualities and needs of the child:
       1. To ensure that the provider makes an informed decision about whether he/she has the time, commitment and resources to meet the child's needs;
       2. To ensure placement stability and avoid potential placement disruptions; and
       3. To prevent potential issues of mobility for the agency and placement provider:
          1. Age, sex, cultural identity;
          2. Siblings and the need to secure placement together, if possible;
          3. Personality/unique characteristics;
          4. Probable length of placement;
          5. Health of child, special medical needs;
          6. Disabilities, special equipment, facilities or help needed;
          7. Educational needs;
          8. Behavior, both positive and negative, that can be expected from the child.  Behavior should be described in terms of patterns and not isolated incidents and normalized if typical to children at certain developmental stages.  Prior destructive/violent/anti-social behaviors that have occurred shall be mentioned.  However, they should be discussed in terms of events that precipitated the behavior and treatment used to manage/modify the behavior.
          9. Child's relationship with the biological family and other persons significant to the child's life;
          10. Major reason the child is in out-of-home care;
          11. A general indication of the case plan, including the plan for visitation and a preliminary estimate of how long the placement is likely to last; and
          12. Interests/hobbies/talents of the child.
    2. The Children’s Service Worker explains to the placement provider(s) that the child is going through a series of adjustments (i.e., separation from parent(s), loss and grief issues, and anxiety at having to cope with other team members, a new family and new surroundings.)  If known, the worker should describe the child's emotional response to the changes he is experiencing.  Also, the worker suggests methods to help the child through these adjustments.  The worker stresses to the placement provider(s) that there will be periods of difficulty during the placement and that the difficult times are no reflection on their parenting ability.
    3. The Children’s Service Worker should acknowledge the need for continuity of placement and the potential harm to the child if moved several times.
    4. The Children’s Service Worker should reaffirm availability to help the placement provider through difficulties.  The worker should explain the Family Support Team's role and that the team will assist the placement provider in assessing the child and family's treatment needs and obtaining resources to address the needs.
    5. The Children’s Service Worker answers any questions/concerns the placement provider may have about the child and placement and identifies any special resources needed.
    6. After the placement provider has discussed the placement with all household members, the Children’s Service Worker obtains a commitment from the placement provider to accept the child for placement.
    7. If the placement provider cannot accept the child for placement, the Children’s Service Worker repeats the process until a placement resource is located.
    8. If the placement provider can only provide a short-term placement for the child and this is the only resource available, the Children’s Service Worker continues the process of seeking a placement, which better meets the needs of the child and family.