GSM 6: Service Planning and Monitoring
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Birth
parents, the child, and prospective guardian participate in the development and ongoing review of
service plans that are the basis for delivery of services and support.
Interpretation: Service goals should be identified for birth parents, the child, and the prospective guardian. Generally, separate plans are developed for each involved party, but in some circumstances it may be appropriate to add the child’s goals to one of the other service plans.
A strengths-based service plan is developed, within an appropriate timeframe, with the full participation of the child, prospective guardian, and birth parent.
Interpretation: Service
planning is to be conducted so that
service recipients retain as much personal responsibility and self-determination as possible and desired. Generally, children age 6 and older are to be included in service planning, unless there are
clinical justifications for not doing so.
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Research Note: Research suggests that insufficient involvement of the prospective guardian and the birth parent in service planning may lead to low achievement rates of permanency. Attention to continuous parent involvement in service needs should be given until the guardianship becomes legal. |
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Extended
family members and significant others, as appropriate and with the consent of the service recipients, are advised of ongoing progress and participate in service planning.
Interpretation: The organization facilitates participation by, for example, helping arrange transportation or including family in scheduling decisions.
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Research Note: While the efficacy of involving people who can play an effective, informal support role has not been established formally, an approach known as family group conferencing, or family team decision-making, is sometimes used to positive effect in child welfare programs. |
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During service planning the organization and the service recipients explore:
- available options;
- how the organization can support the achievement of desired outcomes; and
- benefits and cultural relevance of planned services.
The service plan is based on the assessment, takes into account any identified special needs, and includes:
- agreed upon goals, desired outcomes, and timeframes for achieving them;
- services, education, and supports to be provided, and by whom; and
- the service recipient’s signature.
Interpretation: The organization should recognize the value of incorporating culturally-grounded interventions into the service plan, and include traditional
practices or customs of the child’s
culture, tribe, or faith-based
community to the greatest extent possible and appropriate.
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Research Note: In many state-subsidized guardianship programs, special needs such as mental health risks, learning disabilities, or behavioral concerns must be identified in the service plan to ensure future service needs will be paid for by the subsidy program. |
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Research Note: Caregivers who are unable to afford or find appropriate mental health care are often ill-advised to voluntarily relinquish custody so their child will be more likely to receive necessary services. Every year, thousands of children are unnecessarily institutionalized in this way. When children enter the system with identified mental health needs, special attention needs to be given to connecting youth to appropriate services in a way that does not necessitate the relinquishment of custody by their caregiver. |
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When special needs have been identified, the organization:
- advises the family of mechanisms in their state, or by their tribe, to extend guardianship beyond age 18; and
- includes in the service plan connections to community resources and necessary systems that the young adult will need when they are no longer considered a minor.
Interpretation: Connections to necessary systems can include, for example, referring young adults with special needs to the mental health system to be assessed for continuing support needs or an ongoing guardianship arrangement.
The worker and a supervisor, or a service or peer team, regularly review each case to assess:
- service plan implementation;
- progress toward achieving service goals and desired outcomes; and
- the continuing appropriateness of agreed upon service goals.
Interpretation: The review should occur:
- monthly for children awaiting transfer of custody; and
- at least quarterly for prospective guardians and birth parents.
Interpretation: Experienced workers may conduct reviews of their own cases. In such cases, the worker’s supervisor reviews a
sample of the worker’s
evaluations as per the requirements of the standard.
Interpretation: When the case involves an Indian child, a representative from the tribe or a local Indian organization should receive timely notification of
case reviews, be given an opportunity to participate, and be informed of any changes made to the plan. The case review should include an assessment for compliance with the Indian Child Welfare Act.
The worker regularly reviews progress toward achievement of goals with birth parents, the prospective guardian, the child, and extended family to the extent possible and revisions to the goals and plans are signed.
The organization participates in or facilitates the development of a permanency plan for the minor that identifies:
- guardianship as the permanency goal;
- activities that support the achievement of guardianship; and
- a timeframe for completing the guardianship process.
Interpretation: When the case involves an Indian child, tribal definitions of permanency should be recognized and incorporated into the permanency plan.
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Research Note: Tribal definitions of permanency can vary by tribe but generally focus on the concept of belonging through the identification and enhancement of the child’s support networks including their extended family, clan, and tribe. Thus, permanency is the result of continuity and a sustained sense of belonging. |
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The child receives information about progress toward achieving permanency as appropriate to his or her age, cultural needs, and developmental level.
