Par.1.   Material Transmitted and Purpose – Transmitted with this Manual Letter are changes to Service Chapter 624-05, Foster Care Services - Permanency Planning manual.  Note that new language has been underlined and old language which is deleted has been struck through.  These changes supersede PI-09-02, 09-05, 09-06, 09-07, 09-08, and 09-10. 

A reference has been added. 

624-05-10.   Authority References

10.	Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-351)

New language was added to Permanency Planning Definitions.

624-05-15-05.   Permanency Planning Definitions

9.	“Permanency hearing” means a (judicial or Division of Juvenile Services [DJS] administrative hearing pursuant to N.D.C.C. 27-20) hearing, conducted with respect to a child who is in foster care, to determine the permanency plan for the child which includes:

d.	Whether and, if applicable, to place siblings in the same foster care, relative, guardianship, or adoptive placement, unless it is determined that the joint placement would be contrary to the safety or well-being of any of the siblings;

e.	Whether and, if applicable, in the case of siblings removed from their home who are not jointly placed, to provide for frequent visitation or other ongoing interaction between the siblings, unless it is determined to be contrary to the safety or well-being of any of the siblings;

d. f.	In cases in which a compelling reason has been shown that it would not be in the child’s best interests to return home, to have parental rights terminated, to be placed for adoption, to be placed with a fit and willing relative, or to be placed with a legal guardian, whether and, if applicable, when the child will be placed in another planned permanent living arrangement;

e. g.	in the case of a child who has been placed in foster care outside the state in which the home of the parents is located, or if the parents maintain separate homes, outside the state in which the home of the parent who was the child’s primary caregiver is located, whether the out-of-state placement have been considered. If the child is currently in an out-of-state placement, the court shall determine whether the placement continues to be appropriate and in the child’s best interests; and

f. h.	In the case of a child who has attained age sixteen, the services needed to assist the child to make the transition from foster care to independent living.

11.	Reasonable efforts means the exercise of due diligence by the agency to use appropriate and available services to meet the needs of the child and the child’s family in order to prevent removal of the child from the child’s family, or, after removal, to use appropriate and available services to eliminate the need for removal and to reunite the child and the child’s family and to maintain family connections. If the child cannot return home, the agency must make reasonable efforts to make and finalize an alternate permanent placement of the child, including identifying appropriate in-State and out-of-State options.  In the case of siblings removed from their home and not jointly placed, frequent visitation or interaction must be provided, unless it is contrary to the safety or well-being of any sibling. In making reasonable efforts, and in determining reasonable efforts, the child’s health and safety must be the paramount concern.

Added to federal law requirements

624-05-15-15.   Reasonable Efforts – Requirements

Federal law requires that reasonable efforts be made:
•	To prevent the unnecessary removal of a child from home (unless it is a situation where reasonable efforts are not required such as due to aggravated circumstances); and
•	To make and finalize a permanency plan for the child (whether it is reunification, adoption, legal guardianship, with a fit and willing relative or placement in another planned permanent living arrangement).  ;
•	To place siblings in the same foster care, relative, guardianship, or adoptive placement, unless it is determined to be contrary to the safety or well-being of any of the siblings; and  
•	In the case of siblings not placed together, reasonable efforts must be made to provide for frequent visitation or interaction, unless this would be harmful to any of the siblings.

Language was changed.

624-05-15-15-05.   Reasonable Efforts – Exceptions to Requirements

Reasonable efforts as described above to prevent removal, or return a child home, are not required if:

1.	A court of competent jurisdiction has determined that a parent has subjected the child to aggravated circumstances; or
2.	The parental rights of the parent, with respect to another child of the parent, have been involuntarily terminated.

New Section.

624-05-15-25-10.   Reasonable Efforts – Maintain Family Connections

Whenever a child is removed from the home, a judicial determination must be made regarding reasonable efforts to place siblings together.  Also, in the case of siblings not placed together, a judicial determination must be made that reasonable efforts will be made to provide for frequent visitation or other ongoing interaction.  An exception to maintaining connections is permissible only if such joint placement or contact would be contrary to the safety or well-being of one or more of the children.  Sibling connections are significant to a foster child’s emotional and social development since siblings often provide the connection and stability that is no longer available from the child’s parents.  Individual circumstances will vary and what is ‘reasonable’ in one situation may not be in another.  

