7.3.1 Meeting/Working with the Family
It is recommended that the Children’s Service Worker should meet in the parents' home one time per week during these 30 days, but shall meet a minimum of one time per month. During these scheduled times together, staff should utilize the CD-14 and CD-14 A tools to address the following issues:
- Family background information;
- Familial interaction and communication styles;
- Basic standards for environmental health and safety
- Changes in family circumstances, such as household composition, loss of employment, or relocation, that would alert the worker to elevated risk or immediate safety concern;
- Resources needed in areas of budgeting, family planning, behavior management as requested by the family or directly related to child's out-of-home placement;
- Progress in Written Service Agreement; and
- Family's perception of treatment and of out-of-home care providers.
The Parental Home Visit Checklist (form CD-83) should be completed during the first 30 days. Both announced and unannounced visits should be utilized. Staff are encouraged to utilize the form at the 24-hour meeting and at the last visit prior to the 30-day FST meeting to assess the home for possible return or visits in the home. A copy of the form should be retained and kept in the assessment and treatment services section of the case record.