Fillable Printable Foster Caregiver Fa Qs
Fillable Printable Foster Caregiver Fa Qs
Foster Caregiver Fa Qs
1
Foster and Kinship Caregivers Frequently Asked Questions
Revised: 8/28/2017
Foster and Kinship Caregivers Frequently Asked Questions
What is the contact information of the physical health and behavioral health plans for a foster child?
Additional information on physical and behavioral health services for children in Foster Care can be found on the
AHCCCS website: www.azahcccs.gov/Members/AlreadyCovered/MemberResources/Foster/
What types of behavioral health services can a foster or kinship caregiver consent to for children placed in
their care by the Department of Child Safety (DCS)?
The foster or kinship caregiver can consent to assessment, evaluation and treatment for routine medical and dental
treatment and procedures, including behavioral health services. Examples of behavioral health services caregivers
can consent to include:
Assessment and Service Planning
Counseling and Therapy
Rehabilitation Services
Medical Services
o
Psychiatric evaluation
o
Psychotropic medication
o
Laboratory devices
Crisis Intervention Services
Behavioral Health Day Programs
Support Services
o
Case management
o
Personal care services
o
Family support
o
Peer support
o
Respite
o
Sign language or oral interpretive
services
o
Transportation
The caregiver must notify their DCS Specialist and the caregiver’s licensing agency within 24 hours of any non-
emergency injury, illness, change of medication, or medication error that requires a foster child to be seen by a doctor
of medicine, physician assistant, or registered nurse practitioner.
Behavioral Health Plans
Mercy Maricopa Integrated Care
www.Mercymaricopa.org
Email: DCS@mercymaricopa.org
Foster Care Hotline: 602-633-0763
Children’s Liaison: 480-751-8471
Member Services: 1-800-564-5465
Cenpatico Integrated Care
www.Cenpaticointegratedcareaz.com
Email: DCS@cenpatico.com
Foster Care Hotline: 1-844-365-3144
Children’s Liaison: 520-809-6432
Member Services: 1-866-495-6738
Health Choice Integrated Care
www.Healthchoiceintegratedcare.com
Email: DCS@iasishealthcare.com
Foster Care Hotline: 928-293-7038
Children’s Liaison: 928-214-2370
Member Services: 1-800-640-2123
UnitedHealthcare Community Plan CRS
www.Uhccommunityplan.com
Email: CRS_spec[email protected]
Foster Care Hotline: 602-246-5484
Children’s Liaison: 602-255-1692
Member Services: 1-800-348-4058
Physical Health Plan
AHCCCS
Comprehensive Medical and Dental Program
Dcs.az.gov
Email: CMDPMemberServices@azdes.gov
Member Services: 602-351-2245
In-State Toll Free: 1-800-201-1795
Clinical Resolution Unit
www.azahcccs.gov
Email: DCS@azahcccs.gov
Phone: 602-364-4558
In-State Toll Free: 1-800-867-5808
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Foster and Kinship Caregivers Frequently Asked Questions
Revised: 8/28/2017
What behavioral health services require DCS consent?
DCS must consent to inpatient assessment, inpatient psychiatric care services, residential treatment services,
therapeutic group homes, and Home Care Training to Home Care Client (HCTC).
How can a foster or kinship caregiver secure behavioral health services for a foster child?
Children in foster care are enrolled with Comprehensive Medical Dental Program (CMDP) for physical health services
and a Regional Behavioral Health Authority (RBHA) for behavioral health services. If the foster child does not already
have a behavioral health provider, a caregiver may request a rapid response assessment which can identify needed
services and providers. If the caregiver is experiencing difficulty in identifying a provider or scheduling an appointment,
he or she should contact the behavioral health plan for assistance (contact information located at the beginning of this
document). If the caregiver is not satisfied with the health plans responsiveness he or she should contact AHCCCS
Customer Service at 602-364-4558.