If at all possible, siblings who come into care must be placed together in the same home.  It is also necessary to identify whether a child entering foster care already has siblings in care.   If a sibling enters foster care, the case manager must determine if it is appropriate for the child to be placed in the same foster care setting as the sibling currently in foster care; or, if a different relative or foster family could provide care for both.  When a child already in care is being moved to a new foster home, consideration should be made whether or not placement with a sibling would be safe and consistent with the child’s well-being.

Agencies must make efforts to locate relative and non-relative foster families who are willing to care for a sibling group.  At the same time, it is important to keep in mind the unique challenges associated with caring for multiple children, particularly when children may need special attention.  

As part of due diligence in identifying and notifying relatives that children have been removed from their parents’ custody, agencies should inquire about whether relatives can care for a group of siblings.  Services and supports should also be identified that would make it possible for these relatives (or caregivers) to care for the siblings together.  Since greater assistance is often available to licensed foster parents, agencies should consider how they can help relative caregivers become licensed foster parents.  The federal “Fostering Connections” law allows non-safety related licensing standards to be waived, on a case-by-case basis, for individual children in relative foster family homes.  This authority can be used to prevent certain licensing standards from hindering sibling placement.

“Frequent visitation and ongoing interaction” can be defined differently, depending on the individual needs of the siblings.  The age and development of the child, for example, might dictate how frequent the contact should be, as well as the nature of that contact.  The nature of the relationship before placement should also be a factor.  In-person visits also can be supplemented with regular phone contact, email contact, or web camera communication.

The sibling provisions apply only to children removed from their home.  However, visitation and ongoing interaction should be maintained between children in foster care and their siblings who have not been removed from their home.

Consideration of placement and connections with siblings should be discussed at each Foster Care Child & Family Team meeting.  All factors taken into account in making placement decisions, as well as decisions about maintaining contact between siblings who are not placed together, should be documented in the child’s case file to demonstrate that reasonable efforts were made.

A footnote and an example were added starting at paragraph 5.

624-05-15-45.   Sibling Placement Policy

North Dakota policy is placement of siblings together whenever possible. When it is not possible to place siblings together, or if there is only one child in care, visitation between family members and the foster child must be determined and documented in SPOC FRAME. Visitations must be appropriate and must be sufficient to meet the needs and safety of the foster child(ren). Face-to-face contact is recommended. However, letters, phone calls, or interactive video is allowed.  

The number of siblings is a determining factor in searching for placement resources. Keep in mind the statutory requirements (N.D.C.C. 50-11-00.1.) which states that a family foster home may have ". . . no more than four children, unless all children in foster care are related to each other by blood or marriage or unless the department* approves otherwise for the placement of siblings, in which case such the limitation in this subsection does not apply." (NOTE: foster parent's children are not included in the limitation of four.) Here are some typical situations:

Examples:

Foster home is licensed for four children, has one child in care: A total of three siblings could be placed, unless all the siblings are related to the child in care.

Foster home is licensed for four children, no children in care. If appropriate, an entire sibling group could be placed in the home, even though the sibling group exceeded four children.

Exceptions to placement of siblings together may be necessary. The emotional medical or educational needs of the children cannot always all be addressed in the same home.
A foster home is licensed for four children. They currently have two unrelated foster youth in care. It has been determined that a sibling group of three will be appropriate for this same foster home. Upon approval of the regional supervisor, the license is amended to reflect “5” children, and the sibling group is placed in the foster home.

*The ‘department’ refers to the regional supervisor who issues the license. Licenses will need to be amended to accommodate sibling groups which exceed the limitation of four. It will be necessary to contact the CCWIPS Help Desk to enter a number greater than four in the CCWIPS licensing screen.

Transition plan information was added.

624-05-15-50.   Case Plan

Each child in foster care is required by federal law to have a case plan which must be a written document, which is a discrete part of the case record.  

The information on CCWIPS FRAME case management captures information essential to generate the “Permanency Planning Committee Initial Report” (case plan) to meet federal foster care requirements.  

The “Permanency Planning Committee Initial Report” (SFN 902) was designed to meet the case plan requirements.  It now may be used only in very limited circumstances. Before using the SFN 902, it is suggested that you verify whether it will be accepted.

All items on the case plan (CCWIPS or SFN 902, Single Plan of Care (SPOC) or FRAME) must be thoroughly discussed at the committee/team meeting.  The initial case plan must be developed no later than 30 days following the placement.

