Sec. 7.5. (a) The department shall before October 1, 2021, establish policies and procedures to allow for child and family services to be provided remotely by October 1, 2021. Subject to subsection (b), these policies and procedures must allow a child and family services provider the discretion to initiate a consultation with the department for any child and family services the provider believes should be provided remotely. The child and family services provider and the child's case manager may take into consideration the following when determining whether remote child and family services are appropriate:
(1) The child's:
(A) CANS assessment;
(B) case plan; and
(C) safety plan.
(2) The child's and family's:
(A) initial safety assessment;
(B) initial family risk assessment; and
(C) preferences regarding the manner of receiving services.
(3) Federal reimbursement requirements.
(4) Evidence based practice requirements.
(b) A child and family services provider's first meeting with a family, or with a child who lives with the child's family, must be conducted in person unless a declared health emergency makes an in person meeting unsafe. After a child and family services provider's first meeting with a family or with a child who lives with the child's family, or for purposes of providing services to a child who does not live with the child's family, a child and family services provider has the discretion to provide services to the child or family remotely for up to fourteen (14) days after the initial request for consultation if providing services remotely is in the best interests of the child and family, unless:
(1) a decision is reached on the use of remote services at a child and family team meeting less than fourteen (14) days after the request for consultation; or
(2) the department communicates to the child, family, and service provider a preliminary determination as to the role of remote services pending the child and family team meeting.
The child and family services provider shall continue to meet with the child and family in person at least once a week as the department deems necessary.
As added by P.L.144-2021, SEC.1.
Structure Indiana Code
Title 31. Family Law and Juvenile Law
Article 25. Child Services: Administration
Chapter 2. General Duties of the Department of Child Services
31-25-2-2.5. No Personal Liability for Official Acts
31-25-2-3. Department Organization
31-25-2-4. Family Case Manager Caseload Reports
31-25-2-5. Caseload Limitations
31-25-2-6. Report Requirements
31-25-2-7.5. Remote Child and Family Services
31-25-2-8.5. Department of Child Services Cost and Rate Reporting
31-25-2-10. Department Duties Concerning Staff
31-25-2-11. Powers, Responsibilities, and Duties
31-25-2-11.5. Director or Director's Designee Requirements
31-25-2-12. Notice of Existence of Photographs, X-Rays, and Physical Medical Examination Reports
31-25-2-13. Access to Photographs, X-Rays, and Physical Medical Examination Reports
31-25-2-14. Cooperation With Public and Private Agencies
31-25-2-15. Purchase of Services of Public or Private Agency
31-25-2-16. Department of Child Services Child Care Fund
31-25-2-21. Transitional Services Plan; Participation by Child Representatives
31-25-2-22. Provide List to State Department of Health; Electronic Means
31-25-2-23. Permanency Roundtable Duties; Residential Placement Committee
31-25-2-24. Report Concerning Child Fatalities
31-25-2-25. Kinship Care Navigator Program Report
31-25-2-26. Collaborative Child and Family Assistance Programs