| (a) After initial contacts are made, as defined in §700.714,
(relating to Contacts for Family-Based Safety Services), the Department
of Family and Protective Services' (DFPS's) Child Protective Services
(CPS) Division must establish a detailed written service plan and
initiate any needed services for the family.
(b) The purposes of the family service plan for families
receiving family-based safety services are to:
(1) establish a structured, time-limited process for
providing services; and
(2) ensure that services progress as quickly as possible
towards enabling the family to:
(A) reduce the risk of abuse or neglect; and
(B) function effectively without CPS assistance.
(c) The family service plan must:
(1) include a statement of CPS concerns;
(2) include family needs and strengths and resources
that can be utilized to help the family reduce the risk of abuse and
neglect;
(3) identify the goals or changes needed to reduce
the level of risk;
(4) specify the required actions the family must complete
during the effective period of the plan in order to make the needed
changes;
(5) describe the services CPS will provide to help
the family complete those actions;
(6) indicate how CPS will evaluate the family's progress
in completing each required action and goal;
(7) indicate the period of time and frequency of the
required actions and services; and
(8) meet federal and state laws, including the Americans
with Disabilities Act.
(d) The caseworker must attempt to work with the parents
to develop the family service plan. After completing the plan, the
caseworker must ask the parents to sign it, and must give them a copy
of it. If either parent will not sign the plan, the caseworker must
document on the plan the reasons why a parent will not sign and must
give the parent a copy of the plan. The caseworker must ensure that
each individual signing the plan understands and agrees to their responsibilities,
the potential consequences of non-compliance, and the actions or circumstances
needed to complete the plan and close the case with no further involvement
by CPS.
(e) Every month while a family-based safety services
case is open, the caseworker must:
(1) make reasonable efforts to contact any provider
who is providing services as part of the family service plan and obtain
information about the family's progress;
(2) gather any other information or documentation from
collaterals related to child safety or the family service plan;
(3) evaluate all information gathered and document:
(A) whether family-based safety services are still
needed to ensure child safety; and
(B) whether any changes are needed to the family service
plan, an existing Safety Plan, or an existing parental child safety
placement. The caseworker must document reasons for any changes.
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