2050 Plan of Safe Care

The enactment of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016 (CARA) added requirements to the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA).  CARA addresses the effects of substance abuse on infants, children and families with the intent of early identification and intervention, to support families affected by substance use disorders. To fulfill the CARA requirements, Child Protection Specialists (CPS) shall create a Plan of Safe Care for infants born affected by substance abuse, withdrawal symptoms, or Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, to ensure the safety and well-being of the infants in their home.

A. The Plan of Safe Care required by CAPTA differs from a safety plan which addresses the immediate safety. A Plan of Safe Care is a continuous and long-term plan for the family which focuses on the infant’s ongoing health, development, safety and well-being. The Plan of Safe Care identifies the needs of the infant and family and the services to meet those needs. The Plan of Safe Care requires monitoring of referrals to and delivery of appropriate services for the infant and family. Plans of Safe Care may continue with service providers in addition to and after DCF involvement with the family. The Plan of Safe Care incorporates the following needs of the infant and family:

1. The physical health, substance use disorder treatment needs, general functioning, development, safety, and any special care needs of the infant who may be experiencing neurodevelopmental effects, physical effects, or withdrawal symptoms from prenatal exposure
2. The physical or mental health, social, and substance use disorder treatment needs of the parents or caregivers
3. Services and supports to strengthen the parent/caregiver’s capacity to nurture and care for the infant

B. Criteria

1. The CPS shall determine whether criteria are met for a Plan of Safe Care within the assigned response time, documented on the PPS 1002, Section IX. The CPS shall consult with the health care provider with knowledge of the effects of any prenatal substance abuse on the infant.

2. A Plan of Safe Care shall be completed when;

a. a report is assigned as a FINA with the sub-type Infant Positive for Substances AND

b. a medical professional confirms the infant is affected by substance abuse, withdrawal symptoms or Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. When criteria is unknown or not met for a Plan of Safe Care, the assessment shall continue. If at any time, during the life of the case, additional information is available which meets criteria for a Plan of Safe Care, DCF or a service provider shall complete a Plan of Safe Care for the infant and family.

C. Engagement with the Family

1. The CPS shall inform the family that the purpose of the Plan of Safe Care is to identify the needs of the infant and family to provide services with the goal of maintaining the infant and any other children safely in the home.

2. The CPS shall provide the PPS 2008 What is a Plan of Safe Care to the family.

D. Plan of Safe Care

1. Prior to the infant’s release from the hospital, DCF shall list the needs of the infant and family members on the Plan of Safe Care (PPS 2007). When DCF receives the report after the infant has been released from the hospital, the Plan of Safe Care shall be initiated as soon as possible, but no later than three working days from the initial contact.

2. Once the needs are identified, a referral for services with community programs, Family Preservation Services, or another prevention service provider shall be offered to the family to provide the services and/or assist the family in locating appropriate services to meet the needs identified in the Plan of Safe Care. Whenever possible, the service provider should be able to continue to monitor the Plan of Safe Care by identifying the services and make referrals for the services to meet the needs identified on the Plan of Safe care for the infant and family.

3. If the family chooses not to participate in services, the CPS should consult with their supervisor for next steps relevant to this family.

4. Depending on the circumstances of the case, Section III Services, and Referral Dates on the PPS 2007, the CPS or service provider shall complete the Plan of Safe Care based on the needs of the family to support successful engagement in services. The Plan of Safe Care is a continuous plan which is updated and monitored as needed.

5. The PPS 2007 Plan of Safe Care is completed with the family, and utilizes information gathered throughout the assessment from a multidisciplinary team. To develop a coordinated and comprehensive assessment of the needs of the infant and family, the multidisciplinary team may include, but not be limited to:

a. Child welfare
b. Medical
c. Substance use disorder treatment
d. Mental health
e. Early childhood intervention
f. Home visitors
g. Public health
h. Other community supports, as appropriate

6. The Assessment Map, UNCOPE PPS 2005, and CWCMP or community partner assessments shall be used to inform the Plan of Safe Care. Appendix 2L Factors to Guide the Plan of Safe Care may be used to assist in gathering information for the Plan of Safe Care.

7. If following concerted efforts of engagement, the family selects not to participate in the Plan of Safe Care, the CPS Specialist or the service provider shall document the family’s decision not to participate in Section IV Signatures. The PPS 2007 Plan of Safe Care, containing the identified needs and recommended services, shall be provided to the family in the event the family seeks other community services on their own. The CPS specialist shall explain to the family, they may want to share the Plan of Safe Care with other community providers and resources to seek services on their own.

E. Monitoring the Plan of Safe Care

1. A Plan of Safe Care is a continuous plan for the family which focuses on the infant’s ongoing health, development, safety and well-being. In addition, the Plan of Safe Care shall address the caregiver and other family member’s physical/social/emotional health, substance use disorder treatment, parenting capacity, and preparation to care for the infant. The PPS 2007 Plan of Safe Care is updated as needed to monitor additional needs identified and referrals for services.

2. The needs related to the safety and risk concerns for the infant and family identified by the PPS 2007 Plan of Safe Care shall be incorporated in the PPS 3050 Family Service/Preservation Case Plan as the objectives and activities are developed.

3. The Plan of Safe Care shall be monitored to determine whether referrals are made to appropriate services, and whether services are delivered to the infant and family or caregiver.

4. Upon closure of a Family Service/Family Preservation case, the Plan of Safe Care PPS 2007 shall be provided to the family. The family has the option to continue services and monitoring by community services and resources