Arkansas Administrative Code › Agency 016 - DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES › Division 15 - Children and Family Services › Rule 016.15.09-004 - Changes to Procedures VII-F1, VIII-H1, VII-F2 and PUB 30 (Family Foster Parent Handbook)

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 6, June, 2024
Excerpt, DCFS Policy Manual-changes to board
				payments
PROCEDURE VII-F1: Financial Support to Foster
				Parents
DCFS shall pay foster parents a monthly board rate according to
				the following chart; these rates are effective for board payments of November
				2009 and after:
Birth through 5 years
$410.00 Monthly
Board and Care
350.00
Clothing
45.00
Personal Needs
15.00
6 through 11 years
$440.00 Monthly
Board and Care
365.00
Clothing
50.00
School and Personal Needs
25.00
12 through 14 years
$470.00 Monthly
Board and Care
380.00
Clothing
60.00
School and Personal Needs
30.00
15 through 17* years
$500.00 Monthly
Board and Care
395.00
Clothing
70.00
School and Personal Needs
35.00
*Refer to Policy VIII-B for requirements to continue board
				payments for youth age 18-20 (board payments must end the day the youth elects
				to leave foster care or the end of the month of his
				21st birthday).
DCFS shall pay foster parents a monthly board rate according to
				the following chart; these rates are effective for board payments of November
				2009 and after:
Birth through 5 years
$410.00 Monthly
Board and Care
50.00
Clothing
45.00
Personal Needs
15.00
6 through 11 years
$440 Monthly
Board and Care
365.00
Clothing
50.00
School and Personal Needs
25.00
12 through 14 years
$470.00 Monthly
Board and Care
380.00
Clothing
55 00
School and Personal Needs
30.00
15 through 17* years
$500.00 Monthly
Board and Care
395.00
Clothing
70.00
School and Personal Needs
35.00
*Refer to Policy VHI-B for requirements to continue board
				payments for youth age 18-20 (board payments must end the day the youth elects
				to leave foster care or the end of the month of his
				21st birthday).
PROCEDURE VII-F2: Requesting a Special Board
				Rate
The Family Service Worker will:
* Check documentation of the child's special need(s) and the
				additional activities required of the foster parents to meet the
				need(s).
* Complete the CFS-304: Justification of Special Board Rate by
				determining the level of care needed in each of the three need categories, and
				adding the three levels.
* Submit the request for a special board rate with
				documentation attached to the County Supervisor for review and
				recommendation.
* Once approved, review the continuing need for the request on
				a quarterly basis and, if appropriate, resubmit for reevaluation by the County
				Supervisor and the Area Manager:
The County Supervisor will:
* Review the request for completeness and appropriateness and
				recommend approval or disapproval within 3 working days of receipt.
* If approved, forward the request to the Area Manager for
				review and approval or disapproval.
* If disapproved, forward the request with a recommendation for
				disapproval to the Area Manager for review and action as appropriate.
* Once approved, review the continuing need for the request
				and, if appropriate, resubmit the request on a quarterly basis for reevaluation
				by the Area Manager.
* Inform the foster parent in writing of the ultimate approval
				or disapproval of the request and the reason for that decision, noting that
				approval is only for 90 days and the documentation of continuing need must be
				reviewed quarterly.
The Area Manager will:
* Receive requests from the County Supervisor.
* Review the request for completeness and appropriateness,
				consider the County Supervisor's recommendation and either approve or
				disapprove the request within three working days.
* Have the authority to approve all Special Board Rates up to
				$960.00.
* Refer the request to the Foster Care Unit Manager for a
				second-party review if the Area Manager can not decide on approval or
				disapproval. Inform the requesting County Supervisor of the request's
				disposition and reasons for approval, disapproval, or referral to the Foster
				Care Unit Manager. A Special Board Rate becomes effective the day the Area
				Manager or Assistant Director, as appropriate, approves it. Retroactive
				payments will be determined on a case-by-case basis and must be approved by the
				Assistant Director, Community Services.
* Once approved, assure that the special board rate is
				reevaluated on a quarterly basis for continued appropriateness.
* Maintain a file for each approved special board rate. The
				file should contain the requesting memo, supporting documentation, CFS-304:
				Justification of Special Board Rate, Notification of Approval memo, and a
				printout of the computer entry of the special board rate.
