COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT AND SERVICE PLANNING

Regulation Authority:

42-35; 42-72-5

Purpose and Reason:

This new rule reflects a process that is guided by principles of family-centered, culturally competent practice and includes procedures for the ongoing assessment of safety and risk management to address child safety, permanency and well-being from the initial point of contact throughout case closure for each child and family receiving DCYF services. This new rule incorporates the provisions of three (3) existing rules that were refiled 1/5/07. This rule supersedes and the Department is repealing the following rules: Family Assessment (ERLID 3737), Service Plan (ERLID 3738) and Assessment of Risk (1182). As a result of comments received, the final rule includes the following changes that were not part of the proposed rule: the Department added reference to standardized assessments completed by Juvenile Corrections staff for youth sentenced to the RI Training School. Language was also added to reflect that federal law PL 110-351 requires the Department to make reasonable efforts to place siblings removed from their home in the same foster care, adoption or guardianship placement, or facilitate visitation or ongoing contacts with those that cannot be placed together, unless it is contrary to the safety or well-being of any of the siblings.