Attachment D: Families Together Program (IM Program for Temporary Assistance)
Families Together Program is designed to assist parents/caretakers in their efforts to regain custody of their child(ren) living in out-of-home care by expanding the eligibility to receive a cash grant for up to 60 days after a child enters out-of-home care and 60 days immediately prior to reunification. Parents and any other caretakers who may be eligible for temporary assistance payments may utilize this program. Family Support Division (FSD) staff will determine eligibility for the cash grant, while Children’s Division staff will be responsible for the coordination of treatment and aftercare planning, including referring the family to FSD staff.
Case Manager Duties
In accessing this program the following procedures are to be used:
When Children Are Removed:
- When a child is removed from their home by the court and enters out-of-home care, the Children’s Service Worker shall determine if the family is receiving temporary assistance.
- If the family receives temporary assistance, the Children’s Service Worker shall immediately provide written notice to the participant’s FSD/Futures worker/case manager and invite them to the 72-hour Family Support Team Meeting (FSTM).
- During either the FSTM or the initial meeting, both FSD and Children's Division staff shall discuss with the family the prognosis of early reunification and any needs which could impact the child returning home sooner. Generally, the goal of expedited permanency and the status of most families will benefit from the continuation of the temporary assistance cash grant. However, there must be a clear plan agreed upon by the team to return the child to the home within 60 days. This will allow the family to continue receiving temporary assistance for up to 60 days following the child’s removal.
- If at any point the child’s status changes with regard to reunification causing them to be either not reunited or to enter out-of-home care again, the Children’s Service Worker shall be responsible for immediate written notification to the FSD staff involved.
When Children Are Returned
When a child who has been in out-of-home care will be reunited with their parent/caretaker, the following procedure shall be used:
- When reunification may occur within 60 days and is the documented case plan, the Children’s Service Worker shall ascertain if the family is currently receiving or may be eligible for services from FSD.
- The Children’s Service Worker shall schedule a FSTM and invite the participant’s FSD/Futures worker/case manager. In situations where services were stopped or never existed, the FSD staff who will be expected to take the family's application, should they decide to apply, shall be invited to attend.
NOTE: Follow local office procedure in determining how the Children’s Service Worker is to identify and invite the appropriate FSD staff person assigned to take the family's application.
- The purpose of this meeting shall be to assess the family's needs and make aftercare plans. In the event that the family wishes to resume the receipt of temporary assistance or initiate a new request, the FSD staff person shall explain the appropriate procedures for the family to follow to apply for temporary assistance.
- When the family is approved for temporary assistance, the Children's Service Worker shall coordinate the closing of MO HealthNet coverage on the SS-61 with the FSD person who will be reopening it via temporary assistance.
- If at any point the child’s status changes with regard to reunification causing them to be either not reunited or to enter out-of-home care again, the Children's Service Worker shall be responsible for immediate written notification to the FSD staff involved.
When the Children’s Service Worker closes the MO HealthNet coverage on the SS-61, children in MO HealthNet Managed Care plan areas will be affected as follows:
- The child will now be on FSD MO HealthNet, which means that the child will receive mental health services through the MO HealthNet plan.
- The FSD case head of household (usually the mother) will need to choose the MO HealthNet plan of choice and the out-of-home care provider will need to take the child to the primary care physician of the parent/caretaker’s choice.
- The Children’s Service Worker should coordinate discussions between the parent/caretaker and the out-of-home care provider regarding this necessary action so that there is no disruption of medical care for the child.
- Medical plan changes can no longer be made at will.
- Primary care physician changes can no longer be made at will.