PURPOSE: The purpose of this rule is to establish the guidelines and lines of authority for youth who are in need of services that are not generally provided by this agency. This would include such things as mental disorders, mental retardation, specialized foster home care, special medical needs, etc.

1. (1) The regional administrators or their designees are responsible for making the initial determination that special services are necessary for a particular youth.
2. (2) When the division finds that a youth committed to its custody is in need of care of treatment other than that which the division is equipped to provide, the division may apply to the court which committed such youth requesting an order relieving the division of custody. If a change of custody is not ordered by the court, the division shall ensure the youth is provided special services within the division’s capability.
3. (3) Requests for psychiatric evaluations and developmental disability evaluations are to be made in accordance with the Department of Mental Health’s established catchment area guidelines.
4. (4) Upon receipt of the evaluation recommendation, the regional administrators or their designees will review the evaluation recommendation and take appropriate action to see that the necessary services are provided. If the services can be provided directly by the division then such services will be utilized. If such services cannot be provided directly by the division or if they can be provided in a more economical, effective, or practical manner by a contract provider pursuant to section 217.036, RSMo, the regional administrator or designee will initiate the necessary paperwork to obtain such services from a contract provider.
5. (5) The service coordinator’s supervisor shall keep the regional administrator appraised of status changes of youth and any problems they may encounter.

AUTHORITY: section 219.036, RSMo 1994.* Original rule filed Dec. 30, 1975, effective Jan. 9, 1976. Amended: Filed Feb. 10, 2000, effective Aug. 30, 2000. *Original authority: 219.036, RSMo 1975, amended 1993. 13 CSR 110-2