Ky.gov
Effective: 6/12/2026

G1.6 Consults for Clinical Services Youth

Legal Authority

Introduction

​​​​​​​​The Clinical Services Branch within the Division of Protection and Permanency (DPP) provides consultative services to regional leadership and staff, as needed, to assist with meeting and understanding the clinical needs of children and youth served by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS). 

Practice Guidance

​The Clinical Services Branch offers consultation in the following areas:
  • Understanding mental and behavioral health conditions and the impacts of those conditions on a youth’s behavioral, cognitive, and social functioning;
  • Interpretation of psychological testing reports;
  • Identification of treatment needs;
  • Feedback and interpretation of treatment plans; 
  • Understanding the impacts of trauma/maltreatment on a youth’s behavioral, cognitive, and social functioning;
  • Brainstorming supports/services for implementation into a youth’s treatment; and
  • Assisting with strengths-based, person-centered, and trauma-informed language.
​The regional placement coordinators (RPCs) through the Children’s Review Program (CRP) retrieve information from the Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) about children needing out-of-home placement and make referrals based on the children's needs and the resources available to meet the needs.




Procedure


The SSW:

  1. Consults/reviews the case with the appropriate regional leadership (per regional protocols) and completes action steps from the consultation prior to requesting consultation with the Clinical Services Branch; and
  2. Submits a request for consultation with the Clinical Services Branch, via email, to the designated RPC and includes the following:
    1. ​​Most recent DPP-886A Application for Referral and Needs Assessment; and
    2. Any supporting documentation, including but not limited to: 
      1. ​Psychological tests;
      2. Individual educational plans (IEP);
      3. Current treatment plan;
      4. Discharge summaries from previous placements;
      5. Presentation summary, when applicable;
      6. Case management report from CRP;
      7. Two-week notice, when applicable; 
      8. A brief explanation describing why a consultation is needed (i.e., what question(s) need to be answered).

The Service Region Administrator Associate (SRAA)/ Service Region Clinical Associate (SRCA):

  1. Reviews the DPP-886A Application for Referral and Needs Assessment for accuracy, completeness, and inclusion of trauma-informed, strengths-based language;
  2. Provides consultation to field staff regarding action steps;
  3. Authorizes request for consultation with the Clinical Services Branch as appropriate; and
  4. Participates in the Clinical Services Branch consult call.
The RPC: 
  1. ​Serves as the gatekeeper for requests for consultation with the Clinical Services Branch;
  2. Completes the Clinical Services Branch Consult Request Form and reviews the DPP-886A Application for Referral and Needs Assessment to ensure all requirements are met for a consultation;
  3. If more information is needed, requests the SSW to provide additional information/documentation for the Clinical Services Branch Consult Request Form and/or requests modifications to the DPP-886A Application for Referral and Needs Assessment;
  4. Submits all approved Clinical Services Branch Consult Request Forms and supporting documentation to the statewide CRP office for review within two (2) working days of receiving all necessary information; and 
  5. Participates in the Clinical Services Branch consult call.
Statewide CRP Staff:
  1. ​Reviews the Clinical Services Branch Consult Request Form to ensure all requirements are met for a consultation;
  2. If more information is needed, sends the Clinical Services Branch Consult Request Form to the RPC requesting more information;
  3. If the request is denied, notifies the RPC that the request for consultation is denied and explains why;
  4. If the request is approved, forwards the Clinical Services Branch Consult Request Form and all supporting documentation within two (2) working days to the Clinical Services Branch for assignment;
  5. Schedules approved consultations to include SSW, FSOS, SRAA/SRCA, Clinical Services Branch, CRP (regional and statewide representatives), treatment providers, and others as appropriate (including Regional Permanency Branch staff) at the earliest date/time participants are available; and
  6. Participates in the Clinical Services Branch consult call.
The Clinical Services Branch:
  1. ​Reviews the Clinical Services Branch Consult Request Form and accompanying information;
  2. Responds to the statewide CRP staff with call approval, denial, or request for additional information within two (2) working days of receipt;
  3. Reviews information available in TWIST, medical documents, etc., and
  4. Participates in the consultation call to ask additional questions, brainstorm, and provide recommendations.






Documents

Revisions