18.3.4 Qualifications, Characteristics, and Responsibilities of the Elevated Needs Level B Resource Provider
In order to qualify as a Level B resource provider(s), the applicants must be able to meet the following criteria:
- Currently be a licensed resource provider(s), for the Children’s Division;
- The primary caretaker must have one (1) year actual child care experience as a licensed resource provider or one (1) year full-time experience in a professional/volunteer capacity in the care/treatment of children or any combination of the two. Graduation from a four-year college, with a degree in Child and Family Development, Special Education, Psychology, Sociology or other closely related areas may be substituted for the required experience. Approval is required from the Regional Director or designee for resource families who cannot meet the above criteria but possess the knowledge and ability to provide care;
- Knowledge and understanding of or willing/able to learn behavior modification techniques, theories of personality development and mental illness, communication skills, positive parenting skills, crisis intervention skills and child advocacy skills;
- Ability to assist in the development and implementation of a treatment plan designed for a specific youth;
- Ability to work effectively as a team member with other professionals responsible for the care and treatment of children.
- Successful completion of the 18 hours of Youth with Elevated Needs-Level A Training.
- Participate in 9 hours of specialized training and practicum designed specifically for Level B resource providers and demonstrates acquisition of required knowledge and skills. However, participation does not guarantee acceptance into the Level B resource provider program. Level B training workshops:
- Crisis Intervention – Two (2) hours
- Behavior Management – Two (2) hours
- Suicide Management – Two (2) hours
- Medication Management – Two (2) hours
- Family Orientation – One (1) hour (training shall include how the SED/BD child may impact the resource provider’s family)
The list of approved Elevated Needs Level B training curricula is located on the Resource Development program Intranet page.
h. Available 24 hours per day except during periods of scheduled respite.
i. Be able to make a minimum commitment of one (1) year to work with a youth eligible to participate in the program.
j. Ability to effectively advocate for timely and quality services for youth.
k. Ability to maintain an organized record keeping system.
l. Ability to act independently to obtain needed services for youth including medical, dental, education, etc.
Level B resource providers should have the following characteristics:
- Enjoy being a parent and possess good parenting skills;
- Possess a real and sincere commitment to persevere with a challenging youth over long periods of time, even though the youth may show slow improvement and express little appreciation for their efforts;
- Ability to accept that the youth will be placed in a more traditional foster care program or be reunited with his/her family once he has stabilized and able to function adequately without intensive intervention; and
- Have skill in talking and listening to youth, and be able to establish rapport and gain trust.
Level B resource provider responsibilities include, but are not necessarily limited to:
- Provide care and intensive intervention for youth who qualify for the program;
- Participate in the screening and selection process of youth placed in the home of Level B resource provider(s);
- Implement intervention strategies recommended and/or endorsed by treatment team;
- Participate in all case planning activities, staffing meetings, permanency planning team meetings scheduled on behalf of youth in the home;
- Maintain a daily log of the youth’s behavior, significant events, etc. and make periodic written reports to case manager, treatment team and/or court;
- Be available for the youth 24 hours per day and respond immediately to any problem experienced or created by the youth at home, in school or the community upon request except during approved absences;
- Notify the Children’s Division immediately if the youth has injured himself, others or destroyed property;
- Schedule and transport the youth to medical, dental, therapy appointments, recreational activities and parental visits;
- Work with the youth’s parents in an effort to assist them in understanding and managing the youth’s needs and behavior; and
- Provide training and/or assistance to other resource provider or resource provider applicants.
Competencies for Resource Providers of Youth with Elevated Needs
Because some knowledge and skills are essential before children are placed with families, competencies were developed for resource providers of youth with elevated needs. Competencies take into account the knowledge of the resource provider and their ability to perform the necessary skills to successfully parent a youth with elevated needs. The following competencies will assist resource workers in assessing the needs of the resource providers and identifying services to achieve these competencies:
Promote Successful Integration into the Family and the Community
- Understanding how much supervision the youth requires (before placement occurred and during current placement)
- Assist the youth in adjusting to a new school and community
- Transitioning the youth into another setting
Meeting Exceptional Care Needs for Special Needs and/or Traumatized Youth
- Addressing those needs that exceed normal developmental (social, emotional, daily care)
- Understanding risk factors in the community, school and home setting
- Understanding but not diagnosing mental illness and other developmental delays
Assessing Crisis Situations and Utilizing Proper Crisis Intervention/Prevention
- Understanding a crisis situation
- Using appropriate skill sets to deescalate crisis situations
- Understanding attention seeking behaviors and knowing when to respond
- Understanding power, authority and control
- Setting fair and consistent limits
- Understanding risk factors in the community, school and home setting
Recognizing and Implementing Positive Approaches to Challenging Behaviors
- Identifying challenging behaviors early
- Clearly defining target behaviors
- Use of multidisciplinary service team for coordinating care
- Team based wrap around services
The elevated needs Level B competencies are to be addressed in detail in the resource provider’s home assessment in addition to the traditional resource parent competencies.
Chapter Memoranda History: (prior to 01-31-07)
Memoranda History: