14.11 Termination of Elevated Needs Classification
Permanency planning shall continue throughout the Level A or Level B placement. Seek a less restrictive setting, once the youth's presenting problems have been replaced with appropriate coping behaviors. It may be necessary to involve a Children's Service Specialist for consultation if the team is unable to reach a consensus regarding termination of the youth's classification. Post-placement options include:
- Return to birth parents;
- Placement with a relative or kinship provider;
- Adoption;
- Return to traditional resource home, or level A resource home;
- Independent living;
- Retention in the current home; or
- Other out-of home care.
The Screening Team should meet with the Children’s Service Worker, resource parents, youth’s therapist (if applicable), and birth parents to review, collaborate, and determine the appropriate status and step down (graduation) of the youth. The parties should involve a Children’s Service Specialist or Regional Designee for mediation if the parties are unable to reach a consensus regarding termination of the youth’s status.
The Children’s Service Worker should provide ongoing support and assistance to the youth's caregiver and the referring Children’s Service Worker following the termination of the placement.
When discussing post-placement options, staff should keep in mind that Youth with Elevated Needs-Level B do not qualify for adoption subsidy.