Placement Service Standards KS 90 Manual

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Department for Children and Families
Placement Service Standards Manual
Effective: February 5, 2016
All Residential/Group Home placement providers shall be licensed DCF Foster Care and Residential
Facility Licensing and meet the DCF/PPS Placement Standards and requirements in the Child Welfare
Handbook of Client Purchases in order to obtain a provider agreement with DCF.
Implementing a new facility or modifying a provider agreement for an existing facility requires an onsite
review conducted by DCF regional staff. Providers may initiate the process by contacting their DCF
regional office.

The list of the Regional Specialists is located at:
http://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/PPS/Documents/Contract%20Information/ProviderAgreementSe
rvices.pdf
A. Implementing a New Facility or Renewing/Changing a Provider Agreement:
1. DCF regional staff shall assess the need for the type of service requested for a new facility and/or
a change in services listed in an existing provider agreement.
2. DCF regional staff shall provide information to the provider including a copy of the DCF
Placement Standards, Child Welfare Handbook of Client Purchases and contact information for DCF
Foster Care and Residential Facility Licensing.
3. DCF regional staff shall provide technical assistance relative to the DCF Placement Standards and
Child Welfare Handbook of Client Purchases.
4. DCF regional staff shall collaborate with KDOC-JS if the facility wants to serve juvenile offenders
and child in need of care youth.
5. DCF regional staff shall conduct an initial on-site review of the facility to ensure compliance with
the Placement Standards and the Child Welfare Handbook of Client Purchases. The on-site review
shall include a tour of the facility, review of policy and procedures, human resource files and staffing
patterns using the site review instrument. Ninety days after a new facility opens, or a change in
services listed in an existing provider agreement is implemented, DCF regional staff shall return on
site to review case records.

1

7. DCF regional staff shall provide technical assistance for compliance issues related to the
Placement Standards and the Child Welfare Handbook of Client Purchases and provide a written site
visit report of findings to the Provider.
8. The placement provider and DCF regional staff shall address any concerns prior to establishing a
provider agreement. Program improvement activities for securing compliance shall be completed
within 30 days.
9. The site visit report shall be maintained by DCF Regional Office who maintains the provider
agreement and forwarded to the Provider.
B. On-going Monitoring:
The Child Welfare contractors for Family Preservation and Foster Care shall complete reviews annually.
The purpose of the reviews is to maintain compliance with the DCF Placement Standards and Child Welfare
Handbook of Client Purchases. The contractors shall provide reports containing the results of their on-site
reviews to DCF on an annual basis.
Administrative desk reviews are conducted annually by DCF/PPS. The yearly desk reviews consists of
an overall picture of the facility over the past year. The desk review report will summarize findings from
the DCF Licensing Division incident reports, completed reviews from the Foster Care Contractor and a
review of frequency of use as per DCF SCRIPTS. The report is shared with the DCF Licensing Division,
The Foster Care Contractor, DCF PPS Administration and the facility being reviewed.

2

Table of Contents
Family Foster Home Descriptions

page 4

Family Foster Home
Satellite Family Foster Home
Emergency Family Foster Home
Maternity Foster Home
Specialized Family Foster Home
Relative Foster Home
Kinship/Non-related Kin Care

General Program Requirements and Guidelines for
Family Foster Homes

page 6

General Program Requirements and Guidelines for
Therapeutic Family Foster Homes

page 12

General Program Requirements and Guidelines which
apply to Residential Placements
page 25
page 40
page 55
page 70
page 83
page 96

Youth Residential Care II
Emergency Shelter
Residential Maternity Care
Transitional Living Program
Community Integration Program
Secure Care

3

Family Foster Home Descriptions
Family Foster Home
A foster home is a family home in which 24-hour care is provided to children who are in need of out of
home placement to meet their safety and well-being needs. The home shall comply with DCF Foster Care
and Residential Facility Licensing licensure requirements, and be sponsored by a licensed child placing
agency. The foster family is an integral part of the team working with the child and birth family to achieve
timely permanency for the child.
Satellite Family Foster Home
Each satellite family foster home is sponsored by a licensed child placing agency with whom the child’s
referring agency subcontracts for child placement services.
Emergency Family Foster Home
An emergency family foster home is a family home in which 24-hour care is provided on an emergency
basis to children who are in need of out of home placement to meet their safety and well-being needs. The
home shall comply with DCF Foster Care and Residential Facility Licensing licensure requirements, and
be sponsored by a licensed child placing agency.
Maternity Foster Home
A maternity foster home is a home in which 24-hour care is provided to a pregnant or postpartum youth
and her child who is not a TANF recipient, who are in need of out of home placement to meet their safety
and well-being needs. These homes shall comply with DCF Foster Care and Residential Facility Licensing
licensure requirements, and be sponsored by a licensed child placing agency.
Specialized Family Foster Home
Each specialized family foster parent is required to comply with DCF Foster Care and Residential Facility
Licensing licensure requirements and the requirements of the sponsoring agency in regard to minimum
number of in-service training hours to be obtained yearly. Specialized family foster parents are required to
complete more annual in-service training than family foster parents due to specialized needs of the
children/youth for whom they are providing care. Documentation of completion of in-service training hours
shall be kept in the specialized family foster parent’s file. The purpose of in-service training is to provide
opportunities for the specialized family foster parent to increase their skills and parenting ability particularly
with respect to the differences they may encounter in raising children with the developmental needs of the
child to be placed and not born to them.
Relative Foster Home
Twenty-four hour care in the home of a person related to the child. A KBI and DCF Child Abuse/Neglect
Central Registry Check has been completed on all members of the family age 10 and over, and the child’s
referring agency has completed an assessment of the home to determine the child’s safety and well-being
needs will be met by placement in the relative’s home. If DCF Foster Care and Residential Facility
Licensing standards are met, relatives may receive financial assistance for the related child from the child’s
case management provider.
Kinship/Non-Related Kin Care
Twenty-four hour care in a family home setting for not more than 30 days, on a one time basis, for a specific
child with whom the kinship care provider has an existing supportive relationship with the child or the
child’s parent.

4

Informal Care/Kinship Care should be the first choice for placement when the child’s family cannot provide
adequate care. If the kin are not related to the child, they shall be required to meet DCF Foster Care and
Residential Facility Licensing child care licensing standards and regulations in order to provide out of home
services. To expedite placement of children with non-related kin, the requirement for the completion of PSMAPP (the group process or Deciding Together) and the other training required prior to a child being placed
in the home is waived. The non-related kin shall be required to complete the PS-MAPP curriculum and
other pre-service training prior to licensure.
Prior to the child’s placement, the Provider shall request from the local DCF Service Center a Child
Abuse/Neglect Central Registry check on all members of the non-related kin family who are age 10 and
over. The Provider shall also require the members of the family who are age 10 and over sign a statement,
Declaration of No Prohibitive Offenses for DCF Foster Care and Residential Facility Licensing Licensure,
indicating a check of the KBI criminal history database will not reveal any conviction for offenses, unless
they have been expunged, which would prohibit DCF Foster Care and Residential Facility Licensing
licensure. DCF Foster Care and Residential Facility Licensing shall complete the KBI criminal records
check prior to issuing the temporary permit.
Immediately following placement, the Provider shall complete the family assessment and licensing packet.
The packet shall be sent to DCF Foster Care and Residential Facility Licensing no later than 2 weeks after
the child's placement. DCF Foster Care and Residential Facility Licensing shall review the packet and, if
all requirements are met, issue a temporary permit by 30 days after the child's placement. The temporary
permit remains in effect for 90 days from the date of issuance. This temporary license may be extended for
one additional period not to exceed 90 days, to allow the kin time to complete PS-MAPP. No further
extensions shall be granted. Non-related kin shall comply with all licensing requirements of DCF Foster
Care and Residential Facility Licensing prior to a full foster home license being issued.
Case Management Providers shall negotiate a daily payment with the non-related kin providers to cover the
cost of the child's room and board. They shall also provide the same level of supports and services which
are provided to other resource families to ensure the child's needs are met and the placement remains stable.
Each child, newborn thru age 21, entering Kinship/Non-related Kin care shall have met criteria for this
level of placement through use of a placement assessment tool utilized by DCF and the Child Welfare
Community Based Service Provider staff. Each child being placed in Kinship/Non-related Kin care shall
have an existing, supportive relationship with the Kinship/Non-related Kin care giver prior to placement.
The relationship can be with the child or the parent.

5

General Program Requirements and Guidelines for
all Family Foster Homes
Section 1: General Program Requirements








Twenty-four hour care in a family home meeting DCF Foster Care and Residential Facility
Licensing licensure requirements and sponsored by a licensed Child Placing Agency.
Each family foster parent shall complete the PS-MAPP curriculum as a pre-service requirement
Each family foster parent shall be at least 18 years of age at the time of application to DCF Foster
Care and Residential Facility Licensing for licensure, and have been a member of the household
for at least one year prior to application.
Each family foster parent shall provide evidence of child care experience and knowledge of child
care methods which will enable any child to develop his or her potential.
The family foster home shall be licensed for a maximum of 4 foster children, not more than 2 of
whom shall be under 18 months of age, with a total of 6 children in the home including the foster
parents’ own children under 16 years of age. Approval may be granted to care for 2 additional
foster children in order to meet the needs of sibling groups or other special needs of foster children
(K.A.R. 28-4-804).
The family foster home shall meet the legal requirements of the community as to zoning, fire
protection, water supply and sewage disposal.

Section 2: Services Provided in a Family Foster Home
Services provided in a family foster home include: supervision, food, shelter, age appropriate daily living
skills instruction, transportation, recreation, supporting parent/child interactions (when these have not been
prohibited by the court), participation in development, and review of case plan tasks and objectives.
The daily schedule shall address the needs of the child and the use of time to enhance the child’s physical,
mental, emotional, and social development. Indoor and outdoor recreation shall be provided. All play
equipment, books, and other materials shall be safe, clean, in good repair, and suitable to the developmental
needs and interests of the child. The child shall attend school regularly and also have time for school and
community activities. The child shall be provided opportunities to practice age appropriate daily living
skills.

DCF requires foster parents and designated officials at child care institutions to apply the
reasonable and prudent parenting standard. The standard is characterized by careful and sensible
parental decisions that maintain a child’s health, safety, and best interests while at the same time
encouraging the child’s emotional and developmental growth that a caregiver must use when
determining whether to allow a child in foster care to participate in extracurricular, enrichment,
cultural, and social activities.
Section 3: Criteria for Admission



Each child, newborn thru age 21 entering a Family Foster Home shall have met criteria for this
level of placement through use of a placement assessment tool utilized by DCF and the Child
Welfare Community Case Management Provider.
A placement agreement shall be completed between the family foster parents or the home’s
sponsoring agency and the child’s referring agency. A copy of the signed placement agreement
shall be kept in the youth’s file in the family foster home.
6

Section 4: Accessing Outpatient Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder Services for a Child Residing
in a Family Foster Home
1. Child Welfare Case Management Provider’s shall be responsible to complete a mental health and
substance use disorder screen to determine each youth’s need for further assessment in these areas.
2. If the mental health assessment indicates the need for outpatient mental health treatment services,
the child shall receive the appropriate mental health services through an enrolled Medicaid provider
through KanCare. The MCO assigned to the youth through KanCare will periodically assess the
youth’s progress and continued need for outpatient mental health treatment.
3. If the substance use disorder assessment indicates the need for outpatient substance use disorder
treatment services, the child shall receive the appropriate substance use disorder services through
an enrolled Medicaid provider through KanCare. The MCO assigned to the child through KanCare
will periodically assess the youth’s progress and continued need for outpatient substance use
disorder treatment.
4. If the Mental Health assessment determines the youth may be in need of inpatient mental health or
substance use disorder treatment, the youth shall receive a Psychiatric Residential Treatment
Facility screen or, if the youth’s sole diagnosis is substance use disorder, a referral shall be made
to the MCO assigned to the youth.
Section 5: Scope of Services
Supervision– supervision will be provided by the foster parent or another appropriate care giver during the
foster parent’s absence.
Food and Shelter– nutritious meals and snacks will be provided, the home will meet the child’s health and
safety needs, each child has their own bed in a bedroom which meets DCF Foster Care and Residential
Facility Licensing licensure requirements.
Daily Living Skills Instruction– age appropriate daily living skills instruction will be provided in such
skill areas as: personal hygiene, laundry, meal preparation, shopping, cleaning, money management, and
health.
Transportation– transportation will be provided to school and medical appointments. The foster family
may also assist in transporting the child to social events, interactions with parents, court hearings and
reviews, etc.
Recreation– sufficient time for recreation and for individual, school, and community activities shall be
provided.
Supporting parent/child interactions– foster parents will assure each child is available for the scheduled
parent/child interactions directed in the child’s case plan. Foster parents may choose to make their home
available for some of these interactions or accompany the child to the site for the interactions to provide
mentoring support to the birth family.
Participation in development and review of case plan tasks and objectives– family foster parents are
an integral part of the child’s case planning team and are to be invited to participate in the development and
review of the plan.

7

Section 6: Education
Family foster parents are responsible to insure school age children attend school regularly, unless for an
excused absence, and the children complete homework assignments. If the child will not be able to attend
school due to illness or an appointment, the family foster parent is responsible to notify the school of this
absence. The family foster parent will also communicate with the school in regard to the student’s school
progress and developing plans to address issues related to school performance.
Section 7: Child’s Rights
Each child residing in a foster family home shall have an opportunity for:
— privacy
— contact with their case manager without the family foster parent present
— recognition of the child’s cultural and religious heritage
— taking personal items with them when they leave the foster home
Section 7.1: Forms of discipline not allowed in the Family Foster home include:
— physical discipline, including hitting with the hand or any object
— restricting movement by tying or binding
— confining in a closet, box, or locked area
— withholding food, rest, or toilet use
— refusing access to the family foster home
Section 8: Record Keeping Requirements for the Family Foster Home
Section 8.1: Child’s File
The family foster home shall maintain a file for each child in placement. The file shall contain the following
information:
— Child’s name and date of birth
— Name and address of the child’s referring agency case manager/social worker
— Placement Agreement or Client Service Agreement (for child placed by DCF staff)
— Medical and surgical consents
— Medical and dental records
— Record of child’s prescription and non-prescription medications and when administered
— Authorization for release of confidential information
— Log of significant incident reports
Section 8.2: 30-Day Progress Reports
Thirty-day progress reports shall document child’s adjustment in the home, school performance (if school
age), medical, dental, vision, and mental health appointments, significant incidents reported, interactions
with parents, and any other significant events or issues related to the child and the placement.
Section 8.3: Transfer of Child’s Medical Records
When a child leaves a family foster home to return home or moves to another out of home placement, the
child’s medical records shall be given to the child’ referring agency to accompany the child.
8

Section 9: Family Foster Parent In-service Training
Each family foster parent is required to comply with DCF Foster Care and Residential Facility Licensing
licensure requirements and the requirements of the sponsoring agency in regard to minimum number of inservice training hours to be obtained yearly. Documentation of completion of the in-service training hours
shall be kept in the family foster parent’s file. The purpose of in-service training is to provide opportunities
for the family foster parent to increase their skills and parenting ability particularly with respect to the
differences they may encounter in raising children not born to them.
Training shall be related to one of the following topic areas:
a) Developmental needs of the child to be placed
b) Roles and relationships between the agency, foster parent, birth parent, and child
c) Child management and discipline techniques
d) Separation and the importance of the child’s family
e) Importance of the child’s continued communication and contact with family
f) Supportive services available to the child and to the foster family from the community
g) Communication skills
h) Constructive problem solving
i) First aid, blood borne pathogens, CPR, medications
j) Home safety
k) Human sexuality, including the needs and behaviors of children who have been sexually or
physically abused
Section 10: Reporting Abuse/Neglect
All family foster parents are mandated reporters. Mandated reporters shall report all witnessed or
suspected abuse/neglect to the Kansas Protection Report Center (KPRC) at 1-800-922-5330 or the local
Law Enforcement Agency.
Abuse is any act or failure to act which results in death, physical harm, emotional harm, or which presents
a likelihood of harm to a person under age 18. The broad definition of abuse includes physical abuse,
emotional abuse, and sexual abuse. Neglect is any act or omission resulting in harm to a child or which
presents a likelihood of harm. Neglect includes failure to provide food, clothing, shelter, safety, adequate
levels of appropriate supervision, medical treatment, or education.
Physical Abuse: Infliction of physical harm or the causation of a child's deterioration, and may include,
but shall not be limited to, maltreatment or exploiting a child to the extent the child’s health is endangered.
K.S.A. 38-2202
Sexual Abuse: Any contact or interaction with a child in which the child is being used for the sexual
stimulation of the perpetrator, the child, or another person. Sexual abuse shall include allowing, permitting,
or encouraging a child to engage in the sale of sexual relations or commercial sexual exploitation of a child,
or to be photographed, filmed, or depicted in obscene or pornographic material. Sexual abuse also shall
include allowing, permitting or encouraging a child to engage in aggravated human trafficking, as defined
in K.S.A. 2014 Supp. 21-5426(b), and amendments thereto, if committed in whole or in part for the purpose
of the sexual gratification of the offender or another. K.S.A. 38-2202 (See PPM 0160 or K.S.A. 21-6422
for Commercial sexual exploitation of a child, 21-5426 for aggravated human trafficking, and 21-5501 for
sexual intercourse and sodomy definitions). Contact solely between children shall meet the criteria only if
the contact also involves force, intimidation, difference in maturity, or coercion. K.A.R. 30-46-10.
9

Mental or Emotional Abuse: Infliction of mental or emotional harm or the causing of a deterioration of a
child, and may include, but shall not be limited to, maltreatment or exploiting a child to the extent the child's
health or emotional wellbeing is endangered. This term may include any act, behavior, or omission that
impairs or endangers a child’s social or intellectual functioning. This term may include the following:
1) terrorizing a child, by creating a climate of fear or engaging in violent or threatening behavior toward
the child or toward others in the child's presence that demonstrates a flagrant disregard for the child;
2) emotionally abandoning a child, by being psychologically unavailable to the child, demonstrating
no attachment to the child, or failing to provide adequate nurturance of the child; and
3) corrupting a child, by teaching or rewarding the child for unlawful, antisocial, or sexually mature
behavior. K.S.A. 38-2202 and K.A.R. 30-46-10
Neglect: Acts or omissions by a parent, guardian or person responsible for the care of a child resulting in
harm to a child, or presenting a likelihood of harm, and the acts or omissions are not due solely to the lack
of financial means of the child's parents or other custodian. Neglect may include but, shall not be limited
to:
(1) failure to provide the child with food, clothing, or shelter necessary to sustain the life or health of
the child;
(2) failure to provide adequate supervision of a child or to remove a child from a situation that requires
judgment or actions beyond the child's level of maturity, physical condition, or mental abilities and
that result in bodily injury or a likelihood of harm to the child; or
(3) failure to use resources available to treat a diagnosed medical condition if such treatment will make
a child substantially more comfortable, reduce pain and suffering, or correct or substantially
diminish a crippling condition from worsening. A parent legitimately practicing religious beliefs
who does not provide specified medical treatment for a child because of religious beliefs shall not
for that reason be considered a negligent parent. K.SA. 38-2202 (t)
Section 11: Significant Incident
A Significant Incident is an unanticipated event which does not rise to the level of a critical incident, but
has the potential risk of a serious adverse outcome.
Section 11.1 Significant Incident Reporting
Significant incidents are to be reported to the youth’s CWCMP case manager and the youth’s parent or
guardian when appropriate per PPM 0513.
The following significant incidents shall be verbally reported immediately with a written report to the
CWCMP case manager within 24 hours of the event (please refer to the following definitions for
clarification):
Significant Incident involving a child in the custody of the Secretary include but are not limited to:
1.
2.
3.
4.

death of a parent/primary caregiver (provide date of death)
runaway or missing from placement. PPM 5245 shall be followed.
arrested for a juvenile offense
alleged abuse or neglect
10

5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.

child is an alleged perpetrator or victim of a criminal assault of any kind
attempted suicide
serious physical illness
unanticipated medical attention that requires treatment beyond first aid
pregnancy. See PPM 0513 D. 2.
birth. See PPM 0513 D. 2.
emergency change in placement
use of illegal drugs
suspension of the license of a group or residential facility used by children
alleged victim of human trafficking
alleged perpetrator of animal abuse
other (document specifics)
death of child in care

If the significant incident involves abuse, neglect, or exploitation the facility shall also follow mandated
reporting requirements.
All facilities shall have procedures for reporting significant incidents to administrative staff and recording
significant incidents in the resident files. An administrative file of significant incidents must be kept by
facility and a copy of the significant incident shall be placed in the youth’s file.
An administrative file shall be kept by the facility documenting significant incidents that is separate from
the documentation in the youth’s file.
Each foster family shall obtain on-call/emergency contact information for all CWCMP case managers in
the event of an emergency or significant incident.
If the significant incident involves abuse or neglect the foster family shall also follow mandated reporting
requirements.

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General Program Requirements and Guidelines for
Therapeutic Family Foster Home
A Therapeutic Family Foster home is a family home in which 24-hour care is provided to children who are
in need of out of home placement to meet their safety and well-being needs. The home shall comply with
DCF Foster Care and Residential Facility Licensing licensure requirements, and be sponsored by a licensed
child placing agency. The foster family is an integral part of the team working with the child and birth
family in order to achieve timely permanency for the child.
Section 1: Therapeutic Family Foster Home
The over-all purpose is to improve the mental health status, emotional, and social adjustment of youth who
require out of home therapeutic placement. Placement in Therapeutic Foster Care (TFC) occurs to support
the youth, allow the youth to function in a setting outside of an inpatient hospital, or prevent the inpatient
placement of the youth.
The Kansas TFC standards are predicated upon the National Program Standards of the Foster Family- Based
Treatment Association (http://www.ffta.org). The national standards indicate that TFC “is agency led and
team oriented”. It is not simply the provision of higher payment and more training to foster parents for work
with more difficult children or youth. Nor is it solely the addition of therapeutic resources external to the
treatment foster home.

DCF requires foster parents and designated officials at child care institutions to apply the
reasonable and prudent parenting standard. The standard is characterized by careful and sensible
parental decisions that maintain a child’s health, safety, and best interests while at the same time
encouraging the child’s emotional and developmental growth that a caregiver must use when
determining whether to allow a child in foster care to participate in extracurricular, enrichment,
cultural, and social activities.
Section 1.1: Goals and Objectives
To facilitate youth reaching the optimal functioning and ability to reside in the community in the least
restrictive environment.
Long term goals of the service are:
• Improve emotional, mental, and functional status of individuals receiving services;
• Reduce unplanned placement changes;
• Increase the youth’s ability to live safely, attend school, and be productive in an inclusive
community environment;
• Increase the likelihood of a youth’s successful return to the family or the successful
implementation of permanency planning; and
• If developmentally appropriate, increase the youth’s capacity for independent living.
Section 2: Description of Youth to Be Served
Youth placed in Therapeutic Foster Care shall be in need of therapeutic intervention. Clinicians and others
familiar with the youth shall document that the youth is at serious risk of placement in a highly structured
residential treatment program, but that the youth has enough internal control to be served in a structured

12

family home environment by knowledgeable trained foster parents with the support of specialized
behavioral management, school, and psychotherapy or behavioral therapy services.
These youths may exhibit well established patterns of behavior or conduct which are antisocial,
oppositional, defiant, aggressive, abusive, impulsive, rebellious, self-defeating, or sometimes self-abusive.
Youth with special medical needs or developmental disabilities may also require TFC if their behavior is
such that specialized care is warranted. TFC eligible youth may also display a limited ability to delay
gratification and show social and emotional immaturity. They may exhibit significant interpersonal
relationship problems associated with such symptoms as withdrawal, aggressiveness, Asperger’s or autistic
patterns, or peculiar behaviors resulting in rejection by peers. They may have problems with substance use
disorder, sexual acting out, running away, or destruction of property. Youth approved for Therapeutic
Foster Care may also display poorly developed self-help or communication skills.
These youth’s severe behavioral disturbances are primarily derived from environmental influences although
some may exhibit patterns of mild to moderate mental illness. Various medical conditions may complicate
the overall treatment picture. Affective disturbances will likely be prevalent as will be ADHD. Due to a
history of severe physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, youth requiring TFC may avoid adult relationships,
appear impersonal or detached, or exhibit serious oppositional tendencies. Sexual acting out associated with
past sexual abuse will also likely be seen in the typical TFC setting. Youth appropriate for TFC referral are
generally not an immediate danger to harm themselves. They may be potentially dangerous to others or
property through their aggression and disregard for other’s rights.
Youth in these circumstances require a high degree of supervision and intensive service. The youth may
have received treatment in psychiatric institutions, higher levels of residential treatment, or they may be
youth for which diversion from higher levels of treatment is recommended. They may be dually diagnosed
youth who require a combination of support services and therapy to regain control of their physical actions.
TFC youth may exhibit severe interpersonal relationship difficulties, especially with peers. However, they
shall be able to demonstrate at least some positive response to adults and authority. Bizarre or peculiar
behaviors may be exhibited which are sometimes only understood when the underlying causes and
dynamics of the behaviors are understood. Hyperactivity and a hyper-responsiveness to external stimulation
will likely be seen in various cases. Periodically, these youth may need external controls placed upon them.
Many of these youth may be placed on psychotropic medication to facilitate control of impulses, emotions,
attention capacities, or activity levels.
Youth who are immediately dangerous to themselves or others shall not be referred to TFC. Conversely,
youth who do not demonstrate a need for considerable supervision, support, psychotherapy, specialized
school services, psychiatric services or an inability to function within their biological family environment,
shall be helped in a less treatment intensive arrangement.
NOTE: Therapeutic Foster Care services are limited to special needs children who are at eminent
risk of placement in a psychiatric care, developmental disability care or residential facility or who
are referred from such a facility.
Section 3: General Program Description
TFC providers shall demonstrate the clinical and administrative capacity to provide quality services by
meeting the criteria listed below. The Licensed Child Placing Agency or the therapeutic family foster
parents do not provide acute inpatient, psychiatric, or substance use disorder residential treatment. Each
therapeutic family foster home shall meet DCF Foster Care and Residential Facility Licensing licensure
requirements and shall be sponsored by a licensed child placing agency. The provider shall state whether
13

the services under the Provider Agreement will be carried out by the provider’s staff, by subcontracted staff,
or through cooperative agreements. The provider shall provide, as part of the application, copies of such
agreements.
The provider shall agree that no more than two children will be cared for at any one time in each therapeutic
foster home. Exceptions can be granted for the additional placement of siblings or stepsiblings of the TFC
youth, provided that PPS the referring agency, and TFC program staff all agree that it is clinically good
practice to do so and document the rationale for that decision in the TFC Program youth’s case file. Services
are to be provided to a small number of youth at a time in each therapeutic family foster home to insure that
the children will achieve success with the goals outlined in the Treatment Plan.
Each child’s treatment plan shall be reviewed every 90 days by the child’s treatment team. The treatment
team is composed of the Social Worker Case Coordinator, Case Coordinator Supervisor, child/youth, (if
age appropriate), biological or adoptive parents (when appropriate), therapeutic family foster parents, and
the therapist who is an enrolled KanCare Medicaid provider. CWCMP/DCF Case Managers, other Clinical
Consultants, and educators working with the youth in the local school district are also considered to be an
integral part of the treatment team. The review shall be documented in the child’s case file.
Providers will use the National Standards of the Foster Family-Based Treatment Association (FFTA) as a
guide in addition to standards given in this document. The Provider shall agree that prior to placement in
Therapeutic Foster Care; the child will meet the criteria for placement, as determined by a score on the
referring agency’s placement screening tool and by meeting the general criteria for eligibility for placement
in TFC.
Section 4: Scope of Core Services
The provider will operate and maintain a TFC program and conduct a program evaluation. Criteria for
Therapeutic Foster Care are minimum requirements; exceeding the requirements does not automatically
qualify providers for any other program designation. In addition, please refer to Section I of the National
Standards for more clarification and discussion.
Daily Living Services - daily living services shall be provided and include the following:




Room, board, child care, personal spending money, and school fees.
Transportation to appointments within a 60-mile radius; including to and from school, medical care,
recreation, etc.
Academic activities - assistance with school work, vocational training, and/or G.E.D. training.