The signed signature sheet from the Permanency Planning Committee Initial Report, or the Periodic Review (CCWIPS generated), or SPOC (FRAME generated) must be maintained as a hard copy in the child’s foster care case file.

In those limited situations where the permanency planning preprinted forms are allowed, Permanency Planning Committee Initial Report, SFN 902, and Permanency Planning Committee Progress Report, SFN 903, the entire form, signed, must be maintained as a hard copy in the child’s foster care case file.

Title IV-E of the Social Security Act, Sec. 475, specifies what must be in a foster care case plan.  Those requirements are summarized here:

•	The plan must be a written document.  (The Single Plan of Care (SPOC FRAME), The CCWIPS “Permanency Planning Committee Initial Report” (SFN 902), plus the “Permanency Planning Committee Progress Report” (SFN 903) contain the essential elements and constitute the required written documentation to meet the federal mandates.)

•	A description of the type of home or institution in which the child will be placed, discussion of safety and appropriateness of the placement, how the responsible agency plans to carry out court requirements (i.e. reasonable efforts).

•	The plan must assure the child receives safe and proper care; that services are provided to the parents, child, and foster parents in order to improve conditions in parents’ home, facilitate return of child to their own safe home or the permanent placement of the child, and address the needs of the child while in foster care, including a discussion of the appropriateness of the services that have been provided to the child as reflected in their SPOC FRAME. The plan must also address visitations between the parent(s), siblings, and foster child. The timeframes for these visits must be appropriate and meet the needs of the foster child and his/her family.

•	Title IV-E of the Social Security Act, Sec. 475, specifies what must be in a foster care case plan. It must include the most recent information available pertaining to child’s health and education records, including:
•	Names and addresses of child’s health and educational providers;
•	Child’s grade level performance;
•	Child’s school record;
•	Assurances that the child’s placement in foster care takes into account proximity to the school in which the child is enrolled at the time of placement;
•	A record of child’s immunizations;
•	The child’s known medical problems;
•	The child’s medication; and
•	Any other relevant health and education information concerning the child determined to be appropriate by the State agency.;
•	Assurances that a school age child in foster care is enrolled as a student (or in the process of enrolling), or is a full-time *elementary or secondary school student; or, is incapable of attending school on a full-time basis due to the medical condition of the child. If the child is incapable of attending school on a full-time basis, regularly updated information, must be included in the case plan that supports this determination; and 
•	Assurances that the agency has coordinated with appropriate local educational agencies to ensure that the child remains in the school in which the child is enrolled at the time of placement; or, if remaining in such school is not in the best interests of the child, assurances by the State agency and local educational agencies to provide immediate and appropriate enrollment in a new school, with all of the educational records of the child provided to the school.

(* The term “elementary or secondary school student” can include youth who are attending school in accordance with the State home school law, or youth who are seeking his/her GED through an independent study program in accordance with State law.)

NOTE:  The above information related to education and medical must be reviewed and updated at the time of each placement of the child in foster care.  Also, included is a requirement that such records be supplied to the foster parents or foster care providers.

Where appropriate for a child 16 and over, the plan must include a written description of the programs and services, which will help the child, prepare for the transition from foster care to adulthood.

Youth who are age 16 and older; and have been identified as "likely to age out of foster care"; are required to be referred to the Regional Chafee Independent Living Program.

A transition plan that is personalized at the direction of the child must be developed during the 90-day period immediately prior to the date on which the child will reach the age of 18. The transition plan will include specific options such as:

1.	Housing
2.	Health insurance
3.	Education
4.	Local opportunities for mentors and continuing support services
5.	Work force supports and employment services

While the child is in foster care, the transition plan must be as detailed as the child chooses and shall be developed during the Foster Care Child & Family Team meeting and is made part of the child’s case plan.  

If the child’s permanency plan/goal is adoption or placement in another permanent home, federal law (ASFA) requires the plan must include documentation of the steps the agency is taking to find an adoptive family or other planned permanent living arrangement for the child, to place the child with an adoptive family, a fit and willing relative, a legal guardian, or in another planned permanent living arrangement, and to finalize a legal guardianship. At a minimum such documentation must include child specific recruitment efforts such as the use of State, regional, and national adoption exchanges including electronic exchange systems to facilitate orderly and timely in-State and interstate placements.

