18.1 Early Intervention

Georgia State Seal

Georgia Division of Family and Children Services
Child Welfare Policy Manual

Chapter:

(18) Support Services to Preserve or Reunify Families

Policy Title:

Early Intervention

Policy Number:

18.1

Previous Policy Number(s):

N/A

Effective Date:

March 2020

Manual Transmittal:

2023-03

Codes/References

Title IV-E of the Social Security Act §§ 431 (a) (1) and (2)
Public Law 96-272 Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980

Requirements

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

  1. Explore community-based services, Medicaid covered services, Promoting Safe and Stable Families (PSSF), services offered through partner agencies such as Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD), Department of Community Health (DCH), Department of Public Health (DPH), and other resources at no cost to the family before using Early Intervention (EI) contracted services.

  2. Determine and prioritize eligibility for EI services based on the following:

    1. Priority 1: Families in which abuse or neglect has been substantiated.

    2. Priority 2: Families with a screened-out intake report, an open family support services case or an unsubstantiated investigation. Services are voluntary in nature.

  3. Offer EI services to eligible families in accordance with the criteria outlined in the COSTAR manual.

    Refer to the COSTAR manual for fee schedules, contract requirements, funding limitations and any applicable waivers.

  4. Refer families to approved contracted EI providers.

  5. Complete a Service Authorization and obtain approval prior to initiating EI services.

  6. Monitor service provision to ensure the family is receiving services based upon their identified needs and that behavioral changes are occurring as a result of the services.

  7. Document provision of EI services in Georgia SHINES within 72 hours of receipt of progress reports/summaries from the EI provider. If services are being provided pursuant to the case plan, document the services and the resulting behavioral changes in the case plan.

  8. Monitor EI services and expenditures in accordance with criteria outlined in the COSTAR manual.

  9. Ensure providers and staff respect families’ rights to confidentiality and protected health information through adherence to the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other confidentiality laws in accordance with policy 2.5 Information Management: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and 2.6 Information Management: Confidentiality/Safeguarding Information.

Procedures

Social Services Case Manager

  1. Determine if EI services are appropriate based on the assessed need of the family.

    1. If the criteria for priority 1 eligibility are met, build consensus with parents/caregivers regarding the need for services:

      1. Inform him/her of the reasons that support the need for EI services.

      2. Explain how EI services can address the behavioral and environmental concerns.

      3. Discuss the choices of services and available providers.

    2. If the criteria for priority one eligibility are met, discuss with parents/caregivers whether they desire to receive EI services, and the choices of services and providers available to them.

  2. Complete a Service Authorization in Georgia SHINES and obtain approval to initiate Early Intervention services in accordance with the Georgia SHINES Job Aid: Comprehensive Job Aid for Service Authorization in Forms and Tools. Document the provider’s acceptance of the referral in Georgia SHINES.

    Emailed referrals must be encrypted. To encrypt the email, type DHSEncrypt in the Subject line.

  3. Obtain and review provider reports/summaries and upload to Georgia SHINES within 72 hours of receipt.

  4. Monitor and document service provision in accordance with policy 19.17 Case Management: Service Provision.

  5. Update the case plan in accordance with policy 8.3 Family Preservation Services: Case Planning or 10.23 Foster Care: Case Planning, if services are being provided in conjunction with a case plan.

Social Services Supervisor

  1. Assist the SSCM in determining if EI services are appropriate based on the family’s identified needs.

  2. Review and approve the Service Authorization in Georgia SHINES.

  3. Ensure timely completion and submission of the referral to the provider in accordance with the requirements of policy 19.17 Case Management: Service Provision.

  4. Review documentation in Georgia SHINES to ensure services are being provided and the SSCM is providing appropriate follow up.

  5. Ensure services are monitored through review of provider reports/summaries.

Practice Guidance

The EI program is designed to provide Community-Based Prevention and Early Intervention services to afford children a safe, stable and supportive family setting by promoting the well-being of the family. Services build on and increase the strength and stability of families, increase parent confidence and competence in their parenting abilities and enhance family functioning to prevent or address child abuse and neglect. EI program staff provide parenting education and support to families through such groups, in-home visitation and provision of community services information.

EI services are short term and are offered at no cost to the family (see the COSTAR manual funding limitations and allowable number of visits). EI services are not used to keep children in unsafe environments or at risk of further maltreatment. If a family requires more than “brief” or early intervention, EI services may not be appropriate. EI services include:

  1. Behavioral Modification/Management

  2. Budgeting Skills

  3. Communication Skills

  4. Environmental Safety

  5. Parenting Education/Life Skills

Forms and Tools

N/A