A primary task of the DHS operated shelter social worker is to identify each child’s individual needs while in the shelter, to develop a shelter treatment plan to meet those needs, and to facilitate the plan’s implementation and successful accomplishment.

• (1) Reviewing requests for shelter admission.  The shelter social workers review requests for shelter admission to ensure that the requests meet the criteria listed in OAC 340:75-10-9(a) and (c).  If a request fails to meet the criteria for admission, the shelter social worker disapproves the admission and advises the admitting source of possible alternatives.
  • (A) When a child five years old or younger is admitted to one of the shelters, the shelter social worker notifies the Emergency Foster Care (EFC) contractor and facilitates placement within 24 hours.  All information secured in the intake process is shared with the EFC provider by the shelter social worker.
  • (B) When a child is admitted into one of the two DHS operated shelters, an intake assessment is completed by the shelter social work staff at the time of admission.  The shelter social worker continues to gather any information that is needed that was not available at the time of admission, to develop a plan of care for the child during the child’s shelter stay.
  • (C) During the admission intake process, the shelter social worker reviews any KIDS system records of the child being admitted.  Information from the KIDS system necessary to planning the child’s care is copied for the child’s shelter file.
• (2) Developing shelter treatment plans for each child.  The shelter multidisciplinary treatment team meets in an initial staffing and reviews all the information available concerning the newly admitted child six years of age or older to develop a shelter treatment plan. Each child’s CW worker can participate and contribute to the staffing.  The shelter social workers facilitate the participation of each child in the development of his or her plan.  The shelter social workers are responsible for developing a comprehensive treatment plan which addresses the child’s physical, emotional, educational, social, medical, and treatment needs while in the shelter.  The shelter social work staff monitor the implementation of the plan and provide a copy of the shelter treatment plan to the child’s CW worker.
• (3) Weekly review of shelter treatment plans.  The shelter multidisciplinary treatment team conducts a review staffing to assess progress toward meeting the needs and treatment goals for each child and to identify new treatment goals. Placement resources to meet the child’s individual needs are investigated.  The CW worker can attend all weekly review staffings.  A copy of the review is provided to the child’s CW worker.
• (4) Counseling.  The shelter social workers counsel children admitted to the shelter to assist with their adjustment to the shelter.  Age appropriate children are provided an explanation of the shelter’s rules and rights and the grievance process.  During a child’s stay, the shelter social workers continue to counsel the child concerning the child's adjustment to the shelter, family situation, return home, or pending change of placement.  Shelter social workers assist the shelter child care staff by counseling children about acceptable behavior and the consequences of misbehavior.
• (5) Family contacts.  The shelter social workers facilitate contacts between the child and the child's family, and others identified by the CW worker.
• (6) Updating the KIDS system. The shelter social worker updates the KIDS system during the child’s stay.  This includes the child’s shelter admission and discharge and the entrance into EFC for children under six years old.  Shelter social workers maintain the child’s shelter file.
• (7) Arranging Emergency Foster Care (EFC).  Children five years old or younger are serviced by the two DHS operated shelters for reception purposes only. The contracted EFC agency arranges the placement of the child into EFC within 24 hours of admission.  Shelter social work staff share all information concerning the child, gathered during the intake process, with the EFC provider.   • 1
• (8)  Other duties.  Additional shelter social worker duties include:
  • (A) enroll child in school and assist the school officials as necessary concerning shelter;
  • (B) assess a child’s need for emergency mental health care and facilitate obtaining such service when needed;
  • (C) obtain parental consent for needed medical care for residents or request that the child’s CW worker obtain parental consent;
  • (D) facilitate the resolution of the child's grievances; and
  • (E) participate in weekly county office staffing of children in the shelter.
• (9) Extended shelter stay.  Any extended shelter stay is approved by both the shelter director and the appropriate area director.