1.   Levels of Service.  The Child Welfare (CW) worker considers the facts and the family's circumstances and needs.  To determine the levels of service or intervention a family needs, the CW worker uses the Levels of Service protocol.  The family is referred to the level of service that best promotes the child's safety, permanence, and well-being. 

(1) Level 1 - No Services Needed.  No Services Needed is consistent with an investigation finding of services not needed, or a completed assessment in which the conclusion is that no services are needed.

(A) To assess the safety and service needs of the family, the CW worker completes:

(i) a review of any history, including history from other states;

(ii) Form 04KI007E, CPS Family Assessment; or

(iii) Form 04KI003E, Report to District Attorney; and

(iv) Form 04KI023E, Safety Assessment.

(B) The selection criteria for Level 1 are described in (i) through (v).

(i) Form 04KI023E indicates no risk to the child.

(ii) There is no indication of abuse or neglect to the child.

(iii) Minimum parenting standards are being met.

(iv) The family has strengths and resources and is able to deal with challenges and needs without referral to community agencies.

(v) The family does not have significant problems, such as domestic violence, substance abuse, mental illness, or a child with developmental delays.

(2) Level 2 - Referral for Agency or Community-Based Services.  Referral for Agency or Community-Based Services is recommended when there is low risk to the child, and the family is able to use Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) or community resources for support without further intervention by CW.  An investigation finding of services recommended is most consistent with Level 2 services or a conclusion on Form 04KI007E that referral to services is recommended.  Cases with a finding of confirmed report – services recommended, with Form 04KI023E indicating low risk to the child, may benefit from Level 2 services.

(A) To assess the safety and service needs of the family the CW worker completes the steps in OAC 340:75-4-12.1 Instructions to Staff (ITS) 1(1)(A) and Form 04MPO25E, Voluntary Family Service Agreement.

(B) The selection criteria for Level 2 are described in (i) through (ix).

(i) Form 04KI023E indicates low risk to the child.

(ii) There is no indication of abuse or neglect, or the abuse or neglect was minor or an isolated incident.

(iii) Minimum parenting standards are being met.

(iv) The family has some challenges and needs that do not endanger the child's immediate safety.

(v) The family has strengths and resources and is able to deal with these challenges and needs through involvement with extended family, community resources, or both.

(vi) The family does not have significant problems, such as domestic violence, substance abuse, mental illness, or a child with developmental delays, or if any of these problems exist, the problems do not threaten the child's safety.

(vii) There is no history of serious or chronic maltreatment to the child.

(viii) Services and resources needed by the family are available and accessible in the community.

(ix) The family is willing and able to make necessary changes to ensure safety, permanency, and well-being for the child.

(C) Level 2 services include:

(i) assistance in finding and accessing community resources, such as housing resources, food closets, basic parenting programs, parent aides, parent education, visiting nurse, educational resources, employment services, vocational counseling, training, or rehabilitation; and

(ii) other OKDHS services, such as Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF).

(3) Level 3 - Short-Term Services.  Short-Term Services are recommended when there is moderate but manageable risk to the child and services may be provided by community resources that provide ongoing services.  At the discretion of the county director, an ongoing voluntary Family-Centered Services (FCS) case may be maintained by the CW worker, per OAC 340:75‑4-13.  The FCS case may be opened for 60 days, and extended an additional 30 days with the approval of the county director.  An assessment with a conclusion of services recommended, or an investigation finding of services recommended or confirmed report - services recommended may be referred to Level 3 when Form 04KI023E indicates moderate risk to the child.  When the safety of the child in the home may only be improved by longer term intervention, Level 4 services are more appropriate.

(A) To increase the safety of the child and plan for any immediate services that the family may need, the CW worker completes the steps in OAC 340:75-4-12.1 ITS 1(2)(A), and, if necessary, a referral for specialized evaluations, such as developmental or substance abuse assessments.

(B) The selection criteria for Level 3 are described in (i) through (ix).

(i) According to initial Form 04KI023E, the child may not be safe and requires a safety plan.  The factors threatening safety are moderate and can be controlled or modified by the family within a short time frame.

(ii) The parent(s) is capable of meeting minimum parenting standards on his or her own after short-term intervention by CW.

(iii) Injuries or harm from the abuse or neglect to the child is minor to moderate and not life-threatening, such as over-discipline and inattention to non‑critical medical needs.

(iv) Substance abuse by the family involves recreational use without a history of chronic use and does not involve use of methamphetamines.

(v) The family faces challenges and needs that may have an effect upon risk and safety, such as domestic violence, substance abuse, mental illness, or developmental delays that are not overwhelming, chronic, or severe.  The family has strengths and resources to deal with the challenges and needs, with the assistance of CW intervention.

(vi) The family accepts responsibility for the incident and is willing and able to change with support.

(vii) Any history of serious or chronic maltreatment was successfully addressed in the past.

(viii) The services and resources needed by the family are available and accessible in the community.

(ix) The family has demonstrated the capability to make necessary changes.

(C) The CW worker must verify and document in KIDS whether the family is actively involved in the services to which the family was referred.  Level 3 services include:

(i) short-term interventions, such as parent aide services, homemaker services, child care services, crisis counseling, short‑term counseling, parenting classes, and supportive casework;

(ii) ongoing voluntary FCS by CW at the discretion of the county director;

(iii) other OKDHS services, such as TANF; and

(iv) community resources, such as housing resources, educational resources, employment services, vocational counseling, training, or rehabilitation.

(4) Level 4 - Oklahoma Children's Services (OCS) Comprehensive Home‑Based Services (CHBS).  OCS CHBS is recommended when there is moderate to high risk to the child and the child is at imminent risk of placement outside of the home.  An investigation finding of confirmed report - services recommended is most consistent with Level 4 services.  An investigation with a finding of confirmed report - court intervention, where the district attorney declined to file a deprived petition, is referred to Level 4 services when the family agrees to accept CHBS.

