SB 664 Policies & Procedures

Effective Date: 6/3/24

Aligns with: CFOP 170, Ch 39, FAC 65C, The Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, SB 664

Supersedes: Policy titled “Permanency & Changes in Legal Case Plan Goal” dated 12/17/17

Applicable to: FIP Staff/Providers

Purpose

Family Integrity Program (FIP) is dedicated to the focus on permanence for children in care. This means carefully considering and monitoring the legal case plan goal of the child as changes in the child’s circumstances and the parents’ case plan compliance warrant, legally changing that goal when it appears to be in the best interest of the child to do so.

Definitions

• Staffing refers to any formal/informal meeting in which the case plan goal, case plan compliance and/or child/family circumstances are discussed.
• Children Legal Services (CLS) refers to any entity providing legal services for the CBC
• “Concurrent planning” means establishing a permanency goal in a case plan that uses reasonable efforts to reunify the child with the parent, while at the same time establishing another goal that must be one of the following options:
  1. Adoption when a petition for termination of parental rights has been filed
     or will be filed;
  2. Permanent guardianship of a dependent child under s. 39.6221;
  3. Permanent placement with a fit and willing relative under s. 39.6231; or
  4. Placement in another planned permanent living arrangement under s.
     39.6241.

Procedure

1. Legal goals and progress toward meeting that goal, i.e., compliance with case plan goals, will be monitored throughout the life of a case.
2. The case plan must be signed by all parties, except that the signature of a child may be waived if the child is not of an age or capacity to participate in the case-planning process.
3. The Dependency Case Manager will assess for Conditions for Return at every staffing and hearing and on an on-going basis throughout the life of the case.
4. A Progress Update shall be used to assess the parent(s) protective capacities, home environment, and backgrounds for reunification.
   1. Within 10 business days of starting a Progress Update to reunify, the
      Dependency Case Manager will update local criminal history checks, including required fingerprint submission for any household members 18 years of age or older.
5. When a decision is made not to return a child home, the case record contains an explanation and justification for the selection of an alternate method of achieving permanence and evidence of the efforts at family reunification.
   1. Prior to approving case plan modifications, supervisors should determine whether there is a genuine concurrent plan that is being actively pursued and sustained in the event behavior change is not likely in a timely way.
   2. The Dependency Case Manager will have on going communication with the caregivers regarding services and benefits available to children and families with the goal of permanent guardianship.
6. Permanence for the child, as required by statute, should be achieved in as short a period as possible for accomplishing its provisions, and no later than 12 months after the child(ren) being sheltered or case plan acceptance whichever occurs sooner.
   1. Pursuant to FAC 65C-30.012 and Ch 39.8055, If a request to the court for an extension of the case plan beyond 12 months is made, the Case Management Team working closely with CLS, must be able to provide documentation from the case record that it is a). Reasonable to expect that the goal of reunification will be achieved within 12 months of initial removal or b). that there is a compelling reason for not filing a petition for Termination of Parental Rights.

Concurrent Planning

1. Factors that must be considered for establishing a concurrent goal include the history of child welfare involvement, severity of any mental health diagnosis, severity of substance abuse/misuse, pattern of violence, significant criminal and/or incarceration history, severity of abuse or neglect on the child, level of parental engagement with the child and quality of parent’s support system.
   1. Every case involving a child in an out-of-home placement shall be evaluated to determine if concurrent case planning is appropriate.
   2. The DCM will discuss the option for concurrent planning and assess the above noted factors in a consultation with their supervisor in determining the need for concurrent planning and appropriate goal selection. Documentation of the consult and decision will be recorded in the child(ren)’s FSFN case record.
2. When establishing a concurrent goal, all permanency options, including expectations, available supports and required timelines must be shared.
3. When a goal other than reunification is considered, the parents must be provided information about alternative permanency options.
4. When recommending a concurrent goal at a permanency hearing, the new case plan reflecting the concurrent tasks should be filed before the permanency hearing. If the case plan is not filed before the hearing and the concurrent goal is approved by the court, the new case plan must be filed no later than 10 calendar days after the hearing.

