1. (a) When therapeutic foster care services are provided, the agency shall complete an assessment for each child prior to the delivery of services that shall include:

   1. (1) the child's presenting problem;
   2. (2) the child's needs and strengths;
   3. (3) the provisional or admitting diagnosis with an established diagnosis determined within 30 days of placement,
   4. (4) a social, family and medical history; and
   5. (5) evaluations or assessments, such as psychiatric, psychological, substance abuse, medical, vocational and educational, as appropriate to the child's needs.
2. (b) When services are provided prior to the establishment and implementation of the person-centered plan, strategies to address the child's presenting problem shall be documented.
3. (c) The person-centered plan shall be developed based on the assessment, in partnership with the child, parents, guardian and the legal custodian if applicable. A preliminary person-centered plan shall be developed within 24 hours following placement. A person-centered plan shall be developed within 30 days of placement for children who are expected to receive services beyond 30 days of placement.

4. (d) The person-centered plan for each therapeutic foster child shall include:

   1. (1) outcomes that are anticipated to be achieved by the provision of the service and a projected date of achievement;
   2. (2) strategies for achieving the outcomes;
   3. (3) staff responsibilities;
   4. (4) responsibilities of the child, parents, guardian or legal custodian and the responsibilities of the foster parents;
   5. (5) a schedule for review of the person-centered plan at least annually in consultation with the child, parents, guardian or legal custodian;
   6. (6) basis for an evaluation or assessment of outcome achievement; and
   7. (7) written consent or agreement by the child, parents, guardian and legal custodian if applicable or a written statement by the agency stating the reason such consent could not be obtained.
5. (e) If a child is in the custody of a county department of social services and is placed in a therapeutic foster home, an out-of-home family services agreement shall also be completed. The outcomes, objectives and strategies of the person-centered plan and the out-of-home family services agreement shall be consistent and compatible.

History Note: Authority G.S. 131D-10.5;
Eff. October 1, 2008;
Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. October 3, 2017.