SECTION 340:75-8-11. Therapeutic foster care (TFC) placement stability

(a)   Placement stability assessment. TFC contractors and Child Welfare Services (CWS) specialists continually assess a child's placement stability. When indications of instability are identified, the TFC contractor and CWS specialist jointly evaluate the need for additional services and supports to maintain the current placement.

(b)   Supporting placement stability. The TFC contractor and CWS 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 parents;

(6)   use of disruption prevention staffing; and

(7)   behavior redirection and crisis management services.

(c)   Foster parent supports for TFC.

(1)   Travel reimbursement. Oklahoma Administrative Code 340:75-7-65 provides for TFC parent reimbursement for a child's transportation that meets specific criteria.

(2)   Foster home insurance. Liability insurance is provided for TFC families for damages caused by the child in Oklahoma Department of Human Services custody according to the policy terms. TFC 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 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 home and will not return to the same TFC 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 towards the child's identified permanency goal. Unless an emergency exists, the TFC:

(1)   contractor will not move children in TFC placement without CWS approval; and

(2)   parent provides a 30-calendar day notice to the TFC contractor when requesting a child's removal from the TFC home, unless the removal is required to protect the child's or TFC family members' health or safety.

(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 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 therapist, TFC parent, and CWS specialist or supervisor. The child may participate, when able. The staffing may be conducted by conference call. The contractor's TFC 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 parent and/or child. Respite for children in TFC is only provided in certified therapeutic homes. Reprieve for the TFC 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 contractor obtains prior approval from the TFC program staff.

(g)   Notification of respite placement. The TFC contractor notifies, via Form 04FT004E, Notice of Child's Location, the CWS specialists involved in the placement and the TFC program staff of all placement changes, including respite, for each child in TFC placement.

(h)   TFC contractor. The TFC contractor:

(1)   ensures the respite TFC 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, as well as ensuring the respite home is not on a written plan of compliance or any other disciplinary action; and

(3)   supervises the respite TFC parent in the implementation of the in-home treatment strategies identified in the TFC contractor's individualized treatment plan for the child.

[Source: Added at 18 Ok Reg 2309, eff 5-15-01 (emergency); Added at 18 Ok Reg 3067, eff 7-12-01; Amended at 19 Ok Reg 2258, eff 6-27-02; Amended at 22 Ok Reg 1242, eff 5-26-05; Amended at 24 Ok Reg 1044, eff 6-1-07; Amended at 31 Ok Reg 1839, eff 9-15-14; Amended at 33 Ok Reg 477, eff 2-29-16 (emergency); Amended at 34 Ok Reg 1587, eff 9-15-17; Amended at 35 Ok Reg 1695, eff 9-17-18; Amended at 37 Ok Reg 1850, eff 9-15-20]