Home > Protecting Children in Substance-Abusing Families > Protecting Children in Substance-Abusing Families: Appendix III: Sample Interagency Agreement

Protecting Children in Substance-Abusing Families

Author(s):   U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Kropenske, V., Howard, J., Breitenbach, C., Dembo, R.

Year Published:  1994

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You are in section: Table of Contents Preface Acknowledgments 1 - Introduction 2 - Identifying Alcohol and/or… 3 - Chemically Involved Parents:… 4 - Children of Chemically… 5 - Reporting Child Maltreatment… 6 - Comprehensive Family… 7 - Juvenile Court Involvement… 8 - Innovative Approaches to… Conclusion Appendix I - The Nature of… Appendix II - Sample Medical… Appendix III - Sample Interagency… Notes Glossary of Terms Selected Bibliography Other Resources Table 1 - Hospital Form For… Table 2 - Sample Interagency… Table 3 - Assessment/Intervention… Table 4 - Assessment/Intervention… Table 5 - Assessment/Intervention… Table 6 - Major Substances of…

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Appendix III: Sample Interagency Agreement

JOINT SERVICE AGREEMENT AMONG PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE DIVISION OF PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING, DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES (CPS), AND DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOL AND DRUG PROGRAMS

The purpose of this interagency agreement is to provide comprehensive services to the increasing numbers of children exposed in utero to alcohol and drug abuse. These infants are at risk for serious medical, developmental, and psychological problems. As these children grow they may experience problems with balance, coordination, learning, or memory. Because they are difficult to care for, and because their parents often continue to abuse drugs, these children are at risk for child abuse and neglect.

The objectives of this agreement are that:

1. All newborns who are at risk due to drug abuse by their mothers are referred to Public Health Nursing Services.
2. All women with substance abuse problems are referred to the County Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs, Center for Drug Problems.
3. The roles/functions of Children's Services, Public Health Nursing, and Alcohol and Drug Programs staff are clearly specified.
4. Consistent actions are taken by Children's Services and Public Health Nursing to keep these children safe.

The following actions will insure that these objectives are met.

1. Children's Services Social Workers will:
   1. Refer cases by phone or in writing by completing an InterAgency Referral Form to the Supervising or Senior Public Health Nurse at the appropriate Public Health Center.
      
      
   2. Notify the Public Health Nurse of Emergency Response Team staffing.
      
      
   3. Provide the following information at the time of referral:
      1. name, address, and telephone number of client(s);
         
         
      2. number of children in the home;
         
         
      3. names and birth dates of the children;
         
         
      4. identification of the victim(s) and risk issues;
         
         
      5. any known or suspected history of violence at the time of or subsequent to the referral;
         
         
      6. previous history of CPS involvement;
         
         
      7. specifically what services the Public Health Nurse is requested to do;
         
         
      8. the plan of action to be taken by Children's Services (e.g., close, voluntary, court, inhome, etc.);
         
         
      9. any request for a telephone or written report by Public Health to the Department of Social Services; and
         
         
      10. specifically what agencies/programs are involved in the case.

   4. Conduct joint visits with the Public Health Nurse if requested and appropriate.
      
      
   5. Keep the Public Health Nurse informed of any change in status with regard to case disposition (e.g., subsequent removal of child to foster care, termination, etc.).
      
      
   6. Give the Public Health Nurse a minimum of 10 working days' lead time on any request for written input for review hearings.
      
      
   7. When available, provide a copy of the court order or voluntary agreement to the Public Health Nurse.
      
      
   8. Keep the Public Health Nurse informed of any social worker change (e.g., transfer from intake to family maintenance).
   9. Provide CPS as mandated by State and Federal regulations and within the County Public Social Services agency staffing and procedures.

2. The Public Health Nurse representative will attend PSSA's Emergency Response Team staffing to contribute nursing/medical knowledge and obtain direct referrals.
   
   
3. Public Health Nurses in the field will provide initial and ongoing assessments, education, intervention, and referral in the following areas:
   1. medical problems such as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, congenital anomalies, AIDS, hepatitis B, hyperbilirubinemia, low birth weight, and seizure activity;
      
      
   2. failure to thrive;
      
      
   3. parenting skills and abilities, and feeding and teaching skills;
      
      
   4. mother-infant attachment;
      
      
   5. knowledge regarding child care;
      
      
   6. infant growth and development; and
      
      
   7. well-child care;

4. Public Health Nurses will:
   1. Provide progress reports to the Department of Social Services as required for the juvenile court and/or case management.
      
      
   2. Based on a history of violence and the ability of Public Health Nursing to meet the objectives of the referral, the Supervising or Senior Public Health Nurse will determine whether or not to accept the referral or take appropriate steps to provide safety to the Public Health Nurse. The Supervising or Senior Public Health Nurse will notify the Department of Social Services by phone if the referral is rejected.
      
      
   3. Based on previous services provided by the Public Health Nurse and progress or lack of progress made, Public Health Nurses may request that a client self refer.
      
      
   4. Conduct joint visits with the Department of Social Services social worker when requested and if appropriate.
      
      
   5. Notify the Department of Social Services by phone or in writing in the event that a client declines Public Health Nursing services.
      
      
   6. Comply with legal reporting responsibility according to State law, Child Abuse Reporting.
      
      
   7. Make a telephone or written report to the Department of Social Services.

5. Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs staff will:
   1. Provide hospital outreach services through referrals from the County Medical Center social worker. A counselor will see any prenatal or postpartum women in the hospital to offer substance abuse treatment services if the woman desires this contact.
      
      
   2. Provide substance abuse treatment and referral for any chemically dependent women. Treatment services include assessment, substance abuse counseling on an outpatient basis, and referral to residential treatment if needed.
      
      
   3. Coordinate with the Department of Social Services and Public Health Services regarding services provided to these women and their children, while maintaining confidentiality in full accordance with regulations governing "Confidentiality of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Patient Records." Information regarding clients' attendance and general progress can be released to Social Services and Public Health if clients have signed the appropriate Release of Information forms.
      
      
   4. Comply with legal reporting responsibility according to State law, Child Abuse Reporting.

6. This Joint Service Agreement in no way interferes with the Department of Social Services' working relationship with other resources in the community.
   
   
7. This Joint Service Agreement in no way interferes with the resources in the community.
   
   
8. This Joint Services Agreement may be amended or terminated by written consent of all parties. All amendments shall be attached to the Agreement and made a part thereof.

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You are in section: Table of Contents Preface Acknowledgments 1 - Introduction 2 - Identifying Alcohol and/or… 3 - Chemically Involved Parents:… 4 - Children of Chemically… 5 - Reporting Child Maltreatment… 6 - Comprehensive Family… 7 - Juvenile Court Involvement… 8 - Innovative Approaches to… Conclusion Appendix I - The Nature of… Appendix II - Sample Medical… Appendix III - Sample Interagency… Notes Glossary of Terms Selected Bibliography Other Resources Table 1 - Hospital Form For… Table 2 - Sample Interagency… Table 3 - Assessment/Intervention… Table 4 - Assessment/Intervention… Table 5 - Assessment/Intervention… Table 6 - Major Substances of…

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Updated on March 1, 2010