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Effective: 7/26/2021

6.2 Kentucky Strengthening Ties and Empowering Parents (KSTEP)

Legal Authority

Introduction

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Kentucky Strengthening Ties and Empowering Parents (KSTEP) is a case coordination service that utilizes evidence-based substance abuse treatment and intensive in-home services to address parental substance abuse when the substance misuse has been identified as a risk factor that is contributing to a safety threat. that places a child’s safety at risk. The program places emphasis on quick access to these services and collaboration occurring between the Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) and community partners, to assist families.

Practice Guidance

Procedure

​The SSW:
  1. In consultation with their FSOS: 
    1. Identifies a KSTEP eligible family: 
      1. Residing in a county where KSTEP services are provided; 
      2. With a c​hild(ren) at moderate to imminent risk of removal from the home; 
      3. With at least one (1) household child under the age ten (10); 
      4. With parental substance abuse as a primary feature affecting child safety; 
      5. Who did not have an ongoing DCBS case at the time the investigation was received; and 
      6. Whose investigation will result in the case being opened for ongoing services. 
    2. Identifies the referred child as 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 threats and risk factors can be mitigated with the selection and use of child-specific, evidence-based intervention. 
  2. Reviews the EBP Selection Document for evidence-based practice (EBP) intervention selection; 
  3. 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 EBP to be utilized with the family, based on regional and program availability; and 
    4. Inform the family that a referral will be made upon the family’s agreement and that the KSTEP provider will schedule a visit within twenty four (24) hours of receipt of the referral. 
  4. Explains the Family First Evidenced Based Prevention Service Program Evaluation: ​​
    1. Provides the family with a copy of the Family First Key Information Sheet; 
    2. Asks the family to complete and sign the Family First Evaluation Consent Form; and 1​
    3. ​Uploads the completed consent form the TWIST. ​
  5. Obtains signed releases of information from the family, DCBS-1 and DCBS 1A; 
  6. Provides the KSTEP in-home provider agency with information that outlines the reason for referral, basic demographics, contact information, and recommended EBP intervention, via phone or email; 2 
  7. Completes the Prevention Services Referral Form in TWIST, only identifying the candidate, the identified risk factors, and EBP interventions to mitigate risk factors; 3 
  8. Submits the Prevention Services Referral Form in TWIST for FSOS risk rating and signature; 
  9. Joins, if possible, the KSTEP staff for the initial visit within twenty-four (24) hours of receipt of referral, if an opening is available; 
  10. Forwards the following documents to the KSTEP in-home provider agency within three (3) days of referral: 
    1. Information about allegations of substance use and/or family violence to include prior criminal charges and their disposition. This should include any charges that may indicate risk or safety to the family or to the KSTEP in-home provider agency. The SSW will notify the KSTEP in-home provider agency of immediate threats to child safety and any known threats to SSW/KSTEP in-home provider safety. 
    2. Prior substantiated allegations, including but not limited to physical abuse to child by parent, domestic or family violence, and neglect where substance use/abuse or family violence was a contributing risk factor. 
    3. Copy of P&P prevention plan,safety plan, case plan, and/or court orders 
    4. A copy of the case summary face sheet, with correct and updated case member demographic and relationship information. 
    5. Release of information forms DCBS-1 & DCBS-1A signed by the family. 
  11. Flags KSTEP cases in TWIST by utilizing the checkbox on the case management screen; 
  12. Attends family team meetings (FTMs); 
    1. Within six (6) to twelve (12) days of referral; 
    2. Monthly; and 
    3. As needed. 
  13. Completes the DPP-1281 Family Case Plan:4 
    1. Documenting the date of candidacy, candidate, prevention strategy (selected EBP), and the date of the prevention strategy (date of referral approval); 
    2. Incorporating the EBPs into a case plan objective; and 
    3. Incorporating the objectives of the KSTEP in-home provider case plan into the DCBS-1281 Family Case Plan. 5 
  14. Completes candidacy redetermination via the selection on the case plan, when the need for services extends beyond twelve (12) months; 
  15. Reviews weekly reports on the family’s progress, provided by the KSTEP in-home prevention provider, including an update from substance abuse treatment providers and from the in-home provider.
The FSOS:
  1. Consults with the SSW to identify if the child is a candidate for KSTEP and a candidate for foster care by determining: 
    1. The child meets KSTEP program acceptance criteria; 
    2. 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 
    3. The safety threats and risk factors can be mitigated with the selection and use of child-specific, evidence-based intervention. ​
  2. Reviews the Prevention Services Referral Form for appropriate EBP selection; 
  3. Signs the Prevention Services Referral Form; and 
  4. Assigns a risk level to the Prevention Services Referral Form.
The Gatekeeper:
  1. Checks TWIST workbasket daily for region specific referrals; and 
  2. Approves KSTEP referrals and takes no further action.


Footnotes

  1. If families choose to participate in this study, their information will be kept strictly confidential, stored in secure ways, and only viewed by the researchers who are conducting the evaluation; and family participation is voluntarily, and families are not required to do anything beyond what they will do to receive services as part of their ongoing case. 
  2. ​KSTEP referrals do not require the entire referral be completed or gatekeeper approval. 
  3. Best practice is to make the referral from the home in collaboration with the family. 
  4. Prevention service providers should be invited to the case planning conference, and it should be documented as an FTM accordingly. 
  5. Family objectives will be specific to the childcare tasks that are at risk and the individual objectives will be specific to the caretaker patterns of personal behavior that is threatening the ability of the caretakers to ensure the safety and well-being of their children.

Documents

Revisions