Foster parents, preadoptive parents, or relatives providing care for the child must
be provided with notice of and a right to be heard in any proceeding held with respect
to the child during the time the child is in the care of such foster parent, preadoptive
parent or relative caregiver.  

For assistance in generating the child’s foster care case plan on CCWIPS FRAME, please refer to the CCWIPS FRAME user manual.

Case Reviews
The requirements for the periodic case reviews are spelled out in Title IV-E of the Social Security Act, Sec. 475(5), summarized here.

The case review system means a procedure for assuring that:
•	Each child has a case plan (SPOC FRAME) designed to achieve placement in a safe setting that is the least restrictive (most family like) and most appropriate setting available and in close proximity to the parents’ home, consistent with the best interest and special needs of the child, which:
•	If the child has been placed in a foster family home or child-care institution a substantial distance from the home of the parents of the child, or in a State different from the State in which such home is located, sets forth the reasons why such placement is in the best interests of the child, and
•	If the child has been placed in foster care outside the State in which the home of the parents of the child is located, requires that, periodically, but not less frequently than every 6 months, a caseworker (from either State) visit such child in the home or institution where the child is placed, and every month, submit a report on such the visit to the State agency (Children and Family Service Division) of the State in which the home of the child’s parents is located.

The periodic review (North Dakota reviews quarterly) determines the safety of the child, the continuing necessity for and appropriateness of the placement, the extent of compliance with the case plan, and the extent of progress which has been made toward alleviating the causes which necessitated the foster care placement, and projects a likely date when the child may be returned to and safety maintained in the home or placed for adoption or legal guardianship.

Foster parents, preadoptive parents, or relatives providing care for the child must be provided with notice of and a right to be heard in any review (Permanency Planning Committee/Foster Care Child & Family Team meetings) or hearing with respect to the child.

The CCWIPS FRAME case management system is designed to capture the information required to generate the “Permanency Planning Committee Progress Report.” Hard copies of the CCWIPS FRAME information can be generated and copies made for distribution. Please refer to the CCWIPS FRAME User Manual for technical assistance.

The periodic review document is SFN 903, “Permanency Planning Committee Progress Report,” which may be used only in very limited circumstances.

The signed signature sheet from the Permanency Planning Committee Initial Report, or the Permanency Planning Periodic Review (CCWIPS FRAME generated) must be maintained as a hard copy in the child’s foster care case file.

In those limited situations where the permanency planning preprinted forms are allowed (Permanency Planning Committee Initial Report, SFN 902, and Permanency Planning Committee Progress Report, SFN 903), the entire form, signed, must be maintained as a hard copy in the child’s foster care case file.

In addition to the requirements outlined above, good practice dictates and federal law requires the case plan to include at a minimum the following items:

1.	The goal(s) of placement.  Goals must be time framed.

2.	Identification of the specific circumstances which necessitated and cause the separation of the child from the family. Refer to the Agency View and Family View of Situation in the Single Plan of Care (SPOC) FRAME Care Plan.

3.	Identification of the specific services to be provided by the agency in alleviating or helping to alleviate the conditions which led to the placements; project the date(s) by which each of these goals is to be accomplished. Refer to the Life Domains, Strengths Discovery, Safety Plan, Goals, and Task Sections of the Single Plan of Care (SPOC) Family Risk Assessment (FRA) located with the FRAME.

4.	Identification of the specific actions to be taken by the parents in correcting the conditions which led to the placement and the date by which each of these activities is to be accomplished. Refer to the Goals and Tasks sections of the Single Plan of Care (SPOC) Family Risk Assessment (FRA) within FRAME.

5.	Identification of the specific actions, when appropriate, to be taken by the child in correcting the conditions which led to placement and the date by which each of these activities is to be accomplished. Refer to the Goals and Tasks section of the Single Plan of Care (SPOC) Family Risk Assessment (FRA) within FRAME.

6.	Identification of the specific services to be provided by the foster parents to the child. Refer to the Goals and Tasks section of the Single Plan of Care (SPOC) Family Risk Assessment (FRA) within FRAME.

7.	Anticipated length of placement stated in months.

8.	Written plan for visitation stating frequency, location and participation.

9.	Specific information addressing the health, safety, and well being of the child. Refer to the Life Domains and Safety Plan in the Single Plan of Care (SPOC) Family Risk Assessment (FRA) within FRAME.

