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DCS CW Manual/Chapter 16 Section 2: Assistance for Unlicensed Relative Placements 3 of 9

5. Travel to and from employment or job searching for youth 14 years of age or older; 6. Travel to and from the following types of case activities: a. Administrative case reviews, b. Judicial reviews (court appearances), c. Case conferences, d. Child and family team meetings, e. Foster parent training sessions, and/or f. Behavioral Health Counselor and Therapist;

7. Other travel that is extraordinary and has been approved in writing as consistent with the child’s Case Plan (SF2956) by the DCS Local Office Director (LOD)/Division Manager (DM) prior to the travel taking place.

The relative being considered as a placement resource may receive an amount of properly claimed travel expenses incurred for a child who will be placed in the relative home when the relative travels at least one (1) mile for pre-placement visits between the relative and child, regardless of whether they are overnight visits.

Note: If a child moves placements mid-year, the new unlicensed relative may be reimbursed for any personal allowance for the child that is remaining for the year.

DCS will not pay for the child to take trips with the unlicensed relative placement that are not related to the child’s Case Plan (SF2956).

Questions regarding a child’s usage of annual allowances should be directed to the DCS Regional Manager (RM) and to the local DCS Regional Finance Manager (RFM).

Code References N/A

PROCEDURE

The FCM will: 1. Ensure all appropriate clothing and/or personal items go with the child at the time of removal or placement change whenever possible; 2. Complete a thorough inventory of the child's clothing and/or personal items on the Inventory of Personal Items (SF54315) at placement and changes throughout the life of the case. The inventory of the child's clothing and/or personal items should be: a. Taken anytime the child is removed from their home, and b. Reviewed with and signed by the unlicensed relative acknowledging what items belong to the child and were brought with and/or for the child;

3. Make efforts to deliver the child’s clothing and/or personal items within 48 hours, if not taken at the time of removal; 4. Engage the Child and Family Team (CFT) to identify community supports and services which may be able to assist the relative in meeting the child(ren)’s financial needs; 5. Complete a referral for the use of the Bedding Allowance if a need is identified; 6. Request that the FCM Supervisor evaluate the clothing and/or personal items situation and authorize the purchase of additional clothing, if a need is identified;