* Maintain a log of special board rate approvals including the
				following column headings: Child's Name, Case Number, County, Effective Date,
				Termination Date, Rate, and Reason.
The DCFS Assistant Director, Community Services
				will:
* Have the authority to approve or disapprove all Special Board
				Rates over $960.00
* Receive completed request packets for special board rates
				over $960.00 from Area Managers.
* Check each request packet for completeness to include:
* A completed CFS-304: Justification for Special Board
				Rate.
* Clear and convincing documentation of any emotional, physical
				and/or auxiliary problems the child has that may justify a special board rate.
* The Area Manager's dated signature on the CFS-304 as evidence
				of his review.
* A Cover Memo from the Area Manager to the Assistant Director
				that:
* Identifies the proposed subsidy as over $960.00.
* Provides a justification for the proposed special subsidy,
				and.
* Makes a recommendation regarding approval or
				disapproval.
* Review the request for appropriateness and consider the Area
				Manager's recommendation
* Refer the request to the Foster Care Unit Manager for
				technical assistance if desired.
* Reach a disposition regarding the request within three
				working days.
* Inform the requesting Area Manager in writing of the
				request's disposition and reasons for approval or disapproval.
The Foster Care Unit Manager will:
* Provide only technical assistance when requested regarding
				special board rates.
* Return the request to the Area Manager or Assistant Director,
				as appropriate, for his decision and action.
If the special board rate is approved, the following CHRIS
				procedures will be taken by the Family Service Worker and Area Manager:
The Family Service Worker will:
* Request a special board rate (e.g., Level 4) on the
				Difficulty of Care screen and will write a brief justification in the comment
				field.
* Key the date the special board rate is to begin and enter the
				total specialized board amount into the Authorized Amount field.
* Make the request by pressing the add button, which will make
				approval available.
* Press "Request" and click "OK", which sends the request to
				the Area Manager's inbox for approval.
The Area Manager will click approval. V
The Family Service Worker will:
* Check documentation of the child's special need(s) and the
				additional activities required of the foster parents to meet the
				need(s).
* Complete the CFS-304: Justification of Special Board Rate by
				determining the level of care needed in each of the three need categories, and
				adding the three levels.
* Submit the request for a special board rate with
				documentation attached to the County Supervisor for review and
				recommendation.
* Once approved, review the continuing need for the request on
				a quarterly basis and, if appropriate, resubmit for reevaluation by the County
				Supervisor and the Area Manager
The County Supervisor will:
* Review the request for completeness and appropriateness and
				recommend approval or disapproval within 3 working days of receipt.
* If approved, forward the request to the Area Manager for
				review and approval or disapproval.
* If disapproved, forward the request with a recommendation for
				disapproval to the Area Manager for review and action as appropriate.
* Once approved, review the continuing need for the request
				and, if appropriate, resubmit the request on a quarterly basis for reevaluation
				by the Area Manager:
* Inform the foster parent in writing of the ultimate approval
				or disapproval of the request and the reason for that decision, noting that
				approval is only for 90 days and the documentation of continuing need must be
				reviewed quarterly.
The Area Manager will:
* Receive requests from the County Supervisor.
* Review the request for completeness and appropriateness,
				consider the County Supervisor's recommendation and either approve or
				disapprove the request within three working days.
* Have the authority to approve all Special Board Rates up to
				$960.00.
* Refer the request to the Foster Care Unit Manager for a
				second-party review if the Area Manager can not decide on approval or
				disapproval. Inform the requesting County Supervisor of the request's
				disposition and reasons for approval; disapproval, or referral to the Foster
				Care Unit Manager. A Special Board Rate becomes effective the day the Area
				Manager or Assistant Director, as appropriate, approves it Retroactive payments
				will be determined on a case-by-case basis and must be approved by the
				Assistant Director, Community Services.
* Once approved, assure that the special board rate is
				reevaluated on a quarterly basis for continued appropriateness.
* Maintain a file for each approved special board rate. The
				file should contain the requesting memo, supporting documentation, CFS-304:
				Justification of Special Board Rate, Notification of Approval memo, and a
				printout of the computer entry of the special board rate.
* Maintain a log of special board rate approvals including the
				following column headings: Child's Name, Case Number, County, Effective Date,
				Termination Date, Rate, and Reason.