This information is included in the child's case plan on CCWIPS FRAME and can also be found in the Single Plan of Care (SPOC). Refer to the CCWIPS FRAME user information for technical assistance with CCWIPS FRAME system and also refer to the SPOC User Guide Third Edition 2005 for technical assistance.

New Section.

624-05-15-50-22.   Relative Search

If it is apparent that the child will not be returning home within 30 days, a relative search must be initiated. The relative search can be conducted through discussion with the family, child, or the use of US Search. Costs associated with US Search are paid for by Children & Family Services. The results, or status of the search, must be included in the initial case plan. Searching for and contacting relatives is an ongoing process. Caseworkers should be contacting relative resources to explore their ability to either be a placement resource or other ways the relative could provide connections for the child/children through the child’s stay in foster care.

If the location of the absent parent is unknown, the results, or the status of a search through the Federal Parent Locator services (FPLS*) – Child Support must be also included in the initial case plan (*See 624-05-15-41 for FPLS process.) If appropriate, efforts to locate and/or contact the absent parent should be made initially within 30 days of removal, prior to key decision points in the life of a case, and no less than once every three months.

A search for an absent parent does not have to be conducted in situations where the Child Support (good cuase) claim has been determined. (Claim is based on a fear of serious physical or emotional harm, either to the child or to the custodian, which in turn could be expected to reduce his or her capacity to care for the child.) A copy of the county social service board’s final decision that ‘good cause’ does exist and the basis for the findings must be included with the relative search documentation. The county social service board is required to review, not less than every 6 months, cases in which ‘good cause’ was previously found to exist. If it is found that circumstances have changed so that ‘good cause’ no longer exists, a search for the absent parent must be made immediately. Search efforts must be documented on the Absent Parent/Relative Search Record Form (SFN 772) Permanency Planning Committee Initial Report (SFN 902), or Permanency Planning Committee Progress report (SFN 903). It is recommended, for consistency, that the case file should contain a separate tab entitled “Absent Parent/Relative Search record,” and that the form is placed behind this tab.

US SEARCH PROCESS:

The child’s case manager collects and e-mails pertinent information regarding the family to the regional supervisor. The information should be as complete as possible to enable a comprehensive search.

The following is a sample of the type of information required.

Child: Name, date of birth, social security number, address or last known address.

Parents: Name, date of birth, social security number, address or last known address.

Father: Name, including middle name if known, AKA, date of birth, social security number, occupation, last known address.

Mother: Name, including middle & maiden name if known, AKA, date of birth, social security number, occupation, last known address.

Add to this anything significant you determine may assist in locating relatives.

The regional supervisor e-mails the information to the search provider, and provides a copy of the request to Children and Family Services Division (CFS) for payment purposes. The regional supervisor e-mails completed search information to the case manager.

The case manager must document the results of the search (relatives considered, dates of contact, results of search, safety concerns, etc.). Also, requests and outcomes need documentation for purposes of determining and reporting on family placements or connections made for the child. Keep in mind the safety and appropriateness of the home, also documenting any issues that may rule out a potential relative home.

The search should be initiated as early in the case as possible, but no later than when it is determined that the child cannot return home. Results from the relative search can be available within an hour.

Regional supervisors may also request a criminal background check from the search provider.

Summary of responsibilities for the relative search and documentation:

Case Manager:
•	Collects relevant information and e-mails it to regional supervisor in a timely manner.
•	Continues to gather any further information regarding relatives.
•	Receives completed search information from the regional supervisor.
•	Documents all search information in the child’s case plan, including safety concerns or other issues that rule out certain relatives.

Regional Supervisor:
•	Receives the child specific relative information from the case manager.
•	Forwards the child’s relative information to the internet search provider in a timely manner.
•	Sends a copy of the search request to Children & Family Services Division for payment purposes.
•	Receives the child’s relative search information and transmits it to the case manager in a timely manner.

Children and Family Services:
•	Receives copy of child’s relative search request from Regional Supervisor.
•	Makes payment to the search provider upon completion of the serach and billing received by the provider.

New Section.

624-05-15-50-23.   Requirement for Notice to Relatives to Child’s Removal

Agencies are required to exercise due diligence to identify and notify all parents, grandparents, and any other adult relative suggested by the parents and grandparents, subject to exceptions due to family or domestic violence, within 30 days of child’s removal.