Permanency Staffings

1. Permanency staffings shall occur prior to permanency hearings so information shared at the staffing can become part of the Judicial Review Social Studies Report (JRSSR).
   1. The first permanency staffing must occur 4 months after shelter or case
      initiation, with ongoing staffings occurring at 7 months and again at 11 months depending until permanence has been achieved.
2. Permanency staffings will be scheduled by the FIP Program Manager or designee and that schedule will be published for all parties, including but not limited to parents, attorneys, the Case Management Providers, Guardian Ad Litem, Foster Parents, Caregivers, etc. It is the responsibility of the Case Manager to notify all parties of the date/time of the staffing at least 7 days in advance of the staffing. Upon notification the Case Manager will provide all parties with a feedback form for completion if unable to attend.
3. At the permanency staffing, progress toward the legal goal is discussed to determine progress toward achieving a permanent plan and whether services described in the plan are being provided. The appropriateness of concurrent goals shall be evaluated at each permanency staffing.
4. Critical dialog with the parents occurs during staffings which clarify for parents the need for parents to remain on task with case plan compliance or face the possibility that other permanency options will be considered.
5. Changes to the case plan are recommended in this venue which will more effectively move a child toward permanency within the required statutory time frames. Follow up actions from the staffing shall be documented and placed in the child’s file.

Change in Permanency Goal

1. A change of goal may be considered in the natural course of working a case when it appears that such a change will move a child toward permanency in a more effective way.
2. CLS will enter into dialog with Case Management and to come to consensus about the change in goal. CLS will provide critical information to Case Management about whether the change in goal can be legally accomplished and when.
3. Finding consensus for the goal change with CLS, Case Management will prepare appropriate legal documentation for submission to the court for approval.
4. As required by the Adoption and Safe Families Act, an individual child review for child(ren) in care 12 months or more will be held as scheduled by CLS, to support filing for Termination of Parental Rights.

Conflict Resolution

If disagreements arise, any conflict resolution should start at the line level of staff. If no resolution can be obtained at that level, the next level of management would become involved. Continued conflict would work its way up the chain of command. In the event an agreement cannot be reached, the issue will be brought before a standing resolution board comprised of representatives from FIP leadership, Child Legal Services, and the Department of Children and Families as appropriate.

Effective Date: 6/3/24

Aligns with: 65C-16

Supersedes: Policy titled “Adoption Home Studies” dated 12/27/17

Applicable to: Dependency Case Management/ Adoption Specialists

Purpose

It is the policy of Family Integrity Program (FIP) to provide comprehensive foster, adoption and protective services to at-risk children and their families in accordance to 65C-16-16.009, Florida Administrative Code.

With regard to adoption, it is essential to prepare a comprehensive Unified Adoption Home Study to ensure the safety of placed children and an adequate and appropriate environment for the child. Case Management will not utilize a Private Adoptive Home Study as a primary source for the purpose of placement of an adoptive child. The Private Adoptive Home Study can be utilized for the family selection process. FIP will be required to complete an independent assessment of the applicant’s home prior to any contact between the applicant and the child. To ensure that this procedure is carried out the following procedure is in effect.

Procedure

Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) Petition

1. Within 30 days of the TPR Petition being filed, the Dependency Case Manager and/ or the Adoption Specialist will ensure that the child’s birth records are requested and obtained within 90 days.
2. Within 30 days of the TPR Petition being filed, the Dependency Case Manager and/ or the Adoption Specialist will ensure that all health history records, school records, mental health records, hospitalization records and residential setting records are requested and obtained within 90 days.
3. Within 30 days of the TPR Petition being filed, the child welfare professional will ensure that the following documents are in the Child Welfare Information System:
   1. Shelter Petition and Shelter Order
   2. Dependency Petition and Dependency Order
   3. Modification Petition and Modification Order if applicable
   4. Original Predisposition Report (Ongoing Family Functioning Assessment
   5. Case Plans that address the child’s needs
   6. Protective investigations identifying the child as a victim
   7. Operating Guideline PG-OG06
   8. Guardian ad Litem report filed with the court concerning the child
   9. Psychological Evaluations and Comprehensive Assessments
   10. Names of providers who provided services to child while in foster care

