CTR055540_SWHD_Executed_Contract.pdf

Request for Proposal Solicitation #: BPM003267

Family Connections, Nurturing Parenting Program, Substance Exposed Newborn Safe Environment Solicitation

State of Arizona Department of Child Safety

Office of Procurement & Contracts

3003 N. Central Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85012

PART 1 of the Solicitation Documents

SECTION 1-A: Scope of Work

A v a i l a b l e o n l i n e a t : A P P . A Z . g o v

INTRODUCTION

The Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) is statutorily responsible for providing services to families whose children are involved with DCS. DCS Vision and Mission Statements are:

Vision: Children thrive in family environments free from abuse and neglect.

Mission: Successfully engage children and families to ensure their safety, to strengthen families, and to achieve permanency.

1.0 PURPOSE: The purpose of this solicitation is to contract for evidence-based parent skill-building services that are individualized to family need, culture and readiness for change. The

Department is dedicated to providing families with the right services at the right time, without duplication and with proper sequencing. These services are intended to strengthen family protective factors to reduce risk of child abuse or neglect, and enhance parent/caregiver protective capacities so that children are safe in their own homes. The services included in this contract include the following:

1. Family Connections, which provides change-focused interventions to achieve the Family

Connections core outcomes of:

Social Support

Family Functioning

Family Resources

Child Well Being

Parenting Attitudes and Behaviors

Managing Parenting Stress

2. Nurturing Parenting Program, which is a curriculum-based parenting skills education and coaching program to improve parenting in relation to:

Expectations of Children

Parental Empathy towards Children’s Needs

Non-violent Discipline

Parent-Child Family Roles

Children’s Power and Independence https://procure.az.gov/bso/

Family Connections, Nurturing Parenting Program, Substance Exposed Newborn Safe Environment Solicitation

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2.0 SCOPE OF WORK: The Contractor shall provide services, including but not limited to:

2.1 General Requirements:

2.1.1 Accept all cases for service upon receipt of a service approval from the DCS

Child Welfare Case Management System.

2.1.2 All accepted service approvals are the responsibility of the Provider.

2.1.3 The Provider is responsible for all service approvals from time of acceptance to time of closure and return to DCS.

2.1.4 Any attempt to return a srevice approval that has not been fully worked and approved by DCS to close or return may require DCS to recoup costs from the

Provider associated with the case due to the early return.

2.1.5 Provide all services indicated on the service approval.

2.1.6 Provide services in the entire county awarded.

2.1.7 Services are to be provided any day of the week, including weekends and holidays, and in evening hours, to accommodate the needs of the family’s schedule.

2.1.8 Access the DCS Child Welfare Case Management System to enter case notes or other required documentation. The Contractor shall be responsible for any costs associated with accessing this online platform.

2.1.9 Be aware that culture and language may influence the behaviors of individuals who are seeking health, habilitative, or rehabilitative care and their attitudes toward speech, language, and hearing services and providers. Similarly, the delivery of services is impacted by the values and experiences of the provider.

Providing competent care is providing service that is respectful of, and responsive to, an individual's values, preferences, and language.

2.1.10 Ensure that all services, procedures, and forms provided are culturally relevant, linguistically appropriate and gender responsive (including Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ).

2.1.11 Ensure cross-cultural communication support with the involvement of culturally competent staff in all levels of service delivery.

2.1.12 Provide translation and interpretation services to meet the requirements of this contract, by complying with Federal law regarding Limited English

Family Connections, Nurturing Parenting Program, Substance Exposed Newborn Safe Environment Solicitation

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Proficiency LEP (Exhibit A). The Contractor must provide a certified interpreter over the age of twenty-one (21) as needed.

2.1.13 Have the ability to serve non-English speaking families by being able to speak and communicate in the preferred language of the guardian, parent and/or child(ren).

1. At a minimum, the Contractor shall cover Spanish, American Sign

Language, Arabic, Farsi, and Swahili.

2.1.14 DCS will reimburse all other languages that require interpretation and/or translation services for the parent(s)/caregiver(s) and the child (ren) at cost upon submittal of receipts or invoices with the monthly invoice.

2.1.15 Communicate and coordinate services with other community agencies working with the family.

2.1.16 Attend scheduled TDMs, CFTs, DCS Case Plan staffing meetings, Adult

Recovery Teams meetings, and Assessment Coordination meetings upon request by DCS or the family.