Situational Training- to include but not limited to:



Personal Hygiene – teaching about body cleanliness, use of deodorants and cosmetics, appropriate
clothing, choosing clothing to fit individual and occasion, and keeping clothes neat and clean.
Health - Identifying and understanding residents’ health needs; securing and utilizing necessary
medical treatment including preventive and health maintenance services; gaining information and
education in health maintenance (including preventive measures, nutrition, menstruation, rest,
cleanliness, family planning, drugs, sexually transmitted diseases, exercise, and motivation for
meeting own health needs), maintaining contact with providers of health services (physician, nurse,
clinic) and using outside Foster s for assistance (clinics, pharmacies, hospitals). KAN BE Healthy
screening shall be provided according to the periodicity schedule and needed follow ups shall be
completed.
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

Consumer education for independent living- Budgeting, comparative buying, installment buying,
avoiding risks, identifying illegal or excessive interest rates, use of credit, avoiding or dealing with
debts, using checking and savings accounts, and paying taxes.

Communication skills:
The youth’s articulating thoughts and feelings through appropriate use of such skills as speech, writing, and
use of the telephone.
Home Management:
Making the bed and changing linens, using the vacuum cleaner, dusting, organizing belongings, disposing
of trash, cleaning all areas of the home, operating appliances, cooking complete meals, making simple
repairs, who to call when a major repair is needed, being aware of the need for upkeep, handling
emergencies, knowing first aid.
Situational Guidance:
Identifying and accepting strengths, developing patterns of acceptance and coping with authority figures,
getting along with others, sharing responsibility, being considerate of others, developing friendships,
knowing when to go home when visiting, recognizing or modifying attitudes toward self or others,
responsible work attitudes, tolerance of verbal criticism, reactions to praise, punctuality, and attendance.
Recreation:
Participating in leisure time activities, learning how to spend leisure time, developing outside activities,
managing time, finding recreation with little or no expense involved, finding community projects to take
part in, participating in social groups, participating in sports and games, arts and crafts, and appreciating
fine arts.
Behavioral Health:
Crisis management, social rehabilitation and counseling, Behavioral programming (including design,
consultation and supervision), Counseling towards reunification with family (if appropriate), supportive
counseling including the identification of behavioral and substance use disorder support services needed
for successful transition into the community. If developmentally appropriate, services which develop
increased capacity for independent living.
Therapy:
Individual and/or group therapy as well as psychosocial groups shall be provided as needed and indicated
in the treatment plan for the individual youth. Therapy services are not part of the content of services for
TFC, but rather are provided by an enrolled KanCare Medicaid provider. Therapeutic family Foster parents
are expected to provide the basic day to day counseling the child needs in order to meet treatment goals.
The case coordinator shall insure that individual or group therapy indicated by the treatment plan is
implemented, reviewed as required, and modified as needed. The service delivered shall be documented in
the individual’s case record, including date, place, amount of time, and names of the therapist providing the
service. The therapy shall be directed towards helping the youth adjust to life in the therapeutic family
Foster home, making the experience a period of continuing physical, mental, emotional growth and assist
the youth to understand and accept his family relationships, interpersonal relationships and personal
situations. The ultimate goal is to assist the youth to prepare to function effectively outside the therapeutic
foster home setting.
Tutoring:
Tutoring for remedial purposes shall be provided as needed in addition to normal school work to assist
youth to perform at his/her potential. Tutoring services shall be in accordance with need as indicated by
15

school staff. The service delivered shall be documented in the individual’s case record including date,
amount of time, and person who provided the service.
Case Coordination:
Responsibility for coordinating the youth’s program and progress with the schools, employer, family,
referring agency, therapist, and other appropriate community Foster s for each youth in residence shall
reside with Case Coordinator.
School/Work Liaison:
The Licensed Child Placing Agency shall ensure routine communications between the staff and any
educational program in which the youth is placed. This may include requesting and participating in the
development of an Individual Education Plan for each resident. The necessity of the latter activity will be
decided in conjunction with the worker assigned to each youth. The day to day school liaison activity may
be the responsibility of the therapeutic foster home. These contacts shall be noted in the youth’s case record.
NOTE: For youth in an employment program, similar contacts and services are to be provided in
conjunction with the youth’s employer when appropriate.
Section 5: Treatment Plan Design
The treatment program design includes a process for assuring appropriate services to a youth determined to
be eligible for Therapeutic Foster Care services. The process includes:
• An initial screening by the case coordinator at the time of admission to the Therapeutic Foster
Care Program (or prior to admission, if possible) to determine the needs of the youth.
• A master treatment plan to be developed within fourteen (14) days which includes input from
the members of the treatment team and therapeutic family foster parents, as well as family involvement
(unless contraindicated by legal constraints). Discharge planning shall be included in the master
treatment plan in order to set goals which reflect youth, parent, and other community stakeholder input.
Long term goals in the areas of physical /emotional health, family relations, daily living skills,
academic and/or vocational skills, interpersonal interactions, and community relationships shall be
addressed, according to the age appropriateness of the plan in relationship to the youth being served.
Goals of treatment plan shall be described, treatment techniques or programs used to treat shall be
identified, and time frames for reaching goals shall be defined. Persons responsible for individual goals
of the treatment plan shall be identified and shall sign the plan, thus indicating their agreement to
provide the service or treatment. The resident shall sign, if of sufficient cognitive ability to grasp the
concept of the treatment plan. The Master treatment plan shall be reviewed, revised and documented
in quarterly reports at least every 90 days by the TFC treatment team.
Section 5.1: Case Coordinator responsibilities
The primary case coordinator will:
• Develop the treatment plan in conjunction with the treatment team
• Coordinate and implement the treatment plan;
• Involve parents and family members in the treatment process, when appropriate;
• Coordinate treatment with other involved agencies;
• Provide training to therapeutic family Foster parents on the individualized treatment plan; and
• Observe and document implementation of each youth’s individualized treatment plan, including the
in-home treatment aspects utilized by the therapeutic foster parents.
• Be available to therapeutic family foster parents 24 hours per day for crisis consultation.
16

• Minimally, face to face consultation with therapeutic family foster parents and the child shall be
provided one time per week during the first month of placement of a child. Thereafter, face to face
consultation for therapeutic family foster parents and child shall be provided two times per month
until the child completes the therapeutic foster care program. These, however, are minimal guidelines,
and are in no way meant to reflect that only this level of support is required if there are severe
problems that shall be addressed. The level of case coordinator contact shall be addressed in the
Master Treatment Plan and shall be based upon the problems that are to be treated. Weekly contact
by phone must be maintained with both the therapeutic family foster parents and the child regardless
of the situation.
Section 6: Program and treatment planning, documentation and review
The following shall be maintained in the case record for each youth.
Section 6.1: Initial Assessment
Prior to placement in a TFC program, a youth’s strengths and needs shall be assessed. The assessment shall
include but not be limited to the following: (1). Reasons for referral to the TFC program; (2) Evaluation or
assessment in the areas of physical health/medication needs, family relations, academic or vocational
training, community life, interpersonal interactions, daily living skills and treatment needs. (3)
Establishment of a score on the placement screening tool. These assessment results will be made available
to the TFC program, shall be discussed with the therapeutic family Foster parents prior to agreement to
accept the placement and shall be made a part of the TFC child case record.
Section 6.2: Master Treatment Plan
Each youth residing in a therapeutic family foster home shall have a written treatment plan based on a
thorough assessment, within 14 days of placement. Treatment Plans shall be signed by members of the
treatment team and when possible the youth. The Treatment Team is composed of the Social Worker Case
Coordinator, Case Coordinator Supervisor, child/youth, (if age appropriate), biological or adoptive parents
(when appropriate), therapeutic family Foster parents, and the therapist who is an enrolled KanCare
Medicaid provider. CWCMP/DCF Case Managers, other Clinical Consultants, and educators working with
the youth in the local school district are also considered to be an integral part of the treatment team. (NOTE:
If the family is not involved in the treatment process, the reason for this shall be documented in the
TFC file.)
The name(s) of staff responsible for meeting the youth’s needs shall be recorded on the treatment plan.
The Plan shall include the following:
(1) Long term goals in the areas of physical health, family relations, and daily living skills; academic
and/or vocational skills, interpersonal interactions, and community living;
(2) Short term goals which will help a youth eventually reach his/her long term goals in each of the
above areas;
(3) Specific plans for reaching the short term goals including services to be provided and frequency;
(4) Estimated time for reaching short term goals.
The master treatment plan shall be reviewed and revised at least each 90 days. At that time a general written
quarterly progress report shall be completed by the TFC program and therapist. Information obtained from
the parent, guardian, referring agency and the youth shall be considered in the report and updated treatment
plan.
17

Section 6.3: Weekly Progress Notes
Therapeutic family foster parents and TFC program staff shall provide weekly input and feedback to the
development, revision, and evaluation of the treatment plan as well as carry out the in-home strategies.
Assessment documents shall be included in the case record. Weekly progress notes, written by the case
coordinator and therapeutic family foster parents, shall be entered into the youth’s chart, reflecting the
delivery of services according to the treatment plan. This documentation shall address the youth’s responses
to treatment interventions and progress of the youth on individualized goals and objectives. The note shall
include any significant events or significant incidents that occurred during the week and summarize contacts
with family members and other involved agencies. If an unmet need is identified, the note shall reflect
actions to be taken to revise the plan for the youth.
Section 6.4: Permanency Planning
Assessment and treatment of the child and family that focuses on opportunities for the child to have ongoing
active and meaningful connections to the family, kin, relatives, and community. The goal for achieving
permanency shall be coordinated with the referring agency and included in the treatment plan. The
permanency plan shall include strategies and tasks to accomplish the strategies. Behaviors which place the
child at risk for disruption, activities to prepare the child’s family or kinship network for reunification, and
the identification of other less restrictive living environments and preparing the child for transition to these
settings shall be addressed. The National Standards indicate that “family involvement requires an
unwavering commitment to promoting a service that is culturally competent and respectfully embraces
cultural diversity. TFC programs actively support and enhance children’s relationships with their parents,
siblings and other family members throughout the period of placement regardless of the permanency goal.”
Section 6.5: Discharge Summary/After Care Plan
A discharge summary shall be completed at the time of the youth’s discharge including delineation of
aftercare plans and goals which the youth reached. While discharge planning shall begin at the time of
placement in therapeutic foster care a written plan is still necessary. Written recommendations for aftercare
shall be made and shall specify the nature, frequency, duration, and responsible parties for aftercare
services.
Section 6.6: File Documentation
A dated record of significant observations and occurrences involving each youth shall be maintained. The
record shall include events which may affect the wellbeing of the youth. The record shall be available for
review. Each report shall include the date and time of occurrence, the staff member and/or youth involved,
the nature of the incident and the circumstances surrounding it. The file shall also contain the Placement
Agreement or Client Service Agreement (for child/youth referred by DCF staff).
Section 6.7: Health Records
Records of medications shall be kept in each youth’s case medical record and include: the name of the
prescribing physician; the name of the medication; the dosage prescribed; the purpose of the medication;
noted side effects; the date of the prescription; and the date of review at least every three (3) months. A
record of medication given, amount, date and time, and person dispensing shall be recorded. All doctor and
dental visits, major illnesses and accidents shall be recorded. A current Kan-Be-Healthy shall be maintained
by the TFC program on each youth. Allergies of any resident youth shall be displayed in a conspicuous
place in the case file as well as in the medical section. The health record shall also contain a copy of the
child/youth’s current medical card and medical consent forms.
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Section 6.8: Service Documentation
Documentation of services provided shall include: who received the service; staff person providing the
service; amount of time spent providing the service; what service was provided; when was the service
provided; and where was the service provided. Significant incidents are to be reported to the youth’s
CWCMP case manager and the youth’s parent or guardian when appropriate per PPM 0513.
The following significant incidents shall be verbally reported immediately with a written report to the
CWCMP case manager within 24 hours of the event
Section 6.9: Reports
Quarterly Reports shall document progress on specific short-term treatment goals, describe significant
revisions in goals and strategies, and specify any new treatment goals and strategies during the period
covered. The quarterly progress reports shall summarize progress and note changes regarding long-term
placement and treatment goals. The report will be signed by the Supervisor and Case Coordinator at least
every 90 days. Information obtained from the parent, guardian, the referring agency, Case Coordinator,
Supervisor, therapist(s) and the youth shall be considered in the report.
Section 7: Home Visits:
When home visits are a part of the treatment plan, there shall be pre and post home visit contacts between
the youth, their family and the therapeutic family foster parents or the agency program staff regarding the
home visit. Because the goal of placement is return of the youth to a family-like setting, it is important that
home visits be carefully planned and executed in the best interests of permanency planning for the youth.
Section 8: Sponsoring Agency, Staff, and Therapeutic Family Foster Parent Qualifications
Section 8.1: Sponsoring Agency
The Sponsoring Agency shall be a Child Placing Agency licensed by DCF Foster Care and Residential
Facility Licensing. There shall be social work staff designated by the Child Placing Agency to provide
services to therapeutic family foster homes. The TFC Program shall meet the National Standards of Foster
Family-Based Treatment Foster Care, in addition to the other standards listed in this document.
Section 8.2: Administrator
There shall be an administrator with a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Services or Human
Services, and at least two (2) years experience in administering a child welfare service delivery program or
a related program commensurate with the size and complexity of the agency; a thorough understanding of
philosophy, purpose, and policy of the agency; and the capacity to provide direction and leadership of the
agency.
Section 8.3: Supervisor
Each TFC program will designate supervisors for their Case Coordinators. Preferably a Supervisor will
have a Master’s degree in social work and a license to practice in the state of Kansas with a minimum of
two years experience in the child placement field. However, a Master’s degree in a related human service
field can substitute for the advanced social work degree provided the Supervisor is licensed to practice in
the state of Kansas and has three years of experience in the child placement field.
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Section 8.4: Case Coordinator
Case Coordinators shall have a Master’s degree in social work or in a related human service field and a
license to practice in the state of Kansas. However, a Bachelor’s degree with a license to practice in the
state and at least two (2) years experience in child placement/foster care is acceptable.
Section 8.5: Case Load Capacity
Supervisors shall supervise no more than 5 Case Coordinators. Case Coordinators shall be assigned no more
than 8 youth in TFC homes, although, in some circumstances, exceptions can be made for the case load to
increase to 12. The case load shall be adjusted downward if a difficult client population requires more
intensive support and contact or if the travel/distances impair the Case Coordinators ability to serve the
needs of the youth or foster parents. The Case Coordinator shall supervise no more than 8 TFC homes.
Section 8.6: Therapeutic Family Foster Parents
• Shall be licensed as foster parents by DCF Foster Care and Residential Facility Licensing and be
sponsored by a licensed child placing agency.
• Complete the PS Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (PS-MAPP) preparation program.
This training shall be completed prior to placement of any child in the home.
• Shall receive, after the first year, a minimum of 24 hours, per parent in the home, of additional training
annually. CPR and First Aid training does not count toward meeting the minimum 24 hours of annual
training per parent in the home. This training shall, at a minimum, consist of: administration of
medication; orientation to mandatory abuse/ neglect reporting; DCF disciplinary policies; the
management of aggressive behaviors; grief/loss issues of children in care; special issues of working
with children who have emotional/behavioral problems associated with abuse/neglect or traumatic
brain injury; basic training in the concepts of the various diagnostic categories affecting children
placed in TFC homes; training in working with biological/adoptive families regarding issues of
reintegration or dealing with resolving issues within families that prevent children from living at
home; as well as the provision of self-sufficiency or adult living transition skills for children who
may not live with family members after treatment.
• In Service Training shall be on record for each therapeutic family foster parent and shall describe the
professional development plan. It is preferred that the individuals chosen as therapeutic family Foster
parents will be experienced foster parents, but exceptions can be made to allow “new” individuals to
become TFC parents if they demonstrate exceptional parenting abilities. Please see Section III of the
National Standards for more discussion regarding training for the TFC parents.
• Placements in each therapeutic family foster home may only be made by the Sponsoring Agency.
• Shall notify the Sponsoring Agency of any changes or impending changes in the household/family
composition.
• Shall participate actively in the treatment plan and attend Case Planning Conferences as established
by the Treatment Team.
• Shall obtain the Sponsoring Agency’s permission to take a child in placement out of state or to move
to another residence.
• Work with the schools regarding the education of the child and obtain free textbooks and lunches
where applicable. If necessary, the therapeutic family foster parent shall become the Educational
Advocate for foster children in the home, and attend all Individual Educational Plan conferences, and
notify the Sponsoring Agency if there are suspensions or dismissals from school.
• Obtain needed medical/dental/psychiatric care for the child including the KanBeHealthy medical
screenings. Medical information as required by licensing regulations shall be maintained by the foster
parents.
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• Incorporate the foster child into the family affording him/her the same privileges and responsibilities
of other family members; appropriate to his/her age and abilities.
• Maintain appropriate renters/homeowners/household care insurance and furnish proof of coverage
upon request to the Sponsoring Agency.
• Understand that the placing agencies cannot be held responsible for damages done to the therapeutic
family foster parent’s home, automobile, household furnishings, or other possessions, done by a
foster child beyond that available in applicable insurance coverage.
• Utilize Respite Care and Foster Parent Support provided by the Sponsoring Agency.
• Complete Daily Behavioral Logs reflecting progress or lack thereof of the child in attaining the goals
of the treatment plan.
Section 8.7: Therapeutic Family Foster Parent Support
Sponsoring Agency shall provide intensive support, technical assistance and supervision to all therapeutic
family foster parents. Respite care for the therapeutic family foster parents shall be planned on at least a
monthly basis, and respite shall be provided both in planned situations and in crisis situations. Respite shall
be provided in homes selected and trained using the same standards for therapeutic family foster parents.
Support groups of therapeutic family foster parents shall be formed to help in the process of affirming and
reinforcing the very central role the therapeutic family foster parents shall have in the treatment of severely
emotionally disturbed youth.
Section 8.8: Staff Training
Pre-Service and ongoing annual in-service training and support will be mandatory for all staff and respite
foster parents working in the TFC program. Annual staff training records will be kept by the TFC program
for review by DCF and DCF Foster Care and Residential Facility Licensing. Administrators, Supervisors,
Case Coordinators and therapeutic family foster parents will complete the 30 hour PS MAPP training.
Additional training shall, at a minimum, consist of: administration of medication; orientation to mandatory
abuse /neglect reporting; DCF disciplinary policies; the management of aggressive behaviors; grief /loss
issues of children in care; special issues of working with children who have emotional / behavioral problems
associated with abuse /neglect or traumatic brain injury; basic training in the concepts of the various
diagnostic categories affecting children placed in TFC homes; training in working with biological /adoptive
families regarding issues of reintegration or dealing with resolving issues within families that prevent
children from living at home; as well as the provision of self-sufficiency or adult living transition skills for
children who may not live with family members after treatment.
Section 9: Child’s Rights
The staff of the Child Placing Agency and therapeutic family foster parents shall allow privacy for each
child. The foster home’s space and furnishings shall be designed and planned with respect for the child’s
right to privacy. The foster home’s design shall also provide supervision according to the ages and needs
of the children/youth in placement. Contacts between the child/youth and his/her parents or guardian shall
be allowed while the child/youth is in care unless the rights of the parents have been terminated by court
order or family contact is not in the child’s best interest. The frequency of contact shall be determined by
the needs of the child/youth and his/her family or guardian.
The Child Placing Agency shall have clearly written policies regarding visits, gifts, mail and telephone calls
between the child/youth and his/her family, or guardian. These policies shall be made known to the
child/youth and his/her family or guardian prior to admission. Youth shall be allowed to send and receive
mail and have telephone conversations with family members or guardian unless the best interest of the
youth or a court order necessitates restrictions. If restrictions on communications or visits are necessary
21

these shall be reviewed monthly by a psychiatrist, licensed psychologist or social worker with a master’s
degree in social work and the referring agency notified.
A youth shall be allowed to bring personal possessions to the therapeutic family foster home and may
acquire others. Prior to admission, information shall be made available to the youth and their parents or
guardian concerning what possessions a youth may bring to the foster home and the kinds of gifts they may
receive.
Section 9.1: Discipline
Discipline shall be consistent with the policies of DCF and shall not be physically or emotionally damaging.
Only therapeutic family foster parents or substitute care providers, including respite providers, shall
discipline children/youth placed in a TFC home.
Children/youth shall not be:
--Subjected to cruel, severe, unusual or unnecessary punishment.
--Subjected to remarks that belittle or ridicule them or their families.
--Denied food, mail or visits with their families as punishment.
--Punished by shaking, striking or spanking.
--Discipline or control shall fit the needs of each youth.
Section 10: Reporting Abuse/Neglect
All foster parents are mandated reporters. Mandated reporters shall report all witnessed or suspected
abuse/neglect to the Kansas Protection Report Center (KPRC) at 1-800-922-5330 or the local Law
Enforcement Agency.
Abuse is any act or failure to act which results in death, physical harm, emotional harm, or which presents
a likelihood of harm to a person under age 18. The broad definition of abuse includes physical abuse,
emotional abuse, and sexual abuse. Neglect is any act or omission resulting in harm to a child or which
presents a likelihood of harm. Neglect includes failure to provide food, clothing, shelter, safety, adequate
levels of appropriate supervision, medical treatment, or education.
Physical Abuse: Infliction of physical harm or the causation of a child's deterioration, and may include,
but shall not be limited to, maltreatment or exploiting a child to the extent the child’s health is endangered.
K.S.A. 38-2202
Sexual Abuse: Any contact or interaction with a child in which the child is being used for the sexual
stimulation of the perpetrator, the child, or another person. Sexual abuse shall include allowing, permitting,
or encouraging a child to engage in the sale of sexual relations or commercial sexual exploitation of a child,
or to be photographed, filmed, or depicted in obscene or pornographic material. Sexual abuse also shall
include allowing, permitting or encouraging a child to engage in aggravated human trafficking, as defined
in K.S.A. 2014 Supp. 21-5426(b), and amendments thereto, if committed in whole or in part for the purpose
of the sexual gratification of the offender or another. K.S.A. 38-2202 (See PPM 0160 or K.S.A. 21-6422
for Commercial sexual exploitation of a child, 21-5426 for aggravated human trafficking, and 21-5501 for
sexual intercourse and sodomy definitions). Contact solely between children shall meet the criteria only if
the contact also involves force, intimidation, difference in maturity, or coercion. K.A.R. 30-46-10
Mental or Emotional Abuse: Infliction of mental or emotional harm or the causing of a deterioration of a
child, and may include, but shall not be limited to, maltreatment or exploiting a child to the extent the child's
22

health or emotional wellbeing is endangered. This term may include any act, behavior, or omission that
impairs or endangers a child’s social or intellectual functioning. This term may include the following:
1) terrorizing a child, by creating a climate of fear or engaging in violent or threatening behavior
toward the child or toward others in the child's presence that demonstrates a flagrant disregard for
the child;
2) emotionally abandoning a child, by being psychologically unavailable to the child, demonstrating
no attachment to the child, or failing to provide adequate nurturance of the child; and
3) corrupting a child, by teaching or rewarding the child for unlawful, antisocial, or sexually mature
behavior. K.S.A. 38-2202 and K.A.R. 30-46-10
Neglect: Acts or omissions by a parent, guardian or person responsible for the care of a child resulting in
harm to a child, or presenting a likelihood of harm, and the acts or omissions are not due solely to the lack
of financial means of the child's parents or other custodian. Neglect may include but, shall not be limited
to:
(1) failure to provide the child with food, clothing, or shelter necessary to sustain the life or health of
the child;
(2) failure to provide adequate supervision of a child or to remove a child from a situation that requires
judgment or actions beyond the child's level of maturity, physical condition, or mental abilities and
that result in bodily injury or a likelihood of harm to the child; or
(3) failure to use resources available to treat a diagnosed medical condition if such treatment will make
a child substantially more comfortable, reduce pain and suffering, or correct or substantially
diminish a crippling condition from worsening. A parent legitimately practicing religious beliefs
who does not provide specified medical treatment for a child because of religious beliefs shall not
for that reason be considered a negligent parent. K.SA. 38-2202 (t)
Section 11: Significant Incident
A Significant Incident is an occurrence that requires the provider to make a response that is not a part of
the program’s ordinary daily routine.
Section 11.1 Significant Incident Reporting
Significant incidents are to be reported to the youth’s CWCMP case manager and the youth’s parent or
guardian when appropriate per PPM 0513.
The following significant incidents shall be verbally reported immediately with a written report to the
CWCMP case manager within 24 hours of the event (please refer to the following definitions for
clarification):
Significant Incident involving a child in the custody of the Secretary include but are not limited to:
If the significant incident involves abuse, neglect, or exploitation the facility shall also follow mandated
reporting requirements.
All facilities shall have procedures for reporting significant incidents to administrative staff and recording
significant incidents in the resident files. An administrative file of significant incidents shall be kept by
facility.

23

An administrative file shall be kept by the facility documenting significant incidents that is separate from
the documentation in the youth’s file.
Each foster family shall obtain on-call/emergency contact information for all CWCMP case managers in
the event of an emergency or significant incident.
If the significant incident involves abuse or neglect the foster family shall also follow mandated reporting
requirements.

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YOUTH RESIDENTIAL CARE II
STANDARDS AND GENERAL GUIDELINES
SECTION 1: GENERAL PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AND REQUIREMENTS
A Youth Residential Care (YRC II) facility is a 24-hour group home or residential facility that meets the
requirements of KAR 28-4-123-132 and KAR 28-4-268-280. It is a non-secure residential service designed
to provide an environment that will enhance the youth’s ability to achieve a higher level of functioning
while avoiding future placement in a more highly structured treatment facility.
Section 1.1: Services Provided in Youth Residential Care
The range of services to be delivered by the YRC II facility to meet the variety of individual needs of the
residents shall be well defined. The General Program description approved by DCF Prevention and
Protection Services for each facility shall include but not be limited to the:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

goals of the program
resident behavioral treatment system
job descriptions (responsibilities, functions, and qualifications)
policies and procedures
daily living activities
health services
7. recreation activities
8. visitation policies
The purpose of placement in an YRC II is to improve the youth’s decision making, coping skills, social
skills, and to address any underlying problems which are affecting the youth, while teaching the youth how
to handle their behaviors in order to transition successfully back into their family or community.

DCF requires foster parents and designated officials at child care institutions to apply the
reasonable and prudent parenting standard. The standard is characterized by careful and sensible
parental decisions that maintain a child’s health, safety, and best interests while at the same time
encouraging the child’s emotional and developmental growth that a caregiver must use when
determining whether to allow a child in foster care to participate in extracurricular, enrichment,
cultural, and social activities.
SECTION 2: GENERAL STAFFING REQUIREMENTS
Twenty-four hour care which has been licensed by DCF Foster Care and Residential Facility Licensing
(K.A.R 28-4-268-280) as a group home or residential center to cover the programming the facility will
provide to the population of children/youth whom the facility will serve.
 The administrator in a YRC II (meeting residential center standards K.A.R 28-4-268 (t) more than
10 residents) shall have a Bachelors degree, prior administrative experience and a working
knowledge of child dvelopment principles.
 The administrator in a YRC II (meeting group home standards K.A.R 28-4-268 (i)) not less than five
nor more than ten persons) shall have at least a high school diploma or GED, prior administrative
experience and a working knowledge of child dvelopment principles
 Program plan development, review, and case supervision are carried out by the YRC II Provider.

