Library: Policy
340:75-8-11. Therapeutic foster care (TFC) or intensive treatment family care (ITFC) placement stability
Revised 9-15-23
(a) Placement stability assessment. TFC or ITFC contractors and child welfare (CW) specialists continually assess a child's placement stability. When indications of instability are identified, the TFC or ITFC contractor and CW specialist jointly evaluate the need for additional services and supports to maintain the current placement.
(b) Supporting placement stability. The TFC or ITFC contractor and CW specialist review the child's current treatment plan and determine the need for modifications including, but not limited to:
(1) the need for further evaluation;
(2) specialized treatment services;
(3) increased communication between team members;
(4) wraparound services;
(5) additional supports for the TFC or ITFC parents;
(6) use of disruption prevention staffing; and
(7) behavior redirection and crisis management services.
(c) Foster home insurance. Liability insurance is provided for TFC or ITFC families for damages caused by the child in Oklahoma Human Services or tribal custody according to the policy terms. TFC or ITFC families have the right to receive a copy of the liability insurance policy, per Section 1-9-119 of Title 10A of the Oklahoma Statutes. TFC or ITFC parents are responsible for deductibles.
(d) Placement disruption. Disruption is an unplanned change in a child's placement and occurs when a child is removed from a TFC or ITFC home and will not return to the same TFC or ITFC home due to the home or contractor being unable or unwilling to continue to serve the child. Disruptions include all placement changes that are not related to a planned movement toward the child's identified permanency goal. Unless an emergency exists, the TFC or ITFC contractor does not move children in TFC or ITFC placement without CWS approval.
(e) Disruption staffing. A disruption staffing occurs for all unplanned placement changes. When possible, the staffing occurs prior to providing discharge notice to support the TFC or ITFC parent and child, prevent disruption, or assist with transition. When prior planning is not possible, the staffing occurs within the 72-business hours' notice of discharge period. The staffing occurs within 72-business hours following immediate discharge, such as into an inpatient setting. The staffing includes at least the TFC or ITFC therapist, TFC or ITFC parent, CW specialist or supervisor, and tribal worker or supervisor. The child may participate, when able. The staffing may be conducted by conference call or other virtual means. The contractor's TFC or ITFC program director reviews all disruptions and includes copies with the contractor's monthly report to TFC program staff.
(f) Respite care. Respite care provides reprieve and support for the TFC or ITFC parent, child, or both. Respite for children in TFC is only provided in certified therapeutic homes. Respite for children in ITFC is only provided in certified ITFC homes. Reprieve for the TFC or ITFC parent with whom a child is placed includes a defined timeframe, not to exceed 14-calendar days, and specifies the date for the child to return. When the need arises to extend the 14-calendar day respite, the TFC or ITFC contractor obtains prior approval from the TFC field manager.
(g) Respite placement notification. The TFC or ITFC contractor notifies, via Form 04FT004E, Notice of Child's Location, the CW specialists involved in the placement and the TFC liaison and liaison supervisor of all placement changes, including respite, for each child in TFC or ITFC placement.
(h) TFC or ITFC contractor. The TFC or ITFC contractor:
(1) ensures the respite TFC or ITFC parent is informed of the child's current treatment issues; behavioral, medical, and physical needs; and any child-specific supervision or safety plans;
(2) pre-approves the respite after assessing both the requesting and receiving resources to ensure safety, bed space, and compatibility of children, and ensures the respite home is not on a written plan of compliance or any other disciplinary action; and
(3) supervises the respite TFC or ITFC parent in implementing in-home treatment strategies identified in the TFC or ITFC contractor's individualized treatment plan for the child.
INSTRUCTIONS TO STAFF 340:75-8-11
Revised 9-15-23
1. Placement reviews.
(1) Upon receipt of Form 04FT004E, Notice of Child's Location, therapeutic foster care (TFC) program staff updates the KIDS Placement Episode screen to reflect changes.
(2) When the TFC or intensive treatment family care (ITFC) contractor, TFC or ITFC parent, and child welfare (CW) specialists agree the additional stability supports are:
(A) successful in stabilizing the child, the child returns to the TFC or ITFC placement; or
(B) not successful in stabilizing the child and the TFC or ITFC placement is disrupted, the CW specialist immediately plans for the next appropriate placement.
2. Travel reimbursement. When the TFC or ITFC parent is eligible for travel reimbursement, the CW specialist submits approved Form 10AD006E, Travel Claim, per Oklahoma Administrative Code 340:75-7-65.
