16.7 Discharge Planning

Georgia State Seal

Georgia Division of Family and Children Services
Child Welfare Policy Manual

Chapter:

(16) Room Board and Watchful Oversight (RBWO)

Policy Title:

Discharge Planning

Policy Number:

16.7

Previous Policy Number(s):

N/A

Effective Date:

October 2015

Manual Transmittal:

2015-09

Codes/References

N/A

Requirements

The Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) will:

  1. Use discharge planning to minimize trauma when transitioning a child from one placement setting to another.

  2. Obtain a 14-calendar-day notice to move a child from a Child Caring Institution (CCI) or a Child Placing Agency (CPA) family foster home.

    In cases where the RBWO provider requests a discharge based on the best interest of the child due to safety concerns, a 14-day notice is not required. In these circumstances, DFCS shall determine whether a minimum 72-hour notice, if appropriate, shall be obtained from the CCI or CPA family foster home. If the 72-hour notice is not appropriate, the reasons for the failure to notify in advance must be documented in the child’s record.

  3. Obtain a discharge summary from the RBWO provider, at the time of notification of a placement move or disruption, the discharge summary shall include:

    1. General information covering the child’s placement;

    2. Progress;

    3. Challenges; and

    4. Recommendations for services and supports the child will need to be successful at home or in the next placement.

  4. Only make the decision for placement disruption after all possible interventions to maintain the child in their current placement setting have proven unsuccessful including participating in a Placement Team Meeting as requested. If the discharge is a result of a placement disruption, obtain a discharge summary from the RBWO provider that also include the following:

    1. The circumstances leading to the disruption;

    2. The actions that were taken by the agency to prevent the disruption;

    3. The reason(s) for the discharge decision;

    4. The services and supports the child will need to be successful in the next placement; and

    5. Details of the child’s transfer from the CCI or CPA family foster home to the Social Services Case Manager or other placement.

If a child is discharged on an emergency basis (less than 14 days), the discharge summary shall be provided within five business days of the discharge notification.

Procedures

Social Services Case Manager

  1. Review the discharge summary information.

  2. Use the information provided in the discharge summary to assist in assessing the future placement and/or service needs of the child.

  3. Upload the discharge summary to Georgia SHINES External Documentation.

  4. Update the placement information in Georgia SHINES within three business days.

Practice Guidance

Discharge planning is essential to minimize trauma and prepare the child for his/her next move, whether it is identified as a move back home to his/her parent(s), relative placement or to another resource home. Decisions about the child’s long-term or continued placement in the program should not be made during a crisis. At best, a decision to discharge a child from a placement should be made by mutual discussion between the provider and the Division concerning the child’s situation, either in a face-to-face or telephone conference.

The 14-calendar-day notice should be used to prepare all parties involved for the move. Communication with the current CCI/CPA foster family, child and the potential placement resource is necessary to ensure a smooth transition and increase the chance of placement success. The CCI/CPA foster family and the child should be informed of the date and time the move will take place so the placement resource can prepare the child. The child should be able to say his/her good-byes to the CCI/CPA foster family he/she is leaving, whenever appropriate. Refer to policy 10.3 Foster Care: Changes in Placement, 10.22 Foster Care: Permanency Planning and 10.26 Foster Care: Case Closure and for additional requirements and procedures for placement changes.

For placement disruptions that occur within 10 days of placement or admission to the provider, providers will document a review of the initial placement decision and identify any changes needed in the admissions review or placement matching process. Providers will have and follow their protocol on addressing foster parents who have patterns of ejecting children within 60 days of placement or where other disruption patterns are identified.

Forms and Tools

N/A