Arkansas Administrative Code › Agency 016 - DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES › Division 15 - Children and Family Services › Rule 016.15.05-001 - Family Services Policy & Procedures Manual (VI-A) (VI-A1) (II-E10); Forms CFS-474, CFS-344B

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 6, June, 2024
PROCEDURE (II-E10): Protective Custody of Child in
				Immediate Danger
The
Family Service Worker
will:
* Take the child into Protective Custody for up to 72 hours if
				the circumstances of the child present an immediate danger of severe
				maltreatment. The child's health and safety will be of paramount
				concern.
A 72 hour hold can be exercised on any child who is dependent
				as defined by the Arkansas Juvenile Code of 1989, §
								9-27-301 et. Seq. (See Glossary for
				definition of "Dependent".)
In cases where domestic abuse is involved (see glossary for
				definition of Domestic Abuse) any adult family/household member may file a
				petition for an order of protection on behalf of another family or household
				member, including a married minor. If a minor child's safety is a concern and
				the parent does not file an order of protection, the Family Service Worker
				should contact OCC to determine appropriate legal action. (One legal option is
				to petition the court for an order of less than custody.) The worker should
				thoroughly review the Health and Safety Assessment and Risk Assessment and
				ensure that a safety plan is in place for a child before leaving a child in a
				home when an order for protection is filed.
An order of protection issued by a court of competent
				jurisdiction in any county of this state is enforceable in every county of this
				state by any court or law enforcement officer. An order of protection issued by
				a court of another state, federally recognized Indian tribe, or a territory
				shall be afforded full faith and credit by the courts of Arkansas and shall be
				enforced by law enforcement as if it were issued in Arkansas.
* Notify the OCC attorney immediately that Protective Custody
				was exercised and request an ex parte emergency order from the court.
* Make a determination whether to recommend to the court that
				reunification services should not be provided to reunite the child with his
				family (see Policy VI-A). If the court determines that reunification services
				shall not be provided, a permanency planning hearing will be held within thirty
				(30) days after the determination. It is not required that a permanency
				planning hearing be held as a prerequisite to the filing of a petition to
				terminate parental rights, or as a prerequisite to the court considering a
				petition to terminate parental rights.
* Determine whether the grandparents have the right to notice
				and an opportunity to be heard. In a child custody or dependency-neglect case,
				grandparents have this right if all the following conditions are
				present:
* The grandchild resided with the grandparent for at least 6
				consecutive months prior to the child's first birthday or lived with the
				grandparent for at least one continuous year regardless of age;
* The grandparent was the primary financial caregiver during
				the time the child resided with the grandparent; and
* The continuous custody occurred within one year of the
				initiation of the custody proceeding.
Note: "Grandparent" does not mean a parent of a putative father
				of a child for the purpose of this determination.
* Provide the OCC attorney with the name and address of any
				grandparent who is entitled to notice based on the above conditions.
* Prepare an affidavit immediately and give it to the OCC
				attorney.
* Have the child thoroughly examined by a physician within 24
				hours of removal. The Family Service Worker may consent for medical and dental
				services during Protective Custody.
* Place the child in an appropriate licensed or approved
				placement.
Place a child in a Provisional Relative Foster Home if a
				relative is identified and it is in the best interest of the child. A child may
				be placed in the home of a relative on a provisional basis for up to six (6)
				months pending the relative's home being opened as a regular foster home. If
				the relative opts to have his or her home opened as a Provisional Foster Home,
				the relative shall not be paid a board payment until the relative meets all of
				the foster home requirements and is opened as a regular foster home. See Policy
				VI-A, Procedure VI-A1 "Out-Of-Home Placement Criteria", VI-J and VI-J1 Out-Of
				-Home Placement Non-Custody Relative Placement.
NOTE: The child is in the custody of the
				department, therefore, the child shall remain in an approved foster home or
				licensed shelter or facility, until the relative's home is opened as a
				provisional home. It is permissible for a child to be placed on a 72 hour hold
				in an approved Provisional Relative Foster Home.
*
Conduct a review of the home that will include a
				visual inspection of the home, an expedited Central Registry Check and
				expedited criminal and local background checks. All criminal background checks
				for Provisional Relative Foster Homes must be submitted to the DCFS Foster Care
				Unit by completing the CFS 342A (Foster Care Criminal Record Check). To receive
				expedited results the CFS-342A can be faxed to the Foster Care Unit, however,
				the fax must be accompanied by an email to the Foster Care Unit verifying that
				there is an original notarized copy of the CFS-342A in the possession of the
				Division. There is no fee for criminal background checks for Provisional
				Relative Foster Homes. The CFS-474 "Provisional Foster Home Orientation
				Checklist" must be completed and signed when a child is placed in a
				Provisional: Relative Foster Family Home. When a child is placed in a
				provisional relative foster home for a 72 hour hold the family must acknowledge
				that they will not allow the alleged perpetrator access not supervised by the
				Division until the investigation is completed and will not allow any contact
				with the alleged offender that is not approved or authorized by the Division or
				the court after the investigation is completed (if found
				true).
The child(ren), if age appropriate, should also be
				interviewed about the placement with the relative to determine how the child
				feels about the placement.
* Non-relative placements, other than approved foster homes or
				residential care facilities, are not permissible until opened as a regular
				approved foster home or unless the court gives custody after a written home
				evaluation is completed. (See Procedure VI-A1 "Out-of-Home Placement Criteria"
				and Policy VII-A "Foster Parent Training, Approval and Re-evaluation.")
* Notify the Intake Officer of the Juvenile Division of Circuit
				Court.
* Complete and route "Protective Custody/Parental Notification"
				(CFS-323).
* Open an Out-of-Home Placement case.
* Return the child to the legal custodian if the emergency
				necessitating Protective Custody passes or if the judge does not grant custody
				to the Department. Protective Custody cannot be extended. Complete the
				"Expiration of Protective Custody/Parental Notification" (CFS-336) and provide
				to the parent. If the parent refuses to accept custody of the child, an
				emergency petition should be filed.
* Notify the OCC attorney immediately if the child returns
				home.
* Close the Out-of-Home Placement case.
* Determine whether to open a non-court involved Protective
				Services case or initiate a petition for dependency/neglect.
All hearings involving allegations and reports of child
				maltreatment, and all hearings involving cases of children in Out-of-Home
				placements shall be closed.
VI.
SERVICES TO REUNIFY FAMILIES
POLICY (VI-A): OUT-OF-HOME PLACEMENT
				CRITERIA
The state of Arkansas is not a voluntary placement state.
				The removal of a child from his home must occur pursuant to a judicial order
				placing custody of the child with the Department. When a child is in the
				custody of the Department of Human Services, DCFS shall ensure that the
				out-of-home placement is in the best interest of the child, is the least
				restrictive possible and is matched to the child's physical and therapeutic
				needs. A child of a parent who is under the age of eighteen (18) years, and is
				in DHS custody, is also considered a dependent juvenile and is eligible to
				receive foster care maintenance payments and is deemed to be a recipient of aid
				to families with dependent children. Titles XIX and XX services will be
				available to the child in the state in which the child resides. No child shall
				be placed in the home of a foster parent where a records check reveals a felony
				conviction for child abuse or neglect, for spousal abuse, for a crime against
				children (including child pornography), or a crime involving violence,
				including rape, sexual assault or homicide. No child shall be placed in the
				home of a foster parent if the record check reveals a criminal conviction for
				physical assault, battery, or a drug related offense, if the offense was
				committed within the past five years. The placement decision shall be based on
				an individual assessment of the child's needs. All efforts to place a child
				within Arkansas shall be thoroughly explored and documented before
				consideration is given to out-of-state placement. Relatives shall be considered
				for placement first.