2.2 Family Connections Program Elements and Programmatic Reports

2.2.1 Family Connections providers are responsible to deliver all elements of the

Family Connections program, as described in the Arizona Department of Child

Safety Family Connections Program Manual Version 1.0. This scope of work describes the operational elements and deliverables for the Family

Connections Program, which include the following:

Program Element Timeframe Deliverable (Programmatic Report)

Service Levels Level One: One in-person meeting per week for

150 days

Level Two: Two in-person meetings per week for 150 days

Continuations: 90 day intervals

Weekly Progress Reports (Exhibit E)

Initial Outreach In-person within one (1) business day of referral receipt

Weekly Progress Report (if contact made)

Service Closure Summary (if unable to make contact) (Exhibit F)

Intake Within five (5) business days of referral receipt Weekly Progress Report

Benefits Screening Tool (Exhibit G)

Release of Information (Exhibit H)

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Emergency and

Concrete Needs

Assessment

Starting with initial outreach and completed within first thirty (30) days of service

Weekly Progress Report

Comprehensive Family Assessment

(Exhibit I)

CA-Self Interview Initiated in the 2nd or 3rd meeting with the family

CA-Self Interview Family Profile

Comprehensive

Family Assessment

Within 30 days of referral receipt Comprehensive Family Assessment

Service Plan Within 45 days of referral receipt Family Connections Service Plan

(Exhibit J)

Evaluation of

Change (EOC)

Two weeks prior to the end of the service request end date

Evaluation of Change (Exhibit K)

Service Closure Within 10 days of EOC where closure determined

Service Closure Summary

2.2.2 Families may be referred to FC by DCS when the criteria described in the

Family Connections Program Manual are met. For more information on elgibility criteria, see Chapter 6 of the Family Connections Program Manual

Version 1.0. FC Services may be provided to families who meet the eligibility criteria whether the child is living in-home or out-of-home, and may continue to be provided without interruption when a child moves from in-home to out-of-home or from out-of-home to in-home.

2.3 Nurturing Parenting Program Elements and Programmatic Reports

2.3.1 Nurturing Parenting Program providers are responsible to deliver all elements of the Nurturing Parenting Program, as described in the Arizona Department of Child Safety Nurturing Parenting Program Manual. This scope of work describes the operational elements and deliverables for the Nurturing

Parenting Program, which include the following:

Program Element Timeframe Deliverable (Programmatic Report)

Service Level One time per week for two hours, over a maximum of 120 days (17 weeks)

Continuations: 90 day intervals

Weekly Progress Reports (Exhibit L)

Initial Outreach Telephone call within two (2) business day of referral receipt

Weekly Progress Report (if contact made)

Service Closure Summary (if unable to make contact) (Exhibit M)

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Intake In-person within five (5) business days of referral receipt

Weekly Progress Report

Release of Information

Assessment At the intake meeting (unless completed by

Family Connections program)

Family Nurturing

Plan

Within first session, held within 72 hours of the intake meeting

Family Nurturing Plan (Exhibit N)

Parenting Sessions First session within 72 hours of the intake meeting, weekly thereafter

Weekly Progress Report

Family Nurturing Journal

Continued Service Two weeks prior to the end date of the service request end date

NPP Reassessment Summary (Exhibit O)

Service Closure Within 10 business days of service request end date

Service Closure Summary

2.3.2 Families may be referred to the Nurturing Parenting Program by DCS when all of the criteria described in the Arizona Nurturing Parenting Program Manual are met. For more information on elgibility criteria, see the Arizona Nurturing

Parenting Program Manual Version 1.0. NPP Services may be provided to families who meet the eligibility criteria whether the child is living in-home or out-of-home, and may continue to be provided without interruption when a child moves from in-home to out-of-home or from out-of-home to in-home.

2.4 Family Connections Service Levels and Frequency of Contact

2.4.1 FC services shall be provided at one of the following service levels:

(a) Level One: The FC Consultant shall meet with the parent/ caregiver in-person one (1) time per week, for a minimum of one (1) hour, over a maximum of 150 days (five months) and conduct additional virtual, or telephone contact as required by the family to meet behavior change goals.

(b) Level Two: The FC Consultant shall meet with the parent/caregiver in-person two (2) times per week, for a minimum of one (1) hour, over a maximum of 150 days (five months) and conduct additional virtual, or telephone contact as required by the family to meet behavior change goals.

2.4.2 The FC service level shall be determined by DCS and communicated to the

Contractor through the referral process. The initial FC service level shall be determined by DCS case type, as follows.

Family Connections, Nurturing Parenting Program, Substance Exposed Newborn Safe Environment Solicitation

State of Arizona Department of Child Safety

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(a) Level One

Family’s DCS case will close following investigation

DCS in-home case management case with no impending danger and no risk of emergency removal of a child if services are not effective

(b) Level Two

SENSE case

DCS in-home case management case with impending danger and safety plan, or risk of emergency removal of a child if services are not effective

DCS ongoing case management case with a child in out-of-home care

2.4.3 The FC service level for continuation authorizations will be determined by the

FC Evaluation of Change (EOC), family need, and consideration of other services in which the family is participating. The FC service level for continuation authorizations shall be determined and approved by DCS following DCS service approval procedures.

2.5 Nurturing Parenting Program Frequency of Contact and Service Schedule

2.5.1 The NPP Practitioner shall meet with the parent/caregiver one (1) time per week for two (2) hours, over a maximum of 120 days (17 weeks) to include one (1) hour of parenting education, thirty (30) minutes of parent-child observation with a nurturing parenting activity, and thirty (30) minutes of parent-only debriefing.