The DCFS Assistant Director, Community Services
				will:
* Have the authority to approve or disapprove all Special Board
				Rates over $960.00
* Receive completed request packets for special board rates
				over $960.00 from Area Managers.
* Check each request packet for completeness to include:
* A completed CFS-304: Justification for Special Board
				Rate.
* Clear and convincing documentation of any emotional, physical
				and/or auxiliary problems the child has that may justify a special board
				rate.
* The Area Manager's dated signature on the CFS-304 as evidence
				of his review.
* A Cover Memo from the Area Manager to the Assistant Director
				that:
* Identifies the proposed subsidy as over $960.00.
* Provides a justification for the proposed special subsidy,
				and
* Makes a recommendation regarding approval or
				disapproval.
* Review the request for appropriateness and consider the Area
				Manager's recommendation
* Refer the request to the Foster Care Unit Manager for
				technical assistance if desired.
* Reach a disposition regarding the request within three
				working days.
* Inform the requesting Area Manager in .writing of the
				request's disposition and reasons for approval or disapproval.
The Foster Care Unit Manager will:
* Provide only technical assistance when requested regarding
				special board rates.
* Return the request to the Area Manager or Assistant Director,
				as appropriate, for his/decision and action.
If the special board rate is approved, the following CHRIS
				procedures will be, taken by the Family Service Worker and Area Manager:
The Family Service Worker will:
* Request a special board rate (e.g., Level 4) on the
				Difficulty of Care screen and will write a brief justification in the comment
				field.
* Key the date the special board rate is to begin and enter the
				total specialized board amount into the Authorized Amount field
* Make the request by pressing the add button, which will make
				approval available.
* Press "Request" and click "OK", which sends the request to
				the Area Manager's inbox for approval.
The Area Manager will click approval.
PROCEDURE VIII-H1: Initial Application for Adoption
				Subsidy and Re-determinations/Reevaluations
The Adoption Specialist will:
* Follow the same subsidy-related policy and procedures,
				including subsidies for non-recurring legal expenses, regardless if the
				adoption is being handled in-state or out-of-state.
* Ensure close coordination with the other state's adoption
				worker, if applicable.
* Determine that the child has a special need in relation to
				adoption planning, is between the age of birth to eighteen years, is in the
				custody of DHS (for state subsidy only), and is legally free for
				adoption.
These procedures should be followed for federal IV-E adoption
				maintenance subsidy and state funded adoption maintenance subsidy.
* Determine if the child is eligible for federal IV-E adoption
				maintenance subsidy first. If ineligible for title IV-E, determine if the child
				is eligible for state funded adoption maintenance subsidy.
* Determine that a reasonable, but unsuccessful, effort has
				been made to place the child without providing adoption subsidy. Such an effort
				might include the use of adoption exchanges, referral to appropriate
				specialized adoption agencies, or other such activities. There are exceptions
				to this requirement when applying for a title TV-E maintenance subsidy. These
				exceptions are (1) It would not be in the best interests of the child because
				of such factors as the existence of significant emotional ties with prospective
				adoptive parents while in (he care of those parents as a child in foster care,
				(2) Another circumstance is adoption by a relative, in keeping with the
				statutory emphasis on the placement of children with relatives.
* Exceptions for state maintenance subsidy: In the case of a
				child who has established significant emotional ties with prospective adoptive
				parents while in their care as a child in foster care. The Department may
				certify the child as eligible for a subsidy without searching for families
				willing to take the child without a subsidy.
* Review the adoption subsidy program with the adoptive parent,
				determine what type of adoption subsidies are needed, and complete all
				application procedures at the same time the adoption assessment is being
				completed for a foster parent, provisional foster parent, or relative adoption
				and within sixty days of placement for all other adoptions
* Review and sign the CFS-425: Application for Adoption Subsidy
				after the adoptive parent completes it.
* Request title IV-E verification of eligibility from the DCFS
				Eligibility Unit.
* Assist the adoptive parents in completing the CFS-426:
				Statement of Income and Resources for Adoption Subsidy
* Attach to the CFS-426 verification of family income when a
				state funded adoption special subsidy is requested. The CFS-426 is not required
				for a federal funded adoption maintenance subsidy.