After the Department removes the child or the court
				grants custody of the child to the Department, the child shall be placed in a
				licensed or approved foster home, shelter, or facility, or an exempt child
				welfare agency as defined at A.C.A. §
										9-28-402. The court shall not
				specify a particular provider for placement of any foster child.
In an effort to preserve family connections,
				a child in foster care may be placed in a Provisional Relative Foster Home if a
				relative has been identified and is appropriate. A "Provisional Foster Home"
				means a foster home opened for no more than six (6) months by DCFS for a
				relative of a child in the custody of the division after the division conducts
				(a) A health and safety check, including a central registry check, a criminal
				and local background check on the relative and the appropriate people in the
				relative's home, a vehicle safety check and (b) A visual inspection of the home
				of the relative.
"Relative" means a person within the fifth
				degree of kinship by virtue of blood or adoption. See Policy VI-J and Procedure
				VI-J1 to discuss placement options with the
				relative.
The child is in the custody of the
				department, therefore, the child shall remain in a licensed or approved foster
				home, shelter or facility until the relative's home is opened as a provisional
				home, regular foster home or the court grants custody to the relative or person
				after a written approved home study is presented to the
				court.
If the relative opts to have his or her home
				opened as a Provisional Foster Home, the relative shall not be paid a board
				payment until the relative meets all of the licensing requirements and DCFS
				standards and is opened as a regular foster home. Until the relative's home is
				opened as a regular foster home, the relative may apply for and receive
				benefits for which the relative may be entitled due to the placement of the
				child in the home, such as benefits under the Temporary Employment Assistance
				(TEA) Program or food stamps.
If the relative's home is not fully licensed
				as a foster home after six (6) months of the placement of the child in the home
				(i.e. meet all requirements and is fully approved as a foster family
				home):
(a)
The department shall remove the child from the relative's
			 home and close the relative's provisional foster home or (b) The court shall
			 remove custody from the department and grant custody of the child to the
			 relative.
The court shall not specify a particular provider for
				placement or family services, when DHS is the payer or provider. In all cases
				in which family services are ordered, the court shall determine the parent's,
				guardian's, or custodian's ability to pay, in whole or in part, for these
				services. This determination and the evidence supporting it shall be made in
				writing in the court order ordering family services. If the court determines
				that the parent, guardian, or custodian is able to pay, in whole or part, for
				the services, the court shall enter a written order setting forth the amounts
				the parent, guardian, or custodian can pay for the family services ordered and
				ordering the parent, guardian, or custodian to pay the amount periodically to
				the provider from whom family services are received.
When it is in the best interest of each of the children,
				the Department shall attempt to place siblings together while they are in a
				foster care and adoptive placement. When it is in the best interest of each of
				the children, the Department shall attempt to place together infants with minor
				mothers who are in foster care. Relatives of children placed in the custody of
				the Department shall be given preferential consideration for placement, if the
				relative caregiver meets all relevant child protection standards and it is in
				the child's best interest to be placed with the relative caregiver. In order to
				assist in placing the child with an appropriate relative, the court will order
				the parent(s) to provide the following information to the
				Department:
*
The names, addresses, and phone numbers of any
				relatives who may be placement resources for the child;
*
The names, addresses, and phone numbers and other
				identifying information on any putative father(s) of the child;
*
Any information regarding possible membership or
				descent from an Indian tribe;
*
Information necessary to determine financial
				eligibility for services or foster care.
Placement or custody of a child in the home of a relative
				shall not relieve the Department of its responsibility to actively implement
				the goal of the case. See Policy VI-J (Out-of-Home Non-DHS Custody/Relative
				Placements).
If the relative meets all relevant child protection
				standards and it is in the child's best interest to be placed with the relative
				caregiver, the worker shall discuss with the relative the following two (2)
				options for placement of the child in the relative's home:
(1)
The relative becoming a DHS
			 relative foster home; or
(2)
The relative obtaining legal custody of the child.
The child shall remain in a licensed or approved foster
				home, shelter, or facility, or an exempt child welfare agency as defined at
				A.C.A. §
												9-28-402(12),
				until the relative's home is opened as a Provisional Relative foster home or
				regular foster home or the court grants custody of the child to the relative
				after a written approved home study is presented to the court.
If the court grants custody of the child to the
				relative:
(A)
The child
			 shall not be placed back in the custody of the Department while remaining in
			 the home of the relative;
(B)
The relative shall not receive any
			 financial assistance, including board payments, from the Department, except for
			 financial assistance for which the relative has applied and for which the
			 relative qualifies pursuant to the program guidelines, such as the Transitional
			 Employment Assistance Program, Food Stamps, Medicaid, and federal adoption
			 subsidy; and
(C)
The
			 Department shall not be ordered to pay the equivalent of board payments or
			 adoption subsidies to the relative as reasonable efforts to prevent removal of
			 custody from the relative.
Children who are in the custody of the Department shall
				be allowed trial placements with parents, for a period not to exceed thirty
				(30) days. At the end of the thirty (30) days, the court shall either place
				custody of the child with the parent or the Department shall return the child
				to a licensed or approved foster home, shelter, or facility, or an exempt child
				welfare agency as defined in A.C.A. §
													9-28-402.
When a child leaves the custody of the Department and the
				court grants custody to the parent or another person, the Department is no
				longer legal custodian of the child, even if the Juvenile Division of Circuit
				Court retains jurisdiction.
Placement shall be chosen:
*
To ensure the health and safety of a
				child;
*
To ensure that caretakers have the skills and training
				sufficient to deal with the child's special needs and any disabling condition;
				and
*
To keep the child in close proximity to the family, if
				possible, to maintain enrollment in the school the child attended before
				placement.
The Department shall make reasonable efforts
				to:
*
Maintain the family unit and prevent the unnecessary
				removal of a child from his home, as long as the child's safety is
				assured;
*
Effect the safe reunification of the child and family
				(if temporary out-of-home placement is necessary to ensure immediate safety of
				the child); and
*
Make and finalize alternate permanency plans in a
				timely manner when reunification is not appropriate or possible. In determining
				reasonable efforts to be made with respect to a child and in making such
				reasonable efforts, the child's health and safety is of paramount
				concern.
Within 30 days of a child being placed in DHS custody,
				the Division will provide the parents with literature, verbal information, and
				referrals to programs for parenting, child abuse, substance abuse, sexual abuse
				and family planning.
After a child is placed out of the home, reasonable
				efforts will be made to reunify a family, to make it possible for the child to
				safely return home. A judicial determination pertaining to reasonable efforts
				to prevent removal must have been made within 60 days of the child's removal
				from the home, otherwise the child will not be eligible for Title IV-E foster
				care maintenance payments for the duration of his stay in foster care.
				Reasonable efforts to finalize an alternate permanency plan (i.e., place a
				child for adoption or with a legal guardian or permanent custodian) may be made
				concurrently with reasonable efforts to reunify a child with his family.
				Reasonable efforts shall also be made to obtain permanency for a child who has
				been in an out-of-home placement for more than twelve (12) months, or for
				fifteen (15) of the previous twenty-two (22) months.
Reasonable efforts to reunite a child with his parent(s)
				shall not be required in all cases. The court shall conduct and complete a
				hearing on a "no reunification services" request within fifty (50) days of the
				date of written notice to the defendants. However, upon good cause shown, the
				hearing may be continued for an additional twenty (20) days, and the court
				shall enter an order determining whether or not reunification services shall be
				provided. Reunification shall not be required if a court of competent
				jurisdiction, including the Juvenile Division of Circuit Court, has determined
				that the parent has:
(1)
Subjected the child to aggravated
			 circumstances; (See Glossary for the definition of aggravated
			 circumstances.)