The service delivery schedule should be as follows:

(a) Week 1 shall include initial outreach and intake meeting with the parent/caregiver;

(b) Weeks 2-8 and 10-16 shall include weekly parent sessions with the parent/caregiver;

(c) Week 9 shall be conducted as the mid-point meeting with the parent/caregiver; and

(d) Week 17 shall be conducted as the service closure meeting with the parent/caregiver

2.5.2 The Contractor shall have the ability to deliver NPP services in-person and via virtual platform. The delivery method of NPP shall be determined by DCS.

Delivery via virtual platform must have prior approval by DCS.

2.5.3 The NPP Practitioner shall provide the NPP program to the family in sequence and in entirety, using the following NPP approved workbooks:

(a) Nurturing Skills for Families;

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(b) Easy Reader; or

(c) One of the following NPP specialty program workbooks, when it meets the needs of the family: Families in Substance Abuse Treatment and Recovery, Nurturing Fathers Program, Nurturing Parenting for African American Families.

2.5.4 The NPP Practitioner shall use the following supplemental lesson guides when it meets the needs of the family: LBGTQ, Native American Parenting

Supplemental Lesson Guide.

2.5.5 Families may be approved by DCS for continued NPP services in ninety (90) day increments, when there has not been sufficient behavioral change related to the reason for DCS involvement, the parent/caregiver is participating in NPP services, and:

(a) the family has not yet completed the lessons; or

(b) the NPP assessment indicates the parent/caregiver would benefit from additional lessons.

2.6 Referral Process for Family Connections and Nurturing Parenting Program

2.6.1 The DCS Specialist shall submit FC and NPP Service Requests to the

Centralized Referral Unit for assignment of a Family Connections agency, using the DCS Child Welfare Case Management System.

2.7 Service Request

2.7.1 Accept all service authorizations submitted from DCS.

2.7.2 Ensure staff are monitoring communication from the DCS Child Welfare Case

Management system for pending service approvals.

2.7.3 Have staff available to receive and assign referrals Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., except on legal holidays recognized by the State of

Arizona.

2.7.4 Upon service approval receipt and prior to initial outreach with the family, the assigned Family Connections Consultant shall:

(a) participate in supervision consultation with the FC supervisor; and

(b) contact DCS to initiate information sharing and collaboration.

2.7.5 The in-person initial outreach and intake meeting shall occur in the family home, unless the family requests another location or there are concerns for the safety of professionals entering the home.

Family Connections, Nurturing Parenting Program, Substance Exposed Newborn Safe Environment Solicitation

State of Arizona Department of Child Safety

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2.7.6 The FCC and/or NPP Practitioner apply the Code of Ethics of the National

Association of Social Workers (NASW) (2017) when working with families.

2.7.6 The FCC and/or NPP Practitioner shall utilize strengths-based engagement techniques during the intake meeting, including the use of open-ended questions, affirmations, reflections, and summarization (OARS).

2.7.7 The FCC and/or NPP Practitioner shall utilize and communicate empathy, respect, and authenticity during the in-person initial outreach and intake meetings.

2.8 Family Connections Initial Outreach

2.8.1 The goals of initial outreach are to develop a positive helping alliance by reaching out and engaging with families, communicating concern, overcoming past experiences and other barriers to service, and conveying a comfortable and accepting presence. Initial outreach shall be conducted by the Family

Connections Consultant (FCC).

2.8.2 The FCC shall confirm the family’s contact information through the DCS Child

Welfare Case Management System before conducting initial outreach.

2.8.3 The FCC shall contact the family via telephone to schedule the in-person initial outreach meeting, making reasonable efforts to hold the in-person meeting within one business day of referral receipt. A telephone call to schedule the in-person meeting shall not be considered the initial outreach meeting. If telephone contact is unsuccessful, the FCC shall make an unannounced in-person visit to the home within one business day of referral receipt. If in-person initial outreach attempts are unsuccessful within one day of referral receipt, the FCC shall continue with initial outreach as outlined below:

(a) Over the following three business days or until an appointment is scheduled, the FCC shall make a minimum of one telephone call attempt per day, and three in-person outreach attempts at alternate times of day or evening.

(b) The FCC shall prepare a contact letter, in a plain envelope, to be left at the home if the parent/caregiver(s) are not home, following each in-person outreach attempt; informing the parent caregiver(s) of the FCC’s attempts to contact the family. The letter shall include information about the FC program, the provider’s office address, a contact person, and contact information for the FCC.

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(c) If a family is homeless or transient, this does not automatically preclude the family from participating in Family Connections. The FCC shall make reasonable efforts to engage the family regardless of their living arrangement. Reasonable efforts may include, but are not limited to:

providing the parent/caregiver(s) with bus tickets, scheduling meetings in locations the family can readily get to, and/or making arrangements to communicate through a third party if the parent/caregiver does not have a cell phone.