25

 The Case Coordinator shall have at least a bachelor’s degree in one of the human service fields
(social work, psychology, human development and family life, criminal justice, counseling),
nursing, or education. The youth to case coordinator ratio in a YRC II is 1:16.
 Facility staff shall be trained to effectively meet the special needs of youth who require this level of
care. Facility child care staff shall be at least 21 years of age with a minimum of three years age
difference between the child care worker and oldest resident who can be admitted to the facility.
Child care workers shall possess a high school diploma or GED.
 Staff ratio is 1:7 during waking hours and 1:10 during sleeping hours. There shall be 24-hour awake
staff to insure child safety.
SECTION 3: CRITERIA FOR THE YOUTH’S ADMISSION
Population Served:
 Population served is children and youth, ages 6 thru 21, who:
o Have a well established pattern of behavior or conduct which is antisocial, oppositional,
defiant, aggressive, abusive, impulsive or high risk in nature.
 Youth who DO NOT meet the standard for Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF)
admission, who are not in need of intensive treatment, and for whom family based services are not
appropriate to meet the youth’s needs.
 Youth awaiting a PRTF screen may reside in a YRC II until the time of the screen.
 If a youth is in a YRC II awaiting a screen the screen shall be completed within 14 days, but shall
be completed as soon as possible. If the youth screens into a PRTF they can stay up to 14 days
while awaiting a PRTF bed.
 No more than 50 percent of the youth in a YRC II facility may have screened into a PRTF and be
in the 14 day waiting period for a PRTF placement.
 Youth may step down to a YRC II from a PRTF after the screener and treatment team have
determined the youth no longer needs the level of care provided by a PRTF.
Section 3.1: Placement Agreement
A signed Placement Agreement shall be completed between the YRC II and the referring agency at the time
of placement. A copy of the signed Placement Agreement shall be kept in the youth’s file at the facility.
Section 4: Resident lodging
In order to support the daily management and administration of residents, each residential provider shall
develop an objective procedure regarding the physical housing of youth. Youth in a residential placement
shall be assigned to a room based upon various factors, as identified by risk/needs assessment(s) in addition
to other indicators. Factors to consider in assigning rooms shall include (but are not limited to):
 Suicidal tendencies
 Level of specialized needs (i.e. mental health, medical, etc.)
 Displaying inappropriate sexual behaviors /victims of sexual abuse)
 Gender
 Age and/or maturity level
 Program needs (substance use disorder, cognitive behavioral, independent living, etc.)
 Vulnerability to being victimized by others (i.e. physical stature)
While each youth will have an individualized program plan, assigning rooms based upon
risk/need/responsivity factors will allow for a safer, more secure environment, as well as efficient and
26

effective management of the living units. The youth’s room assignment and how the decision was made
shall be documented in the youth’s file.
SECTION 5: RESIDENTIAL CARE PROGRAM
Section 5.1: Residential Care System
Each YRC II shall have a written program of consistent rules and regulations guiding and governing the
daily behavior of the youth under the care of the program. The behavior management system shall include
a description of daily general routines of the program. The system of rules, rewards, and consequences for
given behaviors shall be identified. Each youth shall be oriented to the YRC’s behavior management system
by a staff member during the admission or orientation process. Notation shall be made in the youth’s file
and signed by the youth that the rules, rewards and consequences have been discussed with the youth.
The YRC II facility shall post the behavior management system in a common area where youth are able to
easily access the system and the youth shall be given a written copy of the system to use as a reference.
Behavior management shall include rules governing:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.

interpersonal interactions with staff and peers
facility leave policies
school attendance and behavior while at school
verbal and physical aggression
allowable possessions
awakening and bedtime hours
leisure hours,
visitation policies
AWOL attempts
involvement in recreation and other activities
self-destructive behaviors
sexuality
communications with family and others outside the program
religious worship
involvement in therapies
theft, property destruction
behaviors resulting in mandatory removal from the program and
behaviors at the program which could result in legal prosecution.

When a youth decides not to attend religious worship or activities, alternative supervised activities shall be
made available.
The overarching goals shall be to not only help the youth adjust to the residential facility but also to daily
life within society. A resource list shall be maintained by the facility of the available resources to meet the
youth’s need in the community.
Section 5.2: Education Requirement
All facilities shall have an education agreement letter with a school district certified by the state board of
education. The facility shall ensure routine communications between the staff and any educational program
in which the youth is placed. This shall include requesting and participating in the development of an
Individual Education Plan for each resident when appropriate. These contacts shall be noted in the youth’s
27

case record. Any accredited Kansas Virtual schooling program (on line schooling) shall be approved by
the CWCMP Provider for each youth. Refer to PPM 3236.
Section 5.3: Scope of Services
The provider shall write a policy and procedure manual for the operation of the YRC II facility that will be
reviewed and approved by DCF Prevention and Protection Services. The daily schedule shall address the
needs of the residents and the use of time to enhance the resident’s physical, mental, emotional, and social
development. The facility shall provide supervised indoor and outdoor recreation so that every resident
may participate. Age appropriate equipment and outdoor play space to promote physical development and
physical fitness shall be available. Age appropriate socialization shall be provided utilizing community
resources to assist the youth in transitioning back into their community when appropriate.
The YRC II will provide a program for youth in the facility that covers the following program components:
Daily Living Services: Daily living services shall be provided and include the following:
1. room
2. board
3. child care
4. personal spending money
5. personal care needs
6. school fees
7. transportation to appointments within a 60-mile radius; including to and from school, medical
care, recreation, etc.
8. academic activities
a. assistance with school work
b. vocational training, and/or
c. G.E.D. training.
Situational Training- to include but not limited to:
1. Personal Hygiene:
a. teaching about body cleanliness
b. use of deodorants and cosmetics
c. appropriate clothing
d. choosing clothing to fit individual and occasion
e. keeping clothes neat and clean
2. Health:
a. identifying and understanding residents’ health needs
b. securing and utilizing necessary medical treatment including preventive and health
maintenance services
c. gaining information and education in health maintenance including:
i. preventive measures
ii. nutrition
iii. menstruation
iv. rest
v. cleanliness
vi. family planning
vii. drugs
viii. sexually transmitted diseases
ix. exercise
28

x. motivation for meeting own health needs
d. maintaining contact with providers of health services (physician, nurse, clinic)
e. using outside resources for assistance (clinics, pharmacies, hospitals)
3. Consumer education for independent living:
a) budgeting
b) comparative buying
c) installment buying
d) avoiding risks
e) identifying illegal or excessive interest rates
f) use of credit
g) avoiding or dealing with debts
h) using checking and savings accounts
i) paying taxes
4. Communication skills:
The youth’s articulating thoughts and feelings through appropriate use of such skills as:
a) speech
b) writing
c) use of the landline/cell telephones
d) computer
e) social networking
f) internet
5. Home Management:
a. making the bed and changing linens
a) using the vacuum cleaner
b) dusting
c) organizing belongings
d) disposing of trash
e) cleaning all areas of the home
f) operating appliances
g) cooking complete meals
h) making simple repairs
i) who to call when a major repair is needed
j) being aware of the need for upkeep
k) handling emergencies
l) knowing first aid
6. Situational Guidance:
a) identifying and accepting strengths
b) developing patterns of acceptance
c) coping with authority figures
d) getting along with others
e) sharing responsibility
f) being considerate of others
g) developing friendships
h) knowing when to go home when visiting
i) recognizing or modifying attitudes toward self or others
j) responsible work attitudes
k) tolerance of verbal criticism
29

l) reactions to praise
m) punctuality
n) attendance
7. Recreation:
a) participating in leisure time activities
b) learning how to spend leisure time
c) developing outside activities
d) managing time
e) finding recreation with little or no expense involved
f) finding community projects to take part in
g) participating in social groups
h) participating in sports and games
i) arts and crafts
j) appreciating fine arts
Section 5.4: Initial Assessment
When a youth enters the facility, the YRC II shall begin immediately assessing their strengths and needs
including documentation and shall have a completed assessment within 7 days.
The assessment shall include but not be limited to the following:
1. Reasons for referral to the facility
2. Evaluation or assessment covering the following areas:
a) Physical health
b) Family relations
c) Academic or vocational training
3. Community life
4. Interpersonal interactions
5. Daily living skills as outlined in the scope of services listed above
6. Immediate service needs :
a) Mental Health
b) Developmental
c) Dental
d) Medical
7. Involvement or exposure to Substance Use/disorder
8. Involvement or exposure to other trauma
9. Assessment of youth’s self- injuring or suicidal attempts
Placement needs of the youth shall be assess with regards to most appropriate next placement.
Physical and mental health needs shall be coordinated with assigned CWCMP case manager and youth’s
assigned MCO.
Section 5.5: Accessing Outpatient Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder Services for Youth
Residing in a YRC II
Only Outpatient Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder services are allowed while a youth is residing in
an out of home placement (excluding PRTF placement). If outpatient services are needed, the provider
shall coordinate assessments and services through an enrolled Medicaid provider through KanCare. The
30

MCO assigned to the youth through KanCare will determine the type, frequency and duration of services
required to meet the individualized Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder needs of each youth.
Upon admission or during the course of the youth’s stay, if the youth begins to exhibit behavior/needs
which cannot be addressed by the placement or through outpatient services, the provider shall collaborate
with the CWCMP case manager to obtain an appropriate screen/assessment to determine the level of
services required.
If the youth is receiving Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder services from an enrolled Medicaid
provider through KanCare, including a community mental health center or independent practitioner, at the
time of admission, the youth may continue services by the same provider to maintain continuity of service.
Providers may employ, contract or otherwise partner with an enrolled Medicaid provider through KanCare
to provide Outpatient Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder services to youth residing at the program.
Providers shall not prohibit the youth’s ability to request or receive services from any willing provider who
are enrolled Medicaid providers through KanCare.
Section 5.6: Program Plan
Each youth residing in a residential facility shall have a program plan that is based on a thorough
assessment. Assessment documents shall be included in the case record. The program plan shall be
established by the end of 14 days from admission and shall address the identified needs in the emotional,
physical, educational, social, familial, and where appropriate independent living skill domains. Youth may
not have identified needs in every domain. If so, document no needs were identified. Program plans shall
be updated when new needs are identified or when program goals are met. Program plans shall be
thoroughly reviewed and revisions made at the case review conferences within 30 days of completion of
initial program plan and each 30 days thereafter, including updated information of the progress of the
youth’s goals. Information obtained from the youth, parent, guardian, and CWCMP case manager shall be
considered in the report.
The program plan shall include individualized services to match the youth’s identified needs in the
following areas:
• Long term goals in the areas of:
1. physical health
2. family relations
3. daily living skills
4. academic and/or vocational skills
5. interpersonal relations
6. substance use service needs
7. emotional/psychological health
•

Short term goals which will help a youth eventually reach his/her long term goals in each of the
above areas.
1. Services to meet independent living goals.
2. Specific plans for reaching the short-term goals including services to be provided and
frequency.
3. Estimated time for reaching short term goals.

31

•
•

The youth shall sign and date the program plan indicating participation and input in the
development of the plan.
Updated information of the progress of the youth’s goals shall be included.

YRCII staff shall participate in case plan conducted by CWCMP case manager.
Section 5.7: Discharge/Aftercare Plan
Discharge planning shall begin upon admission of the youth to the facility. At a minimum, the resident,
the resident’s parents, if applicable or guardian, and the placing agency shall be involved in planning the
discharge of a resident from the facility.
A discharge summary and modifications to it shall be completed at the time of the youth’s discharge, noted
in the case file and forwarded to the CWCMP case management agency. This shall include delineation

of after-care plans and goals which the youth have completed in the YRC II. Written
recommendations for discharge shall be made and shall specify the nature, frequency, and duration
or services the facility recommends for the youth.
Section 5.8: Case Coordination
The YRC II’s case coordinator has the responsibility for coordinating the youth’s program and progress
with the referring CWCMP case management agency, school, employer, family, and other appropriate
community resources.
The Case Coordinator will maintain a resource base of services to address the needs identified in Individual
Program Plans. and document in the youth file, when and what community resources have been contacted
and utilized for services for the youth.
Section 5.9: Home Visits
When home visits are a part of the program plan, there shall be pre and post home visit contacts between
the youth, their family, and facility program staff regarding the home visit including written pre and post
documentation on the home visit. Because the goal of placement is to return the youth to a family-like
setting, it is important that home visits be carefully planned and executed in the best interests of permanency
planning for the youth. All home visits shall be arranged through coordination with the child’s CWCMP
case manager. Documentation in youth’s file shall include who is transporting youth to and from family
visits and observation of the youth’s behavior during transportation.
SECTION 6: RESIDENT’S RIGHTS
The staff of the facility shall allow privacy for each youth. The facility’s space and furnishings shall be
designed and planned with respect for the resident’s right to privacy. The facility’s design shall also provide
supervision according to the ages and needs of the residents. Each resident shall have a quiet area where
they can withdraw from the group when appropriate.
Contacts between the resident and their parents/guardian shall be allowed while the resident is in care unless
the rights of the parents have been terminated by court order or family contact is not in the resident’s best
interest. The frequency of contact shall be determined by the needs of the resident and his/her family or
guardians per program plan requirements.
The facility shall have clearly written policies regarding visits, gifts, mail, E-mail and telephone (including
32

cell phone) calls, pictures and social networking between the resident and their family, or guardian. These
policies shall be made known to the resident and his/her family/guardian at or prior to admission.
Residents shall be allowed to send and receive mail and have telephone conversations with family
members/guardians unless it is not in the best interest of the youth, the safety and security of facility, or if
a court order necessitates restrictions.
If restrictions on communications or visits are necessary these shall be documented in the youths program
plan and reviewed at the 30-day case reviews. The youth’s CWCMP case manager shall be notified of
any new restrictions to communications or visitation implemented by the facility prior to its
implementation.
A resident shall be allowed to bring personal possessions to the facility and may acquire other possessions
in accordance with the policies of the facility. Prior to admission, information shall be made available to
the youth and their parents/guardians concerning what possessions a youth may bring to the facility and the
kinds of gifts they may receive. Possessions, which a youth cannot have or receive at the facility, shall be
specified in writing and distributed to the youth and their parents/guardians.
SECTION 7: BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT
Discipline at the facility shall be consistent and not be physically or emotionally damaging. Youth shall not
be subjected to cruel, severe, unusual, or unnecessary punishment. Youth shall not be subjected to remarks
that belittle or ridicule them or their families. Residents shall not be denied food, mail, telephone calls or
visits with their families as punishment. Seclusion shall not be utilized as a disciplinary measure. Only
staff members shall discipline residents.
Section 7.1: Time Out
A procedure used to assist the individual to regain emotional control by removing the individual from his
or her immediate environment and restricting the individual to a quiet area or unlocked quiet room.
Application of time out:
1. A resident in time out shall never be physically prevented from leaving the time out area.
2. Time out may take place away from the area of activity or from other residents.
3. Staff shall monitor the resident while he or she is in time out.
Section 7.2: Emergency safety intervention / De-escalation techniques
Managing Aggressive Behaviors

De-escalation is a technique used during a potential crisis situation in an attempt to prevent a youth
from causing harm to themselves, others and/or staff. De-escalation techniques shall be utilized
for any activity required to diffuse a conflict or intense situation to ensure safety and calm the
youth. Staff shall be trained in authorized, well-recognized de-escalation techniques programs for
managing aggressive behavior. Staff training records shall be kept as part of the staff member’s personnel
file and shall be made available upon request. At the time of admission to a facility, the resident and parent
(if applicable)/guardian shall be oriented to the managing aggressive behaviors policies of the facility and
shall sign a written acknowledgment of this orientation. This written acknowledgment shall be kept in the
client’s case record.

33

Section 7.3 Emergency safety interventions/Physical restraints
An emergency safety intervention shall be performed in a manner that is safe, proportionate, and appropriate
to the severity of the behavior, and the resident's chronological and developmental age, size, gender
physical, medical, psychiatric condition, and personal history.
The use of emergency safety interventions shall be performed only through the use of nationally recognized
restraint procedures applicable to this population designed to prevent a resident from harming self or others
by exerting external control over physical movement.
Physical restraint is the application of physical force without any mechanical device, for the purpose of
restricting the free movement of a resident’s body. Physical restraint shall be used only as last resort
after all verbal de-escalation techniques have failed and when the resident is at-risk of harming
themselves or others.
Mechanical restraint is the use of mechanical devices to restrict the free movement of the resident’s body,
most often for purposes of preventing self-destructive behavior. Mechanical restraints are not allowed
in YRC II residential facilities.
Each facility shall have a written restraint policy and all staff shall be trained to provide safe physical
restraints in the event of an emergency safety intervention. Staff shall be trained in authorized, wellrecognized training programs for managing aggressive behavior and de-escalation techniques. Staff
training records shall be kept as part of the staff member’s personnel file and shall be made available upon
request. At the time of admission to a facility, the resident and parent (if applicable)/guardian (if applicable)
shall be oriented to the restraint policies of the facility and shall sign a written acknowledgment of this
orientation. This written acknowledgment shall be kept in the client’s case record.
Section 7.4: Reporting Abuse/Neglect
All employees at the YRC II are mandated reporters. Mandated reporters shall report all witnessed or
suspected abuse/neglect to the Kansas Protection Report Center (KPRC) at 1-800-922-5330 or the local
Law Enforcement Agency.
The KPRC number shall be posted in a prominent place in the facility. Any employee of the facility who
suspects the abuse/neglect of a resident within that facility is to notify the Director of the facility
immediately, except in cases where the alleged perpetrator is the facility Director.
K.S.A. 38-2224 (a) No employer shall terminate the employment of, prevent or impair the practice or
occupation of, or impose any other sanction on, any employee because the employee made an oral or written
report to, or cooperated with an investigation by, a law enforcement agency or the secretary relating to harm
inflicted upon a child which was suspected by the employee of having resulted from the physical, mental
or emotional abuse or neglect or sexual abuse of the child. K.S.A 38-2224 (b) Violation of this section is
a class B misdemeanor.
Physical Abuse: Infliction of physical harm or the causation of a child's deterioration, and may include,
but shall not be limited to, maltreatment or exploiting a child to the extent the child’s health is endangered.
K.S.A. 38-2202.
Sexual Abuse: Any contact or interaction with a child in which the child is being used for the sexual
stimulation of the perpetrator, the child, or another person. Sexual abuse shall include allowing, permitting,
or encouraging a child to engage in the sale of sexual relations or commercial sexual exploitation of a child,
34

or to be photographed, filmed, or depicted in obscene or pornographic material. Sexual abuse also shall
include allowing, permitting or encouraging a child to engage in aggravated human trafficking, as defined
in K.S.A. 2014 Supp. 21-5426(b), and amendments thereto, if committed in whole or in part for the purpose
of the sexual gratification of the offender or another. K.S.A. 38-2202 (See PPM 0160 or K.S.A. 21-6422
for Commercial sexual exploitation of a child, 21-5426 for aggravated human trafficking, and 21-5501 for
sexual intercourse and sodomy definitions). Contact solely between children shall meet the criteria only if
the contact also involves force, intimidation, difference in maturity, or coercion. K.A.R. 30-46-10
Mental or Emotional Abuse: Infliction of mental or emotional harm or the causing of a deterioration of a
child, and may include, but shall not be limited to, maltreatment or exploiting a child to the extent the child's
health or emotional wellbeing is endangered. This term may include any act, behavior, or omission that
impairs or endangers a child’s social or intellectual functioning. This term may include the following:
1) terrorizing a child, by creating a climate of fear or engaging in violent or threatening behavior
toward the child or toward others in the child's presence that demonstrates a flagrant disregard for
the child;
2) emotionally abandoning a child, by being psychologically unavailable to the child, demonstrating
no attachment to the child, or failing to provide adequate nurturance of the child; and
3) corrupting a child, by teaching or rewarding the child for unlawful, antisocial, or sexually mature
behavior. K.S.A. 38-2202 and K.A.R. 30-46-10
Neglect: Acts or omissions by a parent, guardian or person responsible for the care of a child resulting in
harm to a child, or presenting a likelihood of harm, and the acts or omissions are not due solely to the lack
of financial means of the child's parents or other custodian. Neglect may include but, shall not be limited
to:
(1) failure to provide the child with food, clothing, or shelter necessary to sustain the life or health of
the child;
(2) failure to provide adequate supervision of a child or to remove a child from a situation that requires
judgment or actions beyond the child's level of maturity, physical condition, or mental abilities and
that result in bodily injury or a likelihood of harm to the child; or
(3) failure to use resources available to treat a diagnosed medical condition if such treatment will make
a child substantially more comfortable, reduce pain and suffering, or correct or substantially
diminish a crippling condition from worsening. A parent legitimately practicing religious beliefs
who does not provide specified medical treatment for a child because of religious beliefs shall not
for that reason be considered a negligent parent. K.SA. 38-2202 (t)

SECTION 8: SIGNIFICANT INCIDENT
A Significant Incident is an unanticipated event which does not rise to the level of a significant incident,
but has the potential risk of a serious adverse outcome.
Section 8.1: Significant Incident Reporting
Significant incidents are to be reported to the youth’s CWCMP case manager and the youth’s parent or
guardian when appropriate per PPM 0513.
The following significant incidents shall be verbally reported immediately with a written report to the
CWCMP case manager within 24 hours of the event (please refer to the following definitions for
clarification):
35

Significant Incident involving a child in the custody of the Secretary include but are not limited to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.

death of a parent/primary caregiver (provide date of death)
runaway or missing from placement PPM 5245 shall be followed
arrested for a juvenile offense
alleged abuse or neglect
child is an alleged perpetrator or victim of a criminal assault of any kind
attempted suicide
serious physical illness
unanticipated medical attention that requires treatment beyond first aid
pregnancy See PPM 0513 D. 2.
birth See PPM 0513 D. 2.
emergency change in placement
use of illegal drugs
suspension of the license of a group or residential facility used by children
alleged victim of human trafficking
alleged perpetrator of animal abuse
other (document specifics)
death of child in care

If the significant incident involves abuse, neglect, or exploitation the facility shall also follow mandated
reporting requirements.
All facilities shall have procedures for reporting significant incidents to administrative staff and recording
significant incidents in the resident files. An administrative file of significant incidents shall be kept by
facility and a copy of the significant incident shall be placed in the youth’s file.
An administrative file shall be kept by the facility documenting significant incidents that is separate from
the documentation in the youth’s file.
Each YRC II provider shall develop an internal process for obtaining on-call/emergency contact
information for all CWCMP case managers in the event of an emergency or significant incident.
SECTION 9: STAFF IN-SERVICE TRAINING
Section 9.1 In-service Orientation Training
Each facility shall have an in-service orientation training program for new employees, which is especially
directed toward the initial training needs of staff working directly with residents. Documentation of
completion of orientation training shall be kept in the staff member’s personnel file.
The documentation shall be placed in a specific area in the staff’s file, indicating:
1. staff training, reflecting orientation or annual training
2. name of trainer
3. name of training
4. specify the number of training hours
5. date of the training
Child care staff shall have completed 18 hours of in-service orientation training provided by the facility
before they can work independently with youth.

36

The in-service orientation program shall provide written documentation that all staff are oriented to the
following:
1. Facility policy and procedures manual
2. Facility emergency and evacuation procedures
3. Emergency safety interventions (including management of aggressive or suicidal behavior and
orientation to the facility’s restraint policies and procedures)
4. The handling of blood borne pathogens
5. Facility discipline standards
6. Abuse/neglect mandatory reporting laws
7. Client record documentation policies and procedures
8. Policies and procedures for resident medication management
9. Resident rights
10. Confidentiality laws
11. Training in CPR/First Aid within 3 months of employment
12. De-escalation techniques
13. Trauma based informed care
Section 9.2 Annual Service Training
Each facility shall also have a written annual staff in-service training plan which addresses the annual
training needs of all staff having direct contact with residents. This annual training is beyond or in addition
to the initial 18 hour orientation training program from the date of employment.
All YRC II direct care staff shall have a minimum of 18 documented clock hours of in-service training per
year. Documentation shall be provided in each staff member’s personnel record to include content, amount
of time, trainer, and qualifications.
The documentation shall be placed in a specific area in the staff’s file, indicating staff training, indicating:
1. staff training, reflecting orientation or annual training
2. name of trainer
3. name of training
4. specify the number of training hours
5. date of the training
Topics shall include but not be limited to:
1. CPR and First Aid (current not expired)
2. Blood borne pathogens
3. Medications
4. Emergency safety interventions
5. Substance use disorder patterns
6. Childhood and adolescent development (including developmental disorders)
7. Childhood and adolescent psycho-pathology (including such topics as effects of abuse/neglect,
reactive attachment disorders, separation anxiety disorders, ADHD)
8. Childhood and adolescent sexuality issues, especially the effects of early sexual abuse
9. De-escalation techniques/physical restraints techniques
10. Trauma based informed care
SECTION 10: RECORD KEEPING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE FACILITY
The record keeping requirements of KAR 28-4-272 shall be met by the facility. In addition, the following
shall be kept by the facility.
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Record Retention:
Case records, including medical records, shall be maintained for 6 years from the date of the youth’s
discharge or until completion of an on-going audit and production of a final audit report, whichever is
longer.
Chart Documentation:
A dated record of daily observations and significant occurrences involving each youth shall be maintained
by each shift for each youth and maintained in each youth’s individual file. The record shall include events,
which may affect the well-being of the youth. The record shall be available for review. Each report shall
include the date and time of occurrence, the staff member and/or youth involved, the nature of the incident
and the circumstances surrounding it.
Weekly Progress Notes:
Notes shall be completed by the case coordinator and staff providing services. These notes shall be entered
into the youth’s chart, reflecting the delivery of services according to the program plan. This documentation
shall address the youth’s responses to interventions and the progress of the youth on individualized goals
and objectives. The note shall include any significant events that occurred during the week and shall also
summarize contacts with family members and other involved agencies. If an unmet need is identified, the
note shall reflect the actions to be taken to revise the plan for the youth to meet that need. The case
coordinator shall document specific services and activities they are providing to each youth.
Health Records:

Health Care and Records of residents shall meet the requirements of KAR 28-4-275. Records of
medications shall be kept in each youth’s case medical record and include the:
1. name of the prescribing physician
2. name of the medication
3. dosage prescribed
4. medication schedule
5. purpose of the medication
6. noted side effects
7. date of the prescription
8. date prescribed by a physician
A record of medication given, amount, date and time, and person dispensing shall be recorded. All doctor
and dental visits, major illnesses, and accidents shall be recorded. Mental health appointments shall also
be specifically documented in a youth's medical record. This provides for a complete Health record for the
youth and their family, which documents the frequency of the youth’s mental health treatment.
30 Day Progress Reports:
Thirty-day progress reports shall document progress on specific short-term goals, describe significant
revisions in goals and strategies, and specify any new program goals and strategies during the period
covered. The 30-day progress reports shall summarize progress and note changes regarding long-term
placement and program goals and shall be provided to the referring agency and a copy placed in the youth’s
file.
Permanency Planning:
Includes the evaluation and design of an approach for the youth and family that focuses on opportunities
for the youth to have ongoing active and meaningful connections with family, kin, relatives, and the
community. The goal for achieving permanency shall be coordinated with the youth’s CWCMP case
manager and be included in the program plan to be reviewed every 30 days. The permanency plan shall
38

include strategies and tasks to accomplish the youth’s goals. Behaviors which place the youth at risk for
disruption, activities to prepare the youth’s family or kinship network for reunification, identification of
other less restrictive living environments and preparing the youth for transition to these settings shall be
addressed.

39

EMERGENCY SHELTER
STANDARDS AND GENERAL GUIDELINES
SECTION 1: GENERAL PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AND REQUIREMENTS
An Emergency Shelter provides twenty-four hour care that meets the requirements of K.A.R. 28-4-123-132
and K.A.R. 28-4-268-280. It has been licensed by DCF Foster Care and Residential Facility Licensing as
a Group Boarding Home or Residential Center to cover the programming the facility will provide for the
populations of children/youth whom the facility will serve.
Section 1.1: Services Provided in an Emergency Shelter
The purpose of placement in an Emergency Shelter is to ensure the youth has a short-term safe place to stay
until a long-term placement for the youth can be found.
The range of services to be delivered by the Emergency Shelter shall be documented in the facilities
program description. The general program description approved by DCF Prevention and Protection
Services for each facility shall include but not be limited to the:
1. goals of the program
2. resident behavioral treatment system
3. job descriptions (responsibilities, functions, and qualifications)
4. policies and procedures
5. daily living activities
6. health services
7. recreation activities
8. visitation policies

DCF requires foster parents and designated officials at child care institutions to apply the
reasonable and prudent parenting standard. The standard is characterized by careful and sensible
parental decisions that maintain a child’s health, safety, and best interests while at the same time
encouraging the child’s emotional and developmental growth that a caregiver must use when
determining whether to allow a child in foster care to participate in extracurricular, enrichment,
cultural, and social activities.
Section 1.2: Short Term Placement in an Emergency Shelter
Youth shall not be placed in an emergency shelter for more than 30 days unless an extension is approved
for a circumstance as indicated below:
 Extensions may only be requested by the referring agency. Extension requests and decisions for
youth in DCF custody are managed by the child welfare case management provider case manager.
 Extensions to the 30 day emergency shelter stay will only be considered in the following
circumstances:
o If a youth is placed in an Emergency Shelter in the same school district from which they were
previously attending and no alternative placement is available in the district. If the youth will
be finishing the school term within 60 days of admission to the Emergency Shelter and
movement of the youth would result in the loss of school credit.
o The youth is awaiting an identified placement, which will be available within 45 days of
admission to the Emergency Shelter.
o A circumstance of substantially the same nature as above and it is in the best interest of the
child or youth to request an extension.
40

SECTION 2: GENERAL STAFFING REQUIREMENTS
Twenty-four hour care which has been licensed by DCF Foster Care and Residential Facility Licensing
(KAR 28-4-268-280) as a group boarding home or residential center to cover the programming the facility
will provide to the population of children/youth whom the facility will serve.
 The administrator of a residential center (meeting residential center standards K.A.R 28-4-268 (t)
more than 10 residents)shall have a Bachelor’s degree, prior administrative experience and a
working knowledge of child development principles.
 The administrator of a group boarding home (meeting group home standards K.A.R 28-4-268 (i))
not less than five nor more than ten persons) shall have at least a high school diploma, or its
equivalent, prior administrative experience and a working knowledge of child development
principles.
 Program plan development, review, and case supervision are carried out by the Emergency Shelter
provider.
 Child care staff shall be at least 21 years of age, have at least a high school diploma or equalivent
and shall practice accepted methods of child care. Staff shall be trained to effectively meet the
special needs of youth who require this level of care.
 The facility shall be staffed appropriately to meet the needs of all the residents in their care. The
staff ratio is 1:7 during waking hours and 1:10 during sleeping hours. To insure child safety, the
Emergency Shelter facility will have awake staff 24 hours a day.
SECTION 3: CRITERIA FOR THE YOUTH’S ADMISSION
Population Served:
Population served is children and youth, ages birth thru 21, who:
 Need safety and a short term placement until a more appropriate stable placement can be found for
the child/youth.
 Need Police Protective Custody.
Emergency Shelters are unique in their ability to accept youth who present a wide range of behavioral and
health needs. Emergency Shelter’s shall be trained in trauma informed care. Emergency Shelters are staffed
and administered to serve all youth from the state agencies with whom they have provider agreements.
Placements of youth shall only be denied in the most extreme circumstances, when the youth’s safety or
the safety of other residents in the Emergency Shelter cannot be assured.
Section 3.1: Placement Agreement
A signed Placement Agreement shall be completed between the provider and the referring agency at the
time of placement. A copy of the signed Placement Agreement shall be kept in the youth’s file at the
facility.
Documentation shall be placed in the youth’s file at the facility, including but not limited to:
1. The reason for the need of an extension for ES placement
2. Participants (names and title of position) in the discussion for the need for an extension, including
who agreed upon the extension
3. The youth’s updated plan of needed service(s) for the next 60 days, dated and signed by the
appropriate parties.