(2)
Committed murder (which would have been an offense under section 1111(a) of
			 Title 18, USC, if the offense had occurred in the special maritime or
			 territorial jurisdiction of the United States) of any child;
(3)
Committed voluntary manslaughter
			 (which would have been an offense under section 1112(a) of Title 18, USC, if
			 the offense had occurred in the special maritime or territorial jurisdiction of
			 the United States) of any child;
(4)
Aided or abetted, attempted,
			 conspired, or solicited to commit such a murder or such a voluntary
			 manslaughter;
(5)
Committed a felony, battery, or assault that results in serious bodily injury
			 to any child; or
(6)
Had the parental rights involuntarily terminated as to a sibling of the child;
			 or
(7)
Abandoned an
			 infant (not the same as "Voluntary Delivery of an Infant", see Procedure VIII-
			 E2).
If reasonable efforts to reunify are determined by a
				court to be unnecessary, a permanency hearing must be held within 30 days after
				the court's determination. If the court determines no reunification services
				will be provided due to aggravating circumstances or upon recommendation from
				the Division or Attorney Ad Litem at adjudication, the Family Service Worker
				will have case management responsibility until the child is placed in an
				adoptive home.
If the court recommends that reunification services
				should not be provided to reunite a child with his family, DHS, the Attorney Ad
				Litem or the court shall provide written notice to the defendants. When DHS is
				the agency requesting that no reunification services be provided, it will send
				the written notice to the defendants in coordination with OCC. The notice shall
				be provided to the parties at least fourteen (14) calendar days before the
				no-reunification hearing, and the notice shall identify in sufficient detail to
				put the family on notice, the grounds for recommending "no reunification
				services".
The burden of presenting the case shall be on the
				requesting party. The court shall conduct and complete a hearing on a "no
				reunification services" request within fifty (50) days of the date of written
				notice to the defendants. However, upon good cause shown, the hearing may be
				continued for an additional twenty (20) days.
PROCEDURE (VI-A1): Out-of-Home Placement
				Criteria
The Family Service Worker will:
* Consider placement with appropriate relatives in a Kinship
				Foster Home. (See Policy VII-A.)
*
Place a child in a provisional relative foster
				home if a relative is identified and it is in the best interest of the child. A
				child may be placed in the home of a relative on a provisional basis for up to
				six (6) months pending the relative's home being opened as a regular foster
				home. If the relative opts to have his or her home opened as a provisional
				foster home, the relative shall not be paid a board payment until the relative
				meets all of the requirements and is opened as a regular foster home. The
				child(ren), if age appropriate, should also be interviewed about the placement
				with the relative to determine how the child feels about the
				placement..
*
NOTE: The child is in the custody of the
				department, therefore, the child shall remain in an approved foster home or
				licensed shelter or facility, until the relative's home is opened as a
				provisional home.
*
Conduct a review of the home that will include a
				visual inspection of the home, an expedited Central Registry Check, criminal
				and local background check and a vehicle safety check. All criminal background
				checks for Provisional Relative Foster Homes must be submitted to the DCFS
				Foster Care Unit by completing the CFS 342A (Foster Care Criminal Record Check)
				to receive expedited results. The CFS-342A can be faxed to the Foster Care Unit
				for expedited results, however, the fax must be accompanied by an email to the
				Foster Care Unit verifying that there is an original notarized copy of the
				CFS-342A in the possession of the Division. There is no fee for criminal
				background checks conducted for Provisional Relative Foster
				Homes.
The review of the home will also include the
				completion of the CFS-446 (In-Home Consultation Visit Report). The worker and
				supervisor will expeditiously review the background check results and the
				In-home consultation to determine if the home is a clean and safe environment
				for the child. The home will be approved as a Provisional Relative Foster Home
				if it is appropriate and in the child's best interest. Place the child in the
				Provisional Relative Foster Home once the home is approved and the family has
				signed the CFS-474 (Provisional Foster Home Orientation Checklist). The worker
				and the family must complete any corrective actions necessary to bring the home
				into compliance with minimum licensing standards within six (6)
				months.
*
Request an Alternative Compliance for a
				Provisional Relative foster home, if appropriate. However, there must be
				documentation that the Alternative Compliance will in no way jeopardize the
				health and safety of the child(ren) placed with the family. All Alternative
				Compliance requests must go up the chain of command and be reviewed by the
				County Supervisor, Area Manager, Program Administrator and Assistant Director
				of Community Services before being presented to the DCFS Director. The
				Alternative Compliance must be approved before the home can be approved as a
				provisional home.
*
Provide an orientation session with the family at
				the time of placing the child in the relative's home. Complete the CFS- 474
				"Provisional Foster Home Orientation Checklist" as part of the orientation. The
				relatives must sign the completed CFS-474 before the child is left in their
				home.
*
Provide an initial clothing order to the child.
				When a child is first placed in foster care, an initial clothing order may be
				issued. The Family Service Worker will assess with the foster parent which
				clothing items are needed and issue the authorized amount of clothing
				allowance. Purchases will be made using the DHS-1914 process. The FSW will
				accompany the foster parent to the store to approve the
				purchase.
*
Complete all actions identified in Policy III-A
				"Services Case Opening and Re-Evaluation". Complete the IV-E and Medicaid
				application as prescribed in Procedure III-A2.
*
Complete all of the medical exam requirements for
				the child including the Comprehensive Health Assessment see Procedure VI-D1
				"Comprehensive Health Assessment and Health Plan for Children Receiving
				Out-Of-Home Placement Services".
*
Complete all case opening functions as outlined
				in Policy IV-A "Services Case Plan" and IV-B "Case
				Staffings."
*
Visit the child in the relative's home as
				required in policy VII-C " Supervision of Children in Out-Of-Home
				Placement."
*
Assist the relatives in applying for benefits.
				Until the relative's home is opened as a regular foster home, the relative may
				apply for and receive benefits for which the relative may be entitled due to
				the placement of the child in the home, such as benefits under the Temporary
				Employment Assistance Program or food stamps.
*
Ensure
that
the
family
is
completing
the
process
for
foster
home
approval.
If
the
relative's
home
is
not
				fully licensed as a foster home within six (6) months of the placement of the
				child in the home:
(a)
The department shall remove the child from the relative's home and
			 close the relative's provisional foster home
or
(b) The court
			 shall remove custody from the department and grant custody of the child to the
			 relative.
*
Assess the situation if the family does not come
				into compliance within six (6) months of the placement of the child in the home
				and recommend to OCC on how the case should proceed, i.e. remain in foster care
				or have a completed approved home study and recommend custody to the
				relative.
All Alternative Compliance requests must go up the
				chain of command and be reviewed by the County Supervisor, Area Manager,
				Program Administrator and Assistant Director of Community Services before being
				presented to the DCFS Director.
The Area Manager will:
*
Review the request for alternative
				compliance
*
Assure necessary documentation is included with
				the request. If the request is appropriate, the Area Manager
				will:
*
Prepare a cover memo to the Program
				Administrator
*
Place the words "Alternative Compliance Request"
				in the subject line along with the name of the foster or prospective adoptive
				parents and their county.
*
Summarize in the body of the memo (a) What action
				is being requested and the issues pertaining to the need for an alternative
				compliance request, e.g., age. (b) One or two statements why this request was
				supported by the Area Manager.
*
Include with the
				request:
(1)
A copy of the current home
			 study
(2)
The date of the next court hearing
(3)
Copies of the Central
			 Registry Checks
(4)
Copies of the State Police Checks
(5)
A copy of the physical, if
			 age is the issue
(6)
Copy of the results of the FBI search, if residency is an
			 issue
(7)
If the issue is misdemeanor or felony activity, a written
			 explanation by the prospective foster/adoptive parent explaining what the
			 offense was, why the offense occurred and why the offense should not prevent
			 the approval of the request.