* Review the adoptive parents' health insurance policy if a
				special subsidy is requested to determine if it will allow for any medical,
				dental, or psychological costs and, if so, to what extent. Document on the
				CFS-426.
* Be clear in their discussion with the family that they will
				only be screening for a determination of special needs, subsidy eligibility,
				and making a recommendation to the Adoption Services Unit. Under no
				circumstances will the Adoption Specialist give the adoptive family the subsidy
				determination prior to receipt of approval from the Adoption Services Unit. The
				Adoption Specialist must also explore other resources and assistance that may
				be available for the child and adoptive family when screening for a
				subsidy.
* Complete the CFS-427: Determination of Eligibility for
				Adoption Subsidy.
* Attach the following to the CFS-427:
* Verification of the costs for a private attorney to finalize
				an adoption whether in-state or out-of-state, if applicable.
* Verification of court costs to finalize an adoption if
				applicable.
* Complete the:
* CFS-429: Special Adoption Subsidy Needs Assessment to verify
				the child's medical, dental, psychological, etc. condition by a professional
				which includes the diagnosis, prognosis, and costs of treatment for one (1)
				year if a special subsidy is requested.
* Statement that lists the child's financial resources source
				and amount other than foster care board payment, if applicable.
* Special needs subsidy based on a "high risk" condition -
				Children at high risk for the development of a serious physical, mental,
				developmental, or emotional condition may be considered special needs if
				documentation of the risk is provided by a medical professional specializing in
				the area of the condition for which the child is considered at risk, but no
				subsidy payment will be made without documentation that the child has developed
				the actual condition. In order to be eligible for special needs subsidy based
				on developmental delay, documentation must be provided, current within 6
				months, attesting to the fact that the child has a delay of 24% or more in two
				major developmental categories.
* Verification from the appropriate agency which explain the
				child's eligibility for financial benefits (SSI, other types of Social Security
				benefits, VA, etc;) once the adoption is finalized, if applicable (provide the
				agency with the amount of the adoptive parent's income in order that a
				statement can be prepared.). Once a child has been determined eligible for a
				federal subsidy, the adoptive parents cannot be rejected for adoption
				assistance or have payments reduced without their agreement because of their
				income or resources or the child's resources.
* Verification from Children's Medical Services (CMS) which
				explains the child's eligibility for services once the adoption is finalized,
				if applicable (provide CMS with the amount of the adoptive parent's income in
				order that a statement can be prepared).
* For state-funded subsidies, utilize the scale that is
				established and published annually by the Adoption Services Unit. The scale
				shall be 300% of the yearly published Federal Poverty Level for the state of
				Arkansas.
The adoptive parent's income is an eligibility criterion for
				state funded adoption maintenance subsidy.
The adoptive parent's income is not ah eligibility criterion
				for a federally funded adoption maintenance subsidy (i.e., a child who is title
				IV-E or SSI eligible)
* Special subsidies are state funded, and the Adoption Subsidy
				Coordinator, Adoption Services Unit, will consider the child's eligibility on a
				case-by-case basis. The consideration will be based on the information
				developed during the Adoption Specialist's determination of the child's special
				needs in relation to adoption planning. The adoptive parent's gross income will
				be considered as well as other financial resources and health insurance in
				determining eligibility for a special subsidy
* Complete the CFS-426: Statement of Income and Resources for
				Adoption Subsidy for all special subsidy requests.
* Utilize the following scale to determine the amount of a full
				monthly adoption maintenance subsidy payment based upon the standard foster
				care board payment; these rates are effective for board payments of November
				2009 and after:
AGE of CHILD
Amount of MONTHLY Maintenance
Birth through 5 years
$410.00
6 through 11 years
$440.00
12 through 14 years
$470.00
15 through 17* years
$500.00
*Refer to Policy VIII-B for requirements to continue board
				payments for youth age 18-20 (board payments must end the day the youth elects
				to leave foster care or the end of the month of his
				21st birthday).
* Request a larger monthly adoption maintenance subsidy for the
				child who has received a higher than standard monthly foster care board
				payment. A monthly subsidy payment cannot exceed the child's foster care board
				rate which is in effect at the time a subsidy is approved.