Adoption Home Studies

1. The adoption packet given to prospective adoptive parents to initiate the adoption process shall only include the “Adoptive Home Application” form, CF-FSP 5071, July 2021, which is available online at http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-13385.
2. The Adoption Specialist will adhere to the guidelines and procedures outlined in FAC 65C-16 when completing an Adoption Home Study (AHS) and all related processes.
3. An adoption home study (AHS) which includes observation, screening and evaluation of the child and adoptive applicants shall be completed by the Adoption Specialist, prior to the adoptive placement of the child. The AHS is valid for 12 months from the approval date. The adoption home study completion date shall be the date the Adoption Specialist submits the adoption home study to their supervisor for review.
4. Adoption staff must conduct a minimum of two (2) in-home visits with the prospective adoptive parent. The adoption staff must adhere to the requirements as outlined in Section 63.093, F.S., regarding the family’s preparation and home study process.
5. A written adoption home study, must be prepared for each studied family. The adoption home study must address the issues discussed in subsections (1) through (6), of 65C-16.005.
6. At the conclusion of the preparation and study process, the Adoption Specialist and their supervisor will make a decision about the family’s appropriateness to adopt. The decision to approve or not to approve will be reflected in the final recommendation included in the adoption home study. If the recommendation is for approval, the adoption home study will be submitted for approval. If the Adoption Specialist and supervisor do not recommend approval for a child specific adoption home study, the case will be reviewed by an Adoption Applicant Review Committee according to the directions provided in subsection 65C-16.005(9), F.A.C.

Effective Date: 12/27/17

Aligns with: 65C-16

Supersedes: N/A

Applicable to: FIP

Purpose

It is the policy of Family Integrity Program (FIP) to ensure the safety of children in care, to provide permanency for children who qualify for adoption, and to place those adoptive children in a safe, permanent and loving home, as soon as possible. The purpose of this procedure is to
establish internal procedures for finding, matching and placing adoptive children with adoptive families, in addition to working closely with the Department of Children and Families (DCF), and in accordance with Florida Statutes and the Florida Administrative Code.

Procedure

1. Staff will continue to follow FIP OP-OG03 Permanency and Changes in Legal Case Plan Goal as it relates to permanency and changing goals.
2. Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) must be achieved prior to staffing the case to the Adoptions Team.
3. If an appeal has been filed during the 30-day appeal period following the TPR, the primary case manager will continue to maintain full responsibility of the case until the appeals court has made its finding. Adoption staff will remain aware of the case in order to prepare for appropriate response, no matter what the final court finding.
4. If no appeal has been filed or upon final court finding in support of TPR, the case will be staffed to the adoption team for the adoption team to begin recruitment efforts. Items that must be in the file before staffing the case include:
   1. Approved and accepted case plan for adoption.
   2. Signed final judgment terminating parental rights.
   3. Child will be seen in current placement by the case manager for the remainder of the case until finalization.
5. The case manager will provide the Adoption Specialist with a completed Face Sheet, a completed Case Information Sheet, and a copy of the most recent Judicial Review at the time of staffing.
6. In all cases where the goal is adoption, 90 day staffings will be held for an adoption specialist to provide adoption services even if the primary case manager continues to carry full case management responsibilities.
7. Sibling groups will remain with one case manager and/or adoption specialist.
8. The following documents are to be completed and given as a packet to the Adoption Specialist at the time of the Staffing. (These documents will be extra copies that do not need to go back in the case management file.)
   1. Case Review Consultation and Staffing Form
   2. Child Data Collection Form
   3. Transfer Summary
   4. Latest Shelter/Detention Petition
   5. Latest Shelter/Detention Order
   6. Adjudication Order
   7. Court order, Disposition to Foster Care
   8. Guardian ad Litem input, and sign off (if applicable)
   9. Petition for Termination of Parental Rights
   10. Copy of signed order of Termination of Parental Rights
   11. Cop Copy of Social Security Card
   12. Copy of Birth Certificate
   13. Copy of birth records and all other medical records (whatever is available)
   14. Transfer Face Sheet
   15. Case Information Sheet
9. The Case Manager as well as the Adoption Specialist will conduct monthly home visits until the adoption subsidy is approved. The Case Manager will be notified of the subsidy agreement approval immediately by the Adoption Specialist.
10. If a Judicial Review is due within 60 days from the Case Manager closing his/her case (after the subsidy has been approved), the Case Manager will complete and submit the review and will appear for the review.
11. The Adoption Subsidy File must be reviewed and approved by the Adoption Supervisor as well as the Program Manager.

Effective Date: 6/3/24

Aligns With: 65c-30.023

Supersedes: Policy titled “Case Review Staffing” dated 12/1/17

Applicable to: All FIP staff

Purpose

It is the procedure of the Family Integrity Program, to effectively address child safety and serve the needs of child and family through a coordinated approach that engages all parties in the service planning and utilization of services, attempts to find permanency for the child, and attempts to maintain area children in the community near family and familiar surroundings to the greatest extent possible.

