Support Services – provided directly to foster children/clients through MDCPS staff,

Support Services – provided directly to foster children/clients through MDCPS staff, through the purchase of services from providers outside MDCPS, or by services provided without cost by other agencies and community providers. Support services are those services needed in addition to the services the Agency provides. Support services provided must relate to the need of the client as identified through the assessment and service planning process and needed to prevent removal from the home. The broad categories of support services provided by MDCPS are as follows: 1. Personal Needs 2. Medical Needs 3. Mental Health/Counseling 4. Independent Living 5. Referral Services Under no circumstances shall the vendor for support services be a resource parent unless prior written approval is received from the MDCPS Budget and Financial Planning Unit. Personal Needs Initial Clothing – A one-time only service when a child enters custody for the first time. If there are extenuating circumstances and a child re-enters custody and is in need of clothing, prior written approval must be obtained from the Budget and Financial Planning Unit before the service is entered. An initial clothing allowance is not used when a child is moved from one placement to another. Child Clothing – Allowance may be used only for a child who is in a non-licensed placement that does not receive a board payment, a child who was previously in custody, or a child who is placed in a Medicaid (short or long term) facility. School Supplies – Foster parents receiving a board payment are responsible for providing school supplies for children placed in their homes based on school supply limits. When the child is in a non-licensed placement that does not receive a board payment, school supply limits are based on the foster child’s current grade level, regardless of using regional funds, county funds child, or child’s own funds. Housing, Rent, Utilities – If payment of rent or utilities (water/gas/electric) or deposits for rent or utilities is requested, the service being requested must be specified along with a thorough justification. This is a one-time service; however, if additional service is needed due to unusual circumstances written justification is required as well as written approval from an Assistant Deputy Commissioner. Home Improvement – Purchase of items needed for the home include furniture, appliances, home repair, bedding, cleaning supplies and kitchen items. The Agency will not purchase beds, cribs, furniture, mattresses for licensed resource homes in order to place a child in the home. If the home is licensed, it should have the necessary items for a child to be placed in the home. MDCPS may be able to assist a non-licensed relative placement and/or prevention case in an emergency situation with a one-time service of a purchase of needed items or services. However, all furniture/bedding purchased by MDCPS for a foster child in a non-licensed relative placement will be removed from the home at the time the child is removed from the home. This is a one-time service for the unlicensed relative placement or one-time service for prevention cases in order to prevent removal of the child. Legal Documents – For purchase of legal documents such as birth certificates, death certificates or service of summons. Personal Hygiene Needs – This is a one-time service used when a child is placed in custody or for a prevention case management to prevent removal. Allowable items include: toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, shampoo, hair brushes, combs, lotion, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, diapers, diaper wipes, shaving items. Other Unmet Personal Needs – car seat, luggage, diaper bags, and any other instances where there is no designated support service listed. Transportation – Transportation is a one-time payment for bus tickets and gasoline, unless there are extenuating circumstances that may occur in working with parent/guardian to prevent removal or to reunify children with their families. Special Allowances – may be given to a foster child who has a special need that is not met with their board payment or monthly allowance. This is not an allowance that is given to a foster child every month regardless of whether they have their own funds. Written justification is required regarding what the special allowance is needed for and why it is needed. Monthly Allowance – Because monthly allowances are included in board payments to resource homes/facilities, county offices are not permitted to give a foster child a monthly allowance. In cases where the foster child is placed in an unlicensed placement or Medicaid facility, MDCPS will be responsible for providing the monthly allowance to the child. For a foster child under the age of 13, the check must be made payable to the resource parent. For a foster child 13 and over, the check should be made payable to the child. Birthday Allowance – Allowance amount based on the age of the foster child. For a foster child under the age of 13, the check must be made payable to the resource parent. For a foster child 13 and over, the check should be made payable to the child. Christmas Allowance – Allowance amount based on the age of the foster child. For a foster child under the age of 13, the check must be made payable to the resource parent. For a foster child 13 and over, the check should be made payable to the child. Medical Needs Prior approval from State Office for the use of state funds is required before any medical services are rendered paid. Approval will be granted only for costs above what Medicaid will pay. Medical needs include the following services: 1. Initial medical – completed on all children entering custody 2. Unmet needs for hospital, doctor, dentist, nurse, medical technician, when these needs are not paid by Medicaid or private insurance 3. Private sitter 4. Home health care 5. Hospice care 6. Maternity home care 7. Therapeutic services 8. Prescription glasses 9. Prescription drugs/medication 10. Hearing aids 11. Immunizations 12. Other unmet medical needs Mental Health/Counseling Services may be used only when a child in custody is not eligible for Medicaid or for a child in custody who is receiving Medicaid and the cost of service exceeds what Medicaid will pay. Services may also be used for a child during an investigation, or for a child in a protection/prevention case if s/he does not have Medicaid or private insurance. Mental Health/Counseling services include: 1. Psychological evaluation 2. Psychiatric evaluation 3. Testing/therapy/treatment 4. Individual counseling 5. Family counseling 6. Substance abuse counseling/treatment 7. Other counseling services Independent Living The following independent living stipends are available to youth who participate in the Independent Living Program and meet the requirements for each stipend: 1. Pre-Assessment Stipend (Initial) 2. Post-Assessment Stipend (Final) 3. Life Skills Training Stipend 4. Youth Retreat Stipend 5. Newsletter Stipend 6. High School Graduation Stipend 7. GED or Certificate of Attendance Stipend 8. College Graduation Stipend 9. Youth Trainer Stipend The above stipends require a hand receipt signed by the youth when the stipend is issued. In addition, the following independent living stipends are available to youth who participate in the Independent Living Program and meet the requirements for each stipend: 1. Senior Year Stipend 2. College Bound Stipend 3. Start Up Stipend The above stipends require itemized receipts. Also, the above stipends must be issued to the vendor(s). A reimbursement payment may be issued to an individual, including the youth, in the event a payment was made directly by the individual to the vendor and proof of payment was rendered. ETV Stipends are also available under the following circumstances: 1. All ETV (Education and Training Voucher Program) monies disbursed require itemized receipts. 2. Full time students may receive up to $5,000.00 per year. 3. Part time students may receive up to $2,500.00 per year. 4. Youth may receive a maximum of $750.00 for computer needs while they are enrolled in school. 5. Youth may receive a maximum of $1,000.00 for transportation needs (insurance, repairs, maintenance) while they are enrolled in school. 6. Youth may receive $150.00 per month toward off campus housing while enrolled in school. 7. Youth may receive a monthly allowance of $150.00 while they are enrolled in school. The above amounts are subtracted from the youth’s ETV monies of $5,000.00 or $2,500.00; they are not in addition to the ETV monies. Informational and Referral Services These services include: 1. Housing/shelter 2. Energy assistance 3. Health/Education Services 4. Treatment/Rehabilitation Services 5. Legal Services 6. Domestic Violence Shelters/Services 7. Crisis Counseling 8. Home Extension Services 9. Civic/Church group 10. Veteran/Military Services 11. Other referral services