Supports and Services for Expectant and Parenting Youth in Foster Care - Delaware
Youth's Parental Rights
Citation: Admin. Code Tit. 14, § 935
A parenting adolescent facility shall ensure the service plan includes an assessment of the interest of the child's nonresident parent and the role that the nonresident parent is to have with the child and with the child's resident parent.
The facility shall provide adoption counseling if the adolescent expresses an interest in surrendering a child for adoption. The counseling shall include the following:
- An explanation of adoption
- The types of adoptions available
- The processes involved in surrendering a child for adoption
- A list of agencies licensed to provide these services
Placement Options
Citation: DFS User Manual, § K-4
In policy: When a minor in substitute care gives birth, the baby may remain with the minor parent in substitute care under one of the following conditions:
- Emergency petition for custody
- Remaining in the minor mother's custody with special arrangements made for payment
- Through application for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families for the baby if the minor mother is not receiving title IV-E foster care benefits
Based on an assessment of the minor mother's age, maturity, level of demonstrated responsibility, and willingness to care for her baby, the caseworker will determine whether the agency needs to petition for custody of the baby. The baby's placement, although with the mother, would follow the standard placement procedures.
If the caseworker determines that the mother is responsible enough to care for her baby while the baby remains in her custody, the caseworker will submit a memo to Client Payments, which would make a single payment possible (mother and baby combined). The caseworker will also submit the Placement Event for the mother and the Level of Care Survey for the mother. The baby would not be considered a separate placement and would not be subject to reviews mandated by State and Federal regulations.
If the minor mother is assessed to be responsible enough to care for the baby and the minor mother is not receiving title IV-E foster care benefits, the minor mother can retain custody of the baby. The caseworker will advise the mother to apply for AFDC benefits for the baby.
In cases where the Division of Family Services (DFS) has legal custody of both a minor mother and her child and they are not placed together in the same out-of-home setting, DFS will open up a second treatment case under the minor mother's name and assign a separate worker to the child to ensure that the minor mother's child is appropriately cared for and has adequate protection.
Health Services
Citation: Admin. Code Tit. 14, § 935
The facility shall ensure the pregnant adolescents receive the following:
- Comprehensive prenatal care, including the following:
- Monthly visits to an obstetrician or certified nurse midwife during the first 28 weeks of gestation
- Biweekly visits to an obstetrician or certified nurse midwife from the 29th to the 36th week of gestation
- Weekly visits to an obstetrician or certified nurse midwife from the 36th week of gestation until delivery
- Participation in a childbirth class provided by a registered nurse or childbirth educator
- Arrangements for the delivery of the child that are made by the end of the second trimester or within 15 days upon admission to the facility when the adolescent is already pregnant beyond the second trimester
- A dental examination within 3 months of admission and necessary noncosmetic dental care
The facility shall ensure a system is established to provide background medical information on the pregnant adolescent to the hospital or birthing center identified for delivery. Delivery arrangements are to be clearly recorded in the adolescent's medical record and staff shall have access to this information in an emergency.
The facility shall ensure adolescents only use prescription medication that is authorized by a physician or nurse practitioner, and nonprescription medication is used according to the manufacturer's instructions for themselves or their children.
The facility shall ensure adolescents follow the advice of a licensed physician regarding the health care of the adolescent's child and that the adolescent arranges for the following:
- A physical examination for the adolescent's child conducted by a health-care provider at the age of 1 month and again by no later than the age of 2 1/2 half months
- The proper immunization of the child as required by the Department of Public Health
- A physical examination between 3 1/2 and 4 months of age and periodically thereafter as recommended by the infant's attending physician or medical clinic
Parent Preparation for Expectant Youth
This issue is not addressed in the laws and policies reviewed.
Education and Services to Support Parenting Youth
Citation: Admin. Code Tit. 14, § 935
The facility shall ensure the following:
- That infants are held, spoken to, and placed in a position to observe activities when they are awake during the day
- That infants are held for feedings until they can hold their own bottles
- That infants have access to age-appropriate toys and are provided opportunities for visual and sound stimulation
- That the infant is appropriately cared for in a licensed child care center, a licensed family child care home, or in the facility when a resident parent is in school or is working
For information on assisting youth in foster care to finish high school, see Educational Supports for Youth in Foster Care - Delaware | Child Welfare Information Gateway.
Economic and Concrete Supports
Citation: Admin. Code Tit. 14, § 935
The facility shall provide the following:
- A separate bedroom with at least 100 square feet for the adolescent and the adolescent's child and an additional 50 square feet for each additional child
- Sufficient space to accommodate tables, highchairs, chairs for adolescents and their children, and on-duty staff to eat meals together
- Sufficient locked or secure storage space that can accommodate the personal belongings of the adolescent and the adolescent's children that is reasonably accessible to the adolescent
- Approved safety gates installed in stairway areas where infants and toddlers are in care
- Toys and equipment that are safe, sturdy, nontoxic, and free of hazards
- Rest or sleep equipment that meets the safety standards required by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and is kept in safe condition
The facility shall maintain a diaper-changing area with a clean, washable, and nonabsorbent surface that is not located in the kitchen area. There shall be a separate hand-washing sink with running warm water within 5 feet of the changing area. The diaper-changing area shall be cleaned with soap and water and then disinfected after each use. The facility shall ensure that used disposable diapers are placed in a foot-activated container that is used exclusively for diapers, lined with a leak-proof or impervious liner, within arm's reach of the changing area, inaccessible to children, and sanitized daily. Diapers shall be removed from the facility daily, or more frequently if needed to prevent accumulation of odors and placed in a closed container that is outside the building and used for trash collection.
Services and Supports for Parenting Youth That Promote Self-Sufficiency
Citation: Admin. Code Tit. 14, § 935
The facility shall ensure the service plan addresses self-sufficiency goals for the resident parent, including child care and level of understanding of the child's developmental needs, food preparation skills, budgeting and money management, and job readiness.
Foster Care Prevention Strategy for any Child Born to the Youth
Citation: Admin. Code Tit. 14, § 935
A facility shall include in the discharge and aftercare plan specific information regarding the status of the adolescent's child and health care, immunization, and medical needs that the child may require; and an assessment of the adolescent's ability to parent the child and to follow-up appropriately on the child's aftercare plan.