The Program Administrator will:
*
Review the request for
				appropriateness
*
Forward the request to the Assistant Director of
				Community Services for review and submission to the DCFS
				Director.
The DCFS Director can approve an Alternative
				Compliance for a relative home on a case-by-case basis. Alternative compliances
				will only be approved in cases where there is clear documentation that
				the
placement is in the best interest of the child. The
				DCFS Director may review and approve any requests for alternative compliance of
				DCFS Policy. The DCFS Director will review for appropriateness, requests for
				alternative compliance with CWAL standards, and will then forward the request
				to the Manager of the CWAL Unit, who will forward the request to the CWAL
				Board. Any requests for alternative compliance with CWAL regulations and
				standards can only be approved by the CWAL Review Board.
PROVISIONAL RELATIVE HOMES [Temporary Family
				Placement (No Board) Service in CHRIS]
The FSW caseworker must inform the Resource Worker
				of a relative who is interested in becoming a Provisional Relative Home for a
				child in foster care.
The Resource Worker must enter this family
				into CHRIS as a Provider opening two placement services: Temporary Family
				Placement (No Board) Service, and Foster Family Home Service.
The Temporary Family Placement (No Board)
				Service must be quickly approved (once the necessary requirements are
				received), while the Foster Family Home Service has Applicant Status awaiting
				compliance (all required checks, certifications and training) for approval. In
				CHRIS, the family will have only one Provider Number showing two services
				provided by the family.
The Resource Worker will need to coordinate with
				the FSW to obtain demographic information on Family Members and enter the
				information into the CHRIS Provider screens.
In CHRIS:
*
Click Provider button and click New button:
				General Information Screen ;
General Inform'tion
				Tab;
*
Click Person radio
				button
*
Enter First and Last Name of Head of
				Household 1
Address/Telephone
				Tab;
*
Select
Physical Location
				Address
and enter address
*
Enter
School District
*
Enter
Phone
				Number
AKA Tab
:
*
Enter Person name, if known by
				another name
Services
				Tab
:
r
Click
Placement Services
radio
				button
Select
Temporary Family Placement (No
				Board)
Enter
Services Start
				Date
Select
Parenting
				Structure
Click
Add
button
.
Click
New button (to enter another Placement
				Service)
Click
Placement Services
radio
				button
Select
Foster Family
				Home
Enter
Services Start
				Date
Select
Parenting
				Structure
Click
Change
button
Contact Person
				Tab:
.
Contact
				Type
: Select Person Responsible for Provider
				and enter name.
.
Services
				Provided
: Highlight Select Temporary Family
				Placement (No Board) and Foster Family Home Services and click Add and OK
				button and click Change command button [Note: if the Person identified is not
				the Contact Person for both services, then, select only one service and click
				New button to enter another person for the other service.]
Members
				Button
:
Provider Household
				Members
:
.
Household Information Tab
- complete all fields on this tab for Head of
				Household 1 and Head of Household 2.
.
Required Checks Tab
- complete all necessary requirements
				especially Central Registry check and Local and State Criminal Record checks
				(Requested, Received and Passed) for both Head of Household 1 and Head of
				Household 2
Relations Button
:
Provider Household Relationships screen
- complete relationships of household
				members
Services Management
				Button
:
Click OK on highlighted
Temporary Family
				Placement (No Board) Service:
.
Admissions Button
- complete fields, click Add
.
Rates Button
-
				Payment Scale defaults to None
.
Details Button
- complete mandatory fields (yellow) and click
				on Request Approval button and click on Request Approval checkbox
Contacts Button
:
Provider Contact Screen
- click New and enter your contacts with the
				Provider selecting Placement Issues in the Purpose Select
				Box
[Note
: Within
				the next six months, the family will be meeting all requirements to become a
				DCFS foster family, such as Training Hours, and other required checks to be in
				compliance (refer to the CHRIS procedures for Foster Family
				Approval).
]
When the family has an approved Foster Family
				service, the Temporary Family Placement (No Board) service, needs to be
				stopped
. In CHRIS, here are the steps:
.
Click General Information
				Button:
.
Services Tab
- enter the date in the Services End Date
				field, selecting the appropriate Reason for End Date and entering the
				explanation in the Comments for End Date text field.
.
Utilize court-ordered relative information
				obtained from the parent to locate and contact potential relative
				resources.
.
If the relative meets all relevant child
				protection standards, and it is in the child's best interest to be placed with
				the relative caregiver, discuss with the relative the following two (2) options
				for placement of the child in the relative's home:
(1) The relative becoming a DHS relative
			 foster home; or
(2) The relative
			 obtaining legal custody of the child. See Policy VI-J "Out-of-Home Non-DHS
			 Custody/Relative Placements".
.
Complete the CFS-452 (Relative Placement Kinship
				Care/Relative Foster Care Verification) stating that the family does/does not
				want to become a relative foster home.
.
Select the Out-of-Home Placement that best fits
				the needs of the child. A child who has been identified as an Exempted From
				Finding Underaged Child Aggressor or Sexual Offender must not be placed in a
				foster home with other children, unless the child's therapist feels that the
				child is no longer a danger to other children. Proper documentation of this
				will be contained in the child's hard copy file. If the recommended placement
				is a facility, the facility must receive information regarding the allegations.
				This must be documented in the Recommend Placement screen.
.
Complete the CFS-462A (Foster Home
				Agreement Addendum) at the time of placement.
.
Document placement selection on the "Case Plan"
				(CFS-6010) by keying the "Plan Goals" and the "Needs/Svc" screens in the
				"Treatment" portion of the "Case Plan" section of CHRIS.
.
Arrange at least one (1) pre-placement visit for
				the child before the initial placement and before any subsequent changes in
				placement if possible and appropriate. Contact the OCC Attorney immediately if
				child is being moved from one Out-of-Home Placement to another. See Procedure
				VII-D1.
.
Contact the OCC Attorney immediately if there is
				any indication that the child is a member of an Indian tribe.
.
Provide the child's parent(s) with a copy of
				PUB-11 (Your Child and Foster Care).
Click here
				to view image
Instructions Request for Child Protective Services
				Central Registry Check
CFS-316
A separate form is to be completed on each applicant, and each
				household member age ten (10) years and older residing or who has resided in
				the applicant's home. All completed forms for each applicant(s)' home shall be
				submitted in one (1) packet.
Specific Instructions
A. Indicate the type of applicant involved -
			 i.e., foster parent, adoptive parent, provisional foster parent, or other
			 person.
B. Complete name of the
			 person on whom the check is being made.
C. Indicate the Office/Agency making the
			 request.
D. Signature of the person
			 on whom the check is being made, as well as his/her social security number,
			 date of birth, age and race.
E. List
			 all previous married names, maiden name (if applicable), any initial(s) used
			 and indicate what name(s) each initial is for, and any aliases or nickname(s)
			 ever used.
F. Give complete
			 residential history for the last 10 years starting with the present.
G. List all children under 18 years old who
			 are now or have resided in your home. Give full name, date of birth and age,
			 and relationship to the person named in "B".
NOTE:
If applicant(s) was a foster parent in
				another state(s) do not list the foster children placed by the state. Mail to:
				Arkansas Department of Human Services
Division of Children and Family Services Arkansas Child
				Maltreatment Central Registry P. O. Box 1437, S566 Little Rock, Arkansas
				72203-1437
H. DHS Personnel may
			 request a check when necessary for internal administrative reasons. A brief
			 explanation of the reason that a check is needed shall be given. The requesting
			 staff member shall sign the form.