41

Section 4: Resident lodging
In order to support the daily management and administration of residents, each residential provider shall
develop an objective procedure regarding the physical housing of youth. Youth in a residential placement
shall be assigned to a room based upon various factors, as identified by risk/needs assessment(s) in addition
to other indicators. Factors to consider in assigning rooms shall include (but are not limited to):
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Suicidal tendencies
Level of specialized needs (i.e. mental health, medical, etc.)
Displaying inappropriate sexual behaviors/victims of sexual abuse)
Gender
Age and/or maturity level
Program needs (substance use disorder, cognitive behavioral, independent living, etc.)
Vulnerability to being victimized by others (i.e. physical stature)

While each youth will have an individualized program plan, assigning rooms based upon
risk/need/responsivity factors will allow for a safer, more secure environment, as well as efficient and
effective management of the living units. The youth’s room assignment and how the decision was made
shall be documented in the youth’s file.
SECTION 5: RESIDENTIAL CARE PROGRAM
Section 5.1: Residential Care System
Emergency Shelter shall have a written program of consistent rules guiding and governing the daily
behavior of the youth under the care of the program. The behavior management system shall include a
description of daily general routines of the program. The system of rules, rewards, and consequences for
behaviors shall be identified. Notation shall be made in the youth’s file and signed by the youth that the
rules, rewards and consequences have been discussed with the youth.
Each youth shall be oriented to the Emergency Shelter’s behavior management system by a staff member
during the admission or orientation process. The youth shall be given a written copy of the system to use
as a reference and the Emergency Shelter shall post the behavior management system in a common area
where the youth are able to easily access the system.
Behavior management shall include rules governing:
1. interpersonal interactions with staff and peers
2. facility leave policies
3. school attendance and behavior while at school
4. verbal and physical aggression
5. allowable possessions
6. awakening and bedtime hours
7. leisure hours, visitation policies
8. AWOL attempts
9. involvement in recreation and other activities
10. self-destructive behaviors
11. sexuality
12. communications with family and others outside the program
13. religious worship
14. involvement in therapies
15. theft
42

16. property destruction
17. behaviors resulting in mandatory removal from the program
18. behaviors at the program which could result in legal prosecution
When a youth decides not to attend religious worship or activities, alternative supervised activities shall be
made available.
The overarching goals shall be to help the youth adjust to the residential facility and to daily life within
society. A resource list shall be maintained by the facility of the available resources to meet the youth’s
need in the community.
Section 5.2: Education Requirement
All facilities shall have an education agreement letter with a school district certified by the state board of
education. The facility shall ensure routine communications between the staff and any educational program
in which the youth is placed. This shall include requesting and participating in the development of an
Individual Education Plan for each resident when appropriate. These contacts shall be noted in the youth’s
case record. Any accredited Kansas Virtual schooling program (on line schooling) shall be approved by
the CWCMP Provider for each child. Refer to PPM 3236.
Section 5.3: Scope of Services
The provider shall write a policy and procedure manual for the operation of the Emergency Shelter facility
that will be reviewed and approved by DCF Prevention and Protection Services. The daily schedule shall
address the needs of the residents and the use of time to enhance the resident’s physical, mental, emotional,
and social development. The facility shall provide supervised indoor and outdoor recreation so that every
resident may participate. Age appropriate equipment and outdoor play space to promote physical
development and physical fitness shall be available. Age appropriate socialization shall be provided
utilizing community resources to assist the youth in transitioning back into their community when
appropriate.
The ES will provide a program for youth in the facility that covers the following program components:
Daily Living Services - Daily living services shall be provided and include the following:
 room
 board
 child care
 personal spending money
 personal care needs
 school fees
 transportation to appointments within a 60-mile radius; including to and from school, medical care,
recreation, etc.
 academic activities
a) assistance with school work
b) vocational training
c) G.E.D. training
Situational Training- to include but not limited to:
1. Personal Hygiene –
a) body cleanliness
43

b)
c)
d)
e)

use of deodorants and cosmetics
appropriate clothing
choosing clothing to fit individual and occasion
keeping clothes neat and clean

2. Health –
a) identifying and understanding residents’ health needs
b) securing and utilizing necessary medical treatment including preventive and health
maintenance services
c) gaining information and education in health maintenance including:
i. preventive measures
ii. nutrition
iii. menstruation
iv. rest
v. cleanliness
vi. family planning
vii. drugs
viii. sexually transmitted diseases
ix. exercise
x. motivation for meeting own health needs
d) maintaining contact with providers of health services (physician, nurse, clinic)
e) using outside resources for assistance (clinics, pharmacies, hospitals)
3. Consumer education for independent livinga) budgeting
b) comparative buying
c) installment buying,
d) avoiding risks
e) identifying illegal or excessive interest rates
f) use of credit
g) avoiding or dealing with debts
h) using checking and savings accounts
i) paying taxes
4. Communication skills:
The youth’s articulating thoughts and feelings through appropriate use of such skills as:
a) speech
b) writing
c) use of the telephone landline/cell
d) computer
e) social networking
f) internet
5. Home Management:
a) making the bed and changing linens
b) using the vacuum cleaner
c) dusting
d) organizing belongings
e) disposing of trash,
f) cleaning all areas of the home
g) operating appliances
44

h)
i)
j)
k)
l)
m)

cooking complete meals
making simple repairs
who to call when a major repair is needed
being aware of the need for upkeep
handling emergencies
knowing first aid

6. Situational Guidance:
a) identifying and accepting strengths
b) developing patterns of acceptance
c) coping with authority figures
d) getting along with others
e) sharing responsibility
f) being considerate of others
g) developing friendships
h) knowing when to go home when visiting
i) recognizing or modifying attitudes toward self or others
j) responsible work attitudes
k) tolerance of verbal criticism
l) reactions to praise
m) punctuality
n) attendance
7. Recreation:
a) participating in leisure time activities
b) learning how to spend leisure time
c) developing outside activities
d) managing time
e) finding recreation with little or no expense involved
f) finding community projects to take part in
g) participating in social groups,
h) participating in sports and games
i) arts and crafts
j) appreciating fine arts
Section 5.4: Initial Assessment
When a youth enters the facility, the ES shall begin immediately assessing their strengths and needs and
shall have a completed assessment within 7 days. The assessment shall include but not be limited to the
following:
1. Reasons for referral to the facility
2. Evaluation or assessment covering the following areas:
a) physical health
b) family relations
c) academic or vocational training
3. Community life
4. Interpersonal interactions
5. Daily living skills as outlined in the scope of services listed above
6. Immediate service needs:
a) mental health
b) developmental
45

c) dental
d) medical
7. Involvement or exposure to Substance Abuse/disorder
8. Involvement or exposure to trauma
9. Assessment of youth’s self- injuring or suicidal attempts
Placement needs of the youth shall be assessed with regards to most appropriate next placement
Physical and mental health needs shall be coordinated with assigned CWCMP case manager and youth’s
assigned MCO.
Section 5.5: Accessing Outpatient Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder Services for Youth
Residing in an Emergency Shelter
Only Outpatient Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder services are allowed while a youth is residing in
an out of home placement (excluding PRTF placement). If outpatient services are needed, the provider
shall coordinate assessments and services through an enrolled Medicaid provider through KanCare. The
MCO assigned to the youth through KanCare will determine the type, frequency and duration of services
required to meet the individualized Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder needs of each youth.
Upon admission or during the course of the youth’s stay, if the youth begins to exhibit behavior/needs
which cannot be addressed by the placement or through outpatient services, the provider shall collaborate
with the CWCMP case manager to obtain an appropriate screen/assessment to determine the level of
services required.
If the youth is receiving Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder services from an enrolled Medicaid
provider through KanCare, including a community mental health center or independent practitioner, at the
time of admission, the youth may continue services by the same provider to maintain continuity of service.
Providers may employ, contract or otherwise partner with an enrolled Medicaid provider through KanCare
to provide Outpatient Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder services to youth residing at the program.
Providers shall not prohibit the youth’s ability to request or receive services from any willing provider
who are enrolled Medicaid providers through KanCare.
Section 5.6: Program Plan
Each youth residing in a residential facility shall have a program plan that is based on a thorough
assessment. Assessment documents shall be included in the case record. The program plan shall be
established by the end of 14 days from admission and shall address the identified needs in the emotional,
physical, educational, social, familial, and where appropriate independent living skill domains. Youth may
not have identified needs in every domain. If so, document no needs were identified. Program plans shall
be updated when new needs are identified or when program goals are met. Program plans shall be
thoroughly reviewed and revisions made within 30 days of completion of initial program plan and each 30
days thereafter. This includes updated information of the progress of the youth’s goals. Information
obtained from the youth, parent, guardian, and CWCMP case manager shall be considered in the report.
Program plan development, review, and case supervision are carried out by the Emergency Shelter provider.

46

The program plan shall include individualized services to match the youth’s identified needs in the
following areas:
• Long term goals in the areas of:
1. physical health
2. family relations
3. daily living skills
4. academic and/or vocational skills
5. interpersonal relations
6. substance use service needs
7. emotional/psychological health
•

Short term goals which will help a youth eventually reach his/her long term goals in each of the
above areas.
1. Services to meet independent living goals.
2. Specific plans for reaching the short-term goals including services to be provided and
frequency.
3. Estimated time for reaching short term goals.

•

The youth shall sign and date the program plan indicating participation and input in the
development of the plan.

•

Updated information of the progress of the youth’s goals shall be included.

Emergency Shelter staff shall participate in case planning conference conducted by CWCMP case manager.
Section 5.7: Discharge/Aftercare Plan
Discharge planning shall begin upon admission of the youth to the facility. At a minimum, the resident,
the resident’s parents if applicable or guardian if applicable, and the placing agency shall be involved in
planning the discharge of a resident from the facility.
A discharge summary and modifications to it shall be completed at the time of the youth’s discharge, noted
in the case file and forwarded to the CWCMP case management agency. This shall include delineation of
after-care plans and goals which the youth have reached. Written recommendations for discharge shall be
made and shall specify the nature, frequency, and duration or services the facility recommends for the
youth.
Section 5.8: Case Coordination
Case Coordination and case supervision are carried out by the Emergency Shelter provider. The Emergency
Shelter has the responsibility for coordinating the youth’s program and progress with the referring CWCMP
case management agency, school, employer, family, and other appropriate community resources.
Each ES shall outline the case coordination service delivery responsibilites for their facility. The ES will
maintain a resource list of services to address the needs identified in Program Plans and documents when
and what community resources have been contacted and utilized for services for the youth.

47

Section 5.9: Home Visits
When home visits are a part of the program plan, there shall be pre and post home visit contacts between
the youth, their family, and facility program staff regarding the home visit including pre and post written
documentation on the home visit. Because the goal of placement is to return the youth to a family-like
setting, it is important that home visits be carefully planned and executed in the best interests of permanency
planning for the youth. All home visits shall be arranged through coordination with the child’s CWCMP
case manager. Documentation in youth’s file shall include who is transporting to and from family visits and
observations of the youth’s behavior after visitation.
SECTION 6: RESIDENT’S RIGHTS
The staff of the facility shall allow privacy for each youth. The facility’s space and furnishings shall be
designed and planned with respect for the resident’s right to privacy. The facility’s design shall also provide
supervision according to the ages and needs of the residents. Each resident shall have a quiet area where
they can withdraw from the group when appropriate.
Contacts between the resident and their parents/guardian shall be allowed while the resident is in care unless
the rights of the parents have been terminated by court order or family contact is not in the resident’s best
interest. The frequency of contact shall be determined by the needs of the resident and his/her family or
guardians per program plan requirements.
The facility shall have clearly written policies regarding visits, gifts, mail, E-mail and telephone (including
cell phone) calls, pictures and social networking between the resident and their family, or guardian. These
policies shall be made known to the resident and his/her family/guardian at or prior to admission. Residents
shall be allowed to send and receive mail and have telephone conversations with family members/guardians
unless it is not in the best interest of the youth, the safety and security of facility, or if a court order
necessitates restrictions.
If restrictions on communications or visits are necessary these shall be documented in the youths file. The
youth’s CWCMP case manager shall be notified of any new restrictions to communications or visitation
implemented by the facility prior to its implementation.
A resident shall be allowed to bring personal possessions to the facility and may acquire other possessions
in accordance with the policies of the facility. Prior to admission, information shall be made available to
the youth and their parents/guardians concerning what possessions a youth may bring to the facility and the
kinds of gifts they may receive. Possessions, which a youth cannot have or receive at the facility, shall be
specified in writing and distributed to the youth and their parents/guardians.
SECTION 7: BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT
Discipline at the facility shall be consistent and not be physically or emotionally damaging. Youth shall not
be subjected to cruel, severe, unusual, or unnecessary punishment. Youth shall not be subjected to remarks
that belittle or ridicule them or their families. Residents shall not be denied food, mail, telephone calls or
visits with their families as punishment. Seclusion shall not be utilized as a disciplinary measure. Only
staff members shall discipline residents.
Section 7.1: Time Out
A procedure used to assist the individual to regain emotional control by removing the individual from his
or her immediate environment and restricting the individual to a quiet area or unlocked quiet room.
48

Application of time out
1. A resident in time out shall never be physically prevented from leaving the time out area.
2. Time out may take place away from the area of activity or from other residents.
3. Staff shall monitor the resident while he or she is in time out.
Section 7.2: Emergency safety intervention/De-escalation techniques Managing Aggressive Behaviors

De-escalation is a technique used during a potential crisis situation in an attempt to prevent a youth
from causing harm to themselves, others and/or staff. De-escalation techniques shall be utilized
for any activity required to diffuse a conflict or intense situation to ensure safety and calm the
youth. Staff shall be trained in authorized, well-recognized de-escalation techniques programs for
managing aggressive behavior. Staff training records shall be kept as part of the staff member’s personnel
file and shall be made available upon request. At the time of admission to a facility, the resident and parent
(if applicable)/guardian shall be oriented to the managing aggressive behaviors policies of the facility and
shall sign a written acknowledgment of this orientation. This written acknowledgment shall be kept in the
client’s case record.
Section 7.3: Emergency safety intervention/Physical restraints
An emergency safety intervention shall be performed in a manner that is safe, proportionate, and appropriate
to the severity of the behavior, and the resident's chronological and developmental age, size, gender,
physical, medical, psychiatric condition, and personal history.
The use of emergency safety interventions shall be performed only through the use of nationally recognized
restraint procedures applicable to this population designed to prevent a resident from harming self or others
by exerting external control over physical movement.
Physical restraint is the application of physical force without any mechanical device, for the purpose of
restricting the free movement of a resident’s body. Physical restraint shall be used only as last resort
after all verbal de-escalation techniques have failed and when the resident is at-risk of harming
themselves or others.
Mechanical restraint is the use of mechanical devices to restrict the free movement of the resident’s body,
most often for purposes of preventing self-destructive behavior. Mechanical restraints are not allowed
in Emergency Shelter residential facilities.
Each facility shall have a written restraint policy and all staff shall be trained to provide safe physical
restraints in the event of an emergency safety intervention. Staff shall be trained in authorized, wellrecognized training programs for managing aggressive behavior and de-escalation techniques. Staff
training records shall be kept as part of the staff member’s personnel file and shall be made available upon
request. At the time of admission to a facility, the resident and parent, if applicable or guardian, if applicable
shall be oriented to the restraint policies of the facility and must shall sign a written acknowledgment or
this orientation. This written acknowledgment shall be kept in the client’s case record.
Section 7.4: Reporting Abuse/Neglect
All employees at the Emergency Shelter are mandated reporters. Mandated reporters shall report all
witnessed or suspected abuse/neglect to the Kansas Protection Report Center (KPRC) at 1-800-922-5330
or the local Law Enforcement Agency.

49

The KPRC number shall be posted in a prominent place in the facility. Any employee of the facility who
suspects the abuse/neglect of a resident within that facility is to notify the Director of the facility
immediately, except in cases where the alleged perpetrator is the facility Director.
K.S.A. 38-2224 (a) No employer shall terminate the employment of, prevent or impair the practice or
occupation of, or impose any sanction on, any employee because the employee made an oral or written
report to, or cooperated with an investigation by a law enforcement agency or the secretary relating to harm
inflicted upon a child which was suspected by the employee of having resulted from the physical, mental
or emotional abuse or neglect or sexual abuse of the child. K.S.A. 38-2224 (b) Violation of this section is
a class B misdemeanor.
Physical Abuse: Infliction of physical harm or the causation of a child's deterioration, and may include,
but shall not be limited to, maltreatment or exploiting a child to the extent the child’s health is endangered.
K.S.A. 38-2202
Sexual Abuse: Any contact or interaction with a child in which the child is being used for the sexual
stimulation of the perpetrator, the child, or another person. Sexual abuse shall include allowing, permitting,
or encouraging a child to engage in the sale of sexual relations or commercial sexual exploitation of a child,
or to be photographed, filmed, or depicted in obscene or pornographic material. Sexual abuse also shall
include allowing, permitting or encouraging a child to engage in aggravated human trafficking, as defined
in K.S.A. 2014 Supp. 21-5426(b), and amendments thereto, if committed in whole or in part for the purpose
of the sexual gratification of the offender or another. K.S.A. 38-2202 (See PPM 0160 or K.S.A. 21-6422
for Commercial sexual exploitation of a child, 21-5426 for aggravated human trafficking, and 21-5501 for
sexual intercourse and sodomy definitions). Contact solely between children shall meet the criteria only if
the contact also involves force, intimidation, difference in maturity, or coercion K.A.R. 30-46-10
Mental or Emotional Abuse: Infliction of mental or emotional harm or the causing of a deterioration of a
child, and may include, but shall not be limited to, maltreatment or exploiting a child to the extent the child's
health or emotional wellbeing is endangered. This term may include any act, behavior, or omission that
impairs or endangers a child’s social or intellectual functioning. This term may include the following:
1) terrorizing a child, by creating a climate of fear or engaging in violent or threatening behavior
toward the child or toward others in the child's presence that demonstrates a flagrant disregard for
the child;
2) emotionally abandoning a child, by being psychologically unavailable to the child, demonstrating
no attachment to the child, or failing to provide adequate nurturance of the child; and
3) corrupting a child, by teaching or rewarding the child for unlawful, antisocial, or sexually mature
behavior. K.S.A. 38-2202 and K.A.R. 30-46-10
Neglect: Acts or omissions by a parent, guardian or person responsible for the care of a child resulting in
harm to a child, or presenting a likelihood of harm, and the acts or omissions are not due solely to the lack
of financial means of the child's parents or other custodian. Neglect may include but, shall not be limited
to:
(1) failure to provide the child with food, clothing, or shelter necessary to sustain the life or health of
the child;
(2) failure to provide adequate supervision of a child or to remove a child from a situation that requires
judgment or actions beyond the child's level of maturity, physical condition, or mental abilities and
that result in bodily injury or a likelihood of harm to the child; or
(3) failure to use resources available to treat a diagnosed medical condition if such treatment will make
a child substantially more comfortable, reduce pain and suffering, or correct or substantially
50

diminish a crippling condition from worsening. A parent legitimately practicing religious beliefs
who does not provide specified medical treatment for a child because of religious beliefs shall not
for that reason be considered a negligent parent. K.SA. 38-2202 (t)
SECTION 8: SIGNIFICANT INCIDENT
A Significant Incident is an unanticipated event which does not rise to the level of a significant incident,
but has the potential risk of a serious adverse outcome.
Section 8.1: Significant Incidents Reporting
Significant incidents are to be reported to the youth’s CWCMP case manager and the youth’s parent or
guardian when appropriate per PPM 0513.
The following significant incidents shall be verbally reported immediately with a written report to the
CWCMP case manager within 24 hours of the event (please refer to the following definitions for
clarification):
Significant Incident involving a child in the custody of the Secretary include but are not limited to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.

death of a parent/primary caregiver (provide date of death)
runaway or missing from placement PPM 5245 shall be followed
arrested for a juvenile offense
alleged abuse or neglect
child is an alleged perpetrator or victim of a criminal assault of any kind
attempted suicide
serious physical illness
unanticipated medical attention that requires treatment beyond first aid
pregnancy See PPM 0513 D. 2.
birth See PPM 0513 D. 2.
emergency change in placement
use of illegal drugs
suspension of the license of a group or residential facility used by children
alleged victim of human trafficking
alleged perpetrator of animal abuse
other (document specifics)
death of child in care

If the significant incident involves abuse, neglect, or exploitation the facility shall also follow mandated
reporting requirements.
All facilities shall have procedures for reporting significant incidents to administrative staff and recording
significant incidents in the resident files. An administrative file of significant incidents shall be kept by
facility.
An administrative file shall be kept by the facility documenting significant incidents that is separate from
the documentation in the youth’s file.
Each Emergency Shelter provider shall develop an internal process for obtaining on-call/emergency contact
information for all CWCMP case managers in the event of an emergency or significant incident.
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SECTION 9: STAFF IN-SERVICE TRAINING
Section 9.1 In-service Orientation Training
Each facility shall have an in-service orientation/training program for new employees, which is especially
directed toward the initial training needs of staff working directly with residents. Documentation of
completion of orientation training shall be kept in the staff member’s personnel file.
The documentation shall be placed in a specific area in the staff’s file, indicating:

1.
2.
3.
4.

staff training, reflecting orientation or annual training
name of trainer
name of training
specify the number of training hours
5. date of the training
Child care staff shall have completed 18 hours of in-service orientation training provided by the facility
before they can work independently with youth.
The in-service orientation program shall provide written documentation that all staff are oriented to the
following:
1. Facility policy and procedures manual
2. Facility emergency and evacuation procedures
3. Emergency safety interventions (including management of aggressive or suicidal behavior and
orientation to the facility’s restraint policies and procedures)
4. The handling of blood borne pathogens
5. Facility discipline standards
6. Abuse/neglect mandatory reporting laws
7. Client record documentation policies and procedures
8. Policies and procedures for resident medication management
9. Resident rights
10. Confidentiality laws
11. Training in CPR/First Aid within 3 months of employment
12. De-escalation techniques
13. The handling of youth in trauma based informed care
Section 9.2 Annual Service Training
Each facility shall also have a written annual staff in-service training plan which addresses the annual
training needs of all staff having direct contact with residents. This annual training is beyond or in addition
to the initial 18 hours orientation training program from the date of employment.
All Emergency Shelter’s direct care staff shall have a minimum of 18 documented clock hours of in-service
training per year. Documentation shall be provided in each staff member’s personnel record to include
content, amount of time, trainer, and qualifications.
The documentation shall be placed in a specific area in the staff’s file, indicating staff training, indicating:
1. staff training, reflecting orientation or annual training
2. name of trainer
3. name of training,
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4. specify the number of training hours
5. date of the training
Topics shall include but not be limited to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

CPR and First Aid (current not expired)
Blood borne pathogens
Medications
Emergency safety interventions
Substance use disorder patterns
Childhood and adolescent development (including developmental disorders)
Childhood and adolescent psycho-pathology (including such topics as effects of abuse/neglect,
reactive attachment disorders, separation anxiety disorders, ADHD)
8. Childhood and adolescent sexuality issues, especially the effects of early sexual abuse.
9. De-escalation techniques/physical restraints techniques
10. Trauma based informed care
SECTION 10: RECORD KEEPING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE FACILITY
The record keeping requirements of KAR 28-4-272 shall be met by the facility. In addition, the following
shall be kept by the facility.
Record Retention:
Case records, including medical records, shall be maintained 6 years from the date of the youth’s discharge
or until completion of an on-going audit and production of a final audit report, whichever is longer.
Health Records:

Health Care records of residents shall meet the requirements of KAR-28-4-275.
Records of medications shall be kept in each youth’s case medical record and include the:
1. name of the prescribing physician
2. name of the medication
3. dosage prescribed
4. medication schedule
5. purpose of the medication
6. noted side effects
7. date of the prescription
8. date prescribed by a physician
A record of medication given, amount, date and time, and person dispensing shall be recorded. All doctor
and dental visits, major illnesses, and accidents shall be recorded. Mental health appointments shall also
be specifically documented in a youth's medical record. This provides for a complete Health record for the
youth and their family, which documents the frequency of the youth’s mental health treatment.
Chart Documentation:
A dated record of daily observations and significant occurrences involving each youth shall be maintained
by each shift for each youth and maintained in each youth’s individual file. The record shall include events,
which may affect the well-being of the youth. The record shall be available for review. Each report shall
include the date and time of occurrence, the staff member and/or youth involved, the nature of the incident
and the circumstances surrounding it.
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Weekly Progress Notes:
Notes shall be completed by the case coordinator and staff providing services. These notes shall be entered
into the youth’s chart, reflecting the delivery of services according to the program plan. This documentation
shall address the youth’s responses to interventions and the progress of the youth on individualized goals
and objectives. The note shall include any significant events that occurred during the week and shall also
summarize contacts with family members and other involved agencies. If an unmet need is identified, the
note shall reflect the actions to be taken to revise the plan for the youth to meet that need. The case
coordinator shall document specific services and activities they are providing to each youth.
Permanency Planning:
Includes the evaluation and design of an approach for the youth and family that focuses on opportunities
for the youth to have ongoing active and meaningful connections with family, kin, relatives, and the
community. The goal for achieving permanency shall be coordinated with the youth’s CWCMP case
manager and be included in the program plan to be reviewed every 30 days. . The permanency plan shall
include strategies and tasks to accomplish the youth’s goals. Behaviors which place the youth at risk for
disruption, activities to prepare the youth’s family or kinship network for reunification, identification of
other less restrictive living environments and preparing the youth for transition to these settings shall be
addressed.

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RESIDENTIAL MATERNITY CARE
STANDARDS AND GENERAL GUIDELINES
SECTION 1: GENERAL PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AND REQUIREMENTS
A Residential Maternity Care (RMC) facility is a 24-hour group home or residential facility that meets the
requirements of KAR 28-4-123-132 and KAR 28-4-268-280. It is non-secure residential services whose
primary purpose is devoted to the maintenance and counseling of pregnant youth who need services related
to their pregnancy, and planning and care for the unborn child through labor, delivery and postnatal care.
RMC’s providing care for pregnant youth shall meet the requirements of K.A.R. 28-4-279. RMC’s
providing care for post-partum youth and infants shall meet the requirements of K.A.R. 28-4-280.
Section 1.1: Services Provided in Residential Maternity Care
The range of services to be delivered by the RMC facility to meet the variety of individual needs of the
residents shall be clearly defined. The General Program description approved by DCF Prevention and
Protection Services shall include but not be limited to:
1. goals of the program
2. resident behavioral treatment system
3. job descriptions (responsibilities, functions, and qualifications)
4. policies and procedures
5. daily living activities
6. health services
7. recreation activities
8. visitation policies
The purpose of placement in a RMC is to improve the youth’s decision making, coping skills, social skills,
and to address any underlying problems which are affecting the youth, while teaching the youth how to
handle their behaviors in order to transition successfully back into their family or community.