(d) The FCC shall notify the assigned or referring DCS Specialist or DCS

Supervisor when these efforts to contact the family have been completed and remain unsuccessful, or within one business day of the family declining services. The provider may request DCS assistance to contact and engage the family at any time.

2.8.4 If a family does not have an open DCS case and was referred to the FC program as part of Aftercare Planning and Services, and the family declines the FC program during initial outreach, follow procedures outlined in 2.13

Parent/Caregiver Declines Service.

2.8.5 If the FCC makes contact with the family during initial contact, the FCC shall document all of the initial outreach events in the Weekly Progress Report. If the FCC is unable to make contact or engage the family in the FC program, the

FCC shall document all initial outreach attempts with the family in the Service

Closure Summary: Section A. Services shall not be closed without prior approval from DCS (if the family’s case remains open with DCS oversight) or

FC Supervisor (If a family does not have an open DCS case and was referred to the FC program as part of Aftercare Planning and Services).

2.8.6 The FCC shall facilitate the initial in-person outreach meeting with the family within one business day of referral receipt and complete the following:

(a) connect with and engage the family by establishing therapeutic rapport;

(b) explore the family’s understanding of why they were referred to FC;

(c) describe the FCC and DCS Specialist roles (if applicable);

(d) emphasize the family strengths and needs;

(e) discuss the FCC’s responsibility to report any suspected incident of child abuse or neglect to DCS or disclosure/observation of suicidal or homicidal intention;

(f) review and obtain written consent utilizing the Department’s

Authorization to Release of Information (ROI) form;

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(g) introduce how FC works with families, including use of computerized assessment and screening tools, weekly home visits, and development of outcomes and goals that target change;

(h) when referred as a SENSE case, the FCC shall introduce how FC works with families, including working in collaborative partnership with the home visitor, SENSE Registered Nurse (RN), and substance use treatment provider;

(i) explore issues of risk and/or safety in the context of the DCS referral;

(j) identify concrete, practical issues to be immediately addressed;

(k) to obtain commitment to work together, answer questions the family may have and summarize the process for working together;

(l) provide contact information for the FCC and the FC Supervisor; and

(m) schedule the next meeting between the family and the FCC, including what the family can expect prior to the next home visit, which may include work toward assessing and meeting immediate, concrete needs.

2.9 NPP Initial Outreach

2.9.1 The NPP Practitioner shall confirm the family’s contact information through the DCS Child Welfare Case Management System before conducting initial outreach.

2.9.2 Within two business days of referral receipt, the NPP Practitioner shall contact the family via telephone to schedule the intake meeting with the family. If telephone contact is unsuccessful, the NPP Practitioner shall make an unannounced in-person visit to the home within five (5) business days of referral receipt. If initial telephonic and in-person outreach attempts are unsuccessful within five (5) business days of referral receipt, the NPP

Practitioner shall continue with outreach as outlined below:

(a) Over the following three business days or until an appointment is scheduled, the NPP Practitioner shall make a minimum of one telephone call attempt per day, and three in-person outreach attempts at alternate times of day or evening.

(b) The NPP Practitioner shall prepare a contact letter, in a plain envelope, to be left at the home if the parent/caregiver(s) are not home, following each in-person outreach attempt; informing the parent caregiver(s) of the

NPP Practitioner’s attempts to contact the family. The letter shall include information about NPP, the provider’s office address, a contact person, and contact information for the NPP Practitioner.

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(c) If a family is homeless or transient, this does not automatically preclude the family from participating in the Nurturing Parenting Program. The NPP

Practitioner shall make reasonable efforts to engage the family regardless of their living arrangement. Reasonable efforts may include, but are not limited to: providing the parent/caregiver(s) with bus tickets, scheduling meetings in locations the family can readily get to, and/or making arrangements to communicate through a third party if the parent/caregiver does not have a mobile phone.

(d) The NPP Practitioner shall notify the assigned or referring DCS Specialist or DCS Supervisor when these efforts to contact the family have been completed and remain unsuccessful, or within one business day of the family declining services. The provider may request DCS assistance to contact and engage the family at any time.

2.9.3 If a family does not have an open DCS case and was referred to NPP as part of

Aftercare Planning and Services, and the family declines NPP during initial outreach, follow procedures outlined in Section 2.13, Parent/Caregiver

Declines Service.

2.9.4 If the NPP Practitioner makes contact with the family during initial contact, the NPP Practitioner shall document all of the initial outreach events in the

Weekly Progress Report. If the NPP Practitioner is unable to make contact or engage the family in NPP, the NPP Practitioner shall document all initial outreach attempts with the family in the NPP Service Closure Summary:

Section A. Services shall not be closed without prior approval from DCS (if the family’s case remains open with DCS oversight) or NPP Supervisor (If a family does not have an open DCS case and was referred to NPP as part of Aftercare

Planning and Services).

