3100. Family Reconciliation Services

Original Date: December 15, 1996

Revised Date: July 28, 2019

Sunset Review Date: July 31, 2023

Approval: Ross Hunter, Secretary

Policy Update Memo Effective July 23, 2023


Purpose

Family Reconciliation Services (FRS) are voluntary services designed to resolve problems related to family conflict, at-risk youth, or a youth who may be in need of services. These services are provided to youth ages 12 through 17 years old and their families to alleviate personal and family situations which present a serious and imminent threat to the health and stability of the family and reunify the family, maintain the family unit or avoid out-of-home placement.

Scope

This policy applies to the Department of Children, Youth, and Family (DCYF) employees.

Laws

Chapter 13.32A RCW   Family Reconciliation Act

RCW 43.185C.290   Youth services - Child admitted to secure facility - Maximum hours of custody - Evaluation for semi-secure facility or release to department of social and health services - Parental right to remove child - Reconciliation effort - Information to parent and child - Written statement of services and rights - Crisis residential center immunity from liability

RCW 43.185C.315  Youth services - HOPE centers - Establishment - Requirements

Policy

Caseworkers must:

  1. Contact the family within twenty-four hours of being assigned the case, excluding weekends and holidays, to schedule an interview and assessment.
  2. Complete a Family Assessment with the involvement of a multidisciplinary team, if applicable, to determine available services to keep the family intact.
  3. Provide FRS to youth 12 through 17 years of age and their families, where youth have run away or are in conflict with their family.
  4. Complete the Commercially Sexually Exploited Child (CSEC) screening tool DSHS 15-476 in FamLink if a youth is suspected, indicated, or confirmed of being a CSEC.
  5. Follow the Commercially Sexually Exploited Children (CSEC) policy for youth indicated or confirmed CSEC.
  6. Refer a youth with complex behavioral health needs for a Wraparound Intensive Services (WISe) screen per WISe policy.
  7. Follow the Health and Safety Visit policy requirements for all cases open beyond 60 calendar days.
  8. Upon request by the parent or youth, complete a Family Assessment for Child In Need of Services (CHINS) or At-Risk Youth (ARY).
  9. File a CHINS petition on behalf of the youth when a dependency is not being pursued, the parent has not filed an ARY petition, and DCYF is asking the court to approve an out-of-home placement under the following circumstances:
    1. The youth has been admitted to a CRC or has been placed by DCYF in an out-of-home placement, and:
      1. The parent has been notified that the youth was  admitted or placed.
      2. The youth cannot return home and legal authorization is needed for out-of-home placement beyond seventy-two hours.
      3. An agreement has not been reached between the parent and youth as to where the youth will live.
      4. A CHINS petition has not been filed by either the parent or youth.
      5. The parent has not filed an at-risk youth petition; and
      6. The youth has no suitable place to live other than their parent’s home.
    2. The youth has been admitted to a CRC and:
      1. Seventy-two hours, including Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, have passed since placement.
      2. The CRC staff, after searching with due diligence, have been unable to contact the youth’s parents.
      3. The youth has no suitable place to live other than the home of his or her parent.
    3. An agreement between the parent and youth made pursuant to RCW 43.185C.280 or pursuant to RCW 13.32A.120(1) is no longer acceptable to the parent or youth, and:
      1. Seventy-two hours, including Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, have passed since notification.
      2. No new agreement between parent and youth as to where the youth will live has been reached.
      3. A CHINS petition has not been filed by either the youth or the parent.
      4. The parent has not filed an ARY petition; and
      5. The youth has no suitable place to live other than their parent’s home.
  10. Meet the following requirements when filing a CHINS petition on behalf of the youth:
  11. Be filed in the county where the parent resides.
  12. Allege the youth is a CHINS.
  13. Ask only that the placement of a youth outside the parent’s home be approved.
  14. Authorize emergency medical and dental care if a youth is placed in out-of-home care on a CHINS order.
  15.  Request a dismissal of a CHINS out-of-home placement no more than 180 calendar days from the initial review hearing, per RCW 13.32A.190.
  16. When requested, assist the parent in filing an ARY petition in the county where the parent resides and allege that:
    1. The youth is an at-risk youth.
    2. The parent has the right to legal custody of the youth.
    3. Court intervention and supervision are necessary to assist the parent in maintaining the care, custody, and control of the youth.
    4. Alternatives to court intervention have been attempted or there is good cause why such alternatives have not been attempted.
  17. Close the case after 30 days unless the family is referred for contracted services, DCYF placement, or ordered by the court to monitor compliance with the dispositional order of a CHINS or ARY petition.

Procedures

Caseworkers must:

  1. Assess the family and refer to appropriate services to avoid out-of-home placement.
  2. Report to intake when any child in an open case is believed to be at imminent risk of serious harm or there is a new allegation of child abuse or neglect
  3. Staff case with supervisor if:
    1. Services other than family crisis counseling is needed.
    2. The case needs monitoring or services beyond 30 days.
  4. Make a referral to a contracted service provider when appropriate.
  5. If ordered by the court, for a CHINS or ARY dispositional hearing:
    1. Submit a dispositional plan;
    2. Monitor compliance with the dispositional order;
    3. Assist in coordinating the provision of court-ordered services; and
    4. Submit reports at subsequent review hearings regarding the status of the case.
  6. Request dismissal of the CHINS when it is not feasible for DCYF to provide services due to one or more of the following circumstances:
    1. The youth has been absent from court approved placement for 30 consecutive days or more;
    2. The parents or the youth refuse to cooperate in available, appropriate intervention aimed at reunifying the family; or
    3. The department has exhausted all available and appropriate resources that would result in reunification.

Forms

Commercially Sexually Exploited Child (CSEC) Screen DSHS 15-476 (Located on the DCYF Forms intranet)

Family Assessment DSHS 15-279 (Located on the DCYF Forms intranet)