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

Date: August 2019

Definitions

Citation: Admin. Code R512-80-2; DCFS Prac. Guidelines, Definitions

'Fetal exposure to alcohol or other harmful substances' means a condition in which a child has been exposed to or is dependent upon harmful substances as a result of the mother's use of illegal substances or abuse of prescribed medications during pregnancy or has fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

In policy: 'Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder' (FASD) refers to a broader array of impairments than are reported for children suffering from fetal alcohol syndrome. In FASD, children exposed to alcohol in the womb may exhibit one or more of the following characteristics or behaviors:

  • Inadequate growth in the womb or after birth
  • Facial abnormalities, such as small eye openings
  • Poor coordination
  • Hyperactive behavior
  • Learning disabilities (e.g., speech and language delays)
  • Mental retardation or low IQ
  • Poor reasoning and judgment skills
  • Poor impulse control
  • Sleep and sucking disturbances in infancy

Notification/Reporting Requirements

Citation: Ann. Code § 62A-4a-404

When an individual, including a licensee under the Medical Practice Act or the Nurse Practice Act, attends the birth of a child or cares for a child, and determines that the child, at the time of birth, has fetal alcohol syndrome, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, or fetal drug dependency, the individual shall report that determination to the Division of Child and Family Services as soon as possible.

Assessment of the Infant and Family

Citation: Ann. Code § 62A-4a-409

The division shall make a thorough preremoval investigation upon receiving either an oral or written report of alleged abuse, neglect, fetal alcohol syndrome, or fetal drug dependency, when there is reasonable cause to suspect that a situation of abuse, neglect, fetal alcohol syndrome, or fetal drug dependency exists. The primary purpose of the investigation shall be protection of the child.

The division shall use an interdisciplinary approach when appropriate in dealing with reports made under this part. The division shall convene a child protection team to assist the division in the division's protective, diagnostic, assessment, treatment, and coordination services. The division may include members of a child protection unit in the division's protective, diagnostic, assessment, treatment, and coordination services. Whenever possible, the team shall include representatives of the following:

  • Health, mental health, education, and law enforcement agencies
  • The child
  • Parent and family support groups, unless the parent is alleged to be the perpetrator
  • Other appropriate agencies or individuals

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

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

Monitoring Plans of Safe Care

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