Special Board Rate formulas and procedures will be used
				strictly as guides in determining an appropriate nonstandard rate to discuss
				with the family and to use in negotiating a lower rate (when appropriate). No
				subsidy will exceed $460.00 above the standard board rate for the child's age
				group. However, if the child is SSI eligible, the rate can go up $460.00 above
				the SSI rate.
PROCEDURE VIII-H1: Initial Application for Adoption
				Subsidy and Re-determinations/Reevaluations
The Adoption Specialist will:
* Follow the same subsidy-related policy and procedures,
				including subsidies for non-recurring legal expenses, regardless if the
				adoption is being handled in-state or out-of-state.
* Ensure close coordination with the other state's adoption
				worker, if applicable.
* Determine that the child has a special need in relation to
				adoption planning, is between the age of birth to eighteen years, is in the
				custody of DHS (for state subsidy only), and is legally free for
				adoption.
These procedures should be followed for federal TV-E adoption
				maintenance subsidy and state funded adoption maintenance subsidy.
* Determine if the child is eligible for federal IV-E adoption
				maintenance subsidy first If ineligible for title IV-E, determine if the child
				is eligible for state funded adoption maintenance subsidy.
* Determine that a reasonable, but unsuccessful, effort has
				been made to place the child without providing adoption subsidy. Such an effort
				might include the use of adoption exchanges, referral to appropriate
				specialized adoption agencies, or other such activities There are exceptions to
				this requirement when applying for a title IV-E maintenance subsidy These
				exceptions are (1) It would not be in the best interests of the child because
				of such factors as the existence of significant emotional ties with prospective
				adoptive parents while in the care of those parents as a child in foster care,
				(2) Another circumstance is adoption by a relative, m keeping with the
				statutory emphasis on the placement of children with relatives.
* Exceptions for state maintenance subsidy In the case of a
				child who has established significant emotional ties with prospective adoptive
				parents while in their care as a child in foster care. The Department may
				certify the child as eligible for a subsidy without searching for families
				willing to take the child without a subsidy.
* Review the adoption subsidy program with the adoptive parent,
				determine what type of adoption subsidies are needed, and complete all
				application procedures at the same time the adoption assessment is being
				completed for a foster parent, provisional foster parent, or relative adoption
				and within sixty days of placement for all other adoptions
* Review and sign the CFS-425. Application for Adoption Subsidy
				after the adoptive parent completes it.
* Request title IV-E verification of eligibility from the DCFS
				Eligibility Unit.
* Assist the adoptive parents in completing the CFS-426:
				Statement of Income and Resources for Adoption Subsidy.
* Attach to the CFS-426 verification of family income when a
				state funded adoption special subsidy is requested The CFS-426 is not required
				for a federal funded adoption maintenance subsidy.
* Review the adoptive parents' health insurance policy if a
				special subsidy is requested to determine if it . will allow for any medical,
				dental, or psychological costs and, if so, to what extent. Document on the
				CFS-426.
* Be clear in their discussion with the family that they will
				only be screening for a determination of special needs, subsidy eligibility,
				and making a recommendation to the Adoption Services Unit. Under no
				circumstances will the Adoption Specialist give the adoptive family the subsidy
				determination prior to receipt of approval from the Adoption Services Unit. The
				Adoption Specialist must also explore other resources and assistance that may
				be available for the child and adoptive family when screening for a
				subsidy.
* Complete the CFS-427: Determination of Eligibility for
				Adoption Subsidy.
* Attach the following to the CFS-427:
* Verification of the costs for a private attorney to finalize
				an adoption whether in-state or out-of-state, if applicable.
* Verification of court costs to finalize an adoption if
				applicable.
* Complete the:
* CFS-429: Special Adoption Subsidy Needs Assessment to verify
				the child's medical, dental, psychological, etc. condition by a professional
				which includes the diagnosis, prognosis, and costs of treatment for one (1)
				year if a special subsidy is requested.
* Statements that lists the child's financial resources source
				and amount other than foster care board payment, if applicable.
* Special needs subsidy based on a "high risk" condition -
				Children at high risk for the development of a serious physical, mental,
				developmental, or emotional condition may be considered special needs if
				documentation of the risk is provided by a medical professional specializing in
				the area of the condition for which the child is considered at risk, but no
				subsidy payment will be made without documentation that the child has developed
				the actual condition. In order to be eligible for special needs subsidy based
				on developmental delay, documentation must be provided, current within 6
				months, attesting to the fact that the child has a delay of 24% or more in two
				major developmental categories.
