SIU Referrals on Foster Homes: Responsibilities and Procedures
In the realm of child safety and protection, the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) plays a vital role in handling abuse and neglect cases that occur within foster homes or under DCS custody. When allegations arise, SIU conducts thorough investigations, interviews children privately, collaborates with law enforcement if needed, and follows specific procedures to ensure the well-being of the children involved. Learn more about SIU's processes, classifications of allegations, and the involvement of various teams in maintaining foster home quality.
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Presentation Transcript
SIU was called. Now What? Jacquie Schultz, Alexis Kaufman, Michelle Hamblin, & Melina Smith, 9/9/2022
Todays Presenters: Office of Child Safety Jacquie Schultz- CPS Director Office of Continuous Quality Improvement Alexis Kaufman- Program Coordinator Michelle Hamblin- Program Manager Melina Smith Program Manager
SIU Referrals on Foster Homes SIU is responsible for conducting investigations when the abuse or neglect occurred while the child was in DCS custody or when the child resides in a foster home (including biological and adopted children). Once SIU receives a CPS referral and it is assigned, the SIU initial notification is sent, which places the foster home on suspended admissions (No new placements can be made). SIU has 60 days to complete an investigation, however it may take longer in some circumstances. Depending on the allegations, SIU may be working jointly with Law Enforcement to conduct the investigation.
SIU Referrals on Foster Homes SIU will interview the children privately. All children in the home will be requested to be interviewed, even when they are not the alleged child victim. Foster parents have a right to have a Foster Parent Advocate present during the portions of the investigations where the foster parents are present (ex: Foster parent interviews, CFTMs). (Please note: Foster Parent Advocates cannot be present during the child(ren) interviews.) SIU may request the child(ren) be sent to respite or removed from the foster home during the investigation.
Classifications Allegation Unsubstantiated, Perpetrator Unsubstantiated (AUPU) Allegation Unsubstantiated, Perpetrator Unsubstantiated with Safety Issues (AUPU with Safety Issues) Children with Sexual Behavior Problems Allegation Substantiated, Perpetrator Substantiated (ASPS) Allegation Substantiated, Perpetrator Unsubstantiated (ASPU) Allegation Substantiated, Perpetrator Unknown (ASPK) Unable to Complete (UABC) Admin Closure
Foster Home Quality Team (FHQT)
Whos Involved: Regional Staff Nursing Foster Care Network Development Foster Parent Advocate Training SIU Legal (when needed)
FHQT Flowchart PHASE 1 PHASE 1 PHASE 1 SIU Case/ Initial SIU investigation is open in Foster Home Suspended admissions notification is sent to regions and/or providers.
FHQT Flowchart PHASE 2 PHASE 2 PHASE 2 SIU case closure SIU: Closed AUPU with Safety Issues SIU: Closed Substantiated SIU: Closed AUPU
FHQT Flowchart Due Process SIU: Closed Substantiated Due Process
FHQT Flowchart PHASE 3 Case Review Types PHASE 3 PHASE 3 Case Review/Recommendations Prescreen Review
Prescreens/Electronic Review (AUPU) Investigations with two (2+) or more prior SIU investigations on the foster parents; Investigations with the foster parent having prior FHQT history Investigations in which a Safety Plan and/or Program Improvement Plan (PIP) was implemented. Any home that wants to re-activate that was previously closed in bad standing but has no FHQT or SIU history and previous concerns have been addressed. The Prescreen/Electronic Review is conducted via email and involves both Central Office and regional FHQT team members.
FHQT Flowchart PHASE 3 Case Review Types PHASE 3 PHASE 3 Case Review/Recommendations Prescreen Review FHQT Review
Meeting Review: Investigation with a classification of Allegation Unsubstantiated, Perpetrator Unsubstantiated where Safety Issues were noted Investigations with a classification of Child with Sexual Behavior Problems; Investigations involving a child death in a foster home; Investigations with either an allegation or perpetrator classified as substantiated, even if overturned through Due Process;
FHQT Flowchart PHASE 3 Recommendations PHASE 3 PHASE 3 Case Review/Recommendations FHQT rec: request PIP, training, or other action steps Foster home to close, send closure request
FHQT Flowchart PHASE 4 Outcomes Lift freeze, send notification Home Closes
FHQT Review Potential Outcomes Lift the Suspended Admissions. Training Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) Safety Plan or Supervision Plan Placement Restriction Long Term Monitoring Recommendation to no longer utilize the foster home.
FHQT Flowchart PHASE 4 Requests to Reconsider Secondary Review Provider Request to reconsider If DCS not in agreement, Upper Leadership Review Regional Requests to reconsider
Supervisory Reviews vs. Secondary Reviews Supervisory Reviews: If requested, must be held within 15 days. Foster Parent(s) participate with up to 3 people to speak on their behalf. Foster Parent Advocate must be invited. After the Supervisory Review, DCS Region/Provider Agency have 10 days to issue the outcome of the Review in writing. DCS Region/Agency to document in TFACTS. Secondary Reviews: DCS Region/Agency requests within 10 business days of receiving the recommendation. Once FHQT responds to the request, DCS Region/Agency has 10 business days to submit supporting documentation and potential dates and times for the Secondary Review. Confirmation date, time, and call information to be sent within 3 business days of receiving the requested information. *DCS Policy 16.16 Denial, Closure, or Suspended Admissions of Foster Homes. (Updated in 9/2021)
FHQT Flowchart Foster Home Quality Team (FHQT) Flow Chart PHASE 1 PHASE 2 PHASE 3 PHASE 4 SIU Case/ Initial SIU case closure Case Review/ Recommendations Outcomes SIU: Closed AUPU Prescreen Review Lift freeze, send notification SIU investigation is open in Foster Home FHQT rec: request PIP, training, or other action steps SIU: Closed AUPU with Safety Issues Suspended admissions notification is sent to regions and or providers. FHQT Review Home Closes Foster home to close, send closure request SIU: Closed Substantiated Due Process Secondary Review Provider Request to reconsider If DCS not in agreement, Upper Leadership Review Regional Requests to reconsider
Foster Parent Advocates Shelby: Mid-Cumberland: Nancy Woodall nance13054@aol.com cell: 615-351-9462 Sean Burke sburke@tnadvocate.org cell: 901-258-4699 MK Hill mhill@tnadvocate.org cell: 901-356-8777 South Central: Nancy Woodall (Interim) TN Valley: Hamilton, Marion, Sequatchie Johnetta Lane jlane@tnadvocate.org cell: 423-443-0558 Southwest: Lou Miller-Fields lfields@tnadvocate.org cell: 731-433-8130 Northwest: Bledsoe, Rhea, Meigs, McMinn, Bradley, Polk Peggy Carroll pcarroll@tnadvocate.org cell: 423-462-5808 Shirley Brock sbrock@tnadvocate.org cell: 731-819-7022
Foster Parent Advocates (continued) Northeast: Smoky Mountain: Cindy Peters cpeters@tnadvocate.org cell: 423-736-9147 Angie Sexton-Stone astone@tnadvocate.org cell: 423-480-8456 Knox: Davidson: Elizabeth Sowers-Tanner esowers@tnadvocate.org cell: 865-437-0514 Corita Edwards cedwards@tnadvocate.org cell: 615-917-5051 East: Upper Cumberland: Lee Copeland lcopeland@tnadvocate.org 615-587-6350 Angel Daugherty adaugherty@tnadvocate.org cell: 423-494-4948