2.10 Family Connections Intake

2.10.1 The FCC shall conduct the intake meeting with the family within five business days of referral receipt.

2.10.2 To prepare for the intake meeting, the FCC shall:

(a) communicate with the family to identify potential times for the intake meeting, while considering the family’s schedule and preferences, noting that the intake meeting shall be a minimum of one-hour;

(b) review all available DCS documentation about impending danger threat(s) and/or risks present in the family, protective capacitites, protective

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Office of Procurement & Contracts factors, the behavioral changes identified by DCS, Conditions for Return

(when applicable), and the anticipated focus of intervention;

(c) review information about the family’s cultural background provided on the FC service request or contained within other DCS documentation; and

(d) anticipate responding to any emergency needs the family identifies and prepare to devote additional time to the family if needed.

2.10.3 The FCC shall facilitate the intake in the parent/caregiver’s home, unless the parent/caregiver requests another location or there are safety concerns for professionals entering the home. The FCC shall obtain approval from the DCS

Specialist, via telephone call or e-mail, for exceptions to the intake meeting occurring in the home. The approval communication and date will be documented within the Weekly Progress Report. Exceptions shall be based on the needs of the family or due to a scheduled meeting, such as a TDM or CFT at which the intake meeting will take place.

2.10.4 During the intake meeting, the FCC shall confirm the family is informed of, and understands:

(a) whether the DCS case will close or remain open;

(b) if the DCS case will close, the case closure process and continued role of the FCC with the family and expected length of service;

(c) if the DCS case will close, that the DCS Specialist shall assist the family to develop an Aftercare Plan (CSO-1349A);

(d) if the DCS case will remain open, that the DCS Specialist and the FCC will both meet in-person with the parent or family, at times together but most often separately, and the expected frequency of contact by the DCS

Specialist and FCC;

(e) if referred for SENSE services, that within the first thirty (30) days of service a SENSE RN will outreach and engage the family to schedule a home visit;

(f) the reason for DCS involvement with the family, and the behavioral change goals if these have been established;

(g) if the child is in out-of-home care, the safety plan and the Conditions for

Return, and ways in which the FC program might assist the family to meet the Conditions for Return;

(h) if DCS already has a case plan established at the time of the family’s referral to FC, the contents of the case plan;

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(i) that the FCC is not a DCS employee, but will communicate with the DCS

Specialist and share information about the parent’s/family’s attendance, participation, and progress reaching the identified behavioral goals; and

(j) the FCC’s and DCS Specialist’s roles and what the family can expect throughout the FC program.

2.11 Nurturing Parenting Program Intake

2.11.1 The NPP Practitioner shall schedule the intake session within five (5) business days of referral receipt.

2.11.2 To prepare for the intake meeting, the NPP Practitioner shall:

(a) communicate with the family to identify potential times for the intake, while considering the family’s schedule and preferences, noting that the intake meeting shall be a minimum of one-hour;

(b) review all available DCS documentation about impending danger threat(s) and/or risks present in the family, protective capacitites, protective factors, the behavioral changes identified by DCS, and Conditions for

Return (if applicable);

(c) review information about the family’s culture provided on the NPP service request or contained within other DCS documentation.

2.11.3 The NPP Practitioner shall facilitate the intake in the parent/caregiver’s home, unless the parent/caregiver requests another location or there are safety concerns for professionals entering the home. The NPP Practitioner shall obtain approval from the DCS Specialist, via telephone call or e-mail, for exceptions to the intake meeting occurring in the home. The approval communication and date will be documented within the NPP Weekly Progress

Report. Exceptions shall be based on the needs of the family or due to a scheduled meeting, such as a TDM or CFT at which the intake meeting will take place.

2.11.4 During the intake meeting, the NPP Practitioner shall complete the following:

(a) connect with and engage the family members by establishing therapeutic rapport;

(b) explore the family’s understanding of why they were referred to NPP;

(c) introduce how NPP works with families, including weekly home visits, delivery of parent skills curriculum, the parenting competencies, and the expected length of service;

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(d) gather information about the family’s involvement with other service providers and explain that the NPP Practitioner and other service providers will both meet in-person with the parent or family, at times together, but most often separately;

(e) review the reason for DCS involvement with the family, including risks, safety threats, protective capacities, and/or protective factors, and the safety plan or Conditions for Return if a child is in out-of-home care;

(f) if DCS has a case plan established at the time of the family’s referral to

NPP, review the contents of the case plan;

(g) discuss relevant legal, policy, and ethical issues, including the NPP

Practitioner’s responsibility to report any suspected incident of child abuse or neglect to DCS or disclosure/observation of suicidal or homicidal intention;

(h) explain that the NPP Practitioner is not a DCS employee, but will communicate with the DCS Specialist and share information about the parent’s/family’s attendance, participation, and progress in achieving the identified behavioral changes;

(i) review and complete the NPP intake packet, and the NPP assessment instruments if they were not completed by a Family Connections

Consultant and provided to the NPP Practitioner; including the Parenting

Attitudes about Raising Teens Inventory (PARTI), Adult-Adolescent

Parenting Inventory (AAPI-2) and Nurturing Skills Competency (NSCS);

(j) answer the family members’ questions;

(k) provide contact information for the NPP Practitioner and the NPP

Supervisor;

(l) schedule a mid-point session with the family, to occur half way through the service request period, to evaluate the parent/caregiver’s progress towards achieving the NNP goals; and

(m) develop a schedule of home visits for the family, including scheduling the first visit.