The relatives’ must also be advised of all available options to become a placement resource for the child. The notice shall:

a.	Specify that the child has been or is being removed from the custody of the parent, or parents of the child;
b.	Explains the options the relative has under federal, state, and local law to participate in the care and placement of the child, including any options that may be lost by failing to respond to the notice;
c.	Describes the requirements and standards to become a foster family home and the additional services and supports that are available for children placed in that home; and
d.	Describes how the relative of the child may enter into an agreement with the department to receive a subsidized guardianship payment.

The agency must provide this notice in a manner that reasonably ensures the relative has understood the notice. This could mean providing notice in a language the relative is fluent in. Or, the family’s case manager may have to go over the written notice in person with the relative. If an individual has a visual impairment, the notice may need to be written using large print or Braille.

It is not required to provide notice to relatives that are identified beyond 30 days of the child’s removal. However, agencies can consider, on a case-by-case basis, whether notification would be appropriate.

It a relative fails to respond to the initial notice, the relative may not have the opportunity to participate in the care and placement of the child.

A notification template, which outlines the relatives’ options to become a placement resource for the child, is available for case managers to use. 

Date correction and a language change in special circumstances.

624-05-15-50-30.   Case Management Services During Placement

The case manager supervising the placement of a child in foster care must have regular contacts with the foster child and foster parents, and must coordinate services (including periodic medical examinations) from other resources for the foster child. The case manager must be cognizant of the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 (Implemented in North Dakota 7 8-1-99) and of the new timeframe requirements for foster care.

Visit frequency must be discussed within the review process. Frequency and conditions must be defined in the child’s case plan. The following are North Dakota’s minimal standards for visitation:

2.	Foster Youth Placed in North Dakota family Foster Homes
a.	Personal contact once a month is required with the children in family foster care in order to carry out the agency's basic obligation toward the child and ensure that the child achieves permanency as quickly as possible. The majority of these visits must occur in the residence of the child. The home where the child is residing includes foster home, child care institution, or the home from which the child was removed if the child is on a trial home visit. Caseworker visits can be conducted by any caseworker within the custodial agency. Whenever possible, best practice dictates visitation should occur between the child and the child's case manager.

These face-to-face visits will focus on the child's safety needs, issues, and conditions needed for reunification or permanency, and well-being of the youth and his/her family. Using polycom or similar interactive system will not meet the requirements of the face-to-face' visit; however, this method of visitation should be used infrequently.

b.	When visiting the foster child face-to-face, once a month, weekly supplemental telephone contacts are recommended.

3.	Group/RCCF Foster Care/Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities (PRTF)

c.	The content of these visits should focus on the child’s safety needs, issues, and youth and his/her family. Using polycom or similar interactive system will not meet the requirements of the ‘face-to-face’ visit, however, this method of visitation should be used infrequently.  

4.	Special Circumstances

a.	On rare occasions when a face-to-face visit is not possible, a visit using IVN requirement. Documentation in the Foster Care Child and Family Team meeting is required (SPOC).

a.	On occasions when a face-to-face visit is not possible between the child’s case manager, or with a case worker within the custodial agency, it is possible for another case worker to visit the child and meet this requirement. The case worker can be anyone that the administrative county has assigned or contracted visitation responsibilities. The designee must have information regarding the child’s ongoing case plan, the child’s parents or legal guardians, and the child, including any special needs of the child. The staff person making the contact is responsible for assessing the safety and well-being of the child. Documentation of the visit must be provided to the child’s case manager to be included in the child’s case file.

In all cases, the case manager visitation frequency should be discussed at permanency planning reviews/Foster Care Child & Family Team meetings and written into the case plan/Single Plan of Care (SPOC) FRAME.

Document the agency involvement and time frames on the permanency planning initial and on-going progress reports in the “tasks” section, and time frame the activity. This is available on CCWIPS. (It is also incorporated in the SFN 902 and SFN 903 for those limited situations done on hard copy.) Refer also to the Single Plan of Care (SPOC) FRAME – Case Activity Log.

Caseworkers must enter one of the following codes in CCWIPS FRAME, under the Case Activity Record Log, following each visit with the child:

	FF	Face-to-face contact not in child's residence
	FR	Face-to-face in child's residence

Added a word in two paragraphs.