DCF requires foster parents and designated officials at child care institutions to apply the
reasonable and prudent parenting standard. The standard is characterized by careful and sensible
parental decisions that maintain a child’s health, safety, and best interests while at the same time
encouraging the child’s emotional and developmental growth that a caregiver must use when
determining whether to allow a child in foster care to participate in extracurricular, enrichment,
cultural, and social activities.
SECTION 2: GENERAL STAFFING REQUIREMENTS
Twenty-four hour care which has been licensed by DCF Foster Care and Residential Facility Licensing
(KAR 28-4-268-280) as a residential center to cover the programming the facility will provide to the
population of children/youth whom the facility will serve. RMC’s providing care for pregnant youth shall
meet the requirements of K.A.R. 28-4-279. RMC’s providing care for post-partum youth and infants shall
meet the requirements of K.A.R. 28-4-280.
 The administrator in a RMC (meeting residential center standards K.A.R 28-4-268 (t) more than
10 residents) shall have a Bachelors degree, prior administrative experience and a working

knowledge of child development principles

55

 The administrator in a RMC (meeting group home standards K.A.R 28-4-268 (i)) not less than five
nor more than ten persons) shall have at least a high school diploma or GED, prior administrative
experience and a working knowledge of child dvelopment principles
 Program plan development, review, and case supervision are carried out by the RMC’s Case
Coordinator.
 The youth to case coordinator ratio in a RMC is 1:16
 The Case Coordinator shall have at least a bachelor’s degree in one of the human service fields
(social work, psychology, human development and family life, criminal justice, counseling),
nursing, or education.
 Facility staff shall be trained to effectively meet the special needs of youth who require this level of
care.
 Facility child care staff shall be at least 21 years of age with a minimum of three years age difference
between the child care worker and oldest resident who can be admitted to the facility.
 The staff ratio is 1:7. during waking hours and 1:10 during sleeping hours. There shall be 24-hour
awake staff to insure child safety
SECTION 3: CRITERIA FOR THE YOUTH’S ADMISSION
Population Served:
 Population served is pregnant or post-partum mothers thru age 21, who:
o Display a need for more structure and supervision than provided in a family foster home due to
behaviors which might include difficulty with authority figures, minor offenses, and difficulty
in school.
o And child who is not a recipient of TANF
 Youth who DO NOT meet the standard for Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF)
admission, who are not in need of intensive treatment, and for whom family based services are not
appropriate to meet the youth’s needs.
 Youth awaiting a PRTF screen may reside in a RMC until the time of the screen.
 If a youth is in a RMC awaiting a screen the screen shall be completed within 14 days, but shall be
completed as soon as possible. If the youth screens into a PRTF they can stay up to 14 days while
awaiting a PRTF bed.
 No more than 50 percent of the youth in a RMC facility may have screened into a PRTF and be in
the 14 day waiting period for a PRTF placement.
 Youth may step down to a RMC from a PRTF after the screener and treatment team have
determined the youth no longer needs the level of care provided by a PRTF.
Section 3.1: Placement Agreement
A signed Placement Agreement shall be completed between the RMC and the referring agency, at the time
of placement. A copy of the signed Placement Agreement shall be kept in the youth’s file at the facility.
Section 4: Resident lodging
In order to support the daily management and administration of residents, each residential provider shall
develop an objective procedure regarding the physical housing of youth. Youth in a residential placement
shall be assigned to a room based upon various factors, as identified by risk/needs assessment(s) in addition
to other indicators. Factors to consider in assigning rooms shall include (but are not limited to):



Suicidal tendencies
Level of specialized needs (i.e. mental health, medical, etc.)
56







Displaying inappropriate sexual behaviors/victims of sexual abuse)
Gender
Age and/or maturity level
Program needs (substance use disorder, cognitive behavioral, independent living, etc.)
Vulnerability to being victimized by others (i.e. physical stature)

While each youth will have an individualized program plan, assigning rooms based upon
risk/need/responsivity factors will allow for a safer, more secure environment, as well as efficient and
effective management of the living units. The youth’s room assignment and how the decision was made
shall be documented in the youth’s file
SECTION 5: RESIDENTIAL CARE PROGRAM
Section 5.1: Residential Care System
Each RMC shall have a written program of consistent rules and regulations guiding and governing the daily
behavior of the youth under the care of the program. The behavior management system shall include a
description of daily general routines of the program. The system of rules, rewards, and consequences for
given behaviors shall be identified. Each youth shall be oriented to the RMC’s behavior management
system by a staff member during the admission or orientation process. Notation shall be made in the youth’s
file and signed by the youth that the rules and regulations, rewards and consequences have been discussed
with the youth.
The RMC facility shall post the behavior management system in a common area where youth are able to
easily access the system and the youth shall be given a written copy of the system to use as a reference.
Behavioral management shall include rules governing:
1. interpersonal interactions with staff and peers
2. facility leave policies
3. school attendance and behavior while at school
4. verbal and physical aggression
5. allowable possessions
6. awakening and bedtime hours
7. leisure hours
8. visitation policies
9. AWOL attempts
10. involvement in recreation and other activities
11. self-destructive behaviors
12. sexuality
13. communications with family and others outside the program
14. religious worship
15. involvement in therapies
16. theft, property destruction
17. behaviors resulting in mandatory removal from the program
18. behaviors at the program which could result in legal prosecution
When a youth decides not to attend religious worship or activities, alternative supervised activities shall be
made available.
The overarching goals shall be to not only help the youth adjust to the residential facility but also to daily
life within society. A resources list shall be maintained by the facility of the available resources to meet
the youth’s needs in the community.
57

Section 5.2: Education Requirement
All facilities shall have an education agreement letter with a school district certified by the state board of
education. The facility shall ensure routine communications between the staff and any educational program
in which the youth is placed. This shall include requesting and participating in the development of an
Individual Education Plan for each resident when appropriate. These contacts shall be noted in the youth’s
case record. Any accredited Kansas Virtual schooling program (on line schooling) shall be approved by
the CWCMP Provider for each youth. Refer to PPM 3236.
Section 5.3: Scope of Services
The provider shall write a policy and procedure manual for the operation of the RMC facility that will be
reviewed and approved by DCF Prevention and Protection Services. The daily schedule shall address the
needs of the residents and the use of time to enhance the resident’s physical, mental, emotional, and social
development. The facility shall provide supervised indoor and outdoor recreation so that every resident
may participate. Age appropriate equipment and outdoor play space to promote physical development and
physical fitness shall be available. Age appropriate socialization shall be provided utilizing community
resources to assist the youth in transitioning back into their community when appropriate.
The RMC will provide a program for youth in the facility that covers the following program components:
Daily Living Services - Daily living services shall be provided and include the following:
1. room
2. board
3. child care
4. personal spending money
5. personal care needs
6. school fees
7. transportation to appointments within a 60-mile radius; including to and from school, medical
care, recreation, etc.
8. academic activities
a) assistance with school work
b) vocational training, and/or
c) G.E.D. training
Situational Training- to include but not limited to:
 Personal Hygiene:
a) teaching about body cleanliness
b) use of deodorants and cosmetics
c) appropriate clothing
d) choosing clothing to fit individual and occasion
e) keeping clothes neat and clean


Health:
a) identifying and understanding residents’ health needs
b) securing and utilizing necessary medical treatment including preventive and health
maintenance services
c) gaining information and education in health maintenance including:
i. preventive measures
ii. nutrition
iii. menstruation
58

iv. rest
v. cleanliness
vi. family planning
vii. drugs
viii. sexually transmitted diseases
ix. exercise
x. motivation for meeting own health needs
d) maintaining contact with providers of health services (physician, nurse, clinic)
e) using outside resources for assistance (clinics, pharmacies, hospitals)
f) outside resources for assistance (clinics, pharmacies, hospitals)


Consumer education for independent living:
a) budgeting
b) comparative buying
c) installment buying
d) avoiding risks
e) identifying illegal or excessive interest rates
f) use of credit
g) avoiding or dealing with debts
h) using checking and savings accounts
i) paying taxes



Communication skills:
The youth’s articulating thoughts and feelings through appropriate use of such skills as:
a) speech
b) writing
c) use of the landline/cell telephones
d) computer
e) social networking
f) internet



Home Management:
a) making the bed and changing linens
b) using the vacuum cleaner
c) dusting
d) organizing belongings
e) disposing of trash
f) cleaning all areas of the home
g) operating appliances
h) cooking complete meals
i) making simple repairs
j) who to call when a major repair is needed
k) being aware of the need for upkeep
l) handling emergencies
m) knowing first aid



Situational Guidance:
a) identifying and accepting strengths
b) developing patterns of acceptance
59

c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
j)
k)
l)
m)
n)


coping with authority figures
getting along with others
sharing responsibility
being considerate of others
developing friendships
knowing when to go home when visiting
recognizing or modifying attitudes toward self or others
responsible work attitudes
tolerance of verbal criticism
reactions to praise
punctuality
attendance

Recreation:
a) participating in leisure time activities
b) learning how to spend leisure time
c) developing outside activities
d) managing time
e) finding recreation with little or no expense involved
f) finding community projects to take part in, participating in social groups
g) participating in sports and games
h) arts and crafts
i) appreciating fine arts

Section 5.4: Initial Assessment
When a youth enters the facility, the RMC shall begin assessing their strengths and needs immediately and
have a completed assessment within 7 days of admission.
The assessment shall include but not be limited to the following:
1. Reasons for referral to the facility
2. Evaluation or assessment covering the following areas:
a) Physical health
b) Family relations
c) Academic or vocational training
3. Community life
4. Interpersonal interactions
5. Daily living skills as outlined in the scope of services listed above
6. Immediate service needs:
a) Mental Health
b) Developmental
c) Dental
d) Medical
7. Involvement or exposure to Substance Use/disorder
8. Involvement or exposure to other trauma
9. Assessment of youth’s self- injuring or suicidal attempts
Placement needs of the youth shall be assess with regards to most appropriate next placement.
Physical and mental health needs shall be coordinated with assigned CWCMP and youth’s assigned MCO.

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Section 5.5: Accessing Outpatient Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder Services for Youth residing
in a Residential Maternity Center
Only Outpatient Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder services are allowed while a youth is residing in
an out of home placement (excluding PRTF placement). If outpatient services are needed, the provider
shall coordinate assessments and services through an enrolled Medicaid provider through KanCare. The
MCO assigned to the youth through KanCare will determine the type, frequency and duration of services
required to meet the individualized Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder needs of each youth.
Upon admission or during the course of the youth’s stay, if the youth begins to exhibit behavior/needs
which cannot be addressed by the placement or through outpatient services, the provider shall collaborate
with the CWCMP case manager to obtain an appropriate screen/assessment to determine the level of
services required.
If the youth is receiving Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder services from an enrolled Medicaid
provider through KanCare, including a community mental health center or independent practitioner, at the
time of admission, the youth may continue services by the same provider to maintain continuity of service.
Providers may employ, contract or otherwise partner with an enrolled Medicaid provider through KanCare
to provide Outpatient Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder services to youth residing at the program.
Providers shall not prohibit the youth’s ability to request or receive services from any willing provider who
are enrolled Medicaid providers through KanCare.
Section 5.6: Program Plan
Each youth residing in a residential facility shall have a program plan that is based on a thorough
assessment. Assessment documents shall be included in the case record. The program plan shall be
established by the end of 14 days from admission and shall address the identified needs in the emotional,
physical, educational, social, familial, and where appropriate independent living skill domains. Youth may
not have identified needs in every domain. If so, document no needs were identified. Program plans shall
be updated when new needs are identified or when program goals are met. Program plans shall be
thoroughly reviewed and revisions made at the case review conferences within 30 days of completion of
initial program plan and each 30 days thereafter including updated information of the progress of the youth’s
goals. Information obtained from the youth, parent, guardian, and CWCMP case manager shall be
considered in the report.
The program plan shall include individualized services to match the youth’s identified needs in the
following areas:
• Long term goals in the areas of:
1. physical health
2. family relations
3. daily living skills
4. academic and/or vocational skills
5. interpersonal relations
6. substance use service needs
7. emotional/psychological health
 Short term goals which will help a youth eventually reach his/her long term goals in each of the above
areas.
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1. Services to meet independent living goals.
2. Specific plans for reaching the short-term goals including services to be provided and
frequency.
3. Estimated time for reaching short term goals.
 The youth shall sign and date the program plan indicating participation and input in the development
of the plan.
 Updated information of the progress of the youth’s goals shall be included.
RMC staff shall participate in the case plan conducted by the CWCMP case manager.
Section 5.7: Discharge/Aftercare Plan
Discharge planning shall begin upon admission of the youth to the facility. At a minimum, the resident,
the resident’s parents, if applicable or guardian, and the placing agency shall be involved in planning the
discharge of a resident from the facility.
A discharge summary and modifications to it shall be completed at the time of the youth’s discharge, noted
in the case file and forwarded to the CWCMP case management agency. This shall include documentation
of after-care plans, and the goals which the youth has completed in the RMC. Written recommendations
for discharge shall be made and shall specify the nature, frequency, and duration or services the facility
recommends for the youth. The plan shall also document who the responsible parties are for aftercare
services.
Section 5.8: Case Coordination
The RMC’s case coordinator has the responsibility for coordinating the youth’s program and progress with
the referring CWCMP case management agency, school, employer, family, and other appropriate
community resources.
The Case Coordinator will maintain a resource base of services to address the needs identified in Individual
Program Plans and document in the youth’s file, when and what community resources have been contacted
and utlized for services for the youth.
Section 5.9: Home Visits
When home visits are a part of the program plan, there shall be pre and post home visit contacts between
the youth, their family, and facility program staff regarding the home visit including written documentation
pre and post regarding the home visit. Because the goal of placement is to return the youth to a family-like
setting, it is important that home visits be carefully planned and executed in the best interests of permanency
planning for the youth. All home visits shall be arranged through coordination with the child’s CWCMP
case manager. Documentation in youth’s file shall include who is transporting youth to and from family
visits and observation of the youth’s behavior during transportation.
SECTION 6: RESIDENT’S RIGHTS
The staff of the facility shall allow privacy for each youth. The facility’s space and furnishings shall be
designed and planned with respect for the resident’s right to privacy. The facility’s design shall also provide

62

supervision according to the ages and needs of the residents. Each resident shall have a quiet area where
they can withdraw from the group when appropriate.
Contacts between the resident and their parents/guardian shall be allowed while the resident is in care unless
the rights of the parents have been terminated by court order or family contact is not in the resident’s best
interest. The frequency of contact shall be determined by the needs of the resident and his/her family or
guardians per program plan requirements.
The facility shall have clearly written policies regarding visits, gifts, mail, E-mail and telephone (including
cell phone) calls, pictures and social networking between the resident and their family, or guardian. These
policies shall be made known to the resident and his/her family/guardian at or prior to admission.
Residents shall be allowed to send and receive mail and have telephone conversations with family
members/guardians unless it is not in the best interest of the youth, the safety and security of facility, or if
a court order necessitates restrictions.
If restrictions on communications or visits are necessary these shall be documented in the youths program
plan and reviewed at the 30-day case reviews. The youth’s CWCMP case manager shall be notified of
any new restrictions to communications or visitation implemented by the facility prior to its
implementation.
A resident shall be allowed to bring personal possessions to the facility and may acquire other possessions
in accordance with the policies of the facility. Prior to admission, information shall be made available to
the youth and their parents/guardians concerning what possessions a youth may bring to the facility and the
kinds of gifts they may receive. Possessions, which a youth cannot have or receive at the facility, shall be
specified in writing and distributed to the youth and their parents/guardians.
SECTION 7: BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT
Discipline at the facility shall be consistent and not be physically or emotionally damaging. Youth shall not
be subjected to cruel, severe, unusual, or unnecessary punishment. Youth shall not be subjected to remarks
that belittle or ridicule them or their families. Residents shall not be denied food, mail, telephone calls or
visits with their families as punishment. Seclusion shall not be utilized as a disciplinary measure. Only
staff members shall discipline residents.
Section 7.1: Time Out
A procedure used to assist the individual to regain emotional control by removing the individual from his
or her immediate environment and restricting the individual to a quiet area or unlocked quiet room.
Application of time out:
1. A resident in time out shall never be physically prevented from leaving the time out area.
2. Time out may take place away from the area of activity or from other residents.
3. Staff shall monitor the resident while he or she is in time out.

63

Section 7.2: Emergency safety intervention/ De-escalation techniques
Managing Aggressive Behaviors

De-escalation is a technique used during a potential crisis situation in an attempt to prevent a youth
from causing harm to themselves, others and/or staff. De-escalation techniques shall be utilized
for any activity required to diffuse a conflict or intense situation to ensure safety and calm the
youth. Staff shall be trained in authorized, well-recognized de-escalation techniques programs for
managing aggressive behavior. Staff training records shall be kept as part of the staff member’s personnel
file and shall be made available upon request. At the time of admission to a facility, the resident and parent
(if applicable)/guardian shall be oriented to the managing aggressive behaviors policies of the facility and
shall sign a written acknowledgment of this orientation. This written acknowledgment shall be kept in the
client’s case record.
Section 7.3 Emergency safety interventions/Physical restraints
An emergency safety intervention shall be performed in a manner that is safe, proportionate, and appropriate
to the severity of the behavior, and the resident's chronological and developmental age, size, gender
physical, medical, psychiatric condition, and personal history.
The use of emergency safety interventions shall be performed only through the use of nationally recognized
restraint procedures applicable to this population designed to prevent a resident from harming self or others
by exerting external control over physical movement.
Physical restraint is the application of physical force without any mechanical device, for the purpose of
restricting the free movement of a resident’s body. Physical restraint shall be used only as last resort
after all verbal de-escalation techniques have failed and when the resident is at-risk of harming
themselves or others.
Mechanical restraint is the use of mechanical devices to restrict the free movement of the resident’s body,
most often for purposes of preventing self-destructive behavior. Mechanical restraints are not allowed
in RMC residential facilities.
Each facility shall have a written restraint policy and all staff shall be trained to provide safe physical
restraints in the event of an emergency safety intervention. Staff shall be trained in authorized, wellrecognized training programs for managing aggressive behavior and de-escalation techniques. Staff
training records shall be kept as part of the staff member’s personnel file and t shall be made available upon
request. At the time of admission to a facility, the resident and parent (if applicable) /guardian (if
applicable) shall be oriented to the restraint policies of the facility and shall sign a written acknowledgment
or this orientation. This written acknowledgment shall be kept in the client’s case record.
Section 7.4: Reporting Abuse/Neglect
All employees at the RMC are mandated reporters. Mandated reporters shall report all witnessed or
suspected abuse/neglect to the Kansas Protection Report Center (KPRC) at 1-800-922-5330 or the local
Law Enforcement Agency.
The KPRC number shall be posted in a prominent place in the facility. Any employee of the facility who
suspect the abuse/neglect of a resident within that facility is to notify the Director of the facility
immediately, except in cases where the alleged perpetrator is the facility Director.

64

K.S.A. 38-2224 (a) No employer shall terminate the employment of, prevent or impair the practice or
occupation of, or impose any sanction on, any employee because the employee made an oral or written
report to, or cooperated with an investigation by a law enforcement agency or the secretary relating to harm
inflicted upon a child which was suspected by the employee of having resulted from the physical, mental
or emotional abuse or neglect or sexual abuse of the child. K.S.A. 38-2224 (b) Violation of this section is
a class B misdemeanor.
Physical Abuse: Infliction of physical harm or the causation of a child's deterioration, and may include,
but shall not be limited to, maltreatment or exploiting a child to the extent the child’s health is endangered.
K.S.A. 38-2202
Sexual Abuse: Any contact or interaction with a child in which the child is being used for the sexual
stimulation of the perpetrator, the child, or another person. Sexual abuse shall include allowing, permitting,
or encouraging a child to engage in prostitution or to be photographed, filmed, or depicted in obscene or
pornographic material. Sexual abuse also shall include allowing, permitting or encouraging a child to
engage in aggravated human trafficking, as defined in K.S.A. 2014 Supp. 21-5426(b), and amendments
thereto, if committed in whole or in part for the purpose of the sexual gratification of the offender or another.
K.S.A. 38-2202 (See PPM 0160 or K.S.A. 21-6422 for Commercial sexual exploitation of a child, 21-5426
for aggravated human trafficking, and 21-5501 for sexual intercourse and sodomy definitions). Contact
solely between children shall meet the criteria only if the contact also involves force, intimidation,
difference in maturity, or coercion. K.S.A. 38-2202 and K.A.R. 30-46-10
Mental or Emotional Abuse: Infliction of mental or emotional harm or the causing of a deterioration of a
child, and may include, but shall not be limited to, maltreatment or exploiting a child to the extent the child's
health or emotional wellbeing is endangered. This term may include any act, behavior, or omission that
impairs or endangers a child’s social or intellectual functioning. This term may include the following:
1) terrorizing a child, by creating a climate of fear or engaging in violent or threatening behavior
toward the child or toward others in the child's presence that demonstrates a flagrant disregard for
the child;
2) emotionally abandoning a child, by being psychologically unavailable to the child, demonstrating
no attachment to the child, or failing to provide adequate nurturance of the child; and
3) corrupting a child, by teaching or rewarding the child for unlawful, antisocial, or sexually mature
behavior. K.S.A. 38-2202 and K.A.R. 30-46-10
Neglect: Acts or omissions by a parent, guardian or person responsible for the care of a child resulting in
harm to a child, or presenting a likelihood of harm, and the acts or omissions are not due solely to the lack
of financial means of the child's parents or other custodian. Neglect may include but, shall not be limited
to:
(1) failure to provide the child with food, clothing, or shelter necessary to sustain the life or health of
the child;
(2) failure to provide adequate supervision of a child or to remove a child from a situation that requires
judgment or actions beyond the child's level of maturity, physical condition, or mental abilities and
that result in bodily injury or a likelihood of harm to the child; or
(3) failure to use resources available to treat a diagnosed medical condition if such treatment will make
a child substantially more comfortable, reduce pain and suffering, or correct or substantially
diminish a crippling condition from worsening. A parent legitimately practicing religious beliefs
65

who does not provide specified medical treatment for a child because of religious beliefs shall not
for that reason be considered a negligent parent. K.SA. 38-2202 (t)
SECTION 8: SIGNIFICANT INCIDENT
A Significant Incident is an unanticipated event which does not rise to the level of a significant incident,
but has the potential risk of a serious adverse outcome.
Section 8.1: Significant Incident Reporting
Significant incidents are to be reported to the youth’s CWCMP case manager and the youth’s parent or
guardian when appropriate per PPM 0513.
The following significant incidents shall be verbally reported immediately with a written report to the
CWCMP case manager within 24 hours of the event (please refer to the following definitions for
clarification):
Significant Incident involving a child in the custody of the Secretary include but are not limited to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.

death of a parent/primary caregiver (provide date of death)
runaway or missing from placement. PPM 5245 shall be followed.
arrested for a juvenile offense
alleged abuse or neglect
child is an alleged perpetrator or victim of a criminal assault of any kind
attempted suicide
serious physical illness
unanticipated medical attention that requires treatment beyond first aid
pregnancy See PPM 0513 D. 2.
birth See PPM 0513 D. 2.
emergency change in placement
use of illegal drugs
suspension of the license of a group or residential facility used by children
alleged victim of human trafficking
alleged perpetrator of animal abuse
other (document specifics)
death of child in care

If the significant incident involves abuse, neglect, or exploitation the facility shall also follow mandated
reporting requirements.
All facilities shall have procedures for reporting significant incidents to administrative staff and recording
significant incidents in the resident files. An administrative file of significant incidents shall be kept by
facility and a copy of the significant incident shall be placed in the youth’s file.
An administrative file shall be kept by the facility documenting significant incidents that is separate from
the documentation in the youth’s file.
Each RMS provider shall develop an internal process for obtaining on-call/emergency contact information
for all CWCMP case managers in the event of an emergency or significant incident.

66

SECTION 9: STAFF IN-SERVICE TRAINING
Section 9.1 In-service Orientation Training
Each facility shall have an in-service orientation/training program for new employees, which is especially
directed toward the initial training needs of staff working directly with residents. Documentation of
completion of orientation training shall be kept in the staff member’s personnel file.
The documentation shall be placed in a specific area in the staff’s file, indicating:
1. staff training, reflecting orientation or annual training
2. name of trainer
3. name of training
4. specify the number of training hours
5. date of the training
Child care staff shall have completed 18 hours of in-service orientation training provided by the facility
before they can work independently with youth.
The in-service orientation program shall provide written documentation that all staff are oriented to the
following:
1. Facility policy and procedures manual
2. Facility emergency and evacuation procedures
3. Emergency safety interventions (including management of aggressive or suicidal behavior and
orientation to the facility’s restraint policies and procedures)
4. The handling of blood borne pathogens
5. Facility discipline standards
6. Abuse/neglect mandatory reporting laws
7. Client record documentation policies and procedures
8. Policies and procedures for resident medication management
9. Resident rights
10. Confidentiality laws
11. Training in CPR/First Aid within 3 months of employment
12. De-escalation techniques
13. The handling of youth in trauma based informed care.
Section 9.2 Annual Service Training
Each facility shall also have a written annual staff in-service training plan which addresses the annual
training needs of all staff having direct contact with residents. This annual training is beyond or in addition
to the initial 18 hour orientation training program from the date of employment.
All RMC direct care staff shall have a minimum of 18 documented clock hours of in-service training per
year. Documentation shall be provided in each staff member’s personnel record to include content, amount
of time, trainer, and qualifications.
The documentation shall be placed in a specific area in the staff’s file, indicating staff training, indicating:
1. staff training, reflecting orientation or annual training
2. name of trainer
3. name of training
4. specify the number of training hours
5. date of the training
67

Topics shall include but not be limited to:
1. CPR and First Aid (current not expired)
2. Blood borne pathogens
3. Medications
4. Emergency safety interventions
5. Substance use disorder patterns
6. Childhood and adolescent development (including developmental disorders)
7. Childhood and adolescent psycho-pathology (including such topics as effects of abuse/neglect,
reactive attachment disorders, separation anxiety disorders, ADHD)
8. Childhood and adolescent sexuality issues, especially the effects of early sexual abuse
9. De-escalation techniques/physical restraints techniques
10. Trauma based informed care
SECTION 10: RECORD KEEPING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE FACILITY
The record keeping requirements of KAR 28-4-272 shall be met by the facility. In addition, the following
shall be kept by the facility.
Record Retention:
Case records, including medical records, shall be maintained for 6 years from the date of the youth’s
discharge or until completion of an on-going audit and production of a final audit report, whichever is
longer.
Chart Documentation:
A dated record of daily observations and significant occurrences involving each youth shall be maintained
by each shift for each youth and maintained in each youth’s individual file. The record shall include events,
which may affect the well-being of the youth. The record shall be available for review. Each report shall
include the date and time of occurrence, the staff member and/or youth involved, the nature of the incident
and the circumstances surrounding it.
Weekly Progress Notes:
Notes shall be completed by the case coordinator and staff providing services. These notes shall be entered
into the youth’s chart, reflecting the delivery of services according to the program plan. This documentation
shall address the youth’s responses to interventions and the progress of the youth on individualized goals
and objectives. The note shall include any significant events that occurred during the week and shall also
summarize contacts with family members and other involved agencies. If an unmet need is identified, the
note shall reflect the actions to be taken to revise the plan for the youth to meet that need. The case
coordinator shall document specific services and activities they are providing to each youth.
Health Records:

Health Care and Records of residents shall meet the requirements of KAR 28-4-275. Records of
medications shall be kept in each youth’s case medical record and include the:
1. name of the prescribing physician
2. name of the medication
3. dosage prescribed
4. medication schedule
5. purpose of the medication
6. noted side effects
7. date of the prescription
8. date prescribed by a physician
68

A record of medication given, amount, date and time, and person dispensing shall be recorded. All doctor
and dental visits, major illnesses, and accidents shall be recorded. Mental health appointments shall also
be specifically documented in a youth's medical record. This provides for a complete Health record for the
youth and their family, which documents the frequency of the youth’s mental health treatment.
30 Day Progress Reports:
Thirty-day progress reports shall document progress on specific short-term goals, describe significant
revisions in goals and strategies, and specify any new program goals and strategies during the period
covered. The 30-day progress reports shall summarize progress and note changes regarding long-term
placement and program goals and shall be provided to the referring agency and a copy placed in the youth’s
file.
Permanency Planning:
Includes the evaluation and design of an approach for the youth and family that focuses on opportunities
for the youth to have ongoing active and meaningful connections with family, kin, relatives, and the
community. The goal for achieving permanency shall be coordinated with the youth’s CWCMP case
manager and be included in the program plan to be reviewed every 30 days. The permanency plan shall
include strategies and tasks to accomplish the youth’s goals. Behaviors which place the youth at risk for
disruption, activities to prepare the youth’s family or kinship network for reunification, identification of
other less restrictive living environments and preparing the youth for transition to these settings shall be
addressed.

