Sec. 07.02.01.05. Service to Families—Continuing (SF-C)

A. Description.

(1) Services to Families-Continuing is a voluntary, means based, service program for families who have had an initial assessment and it has been determined that additional assistance is needed to prevent further breakdown in family functioning and stability.

(2) Services include those identified in Regulation .03 of this chapter.

B. Eligibility for Services to Families with Children- Continuing.

(1) To qualify for SFC-C:

(a) A family shall:

(i) Have had an initial assessment and been determined to be in need of additional support, information, and services;

(ii) Agree that services are needed and are voluntarily willing to accept and work actively to meet mutually agreed upon goals;

(iii) Meet the income eligibility requirement specified in COMAR 07.02.04.03; and

(iv) Have been experiencing one or more of the conditions or circumstances in Regulation .04B(2) of this chapter; and

(b) There are no child maltreatment or child safety issues involved.

(2) When existing barriers to independent living have been identified by the Family Investment Administration for case management services, they may be rectified through Family Services.

C. Application Procedures.

(1) A family may be referred by local department staff after being assessed to be in need of a more long-term supportive service.

(2) A family may be referred by another local department, after agreeing that services are warranted and available for the family.

D. Referral Process.

(1) A review of the record will be completed to determine the appropriateness of the family for this particular service within 7 calendar days of the date in which the family was referred.

(2) Within 10 calendar days of the referral for service, a supervisor or the assigned worker shall have:

(a) Reviewed the record;

(b) Made contact with the primary caretaker of the family; and

(c) Identified a date to see all family members, or clearly documented why the meeting could not be accomplished and a new meeting date established within the next 7 calendar days, if the customer is unavailable during this time.

(3) At the first meeting between the worker and applicant, the worker shall:

(a) Review what was accomplished with the previous service, to include corresponding plans for family members;

(b) Discuss the need for additional service;

(c) Identify preliminary goals, tasks, and a time frame for completion not to exceed 3 months;

(d) Complete and sign a preliminary service agreement; and

(e) Complete a safety assessment for each child.

E. Scope of Services.

(1) The caseworker shall develop and implement a comprehensive service plan to include all other involved agencies or services.

(2) Depending upon the family's needs, goals, and progress, there shall be a minimum of three face-to-face contacts per month.

(3) Any of the services listed in Regulation .02 of this chapter may be provided.

(4) Every 3 months, there shall be a formal reevaluation of service needs with the family including:

(a) An updated assessment of risk for all household members;

(b) An updated safety assessment for every child in the household; and

(c) An alteration of the service and safety plans, as needed.

(5) A redetermination of income eligibility shall be completed every 6 months.

(6) Services provided shall be:

(a) Child safety focused;

(b) Support based;

(c) Mutually agreed upon;

(d) Goal oriented;

(e) Developed to build on family and community strengths;

(f) Culturally sensitive; and

(g) Provided directly or purchased with flex funds.

F. Duration and Reconsideration of SFC-C. SFC-C may be:

(1) Provided for up to 6 months after acceptance;

(2) Extended for 6 months with written authorization of the local department director or the director's designee; and

(3) Extended for a third 6-month increment of service with written authorization from the local department director, the SSA program manager, or their designee.

G. Case Closure.

(1) On or before 180th day, the worker shall take the following action:

(a) Close when no other services are needed;

(b) Provide assistance as appropriate;

(c) Refer to outside resources;

(d) Refer to another services program by following the appropriate referral procedures for that program; or

(e) Request an extension for service of not more than another 6 months in order to accomplish the identified goals made with the family.

(2) Services shall be discontinued and the case closed before the time limits specified in §F of this regulation when:

(a) Service objectives have been achieved and no safety issues are present;

(b) The family no longer wants this voluntary service;

(c) The family is not actively progressing toward meeting the objectives of the service agreement;

(d) The family cannot be located;

(e) The family moves to another jurisdiction;

(f) The family is no longer eligible; or

(g) A change in the family's circumstances requires referral to another service program.

(3) When the plan is to close the case, the worker shall offer the family an interview to discuss:

(a) The reason for the closing;

(b) The family's progress;

(c) Continuing or further needs or concerns;

(d) Referrals made or to be made to other programs or resources; and

(e) Other resources and options available to the family if, in the future, the family has a need.