2.12 Missed Appointments

The FCC and/or NPP Practitioner shall make reasonable efforts to continually engage the family during the outreach and engagement process to reduce likelihood of missed and/or cancelled appointments. If a regularly scheduled appointment is missed by the family, the FCC and/or NPP Practitioner shall initiate telephone contact with the family, utilizing all available phone numbers. If telephone contact does not occur, the FCC and/or NPP Practioner shall wait at the appointment location for fifteen minutes. If the

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Office of Procurement & Contracts parent/caregiver is not at home, the FCC and/or NPP Practitioner shall leave and document the attempted home visit in the Weekly Progress Report.

2.12.1 If the parent/caregiver is not present for the NPP of FC Session and does not arrive within fifteen (15) minutes,the NPP Practitioner shall leave the location and document the event in the Weekly Progress Report.

2.12.2 If the FCC and/or NPP Practitioner does not receive a response from the parent/caregiver within twelve hours of the missed contact, the FCC and/or

NPP Practitioner shall follow the initial outreach protocol for re-engagement with the family.

2.12.3 If appointments with the FCC and/or NPP Practitioner are missed, cancelled and/or rescheduled without reasonable justification, and in-person contact with the family does not occur over the next three business days, the FCC and/or NPP Practitioner shall contact the DCS Specialist to schedule a meeting within three (3) business days. This meeting shall occurr via video conference or telephone and include a discussion of:

(a) the FCC’s and/or NPP Practitioner’s efforts to engage the family and the family’s response to these efforts;

(b) reason(s) known for the family’s missed appointment; and

(c) whether a joint home visit should be scheduled with the family to discuss their continued interest in participating in the FC and/or NPP Program, or the FCC and/or NPP Practitioner should proceed with service closure.

2.12.4 If there is no open DCS case, the FCC and/or NPP Practitioner shall consult with the FC and/or NPP supervisor and obtain approval before initiating the service closure process.

2.13 Parent/Caregiver Declines Service

A family may decline services at any point during service delivery. If the family has ongoing or in-home DCS case management and the family declines the FC, SENSE and/or

NPP programs at initial outreach, the DCS Specialist shall encourage the parent/caregiver to agree to a single meeting to learn about the FC, SENSE and/or NPP program and meet with the FCC and/or NPP Practitioner. If the family has agreed to participate in the FC, SENSE and/or NPP program and later declines the program, the

FCC and/or NPP Practitioner shall speak with the family to understand the family’s reasons for declining and attempt to re-engage the family in the program.

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2.13.1 If a family does not have an open DCS case and was referred to the FC and/or

NPP program as part of Aftercare Planning and Services and declines the FC and/or NPP program, the FCC and/or NPP Practitioner shall:

(a) proceed with the service closure process when there is low risk of future child abuse and neglect and no concern for impending danger; or

(b) if there is reason to believe there is present danger, impending danger, or high risk of future child abuse or neglect without formal intervention, the FCC and/or NPP Practitioner will report the information to the DCS hotline.

2.13.2 If the family has ongoing or in-home DCS case management and the family declines the FC, SENSE and/or NPP program, the FCC and/or NPP Practitioner shall notify the the DCS Specialist.

2.13.3 Upon determination by DCS, the FCC and/or NPP Practitioner, and the FC and/or NPP Supervisor that the services shall close, the FCC and/or NPP

Practitioner shall proceed with the service closure process.

2.14 Releases of Information

2.14.1 During the intake meeting, the FCC and/or NPP Practitioner shall discuss and inform the parent/caregiver about confidentiality issues, and obtain written consent from each parent/caregiver utilizing the Authorization to Release

Information (ROI) for parent(s)/caregiver(s) who verbally express agreement to participate in the FC, SENSE and/or NPP program. The ROI shall allow the

FCC and/or NPP Practitioner to speak with family members and other state and/or provider agencies to gather information for the Comprehensive Family

Assessment (CFA) or FC service plan.

2.14.2 As permitted and identified in the ROI, the FCC may gather information from family members and non-DCS professionals that is relevant to the CFA or FC service plan, and that is not currently available from the family or DCS. The

FCC shall inform and obtain the agreement from each parent/caregiver before contacting a family member or non-DCS professional at another state or provider agency. Other state and/or provider agencies may include substance use disorder treatment providers, home visitor providers, behavioral health programs, Nurturing Parenting Program (NPP), supervised parenting time providers, drug testing labs, probation/parole officers, primary care physicians, childcare providers, early intervention programs, DDD, and juvenile justice. After each parent/caregiver signs the form, the FC

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Office of Procurement & Contracts provider shall provide a copy of the ROI to the DCS Specialist and maintain the signed consent for release of information in the parent/caregiver’s file.