THE INFORMATION THUS REQUESTED CANNOT
			 BE USED OUTSIDE OF DHS
.
I.
			 The Child Protective Services Unit will complete this section and return a copy
			 of this form and report, if applicable, to the Office requesting the
			 information. If any information is found, a copy of the report and this form
			 shall also be routed to the Manager, Foster Care Unit.
NOTE: For foster parent applicant(s) - the county will receive
				two (2) copies of any information found in the Registry. One (1) copy is to be
				filed in the Foster Family Record and one (1) copy is to be given to the
				applicant (i.e., the adult subject or parent/legal guardian of a minor
				subject). For adoptive parent applicant(s) - no information found in the Child
				Protective Services Central Registry shall be released to the applicant(s)
				without a notarized request to the Child Protective Services Unit. J. Per Act
				1041 of 1997, a person required to have the Child Maltreatment Central Registry
				Check shall repeat the check every two (2) years. However, adoptive parents and
				each member of the household age ten (10) years old or older, shall repeat the
				check every year until the adoption decree has been issued. Adoptive parents,
				and each member of the household age ten (10) years or older, residing out of
				state shall have a Child Maltreatment Central Registry Check, if available, in
				their state.
Click here
				to view image
Instructions for CFS-342A Foster Care Criminal Record
				Check
General Instructions
Purpose: The CFS-342A will be used to authorize criminal record
				background checks related to foster care. Complete one form for each foster
				parent applicant(s). Also, complete one form for each household member age
				fourteen (14) years or older. If the household members have already authorized
				this action, then a copy of the authorization must be attached. If not, the
				household members are to sign the authorization on this form. To prevent delays
				caused by incomplete forms, the county supervisor should designate a person to
				check each form for accuracy and completeness.
Expedited checks
:
Check the
				appropriate box at the top of the form to identify the type of check requested.
				Provisional Relative Foster Home checks and court ordered checks will be
				expedited
. Expedited reports will be completed within 24 hours and all
				other checks will be completed within 30 days of the request. A copy of the
				order or written verification of when the order was made, and by which court,
				must be attached to the request for expedited court ordered checks.
Repeated checks
: Per Act 1041 of 1997,
				any person required to have an Arkansas State Police Record Check shall repeat
				the check every five years.
Routing
Send the Criminal Record Check information in an envelope
				stamped "
CONFIDENTIAL
" to:
Arkansas Department of Human Services
Division of Children and Family Services Foster Care
				Unit
P.O. Box 1437, Slot S565
Little Rock, Arkansas 72203-1437
Phone (501) 682-8450
For expedited checks the CFS-342A can be faxed to the Foster
				Care Unit ( 501-682-5272 ), however, the fax must be accompanied by an email to
				Olivia.Bates@arkansas.gov verifying that there is an original notarized copy in
				the possession of the Division.
Click here
				to view image
Instructions for CFS-342B State Adoptions Criminal Record
				Check
General Instructions
Purpose:
The CFS-342B will be used to authorize
				criminal record background checks related to adoption.
Complete one form for each adoptive parent applicant(s). Also,
				complete one form for each household member age fourteen (14) years or older.
				If the household members have already authorized this action, then a copy of
				the authorization must be attached. If not, the household members are to sign
				the authorization on this form.
To prevent delays caused by incomplete forms, the county
				supervisor should designate a person to check each form for accuracy and
				completeness.
Expedited checks
:
Expedited reports will be completed within 24 hours and all other checks
				will be completed within 30 days of the request. A copy of the order or written
				verification of when the order was made, and by which court, must be attached
				to the request for expedited court ordered checks.
Repeated checks
: Per Act
				1041 of 1997, any person required to have an Arkansas State Police Record Check
				shall repeat the check every five years, except adoptive parents after the
				adoptive decree has been issued.
Adoptive parents shall have the State Police Record Check dated
				within one (1) year of placement
Routing
Send the Criminal Record Check information in an envelope
				stamped "
CONFIDENTIAL
" to:
Arkansas Department of Human Services
Division of Children and Family Services Foster Care
				Unit
P.O. Box 1437, Slot S565
Little Rock, Arkansas 72203-1437
Phone (501) 682-1569
For expedited checks the CFS-342B can be faxed to the Foster
				Care Unit ( 501-682-5272 ), however, the fax must be accompanied by an email to
				Olivia.Bates@arkansas.gov verifying that there is an original notarized copy in
				the possession of the Division.
Click here
				to view image
Click here
				to view image
Click here
				to view image
INSTRUCTIONS
CFS-474
PROVISIONAL FOSTER HOME ORIENTATION
				CHECKLIST
PURPOSE
To ensure that all the required subjects have been covered with
				the relative when a provisional foster home is being opened.
COMPLETION
There are fourteen topics. Check off the box next to each topic
				when that topic has been fully reviewed with the relative (provisional foster
				parent).
In topic number three (3) "DCFS Policy", check off each
				sub-topic (a, b, c, d) separately to ensure that all sub-topics have been
				covered.
In topic number five (5) "In-Home Consultation Visit Packet",
				check off each sub-topic (a through m) separately to ensure that all sub-topics
				have been covered.
After all 14 topics have been fully covered with the relative
				(provisional foster parent), have the relative READ each of the four
				statements. Be sure to ask the relative if he/she has any questions about the
				statements. Answer any questions.
In the signatures section, type or write in the relative's
				complete name. This name can be typed on the computer before printing out the
				form for use during the orientation.
Have the relative sign and date the form.
In the signatures section, type or write in the FSW's complete
				name and telephone number. This name can be typed on the computer before
				printing out the form for use during the orientation.
The FSW Supervisor will sign and date the form for
				approval.
ROUTING
Give a copy of the completed form to the relative (provisional
				foster parent). Put the original form in the relative's provisional foster home
				folder.
Click here
				to view image
What's Up about Foster Care
1. Foster care provides a substitute family
			 life for a child who needs care for a short or long period of time. The child
			 will be placed in a home approved by the Division of Children and Family
			 Services (DCFS) or in a licensed facility.
2. The goal of foster care is to work toward
			 a permanent placement for the child, preferably, return to the birth/legal
			 parents.
3. Foster care is a team
			 effort involving DCFS, the family foster parents, the foster child and the
			 birth/legal parents.
This handbook is developed to provide the child with
				information he/she will need while in foster care. This book is only a
				reference guide. Contact the Foster parent or DCFS for any questions or further
				explanations.
Click here
				to view image
Why a Child is Placed in Care
A child is in foster care because the birth/legal family does
				not function well due to social, emotional, economic and/or physical reason, or
				does not exist. Foster care provides a safe place for the child while the
				conditions, which caused the placement away from home are cleared up. DCFS has
				legal custody of all children placed in foster care.
When a youth is placed in foster care, he/she has been
				determined by the court as being a:
* Dependent Neglected Juvenile - any child who (as a result of
				being abandoned, abused, or neglected), is at substantial risk of serious harm,
				or
* Dependent Juvenile - a child whose parent is under the age of
				eighteen (18) and is in the custody of the Department of Human Services. A
				dependent juvenile can also be an infant given up for adoption or a child whose
				parent or guardian is incapacitated, died or incarcerated, or
* Family In Need of Services (FINS) - if a child is habitually
				disobedient to reasonable and lawful commands of his parents, the family may be
				adjudicated as a Family In Need of Services. If it is necessary to protect the
				health and safety of the child, a FINS case can result in a child being placed
				in foster care.
The court is the only one that can order that a child be placed
				in foster care, and also must issue a court order for DCFS to close any foster
				care case.
Click here
				to view image
Click
				here to view image
Placement Options for Youth in Care
There are four options for placing a child who is in the
				custody of DHS.