69

Transitional Living Program (TLP)
Standards and General Guidelines
SECTION 1: GENERAL PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Transitional living is designed for youth who are ready to enter a phase of care that will eventually transition
them to independent living. Transitional living affords youth an opportunity to practice basic independent
living skills in a variety of settings with decreasing degrees of supervision.

DCF requires foster parents and designated officials at child care institutions to apply the
reasonable and prudent parenting standard. The standard is characterized by careful and sensible
parental decisions that maintain a child’s health, safety, and best interests while at the same time
encouraging the child’s emotional and developmental growth that a caregiver must use when
determining whether to allow a child in foster care to participate in extracurricular, enrichment,
cultural, and social activities.
Section 1.1: Transitional Living Program (TLP)
 Youth reside in apartments within one building or complex (contained apartments). Each youth
shall be afforded sufficient bedroom space to insure adequate privacy, safety and security.
 The provider shall insure the environmental safety of the apartment is in compliance with local
over sight agencies such as HUD, Fire Marshall, Municipalities, Apartment Management, etc.
 Service Access plan development, review, and case supervision are carried out by the Transitional
Living provider.
 Services will be designed to work in collaboration with other community-based providers to
develop a strong foundation of service and support access.
 Staff shall have experience, skill and knowledge in adolescent development, behavior management,
child abuse and neglect, family dynamics, provision of community-based services, development of
youth’s strengths and assets, and positive youth development.
 The provider shall provide assistance to ensure that youth obtain the basic necessities of daily life.
 The provider shall offer or arrange for strength-based interventions to address crisis and or daily
living situations.
 The provider shall facilitate development of support systems to increase the youth’s
interdependency within the community in which they reside.
 All services accessed shall be appropriate to the age, gender, sexual orientation, cultural heritage,
developmental and functional level, as well as the learning ability of each youth.
 Admission requirements shall include a list of support service needs as identified by the referring
agency.
SECTION 2: ADMISSION SKILLS REQUIREMENTS
Prior to consideration for admission to any TLP service youth shall be able to demonstrate knowledge of
basic life skills.
TLP services shall provide the opportunity to practice the skills necessary to live independently. These
skills, at a minimum, shall include:




Preparing meals
Basic nutrition education
Doing laundry
70












Maintaining a clean, orderly, and safe living space
Living cooperatively with other housemates or neighbors
Handling landlord/tenant complaints
Controlling guests’ behavior
Handling basic maintenance
Handling simple repairs
How to call the landlord about problems
Developing and following a budget
Access to routine transportation (e.g., public transportation, carpool)
Shopping, food preparation, food storage, and consumer skills

Section 2.1: General Requirements
All youth in transitional living placements shall:
 Be at least 17 years of age
 Be working towards full or part-time employment
 Be working towards a diploma or equivalent (if not already obtained)
 Have demonstrated a basic knowledge of life skills
 Youth are required to maintain a savings account to be held in trust by the TLP.
 Youth shall deposit the full or partial amount (depending upon their employment status) of their
share of the monthly apartment rent and utilities.
 The youth’s planning team will determine the actual amount required to be deposited in trust. These
monies are then available to the youth when they leave the TLP.
SECTION 3: TRANSITIONAL LIVING PROGRAM STAFFING
Staff shall meet the qualifications and responsibilities as set forth in this document. Written job descriptions
shall be developed for all staff and maintained on site where personnel functions are carried out.
Section 3.1: Administrator




Qualifications
o The administrator shall have a Bachelor’s degree and prior administrative experience.
o Shall not be a person restricted from working with youth as defined by K.S.A. 65-516.
o Shall have a working knowledge of adolescent development principles.
Responsibilities
o Shall be responsible for working with, supervising and training other staff (e.g., case
coordinator, life coach) who are working with youth in the transitional living program.

Section 3.2: Case Coordinator




Qualifications
o The Case Coordinator shall have at least a bachelor’s degree in one of the human service fields
(social work, psychology, human development and family life, criminal justice, counseling,
nursing or education) and a working knowledge of adolescent development principles. The
youth to case coordinator ratio is 1:16.
o Shall be at least twenty-one (21) years of age and at least three years older than the oldest youth
served.
o Shall not be a person restricted from working with youth as defined by K.S.A. 65-516.
Responsibilities
71

o
o
o
o
o
o

Service Access plan development, review, and development of collaborations with communitybased service providers.
Shall be responsible for any direct supervision of youth as required.
Shall inspect youth’s apartment as needed to insure the safety and security of youth.
Shall coordinate or provide alternative transportation as deemed necessary.
Shall complete paperwork or reports to referring agency as required.
Shall work in partnership with life coaches.

Section 3.3: Life Coach
 Qualifications
o Life Coaches shall have at least a high school diploma or equivalent and have a working
knowledge of adolescent development principles.
o Shall be at least twenty-one (21) years of age and at least three years older than the oldest youth
served.
o Shall not be a person restricted from working with youth as defined by K.S.A. 65-516.
 Responsibilities
o Shall work shifts and or be on-call 24 hours a day on a rotating basis.
o Shall be responsible for any direct supervision of youth as required.
o Shall inspect youth’s apartment as needed to insure the safety and security of youth.
o Shall be responsible for the day-to-day modeling of life skills (e.g., assertiveness,
communication, conflict management, problem solving and decision making).
o Shall monitor youth’s daily life skills and provide appropriate feedback.
o Shall work in partnership with the case coordinator.
SECTION 4: STAFF IN-SERVICE TRAINING
Section 4.1 In-Service Orientation Training
Each provider shall have an in-service orientation/training program for new employees, which is especially
directed toward the initial training needs of staff working directly with youth in transitional living.
Documentation of completion of orientation training shall be kept in the staff member’s personnel file.
The documentation shall be placed in a specific area in the staff’s file, indicating:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Staff training , reflecting orientation or annual training
Name of trainer
Name of training
Specify the numbers of training hours
Date of the training

Staff shall have completed 18 hours of in-service training orientation training provided by the facility before
they can work independently with the resident.
1. Agency policy and procedure manual
2. Facility emergency and evacuation procedures (non-scatter site only)
3. Emergency safety interventions (including management of aggressive or suicidal behavior and
orientation to the facility’s restraint policies and procedures)
4. The handling of blood borne pathogens
5. Agency discipline standards
6. Abuse/neglect mandatory reporting laws
7. Resident record documentation policies and procedures
72

8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.

Policies and procedures for youth medication management
Resident rights
Confidentiality laws
Training in CPF/First Aid within 3 months of employment
De-escalation techniques
Trauma based informed care

Section 4.2 Annual Service training
Each provider shall also have a written annual staff in-service training plan, which addresses the annual
training needs of all staff having direct contact with youth. This annual training is beyond or in addition to
the initial 18 hour orientation-training program.
All Transitional living staff shall have a minimum of 18 documented clock hours of in-service training per
year. Documentation shall be provided in each staff member’s personnel record to include content, amount
of time, trainer, and qualifications.
The documentation shall be placed in a specific area in the staff’s file indicating training:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Staff training, reflecting orientation or annual training
Name of trainer
Name of training
Specify the numbers of training hours
Date of the training

Topics shall include but are not limited to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

CPR and First Aid (current not expired)
Blood borne pathogens
Medications
Emergency safety interventions
Substance use disorder patterns
Childhood and adolescent development (including developmental disorders)
Childhood and a psychopathology (including such topics as effects of abuse/neglect, reactive
attachment disorders, separation anxiety disorders, ADHD)
8. Childhood and adolescent sexuality issues, especially the effects of early sexual abuse
9. De-escalation techniques/physical restraints techniques
10. Trauma based informed care
SECTION 5: PLACEMENTS
Transitional living placements are offered through residential living arrangements where youth have the
opportunity to practice independent living skills with decreasing degrees of care and supervision. The
youth’s case planning team, which shall include the youth, is required to determine the youth’s readiness
to enter this program by a review of the youth’s current life skills proficiency. The youth may remain in
this level of care until it is determined the youth is ready to transition to a transitional living placement or
a fully independent living setting.

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Section 5.1: Home Furnishings/Services
The provider shall make available certain articles and supplies for furnishing the youths residence. The
articles and supplies may be new or used, but shall be in good condition. The articles and supplies shall
include, but are not limited to:
















A bed and bed linens;
A dining table and chairs;
Living or sitting room furniture;
A stove and refrigerator;
Kitchen furnishings (e.g., pots, pans, cooking and eating utensils);
Basic cleaning supplies;
Landline telephone;
Utilities (e.g., water, trash, electricity, gas);
Access to laundry services;
Food in sufficient quantity to provide at least three (3) nutritionally balanced meals per day;
Kitchen and bath linens;
Entertainment equipment (e.g., television, stereo, video games) are optional, if not provided, youth
shall be provided the opportunity to purchase these items when they are financially capable;
Emergency transportation when routine transportation is not available;
Administration, oversight of youth’s trust;
Financial guidance to youth (e.g., budgeting, consumer skills).

Section 5.2: Positive and Realistic Living Experiences
Youth are further prepared for adulthood by being provided a realistic living experience, through
transitional living placements in which they can take increasing responsibility for themselves. Elements of
those living experiences include, but are not limited to, the following:








Direct experience with the consequences of daily actions and decisions;
Life skills practice while having access to staff for support and advice;
Daily social contacts;
Emotional adjustment to the difference between present living situation and previous ones;
Practice living alone;
Use of leisure time;
Obtaining and using transportation to access needed resources.

These experiences shall also be tailored to a youth’s current level of functioning. Additional experiences
and opportunities may be introduced as a youth’s skill level increases and more complex opportunities are
desired.
Section 5.3: Placement Supervision
All youth in TLP placements shall have twenty-four (24) hour access to on-site program staff that is
responsible for monitoring the activities of youth in their programs. Program staff shall develop a schedule
for providing supervision with guidance based on a specific youth’s maturity, acquired skills, and emotional
status. The supervisory schedule shall be designed so that staff may observe that the youth is practicing
healthy and responsible life skills and will be developed in collaboration with a youth’s referring agency.
This collaboration will determine the frequency and type of supervision/support provided to the youth.

74

Section 5.4 Placement Agreement
A Placement Agreement shall be completed between the TLP and the referring agency at the time of
placement. A copy of the signed Placement Agreement shall be kept in the youth’s file at the facility.
The initial service authorization period for a TLP stay will be for 90 days. Service extensions will be for a
period of time not to exceed 60 days, and shall be approved by the youth’s CWCMP case manager to ensure
the youth is receiving the services they need to reintegrate into the community. The youth shall continue
receiving services in the TLP facility as long as they continue to require this level of care as determined by
the youth’s CWCMP case manager.
Section 6: Resident lodging
In order to support the daily management and administration of residents, each residential provider shall
develop an objective procedure regarding the physical housing of youth. Youth in a residential placement
shall be assigned to a room based upon various factors, as identified by risk/needs assessment(s) in addition
to other indicators. Factors to consider in assigning rooms shall include (but are not limited to):








Suicidal tendencies
Level of specialized needs (i.e. mental health, medical, etc.)
Sex offender status (offenders/victims of sexual abuse)
Gender
Age and/or maturity level
Program needs (substance use disorder, cognitive behavioral, independent living, etc.)
Vulnerability to being victimized by others (i.e. physical stature)

While each youth will have an individualized program plan, assigning rooms based upon
risk/need/responsivity factors will allow for a safer, more secure environment, as well as efficient and
effective management of the living units. The youth’s room assignment and how the decision was made
shall be documented in the youth’s file.
Section7: Service Supports
Youth in transitional living placements may need access to supportive services including but not limited to
the following categories:









Mental health services
Alcohol and substance use disorder treatment services
Educational/vocational support services
Individual counseling
Sex Offender treatment services
Pro-social recreational activities
Preventative, routine and emergency health care
Routine transportation

Section 7.1: Accessing Outpatient Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder Services for Youth residing
in a TLP
Only Outpatient Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder services are allowed while a youth is residing in
an out of home placement (excluding PRTF placement). If outpatient services are needed, the provider
75

shall coordinate assessments and services through an enrolled Medicaid provider through KanCare. The
MCO assigned to the youth through KanCare will determine the type, frequency and duration of services
required to meet the individualized Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder needs of each youth.
Upon admission or during the course of the youth’s stay, if the youth begins to exhibit behavior/needs
which cannot be addressed by the placement or through outpatient services, the provider shall collaborate
with the CWCMP case manager to obtain an appropriate screen/assessment to determine the level of
services required.
If the youth is receiving Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder services from an enrolled Medicaid
provider through KanCare, including a community mental health center or independent practitioner, at the
time of admission, the youth may continue services by the same provider to maintain continuity of service.
Providers may employ, contract or otherwise partner with an enrolled Medicaid provider through KanCare
to provide Outpatient Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder services to youth residing at the program.
Providers shall not prohibit the youth’s ability to request or receive services from any willing provider who
are enrolled Medicaid providers through KanCare.
SECTION 8: SERVICE ACCESS PLANNING
Initial Assessment:
The admission service access request provided by the referring agency shall constitute the initial
assessment.
Additional Assessments:
The case coordinator or life skills coach may administer life skills assessments as needed to further identify
needs to be addressed in the service access plan.
Plan requirements:
Each youth residing in transitional living shall have a service access plan based on needs identified by the
provider and the referring agency. Any assessment documents shall be included in the case record. The
service plan shall be established by the end of 3 working days from admission. Service plans shall be
updated whenever new needs are identified or when goals are met. Service plans shall be reviewed and
revisions made at least every 30 days.
The service plan shall include:
 Long-term goals in the areas of:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.


physical health
family relations
daily living skills
academic and/or vocational skills
interpersonal relations
emotional/psychological health

Short-term goals which help the youth reach his/her long-term goals in the areas identified above.
1. Services to meet independent living goals
2. Estimated time for reaching short-term goals.
76

3. The youth shall sign and date the service access plan indicating participation and input in the
development of the plan
4. Updated information of the progress of the youth’s goals shall be included
The service plan shall be reviewed, revised, and documented in a progress report at least every 30 days by
the facility. Information obtained from the youth, parent, guardian, referring agency, employers or service
providers shall be considered in the report.
Section 8.1: Discharge/Aftercare Plan
Discharge planning shall begin upon admission of the youth to transitional living. At a minimum, the youth,
youth’s parent, if applicable or guardian, if applicable and the referring agency shall be involved in planning
the discharge of a youth. A discharge summary shall be completed at the time of the youth’s discharge.
This shall include goals that the youth has achieved and any identified plans for aftercare. Written
recommendations for aftercare shall be made and shall specify the nature, frequency, and duration or
services recommended for the youth. The plan shall also identify the parties responsible for specific
aftercare services.
SECTION 9: RESIDENT’S RIGHTS
The staff of the facility shall allow privacy for each youth. The facility’s space and furnishings shall be
designed and planned with respect for the resident’s right to privacy. The facility’s design shall also provide
supervision according to the ages and needs of the residents. Each resident shall have a quiet area where
they can withdraw from the group when appropriate.
Contacts between the resident and their parents/guardian shall be allowed while the resident is in care unless
the rights of the parents have been terminated by court order or family contact is not in the resident’s best
interest. The frequency of contact shall be determined by the needs of the resident and his/her family or
guardians per program plan requirements.
The facility shall have clearly written policies regarding visits, gifts, mail, E-mail and telephone (including
cell phone) calls between the resident and their family, or guardian. These policies shall be made known
to the resident and his/her family/guardian at or prior to admission.
Residents shall be allowed to send and receive mail and have telephone conversations with family
members/guardians unless it is not in the best interest of the youth, the safety and security of facility, or if
a court order necessitates restrictions.
If restrictions on communications or visits are necessary these shall be documented in the youths file and
reviewed at the 30 day case reviews. The youth’s CWCMP case manager shall be notified of any new
restrictions to communications or visitation implemented by the facility prior to its implementation.
A resident shall be allowed to bring personal possessions to the facility and may acquire other possessions
in accordance with the policies of the facility. Prior to admission, information shall be made available to
the youth and their parents/guardians concerning what possessions a youth may bring to the facility and the
kinds of gifts they may receive. Possessions, which a youth cannot have or receive at the facility, shall be
specified in writing and distributed to the youth and their parents/guardians.

77

SECTION 10: BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT
Discipline at the facility shall be consistent and not be physically or emotionally damaging. Youth shall not
be subjected to cruel, severe, unusual, or unnecessary punishment. Youth shall not be subjected to remarks
that belittle or ridicule them or their families. Residents shall not be denied food, mail, or visits with their
families as punishment. Seclusion shall not be utilized as a disciplinary measure. Only staff members shall
discipline residents.
Section 10.1: Time Out
A procedure used to assist the individual to regain emotional control by removing the individual from his
or her immediate environment and restricting the individual to a quiet area or unlocked quiet room.
Application of time out:
1. A resident in time out shall never be physically prevented from leaving the time out area.
2. Time out may take place away from the area of activity or from other residents.
3. Staff shall monitor the resident while he or she is in time out.
Section 10.2: Emergency safety intervention/De-escalation techniques
Managing Aggressive Behaviors:

De-escalation is a technique used during a potential crisis situation in an attempt to prevent a youth
from causing harm to themselves, others and/or staff. De-escalation techniques shall be utilized
for any activity required to diffuse a conflict or intense situation to ensure safety and calm the
youth. Staff shall be trained in authorized, well-recognized de-escalation techniques programs for
managing aggressive behavior. Staff training records shall be kept as part of the staff member’s personnel
file and shall be made available upon request. At the time of admission to a facility, the resident and parent
(if applicable)/guardian shall be oriented to the managing aggressive behaviors policies of the facility and
shall sign a written acknowledgment of this orientation. This written acknowledgment shall be kept in the
client’s case record.
Section 10.3 Emergency safety interventions/Physical restraints
An emergency safety intervention shall be performed in a manner that is safe, proportionate, and appropriate
to the severity of the behavior, and the resident's chronological and developmental age, size, gender,
physical, medical, psychiatric condition, and personal history.
The use of emergency safety interventions shall be performed only through the use of nationally recognized
restraint procedures applicable to this population designed to prevent a resident from harming self or others
by exerting external control over physical movement.
Physical restraint is the application of physical force without any mechanical device, for the purpose of
restricting the free movement of a resident’s body. Physical restraint shall be used only as last resort
after all verbal de-escalation techniques have failed and when the resident is at-risk of harming
themselves or others.
Mechanical restraint is the use of mechanical devices to restrict the free movement of the resident’s body,
most often for purposes of preventing self-destructive behavior. Mechanical restraints are not allowed
in TLP services.

78

Each facility shall have a written restraint policy and all staff shall be trained to provide safe physical
restraints in the event of an emergency safety intervention. Staff shall be trained in authorized, wellrecognized training programs for managing aggressive behavior and de-escalation techniques. Staff
training records shall be kept as part of the staff member’s personnel file and shall be made available upon
request. At the time of admission to a facility, the resident and parent (if applicable)/guardian (if applicable)
shall be oriented to the restraint policies of the facility and shall sign a written acknowledgment or this
orientation. This written acknowledgment shall be kept in the client’s case record.
Section 10.4: Reporting Abuse/Neglect
All employees at the TLP are mandated reporters. Mandated reporters shall report all witnessed or
suspected abuse/neglect to the Kansas Protection Report Center (KPRC) at 1-800-922-5330 or the local
Law Enforcement Agency.
The KPRC number shall be posted in a prominent place in the facility. Any employee of the facility who
suspects the abuse/neglect of a resident within that facility is to notify the Director of the facility
immediately, except in cases where the alleged perpetrator is the facility Director.
K.S.A. 38-2224 (a) No employer shall terminate the employment of, prevent or impair the practice or
occupation of, or impose any other sanction on, any employee because the employee made an oral or written
report to, or cooperated with an investigation by, a law enforcement agency or the secretary relating to harm
inflicted upon a child which was suspected by the employee of having resulted from the physical, mental
or emotional abuse or neglect or sexual abuse of the child. K.S.A 38-2224 (b) Violation of this section is
a class B misdemeanor.
Physical Abuse: Infliction of physical harm or the causation of a child's deterioration, and may include,
but shall not be limited to, maltreatment or exploiting a child to the extent the child’s health is endangered.
K.S.A. 38-2202
Sexual Abuse: Any contact or interaction with a child in which the child is being used for the sexual
stimulation of the perpetrator, the child, or another person. Sexual abuse shall include allowing, permitting,
or encouraging a child to engage in the sale of sexual relations or commercial sexual exploitation of a child,
or to be photographed, filmed, or depicted in obscene or pornographic material. Sexual abuse also shall
include allowing, permitting or encouraging a child to engage in aggravated human trafficking, as defined
in K.S.A. 2014 Supp. 21-5426(b), and amendments thereto, if committed in whole or in part for the purpose
of the sexual gratification of the offender or another. K.S.A. 38-2202 (See PPM 0160 or K.S.A. 21-6422
for Commercial sexual exploitation of a child, 21-5426 for aggravated human trafficking, and 21-5501 for
sexual intercourse and sodomy definitions). Contact solely between children shall meet the criteria only if
the contact also involves force, intimidation, difference in maturity, or coercion. K.A.R. 30-46-10.
Mental or Emotional Abuse: Infliction of mental or emotional harm or the causing of a deterioration of a
child, and may include, but shall not be limited to, maltreatment or exploiting a child to the extent the child's
health or emotional wellbeing is endangered. This term may include any act, behavior, or omission that
impairs or endangers a child’s social or intellectual functioning. This term may include the following:
1) terrorizing a child, by creating a climate of fear or engaging in violent or threatening behavior
toward the child or toward others in the child's presence that demonstrates a flagrant disregard for
the child;
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2) emotionally abandoning a child, by being psychologically unavailable to the child, demonstrating
no attachment to the child, or failing to provide adequate nurturance of the child; and
3) corrupting a child, by teaching or rewarding the child for unlawful, antisocial, or sexually mature
behavior. K.S.A. 38-2202 and K.A.R. 30-46-10
Neglect: Acts or omissions by a parent, guardian or person responsible for the care of a child resulting in
harm to a child, or presenting a likelihood of harm, and the acts or omissions are not due solely to the lack
of financial means of the child's parents or other custodian. Neglect may include but, shall not be limited
to:
(1) failure to provide the child with food, clothing, or shelter necessary to sustain the life or health of
the child;
(2) failure to provide adequate supervision of a child or to remove a child from a situation that requires
judgment or actions beyond the child's level of maturity, physical condition, or mental abilities and
that result in bodily injury or a likelihood of harm to the child; or
(3) failure to use resources available to treat a diagnosed medical condition if such treatment will make
a child substantially more comfortable, reduce pain and suffering, or correct or substantially
diminish a crippling condition from worsening. A parent legitimately practicing religious beliefs
who does not provide specified medical treatment for a child because of religious beliefs shall not
for that reason be considered a negligent parent. K.SA. 38-2202 (t)

SECTION 11: SIGNIFICANT INCIDENT
A Significant Incident is an unanticipated event which does not rise to the level of a significant incident,
but has the potential risk of a serious adverse outcome.
Section 11.1: Significant Incident Reporting
Significant incidents are to be reported to the youth’s CWCMP case manager and the youth’s parent or
guardian when appropriate per PPM 0513.
The following significant incidents shall be verbally reported immediately with a written report to the
CWCMP case manager within 24 hours of the event (please refer to the following definitions for
clarification):
Significant Incident involving a child in the custody of the Secretary include but are not limited to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

death of a parent/primary caregiver (provide date of death)
runaway or missing from placement PPM 5245 shall be followed.
arrested for a juvenile offense
alleged abuse or neglect
child is an alleged perpetrator or victim of a criminal assault of any kind
attempted suicide
serious physical illness
unanticipated medical attention that requires treatment beyond first aid
pregnancy See PPM 0513 D. 2.
birth See PPM 0513 D. 2.
emergency change in placement
use of illegal drugs
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13.
14.
15.
16.
17.

suspension of the license of a group or residential facility used by children
alleged victim of human trafficking
alleged perpetrator of animal abuse
other (document specifics)
death of child in care

If the significant incident involves abuse, neglect, or exploitation the facility shall also follow mandated
reporting requirements.
All facilities shall have procedures for reporting significant incidents to administrative staff and recording
significant incidents in the resident files. An administrative file of significant incidents shall be kept by
facility and a copy of the significant incident shall be placed in the youth’s file.
An administrative file shall be kept by the facility documenting significant incidents that is separate from
the documentation in the youth’s file.
Each TLP provider shall develop an internal process for obtaining on-call/emergency contact information
for all CWCMP case managers in the event of an emergency or significant incident.
SECTION 12: RECORD KEEPING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE FACILITY
The record keeping requirements of KAR 28-4-272 shall be met by the facility. In addition, the following
shall be kept by the facility.
Section 12.1 Record Retention:
Case records, including medical records, shall be maintained for 6 years from the date of the youth’s
discharge or until completion of an on-going audit and production of a final audit report, whichever is
longer.
Section 12.2: Chart Documentation
A dated record of daily observations and significant occurrences involving each youth shall be maintained.
The record shall include events, which may affect the well-being of the youth. The record shall be available
for review. Each report shall include the date and time of occurrence, the staff member and/or youth
involved, the nature of the incident and the circumstances surrounding it.
Section12.3: Weekly Progress Notes
Notes shall be completed by the case coordinator and staff providing services. These notes shall be entered
into the youth’s chart, reflecting the delivery of services according to the program plan. This documentation
shall address the youth’s responses to interventions and the progress of the youth on individualized goals
and objectives. The note shall include any significant events that occurred during the week and shall also
summarize contacts with family members and other involved agencies. If an unmet need is identified, the
note shall reflect the actions to be taken to revise the plan for the youth to meet that need. The case
coordinator shall document specific services and activities they are providing to each youth.

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Section 12.4: Health Records

Health Care and Records of residents shall meet the requirements of KAR 28-4-275. Records of
medications shall be kept in each youth’s case medical record and include the:
1. name of the prescribing physician
2. name of the medication
3. dosage prescribed
4. medication schedule
5. purpose of the medication
6. noted side effects
7. date of the prescription
8. date prescribed by a physician
A record of medication given, amount, date and time, and person dispensing shall be recorded. All doctor
and dental visits, major illnesses, and accidents shall be recorded. Mental health appointments shall also
be specifically documented in a youth's medical record. This provides for a complete Health record for the
youth and their family, which documents the frequency of the youth’s mental health treatment.
Section 12.5: 15 and 30-Day Progress Reports
Within the first 15 days of the youth’s admission to the TLP the Case coordinator shall provide written
placement recommendations to the youth’s CWCMP case managers as well as an update on the youth’s
progress. This report shall be placed in the youth’s file.
Thirty-day progress reports shall document progress on specific short-term goals, describe significant
revisions in goals and strategies, and specify any new program goals and strategies during the period
covered. The 30-day progress reports shall summarize progress and note changes regarding long-term
placement and program goals and shall also be placed in the youth’s file.
Section 12.5: Permanency Planning:
Includes the evaluation and design of an approach for the youth and family that focus on opportunities for
the youth to have ongoing active and meaningful connections with family, kin, relatives, and the
community. The goal for achieving permanency shall be coordinated with the youth’s CWCMP case
manager and be included in the program plan to be reviewed every 30 days. The permanency plan shall
include strategies and tasks to accomplish the youth’s goals. Behaviors which place the youth at risk for
disruption, activities to prepare the youth’s family or kinship network for reunification, identification of
other less restrictive living environments and preparing the youth for transition to these settings shall be
addressed.