2.15 Addressing Concrete Services in Family Connections

2.15.1 The FCC shall assist the family to obtain concrete services when a concrete need is a barrier to the parent’s readiness to engage in FC or other services, or would meet a Condition for Return. Concrete services include, but are not limited to, childcare, utility assistance, rent assistance, clothing/uniform vouchers, food boxes and nutrition, household furniture and supplies, cell phone minutes, homemaking/housekeeping, housing services, cleaning and repair service when the household is unsafe or unsanitary.

2.15.2 During the first several contacts, the FCC shall assess the following areas and assist the parent/caregiver to obtain related concrete resources to address any areas that are inadequate.

(a) Smoke detectors

(b) Condition of the windows: are the windows intact, or broken or missing

(c) Adequacy of the sleeping arrangements, furniture and bedding, including

Safe Sleep practices if there are any child(ren) under 12 months

(d) Clutter, garbage and/or waste in the home and if/how garbage, including human and pet waste, is disposed of

(e) Adequacy of storage for clothing and other items

(f) Each of the following to conclude if they pose any hazard, especially to young children:

peeling paint, including lead paint frayed electrical cords or long extension cords

Long hanging cords from window blinds or curtains presence of vermin or insects

(g) Adequacy of food in the home, including safe storage of perishable food

(h) Where and how toxic and/or hazardous cleaning supplies or objects are stored

(i) The family’s source of each of the following utilities, the adequacy and reliability of each, including any problems such as gas leaks or water damage:

Heating and cooling

Plumbing

Electricity

Water

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(j) Storage of any guns or other weapons in the home

2.15.3 Use of FC Emergency Flex Funds will not exceed $300 per referred family in a six (6) months service period.

2.15.4 FC Emergency Flex Funds may be used to purchase needed items or resources that will address concrete needs of a family that relate to meeting the child’s basic needs, child safety and/or Conditions for Return , when these resources are not available through other sources, including community resources, or in-kind donations from community collaborators.

2.15.5 The FC provider will be reimbursed for the actual cost of the purchase, not to exceed $300 per six (6) month period for each referred family. Expenses, including copies of receipts, shall be submitted for reimbursement to DCS via the monthly billing. The FC provider shall maintain in the family record original receipts for all concrete supportive services paid through the FC contract.

2.16 Addressing Emergency Needs in Family Connections

2.16.1 Emergency needs include, but are not limited to, identification of possible child abuse or neglect, and psychiatric crisis of a parent/caregiver or child, including threats to harm self and/or others.

2.16.2 FC providers shall maintain a current list of suicide and crisis line contact information available to families within their geographical area.

2.16.3 If a parent/caregiver expresses an immediate need to access crisis services for a mental health or substance abuse condition (e.g. detoxification facility), the

FCC shall immediately assist the parent/caregiver to obtain the service and ensure the parent has the necessary crisis services or other support to be safe before leaving the home or ending the contact with the parent/caregiver. The

FCC does not need to wait until the Comprehensive Family Assessment is completed or the case plan is developed with the DCS Specialist.

2.16.4 If the family has an open DCS case with ongoing or in-home case management, the FCC must notify the assigned DCS Specialist within one business day if the FCC assisted the parent/caregiver to obtain emergency mental health or substance use disorder stabilization (detoxification) services.

The DCS Specialist shall determine whether a service request for Arizona

Families FIRST services is needed, and make the request if appropriate. If a family does not have an open DCS case and was referred for the FC program as part of aftercare planning, and if there is reason to believe there is present danger, impending danger, or high risk of future child abuse or neglect

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Office of Procurement & Contracts without formal intervention, the FCC will report the information to the DCS hotline.

2.16.5 The FCC shall have knowledge of and information about available resources through state and federal government agencies and community agencies that serve the family’s geographical area; including eligibility criteria, and application processes. The FCC shall assist the family with applications and advocate for the provision of needed services.

2.16.6 The FC provider agency shall maintain resource guides, literature, and ongoing staff training so the FCC is able to provide parents/caregivers with information about children’s mental health and related services, including but not limited to: trauma and the emotional impact of abuse/neglect on children; the range of behaviors traumatized children may express, what the behaviors mean and how to appropriately intervene; common children’s mental health issues and treatments; the importance of mental health screening and early intervention; and, psychotropic medications and how they are used as part of an overall mental health treatment plan.

2.16.7 The FCC shall provide parents/caregivers education about adult mental health

(including maternal post-partum depression) and its impact on children. As needed, the FCC shall provide parents/caregivers ongoing education about the importance of being meaningfully engaged in their children’s mental health treatment, including participating in family treatment as recommended.

