INSTRUCTIONS TO STAFF 340:75-6-85.2

Revised 6-1-07

1.   Diligent search for relatives and kin.

(1) Gathering information regarding important people in the child's life.  The Child Welfare (CW) worker:

(A) obtains from each parent, mother and father, a list of all relatives or kin that are known to the parent(s), not only relatives or kin that may be appropriate or available for placement;

(B) requests that the parent(s) complete Form 04MP015E, Important People in the Child(ren)'s Life, prior to the emergency custody hearing.  If this form is not completed prior to the hearing, the CW worker provides Form 04MP015E to the parent(s) as soon as possible thereafter.  The CW worker provides a copy of the completed form to the court for the court record;

(C) ensures that all parents are added as clients to the KIDS case from the information obtained.  Any other person is documented in the Coll Info screen in KIDS;

(D) solicits information from the parent(s) regarding placement preferences.  The parent(s) is advised that consideration is given to these preferences but no assurances are made;

(E) requests the relative(s)' or kin's current address and phone number.  For each person that the parent(s) has provided a phone number or address, the CW worker is responsible for initiating contact.  If the CW worker is unable to make contact in person or by telephone, the worker follows up with a letter.  The relative(s) or kin is not determined inappropriate based solely on the relative(s)' or kin's failure to contact the CW worker; and

(F) documents all efforts in KIDS on the Placement Plan and in the Contacts screen.  The CW worker does not determine that sufficient efforts have been made to contact the relative(s) or kin until:

(i) the worker has spoken with the relative(s) or kin by telephone or in person;

(ii) the telephone number given has been disconnected and efforts to obtain a new number have been unsuccessful; or

(iii) the letter has been returned undeliverable.

(2) Assessing for placement.  During the contact, the CW worker assesses the relative(s)’ or kin's ability and appropriateness for placement.  If the relative(s) or kin is interested in placement, the CW worker is responsible for completing the assessment process in accordance with OKDHS rules.  If the relative(s) or kin is not interested in placement or is determined to be inappropriate, the CW worker attempts to obtain information about other relatives or kin that was not previously provided by the parent(s).

(3) Protocol for continued efforts to locate relatives or kin.  If efforts to locate an appropriate relative(s) or kin have been unsuccessful based on the information provided by the parent(s), the procedures in (3)(A) through (F) of this Instruction are completed in order for the search to be considered diligent.  The CW worker or a diligent search specialist, if available, through a referral by Form 04MP009E, Diligent Search Request:

(A) reviews existing case records, including, but not limited to CW, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), court, school, and child care;

(B) completes a search of the KIDS application, Information Management System (IMS), Juvenile Justice Information System (JOLTS), and Internet. A tool to assist in this search is Form 04MP010E, Relative/Kin Computer Search;

(C) utilizes the Child Support Enforcement screens available in IMS and the Federal Parent Locator Service;

(D) obtains from the child, if age appropriate, location information of any relative or kin known to the child;

(E) asks any known relative or kin to identify other relatives or kin.  A tool to assist in this contact is Form 04MP011E, Diligent Search Contact Results; and

(F) attempts to contact and assess any relative or kin whose name and information is obtained during the process as per (2) of this Instruction.

(4) Need for diligent search for relatives and kin.  The CW worker does not assume that relative or kin placements do not exist based solely on the parent(s)' statement or unwillingness to provide the information necessary to locate relatives or kin.  The CW worker uses the methods discussed in (3) of this Instruction.

(5) Placement disruptions and further consideration of relatives and kin.  If a child's placement disrupts, the CW worker reviews and assesses the availability of relatives or kin.  The CW worker reassesses any relative or kin who may have been determined inappropriate in the past due to the case plan goal or other factors.

(6) Protocol for relatives or kin who reside out-of-state.  If a relative(s) or kin is located out-of-state and indicates a desire to be a placement resource, the CW worker:

(A) advises the relative(s) or kin, when the case plan goal is reunification, that a factor in the decision regarding placement of the child is whether the placement will enable the parent(s) and child to have visitation.  The child will remain in-state if visitation is not feasible in the out-of-state placement;

(B) obtains the required information from the relative(s) or kin in order to initiate an Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) referral for an assessment of the relative(s)' or kin's home within 30 days of the relative(s)' or kin's request for placement per OAC 340:75‑1‑86.

(C) facilitates contact between the relative(s) or kin and the child while the child is in out-of-home care in order for the relative(s) or kin and the child to maintain their relationship;

(D) keeps the relative(s) or kin informed of the progress on the case plan goal and whether the anticipated return of the child continues to be feasible; and

(E) advises the placement provider(s) that if reunification is not feasible, the permanency plan will be to move the child to the out-of-state relative(s) or kin; and

(F) moves the child to the out-of-state placement if the relative(s)' or kin's home is approved by ICPC and efforts to reunite have been made and failed.