Library: Policy

340:75-13-22. Trial home visit

Revised 5-26-05

     A child who is returned to the parent(s)' home and remains in Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) custody is considered on a trial home visit.  The child retains Title IV-E eligibility for up to six months, and longer if the court extends the trial home visit.   • 1 through 3

INSTRUCTIONS TO STAFF 340:75-13-22

1.  Child returns home - OKDHS custody.

• (1) When a child returns home while in Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) custody, the Child Welfare (CW) worker:

  • (A) enters a KIDS Trial Reunification placement episode.  The child retains Title IV-E (IV-E) eligibility for up to six months; and

  • (B) advises the parent(s) to apply for or assume medical coverage for the child.  The medical case remains open until the parent(s) is notified.

• (2) The KIDS removal, IV-E eligibility, and custody specialist's assignment remain open.

2.  Subsequent removal of the child within six months.

• (1) At the time of a subsequent removal, the CW worker end dates the KIDS Trial Reunification placement episode and enters the new placement.

• (2) No action is required of the custody specialist as the child who is home less than six months in Trial Reunification status retains IV-E eligibility.

3.  Subsequent removal of the child after six months.

• (1) If the court order does not include an extension of trial reunification for a specified period of time, the CW worker:

  • (A) end dates the KIDS Trial Reunification placement episode at six months.  This automatically end dates IV-E eligibility on KIDS.  A KIDS tickler is generated to indicate that the child's removal was end dated; and

  • (B) enters a new removal in KIDS.  The removal is treated as a new removal for IV-E purposes.

• (2) The custody specialist:

  • (A) determines IV-E eligibility; and

  • (B) if the custody specialist does not receive the required court orders or findings for this new removal after requesting such, notifies the county director, per OAC 340:75-13-13 Instructions to Staff.

• (3) If the court order includes a specified period of time when trial reunification ends, the child retains IV-E eligibility until the end date specified by the court.

  • (A) The CW worker:

    • (i) updates the KIDS Trial Reunification placement episode to reflect the extension; and

    • (ii) if the child returns to out-of-home care, end dates the KIDS Trial Reunification placement episode and enters the new placement episode.

  • (B) No action is required by the custody specialist as the child retains IV-E eligibility due to trial reunification status.