2.16.8 When a parent/caregiver or child needs an emergency behavioral health assessment or treatment services, the FCC shall complete the Benefits

Screening Tool (CSO-2399), or other tool designated by DCS, with the parent/caregiver within the first thirty (30) days of services. This tool is used to determine eligibility for funding by Title XIX/XXI, the Substance Abuse Block

Grant (SABG), private insurance, Indian Health Services, and/or Veteran’s

Administration. Once the tool is completed the FC shall:

(a) Refer parents/caregivers who are currently eligible and enrolled for Title

XIX or Title XXI services to the appropriate agency.

(b) Assist parents/caregivers not currently enrolled, but who may be eligible for Title XIX- or Title XXI funding, with the application process to determine Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) eligibility if the parent/caregiver requests or needs assistance. This shall include providing access to, or assistance with, the HEALTH-e-ARIZONA

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Office of Procurement & Contracts online application system in areas of the state in which use of this system is mandatory.

(c) If barriers exist to establishing Title XIX or XXI eligibility, the FCC Provider shall make reasonable efforts to overcome the barriers by proactively seeking solutions, including assisting the client with obtaining documentation of proof of citizenship, assisting with the application process, and working with the Family Assistance Administration to facilitate the application process.

(d) If reasonable efforts to access needed behavioral health services are unsuccessful and there is an open DCS case, discuss the family’s need with the assigned DCS Specialist who will determine if the parent/caregiver meets the criteria for referral to DCS contracted psychological or counseling services.

2.17 Documenting Emergency and Concrete Needs in Family Connections

2.17.1 During the first 30 days of the FC program, the FCC shall document the FCC’s initial assessment of, and response to, any emergency or concrete needs, including:

(a) information gathered from observations, interviews and DCS records relevant to assessing for emergency and concrete needs;

(b) any needs identified and discussed with the family; and

(c) a specific plan developed with the family to assist them in addressing the needs, which may include referrals, conducting research, or assisting the family in scheduling and attending appointments.

2.17.2 The FCC shall document ongoing assessment and identification of emergency and concrete needs in contact notes and weekly reports to DCS.

2.18 Conducting the Comprehensive Family Assessment in Family Connections

2.18.1 For families who are experiencing depressive symptoms, or who have experienced trauma, analysis should occur as to how the family’s functioning and identified Core Outcome(s) are impacted by the depression and/or trauma exposure.

2.18.2 The FCC shall administer the Computer Assisted Self Interview (CA-Self

Interview), which is a compilation of validated standardized assessment and screening tools that relate to the identified FC Core outcomes. The assessment tools include the Support Function Scale (SFS), Family Functioning

Style Scale (FFSS), Family Resource Scale (FRS), AAPI-2, PARTI, NSCS, and

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Parenting Stress Index Short Form (PSI-SF). The screening tools include the

Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Screening (EPDS) and Life Events Checklist

(LEC-5). The FCC shall initiate the CA-Self Interview process during the second or third visit with the family, noting that the CA-Self Interview may continue beyond the second or third visit based on the needs of the family. The FCC shall conduct the CA-Self Interview in the home, in a quiet and calm place with each parent/caregiver. The FCC shall utilize the CA-Self Interview as a mechanism for follow-up discussion with the family related to the FC Core

Outcomes and incorporate results within the Comprehensive Family

Assessment Summary.

2.18.3 A brief description about each of the assessment and screening tools administered to families is provided in Arizona Family Connections Program

Manual Exhibit 9.2.

2.18.4 The CFA is not a one-time-only event or the result of a structured interview.

The CFA process is critical because it drives service planning and the selection of interventions and services. The FCC shall conduct the CFA process beginning at initial outreach with the family, and continuing over the first 30 days.

2.18.5 The Comprehensive Family Assessment is both a process and product. The

FCC shall conduct the CFA process following three phases:

(a) introductory/engagement meetings;

(b) assessment meetings with the family unit and individual family members

(to include conducting the CA-Self Interview); and

(c) analysis and collaboration between the FCC, families and DCS Specialist

(when applicable).

2.18.6 Through information collection and analysis, the CFA process uses trauma-informed approaches to assist the family and FCC to collaboratively identify the following:

(a) the diminished CPCs related to the impending danger threat(s);

(b) the most important risk and protective factors affecting the family’s functioning;

(c) how protective capacities and protective factors affect the day-to-day care of children;

(d) ways to build on family’s strengths and meet their needs;

(e) child and family outcomes to empower strengthen the family to meet the basic needs of the children

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2.18.7 The Weekly Progress Report shall function as the communication between the

FCC and DCS Specialist. The FCC shall document all contacts with the family during the CFA via the Weekly Progress Report. The FCC shall document any phone calls and/or emails that occur between the FCC and DCS Specialist within the Weekly Progress Report. The FC provider shall upload the Weekly

Progress Report to the DCS Child Welfare Case Management System by 5:00 p.m.