With regard to reunification, case closure, and other critical decision points in the life of a case, it is the intent of this policy to initiate a methodical approach to case review which allows for sharing decision-making and appropriate utilization of resources.

General Requirements

1. An ongoing mechanism for case review is fundamental to the quality assurance process and appropriate utilization of resources. An integrated multidisciplinary team (MDT) staffing must be held when a decision is required to determine the most suitable out-of-home placement, educational
   placement, or any other important decisions in the child’s life which is so complex that the child welfare professional determines convening an MDT staffing is necessary to ensure the best interest of the child.
2. FIP recognizes that there are multiple levels of decision-making. One is a “consultation” typically held between the case manager, and their supervisor; the other is a formal “staffing”, which can include multiple participants from various agencies. The purpose of the consultation or staffing is to facilitate
   decision-making and assure appropriate utilization of available resources. In either venue it is imperative that information-sharing among and decisions made by service delivery agencies and case management, is documented in entirety in the case in FSFN.
3. A consultation is an informal discussion of pertinent facts that will assist in decision-making process related to issues not requiring a formal setting. For example, children moving from relative placement to foster care placement is a natural occurrence and may not require a formal setting to make arrangements for the move.
4. An MDT Staffing is a more formal setting where individuals from services agencies, the Guardian Ad Litem, foster and birth parents, relatives and non-relatives, teachers and counselors, the client (if age appropriate), and all interested parties gather to discuss issues from multiple perspectives and to develop an agreed upon plan of action to be followed. The plan addresses the necessity of and cost-effectiveness of services, with special care given to
   circumstances that require a restriction of the child’s freedom of choice. A MDT Staffing can have multiple functions, including Reunification Staffing, Permanency Staffing, Separated Sibling Staffing, etc.

Consultations

This exercise is an informal gathering of staff and information sharing, with outcome approval of the Agency Supervisor, in order to make a naturally occurring decision which may not require a formal group
meeting:

1. Adoptions Transfer – moving a case to adoptions for continuing services, after Termination of
   Parental Rights has been granted by the court.
2. Goal Change – prior to a formal Permanency Staffing
3. Prior to approving the following:
   1. safety plans (within 5 business days of case transfer)
   2. critical junctures
   3. progress updates
   4. case plans and modification of case plans
   5. judicial reviews
   6. case closure and case preparation activities

The Supervisor will use Case Notes page in the Child Welfare Information System utilizing the Supervisor Consultation note type. All entries into FSFN will be completed within two (2) business days.

Additionally, communication must occur with DCF, if the investigator has an investigation on an open case. Written confirmation of the CPI’s opinion regarding a decision under consideration must be submitted in advance of decision-making to insure that the viewpoint of the investigator is given its full weight.

Multidisciplinary Team Staffing

Events requiring a staffing include, but are not limited to, those listed below. In an emergency situation, the formal staffing process can be abbreviated or set off schedule with approval of the lead agency
management team. Case Review Staffings include:

1. Reunification
2. Planned Placement Change
3. Emergency Placement Change
4. Operating Guideline QM-OG08
5. Case Consultations / Multidisciplinary Team Staffing
6. Separated Siblings
7. Separated Siblings (Adoption)
8. Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)- Educational/ Daycare Change
9. Missing Child/ Runaway
10. Human Trafficking
11. Change of Custody

The MDT Request form is prepared prior to the staffing, completed during the staffing with the appropriate signatures obtained during the staffing.

The agency’s MDT Coordinator, under the Behavioral Health Coordinator, chairs the MDT Staffing.

The staffing team consists of FIP Management Staff, the Case Manager and Supervisor, Placement Specialist, the child’s parents, caregivers, GAL, and other appropriate representatives or providers dependent upon the staffing’s circumstances. The MDT Coordinator or the Behavioral Health
Coordinator will ensure all appropriate parties are notified of the staffing date and time.

The Case Manager will complete their portion of the MDT Request form and submit it to the MDT Coordinator, along with any required supporting documentation.

The MDT Coordinator will document the staffing, including statements from all parties and the decision of each individual; documentation will be provided to all parties and in the case record in FSFN within two (2) business days.

