Cross Systems Training Questions and Answers

Cross Systems Training Questions and Answers

December 10, 2014

Educational Panel:

1.  How can we get help for kids that refuse to get up and go to school? Referrals? Protocol? Find out who the school social worker is and work collaboratively with that individual to remediate truancy. Also can Refer for General Case Management 954 677-3113 x2135

2.  What is required for a SedNet referral for Cross Creek? SEDNET referral information and process is the same no matter what EBD center. Specific family focus information can be found at this Brainshark http://app.brainshark.com/brainshark/brainshark.net/apppresentation/splash.aspx?pi=149629701&r=2003257129

3.  What do you do to get a teen to school? How do you help them get to school?

Find out who the school social worker is and work collaboratively with that individual to discuss educational options for the student.

4.  Can we refer to SedNet even if the child is not suicidal? What if we just need help with behavioral issues like defiance with teachers? SEDNET is not a service but a way to expedite services. Specific information can be found at the brainshark link:

http://app.brainshark.com/brainshark/brainshark.net/apppresentation/splash.aspx?pi=1496 29701&r=2003257129

5.  At what age can a parent remove a child from high school? A student can drop out at age 16

6.  Who is the ESE main contact? What is the correct phone number for that person/supervisor? ESE Main Contact number 754-321-3400. The current Director is Sonja Clay. The Executive Director position is vacant at this time.

7.  How would giving a child an evaluation be part of the least restrictive path for the child? Would it not provide the direction for the child’s education and what steps should be taken in the lease restrictive path? The School Board follows a process for all children that includes observation prior to formal evaluation. That is following the least restrictive path.

8.  Can you please send more information about the Broward Truancy program? How can referrals be made? What services are offered? This question can be best answered by contacting ESE Department and speaking with Psychology Coordinator Mary Claire Mucenic or Rhonda Said at 754-321-3400.

DJJ/Child Protection/ChildNet

1.  When mandatory reporters make a report by phone to the hotline are they required to follow it up in writing?

Answer: The requirement in statute for certain professionals in listed occupations to provide their name at the time of the report. They are not obliged to provide any written documents to DCF. However, under FS 39.301(6), “The investigator must also advise the reporter that he or she may provide a written summary of the report made to the central abuse hotline to the investigator which shall become a part of the electronic child welfare case file.”

2.  Do foster homes/parents and therapeutic group home staff have training to strengthen their abilities to help clients/de-escalate clients?

Answer: All foster parents are provided with training on how to handle escalated situations. However, specialized homes received more intense training, to address the population they serve, which are usually children that are more fragile and require more patience and care than the average child, based on their situation. Although foster parents are provided training, there are times when the child may be a threat to themselves or the occupants of the home and a Baker Act cannot be avoided. Placement Partnership is funded by Childnet and designed to assist care takers in order to prevent placement disruption.

3.  Is there a particular age a child must be to be left home alone?

Answer: The definition in FL statute regarding inadequate supervision is largely ambiguous regarding the age. Under FS 39.01(30(a)4, Such harm occurs when, “Leaving a child without adult supervision or arrangement appropriate for the child’s age or mental or physical condition, so that the child is unable to care for the child’s own needs or another’s basic needs or is unable to exercise good judgment in responding to any kind of physical or emotional crisis.”

4.  When an abuse report is made at school, it takes up to 24 hours for a CPIS interview. Should a child be released to the family after school before the investigation?

Answer: The retention or detaining of a child by school personnel without the child’s custodial isn’t within their lawful scope of their authority. However, If a child is deemed to be actively in present danger then prudence would be to seek 911 law enforcement immediate assistance. If the professional informs the FL abuse hotline that the child at time of class dismissal could face an impending danger by returning home, the hotline could make the response an “immediate” which would direct a CPIS office to commence within two hours. The hotline counselor, could even transfer the call to Law Enforcement if there was imminent danger that placed the child significantly into immediate harm for them to respond. Under FS 39.395 any person in charge of a hospital or similar institution, or any physician or licensed health care professional treating a child may detain that child without the consent of the parents, caregivers, or legal custodian, whether or not additional medical treatment is required, if the circumstances are such, or if the condition of the child is such that returning the child to the care or custody of the parents, caregiver, or legal custodian present an imminent danger to the child’s life or physical or mental health. Such person must immediately notify DCF wherein they shall begin an immediate investigation.” Since schools are not included in this statute the prudent actions of the intelligent professional must therefore intervene with immediate assistance of law enforcement if warranted while awaiting CPIS response if there is a belief the child is visibly and unmistakably in present danger.

