When a child is placed in a private child caring (PCC) residential placement, private child-placing (PCP) foster placement, Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) foster placement, or emergency shelter placement, it is sometimes necessary for the placement provider or SSW to request a bed-hold. A bed-hold may be requested when a child is:
- Hospitalized; or
- Missing from care.
The purpose of a bed-hold is to ensure that a child can return to the same placement setting to promote attachment and continuity of care. Therefore, bed-holds are only applicable if the child is returning to the same foster home or the same program within a PCC residential facility. If it is not the intent for the child to return to the same placement of the program, a bed-hold request will not be approved. The only exception would be during the period of a two (2) week notice.