30:4C-77. Referrals to program, requirements for family preservation services

4. a. Subject to the guidelines and policies of the specific contracts entered into by providers of family preservation services, agencies authorized to place children in the State may refer a family to the appropriate family preservation services program. All members of the family who accept such services shall be responsible for cooperating fully with the family preservation direct services worker.

b. The family preservation services provided under this act shall meet the following criteria:

(1) A family preservation direct services worker shall carry a caseload of a maximum of two families at any given time, except that during the last week of the provision of services with one of the two families, the worker may carry a third case. The family preservation direct services worker may serve a total of 18 families within a 12 month period;

(2) An eligible family shall receive an initial visit by the family preservation direct services worker within 24 hours of the referral. The program shall provide services to a family for four to eight weeks, as appropriate. The worker shall conduct a follow-up evaluation of the family at three, six and 12 months after the family has completed the program;

(3) Family preservation services shall be provided in the family's home, community or the child's school, consistent with the needs of the family. The family preservation direct services worker shall visit the family for no less than five hours per week. The worker shall be available to provide services to the family 24 hours a day, seven days a week;

(4) The family preservation direct services worker shall develop, in consultation with the family, a service plan which addresses the reasons for the consideration of the out-of-home placement. The plan shall also include, but not be limited to, an assessment of the family's strengths and problems, a statement of options designed to solve the problems and the identification of appropriate resources that will be needed to maintain the progress achieved through the program; and

(5) The agency referring the family shall identify the services which will be provided to the family during and after the provision of family preservation services.

L.1993,c.157,s.4.