AG 1998 04 20 - Laserfiche WebLink

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PROGRAM NARRATIVE Briefly describe what the program expects to achieve and why. At a minimum, the narrative should include the following information: (I) Identify the staff and their responsibilities in the program., (2) describe the physical facilities in which the services will be delivered, (3) discuss any areas of concern that could affect the success of the program (4) discuss why these resources used in the manner described should be expected to alter inappropriate behavior, (5) describe the referral, screening and admissions procedures, (6) describe the means of working with youth and families, (7) describe the daily program activities and, (8) describe the termination procedures. This large number of youth coming into our court system places a strain on the ability of the District Court Judges, Juvenile Court Counselors, and Social Services systems to be able to meet the particular problems for the foster care and group home placement service sin the county. All possible measures must be taken to prevent the inappropriate placement of children into foster care where possible. Many times intervention while the youth is in the home can reduce multiple disruptions in the child's life is placement in more than one facility becomes necessary. Also children who experience behavior or emotional problems oiten have disrupted out-of-home placements. The multiple placements further complicate the youth's ability to cope and may trigger greater disruptive behavior such as acting out, run away, etc. At that point, the task of reuniting the child with the family may become even more difficult. Some parents develop a tendency to "throw away" children once they are placed out of the home, leaving the child with no home to return to, resulting in long term foster care. Referrals to the Home-Based program by District Court Judges and Juvenile Court Counselors, may help to insure that all community resources are fully utilized prior to custody being placed with Department of Social Services and out-of-home placement. To this end, Home-Based Services are another intensive measure for insuring the "reasonable efforts" part of Public Law 96-272 (Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980). This act requires that child welfare agencies make "reasonable efforts" to prevent or eliminate the need for removal of a child from his home, and to have implemented a preplacement preventive services program designed to help children remain with their families. All services offered prior to a child's placement in foster care are evidence of compliance with this mandate. This must be done in order to receive federal foster care funds. This program is staffed by two full-time social workers. The workers schedule is flexible in that the worker may be making home visits and contact with the youth and his family after the normal working hours of the agency. Some referrals to the program are by telephone. Other referrals to the program are in written form and completed by the referring agency assisted by the social worker. The referral is reviewed by the supervisor of the home-based workers. Following acceptance of the referral, an intake and assessment interview occurs. This initial interview involves the youth, his family, and the referral agent if appropriate. Out of this discussion results the development of a service plan for the youth and his family.