6.1 Family Preservation Program (FPP)

For Family Preservation, the SSW:

1. Consults with FSOS to identify that a child is a candidate for foster care by determining: 1 
1. That a safety threat and/or risk factors have been identified and the child would need out-of-home care placement immediately or in the future without intervention and 
2. The safety threat and risk factors  can be mitigated with the selection and use of a child-specific, evidence-based intervention. 
2. Must identify whether child is or is not a candidate for foster care. Children cannot be identified as a candidate for foster care for family reunification services (FRS) if services start prior to the child's return home. 
3. Identifies that the familial investigation will result in an ongoing case, through a substantiation or services needed finding.
4. Reviews the Prevention Services Description and Eligibility Criteria resource to select one of the following programs:
1. Intensive Family Preservation Services (IFPS); 
2. Family Reunification Services (FRS); 2 
3. Diversion; or 
4. Families and Children Together Safely (FACTS). 
5. Reviews the regionally relevant evidenced-based practice (EBP) selection document for EBP intervention selection. 
6. Upon approval from the FSOS, discusses the potential referral with the family to: 
1. Inform the family that in-home services are an alternative to out-of-home placement; 
2. Determine the family’s willingness to participate with the referral to in-home services; 
3. Discuss with the family the appropriate EBPs to be utilized with the family, based on regional and program availability; and 
4. Informs the family that if FPP is appropriate and available, a referral will be initiated upon the family’s agreement and notify the family if the referral is approved. 
7. Completes the Prevention Services Referral Form in TWIST, identifying the candidate, the identified risk factors, and EBP interventions to mitigate risk factors. 
8. Submits the Prevention Services Referral Form in TWIST for FSOS and gatekeeper approval. 
9. Upon receipt and approval of referral from the gatekeeper, informs the family that FPP will schedule a visit within twenty-four (24) hours of receipt of the referral; 
10. Joins, if possible, the FPP staff for the initial visit within twenty four (24) to seventy two (72) hours, depending on the receipt of referral, level of risk, and if an opening is available; 
11. Completes the DPP-1281 Family Case Plan: 3 
1. Documenting the date of candidacy, candidate, prevention strategy (selected EBP), and the date of the prevention strategy (date of referral approval); and 
2. Incorporating the EBPs into a case plan objective. ​
12. Explains the Family First Evidenced-Based Prevention Service Program Evaluation: ​
1. Provides the family with a copy of the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) Consent Form Key Information Form; 
2. Asks the family to complete and sign the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) Evaluation Consent Form; and 4
3. Uploads the completed consent form into TWIST. 
13. Obtains signed releases of information from the family (DCBS-1 and DCBS 1A); 
14. Completes candidacy redetermination via the selection on the case plan, when the need for services extends beyond twelve (12) months. 
15. Conducts (at minimum) one (1) joint home visit with FPP staff and is encouraged to consult with FPP staff through:
1. Telephone; 
2. FPP staff's weekly case conferences; 
3. Cabinet case planning meetings; or 
   
4. Other face to face contacts; 
16. Reviews the FPP termination summary and provides follow-up services as necessary, once termination of FPP involvement occurs; 
    
17. Ensures that the case record includes the following FPP documentation: 
1. Prevention Services Referral Form; 
2. FPP family functioning assessment and initial treatment goals; 
3. Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) Evaluation Consent Form FPP termination summary; and 
4. Contacts with FPP staff.

1. Consults with the SSW to identify if the child is a candidate for foster care by determining: 
1. That a safety threat and/or risk factors have been identified and the child would need out-of-home care placement immediately or in the future without intervention; and 
2. The safety threat and risk factors can be mitigated with the selection and use of a child-specific, evidence-based intervention. ​
2. Reviews the Prevention Services Referral Form for appropriate program selection and EBP selection; 
3. Signs the Prevention Services Referral Form; and 
4. ​Assigns a risk level to the Prevention Services Referral Form.

1. Designates a Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) staff person to be the regional referral and selection staff (gatekeeper); and 5 
2. Establishes an FPP management team, consisting of: 
1. SRA or designee; 
2. Referral and selection staff; 
3. The FPP specialist in central office; 
4. The FPP supervisor (contract agency); and 
5. The program director (contract agency).

1. Checks TWIST workbasket daily for region specific referrals; 
2. Reviews the Prevention Services Referral Form for appropriate program selection and EBP selection; 
3. Communicates with providers regarding their availability to accept referred cases; 
4. Tracks referrals in TWIST with the below designations: 
1. Approved; 
2. Rejected; 
3. Waitlist start date; or 
4. Waitlist end date; 
1. Waitlist end date reasons: 
1. Accepted; 
2. Diverted to other services; or 
3. Closed out without services.​