2848 Relative Care Placement | Medicaid
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Georgia Division of Family and Children Services |
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Policy Title: |
Relative Care Placement |
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Effective Date: |
January 2021 |
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Chapter: |
2800 |
Policy Number: |
2848 |
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Previous Policy Number(s): |
MT 45 |
Updated or Reviewed in MT: |
MT-63 |
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Requirements
The Adoptions and Safe Families Act (ASFA) recognizes that a fit and willing relative caretaker may be able to provide the best permanent living arrangement for a child placed in care. To increase the frequency of out-of-home placement with relatives, the agency has developed policy and practices to support the Relative Care Support Program Options.
Basic Considerations
Federal regulations require that a foster family home (relative or nonrelative) must meet the standards for full approval as a foster family to be a IV-E reimbursable placement.
There are two types of relative placements:
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Relative Home refers to a placement in the home of a relative who does not receive a foster care per diem for the care of the child, but may receive an Enhanced Relative Rate (ERR) or other benefits. The child is in the legal custody of the Department. This is not a reimbursable placement.
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Relative Foster Home refers to a placement in the home of a relative, which meets the same requirements as a regular foster home and to which a foster care per diem reimbursement is made. The child is in the legal custody of the Department. This is a reimbursable placement.
Child in DFCS Legal Custody
Children who are not in full or partial DFCS custody are not considered “foster care” for eligibility.
A child in DFCS custody and placed in a Relative Home Placement means that foster home standards have not been met, and therefore, a per diem is not paid.
A SSCM notifies RevMax when a foster child who remains in the Department’s legal custody is placed with a relative. The RMS will review the case’s reimbursability based on the new circumstances. The RMS will code and document Gateway and SHINES with the details of all placement changes. The living arrangement code will remain FC on the Child in Placement page as long as the child remains in DFCS legal custody. The case will remain with RevMax.
Once the new address is on the member’s file, the Gateway interface updates GAMMIS with the physical location of the child for Amerigroup Care Management organization (CMO) to assign primary providers.
Reviews on a child remaining in DFCS legal custody will continue to be requested until notified by the SSCM that the Department no longer has custody.
DFCS Relieved of Legal Custody
A county requests closure of a foster child’s case where the Department has been relieved of legal custody. The SSCM provides the current placement circumstances, new address of the child and a copy of the court orders relieving DFCS of custody. The RMS will complete a CMD on the existing child’s case. If the case meets all eligibility requirements under any Medicaid COA, the RMS will approve the case under the most appropriate COA and will code and document Gateway with details of all placement changes and custody changes. SHINES will be documented as to the change in circumstances. The physical case record will remain with RevMax for audit purposes. Case will be released from Hard Ownership and CMD will be maintained by the Office of Family Independence (OFI).
Use the following chart to determine appropriate class of assistance for children in a relative care placement. Follow guidelines in Chapter 2800 – Children in Placement or Chapter 2600 – Family Medicaid.
| Option | DFCS Legal Custody | IV-E Eligible Program | IV-E Reimbursable | Medicaid COA | Other Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Relative Home – child placed in a relative home that does not receive a foster care per diem. Relative may receive Enhanced Relative Rate (ERR). |
YES |
YES |
NO |
Foster Care Under Age 18 |
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Relative Foster Home – child placed in a relative home that meets requirements of a regular foster home. Relative receives foster care per diem. |
YES |
YES |
YES |
Foster Care under age 18 |
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Relative Care Subsidy (RCS) – Child who is transferred from the legal custody of DFCS, by the courts, to the permanent legal custody of an approved relative caregiver. Child’s income/benefits are diverted to the relative caregiver following transfer of legal custody. |
NO |
NO |
NO |
Child Under Age 19 |
PeachCare |
Enhanced Relative Care Subsidy (ERCS) – Child who is in legal custody transferred from DFCS, by the courts, to the permanent legal custody of an approved caregiver. Child’s income/benefits are diverted to the relative caregiver following transfer of legal custody. Relative may be eligible for a higher payment, 80% of current family foster care rates based on the child’s current age. |
NO |
NO |
NO |
Child Under Age 19 |
PeachCare |
Subsidized Guardianship (SG) – Child, placed with an approved relative caregiver, who has been in the custody of DHS for a minimum of twelve (12) months and reunification with the birth parents, is unlikely. Transfer of legal custody of the child from DHS to the guardianship of a relative through Juvenile Court is required. Relative may be eligible for a higher payment, 80% of current family foster care rates based on the child’s current age. |
NO |
NO |
NO |
Child Under Age 19 |
PeachCare |
Enhanced Subsidized guardianship (ESG) - Child, placed with an approved relative, who has been in the custody of DHS for a minimum of twelve (12) months and reunification with the birth parents is unlikely. Transfer of legal custody of the child from DHS to the guardianship of a relative through Juvenile Court is required. Relative may be eligible for a higher payment, 80% of current family foster care rates based on the child’s current age. |
NO |
NO |
NO |
Child Under Age 19 |
PeachCare |