If a behavioral health service determined medically necessary isnot initiated within 21 calendar days, the caregiver
must notify both the behavioral health plan’s Children’s Liaison and AHCCCS Customer Service. After notification, any
AHCCCS registered provider may be seen for the recommended services (even when outside of the behavioral health
plan’s network). A complete list of all of AHCCCS registered providers can be found at:
www.azahcccs.gov/Members/ProgramsAndCoveredServices/ProviderListings/
How quickly can a foster child access behavioral health services?
The behavioral health appointment standards for foster children are as follows:
72 hours from time of request for a Rapid Response (2 hours for a crisis response) – An initial in-home
assessment for children entering into the Department of Child Safety (DCS) custody, which may be requested
by DCS or the caregiver. Clinicians will assess immediate needs and triage any crisis or trauma-related issues.
This includes behavioral health assessment, screening for developmental delays, support to child/family
placement, and connection to ongoing services.
7 days for a Behavioral Health Assessment (24 hours for an urgent need) –An appointment for an assessment
by an assigned service provider after an initial referral or a request for ongoing behavioral health services.
21 days for a service appointment– Following the determination of a medically necessary behavioral health
need, the first appointment must begin within 21 calendar days of the assessment. Ongoing behavioral health
services should be provided, at a minimum of once a month, for at least the first six months after a child enters
DCS custody.
What is a Rapid Response Assessment?
Rapid Response teams assess immediate needs and triage any crisis or trauma-related issues, including but not limited
to a behavioral health assessment, screening for developmental delays, support to the child/family placement and
connection to ongoing services. DCS is to refer all children in out-of-home placement to the local RBHA for a behavioral
health assessment within 24 hours of removal. A Rapid Response Assessment must be initiated within 72 hours of
notification to the behavioral health system that a child has been, or will be, removed from their home.
Can a foster or kinship caregiver request a Rapid Response Assessment?
Yes— the caregiver may request a rapid response assessment based on the need of the foster child. The foster child is
to be assessed within 72 hours after notice is received or within 2 hours for a foster child with an urgent need.
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Foster and KinshipCaregivers Frequently Asked Questions
Revised: 8/28/2017
Can a foster or kinship caregiver take a foster child to the emergency department and/or directly to a
psychiatric hospital for behavioral health concerns?
The caregiver may take the foster child to a hospital for an assessment. DCS must provide consent if the foster child
needs to be admitted. The caregiver must notify DCS of the trip to the Emergency Department and/or psychiatric
hospital visit as soon as possible.
If a kinship caregiver has power of attorney for a child in their care, but DCS has custody, can he or she still
consent to services such as a complete psychiatric evaluation?
Power of attorney is null once DCS has legal custody of the child (i.e., in temporary custody, severed parental rights or
dependent cases). If the child is placed by DCS with a kinship caregiver, the caregiver can consent for behavioral health
services as previously described. This includes the ability to consent for a psychiatric evaluation.
Does DCS have to be kept updated on behavioral health services provided to foster children?
Yes— as part of the Child and Family Team (CFT), the DCS Specialist must have immediate knowledge concerning
behavioral health services being provided to foster care for children on his/her caseload. If a DCS Specialist is not at a
CFT, he or she will receive an update from the CFT facilitator.
Can a CFT still meet if the DCS Specialist is not available to attend in person or by phone?
Yes— although it is very important that DCS Specialist continue to be involved in the CFT process, the foster or kinship
caregiver can consent to changes in the service plan through the CFT. Examples of behavioral health services
caregivers can consent to are listed on page 1.
How can a foster or kinship caregiver receive behavioral health treatment information for a foster child?
The caregiver must give the signed Notice to Provider Form received from DCS to the treatment provider in order to
receive a foster child’s behavioral health treatment information. The behavioral health provider must provide records
and information related to the child’s condition and treatment to the caregiver.
Can foster or kinship caregivers consent to terminate behavioral health treatment?
