LAC 67:V.6713. Social Services

NOTE: This Section has been moved from LAC 67:I.1713. A. A social study shall be completed for every expectant mother accepted for care by the maternity home. The social study shall be completed by a caseworker on the maternity home's staff or by a caseworker of the referring agency. When she is accepted through correspondence or on an emergency basis, the expectant mother shall be interviewed by the maternity home caseworker within a week after arrival. An immediate interview however, is preferable. B. Intake 1. The intake study shall include social information establishing that the expectant mother is in need of the services of the maternity home. 2. The following identifying information is essential: name, date of birth, nationality, religion, education, occupation, health history, physical appearance of mother, marital status, and home address. 3. The social worker shall discuss with the expectant mother the following: a. the regulations of the maternity home and her responsibilities; b. the services available to her through the maternity home and community; c. agreement that while she is in the care of the maternity home she may plan either to keep or to release her baby. The narrative record shall clearly show that a full discussion was held with the expectant mother regarding alternatives. The expectant mother should understand that should she not surrender her child to the home, the home will release the child only to the mother or to a licensed agency. 4. The agreement shall be in writing when a charge for care is made. C. Continuing Casework 1. Following admission, the social worker shall counsel with the expectant mother as often as her individual needs require. The caseworker will begin to establish a relationship in order to gain an understanding of the expectant mother's total situation and the meaning of the pregnancy for the expectant mother. 2. Interviewing shall be focused on the expectant mother's individual problems and on plans for the baby. In general, the treatment plan will be focused on preparing the expectant mother for a return to useful community life and providing her with information regarding the resources available in her local community. 3. The decision to surrender or take her baby should be made by the mother before, or at the time of discharge. Should the expectant mother desire postponement of her decision regarding surrender, the consideration of allowing more time shall be made on an individual basis by the social worker. In any event, adequate discharge plans shall be made. 4. The social worker shall know at the time of discharge what plans the expectant mother has for living arrangements, employment, or school. It is the social worker's responsibility to assist the expectant mother directly or through referral to other agencies when she needs help in these areas. D. Records 1. A narrative record shall be maintained which incorporates the information required in Subsections A and B of this Section. Copies of correspondence, agreements, and other forms shall be filed in this folder. The confidential nature of these records shall be respected, and these records are for the use of professional casework staff only. Social records shall be accessible only to the appropriate staff and shall be maintained in locked files.