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Community Integration Program (CIP)
Standards and General Guidelines
SECTION 1: GENERAL PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Community Integration is a service designed for youth who are ready to enter a phase of care, which will
eventually transition them to independent living. Youth reside in apartments and are afforded the
opportunity to practice independent living skills with decreasing degrees of supervision. Community
Integration service is to prepare youth to become socially and financially independent from the program.

DCF requires foster parents and designated officials at child care institutions to apply the
reasonable and prudent parenting standard. The standard is characterized by careful and sensible
parental decisions that maintain a child’s health, safety, and best interests while at the same time
encouraging the child’s emotional and developmental growth that a caregiver must use when
determining whether to allow a child in foster care to participate in extracurricular, enrichment,
cultural, and social activities.
Section 1.1: General Requirements












Youth reside in apartments within one building or complex (contained apartments) or scatter site
apartments. Each youth shall be afforded sufficient bedroom space to insure adequate privacy,
safety and security.
The provider shall insure the environmental safety of the apartment is in compliance with local
over sight agencies such as HUD, Fire Marshall, Municipalities, Apartment Management, etc.
Service Access plan development, review, and case supervision are carried out by the Community
Integration Specialist.
Services will be designed to work in collaboration with other community-based providers to
develop a strong foundation of service and support access.
Staff shall have experience, skill and knowledge in adolescent development, behavior management,
child abuse and neglect, family dynamics, provision of community-based services, development of
youth’s strengths and assets, and positive youth development.
The provider shall provide assistance to ensure that youth obtain the basic necessities of daily life.
The provider shall offer or arrange for strength-based interventions to address crisis and or daily
living situations.
The provider shall facilitate development of support systems to increase the youth’s
interdependency within the community in which they reside.
All services accessed shall be appropriate to the age, gender, sexual orientation, cultural heritage,
developmental and functional level, as well as the learning ability of each youth.
Admission requirements shall include a list of support service needs as identified by the referring
agency.
Youth is required to maintain a savings account into which the youth deposits the full or partial
amount (depending upon their employment status) of their share of the monthly apartment rent and
utilities.

SECTION 2: ADMISSION SKILLS REQUIRED
Prior to consideration for admission to any Community Integration service youth shall be able to
demonstrate the ability to perform basic life skills. These skills, at a minimum, shall include:


Preparing meals
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

















Basic nutrition education
Doing laundry
Maintaining a clean, orderly and safe living space
Living cooperatively with other housemates or neighbors
Handling landlord/tenant complaints
Controlling guests’ behavior
Handling basic maintenance
Handling simple repairs
How to call the landlord about problems
Developing and following a budget
Use of leisure time
Obtaining and using transportation to access needed resources
Identify safe and affordable housing
Negotiate a lease
Present oneself to a landlord
Prevent actions that might lead to an eviction
Understand landlord/tenant rights and responsibilities

Section 2.1: General Requirements
All youth in community integration placements shall:





Be at least 17 years of age
Be working full or part-time
Be working towards a diploma or equivalent (if not already obtained)
Have demonstrated the ability to perform life skills

SECTION 3: COMMUNITY INTEGRATION PROGRAM STAFFING
Staff shall meet the qualifications and responsibilities as set forth in this document. Written job descriptions
shall be developed for all staff and maintained on site where personnel functions are carried out.
Section 3.1: Administrator




Qualifications
o The administrator shall have a Bachelor’s degree and prior administrative experience.
o Shall not be a person restricted from working with youth as defined by K.S.A. 65-516.
o Shall have a working knowledge of adolescent development principles.
Responsibilities
o Shall be responsible for working with, supervising and training other staff (e.g., Community
Integration Specialist) who are working with youth in the community integration program.

Section 3.2: Community Integration Specialist


Qualifications
o The Community Integration Specialist shall have at least a bachelor’s degree in one of the
human service fields (social work, psychology, human development and family life, criminal
justice, counseling, nursing or education) and have a working knowledge of adolescent
development principles.
o Shall be at least twenty-one (21) years of age and at least three years older than the oldest youth
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o


served.
Shall not be a person restricted from working with youth as defined by K.S.A. 65-516.

Responsibilities
o Service Access plan development, review, and development of collaborations with communitybased service providers.
o Shall be responsible for any monitoring of youth activities as required.
o Shall inspect youth’s apartment as needed to insure the safety and security of youth.
o Shall coordinate or provide alternative transportation as deemed necessary.
o Shall complete paperwork or reports to referring agency as required.
o Shall work shifts and or be on-call 24 hours a day on a rotating basis.
o Shall be responsible for the day-to-day modeling of life skills (e.g., assertiveness,
communication, conflict management, problem solving, and decision making).
o Shall monitor youth’s daily life skills and provide appropriate feedback.
o Shall review bank statements, check stubs, etc. to insure youth’s adherence to savings
requirements

SECTION 4: STAFF IN-SERVICE TRAINING
Section 4.1 In-Service Orientation Training
Each provider shall have an in-service orientation/training program for new employees, which is especially
directed toward the initial training needs of staff working directly with youth in a CIP. Documentation of
completion of orientation training shall be kept in the staff member’s personnel file.
The documentation shall be placed in a specific area in the staff’s file, indicating:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Staff training , reflecting orientation or annual training
Name of trainer
Name of training
Specify the numbers of training hours
Date of the training

Staff shall have completed 18 hours of in-service training orientation training provided by the facility before
they can work independently with the resident.
1. Agency policy and procedure manual
2. Facility emergency and evacuation procedures (non-scatter site only)
3. Emergency safety interventions (including management of aggressive or suicidal behavior and
orientation to the facility’s restraint policies and procedures)
4. The handling of blood borne pathogens
5. Agency discipline standards
6. Abuse/neglect mandatory reporting laws
7. Resident record documentation policies and procedures
8. Policies and procedures for youth medication management
9. Resident rights
10. Confidentiality laws
11. Training in CPF/First Aid within 3 months of employment
12. De-escalation techniques
13. Trauma based informed care

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Section 4.2 Annual Service training
Each provider shall also have a written annual staff in-service training plan, which addresses the annual
training needs of all staff having direct contact with youth. This annual training is beyond or in addition to
the initial 18 hour orientation-training program.
All Transitional living staff shall have a minimum of 18 documented clock hours of in-service training per
year. Documentation shall be provided in each staff member’s personnel record to include content, amount
of time, trainer, and qualifications.
The documentation shall be placed in a specific area in the staff’s file indicating training:
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Staff training, reflecting orientation or annual training
Name of trainer
Name of training
Specify the numbers of training hours
Date of the training

Topics shall include but are not limited to:
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.

CPR and First Aid (current not expired)
Blood borne pathogens
Medications
Emergency safety interventions
Substance use disorder patterns
Childhood and adolescent development (including developmental disorders)
Childhood and a psychopathology (including such topics as effects of abuse/neglect, reactive
attachment disorders, separation anxiety disorders, ADHD)
18. Childhood and adolescent sexuality issues, especially the effects of early sexual abuse
19. De-escalation techniques/physical restraints techniques
20. Trauma based informed care
SECTION 5: PLACEMENTS
Community Integration placements may be offered through a variety of residential living arrangements
where youth have the opportunity to evidence independent living skills with decreasing degrees of
supervision. Residential living arrangements may include apartments within one building or scattered site
housing. Scattered site housing are dwellings (e.g., apartments, town homes, duplexes) that are typically
located in the same neighborhood.
Section 5.1: Home Furnishings/Services
The provider shall make available certain articles and supplies for furnishing the youths residence. The
articles and supplies may be new or used, but t shall be in good condition. The articles and supplies shall
include, but are not limited to:







A bed and bed linens
A dining table and chairs
Living or sitting room furniture
A stove and refrigerator
Kitchen furnishings (e.g., pots, pans, cooking and eating utensils)
Basic cleaning supplies
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








Landline telephone
Utilities (e.g., water, trash, electricity, gas)
Access to laundry services
Food in sufficient quantity to provide at least three (3) nutritionally balanced meals per day (Food
costs included in room and board, youth to be responsible for shopping and food preparation);
Kitchen and bath linens
Entertainment equipment (e.g., television, stereo, video games) are optional, if not provided, youth
shall be provided the opportunity to purchase these items when they are financially capable
Emergency transportation when routine transportation is not available
Review of youth’s financial records (e.g., bank statements, check stubs) to monitor youth’s money
management skills

Section 5.2: Positive and Realistic Living Experiences
Youth are further prepared for adulthood by being provided a realistic living experience, through
community integration placements in which they can take increasing responsibility for themselves.
Elements of those living experiences include, but are not limited to, the following:







Direct experience with the consequences of daily actions and decisions
Life skills practice while having access to staff for support and advice
Use emergency medical procedures
Negotiating a rental agreement
Practice in money management and budgeting
Experience in shopping, food preparation, food storage, and consumer skills

These experiences shall also be tailored to a youth’s current level of functioning. Additional experiences
and opportunities may be introduced as a youth’s skill level increases and more complex opportunities are
desired.
Section 5.3: Placement Supervision
All youth in community integration placements shall have twenty-four (24) hour telephone access to
community integration staff and an alternate placement in the event the community integration placement
is unsuccessful.
Community Integration staff shall evaluate, at a minimum, the youth’s:






Safety, health, and overall well-being;
Ability to manage school and work responsibilities without daily supervision;
Ability to follow program and landlord rules;
Ability to use good judgment in daily activities; and
Overall progress toward established goals and desired outcomes.

The frequency of contact may vary due to many factors (e.g., readiness for independence; living
arrangements chosen; presence or availability of other adults; other factors unforeseen until after
placement).
The following contact schedule, at a minimum, shall be utilized during the first eight (8) weeks in
placement. In person contacts are to be in the youth’s apartment.


1st Week

Daily Phone Contact and minimum of 1 in person contact
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

2nd through 4th Wks.

Twice a Week Phone Contact and minimum of 1 in person contact



5th through 8th Wks.

Once a Week Phone Contact and minimum of 1 in person contact



After the eighth (8th) week, contact shall occur no less often than once a month and the Community
Integration Specialist and referring agency shall reconvene to determine the necessity of the youth’s
continued placement.

Section 5.4: Placement Agreement
A Placement Agreement shall be completed between the CIP and the referring agency at the time of
placement. A copy of the signed Placement Agreement shall be kept in the youth’s file at the facility.
Section 5.5: Resident lodging
In order to support the daily management and administration of residents, each residential provider shall
develop an objective procedure regarding the physical housing of youth. Youth in a residential placement
shall be assigned to a room, if the housing is shared, based upon various factors, as identified by risk/needs
assessment(s) in addition to other indicators. Factors to consider in assigning rooms shall include (but are
not limited to):








Suicidal tendencies
Level of specialized needs (i.e. mental health, medical, etc.)
Displaying inappropriate sexual behaviors /victims of sexual abuse)
Gender
Age and/or maturity level
Program needs (substance use disorder, cognitive behavioral, independent living, etc.)
Vulnerability to being victimized by others (i.e. physical stature)

While each youth will have an individualized program plan, assigning rooms based upon
risk/need/responsivity factors will allow for a safer, more secure environment, as well as efficient and
effective management of the living units. The youth’s room assignment and how the decision was made
shall be documented in the youth’s file.
SECTION 6: SERVICE/SUPPORTS
Youth in community integration placements may need access to supportive services including but not
limited to the following categories:








Mental health services, including treatment to address sexual issues if needed
Alcohol and substance use disorder treatment services
Educational/vocational support services
Individual counseling
Pro-social recreational activities
Preventative, routine and emergency health care
Routine transportation

Section 6.1: Accessing Outpatient Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder Services for Youth
Residing in a CIP

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Only Outpatient Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder services are allowed while a youth is residing in
an out of home placement (excluding PRTF placement). If outpatient services are needed, the provider
shall coordinate assessments and services through an enrolled Medicaid provider through KanCare. The
MCO assigned to the youth through KanCare will determine the type, frequency and duration of services
required to meet the individualized Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder needs of each youth.
Upon admission or during the course of the youth’s stay, if the youth begins to exhibit behavior/needs
which cannot be addressed by the placement or through outpatient services, the provider shall collaborate
with the CWCMP case manager to obtain an appropriate screen/assessment to determine the level of
services required.
If the youth is receiving Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder services from an enrolled Medicaid
provider through KanCare, including a community mental health center or independent practitioner, at the
time of admission, the youth may continue services by the same provider to maintain continuity of service.
Providers may employ, contract or otherwise partner with an enrolled Medicaid provider through KanCare
to provide Outpatient Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder services to youth residing at the program.
Providers shall not prohibit the youth’s ability to request or receive services from any willing provider who
are enrolled Medicaid providers through KanCare.
SECTION 7: SERVICE ACCESS PLANNING
Initial Assessment:
The admission service access request provided by the referring agency shall constitute the initial
assessment.
Additional Assessments:
The Community Integration Specialist may administer life skills assessments as needed to further identify
needs to be addressed in the service access plan.
Plan requirements:
Each youth residing in a CIP shall have a service access plan based on needs identified by the provider and
the referring agency. Any assessment documents shall be included in the case record. The service plan
shall be established by the end of 3 working days from admission. Service plans shall be updated whenever
new needs are identified or when goals are met. Service plans shall be reviewed and revisions made at least
every 30 days.
The service plan shall include:


Long-term goals in the areas of:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.



physical health
family relations
daily living skills
academic and/or vocational skills
interpersonal relations
emotional/psychological health

Short-term goals which help the youth reach his/her long-term goals in the areas identified above.
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1. Services to meet independent living goals
2. Estimated time for reaching short-term goals.
3. The youth shall sign and date the service access plan indicating participation and input in the
development of the plan
4. Updated information of the progress of the youth’s goals shall be included
The service plan shall be reviewed, revised, and documented in a progress report at least every 30 days by
the facility. Information obtained from the youth, parent, guardian, referring agency, employers or service
providers shall be considered in the report.
Section 7.1 Discharge/Aftercare Plan
Discharge planning shall begin upon admission of the youth to transitional living. At a minimum, the youth,
youth’s parent, if applicable or guardian, if applicable and the referring agency shall be involved in planning
the discharge of a youth. A discharge summary shall be completed at the time of the youth’s discharge.
This shall include goals that the youth has achieved and any identified plans for aftercare. Written
recommendations for aftercare shall be made and shall specify the nature, frequency, and duration or
services recommended for the youth. The plan shall also identify the parties responsible for specific
aftercare services.
SECTION 8: RESIDENT’S RIGHTS
The staff of the facility shall allow privacy for each youth. The facility’s space and furnishings shall be
designed and planned with respect for the resident’s right to privacy. The facility’s design shall also provide
supervision according to the ages and needs of the residents. Each resident shall have a quiet area where
they can withdraw from the group when appropriate.
Contacts between the resident and their parents/guardian shall be allowed while the resident is in care unless
the rights of the parents have been terminated by court order or family contact is not in the resident’s best
interest. The frequency of contact shall be determined by the needs of the resident and his/her family or
guardians per program plan requirements.
The facility shall have clearly written policies regarding visits, gifts, mail, E-mail and telephone (including
cell phone) calls between the resident and their family, or guardian. These policies shall be made known
to the resident and his/her family/guardian at or prior to admission.
Residents shall be allowed to send and receive mail and have telephone conversations with family
members/guardians unless it is not in the best interest of the youth, the safety and security of facility, or if
a court order necessitates restrictions.
If restrictions on communications or visits are necessary these shall be documented in the youths file and
reviewed at the 30 day review. The youth’s CWCMP case manager shall be notified of any new
restrictions to communications or visitation implemented by the facility prior to its implementation.
A resident shall be allowed to bring personal possessions to the facility and may acquire other possessions
in accordance with the policies of the facility. Prior to admission, information shall be made available to
the youth and their parents/guardians, if applicable, concerning what possessions a youth may bring to the
facility and the kinds of gifts they may receive. Possessions, which a youth cannot have or receive at the
facility, shall be specified in writing and distributed to the youth and their parents/guardians.

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SECTION 9: BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT
Discipline at the facility shall be consistent and not be physically or emotionally damaging. Youth shall not
be subjected to cruel, severe, unusual, or unnecessary punishment. Youth shall not be subjected to remarks
that belittle or ridicule them or their families. Residents shall not be denied food, mail, or visits with their
families as punishment. Seclusion shall not be utilized as a disciplinary measure. Only staff members shall
discipline residents.
Section 9.1: Time Out
A procedure used to assist the individual to regain emotional control by removing the individual from his
or her immediate environment and restricting the individual to a quiet area or unlocked quiet room.
Application of time out:
(a) A resident in time out shall never be physically prevented from leaving the time out area.
(b) Time out may take place away from the area of activity or from other residents.
(c) Staff shall monitor the resident while he or she is in time out.
Section 9.2: Emergency safety intervention/De-escalation techniques
Managing Aggressive Behaviors

De-escalation is a technique used during a potential crisis situation in an attempt to prevent a youth
from causing harm to themselves, others and/or staff. De-escalation techniques shall be utilized
for any activity required to diffuse a conflict or intense situation to ensure safety and calm the
youth. Staff shall be trained in authorized, well-recognized de-escalation techniques programs for
managing aggressive behavior. Staff training records shall be kept as part of the staff member’s personnel
file and shall be made available upon request. At the time of admission to a facility, the resident and parent
(if applicable)/guardian shall be oriented to the managing aggressive behaviors policies of the facility and
shall sign a written acknowledgment of this orientation. This written acknowledgment shall be kept in the
client’s case record.
Section 9.3 Emergency safety interventions/Physical restraints
An emergency safety intervention shall be performed in a manner that is safe, proportionate, and appropriate
to the severity of the behavior, and the resident's chronological and developmental age, size, gender,
physical, medical, psychiatric condition, and personal history.
The use of emergency safety interventions shall be performed only through the use of nationally recognized
restraint procedures applicable to this population designed to prevent a resident from harming self or others
by exerting external control over physical movement.
Physical restraint is the application of physical force without any mechanical device, for the purpose of
restricting the free movement of a resident’s body. Physical restraint shall be used only as last resort
after all verbal de-escalation techniques have failed and when the resident is at-risk of harming
themselves or others.
Mechanical restraint is the use of mechanical devices to restrict the free movement of the resident’s body,
most often for purposes of preventing self-destructive behavior. Mechanical restraints are not allowed
in CIP services.

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Each facility shall have a written restraint policy and all staff shall be trained to provide safe physical
restraints in the event of an emergency safety intervention. Staff shall be trained in authorized, wellrecognized training programs for managing aggressive behavior and de-escalation techniques. Staff
training records shall be kept as part of the staff member’s personnel file and shall be made available upon
request. At the time of admission to a facility, the resident and parent (if applicable)/guardian (if applicable)
shall be oriented to the restraint policies of the facility and shall sign a written acknowledgment or this
orientation. This written acknowledgment shall be kept in the client’s case record.
Section 9.4: Reporting Abuse/Neglect
All employees at the CIP are mandated reporters. Mandated reporters shall report all witnessed or
suspected abuse/neglect to the Kansas Protection Report Center (KPRC) at 1-800-922-5330 or the local
Law Enforcement Agency.
The KPRC number shall be posted in a prominent place in the facility. Any employee of the facility who
suspects the abuse/neglect of a resident within that facility is to notify the Director of the facility
immediately, except in cases where the alleged perpetrator is the facility Director.
K.S.A. 38-2224 (a) No employer shall terminate the employment of, prevent or impair the practice or
occupation of, or impose any other sanction on, any employee because the employee made an oral or written
report to, or cooperated with an investigation by, a law enforcement agency or the secretary relating to harm
inflicted upon a child which was suspected by the employee of having resulted from the physical, mental
or emotional abuse or neglect or sexual abuse of the child. K.S.A 38-2224 (b) Violation of this section is
a class B misdemeanor.
Physical Abuse: Infliction of physical harm or the causation of a child's deterioration, and may include,
but shall not be limited to, maltreatment or exploiting a child to the extent the child’s health is endangered.
K.S.A. 38-2202
Sexual Abuse: Any contact or interaction with a child in which the child is being used for the sexual
stimulation of the perpetrator, the child, or another person. Sexual abuse shall include allowing, permitting,
or encouraging a child to engage in the sale of sexual relations or commercial sexual exploitation of a child,
or to be photographed, filmed, or depicted in obscene or pornographic material. Sexual abuse also shall
include allowing, permitting or encouraging a child to engage in aggravated human trafficking, as defined
in K.S.A. 2014 Supp. 21-5426(b), and amendments thereto, if committed in whole or in part for the purpose
of the sexual gratification of the offender or another. K.S.A. 38-2202 (See PPM 0160 or K.S.A. 21-6422
for Commercial sexual exploitation of a child, 21-5426 for aggravated human trafficking, and 21-5501 for
sexual intercourse and sodomy definitions). Contact solely between children shall meet the criteria only if
the contact also involves force, intimidation, difference in maturity, or coercion. K.A.R. 30-46-10.
Mental or Emotional Abuse: Infliction of mental or emotional harm or the causing of a deterioration of a
child, and may include, but shall not be limited to, maltreatment or exploiting a child to the extent the child's
health or emotional wellbeing is endangered. This term may include any act, behavior, or omission that
impairs or endangers a child’s social or intellectual functioning. This term may include the following:
1) terrorizing a child, by creating a climate of fear or engaging in violent or threatening behavior
toward the child or toward others in the child's presence that demonstrates a flagrant disregard for
the child;

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2) emotionally abandoning a child, by being psychologically unavailable to the child, demonstrating
no attachment to the child, or failing to provide adequate nurturance of the child; and
3) Corrupting a child, by teaching or rewarding the child for unlawful, antisocial, or sexually mature
behavior. K.S.A. 38-2202 and K.A.R. 30-46-10
Neglect: Acts or omissions by a parent, guardian or person responsible for the care of a child resulting in
harm to a child, or presenting a likelihood of harm, and the acts or omissions are not due solely to the lack
of financial means of the child's parents or other custodian. Neglect may include but, shall not be limited
to:
(1) failure to provide the child with food, clothing, or shelter necessary to sustain the life or health of
the child;
(2) failure to provide adequate supervision of a child or to remove a child from a situation that requires
judgment or actions beyond the child's level of maturity, physical condition, or mental abilities and
that result in bodily injury or a likelihood of harm to the child; or
(3) Failure to use resources available to treat a diagnosed medical condition if such treatment will
make a child substantially more comfortable, reduce pain and suffering, or correct or substantially
diminish a crippling condition from worsening. A parent legitimately practicing religious beliefs
who does not provide specified medical treatment for a child because of religious beliefs shall not
for that reason be considered a negligent parent. K.SA. 38-2202 (t)

SECTION 10: SIGNIFICANT INCIDENT
A Significant Incident is an unanticipated event which does not rise to the level of a significant incident,
but has the potential risk of a serious adverse outcome.
Section 10.1: Significant Incident Reporting
Significant incidents are to be reported to the youth’s CWCMP case manager and the youth’s parent or
guardian when appropriate per PPM 0513.
The following significant incidents shall be verbally reported immediately with a written report to the
CWCMP case manager within 24 hours of the event (please refer to the following definitions for
clarification):
Significant Incident involving a child in the custody of the Secretary include but are not limited to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

death of a parent/primary caregiver (provide date of death)
runaway or missing from placement PPM 5245 shall be followed.
arrested for a juvenile offense
alleged abuse or neglect
child is an alleged perpetrator or victim of a criminal assault of any kind
attempted suicide
serious physical illness
unanticipated medical attention that requires treatment beyond first aid
pregnancy See PPM 0513 D. 2.
birth See PPM 0513 D. 2.
emergency change in placement
use of illegal drugs
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13.
14.
15.
16.
17.

suspension of the license of a group or residential facility used by children
alleged victim of human trafficking
alleged perpetrator of animal abuse
other (document specifics)
death of child in care

If the significant incident involves abuse, neglect, or exploitation the facility shall also follow mandated
reporting requirements.
All facilities shall have procedures for reporting significant incidents to administrative staff and recording
significant incidents in the resident files. An administrative file of significant incidents shall be kept by
facility and a copy of the significant incident shall be placed in the youth’s file.
An administrative file shall be kept by the facility documenting significant incidents that is separate from
the documentation in the youth’s file.
Each CIP provider shall develop an internal process for obtaining on-call/emergency contact information
for all CWCMP case managers in the event of an emergency or significant incident.
SECTION 11: RECORD KEEPING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE FACILITY
The record keeping requirements of KAR 28-4-272 shall be met by the facility. In addition, the following
shall be kept by the facility.
Section 11.1 Record Retention:
Case records, including medical records, shall be maintained for 6 years from the date of the youth’s
discharge or until completion of an on-going audit and production of a final audit report, whichever is
longer.
Section 11.2: Chart Documentation
A dated record of daily observations and significant occurrences involving each youth shall be maintained.
The record shall include events, which may affect the well-being of the youth. The record shall be available
for review. Each report shall include the date and time of occurrence, the staff member and/or youth
involved, the nature of the incident and the circumstances surrounding it.
Section 11.3: Weekly Progress Notes
Notes shall be completed by the Community Integration Specialist and staff providing services. These
notes shall be entered into the youth’s chart, reflecting the delivery of services according to the program
plan. This documentation shall address the youth’s responses to interventions and the progress of the youth
on individualized goals and objectives. The note shall include any significant events that occurred during
the week and shall also summarize contacts with family members and other involved agencies. If an unmet
need is identified, the note shall reflect the actions to be taken to revise the plan for the youth to meet that
need. The Community Integration Specialist shall document specific services and activities they are
providing to each youth.

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Section 11.4 Health Records

Health Care and Records of residents shall meet the requirements of KAR 28-4-275. Records of
medications shall be kept in each youth’s case medical record and include the:
1. name of the prescribing physician
2. name of the medication
3. dosage prescribed
4. medication schedule
5. purpose of the medication
6. noted side effects
7. date of the prescription
8. date prescribed by a physician
A record of medication given, amount, date and time, and person dispensing shall be recorded. All doctor
and dental visits, major illnesses, and accidents shall be recorded. Mental health appointments shall also
be specifically documented in a youth's medical record. This provides for a complete Health record for the
youth and their family, which documents the frequency of the youth’s mental health treatment.
Section 11.5: 15 and 30-Day Progress Reports
Within the first 15 days of the youth’s admission to the CIP program the Community Integration Specialist
shall provide written placement recommendations to the youth’s CWCMP case managers as well as an
update on the youth’s progress. This report shall be placed in the youth’s file.
Thirty-day progress reports shall document progress on specific short-term goals, describe significant
revisions in goals and strategies, and specify any new program goals and strategies during the period
covered. The 30-day progress reports shall summarize progress and note changes regarding long-term
placement and program goals and shall also be placed in the youth’s file.
Section 11.6: Permanency Planning:
Includes the evaluation and design of an approach for the youth and family that focuses on opportunities
for the youth to have ongoing active and meaningful connections with family, kin, relatives, and the
community. The goal for achieving permanency shall be coordinated with the youth’s CWCMP case
manager and be included in the program plan to be reviewed every 30 days. The permanency plan shall
include strategies and tasks to accomplish the youth’s goals. Behaviors which place the youth at risk for
disruption, activities to prepare the youth’s family or kinship network for reunification, identification of
other less restrictive living environments and preparing the youth for transition to these settings shall be
addressed.

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SECURE CARE FACILITY
STANDARDS AND GENERAL GUIDELINES
SECTION 1: GENERAL PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AND REQUIREMENTS
A Secure Care facility is a 24-hour residential facility that meets the requirements of K.S.A. 38-2202 (bb)
and K.A.R. 28-4-350 (u): defining a secure care facility. It also meets the requirements of K. A. R. 28-4350-28-4-360 to provide twenty-four hour care in a DCF Foster Care and Residential Facility Licensing
licensed secure care facility.
Section 1.1 Services Provided in Secure Care
A Secure Care facility is a 24-hour residential facility that meets the requirements of K.S.A. 38-2202 (bb)
and K.A.R. 28-4-350 (u): defining a secure care facility. "Secure facility means a facility which is operated
or structured so as to ensure that all entrances and exits from the facility are under the exclusive control of
the staff of the facility, whether or not the person being detained has freedom of movement within the
perimeters of the facility, or which relies on locked rooms and buildings, fences or physical restraint in
order to control behavior of its residents. No secure facility other than a juvenile detention center shall be
attached to or on the grounds of an adult jail or lock-up.”
It also meets the licensing requirements of K. A. R. 28-4-350-28-4-360 to provide twenty-four hour care in
a DCF CPA and Residential Facility Division secure care facility.