(A) The CW worker completes the steps in OAC 340:75-4-12.1 ITS 1(2)(A) and, if necessary, a referral for specialized evaluations, such as developmental or substance abuse assessments.

(B) The selection criteria for Level 4 are described in (i) through (x).

(i) Per Form 04KI023E, a child is not safe and requires a safety plan.  The risk factors threatening safety are moderate to high but can be controlled with a safety plan without removal of the child.

(ii) When the district attorney declines to file a petition in an investigation with a finding of confirmed report - court intervention, Level 4 services are offered to the family the next working day.

(iii) The family has multiple and complex CW needs.

(iv) Minimum parenting standards are not being met, but the parent(s) is capable of meeting minimum parenting standards with home-based services.

(v) The family faces challenges and needs that have an effect upon risk and safety, such as domestic violence, substance abuse, mental illness, or developmental delays.  These behaviors and conditions may be effectively controlled with the assistance of CHBS.

(vi) There may have been a history of chronic or serious maltreatment to the child.  There is no access to the child by the perpetrator, or the abusive behavior of the perpetrator can be controlled through intervention.

(vii) There may be current deprived court involvement.

(viii) All of the services and resources required by the family are not available and accessible in the community.

(ix) The parent(s) is not ready to accept responsibility for the incident and may be resistive and unmotivated to change or involved with CW, even though the family is willing to accept CHBS.

(x) When CHBS services are not available in a timely manner, the CW worker and CW supervisor reevaluate the safety plan and determine the appropriate level of intervention.  A recommendation for other community services is made until CHBS services are available.  If the safety of the child cannot be controlled while the family is on a waiting list for services, the CW worker discusses other voluntary options with the family, such as placement with a relative or other persons who can provide safety.  As a last resort, court intervention and placement in OKDHS custody is recommended per OAC 340:75‑3-11.

2.  Voluntary foster care procedures.

(1) When a decision is made to place a child in voluntary foster care, the CW worker opens a case with the case type of Voluntary Foster Care.  Claims for foster care reimbursement are processed through KIDS.

(2) Prior to placement of the child, the CW worker prepares Form 04FC007E, Authorization from Parent or Guardian for Voluntary Foster Family Home Placement and Medical Care of Child, which the parent(s) or guardian signs.

(A) The CW worker explores, and documents on Form 04FC007E, the parent(s) or guardian's ability to contribute to the cost of care.

(B) The CW worker does not complete a case plan when voluntary foster care is a short-term service not leading to court intervention, such as when a parent must receive medical treatment and the family has no other caregiver.

(3) CW staff selects a suitable foster family home, makes and supervises the placement, and provides all appropriate services to the child and foster family.  Coordination of visitation and other services that involve the parent(s), relative, and child is arranged by CW staff.

(4) Upon return of the child to the parent(s) or guardian, page 2 of Form 04FC007E is completed, signed, and notarized.

(A) The CW worker provides the parent(s) or guardian with a record of medical care and immunizations received and any vital information learned about the child during foster family placement.

(B) An adequate clothing supply, including the clothing taken into foster family care, and any items of importance to the child, accompanies the child upon return to his or her own home or other placement.

(C) The CW worker informs the family of available services.

(5) When a referral is received from Field Operations Division (FOD), Family Support Services (FSS), requesting voluntary foster family care for a child residing in the home of a parent(s) or relative, the referral is reviewed by CW staff with the parent(s) or guardian to determine its appropriateness.  CW staff assigned is responsible for all voluntary foster care services.

(6) Refer to OAC 340:75-19-29 for placement of a child younger than age 18 who is in tribal custody.

(7) If an extension of voluntary foster family care is required, the CW worker sends a written request to the CW field liaison (CWFL) stating the reason for the extension and projected date of return of the child to his or her own home or other placement.  The CWFL provides a written response to approve or deny the request.

3.   Court intervention.  When the emergency situation resulting in the voluntary placement is unresolved and there is no alternative resource for the child, the CW worker completes Form 04KI003E requesting a deprived petition be filed.

4.   Child care services.  Protective and preventive child care services are provided to a family:

(1) whose child is at risk for removal due to abuse and neglect; and

(2) who is in the process of reunification, per OAC 340:75‑6-91.

5.   Case management responsibilities.  Certain circumstances require that CW retain case management of voluntary cases with full responsibility for service provision, regardless of whether the family is referred for CHBS.  These exceptional circumstances are described in (1) through (3).

(1) When the court has interest and involvement in a case and orders voluntary services in lieu of adjudication or delays adjudication until a voluntary plan of service is completed, CW maintains an open case until the court case is dismissed.  If a referral is made to CHBS for services during this time, the referral is made under the focus of reunification to signify the court's involvement.

(2) When a family member participating in a voluntary case is referred for substance abuse treatment services through a TANF contract in a CW only case and the family is not eligible for TANF, the CW case must remain open until the substance abuse services are concluded.

(3) When a voluntary case is referred to CHBS, but the referral is placed on  waiting list for services, all required services, including the case planning functions, must be provided by CW until services are initiated by the CHBS contractor.

6.   Intake staffing.  For voluntary family services clients referred to CHBS, the intake staffing allows for the release of CW involvement with the family unless a new report of child abuse, neglect, or other maltreatment is accepted for investigation or assessment by CW.  When the family agrees to work with the contract case manager to address and reduce the risk conditions, and the CW worker in the intake staffing conveys these expectations formally, responsibility for services is transferred to the contractor and the CW case is closed.