No— the termination of behavioral health treatment requires DCS consultation and agreement.
Can foster or kinship caregivers refuse consent for medically recommended behavioral health treatment?
If the caregiver disagrees with the behavioral health treatment being recommended through the CFT, the team, which
includes the caregiver and DCS Specialist, should reconvene and discuss the recommended treatment plan. Only DCS
can refuse consent to medically recommended behavioral health treatment.
If a request for behavioral health out-of-home treatment is filed, how long does the behavioral health plan
have to respond?
A request made by the foster or kinship caregiver for placement in a behavioral health out-of-home treatment setting
due to the child displaying dangerous or threatening behavior will be responded to by the behavioral health plan as
expeditiously as the foster child’s health condition warrants but no later than 72 hours. In the event the behavioral
health plan determines there is insufficient information to make a determination, the behavioral health plan will make
concerted efforts to obtain the necessary information in order to make a determination within the 72 hour timeframe.
If the foster child is hospitalized due to the threatening behavior before a determination is made on the request for
behavioral health out-of-home treatment, the behavioral health plan will coordinate with the hospital and CFT to
ensure that there is an appropriate and safe discharge plan prior to the date of anticipated discharge. Discharge
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Foster and KinshipCaregivers Frequently Asked Questions
Revised: 8/28/2017
planning should begin at admission and include the foster or kinship caregiver who can assist in discussion about the
child’s transition back into their home or to a new caregiver.
The behavioral health plan must collaboratively work with DCS to find an appropriate alternative placement for the
member to be discharged when:
a.It is unsafe for the member to return to the out-of-home placement, and/or
b.It is unsafe for the out-of-home placement for the member to return.
In the event the request for a behavioral health out-of-home treatment setting is denied, the behavioral health plan
will ensure medically necessary alternative services are provided. A caregiver may file an appeal or an expedited
appeal with the behavioral health plan upon notification of denial.
What can a foster or kinship caregiver do if he or she goes to the pharmacy and are told that a medication is
not covered because the foster child is not showing up in the system?
When a child is placed in foster or kinship care by DCS, the caregiver does not need to pay for any necessary medical
services, dental services or prescriptions even if he or she is asked to. The caregiver should contact their DCS Specialist
who will arrange to have the medication covered.
DCS Warm Line: 1-877-KIDS-NEEDU or 1-877-543-7633 option 3 (M-F 8:15-4:30) or
After Hours Hotline: 1-888-SOS-CHILD or 1-888-767-2445.
When should a foster or kinship caregiver complete a Significant Incident report form?
The caregiver must immediately (as soon as possible) notify DCS and the caregiver’s licensing agency (if applicable) if
the foster child experiences a serious illness, injury, or mental health crisis requiring hospitalization or emergency
room treatment, unexplained marks or bruises, an accident involving injury or trauma, behavior not witnessed before
and any other unusual incident that seriously jeopardized the health, safety, or well-being of a foster child. The
caregiver must also document the incident by filling out the Significant Incident report form.
This Significant Incident Form (CSO-1151A) can be found here://dcs.az.gov/data/dcs-forms in the Foster
Care/Kinship Care category
Additionally, the caregiver must notify DCS and the caregiver’s licensing agency within 24 hours of any non-emergency
injury, illness, change of medication, or medication error that requires a foster child to be seen by a doctor of
medicine, physician assistant, or registered nurse practitioner.
How do foster or kinship caregivers present concerns or complaints to their health plan?
To support timely access to services, the caregiver may contact the health plan and AHCCCS points of contact at any
time to report that a needed appointment has not yet been scheduled. Advanced notification gives the health plan the
opportunity to proactively locate a network provider.
In addition, each Health Plan has a grievance and appeals process where members and their representatives can
present concerns about their health care such as denials of requests for services, failure to receive services in a timely
manner, or inability to find a provider. Contact the Health Plan’s Grievance Department for assistance and more
information.
