§ 62A-4a-202. In-home services for the preservation of families. (Effective 5/13/2014)

(1)

(a) Within appropriations from the Legislature and money obtained under Subsection (5), the division shall provide in-home services for the purpose of family preservation to any family with a child whose health and safety is not immediately endangered, when:

(i)

(A) the child is at risk of being removed from the home; or

(B) the family is in crisis; and

(ii) the division determines that it is reasonable and appropriate.

(b) In determining whether in-home services are reasonable and appropriate, in keeping with the provisions of Subsection 62A-4a-201(1) the child's health, safety, and welfare shall be the paramount concern.

(c) The division shall consider whether the services described in Subsection (1)(b):

(i) will be effective within a six-month period; and

(ii) are likely to prevent continued abuse or neglect of the child.

(2)

(a) The division shall maintain a statewide inventory of in-home services available through public and private agencies or individuals for use by caseworkers.

(b) The inventory described in Subsection (2)(a) shall include:

(i) the method of accessing each service;

(ii) eligibility requirements for each service;

(iii) the geographic areas and the number of families that can be served by each service; and

(iv) information regarding waiting lists for each service.

(3)

(a) As part of its in-home services for the preservation of families, the division shall provide in-home services in varying degrees of intensity and contact that are specific to the needs of each individual family.

(b) As part of its in-home services, the division shall:

(i) provide customized assistance;

(ii) provide support or interventions that are tailored to the needs of the family;

(iii) discuss the family's needs with the parent;

(iv) discuss an assistance plan for the family with the parent; and

(v) address:

(A) the safety of children;

(B) the needs of the family; and

(C) services necessary to aid in the preservation of the family and a child's ability to remain in the home.

(c) In-home services shall be, as practicable, provided within the region that the family resides, using existing division staff.

(4)

(a) The division may use specially trained caseworkers, private providers, or other persons to provide the in-home services described in Subsection (3).

(b) The division shall allow a caseworker to be flexible in responding to the needs of each individual family, including:

(i) limiting the number of families assigned; and

(ii) being available to respond to assigned families within 24 hours.

(5) To provide, expand, and improve the delivery of in-home services to prevent the removal of children from their homes and promote the preservation of families, the division shall make substantial effort to obtain funding, including:

(a) federal grants;

(b) federal waivers; and

(c) private money.

Amended by Chapter 265, 2014 General Session