1. Family
			 foster home - An approved private residence of one or more family members who
			 cares for a child who is in DHS custody.
2. Kinship care foster home - An approved
			 private residence of one or more family members who are related to the child
			 who is in DHS' custody.
3. A
			 licensed facility.
4. Adoption
Click
				here to view image
Visitation Policy
Parent/Child
				Visitation
Unless the courts orders otherwise, a child in foster care will
				have weekly visits with their parents. If the child objects to visits with the
				parents, then the visits may be stopped.
A child can write and/or telephone their parents, also.
Siblings (brothers and sisters of a child)
				Visitation
Siblings visits shall take place at least once every two weeks,
				unless it is not in the best interest of the child or a situation exists where
				it is not possible for visits to take place every two weeks, for example, a
				sibling lives in another state or a sibling is institutionalized. In these
				situations a visitation schedule will be developed as appropriate to meet the
				family's needs.
Click
				here to view image
Rights of the Child
Children have the right to:
* Live with their birth/legal family, if appropriate,
* Receive love, protection and support until they are grown
				up,
* Be free from harm, neglect and abuse,
* Receive an education,
* Have physical care and medical attention,
* Enjoy family life,
* Receive discipline,
* Receive religious and moral training,
* Grow into independent adults,
* Appeal a change in placement and request assistance from the
				Attorney ad litem,
* Speak with your worker as needed,
* A private conversation, if age-appropriate, during the weekly
				visits with the Family Service Worker to discuss the quality of care being
				provided to the child.
When the right to live with the child's own birth/legal family
				is in jeopardy, the child has the right to:
* Be represented by legal counsel;
* Have their legal rights protected in any judicial procedure
				for custody or guardianship.
Click
				here to view image
Responsibilities Of
1.
DCFS to the child are:
* To place the child in a family foster home, kinship
				(relative) foster home, or other substitute care facility that can best serve
				the child's needs;
* To place the child close to birth/legal parents to allow
				frequent contact;
* To have regular visits for the child with birth/legal
				parents, siblings, and others with whom there is a significant relationship,
				unless restricted by court order;
* To have a weekly visit with the child in the foster home and
				include a private conversation with the age-appropriate child to assess the
				quality of care being provided;
* To give the child honest information regarding all
				decisions;
* To allow the child to participate in case planning,
				conferences, staffing, and court hearings, whenever possible and age
				appropriate, to assure services are provided to meet the child's needs.
* To keep a record for each child that includes legal documents
				(for example, birth certificate, Social Security card, court orders);
* To help the child return to the birth/legal parents' home at
				the earliest possible time or to be legally freed to form new family ties with
				relatives or adoptive parents; and
* To prepare the child for independence.
2.
DCFS to the birth/legal parents
			 are:
* To offer and provide services to avoid foster care if at all
				possible;
* To inform the birth/legal parents of the reason for removing
				the child if foster care is necessary;
* To advise birth/legal parents what conditions must be met in
				order to have the child returned to the home;
* To return the child to the parent's home when the necessary
				changes or conditions required by the court or DCFS have been made and the
				circumstances that caused the child to be removed from the home have been
				eliminated.
3.
Birth/legal parents are:
* To participate in staffings and court hearings;
* To keep appointments for visits and returning calls;
* To help develop the case plan;
* To make necessary changes or correct conditions which
				prevents the child from returning home;
* To provide financial support for the child. The court will
				determine the amount of child support the parents should pay.
Complaint Process for the Youth
To resolve a complaint, the child should ask for a discussion
				of the problem with your Family Service Worker. If the problem is not solved,
				the child may ask to speak with the County Office Supervisor for
				guidance.
Click
				here to view image
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:
Birth through 5 years
$400.00 Monthly
Board and Care
345.00
Clothing
40.00
Personal Needs
15.00
6 through 11 years
$425.00 Monthly
Board and Care
355.00
Clothing
45.00
School and Personal Needs
25.00
12 through 14 years
$450.00 Monthly
Board and Care
365.00
Clothing
55.00
School and Personal Needs
30.00
15 through 17 years
$475.00 Monthly
Board and Care
375.00
Clothing
65.00
School and Personal Needs
35.00
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
				(4) Assistant Directors over program and administrative offices.
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.
Three other DCFS Offices support the Office of Community
				Services:
* The Office of Finance and Administrative Support is organized
				into the following units - Personnel, Financial Support, Contracts Management,
				and Medicaid & IV-E Eligibility.
* The Office of Community Support consisting of the following
				units - Foster Care, Adoptions, Behavioral Treatment, Independent Living,
				Interstate Compact (ICPC), CAPTA and Central Registry.
* The Office of Legislative Analysis, Research and Planning
				consisting of the Policy Unit, Planning Unit, Quality Assurance Unit, Training
				/ Professional Development Unit, Child Welfare Agency Licensing and COA
				Accreditation.
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.
Don't Quit
When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill.
When the funds are low,
and the debts are high,
And you want to smile,
but you have to sigh.
When care is pressing you down a bit-Rest if you must but don't
				you quit.
Success is failure turned inside out,
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt.
And you never can tell how close you are it may be near when it
				seems afar.
So, stick to the fight when you're hardest hit-It is when
				things go wrong That you mustn't quit.
Submitted by Cindy W.
DIVISION OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES STAFF
				DIRECTORY
DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES
				.............................................................. (501)
				682-8772
Assistant Director, Office of Community Services ..(501)
				682-8771
Assistant Director, Office of Community Support ..... 501)
				682-8541
Administrator, Program Support In-Home Services (501)
				682-8992
Field Representative (501) 682-8439
Program Coordinator (501) 682-2447
Manager, Central Registry (501) 682-0404
Manager, Interstate Compact (501) 682-0402
Administrator, Program Support Out of
Home Services
				........................................................... (501)
				682-8440
Manager, Adoption Services Unit (501) 682-8473
Manager, Behavioral Treatment Unit (501) 682-8441
Manager, Independent Living Program (501) 682-8453
Manager, Foster Care Unit (501) 682-1569
Assistant Director, Office of Legislative Analysis,
Research and Planning
				................................................... (501) 682-8544
Manager, Policy Unit (501) 682-8750
Manager, Mental Health Services (501) 683-2045 Manager, Child
				Welfare Agency Licensing Unit (501) 321-2583
Manager, Professional Development Unit (501) 683-2041
Manager, Planning and Research (501) 682-1554
Manager, Quality Assurance Unit (501) 682-9975
COA Coordinator (501) 683-2648
Assistant Director, Office of Financial and
Administrative Support
				.................................................. (501) 682-8432
Manager, Accounts Payable (501) 682-8846
Manager, Contracts Management (501) 682-8435
Manager, Personnel (501) 682-8754
Arkansas Department of Human Services P.O. Box 1437, Slot S 560
				700 Main Street Little Rock, Arkansas 72203-1437 Phone (501) 682-8770 Fax (501)
				682-6968 TDD (501) 682-1442
DHS "Hotline" Phone
				Numbers
ARKids FIRST 1-888-474 -8275
Child Abuse Hotline 1-800-482 -5964 TDD 1-800-843 -6349
Medicaid Questions 1-800-482 -5431
Medicaid Transportation Questions 1-888-987 -1200
OTHER HELPFUL
				NUMBERS
NOTE: If you are SUICIDAL - Please dial 1-800-SUICIDE (
				1-800-784 -2433) Hours: 24 hours
1. Alcoholics Anonymous 1-800-923
			 -8722
2. Drug Abuse Information and
			 Referral Line (800) 662-HELP ( 1-800-662 -4357)
3. Girl's and Boy's Town National Hotline
			 1-800-448 -3000 (English/Spanish) Hours: 24 hrs
4. National Domestic Violence Hotline (800)
			 799-7233
5. State Health Dept.
			 prenatal care and teen pregnancy hot line: (800) 235-0002
6. Planned Parenthood for birth control,
			 emergency contraception, anonymous HIV testing, and prenatal care: 1-501-666
			 -7526
7. Rape Crisis Inc. 1-877-432
			 -5368
8. Runaway Hotline (800)
			 231-6946
9. Shoplifters Anonymous
			 (800) 848-9595
10. Youth Crisis
			 Hotline (800) 448-4663
Click
				here to view image
How Children Can Speak Up for
				Themselves
1. Youth
			 Advisory Board (YAB) Mission Statement:
The Arkansas Youth Advisory Board (YAB) are responsible youth
				in foster care, volunteering to help link youth to government and public
				agencies to better care for and provide services to youth in foster care. YAB
				provides inspiration to children and young adults in Arkansas Foster
				Care.
