Arkansas Administrative Code › Agency 016 - DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES › Division 15 - Children and Family Services › Rule 016.15.10-004 - POLICY V-E: INTENSIVE FAMILY SERVICES Program

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 6, June, 2024
EXCERPT, DIVISION OF CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES POLICY
				& PROCEDURES MANUAL, POLICY V-E
POLICY V-E: INTENSIVE FAMILY SERVICES
10/2010
Intensive Family Services (IFS) are time-limited intensive
				counseling, skill building, support services and referrals to resources that
				target the needs of the family. The service is primarily intended for families
				whose children are in imminent risk of an out-of-home placement, but may
				include under certain circumstances families who have already experienced an
				out-of-home placement and reunification is planned. Services are aimed at
				ensuring the safety of all family members while helping the family learn how to
				stay together successfully. The goal is to safely keep children with their
				families, when possible, by providing services aimed at restoring families in
				crisis to an acceptable level of functioning. IFS may be prodded by Division
				staff or by contractors. Efforts are made to consistently maintain an IFS
				provider for each county in the state.
PROCEDURE V-E1: Screening
10/2010
Prior to referral, the Family Service Worker will, for new
				Cases:
A. Complete the CFS-6009:
			 Family, Strengths, Needs, and Risk Assessment in CHRIS. Indicate whether IFS is
			 considered to be an appropriate service.
B. Complete a case staffing and the CES-6010:
			 Case Plan in CHRIS. Indicate whether IFS is considered to be an appropriate
			 service.
C. Refer the family to the
			 County Supervisor for a final determination of referral need.
Prior to referral, the Family Service Worker will for existing
				cases:
A. Update the CFS-6009 and the
			 CFS-6010. Indicate whether IFS is considered to be an appropriate
			 service.
B. Refer the family to the
			 County Supervisor for a final determination of referral need.
The County Supervisor will:
A. Determine if the family's children are at
			 imminent risk of out-of home placement or the family's children have recently
			 experienced an out-of-home placement and reunification is planned.
B. Decide if the family is appropriate for a
			 referral for IFS.
PROCEDURE V-E2: Referral
10/2010
The Family Service Worker will:
A. Refer families to the IFS Practitioner on
			 the CFS-345: Intensive Family Services Referral Form.
B. Accompany the IFS Practitioner to a joint
			 introductory session with the family.
C. Provide the IFS Practitioner with a copy
			 of the completed CFS-6009 and other pertinent information about the family as
			 appropriate.
The IFS Practitioner will:
A. Within 24 hours of receipt of the
			 referral, hold a joint introductory session with the family and the Family
			 Service Worker.
B. Within 72 hours
			 of receipt of the referral, complete an assessment of the family to determine
			 if IFS is appropriate and the short-term crisis intervention services can be of
			 benefit to the family. Outcomes will be measured through the North Carolina
			 Family Assessment Scale, which is a validated, evidence-based assessment tool
			 with performance indicators. This baseline assessment will guide the family's
			 treatment plan.
C. Within 72 hours
			 of receipt of the referral, recommend to the County Supervisor if the family is
			 appropriate for IFS on the CFS-345: Intensive Family Services Referral
			 Form.
D. Assessment for IFS will
			 focus on:
1) The potential that the health and
			 safety of the child and other family members can be assured by frequent home
			 visits, counseling, and other support services.
2) The potential that meeting the critical
			 needs of the child will increase to an acceptable level.
3) The potential that the parents or
			 caregivers can recognize the needs of the child and their ability to nurture
			 and protect the child.
4) The
			 parents or caregivers are present and are willing to accept help.