DCF requires foster parents and designated officials at child care institutions to apply the
reasonable and prudent parenting standard. The standard is characterized by careful and sensible
parental decisions that maintain a child’s health, safety, and best interests while at the same time
encouraging the child’s emotional and developmental growth that a caregiver must use when
determining whether to allow a child in foster care to participate in extracurricular, enrichment,
cultural, and social activities.
SECTION 2: GENERAL STAFFING REQUIREMENTS
Twenty-four hour care which has been licensed by DCF Foster Care and Residential Facility Licensing
(KAR 28-4-350-28-4-360) as a secure care facility.
 Each secure care center director shall have at least a master's degree in social work or a related
field, or shall have a bachelor's degree in social work, human development and family life,
psychology or education and a minimum of three years of supervisory experience within a child
care agency.
 Facility staff shall meet the requirements of K.A.R. 28-4-353a. Facility child care staff shall be at
least 21 years of age with a minimum of three years age difference between the child care worker
and oldest resident who can be admitted to the facility. Child care staff shall have at least a high
school diploma or its equivalent and shall also have a minimum of:
1. three semester hours of college level study in adolescent development , psychology or a
related subject
2. Eight hours of orientation training before assuming supervisory responsibility of the
residents.
3. Staff shall have 32 hours of training before assuming independent supervisory
responsibilities.
4. All staff shall have 40 hours of training per year
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5. One year of experience as a child care worker or house apparent in a facility serving youth
of the same age.


The facility shall be staffed appropriately to meet the neeeds of all the resident in their care. The
staff ratio is 1:7 during waking hours and 1:11 during sleeping hours. There shall be 24-hour awake
staff to insure child safety.

SECTION 3: CRITERIA FOR THE YOUTH’S ADMISSION
Youth are admitted to the facility who have been placed in a secure care facility Per K.S.A 2260 (f) (2 -3).
The court may authorize the custodian to place the child in a secure facility or juvenile detention facility, if
the court determines that all other placement options have been exhausted or are inappropriate, based upon
a written report submitted by the Secretary, if the child is in the Secretary's custody, or submitted by a
public agency independent of the court and law enforcement, if the child is in the custody of someone other
than the Secretary. The report to the court shall detail the behavior of the child and the circumstances under
which the child was brought before the court and made subject to the order entered pursuant to subsection
(a) of the CINC code.
The authorization to place the child in a secure facility or juvenile detention facility pursuant to this
subsection shall expire 60 days, inclusive of weekend and legal holidays, after its issue. The court may
grant extensions of such authorization for two additional periods, each not to exceed 60 days, upon
rehearing pursuant to K.S.A. 38-2256, and amendments thereto.
Section 3.1 Placement Agreement
A signed Placement Agreement shall be completed between the Secure Care Facility and the referring
agency at the time of placement. A copy of the signed Placement Agreement shall be kept in the youth’s
file at the facility.
The initial service authorization period for a Secure Care Facility stay will be for 60 days. The court may
grant extensions of such authorization for two additional periods, each not to exceed 60 days, upon
rehearing pursuant to K.S.A. 38-2256, and amendments thereto.
SECTION 4: RESIDENTIAL CARE PROGRAM
Section 4.1 Residential Care System
Each Secure Care Facility shall have a written program of consistent rules and regulations guiding and
governing the daily behavior of the youth under the care of the program. The behavior management system
shall include a description of daily general routines of the program. The system of rules, rewards, and
consequences for given behaviors shall be identified. Each youth shall be oriented to the Secure Care
Facility’s behavior management system by a staff member during the admission or orientation process.
Notation shall be made in the youth’s file and signed by the youth that the rules and regulations, rewards
and consequences have been discussed with the youth.
The Secure Care Facility shall post the behavior management system in a common area where youth are
able to easily access the system and the youth shall be given a written copy of the system to use as a
reference.

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The system shall include rules governing:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.

interpersonal interactions with staff and peers
facility leave policies
school attendance and behavior while at school,
verbal and physical aggression,
allowable possessions,
awakening and bedtime hours,
leisure hours,
visitation policies,
AWOL attempts,
involvement in recreation and other activities,
self-destructive behaviors,
sexuality,
communications with family and others outside the program,
religious worship,
involvement in therapies,
theft, property destruction,
behaviors resulting in mandatory removal from the program
behaviors at the program which could result in legal prosecution

Emphasis in the design of the secure care facility program is to be on addressing the youth’s chronic running
behaviors to eliminate current and future running behavior so the youth can be successful in a community
non-secure setting.
Section 4.2: Resident lodging
In order to support the daily management and administration of residents, each residential provider shall
develop an objective procedure regarding the physical housing of youth. Youth in a residential placement
shall be assigned to a room based upon various factors, as identified by risk/needs assessment(s) in addition
to other indicators. Factors to consider in assigning rooms shall include (but are not limited to):








Suicidal tendencies
Level of specialized needs (i.e. mental health, medical, etc.)
Displaying inappropriate sexual behaviors/victims of sexual abuse)
Gender
Age and/or maturity level
Program needs (substance use disorder, cognitive behavioral, independent living, etc.)
Vulnerability to being victimized by others (i.e. physical stature)

While each youth will have an individualized program plan, assigning rooms based upon
risk/need/responsivity factors will allow for a safer, more secure environment, as well as efficient and
effective management of the living units. The youth’s room assignment and how the decision was made
shall be documented in the youth’s file.
Section 4.3: Education Requirement
All facilities shall have an education agreement letter with a school district certified by the state board of
education. The facility shall ensure routine communications between the staff and any educational program
in which the youth is placed. This shall include requesting and participating in the development of an
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Individual Education Plan for each resident when appropriate. These contacts shall be noted in the youth’s
case record. Any accredited Kansas Virtual schooling program (on line schooling) shall be approved by
the CWCMP Provider for each child. Refer to PPM 3236.
Section 4.4: Scope of Services
The provider shall write a policy and procedure manual for the operation of the Secure Care Facility that
will be reviewed and approved by DCF Prevention and Protection Services. The daily schedule shall
address the needs of the residents and the use of time to enhance the resident’s physical, mental, emotional,
and social development. The facility shall provide supervised indoor and outdoor recreation so that every
resident may participate. Age appropriate equipment to promote physical development and physical fitness
shall be available. Age appropriate socialization shall be provided utilizing community resources to assist
the youth in transitioning back into their community when appropriate.
The Secure Care will provide a program for youth in the facility that covers the following program
components:
Daily Living Services - Daily living services shall be provided and include the following:
1. room
2. board
3. child care
4. personal spending money
5. personal care needs
6. school fees
7. transportation to appointments within a 60-mile radius; including to and from school, medical
care, recreation, etc.
8. academic activities
a) assistance with school work
b) vocational training
c) G.E.D. training
Situational Training to include but not limited to:
1. Personal Hygiene
a. teaching about body cleanliness
b. use of deodorants and cosmetics
c. appropriate clothing
d. choosing clothing to fit individual and occasion
e. keeping clothes neat and clean
2. Health
a) identifying and understanding residents’ health needs
b) securing and utilizing necessary medical treatment including preventive and health
maintenance services
c) gaining information and education in health maintenance including:
i. preventive measures
ii. nutrition
iii. menstruation
iv. rest
v. cleanliness
vi. family planning
vii. drugs
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viii. sexually transmitted diseases
ix. exercise
x. motivation for meeting own health needs
d) maintaining contact with providers of health services (physician, nurse, clinic)
e) using outside resources for assistance (clinics, pharmacies, hospitals)
f) outside resources for assistance (clinics, pharmacies, hospitals)
3. Consumer education for independent livinga) budgeting
b) comparative buying
c) installment buying
d) avoiding risks
e) identifying illegal or excessive interest rates
f) use of credit
g) avoiding or dealing with debts
h) using checking and savings accounts
i) paying taxes
4. Communication skills: The youth’s articulating thoughts and feelings through appropriate use
of such skills as:
a) speech
b) writing
c) use of the, landline/cell telephones
d) computer
e) social networking
f) internet
5. Home Management:
a) making the bed and changing linens
b) using the vacuum cleaner
c) dusting
d) organizing belongings
e) disposing of trash
f) cleaning all areas of the home
g) operating appliances
h) cooking complete meals
i) making simple repairs
j) who to call when a major repair is needed
k) being aware of the need for upkeep
l) handling emergencies
m) knowing first aid
6. Situational Guidance:
a) identifying and accepting strengths
b) developing patterns of acceptance
c) coping with authority figures
d) getting along with others
e) sharing responsibility
f) being considerate of others
g) developing friendships
h) knowing when to go home when visiting
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i)
j)
k)
l)
m)
n)

recognizing or modifying attitudes toward self or others
responsible work attitudes
tolerance of verbal criticism
reactions to praise
punctuality
attendance

7. Recreation:
a) participating in leisure time activities
b) learning how to spend leisure time
c) developing outside activities
d) managing time
e) finding recreation with little or no expense involved
f) finding community projects to take part in
g) participating in social groups
h) participating in sports and games
i) arts and crafts
j) appreciating fine arts
Section 4.5: Initial Assessment
When a youth enters the facility, the Secure Care Facility shall begin immediately assessing their strengths
and needs including documentation. The assessment shall include but not be limited to the following:
1. Reasons for referral to the facility
2. Evaluation or assessment covering the following areas:
a) Physical health
b) Family relations
c) Academic or vocational training
3. Community life
4. Interpersonal interactions
5. Daily living skills as outlined in the scope of services listed above
6. Immediate service needs:
a) Mental Health
b) Developmental
c) Dental
d) Medical
7.
Involvement or exposure to Substance Use/disorder
8.
Involvement or exposure to other trauma
9.
Assessment of youth’s self- injuring or suicidal attempts
Placement needs of the youth shall be assessed with regard to most appropriate next placement.
Physical and mental health needs shall be coordinated with assigned CWCMP case manager and youth’s
assigned MCO.

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Section 4.6: Accessing Outpatient Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder Services for Youth
Residing in a Secure Care Facility
Only Outpatient Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder services are allowed while a youth is residing in
an out of home placement (excluding PRTF placement). If outpatient services are needed, the provider
shall coordinate assessments and services through an enrolled Medicaid provider through KanCare. The
MCO assigned to the youth through KanCare will determine the type, frequency and duration of services
required to meet the individualized Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder needs of each youth.
Upon admission or during the course of the youth’s stay, if the youth begins to exhibit behavior/needs
which cannot be addressed by the placement or through outpatient services, the provider shall collaborate
with the CWCMP case manager to obtain an appropriate screen/assessment to determine the level of
services required.
If the youth is receiving Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder services from an enrolled Medicaid
provider through KanCare, including a community mental health center or independent practitioner, at the
time of admission, the youth may continue services by the same provider to maintain continuity of service.
Providers may employ, contract or otherwise partner with an enrolled Medicaid provider through KanCare
to provide Outpatient Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder services to youth residing at the program.
Providers shall not prohibit the youth’s ability to request or receive services from any willing provider who
are enrolled Medicaid providers through KanCare.
Section 4.7: Program Plan
Each youth residing in a secure residential facility shall have a program plan that is based on a thorough
assessment. Assessment documents shall be included in the case record. The program plan shall be
established by the end of 14 days from admission and shall address the identified needs in the emotional,
physical, educational, social, familial, and where appropriate independent living skill domains. Youth may
not have identified needs in every domain. If so, document “no needs were identified”. Program plans
shall be updated when new needs are identified or when program goals are met. Program plans shall be
thoroughly reviewed and revisions made at the case review conferences within 30 days of completion of
initial program plan and each 30 days thereafter including updated information of the progress of the youth’s
goals. Information obtained from the youth, parent, guardian, and CWCMP case manager shall be
considered in the report.
The program plan shall include individualized services to match the youth’s identified needs in the
following areas:


Long term goals in the areas of:
1. physical health
2. family relations
3. daily living skills
4. academic and/or vocational skills
5. interpersonal relations
6. substance use service needs
7. emotional/psychological health



Short term goals which will help a youth eventually reach his/her long term goals in each of the
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


above areas.
1. Services to meet independent living goals.
2. Specific plans for reaching the short-term goals including services to be provided and
frequency.
3. Estimated time for reaching short term goals.
The youth shall sign and date the program plan indicating participation and input in the
development of the plan.
Updated information of the progress of the youth’s goals shall be included.

Secure Care staff shall participate in case plan conducted by CWCMP case manager.
Section 4.8: Discharge/Aftercare Plan
Discharge planning shall begin upon admission of the youth to the facility. At a minimum, the resident,
the resident’s parents (if applicable) or guardian, and the placing agency shall be involved in planning the
discharge of a resident from the facility. The discharge plan and modifications to it shall be noted in the
case file. All releases shall be approved by the court of jurisdiction, or the designated authority.
A discharge summary and modifications to it shall be completed at the time of the youth’s discharge, noted
in the case file and forwarded to the CWCMP case management agency. This shall include delineation of
after-care plans and goals which the youth have completed in the ES. Written recommendations for
aftercare shall be made and shall specify the nature, frequency, and duration or services the facility
recommends for the youth. The plan shall also document who the responsible parties are for aftercare
services.
Section 4.9: Case Coordination
The Secure Care Facility has the responsibility for coordinating the youth’s program and progress with the
referring CWCMP case management agency, school, family, and other appropriate community resources.
Each Secure Care facility shall outline the case coordination service delivery responsibilities for their
facility.
The Case Coordinator will maintain a resource of services to address the needs identified in Individual
Program Plans and document in the youth file, when and what community resources have been contacted
and utilized for services for the youth.
SECTION 5: RESIDENT’S RIGHTS:
The staff of the facility shall allow privacy for each youth. The facility’s space and furnishings shall be
designed and planned with respect for the resident’s right to privacy. The facility’s design shall also provide
supervision according to the ages and needs of the residents. Each resident shall have a quiet area where
they can withdraw from the group when appropriate.
Contacts between the resident and their parents/guardian shall be allowed while the resident is in care unless
the rights of the parents have been terminated by court order or family contact is not in the resident’s best
interest. The frequency of contact shall be determined by the needs of the resident and his/her family or
guardians per program plan requirements.
The facility shall have clearly written policies regarding visits, gifts, mail, E-mail and telephone (including
cell phone) calls pictures and social networking between the resident and their family, or guardian. These
policies shall be made known to the resident and his/her family/guardian at or prior to admission.
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Residents shall be allowed to send and receive mail and have telephone conversations with family
members/guardians unless it is not in the best interest of the youth, the safety and security of facility, or if
a court order necessitates restrictions.
If restrictions on communications or visits are necessary these shall be documented in the youths program
plan and reviewed at the 30-day case reviews. The youth’s CWCMP case manager shall be notified of
any new restrictions to communications or visitation implemented by the facility prior to its
implementation.
A resident shall be allowed to bring personal possessions to the facility and may acquire other possessions
in accordance with the policies of the facility. Prior to admission, information shall be made available to
the youth and their parents/guardians concerning what possessions a youth may bring to the facility and the
kinds of gifts they may receive. Possessions, which a youth cannot have or receive at the facility, shall be
specified in writing and distributed to the youth and their parents/guardians.
SECTION 6: BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT
Discipline at the facility shall be consistent and not be physically or emotionally damaging. Youth shall not
be subjected to cruel, severe, unusual, or unnecessary punishment. Youth shall not be subjected to remarks
that belittle or ridicule them or their families. Residents shall not be denied food, mail, telephone calls or
visits with their families as punishment. Seclusion shall not be utilized as a disciplinary measure. Only
staff members shall discipline residents.
Section 6.1 Time Out:
A procedure used to assist the individual to regain emotional control by removing the individual from his
or her immediate environment and restricting the individual to a quiet area or unlocked quiet room.
Application of time out:
1. Resident in time out shall never be physically prevented from leaving the time out area.
2. Time out may take place away from the area of activity or from other residents.
3. Staff shall monitor the resident while he or she is in time out.
Section 6.2 Emergency safety intervention / De-escalation techniques
Managing Aggressive Behaviors
De-escalation is a technique used during a potential crisis situation in an attempt to prevent a youth from
causing harm to themselves, others and/or staff. De-escalation techniques shall be utilized for any activity
required to diffuse a conflict or intense situation to ensure safety and calm the youth. Staff shall be trained
in authorized, well-recognized de-escalation techniques programs for managing aggressive behavior. Staff
training records shall be kept as part of the staff member’s personnel file and shall be made available upon
request. At the time of admission to a facility, the resident and parent (if applicable)/guardian shall be
oriented to the managing aggressive behaviors policies of the facility and shall sign a written
acknowledgment of this orientation. This written acknowledgment shall be kept in the client’s case record.
Section 6.3 Emergency safety interventions/Physical restraints
An emergency safety intervention shall be performed in a manner that is safe, proportionate, and appropriate
to the severity of the behavior, and the resident's chronological and developmental age, size, gender
physical, medical, psychiatric condition, and personal history.
104

The use of emergency safety interventions shall be performed only through the use of nationally recognized
restraint procedures applicable to this population designed to prevent a resident from harming self or others
by exerting external control over physical movement.
Physical restraint is the application of physical force without any mechanical device, for the purpose of
restricting the free movement of a resident’s body. Physical restraint shall be used only as last resort
after all verbal de-escalation techniques have failed and when the resident is at-risk of harming
themselves or others.
Mechanical restraint is the use of mechanical devices to restrict the free movement of the resident’s body,
most often for purposes of preventing self-destructive behavior. Mechanical restraints are not allowed
in Secure Care residential facilities.
Each facility shall have a written restraint policy and all staff shall be trained to provide safe physical
restraints in the event of an emergency safety intervention. Staff shall be trained in authorized, wellrecognized training programs for managing aggressive behavior. Staff training records shall be kept as part
of the staff member’s personnel file and shall be made available upon request. At the time of admission to
a facility, the resident and parent/guardian shall be oriented to the restraint policies of the facility and shall
sign a written acknowledgment or this orientation. This written acknowledgment shall be kept in the
client’s case record.
Section 6.4 Reporting Abuse/Neglect
All employees at the SC are mandated reporters. Mandated reporters shall report all witnessed or
suspected abuse/neglect to the Kansas Protection Report Center (KPRC) at 1-800-922-5330 or the local
Law Enforcement Agency.
The KPRC number shall be posted in a prominent place in the facility. Any employee of the facility who
suspects the abuse/neglect of a resident within that facility is to notify the Director of the facility
immediately, except in cases where the alleged perpetrator is the facility Director.
K.S.A. 38-2224 (a) No employer shall terminate the employment of, prevent or impair the practice or
occupation of, or impose any other sanction on, any employee because the employee made an oral or written
report to, or cooperated with an investigation by, a law enforcement agency or the secretary relating to harm
inflicted upon a child which was suspected by the employee of having resulted from the physical, mental
or emotional abuse or neglect or sexual abuse of the child. K.S.A (b) Violation of this section is a class B
misdemeanor.
Physical Abuse: Infliction of physical harm or the causation of a child's deterioration, and may include,
but shall not be limited to, maltreatment or exploiting a child to the extent the child’s health is endangered.
K.S.A. 38-2202
Sexual Abuse: Any contact or interaction with a child in which the child is being used for the sexual
stimulation of the perpetrator, the child, or another person. Sexual abuse shall include allowing, permitting,
or encouraging a child to engage in the sale of sexual relations or commercial sexual exploitation of a child,
or to be photographed, filmed, or depicted in obscene or pornographic material. Sexual abuse also shall
include allowing, permitting or encouraging a child to engage in aggravated human trafficking, as defined
in K.S.A. 2014 Supp. 21-5426(b), and amendments thereto, if committed in whole or in part for the purpose
of the sexual gratification of the offender or another. K.S.A. 38-2202 (See PPM 0160 or K.S.A. 21-6422
105

for Commercial sexual exploitation of a child, 21-5426 for aggravated human trafficking, and 21-5501 for
sexual intercourse and sodomy definitions). Contact solely between children shall meet the criteria only if
the contact also involves force, intimidation, difference in maturity, or coercion. K.A.R. 30-46-10
Mental or Emotional Abuse: Infliction of mental or emotional harm or the causing of a deterioration of a
child, and may include, but shall not be limited to, maltreatment or exploiting a child to the extent the child's
health or emotional wellbeing is endangered. This term may include any act, behavior, or omission that
impairs or endangers a child’s social or intellectual functioning. This term may include the following:
1) terrorizing a child, by creating a climate of fear or engaging in violent or threatening behavior
toward the child or toward others in the child's presence that demonstrates a flagrant disregard for
the child;
2) emotionally abandoning a child, by being psychologically unavailable to the child, demonstrating
no attachment to the child, or failing to provide adequate nurturance of the child; and
3) corrupting a child, by teaching or rewarding the child for unlawful, antisocial, or sexually mature
behavior. K.S.A. 38-2202 and K.A.R. 30-46-10
Neglect: Acts or omissions by a parent, guardian or person responsible for the care of a child resulting in
harm to a child, or presenting a likelihood of harm, and the acts or omissions are not due solely to the lack
of financial means of the child's parents or other custodian. Neglect may include but, shall not be limited
to:
(1) failure to provide the child with food, clothing, or shelter necessary to sustain the life or health of
the child;
(2) failure to provide adequate supervision of a child or to remove a child from a situation that requires
judgment or actions beyond the child's level of maturity, physical condition, or mental abilities and
that result in bodily injury or a likelihood of harm to the child; or
(3) failure to use resources available to treat a diagnosed medical condition if such treatment will make
a child substantially more comfortable, reduce pain and suffering, or correct or substantially
diminish a crippling condition from worsening. A parent legitimately practicing religious beliefs
who does not provide specified medical treatment for a child because of religious beliefs shall not
for that reason be considered a negligent parent. K.SA. 38-2202 (t)
SECTION 7: SIGNIFICANT INCIDENT
A Significant Incident is an unanticipated event which does not rise to the level of a critical incident, but
has the potential risk of a serious adverse outcome.
Section 7.1: Significant Incident Reporting
Significant incidents are to be reported to the youth’s CWCMP case manager and the youth’s parent or
guardian when appropriate per PPM 0513.
The following significant incidents shall be verbally reported immediately with a written report to the
CWCMP case manager within 24 hours of the event (please refer to the following definitions for
clarification):
Significant Incident involving a child in the custody of the Secretary include but are not limited to:
106

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.

death of a parent/primary caregiver (provide date of death)
runaway or missing from placement PPM 5245 shall be followed.
arrested for a juvenile offense
alleged abuse or neglect
child is an alleged perpetrator or victim of a criminal assault of any kind
attempted suicide
serious physical illness
unanticipated medical attention that requires treatment beyond first aid
pregnancy See PPM 0513 D. 2.
birth See PPM 0513 D. 2.
emergency change in placement
use of illegal drugs
suspension of the license of a group or residential facility used by children
alleged victim of human trafficking
alleged perpetrator of animal abuse
other (document specifics)

If the significant incident involves abuse, neglect, or exploitation the facility shall also follow mandated
reporting requirements.
All facilities shall have procedures for reporting significant incidents to administrative staff and recording
significant incidents in the resident files. An administrative file of significant incidents shall be kept by
facility and a copy of the significant incident shall be placed in the youth’s file.
An administrative file shall be kept by the facility documenting significant incidents that is separate from
the documentation in the youth’s file.
Each Secure Care provider shall develop an internal process for obtaining on-call/emergency contact
information for all CWCMP case managers in the event of an emergency or significant incident.
SECTION 8: STAFF IN-SERVICE TRAINING
Section 8.1 In-service Orientation Training
Each facility shall have an in-service orientation/training program for new employees, which is especially
directed toward the initial training needs of staff working directly with residents. Documentation of
completion of orientation training shall be kept in the staff member’s personnel file.
The documentation shall be placed in a specific area in the staff’s file, indicating:
1. staff training, reflecting orientation or annual training
2. name of trainer
3. name of training
4. specify the number of training hours
5. date of the training
Child care staff shall have completed 40 hours of in-service orientation training provided by the facility
before they can work independently with youth.

107

The in-service orientation program shall provide written documentation that all staffs are oriented to the
following:
1. Facility policy and procedures manual
2. Facility emergency and evacuation procedures
3. Emergency safety interventions (including management of aggressive or suicidal behavior and
orientation to the facility’s restraint policies and procedures)
4. The handling of blood borne pathogens
5. Facility discipline standards
6. Abuse/neglect mandatory reporting laws
7. Client record documentation policies and procedures
8. Policies and procedures for resident medication management
9. Resident rights
10. Confidentiality laws
11. Training in CPR/First Aid within 3 months of employment
12. De-escalation techniques
13. The handling of youth in trauma based informed care
Section 8.2 Annual Service Training
Each facility shall also have a written annual staff in-service training plan which addresses the annual
training needs of all staff having direct contact with residents. This annual training is beyond or in addition
to the initial forty (40) hour orientation training program.
All secure care direct care staff, shall have a minimum of forty (40) documented clock hours of in-service
training per year. Documentation shall be provided in each staff member’s personnel record to include
content, amount of time, trainer, and qualifications.
The documentation shall be placed in a specific area in the staff’s file, indicating staff training, indicating:
1. staff training, reflecting orientation or annual training
2. name of trainer
3. name of training
4. specify the number of training hours
5. date of the training
Topics shall include but not be limited to:
1. CPR and First Aid (current not expired)
2. Blood borne pathogens
3. Medications
4. Emergency safety interventions
5. Substance use disorder patterns
6. Childhood and adolescent development (including developmental disorders)
7. Childhood and adolescent psycho-pathology (including such topics as effects of abuse/neglect,
reactive attachment disorders, separation anxiety disorders, ADHD)
8. Childhood and adolescent sexuality issues, especially the effects of early sexual abuse.
9. De-escalation techniques/physical restraints techniques
10. Trauma informed care
Each program manager shall attend at least one training event per year away from the center in addition to
the in service training conducted at the center.
108

SECTION 9: RECORD KEEPING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE FACILITY
The record keeping requirements of KAR 28-4-272 shall be met by the facility. In addition, the following
shall be kept by the facility.
Record Retention:
Case records, including medical records, shall be maintained for 6 years from the date of the youth’s
discharge or until completion of an on-going audit and production of a final audit report, whichever is
longer.
Chart Documentation:
A dated record of daily observations and significant occurrences involving each youth shall be maintained
by each shift for each youth and maintained in each youth’s individual file. The record shall include events,
which may affect the well-being of the youth. The record shall be available for review. Each report shall
include the date and time of occurrence, the staff member and/or youth involved, the nature of the incident
and the circumstances surrounding it.
Weekly Progress Notes:
Notes shall be completed by the case coordinator and staff providing services. These notes shall be entered
into the youth’s chart, reflecting the delivery of services according to the program plan. This documentation
shall address the youth’s responses to interventions and the progress of the youth on individualized goals
and objectives. The note shall include any significant events that occurred during the week and shall also
summarize contacts with family members and other involved agencies. If an unmet need is identified, the
note shall reflect the actions to be taken to revise the plan for the youth to meet that need. The case
coordinator shall document specific services and activities they are providing to each youth.
Health Records:

Health Care and Records of residents shall meet the requirements of KAR 28-4-275. Records of
medications shall be kept in each youth’s case medical record and include the:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

name of the prescribing physician,
name of the medication
dosage prescribed
medication schedule
purpose of the medication
noted side effects
date of the prescription
date prescribed by a physician

A record of medication given, amount, date and time, and person dispensing shall be recorded. All doctor
and dental visits, major illnesses, and accidents shall be recorded. Mental health appointments shall also
be specifically documented in a youth's medical record. This provides for a complete Health record for the
youth and their family, which documents the frequency of the youth’s mental health treatment.
30 day Progress Reports:
Thirty-day progress reports shall document progress on specific short-term goals, describe significant
revisions in goals and strategies, and specify any new program goals and strategies during the period
covered. The 30-day progress reports shall summarize progress and note changes regarding long-term
placement and program goals and shall be provided to the referring agency and a copy placed in the youth’s
file.
109

Permanency Planning:
Includes the evaluation and design of an approach for the youth and family that focuses on opportunities
for the youth to have ongoing active and meaningful connections with family, kin, relatives, and the
community. The goal for achieving permanency shall be coordinated with the youth’s CWCMP case
manager and be included in the program plan to be reviewed every 30 days. The permanency plan shall
include strategies and tasks to accomplish the youth’s goals. Behaviors which place the youth at risk for
disruption, activities to prepare the youth’s family or kinship network for reunification, identification of
other less restrictive living environments and preparing the youth for transition to these settings shall be
addressed.

110



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Title                           : Placement Service Standards
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