* Verification from the appropriate agency which explains the
				child's eligibility for financial benefits (SSI, other types of Social Security
				benefits, VA, etc.) once the adoption is finalized,, if applicable (provide the
				agency with the amount of the adoptive parent's income in order that a
				statement can be prepared.). Once a child has been determined eligible for a
				federal subsidy, the adoptive parents cannot be rejected for adoption
				assistance or have payments reduced without their agreement because of their
				income or resources or the child's resources.
* Verification from Children's Medical Services (CMS) which
				explains the child's eligibility for services once the adoption is finalized,
				if applicable (provide CMS with the amount of the adoptive parent's income in
				order that a statement can be prepared.).
* For state-funded subsidies, utilize the scale that is
				established and published annually by the Adoption Services Unit. The scale
				shall be 300% of the yearly published Federal Poverty Level for the state of
				Arkansas.
The adoptive parent's income is an eligibility criterion for
				state funded adoption maintenance subsidy.
The adoptive parent's income is not an eligibility criterion
				for a federally funded adoption maintenance subsidy (i.e., a child who is title
				IV-E or SSI eligible
* Special subsidies are state funded, and the Adoption Subsidy
				Coordinator, Adoption Services Unit, will consider the child's eligibility on a
				case-by-case basis. The consideration will be based on the information
				developed during the Adoption Specialist's determination of the child's"
				special needs m relation to adoption planning. The adoptive parent's gross
				income will be considered as well as other financial resources and health
				insurance in determining eligibility for a special subsidy
* Complete the CFS-426: Statement of income and Resources for
				Adoption Subsidy for all special subsidy requests.
* Utilize the following scale to determine the amount of a full
				monthly adoption maintenance subsidy payment based upon the standard foster
				care board payment; these rates are effective for board payments of November
				2009 and after:
AGE of CHILD
Amount of MONTHLY Maintenance
Birth through 5 years
$410.00
6 through 11 years
$440.00
12 through 14 years
$470.00
15 through 17* years
$500.00
* Refer to Policy VHI-B for requirements to continue board
				payments for youth age 18-20 (board payments must end the day the youth elects
				to leave foster care or the end of the month of his 21st
				  birthday).
* Request a larger monthly adoption maintenance subsidy for the
				child who has received a higher than standard monthly foster care board
				payment. A monthly subsidy payment cannot exceed the child's foster care board
				rate which is in effect at the time a subsidy is approved.
Special Board Rate formulas and procedures will be used
				strictly as guides in determining an appropriate nonstandard rate to discuss
				with the family and to use in negotiating a lower rate (when appropriate). No
				subsidy will exceed $460.00 above the standard board rate for the child's age
				group. However, if the child is SSI eligible, the rate can go up $460.00 above
				the SSI rate.
DCFS shall pay foster parents a monthly board rate according to
				the following chart these rates are effective for board payments of November
				2009 and after:
Board Payment Chart
Birth through 5 years
$410.00 Monthly
Board and Care
350.00
Clothing
45.00
Personal Needs
15.00
6 through 1 1 years
$440.00 Monthly
Board and Care
365.00
Clothing
50.00
School and Personal Needs (Personal supplies;
						  allowance)
25.00
12 through 14 years
$470.00 Monthly
Board and Care
380:00
Clothing
60.00
School and Personal Needs (Personal supplies;
						  allowance)
30.00
15 through 17* years
$500.00 Monthly
Board and Care
395.00
Clothing
70.00
School and Personal Needs
35.00
(Personal supplies; extracurricular activities,
						  allowance)
*Refer to Policy Vlll-B for requirements to continue board
				payments for youth age 18-20 (board payments must end the day the youth elects
				to leave foster care or the end of the month of his
				21st birthday). ;
DCFS shall pay foster parents a monthly board rate according to
				the following chart; these rates are effective for board payments of November
				2009 and after:
Board Payment Chart
Birth through 5 years
$410.00 Monthly
Board and Care
350.00
Clothing
45.00
Personal Needs
15.00
6 through 11 years
$440.00 Monthly
Board and Care
365.00
Clothing
50.00
School and Personal Needs (Personal supplies;
						  allowance)
25.00
12 through 14 years
$75.00 Monthly
Board and Care
380.00
Clothing
60.00
School and Personal Needs (Personal supplies;
						  allowance)
30.00
15 through 17* years
$500.00 Monthly
Board and Care
395.00
Clothing
70.00
School and Personal Needs (Personal supplies;
						  extracurricular activities allowance)
35.00
*Refer to Policy Vlll-B for requirements to continue board
				payments for youth age 18-20 (board payments must end the day the youth elects
				to leave foster care or the end of the month of his
				21st birthday).