YAB members are in contact with other youth in their area each
				month to discuss issues, concerns and suggestions for sharing with Area DCFS
				staff and DCFS Central Office Staff. The items for discussion may be collected
				during life-skills training sessions held in the areas each month or YAB
				members meet quarterly to bring information, ideas and concerns to DCFS staff
				and other interested groups and individuals. Contact the ILP State Coordinator
				at (501) 682-8453 to find out who your area YAB member is so you can let them
				know about things you would like to share with other youth and agency
				staff.
2. The Department of
			 Human Services (DHS) county office will inform you of other resources in your
			 community.
Click
				here to view image
Dealing with Grief and Loss
There are five (5) stages of the grief or loss process.
1)
Denial
In the denial stage a
			 child will refuse to believe what has happened. In his mind the child will tell
			 himself that life is as it was before the loss.
2)
Anger
- Anger is the next
			 stage of grief. A child may blame others or himself for the loss.
3)
Bargaining
- Bargaining can
			 be with yourself or if you are religious, with your god. Often something will
			 be offered to try to take away the truth of what has happened. It is only human
			 to want things as they were before.
4)
Depression
- Depression is
			 likely for all people that grieve for a loss. Some of the feelings are like
			 there is no purpose to life anymore or feeling guilty, like everything is your
			 fault. If there is a feeling of doing yourself any harm, professional
			 counseling should be found immediately.
5)
Acceptance
- The final stage
			 of grief is acceptance. It is when the child realizes that life has to go on.
			 The child can accept his loss. The child should now be able to regain his
			 energy and goals for the future.
An Example of How to Deal with Counseling (A true
				story)
I am a sufferer of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I have had
				this disorder from the first days of my childhood. When I was the ages of about
				five and nine I washed my hands (for fear of germs) until they cracked and
				bled. I also had a difficult time performing daily tasks such as getting
				dressed, doing chores, and walking to school. That is when my parents first
				suspected I had a problem. I went to a psychiatrist and they told my parents
				that it was probably nothing and that little kids do weird things. They were
				wrong. During that period of time I possessed so much shame around the fact
				that there was something wrong with me that I could not admit this secret to
				anyone. This denial only added more difficulty to my daily routines because I
				had to focus on believing the lie that I was just like everyone else. This lie
				plagued my life until I was 16 when (with the help of my nighttime prayers to
				God to take this defect away from me) I finally mustered up the courage to tell
				my parents that I was well aware and had been of this continuing problem. If
				felt good to finally admit it.
From that point I began to tell my psychiatrist about this
				secret I had. It was very helpful to me when he assured me that many people
				have this disorder and that I didn't have to live this way. It was especially
				helpful when he let me know in no uncertain terms that I was not crazy.
I enjoyed the meetings with my psychiatrist because he made me
				feel genuinely cared for, not like an interesting case study. He validated my
				feelings about my disorder with hard textbook facts, but still encouraged me to
				be an individual. In other words, I felt less alone because a lot of my
				symptoms had been documented, but I still felt unique. Medication also provided
				me a little rest from my constant daily battle with my brain. It did not cure
				me, but it allowed me a choice between whether or not my compulsions were worth
				my time and energy.
Now that I am 24, I have a little more perspective on what
				worked for me as an adolescent. The most helpful things to me were a supportive
				family, a doctor who truly cared for me, medication, as well as a willingness
				to work with these resources. With supports like these, I don't believe one can
				go wrong.
finding people that really cared about helping people. As an
				adult, I can now see that there are a lot of service providers (psychiatrists,
				M.S.W.'s, etc.) who are selfish and look to children with mental health
				disorders as an opportunity to better their resumes. I have had experiences
				with mental health professionals who write you a prescription and send you on
				your way because they are so burned out that they have lost the ability to
				care. I have dealt with mental health professionals who believe all a mentally
				ill person can achieve is to become a member of society that does not draw
				attention to herself. That does not work for me.
I was very fortunate for the most part growing up with OCD. But
				I have also seen the stigma that is attached to people like me. I have seen us
				chastised and silenced by "professionals." That is why I am not signing my
				name. In my personal opinion, I am a professional. I am a professional sufferer
				of O.C.D. I am not an animal. I am a person with family, friends, wants, needs,
				dreams, and the ability to carry them out. I am more than another case study. I
				deserve to be treated with respect and dignity.- Anonymous
Reprinted with permission: Anonymous (2001). I am a sufferer of
				obsessive-compulsive disorder. Focal Point, 15(1), 12.
Note:
If more information is needed concerning
				grief, loss or how to deal with counseling, please contact the local CFCIP
				Coordinator for assistance.
Click
				here to view image
What's Up About a Child's Personal
				Information
DCFS will protect the child's personal information. DCFS will
				not release information that can identify a child in foster care. If any
				information is to be released to the media about the child in foster care, the
				information must be reviewed and approved by DCFS attorneys. A judge can order
				that specific information to a specified office, agency or people be
				released.
DCFS will give consideration to protecting the child's identity
				and release information that will not be distasteful or negative to the
				child.
As long as a child is not identified as a foster child, he/she
				can get their name in the newspaper and at conferences, etc. If the child is
				identified as a foster child, (like for adoption recruitment) then the first
				names only is used, otherwise, permission from everyone (the judge, Attorney Ad
				Litem, child, and parents, if their rights have not been terminated) is needed
				to use the whole name.
Resolutions for avoiding misery: Choose to love- rather than
				hate Choose to smile- rather than frown Choose to build- rather than destroy
				Choose to preserve- rather than quit Choose to praise- rather than gossip
				Choose to heal- rather than wound Choose to give- rather than grasp Choose to
				act- rather than delay Choose to forgive- rather than curse Choose to pray-
				rather than despair
Nicki J.
Click
				here to view image
Definitions
1.
Attorney Ad
			 Litem
- This is the child's attorney who is appointed by
			 the court. This attorney must tell the judge what the child wants.
2.
CASA
- This person is a volunteer advocate that is appointed by the court.
			 This person will tell the judge what he/she feels is in the best interest of
			 the child based on information he/she has gathered from the child and other
			 people who know the child.
3.
Case Plan
- A plan that DCFS makes along
			 with the child and family that includes services provided to the child and
			 family to help them reach the goal of a permanent placement of the
			 child.
4.
Chafee
			 Foster Care Independence Program (CFCIP)
- Works with youth
			 age 14-20 who are interested in furthering their educational goals and who
			 volunteer to be in the program. The program provides life skills training to
			 help prepare the youth to live on their own.
5.
Child
			 Maltreatment
- Physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional
			 abuse, neglect, sexual exploitation or abandonment of a child.
6.
Foster Care
- A safe place for the child to stay while the conditions which caused
			 the child to be removed from the home is eliminated.
