LAC 67:III.5559. Early Childhood Supports and Services Program (Effective August 2, 2002)

A. The Office of Family Support, shall enter into a Memoranda of Understanding or contracts to create programs to identify and provide supports and services to young children, ages 0-5, and their families who are at risk of developing cognitive, behavioral, and relationship difficulties. Services may include but are not limited to: 1. referral to appropriate supports and services provided by network members and other resources in the community; 2. case management; 3. clinical case management; 4. behavior modification; 5. counseling; 6. parent support groups; 7. training and technical assistance; 8. consultation to other providers and agencies; 9. infant mental health screening; 10. infant mental health assessment; 11. non-recurrent, short-term emergency intervention funds for use in a crisis situation; and 12. other services as specified in the individualized ECSS family services plan. B. Services offered by providers meet one or more of the following TANF goals: 1. Goal 1―to provide assistance to needy families so that children may be cared for in their own homes or in the home of a relative; 2. Goal 2―to end dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work, and marriage; 3. Goal 3―to prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies; and 4. Goal 4―to encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families. C. Eligibility for services is limited to at-risk families that include a child age 0-5 years, and who have earned income at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. A family consists of a minor child residing with a custodial parent or caretaker relative of the minor child, and non-custodial parents. D. Services are considered non-assistance by the agency.