RCW 71A, Developmental Disabilities

May 2014

Developmental Disabilities Administration

Fact Sheet: VOLUNTARY PLACEMENT SERVICES

Overview Voluntary Placement Services (VPS) engage communities, local service providers, the DSHS Children’s Administration, and other stakeholders to offer an array of services to a child residing in a licensed setting outside of the child’s family home. Based upon the child’s disability, parents/legal guardians may make a request for out-of-home placement (RCW 74.13.350). Parents retain custody of their child and work in partnership with the licensed provider to provide a shared parenting model which best supports their child and his/her individual needs.

Supports that a child may receive while in voluntary placement include:  Healthy and safe access to care and supports in the child’s community, which may include mental health services, services paid through the family’s private insurance, Medicaid, or waiver funding.  Family’s choice in their child’s life and the services received.  Participation in a shared parenting plan which outlines how routine information will be exchanged about medical care, education, daily routines and special situations in the life of the child.  Coordination and partnership with special education services in the child’s local school district.  Participation and involvement in supervised age-appropriate activities in the community.  Oversight and support by a DDA social worker/social service specialist.  Coordination of services through the Early Support for Infants and Toddlers Program for children ages birth to three.  Coordination of services through the Medically Intensive Children’s Program (MICP) pursuant to WAC 182-551-3000. Eligibility Individuals who: Requirements  Are determined eligible for DDA services under RCW Chapter 71A RCW;  Are under 18 years of age when the out-of-home placement occurs;  Have no open investigations of abuse or neglect pending with DSHS Children’s Administration;  Are in the legal and physical custody of their parent or legal representative;  Have a signed request by the custodial parent(s) or legal representative, and;  The child/child's parents or legal representatives have accessed all other appropriate available services in the family home. W A S H I N G T O N S T A T E D E P A R T M E N T O F S O C I A L & H E A L T H S E R V I C E S P A G E 1 O F 2 Authority  RCW 71A, Developmental Disabilities  Chapter 388-826 WAC, Voluntary Placement Services  Chapter 388-825 WAC, DDA Services Rules  Chapter 388-148 WAC , DLR Licensing Requirements Budget  General Fund State and General Fund Federal (Medicaid)  Medical care is obtained through the Foster Care Medical Team (FCMT) with a foster care medical coupon when the child in a licensed setting. Rates N/A Partners  DDA has a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Children’s Administration. The agreement outlines and identifies the activities and responsibilities of each administration and subsequent actions under specific conditions.  DDA has informal partnerships with the DSHS Juvenile Justice and Rehabilitation Administration (JJRA) and the Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR).  DDA has a formal partnership with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).  DDA also solicits input from other stakeholders including individuals receiving services, parents, advocacy organizations, counties, and service providers. Oversight  Residential providers are paid through a designated contract which requires a valid license, approved background check, and appropriate insurance.  Children residing in a Child Foster Home are assessed annually or when there is a significant change that affects the child’s need for support, utilizing the Foster Care Rate Assessment tool, which determines payment for specialized supports.  Cost for supports in a Staffed Residential Home are determined using standardized rate setting forms, which are reviewed regionally and approved at DDA headquarters.  DDA headquarters executes each vendor unique rate and completes all contract amendments.  Visits from the VPS Social Worker every 90 days to monitor the child’s health, welfare and service needs.  Annual Quality Assurance (QA) assessments.  Child specific court oversight, initially within 180 days of placement, and annually thereafter to confirm that the out-of-home placement is and continues to be in the child’s best interest. Information Developmental Disabilities Administration Contact Mark Eliason, Chief, Office of Program and Policy Development 360/725-3452 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.dshs.wa.gov/ddd/index.shtml