Staffing Follow-up

The Case Manager/Supervisor, and/ or others (as indicated) are responsible for following through on staffing recommendations. The Case Manager/Supervisor will be responsible for following through and
documenting all changes/modifications to service delivery, changes in level of risk, changes in visitation, reunification, closure, etc., as described on the completed staffing form.

Effective Date: 1/1/24

Supersedes: Policy titled “Chronological Note Timeliness” dated 8/1/15

Aligns With: 39.521, F.S., CFOP 170-1 Chapter 5 and 65C-30

Applicable to: All FIP staff

Policy

This policy describes the expectations regarding the entry of data into the Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS), which is currently Florida Safe Families Network (FSFN).

Scope

This policy applies to all Family Integrity Program staff that enters case related data into FSFN.

Procedure

• All case activities, including contacts and attempted contacts with a child, the child’s parent or caregiver and collaterals must be entered in FSFN no later than 48 hours after the actual contact or other event.
• The Case Manager Supervisor shall review their Case Manager’s case notes to ensure timeliness of case note documentation. This should occur after each child home visit, or at a minimum of quarterly, during supervisory reviews.
• Additionally, the Supervisor shall ensure that documentation of a completed home study is within the statewide child welfare information system pursuant to 39.521, F.S., CFOP 170-1 Chapter 5 and 65C-28.012(2)
• All case management staff have been provided with a copy of FIP’s home visit policy and has been made aware of the expectation that all chronological notes need to be entered within a 48 hour timeframe. All new staff entering the agency will receive a copy of this policy upon new hiring orientation.
• All decisions made regarding case closure or redirection, along with the rationale for the decisions reached, will be clearly documented in the case record.
• All decisions made regarding services and compliance will be clearly documented in the case record.
• Other contacts with clients, including telephone conversations and in person and virtual visits will be clearly documented in the case record.
• Documentation should be accomplished within 48 hours of the activity and should include:
  • Who was present
  • Where the meeting/contact occurred
  • Type of contact
  • What was discussed
  • Date of meeting/contact (day, month and year)

• Documentation will be placed in FSFN.  A family’s case record is defined as a combination of Florida System of Record and physical case file record maintained at the agency.
• Pertaining to Supervisory Review, the following must be documented quarterly in each child’s chronological notes utilizing the Review, Supervisor note type:
  • Date of Supervision and individuals present
  • Topics discussed including progress and barriers to permanency as it relates to the Family Plan
  • Tasks and who is responsible
  • Follow-up on tasks from previous supervision.
  • The Case Manager Supervisor must note in the Child Welfare Information System that a “supervisory review” has occurred.         
  • Discussion of monitoring of oversight of safety plan management.                                             
  • Discussion surrounding what should be changed in order to meet conditions for return.            
  • Child needs.                                                                                                      
  • Evaluation and scaling of protective capacities.

Effective Date: 6/3/24

Supersedes: Policy titled “Case Transfer Staffing”
dated 12/27/17

Aligns with: CFOP 170-1 Ch. 7.

Applicable to: FIP and DCF

Purpose

The Case Transfer Staffing is dictated by CFOP 170-1 Chapter 7, and the respective workings agreements between Family Integrity Program (FIP) and the Department of Children and Families (DCF). It is the intent of FIP to participate fully with DCF, and others to help ensure a seamless child protection system, one where accurate and timely information is shared among all parties to adequately protect the child and provide services to families.

Definitions

Florida Safe Families Network (FSFN) refers to the statewide automated child welfare information system.

Procedure

1. In general, this procedure is meant to compliment the Memorandum of Understanding / Working Agreement that has been developed with FIP and DCF. Please refer to the working agreements for specific information related to Case Transfer Staffings.
2. The purpose of the Case Transfer staffing is to create an environment where
   information can be shared between the Investigating Agency, FIP and community partners regarding a case: a) being investigated and b) requiring identified services available through FIP.
3. All assessment, transportation, visitation, case management and referral services, as well as the creation of the Florida Safe Families Network (FSFN) case shell with all mutually agreed upon information being entered and a complete Family Functioning Assessment (FFA), prior to the Case Transfer staffing are the responsibility of the Investigating Agency. The Case Transfer staffing packet and FSFN case shell shall contain the information listed in the current Working Agreements between FIP and DCF.
4. After Case Transfer, all case management responsibilities will transfer to FIP. It is understood that the investigator will continue to support FIP with shared information and case planning input while the investigator is active in the case, i.e., until disposition and/or investigation report closure.
5. Immediately following the Case Transfer, FIP will begin working with the family, initiate contact with the family as required (2 working days), and service delivery, along with updating current safety plans, the ongoing FFA and creating/amending the case plan to meet the needs of the child and family.
6. FIP will assign the Case Manager as the primary worker in FSFN and the Child Protection Investigator as the secondary worker in FSFN no later than 1 business day after the staffing.

