The Child Welfare Case Management Provider (CWCMP) shall provide services and supports for 6 months following the achievement of reintegration, adoption, permanent custodianship, Another Permanent Planned Living Arrangement (APPLA), or youth/young adults who have aged out of care. Services are provided to assure safety and stability of the child and to assist all family members in connecting with community providers to improve family functioning and may include information and referral of other services, education (e.g., parenting skills, advocacy skills with school systems, etc.), clinical and therapeutic services, access to material resources and access to community-based supportive networks (e.g., support groups, recreational activities and respite care).
A. The CWCMP shall:
1. Implement a 6-month aftercare services program following case closure achieved through reintegration, adoption, permanent custodianship, APPLA, or youth/young adults who have aged out of care.
2. Make contact with all family members, including the child/youth/young adult, at least monthly in person and at least weekly telephone contact;
3. Staff all cases with the Reintegration or Adoption Case Manager at least thirty (30) days prior to the transition of the case as per PPM 3005;
4. Develop transition and time-limited aftercare plans in partnership with families;
5. Ensure availability and accessibility of services and support without disruption;
6. Engage the community in meeting the continuing needs of children and families. Aftercare services and support planning begins at the time of placement. DCF, its partners and the community shall continue to support youth and their family after reintegration occurs and until the family is self-sufficient and able to provide for its children’s safety, permanence and well-being;
7. Utilize collaborative and collegial strategies to engage and motivate families;
8. Use client-directed assessment across life domains, ongoing safety assessment and planning, domestic violence assessment, suicide assessment and crisis planning;
9. Use cognitive and behavioral research-based practices and behavioral intervention skills development;
10. Provide and/or help the family access tangible goods and services which are directly related to achieving the family’s goals, while teaching them to meet these needs on their own;
11.Coordinate, collaborate and advocate with state, local, public and community services and systems affecting the family;
12. Provide twenty-four hours, seven days per week, crisis on-call services;
13. Provide services within the family’s homes and community;
14. Tailor services to family’s needs, strengths, lifestyle and culture;
15. Create a packet of information, including a safety plan and culturally appropriate neighborhood resources, for to use after exiting aftercare services;
16. Provide ongoing emotional support and case management for families. Case management services are to include:
a. Assistance in completing the child’s or youth/young adult’s Medicaid application;
b. Referral for housing and food assistance;
c. Referral for financial assistance, assistance with childcare and other services;
d. Referral for substance use disorder and/or behavioral/mental health services;
e. Assistance with identifying external and internal support systems;
f. Assistance with the development of practical and realistic time management systems;
g. Provide ongoing parent education;
h. Coordination with the family and all service providers, including but not limited to DCF Independent Living;
i. Coordination with the family and the educational system, if applicable.
B. Aftercare Services for Children in DCF Custody
1. For children who remain in DCF custody, the Child’s Permanency Plan with the case plan goal of maintenance at home shall be submitted to the DCF region, the court and other required parties within 30 calendar days of a child’s reintegration. (See Section 3000 for additional information on case planning.)
2. The CWCMP shall continue to complete monthly child/worker visits and submit encounter data.
3. The CWCMP shall provide intensive in-home services for six months and continue to provide in person services, engage the family, and assess the safety of all children in the home.
4. If the child remains in DCF custody past the six months of aftercare, a case transfer staffing is required prior to the end of the six months. See Appendix 5M.
5. If custody is released before the end of six months, the CWCMP shall make concerted efforts to continue to provide intensive in-home services for the remainder of the six month time frame and develop an Aftercare Contact Agreement (PPS 3070) with the family to outline the services and supports needed to maintain the placement and meet the needs of the child.
6. The CWCMP shall submit the Aftercare Contact Agreement (PPS 3070) within 5 working days.
C. Aftercare Services for Children Released from DCF Custody
1. When a child has reintegrated with their parent and released from DCF custody the CWCMP shall make concerted efforts to provide intensive in-home services for six months.
An Aftercare Contact Agreement (PPS 3070) shall be developed with the family to outline the services and supports needed to maintain the placement and meet the needs of the child.
2. When a child is adopted, the Aftercare Contract Agreement is signed at the meeting to complete the Adoptive Placement Agreement (APA). If there are questions or concerns about the Aftercare Plan the CWCMP shall confer with DCF to resolve them prior to APA.
3. Once the aftercare plan is developed, the CWCMP shall be actively engaged to meet with the child and family in person in the home on a monthly basis as outlined in the aftercare plan. Whether or not a meeting occurs, a monthly report, PPS 3071, shall be completed.
4. If the family expresses the need for additional services, a consultation with DCF is required.
5. When a youth/young adult is released from custody upon reaching the age of majority and anytime thereafter, the CWCMP shall complete the PPS 3070 A, Aftercare Contact Agreement for Young Adults, with the youth/ young adult and make concerted efforts to provide intensive services for six months. Whether or not contact occurs, a monthly report, PPS 3071, shall be completed and provided to the Foster Care Liaisons and Independent Living team. CWCMP and DCF IL Coordinator shall collaborate to serve the young adult in a manner that is in the young adult’s best interest any time a young adult is being served by both programs. CWCMP shall assist any young adult to obtain any required identifying documents they did not obtain prior to transitioning out of care.
D. Assisting Families with Obtaining Medical Coverage in Aftercare
The Child Welfare Case Management Provider shall assist the family in accessing medical coverage and services for which they are eligible. This includes:
1. Assuring the child’s Medicaid card is given to the permanency resource; and,
2. Assisting the parent/caregiver in adding the child to private insurance; or,
3. Submitting an application on-line at KanCare or paper application to the Clearinghouse for KanCare If submitting a paper application include “returning from foster care” at the top of the form; or,
4. Submitting an application to KanCare for an income eligible or SSI Medicaid; or,
5. Requesting Medicaid from DCF through an adoption assistance agreement.
6. Submitting an application on-line at KanCare or by paper application to the Clearinghouse for KanCare for children approved for permanent custodianship. If submitting a paper application include “returning from foster care” at the top of the form.