Revision Date: 6-15-2026
In preparation for the child’s return, the Children’s Service Worker and parent should discuss anticipated issues and develop plans for coping with those issues. These issues include, but are not necessarily limited to:
* Change in parents’ lifestyle, particularly if they have not had any child care responsibility
* How current family relationships might be affected
* Child’s behavior (i.e., feelings of separation and loss from resource provider, testing rules and limits)
* Child may compare parents to resource provider
* Child must adjust to new community and school
* Child may feel insecure and be “clingy” due to fear of another separation from parents and
* Parents may have periods of uncertainty about their ability to adequately meet the child’s needs.
Safe Sleep Discussions
Prior to unsupervised contact occurring between parents and children one (1) year of age or younger, workers should provide education and resources related to Safe Sleep to all individuals who will be providing care for the child. This education should include discussion of the safe sleep practices identified in the Safe Sleep Flyer (CD-278) and utilizing the Safe Sleep Discussion Resource Guide (CD-278a). Workers should observe the primary sleep environment and any additional sleeping locations prior to unsupervised contact between the parent and child occurring and during every subsequent home visit to ensure safe sleeping practices are followed. Workers should document what was observed and details of Safe Sleep conversations with all parents and caregivers in the electronic case record. For more information on Safe Sleep see CWM 2.4.4.2 Safe Sleeping Environments.
Preparing for Child’s Return to the Parental Home
As the time for the child’s return nears, visits between parent(s) and child should be more frequent and of longer duration (i.e., overnight, weekends, etc.). Also, the parent(s) will likely need additional support during this time. The Children’s Service Worker should attempt to meet face-to-face with the parent(s) at least once per week in the home during this transition phase. Prior to the child’s actual return to the home, the Children’s Service Worker shall provide the parent(s) and child with a reunification packet which must contain:
- The original birth certificate (a copy of the original must be retained in the case record)
- The original social security card (a copy of the original must be retained in the record)
- Copies of medical records or medical log, including immunization record and names and addresses of primary medical practitioners. This summary shall emphasize special medical needs of the child and appropriate treatment
- A copy of report cards, transcript or grade records and the most current Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
- Written information or brochures on helpful resources (i.e., food stamps, housing authority, and energy assistance). The Children’s Service Worker shall assist the family in accessing these services in the community
- Written summary of out-of-home placements and his/her growth, behaviors, and experiences during that time
- Pictures of the child contained in the case record
- Personal records (i.e., baptism record)
- Information regarding the child’s KIDS account. The Children’s Service Worker shall coordinate with the Social Security Specialist to assist the family in the payee application process if the child has been receiving Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits and provide the family with the Change of Custodian Payee Request Form
- Life book
- Application for Medical Insurance (if applicable)
In addition to the continued responsibilities of the agency, parent and child(ren), the Social Service Plan Child section shall specify any ongoing needs of the child(ren) and the supports to meet those needs. The Social Service Plan – Long Term Safety/Support plan section shall address the specific plan of the family and safety network members around continued protection and safety of the child(ren) after case closure. Additional ongoing supports shall also be specified to continue to support the needs and progress of the family (i.e., child care, medical care, counseling, parent aide services and other supportive services).
At the termination of a case, the closing Social Service Plan assessment must be completed with the family within 15 days prior to the closing visit date and requires Supervisor approval prior to closing the case in FACES. Each Social Service Plan requires Supervisor approval and signature prior to submission in FACES.
Medicaid
Title XIX MO HealthNet (Missouri Medicaid) coverage should be open from the time the child enters alternative care until the court terminates jurisdiction or returns legal custody to the parents.
Closure of the alternative care function in FACES will end the TXIX MO HealthNet coverage. Manual closure of the TXIX MO HealthNet coverage prior to case closure is completed by Central Office workers when a family has applied and is being approved for alternate Medicaid coverage through the Family Support Division (FSD). Families should be encouraged at the onset of a Trial Home Visit to apply for health care coverage through FSD. Applying early will allow ample time for FSD to process the application and for coverage to start under a FSD program prior to CD closing the case. If being approved for coverage through FSD, FSD and CD Central Office workers will coordinate CD’s TXIX MO HealthNet closure to allow FSD coverage to begin. The seamless transition in coverage will ensure there is no disruption in services or health care.
The Show Me Healthy Kids Specialty Managed Care Plan is specific to children in CD custody, children receiving adoption or legal guardianship subsidy assistance, and former foster care youth who qualify for extended Medicaid coverage to age 26. When a child moves from MO HealthNet coverage through CD to a FSD MO HealthNet program, they will be disenrolled from the SMHK Managed Care Plan and enrolled in a general managed care plan.