624-05-15-75.   Permanency Planning Committee/Foster Care Child & Family Team Membership

AASK should be invited to meetings for children whose parental rights are in the process of being terminated or where there is a concurrent plan that includes adoption. If the child has a concurrent plan involving adoption as an alternate plan, the AASK* Agency must be invited to the first permanency planning/team meeting following the change in the goal to adoption. Prior to inviting AASK to the permanency-planning meeting, parents should be informed about concurrent planning and the roles and responsibilities of AASK. The adoption worker will have information regarding the potential for the child to be adopted and the availability of a potential adoptive family for the child.

*Adoption Agency:  Adults Adopting Special Kids (AASK)

It is appropriate for a representative from AASK to be at the permanency planning committee/team meeting when the child’s parental rights have not yet been terminated nor are they in the process of being terminated if there is some thought being given to seeking termination of parental rights for the child. The child placing agency could provide information to aid in the case planning for the child. This gives us another opportunity to explore every avenue possible in developing permanency plans for children in foster care.

Added #11 to the questions to ask for a three-month review and renumbered the remaining numbers.

624-05-15-80-05-05.   Review of Children in Care

11.	Does a transition plan need to be developed?

12.	Are siblings in foster care placed together? If not, is it now possible for them to be placed together?

13.	If it is not possible for siblings in foster care to be jointly placed, is ongoing visitation or interaction occurring? If not, is it now possible to provide these connections?

14.	Is ongoing visitation or interaction being provided between foster children and siblings who are not removed from their home?

Added FPLS to search for missing parents’ list.

624-05-15-80-10-05.   Family

1.	Conduct a diligent and exhaustive search of missing parents. The following is a list of resources to be used and/or contacted in conducting a search:
•	Federal Parent Locator Services (FPLS)

Added transition plan.

624-05-15-110.   Discharge Planning

The areas of housing, education, and/or employment should be firmly in place prior to discharge. Youth should not be discharged from foster care without fully exploring financial resources. For those youth without the support of a family, the plan should include significant adults that can be counted on to support the youth following his/her discharge. Appropriate referrals, including those to Independent Living Programs and Medical Assistance, should be made prior to discharge.

A transition plan, personalized at the direction of the foster child, must be developed during the 90-day period immediately prior to the date on which the child will reach age 18. The transition plan will include specific options such as:

1.	Housing
2.	Health insurance
3.	Education
4.	Local opportunities for mentors and continuing support services
5.	Work force supports and employment services.

Foster youth aging out of the system must be provided with a copy of their health and education records at no cost to the youth.

Added transition plan.

624-05-15-115.   Goals in Foster Care Placement – Case Plan Requirements

It is impossible to develop any plan for children in foster care without establishing goals, either single or concurrent, with specific deadlines and a specific time frame established to reach those goals (See Wraparound Case Management Manual Chapter 641-10).

Foster care lends itself to situations that are extremely difficult to define. It
is imperative that a plan be developed with the Permanency Planning Committee/Foster Care Child & Family Team related to strengths, needs, risks, and safety issues with specific measurable and time-limited goals and tasks that will achieve permanency for the child. The safety, permanency, and well being of children and their families must be the priority for everyone involved in the case planning to assure timely permanence and goal achievement.

The primary purpose of the case plan/single plan of care of for each child is to document the intent and the steps under way to achieve the goals, including both reunification goals and/or alternate permanency goals.  Federal law, in particular, requires that the case plan/single plan of care documents the goals and progress being made toward those goals.

In particular, with respect to a child whose permanency goal is adoption or placement in another permanent home, the case plan/single plan of care must document the steps which the agency is taking to find an adoptive family or other permanent living arrangement, to place the child with an adoptive family, a fit and willing relative, a legal guardian, or in another planned permanent living arrangement, and to finalize the adoption or legal guardianship. At a minimum, such documentation shall include child-specific recruitment efforts such as the use of the state or national adoption exchanges.

A transition plan, personalized at the direction of the foster child, must be developed during the 90-day period immediately prior to the date on which the child will reach age 18. The transition plan will include specific options such as:

1.	Housing
2.	Health insurance
3.	Education
4.	Local opportunities for mentors and continuing support services
5.	Work force supports and employment services.

For foster youth 16 years and older, refer to Manual Chapter 624-10, Independent Living Policy.

Par. 2.  Effective Date – January 15, 2010