CHILD WELFARE MANUAL

17.8     Respite for Youth with Elevated Needs-Level B Resource Providers

• Level B resource providers are encouraged to use respite care a minimum of one (1) weekend per month plus 14 units per year (12 month period).       The one weekend per month does not carry over to the next month. The 14 units per year reset upon the anniversary of the placement of the foster youth in the home.
• On a case by case basis, the worker may request supervisor approval for up to 20 units of respite for a resource provider per foster youth. Approval for more than 20 units plus one (1) weekend per month requires Regional Director or designee approval.
• Respite care will be provided for all foster youth in the Level B resource provider home at the same frequency regardless of level of care, i.e., traditional, youth with elevated needs, etc.
• Respite care does not have to be provided for all youth in the Level B home at the same time.
• Level B resource providers may determine the actual time(s) to use respite based on the individual needs of the child(ren) in their home and family.
• Respite care for the children that are identified as Level B on their Alternative Care Client Information screen, SS-61, is to be provided by Level B respite trained provider under contract with an active Level B Respite Cooperative Agreement, CM-9. Both the Level B resource provider and the Level B respite provider will continue to receive their annual reimbursement during periods of respite.
• A Level B respite provider may provide care for a maximum of 2 Level B children simultaneously.
• Licensed Level B resource providers may not be contracted as Level B respite providers unless a waiver has been granted by the Regional Director or designee.
• A Level B licensed provider who has an active Level B Respite Cooperative Agreement, CM-9 may provide care for up to two (2) additional Level B children on a case-by-case basis provided that the following is in place:

1. 1. The total capacity does not exceed four (4) placements.
   2. Regional Director or Designee approval.
   3. The respite care is for a period of 48 hours or less.
   4. A back-up plan is in place in the event of a placement disruption during the respite period.
   5. Consideration is given to: the behaviors, health, and elevated needs of each individual foster youth; the age and sex of each foster youth; how each individual child interacts with the other youth in the home.

All of the criteria and information listed above must be clearly documented in the Level B respite provider’s licensing record.

• The Level B respite provider will receive the appropriate rate per unit, per child’s age for providing respite services to a Level B child.
• A respite unit is a minimum of 12 hours up to a maximum of 24 hours.
• A half unit of respite care is defined as a minimum of six (6) hours up to a maximum of 12 hours.
• The 12 month period will begin on the date that the child was placed in the resource provider’s home. The 14 units for a Level B child will reset upon the anniversary date of the child’s placement. Unused units for the previous 12 month period are not rolled over to the new 12 month period. At any time a child is placed in a new provider’s home, the respite units reset for that child at the new placement. Local staff will be responsible for tracking the number of units.
• The Level B resource provider will submit the completed Respite Provider Evaluation & Invoice, CD-111, within five (5) working days of receiving the respite service.
• The worker will process payment utilizing a Payment Request by the last day of the month that the service occurred in order for the payment to be timely. The worker will make only one payment entry for the respite services to the resource provider provided that month.
• A copy of the CD-111 will be retained in the respite provider’s case file in the forms section.

17.8.1 Level B Respite Training

• Level B respite providers require CPR and First Aid Training in accordance with policy for licensed resource providers.
• Level B Respite training will consist of a total of 8 hours
• Level B Respite training curriculum will be developed locally
• Level B Respite training curriculum must include the following:

1. 1. An overview of skills needed for parenting abuse/neglected children including issues related to physical/emotional development of children in foster care including:
      • Communication Skills
      • Building self-esteem
      • Caring for children with inappropriate or destructive behavior such as lying, physical aggression, property destruction, and sexual acting out.
   2. Agency rules, regulations, policy and forms
   3. Behavioral management techniques including appropriate discipline techniques
   4. Techniques for caring for a child with serious behavior/emotional problems. This training should include crisis intervention, suicide management, and local protocol for handling emergency situations.

• In addition to the 8 hours of Level B Respite training, child specific training for each new child placed in the home will be done by the Level B resource provider prior to the child receiving the respite services.

Level B Respite providers will be encouraged to participate with on-going child care training to remain current on caring for children with physical/emotional development issues.

Chapter Memoranda History: (prior to 01-31-07)

CS94-17, CS95-34, CD04-68

Memoranda History

CD09-07, CD09-50, CD10-08, CD14-17, CD17-07, CD17-39, CD18-16