OAR 413-040-0024: Requirements for an In-home Ongoing Safety Plan Prior to Return and Next Day Contact

(1) When the caseworker determines the conditions for return have been achieved and identified impending danger safety threats can be managed when a child or young adult is returned to a parent or guardian, the caseworker must develop an in-home ongoing safety plan. The caseworker's supervisor must: (a) Approve the proposed in-home ongoing safety plan during the five working days prior to the return of a child or young adult to the home of a parent or guardian of the child or young adult; and (b) Document the approval in the Department's information system. (2) After a proposed in-home ongoing safety plan returning a child or young adult to the parent or guardian's home is approved by the caseworker's supervisor, the caseworker must complete all of the following activities: (a) Visit the child or young adult, outside the presence of a parent or guardian, at least once during the five days prior to the return of the child or young adult to the home to confirm the readiness of and prepare the child or young adult for the return home. (b) Visit the parent or guardian in the home of the parent or guardian, at least once during the five days prior to the return of the child or young adult to the home, to verify: (A) The behaviors, conditions, and circumstances in the home are safe for the return of the child or young adult; (B) Confirmation of all persons living in the household; (C) The parent or guardian is ready for the return of the child or young adult; (D) The parent or guardian is willing and able to participate in the ongoing safety plan; and (E) The parent or guardian is willing and able to continue in case plan services. (c) If necessary, revise the proposed in-home ongoing safety plan to ensure that it is able to manage impending danger safety threats as they are uniquely occurring within the family prior to the child or young adult's physical return. (d) Confirm the in-home ongoing safety plan with the parent or guardian, and obtain the signature of the parent or guardian. (e) Document the revised in-home ongoing safety plan in the Department's information system. (3) After a proposed in-home ongoing safety plan returning a child or young adult to the parent or guardian's residential treatment facility, an alcohol and drug free housing program, or residential domestic violence program is approved by the caseworker's supervisor, the caseworker must complete all of the following activities: (a) Visit the child or young adult, outside the presence of a parent or guardian, at least once during the five days prior to the return of the child or young adult to the home to confirm the readiness of and prepare the child or young adult for the return. (b) Contact the parent or guardian at least once during the five days prior to the return of the child or young adult to the home, to verify: (A) The parent or guardian is ready for the return of the child or young adult; (B) The parent or guardian is willing and able to participate in the ongoing safety plan; (C) The parent or guardian is willing and able to continue to participate in case plan services. (c) Verify that the residential treatment facility, an alcohol and drug free housing program, or residential domestic violence program is a safe environment for the child or young adult. (d) If necessary, revise the proposed in-home ongoing safety plan to ensure that it is able to manage the impending danger safety threats as they are uniquely occurring prior to the child or young adult's physical return. (e) Confirm the in-home ongoing safety plan with the parent or guardian and obtain the signature of the parent or guardian. (f) Document the revised ongoing safety plan in the Department's information system. (4) In the event a court orders the return of a child or young adult to a parent or guardian of the child or young adult before an in-home ongoing safety plan can be developed and approved in accordance with the criteria in OAR 413-015-0450 and this rule: (a) The caseworker must complete the activities described in this rule as soon as practicable, but not later than seven working days following the court order; and (b) If the caseworker disagrees with the order of the court, the caseworker must immediately consult with his or her supervisor. (5) The caseworker must visit the child or young adult in the residence of the parent or guardian the day following the return home of the child or young adult. The caseworker must: (a) Monitor the safety of the child or young adult by completing the activities required by OAR 413-080-0055(2); (b) Follow the requirements of OAR 413-080-0055(4)-(6), as appropriate; and (c) Document observations and the conditions of the residence in the Department's information system within seven business days of the visit.