1.   Levels of Service.  To determine the intervention a family requires, the CW worker utilizes the Levels of Service protocol to refer the family 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 Rule Out, or a completed assessment in which the conclusion is that child is safe and 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 04K1030E, Assessment of Child Safety, for assigned assessments; or

(iii) Form 04KI003E, Report to District Attorney and Form 04KI030E if the referral is assigned as an investigation or converted from an assessment to an investigation.

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

(i) Form 04KI030E indicates the child is determined to be safe and the Person Responsible for the Child (PRFC) has the protective capacities to ensure the safety and well-being of 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, protective capacities 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 Form 04KI030E indicates the child is determined to be safe. 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 unsubstantiated-services recommended is most consistent with Level 2 services or a conclusion on Form 04KI030E that referral to services is recommended. 

(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).

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

(i) Form 04KI030E indicates there are no safety threats to the child but the family could benefit from services.

(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, protective capacities, 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); and

(iii) exceptional circumstances for referral to CHBS are described in OAC 340:75-1-151, Instructions To Staff #1(b)1(A)(iv).

(3) Level 3 - Short-Term Services.  Short-Term Services are recommended when there is moderate but manageable risk to the child.  An investigation finding of Substantiated – services recommended is most consistent with Level 3 services.  When a child is determined to be unsafe and  in need of a safety plan, CW is required to maintain an open Family-Centered Services (FCS) case per OAC 340:75‑4-13. 

(A) To increase the safety of the child and plan for any immediate services the family may need, the CW worker completes the steps in OAC 340:75-4-12.1 ITS #1(2)(A), and completes Forms 04KI029E, Voluntary Safety Plan, and 04MP025E, Voluntary Family Service Agreement, and, if necessary, makes 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 Form 04KI030E the child is unsafe and requires a safety plan. The behaviors or conditions threatening child safety are moderate and can be changed or improved by the family within a short time frame.

(ii) The parent(s) is capable of meeting minimum parenting standards with 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, Comprehensive Home-Based Services (CHBS), child care services, crisis counseling, short‑term counseling, parenting classes, and supportive casework;

(ii) ongoing voluntary FCS by CW;

(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).  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.  The child is determined to be unsafe, present or impending danger exists, and the protective capacities of the parent need to be enhanced. An investigation finding of Substantiated - services recommended is most consistent with Level 4 services.  An investigation with a finding of Substantiated – court intervention recommended, 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 3(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 (ix).

(i) According to Form 04KI030E the child is unsafe and requires a safety plan.  The risk factors or safety threats are moderate to high but can be controlled and managed with a safety plan without removal of the child or recommendation for court intervention.

(ii) When the district attorney declines to file a petition in an investigation with a finding of Substantiated - court intervention recommended, 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 making behavioral changes 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 improved 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.

2.   Change in case type.  The case type is changed to Family Centered Services (FCS) within five days of the family accepting services as indicated by their signature on the Voluntary Family Service Agreement.

3.   Voluntary foster family care procedures.

(1) When a decision is made to place a child in voluntary foster family care, the CW worker opens a case with the case type of Voluntary Foster Care.  Claims for foster care maintenance payments 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 family 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) Foster family care by voluntary request is approved for an initial period of 30 days and may be extended up to a maximum of 90 days when the extension may result in family reunification without requiring court intervention.

(5) 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 approving or denying the request.

(6) 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 care 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.

(7) 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.

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

(9) Court intervention.  Court intervention is required when foster family care extends beyond 90 days.  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, Report to District Attorney 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.  CW is required to retain case management of voluntary cases with full responsibility for service provision, regardless of whether the family is referred for CHBS.  These 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 child is determined to be unsafe, CW maintains an open case until a determination is made that the PRFC's protective capacities are sufficient to keep the child safe without CW involvement.

6.   Transfer of case responsibility.  If the case transfers to a different CW worker, or between counties, when voluntary FCS are determined to be the most appropriate service intervention, the CW worker schedules a transfer meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to transfer responsibility from the Child Protective Services CW worker to the CW worker, or between workers in different counties, for monitoring and management of the safety plan and coordination of intervention activities with the family.  The transfer meeting discussion must include, but is not limited to:

(1) the reason for CW involvement;

(2) identified safety threats;

(3) specific behaviors that must change to increase parental protective capacities;

(3) the voluntary safety plan components and responsibilities; and

(4) how the safety threats will be controlled.