Plans of Safe Care Infants With Prenatal Substance Exposure and Their Families - Mississippi

Definitions
Citation: Ann. Code § 43-21-105

The term 'assessment' means an individualized examination of a child to determine the child's psychosocial needs and problems, including the type and extent of any mental health, substance abuse, or co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders and recommendations for treatment. The term includes, but is not limited to, a drug and alcohol, psychological, or psychiatric evaluation; records review; clinical interview; or the administration of a formal test and instrument.

The term 'screening' means a process, with or without the administration of a formal instrument, which is designed to identify a child who is at increased risk of having mental health, substance abuse, or co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders that warrant immediate attention, intervention, or more comprehensive assessment.

Notification/Reporting Requirements
Citation: Ann. Code § 43-21-353

A mandated reporter who has reasonable cause to suspect that a child is abused or neglected shall immediately make an oral report to the Department of Child Protection Services to be followed as soon as possible by a written report.

Assessment of the Infant and Family
Citation: Code of Rules 18-006-102, Part II

The centralized intake unit shall screen in all reports of positive drug screens for a mother or infant. All reports of positive drug screens for a mother and/or infant that have been screened-in shall be assigned to a worker for investigation/assessment.

Responsibility for Development of the Plan of Safe Care

This issue is not addressed in the statutes and regulations reviewed.

Services for the Infant

This issue is not addressed in the statutes and regulations reviewed.

Services for the Parents or Other Caregivers
Citation: Code of Rules 24-000-002, r. 53.4(F)

Women's Services must be provided to ensure accessibility of services to pregnant women. The program must develop, implement, maintain, and document the implementation of written policies and procedures to ensure the provision and accessibility of adequate services for women. The program must adhere to the following:

• Give priority to pregnant women in its admission policy, as follows:
  • The program cannot deny admission based solely on pregnancy.
  • If a program is unable to provide services for a pregnant woman, the State Opioid Treatment Authority must be notified as to how the program will assist the pregnant woman in locating services.
• Arrange for and document medical care during pregnancy by appropriate referral and written and recorded verification that the woman receives prenatal care as planned
• Implement informed consent procedures for women who refuse prenatal care to ensure the woman acknowledges in writing that she was offered prenatal treatment but refused
• Ensure that the pregnant woman is fully informed of the possible risks to her unborn child from continued use of illicit drugs or from a narcotic drug administered during maintenance or withdrawal management treatment
• Ensure that the pregnant woman is fully informed of the possible risks and benefits to her unborn child from participating in the opioid treatment program
• Implement a process to provide pregnant women with access to or referrals for prenatal care, pregnancy and parenting education, and postpartum follow-up.
• Obtain written consent to reciprocally share a woman's information with existing medical providers or future medical providers that have been or will be treating the pregnant woman.

The program shall describe in writing and document the implementation of policies and procedures, including informed consent, to ensure appropriate postpregnancy follow-up and primary care for the new mother and well-baby care for the infant.

Monitoring Plans of Safe Care

This issue is not addressed in the statutes and regulations reviewed.