5.  What is the exact ages in which it is/is not abuse if a 16 or 17 year old is sexually active? Age limits of partners?

There are multiple laws in FL regarding minor youth that related to sexual acts by them, towards them, or to exploit them. FS 800(5) defines lewd or lascivious molestationwhen a “person who intentionally touches in a lewd or lascivious manner the breasts, genitals, genital area, or buttocks, or the clothing covering them, of a person less than 16 years of age, or forces or entices a person under 16 years of age to so touch the perpetrator, commits lewd or lascivious molestation.” That defines the age minimally at 16 for even consensual.

Regarding the age of the partner under FS 794.05(1) ”A person 24 years of age or older who engages in sexual activity with a person 16 or 17 years of age commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. As used in this section, “sexual activity” means oral, anal, or vaginal penetration by, or union with, the sexual organ of another; however, sexual activity does not include an act done for a bona fide medical purpose.”

Understand that there are multiple other laws that further narrow these above laws and that also further the criminal penalties. For example a child regardless of age with a mental defect may not be deemed able to consent. Even if a minor 16 or 17 years old involved in prostitution states they consented to commercial sexual exploitation (Human Trafficking) it is not permissible or lawful and the full application of the criminal statutes related to the violation must be held up.

6.  ChildNet-What happens if there are not enough beds available in Safe Place?

Answer: If there are not enough beds, the For Kids shelter will get approval from ChildNet for the children to rest on the office side of Safeplace.

7.  Can we make referrals to DJJ if the child has risky behaviors but is not involved with the juvenile system yet?

DJJ has a range of services aimed at at-risk children. Please refer to the website for more specific information. http://www.djj.state.fl.us/youth-families/for-parents

Community Based- parents may also assess the prevention services offered by Children Services Council and/or contact 211.

Florida has three distinct sections of statute defining children. The child involved in risky behaviors/beyond the control of their parent/ungovernable is clearly defined in law. Abused and neglected children brought to court are defined as dependent children and referenced in Chapter 39 of statute. Youth involved in criminal behaviors and referred to the courts are defined as delinquent children and referenced in Chapter 985 of statute. The youth involved in truancy, ungovernable/beyond the control of their parents are specifically referenced as “children in need of services/families in need of services” CINS/FINS and are referenced in Chapter 984. Referrals for the CINS/FINS youth is clearly appropriate under Florida law and are made to the CINS/FINS providers in each Circuit that are funded through DJJ programs.

Behavioral Health:

1. We have heard from many foster parents that they have become assigned developmentally delayed kids without enough support to help with the kids issues. Where should we make referrals for this? Call 211 or make a referral to ARC Broward 954-746-9400.

2. Are there support groups/resources specifically for grandparents and great grandparents raising children or teens? Kids in Distress has a Kinship program 954-390-7654

3. What are some agencies that provide Wraparound Case Management? Henderson Behavioral Health (954) 677-3113 x 2135

4. Where do families go when shelters have no room? Especially during bad weather? They can call 211 or the Broward Partnership for the Homeless, Shepard’s Way or the Salvation Army.

5.When a homeless family becomes a part of ChildNet it may be difficult to reach stabilization past a year. It might be because of difficulties related to employment, childcare, shelter placement, affordable housing… Are these families penalized when they are limited with resources?

Answer – Families are never penalized. ChildNet assists parents with referrals for Section 8 housing, if available. ChildNet additionally assists parents with finding low income apartment rentals. If the family is eligible, CN will refer the family to the HEART program which also assists with housing. Parents are referred to Career Source to find employment. Child care is assisted through Family Central.

6. What is the number to call a targeted case manager? 954-677-3113 x2135

Benefits Panel:

1. Families that are denied Medicaid and Florida KidCare but only one parent works in the household. Who should they call?

I suggest they call the KidCare local office (954-467-8737) so that we can review the denials for Medicaid and KidCare to see if there was a technical issue that caused the denial. If the child still does not meet eligibility requirements we can refer them according to their individual needs.

When families do not meet the eligibility requirements for coverage under Medicaid or the reduced premium for the Florida KidCare program, they are offered the full premium plan at the full cost of the coverage. However, this can be expensive for families as the full payment plan is $156.00 per month, per child. If the family cannot afford the coverage they should go to the local community hospital in their area to inquire about the plans that are offered through their community health program. Broward Health has the MOPED program and Memorial has the HITS program.

They can also use the local federally funded health centers. They do not offer an insurance coverage plan, they provide needed services at affordable rates.

8.  How can a CPI (Child Protective Investigator) assist a family in developing a sustainability plan? Work with the staff at the Family Success Center to develop a plan and then assist the family in completing the tasks to support the plan.