Money to Foster Parents
Foster care maintenance payments for a child in foster care may
				cover the costs of (and the cost of providing) food, clothing, shelter, daily
				supervision, school supplies, a child's personal incidentals, liability
				insurance with respect to the child, and reasonable travel to the child's home
				for visitation with family or other caretakers. The amount of the child's
				allowance is decided by the foster parent, based on the child's age.
Foster parents shall receive a monthly board rate according to
				the following chart; these rates are effective for board payments of November
				2009 and after:
Birth through 5 years
$410.00 Monthly
Board and Care
350.00
Clothing
45.00
Personal Needs
15.00
6 through 11 years
$440.00 Monthly
Board and Care
365.00
Clothing
50.00
School and Personal Needs
25.00
12 through 14 years
$475.00 Monthly
Board and Care
380.00
Clothing
60.00
School and Personal Needs
30.00
15 through 17* years
$500.00 Monthly
Board and Care
395.00
Clothing
70.00
School and Personal Needs
35.00
*Refer to Policy VIII-B for requirements to continue board
				payments for youth age 18-20 (board payments must end the day the youth elects
				to leave foster care or the end of the month of his
				21st birthday).
How DCFS is Set Up
Children and Family Services (CFS) is the Division within the
				Department of Human Services (DHS) that is responsible for child welfare
				programs. These programs include child protection, family preservation, foster
				care, adoptions, Interstate Compact on Placement of Children, Interstate
				Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance and Child Welfare Agency
				Licensing.
The Director of the Department of Human Services appoints the
				DCFS Director. The DCFS Director has an Executive Staff, which consists of four
				Assistant Directors, each over a section.
Direct and contract services are provided through the Office of
				Community Services. The state is divided into ten (10) multi-county or
				multi-office areas, each of which is managed by an Area Manager. The Area
				Manager oversees the County Supervisors, who each manage one county with one or
				more county offices. The Area Manager also supervises some area-wide staff that
				delivers services or support across the entire Area.
DCFS has three other sections:
* The Office of Program Excellence is responsible? for the
				provision of administrative and programmatic support for the state's network of
				children and family services-Program Excellence is responsible for leadership
				in all program areas, and is responsible for professional development,
				comprehensive short- and long-term planning and policy development. It is
				comprised of the following units: Prevention Support and Substance Abuse,
				Specialized Placements, Policy, Professional Development, Foster Care.
				Adoptions, Child Protective Services, Planning, and Mental Health.
* The Office of Finance and Administrative Support provides
				administrative and management support to DCFS through personnel administration,
				budget monitoring, resource control and contract administration. The Office of
				Finance and Administrative Support includes the following units: Personnel,
				Contracts, and Financial Management.
* The Central Operations section is responsible for the smooth
				and timely functioning of the operational facets of the Division. It consists
				of the Eligibility Unit, Information Technology, Vehicle Safety Program,
				Criminal Records, and Central Registry.
Foster Care Services are provided by Family Service Worker
				(FSW) Trainees, FSW Workers, and FSW Specialists along with FSW Supervisors who
				monitor the everyday activities of the foster children.
County and area staff are responsible for weekly visits to the
				foster homes, monthly visits to the residential facilities and therapeutic
				foster homes, medical appointments, providing transportation to foster children
				and parents, and ensuring all educational, mental, health and emotional needs
				are being met. County and area staff are responsible for case planning,
				staffings, attending court hearing, helping families with housing,
				transportation, cash assistance, visitation between parents and sibling visits,
				and Family Preservation Services. County and area staff are also responsible
				for making referrals for day care services, Intensive Family Services, respite
				care, health assessments, and Therapeutic Foster Home and group home
				referrals.