Ky.gov
Effective: 1/21/2020

4.26.3 Standardized Screening and Assessment for Children in Out of Home Care

Legal Authority

Introduction

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The purpose of the standardized Screener is to enhance behavioral health services for children in out-of-home-care (OOHC). Upon a child’s entry into OOHC, the SSW will complete the Screener to engage with the child and family and gather information about the child’s traumatic experiences and symptoms of concern. If a child scores in the clinical range on any of the screening tools, the child will be referred to an approved behavioral health provider for additional clinical assessment.

The behavioral health provider will complete a Kentucky Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (KY-CANS) assessment with the child and family of origin (if applicable). Through the KY-CANS Assessment Report, the behavioral health provider will share the recommended treatment modalities and frequency of services, diagnosis, and actionable items identified through the assessment process. The initial KY-CANS will be completed within thirty (30) days of placement (or completion of Screener). In order to monitor progress over time, the KY-CANS Assessment will be re-administered every ninety (90) days. Upon receipt of the KY-CANS Assessment Report in TWIST, the SSW will utilize the report to update the case plan and monitor a child’s progress over time. As part of the process, information from the Screener and the KY-CANS will be used to enhance communication between DCBS and behavioral health providers, support the child’s placement, and engage the family/caregiver on the need for services. The processes created around screening are designed to address child behavioral health needs early in the OOHC episode in order to enhance placement stability and permanency.


Practice Guidance

Procedure

The SSW:

  1. Completes the following documents, within ten (10) working days of the child’s entry into OOHC, when a child is being referred or recommended for non-residential placement: 
    1. DPP-886A Application for Referral and Needs Assessment; and 
    2. Screener. 
  2. Completes the following documents immediately upon entry into OOHC when a child is being referred or recommended for residential placement; 
    1. DPP-886A Application for Referral and Needs Assessment; and 
    2. Screener. 
      1. Screener ​should be completed with the following guidelines: 
        1. For children six (6) years of age and younger, information is solicited from the caregiver(s) and/or collaterals; 
        2. For children seven (7) years of age and older, a face-to-face interview is conducted with the child to obtain the information and any additional information that is needed, ​​may be obtained through caregiver and/or collateral interviews; and 
      2. ​The Screener is entered into TWIST for scoring. 
  3. Completes the following steps when screening results indicate a KY-CANS Assessment is needed: 
    1. Completes the DCBS Behavioral Health Referral Form for the behavioral health provider for children not served by a PCC/PCP; 
    2. Forwards the DCBS Behavioral Health Referral Form, Screener, and results to the DCBS regional liaison; 
    3. Places a hardcopy of the Screener results in the file; 
    4. Documents Screener results and action in TWIST service recordings; 
    5. Shares screening results with the R&C worker and or PCC/PCP case manager, based on placement; and 
    6. ​Discusses screening results with caregiver/family of origin, and youth. 
  4. Completes the following steps when screening results indicate a KY-CANS Assessment is not needed: 
    1. Documents screening results and action in TWIST service recordings; 
    2. Shares screening results with the R&C worker and/or PCC/PCP case manager based on placement; 
    3. Discusses screening results with caregiver/family of origin and youth; and Screens a child within ten (10) calendar days if any of the following occurs: 
    4. Child did not screen in previously and: Fourteen (14) day notice has been issued for a placement change; 
    5. A new incident of maltreatment is received; or 
    6. Permanency goal is changed. 
  5. Reviews KY CANS Assessment results and completes the following steps during or before the ninety (90) day family team meeting (FTM): ​Discusses KY CANS Assessment results with the behavioral health provider; 
    1. Shares KY CANS Assessment results with the R&C worker; 
    2. Discusses KY CANS Assessment results with the caregiver, family of origin, and youth at the next face-to-face contact after receipt, but no later than thirty (30) days after receipt; 
    3. Modifies the case plan to reflect intensity of services and treatment needs recommendations; 
    4. Places a hardcopy of the KY CANS Assessment results report in the case file; and 
    5. Documents KY CANS Assessment results and action in TWIST service recordings.​​


Documents

Revisions