7.
Independence
- A plan for a child who
			 will not be reunited with his/her family and no other permanent plan is
			 available and termination of parental rights is not in the best interest of the
			 child.
You can be as happy as you decide.
Nicki J.
Court Procedures and Legal Terminology
When a child is placed in the custody of the State of Arkansas,
				there is a hearing (a meeting at court). Biological parents have the right to
				be represented by attorneys. The child is represented by an Attorney Ad Litem
				who is appointed by the court to act on a minor's behalf in a legal proceeding
				and to protect the youth's interest in court.
Protective Custody
- If
				circumstances of the child or home present an immediate danger of severe
				maltreatment, the child will be taken out of the home.
Permanency Planning Hearing
- A meeting in court to review the options for placing a child in a
				permanent safe placement. The judge may decide that DHS should have custody.
				Later, the judge can make decisions about whether you return home or stay in
				care.
Termination of Parental Rights
- To free a child for adoption, when it has been determined that it is
				not a good option to reunite the child with the family.
Click
				here to view image
Click
				here to view image
New Independent Living Legislation
The Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (CFCIP), formerly
				the Title IV-E Independent Living Initiative) was established and formally
				funded in 1993 to assist teens who choose to participate in the program
				complete high school, obtain a GED and continue their post-secondary
				educational process. The program is intended to assist those teens referred to
				the program for the acquisition of basic life skills as they transition from
				adolescence to adulthood. The basic premises and intent of the program have
				been expanded by federal legislation.
The 1994 Angela R. Settlement Agreement charged the Division of
				Children and Family Services (DCFS) with the responsibility to provide
				instruction for developing independent living skills for all foster teens age
				14 or older for whom the case goal was not reunification. The program was
				prohibited by federal law from providing Independent Living services to teens
				under age 16 using federal funds. In early 1995, the program began including
				teens age 14-15 in life skills training sessions. That was done without
				expending federal dollars.
Since December 1999, the Chafee program can now provide
				age-appropriate life skills training to all foster teens age 14 or older. The
				program provides or arranges for training for teens on an individual or group
				basis, if needed and as recommended by the case manager. Teens may volunteer
				and be referred to the program to take advantage of additional services
				offered. Services are educational or employment oriented and require the teen
				to fulfill specific obligations and meet specific standards to maintain
				eligibility for continued Independent Living services. Assistance with
				educational and employment expenses and the initial establishment of living
				quarters are services that are provided beyond the normal scope of expenditures
				of the Division of Children and Family Services. The program may also provide
				limited assistance with room and board expenses to youth age 18-21 that have
				left foster care and have chosen not to pursue post-secondary educational
				goals.
CFCIP
The Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (CFCIP) provides
				funds directed toward assisting youth that are or were in foster care to become
				independent adults. The program is geared toward youth, who are participating
				in an educational program, providing assistance to youth in completing high
				school or obtaining a GED, and/or continuing in post-secondary educational
				programs. The program also provides temporary, limited assistance to youth that
				have aged out of care by providing room and board and start-up
				assistance.
Assistance is also available to former foster youth who are
				pursuing post-secondary educational goals. The Educational Training Voucher
				Program can provide financial assistance for this goal.
CFCIP provides support for:
1. Children in foster care ages 14-17.
Services for this age group include:
* the Ansell-Casey Life Skills Assessment,
* basic life skills training, and
* other service, such as tutoring that can be approved on a
				case-by-case basis.
2.
			 Children who remain in DHS custody, between the ages of 18 and 21 and are
			 engaged in post-secondary education, including vocational training, are
			 eligible for CFCIP. (See page 25 for information on the Arkansas Education and
			 Training Voucher Program.)
3. If a
			 youth was in foster care on his 18th birthday, and
			 his foster care case is closed, he will be eligible for CFCIP " After Care" and
			 can receive assistance until age 21.
After Care services include:
* limited room and board,
* limited start-up assistance, and
* staff services and life-skills training sessions to acquire
				needed skills.
PUB-404 (Chafee Foster Care Independence Program Handbook)
				provides additional information concerning CFCIP and service
				availability.
Within the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (CFCIP),
				Life-skills Training Curriculum, there are fifteen (15) categories and
				sub-categories of curriculum topics that should be available in each DCFS Area
				for teens to attend for life-skills training. The areas of training include:
				Money Management, Food Management Personal Appearance, Health, Housekeeping,
				Transportation, Educational Planning, Job Seeking Skills, Job Maintenance
				Skills, Emergency and Safety Skills, Knowledge of Community Resources,
				Interpersonal Skills, Legal Skills, Housing and other skills, such as
				parenting.
Click
				here to view image
The Arkansas Education and Training Voucher
				Program
(AR-ETV)
What is AR-ETV?
* A federally funded program that offers students up to $5000 a
				year for college and vocational/technical training.
Who is eligible?
* Young people who are or were in foster care and are ages 18
				to 20
* Young people adopted from foster care after the age of
				16
* Parti cipants must be accepted into or enrolled in an
				accredited college or vocational/technical training program
* Parti cipation is renewable until age 23
Funds can be used for:
* Tuition
* Books/Computers
* School supplies
* Living Expenses (rent, child care, health insurance,
				groceries, and transportation)
How to apply:
* Go to
www.statevoucher.org
click on
				Arkansas on the map
* Fill in an application
* Submit the paperwork
Note:
Please direct
				questions to Orphan Foundation of America, ETV Program Director,
ar@statevoucher.org
or call 1.800.950.4673. You may also contact Jim
				Dennis, Arkansas Statewide Chafee Foster Care Independence Coordinator at
				1-501-682 -8453.
Click
				here to view image
Click
				here to view image
Click
				here to view image
Personal Information and Note Space
Click
				here to view image
Click
				here to view image
DIVISION OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES
Child Maltreatment Assessment Protocol
INTRODUCTION:
The following is a protocol to be used when a DCFS Family
				Service Worker (FSW) or the Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children
				Division (CACD) Investigator conducts a Child Maltreatment Assessment. The
				protocol was developed under the authority of ACA 12-12-502(a), which
				authorizes the director to promulgate regulations to carry out the Child
				Maltreatment Act. It identifies and defines the various types of child
				maltreatment a FSW/CACD Investigator may encounter during an assessment. The
				protocol also identifies when and from whom an allegation of child maltreatment
				may be taken. Finally, it identifies those conditions, which must be met before
				an allegation of abuse or neglect can be founded (determined to be true). Now,
				the FSW/CACD Investigator must show that a "preponderance of the evidence"
				supports the allegation of child maltreatment. This is a higher standard of
				evidence and should be understood to mean it is "more likely than not" that
				abuse or neglect occurred.
The Arkansas Child Maltreatment Hotline must accept reports of
				alleged maltreatment if the child or the child's family is present in Arkansas
				OR the incident occurred in Arkansas. If the child or its family live in
				another state, the Hotline shall:
(1)
			 screen out the report,
(2) transfer
			 the report to the other state's hotline and
(3) send a copy to the appropriate
			 investigating agency to initiate courtesy interviews. If the incident occurred
			 in Arkansas, but the victim, parents or offender no longer reside in Arkansas
			 the Hotline will accept the report and the Arkansas investigating agency will
			 contact the other state to request a courtesy interview with the out-of-state
			 subject of the report.
If the nature of a child maltreatment report
				(Priority I or II) suggests that a child is in immediate risk begin the
				investigation immediately or as soon as possible.
For additional information regarding all types of child
				maltreatment and investigative powers and responsibilities, see the Arkansas
				Child Maltreatment Act.
CHILD MALTREATMENT ASSESSMENT PROTOCOL
DEFINITIONS