CHILD WELFARE MANUAL

4.4.6 Youth with Elevated Needs-Level B Resource Family

A Youth with Elevated Needs-Level B resource family placement is utilized to meet the needs of children with serious emotional and behavior problems who qualify for the Youth with Elevated Needs-Level B program. This resource provides intensive individualized intervention in a family and community-based setting to prevent unnecessary and inappropriate placements of children in highly structured environments. Level B resource providers have acquired the knowledge and skills necessary to serve as the primary change agent for children placed in their care.

Related Subject:  Section 4, Chapter 14, Youth with Elevated Needs

A Level B resource home may best meet a child’s needs if:

  • Because of presenting problems, these children would be in a moderate level or above residential treatment facility or psychiatric hospital; or
  • Has been discharged from a residential treatment facility or psychiatric hospital and are unable to function in a foster family home.

Presenting problems displayed by the child or diagnoses requiring individualized care may include the following:

  • History of suicide attempts, suicidal thoughts, statements, and/or gestures;
  • Affective disorders;
  • Attention Deficit Disorder;
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder;
  • Eating Disorder;
  • Panic Disorder;
  • Fears/phobias;
  • Obsessive/Compulsive Disorders;
  • Oppositional Defiant Disorders;
  • Depression/withdrawal;
  • Disassociative behaviors, blank out, pass out, seizures;
  • Anger/rage;
  • History of fire setting;
  • Destruction of property;
  • Failure to form emotional attachments; and
  • Multiple short-term placements.

Working with the Child with Developmental Delays

Children with developmental delays may, or may not, be appropriate for Level B Foster Care. Appropriateness for Level B foster care should be based on evaluation of the clinical and behavioral characteristics surrounding that particular child. Children should not be ruled out for Level B foster care based solely on the singular characteristic of an IQ score falling below 65. Instead, the team should consider a variety of information, including the following:

  • Child’s functioning level;
  • Severity of developmental delays;
  • Ability for self-care;
  • Type of behavior problems;
  • Level of physical aggressions;
  • Age;
  • Compliance;
  • Need for supervision;
  • Strengths; and
  • Challenges.

The Department of Mental Health/Division of Developmental Disabilities (DD) can be very valuable in providing expertise about and support for these children and their foster parents or caregivers. If a referral for services to DD has not been made in these instances, the case manager should do so immediately by contacting the appropriate DD Regional Office.

Chapter Memoranda History: (prior to 1/31/07)

Memoranda History:

CD10-08