Referral and Selection Process for Intensive In Home Services (IIHS)
The SSW:
- Identifies a family who may be a candidate for the intensive in home services (IIHS);
- Consults with the FSOS, and if appropriate, a referral is submitted to the regional referral and selection staff;
- Completes the referral form for IIHS, to include information on identified fathers and paternal family members as outlined in SOP 4.14 Family Attachment and Involvement;
- Seeks approval of the FSOS, and forwards the referral to the regional referral and selection staff who then forwards the referral to the IIHS provider;
- Upon approval from the FSOS and the regional referral and selections staff, discusses the potential referral with the family to:
- Inform the family that IIHS is an alternative to out of home placement;
- Determine the family’s willingness to participate with the referral to IIHS;
- Inform the family that referral to IIHS is based upon availability and regional referral and selection review; and
- Inform the family that if IIHS is appropriate and available, a referral will be initiated upon the family’s agreement and that if the referral is approved, IIHS will schedule a visit within twenty-four (24) hours of receipt of the referral;
- Should, if possible, join the IIHS staff for the initial visit within twenty-four (24) hours of receipt of referral;
- Consults with IIHS staff as often as necessary, based on the needs of the family, during the course of the in home service provision;
- Conducts (at minimum) one joint home visit with IIHS staff and is encouraged to consult with IIHS staff through:
- Telephone contact;
- IIHS staff weekly case conferences;
- Cabinet case planning meetings; or
- Other face to face contacts;
- Reviews the IIHS aftercare plan and provides follow-up services as necessary once IIHS involvement has been terminated;
- Ensures that the case record includes the following IIHS documentation:
- IIHS client referral form;
- IIHS intervention/treatment plan;
- IIHS two month progress report;
- IIHS aftercare plan; and
- Documentation of contacts with IIHS staff.
Working with a Family Utilizing IIHS
The SSW who works with IIHS clients completes the following tasks and expectations throughout the life of the case:
- Conducts a clinical assessment with the family that must include the North Carolina Family Assessment Scale (NCFAS) or NCFAS-R for reunification cases;
- Develops an intervention/treatment plan within thirty (30) days of receipt of referral based on the completed clinical assessment which:
- Ideally includes any community partners/agencies involved with family;
- Includes client centered, specific and individualized goals and dates of completion;
- Has a provider assisting the family in accessing appropriate community services deemed necessary and provides other services that are not available from existing community resources;
- Provides at least half of the services in the family’s home or other natural community setting;
- Carries no more than six (6) cases at one time;
- Is available to families twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week;
- Has regular (weekly) contact with DCBS worker to update family’s progress;
- Completes another NCFAS or NCFAS-R at two months to determine progress;
- Develops an aftercare plan for the family and NCFAS or NCFAS-R for case closure meeting;
- Conducts a post evaluation of the family at three (3), six (6) and twelve (12) months.
The SRA or designee:
- Designates a cabinet staff person to be the regional referral and selection staff and this individual assumes responsibility for reviewing all referrals to IIHS.