Staffing Process

1. The staffing schedules are set by the Working Agreements for DCF and FIP.
2. The Investigating Agency will provide FIP with a complete Case Transfer packet and the Case Transfer Staffing Schedule a minimum of two business days prior to the scheduled staffing. The Investigating Agency will also invite the parents to the staffing.
3. Upon assignment of the case, the supervisor (or above) attends the Case Transfer staffing. It is essential in order to facilitate a meaningful case transfer discussion, that all parties in attendance have reviewed the packet and electronic record (FSFN) and come prepared to discuss the case, address questions, and discuss danger threats, parental protective capacities, safety actions put in place as a result of safety planning, the level of parental cooperation in complying with the safety actions to date, the risk level established by the investigator, conditions for return and all other critical information needed regarding the child and family.

Case Transfer

1. During the Case Transfer staffing the following will be discussed:
   1. Current allegations/findings of open investigation
   2. Any tribe involvement with the child/family (Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA))
   3. Services that have worked or are working with the family
   4. Prior FSFN history
   5. Criminal history of parents and or persons involved with family
   6. Current diminished capacities and danger threats
   7. Safety actions put in place as a result of safety planning
   8. The level of parental cooperation in complying with the safety actions to date
   9. The risk level established by the investigator
   10. Conditions for return
   11. The CPI introduces CM and explains to the family that the case is being
       transferred and why.
   12. The CPI and CM review the impending danger threats, ongoing safety plan with the family, discuss ongoing monitoring of the safety plan and persons responsible, visitation plan (if applicable) and any next steps.
   13. The family is encouraged to discuss their strengths, needs and concerns.
   14. The CM introduces the next phase of the case process. This meeting may be the initial meeting to begin the Introduction Stage of the Ongoing FFA.
   15. All other critical information needed regarding the child and family.
   16. Any follow up needed in order to assign the case to FIP (As outlined in the Working Agreement).
2. The Case Management Supervisor will record all decisions in a FSFN case note, including danger threats, diminished capacities Children’s Legal Services attorney assigned, initial contact date, specifics regarding visitation along with any follow up tasks required for the case transfer.
3. The assigned Case Manager will take the lead in the development of the initial case plan once parents have progressed in their stages of change/arraignment hearing. If the case is not staffed in an adequate time frame for the preparation of the case plan to meet statutory guidelines, the investigator is responsible for the initial listing of required case plan tasks to improve parental capacities and conditions for return.
4. A copy of a birth certificate or birth verification shall be obtained for each child under court ordered in-home supervision within 15 days after the case transfer conference.
   1. A copy of a birth certificate or birth verification shall be obtained for each child entering out-of-home care within 15 days of initial placement.
   2. For children born out-of-state or out-of-country, verification of the child’s birth shall be requested within 15 days from initial placement and documented in the case file. Refer to subsection 65C-30.007(12), F.A.C., regarding the necessary actions when it is determined that a child was born in another country and has not established legal alien status.”

Case Transfer Dispute Resolution

At times there may be a difference of opinion regarding the status of a case being received into FIP. For example, FIP may believe, based on risk factors identified in the FFA, it is in the best interest of the child to establish court ordered Protective Supervision as opposed to Non-Judicial In-Home Services. Other differences in opinion may also arise during the course of case transfer.

In the event of a dispute about status of a case, FIP will proceed through organizational lines of authority to find resolution as outlined in the respective working agreements.

Special Situations that require a Case Transfer Staffing

Conflict of Interest Cases

1. When it is determined that a case needing assignment is a conflict, the Supervisor will contact the Program Manager.
2. The Supervisor will submit their justification for the conflict in writing to the Program Manager who will review the conflict. If the conflict exists, the supervisor will have the case transferred to another case manager on a separate team.
3. If the conflict requires transfer to another judicial circuit, the Program Manager will approach a partnering Community Based Care agency.
4. Efforts will be made to ensure that the family receives continuity of care and that services begin as quickly as possible. The case will be assigned to the closest available service area.