CFSP/APSR Toolkit - Consultations with Physicians or Appropriate Medical Professionals

Consultations with Physicians or Appropriate Medical Professionals

This section contains guidance for addressing the Annual Progress and Services Report (APSR) in regard to Consultations with Physicians or Appropriate Medical Professionals. The information below is drawn from guidance in the Program Instruction; the item's location in the Program Instruction is provided below:

Provide an update how the Tribe actively consults with and involves physicians or other appropriate medical professionals in assessing the health and well-being of foster children and determining appropriate medical treatment. (See Consultations with Physicians and Other Medical Professionals [page 7 of PDF].)

Provide an updated Tribal Disaster Plan highlighting any significant revisions made since its prior disaster plan was submitted. The disaster plan needs to be in accordance with the following criteria for programs funded by Title IV-B 1 and 2: Identify, locate and continue availability of services for children under Tribal care or supervision who are displaced or adversely affected by a disaster; Respond to new child welfare cases in areas adversely affected by a disaster and provide services in those cases; Remain in communication with caseworkers and other essential child welfare personnel displaced because of a disaster; and Preserve essential program records, coordinate services, share information with States and other Tribes. (See Consultations with Physicians and Other Medical Professionals [page 7 of PDF].)

The following technical assistance resources may be useful for creating an APSR:

Laws
Policy
Regulations
Additional Resources

Laws

Indian Child Welfare Act - Established minimum Federal standards for the removal of Indian children from their families (extended families) and for the placement of these children in foster or adoptive homes that reflect Indian culture.
P.L. 109-288 (PDF - 88 KB) - The Child and Family Services Improvement Act of 2006.

Policy

IM-06-05 - Issued on December 7, 2006, this IM is designed to inform State, Tribal, and Territorial Title IV-B and IV-E agencies of the enactment of the Child and Family Services Improvement Act of 2006, provide basic information about the provisions of this law, and discuss its implications for such agencies. (See also P.L. 109-288 (PDF - 88 KB)
Child Welfare Policy Manual (CWPM): Title IV-B - The CWPM conveys mandatory policies that have their basis in Federal law and/or program regulations in regards to Title IV-B.

Regulations

45 CFR 1357.15 (Child and Family Service Plan [CFSP] Requirements) - Describes the requirements for the development, implementation and phase-in of the five-year comprehensive child and family services plan (CFSP).
45 CFR 1357.16 (APSR Requirements) - Requirements for State and Indian Tribes to involve agencies, organizations, and individuals who are a part of the on-going CFSP-related consultation and coordination process.
45 CFR 1356 (Title IV-E) - Federal regulation that applies to State programs for foster care maintenance payments, adoption assistance payments, related foster care and adoption administrative and training expenditures, and the independent living services program under Title IV-E of the Act.
45 CFR 1355 (General) - Federal regulation that applies to States and Indian Tribes and contains general requirements for Federal financial participation under Titles IV-B and IV-E of the Social Security Act.

Additional Resources

An Analysis of Mental Health Issues in States' Child and Family Service Reviews and Program Improvement Plans (PDF - 242 KB) - This analysis is based upon findings from Final Reports in 38 States and Program Improvement Plans (PIPs) from 28 States. The report summarizes responses to 10 specific questions about mental health screening and assessment, mental health services, and the extent to which mental health issues are addressed in Program Improvement Plans. It also presents the mental health related trends observed in the 38 State Final Reports and 28 State Program Improvement Plans (PIPs).
Child Welfare Information Gateway - Provides access to print and electronic publications, websites, and online databases covering a wide range of child welfare topics, including child abuse prevention, family preservation, foster care, domestic and intercountry adoption, search and reunion, and much more.
Collaborations to Meet Children's Mental Health Needs - A teleconference where national providers of technical assistance to developing systems of care and to children's mental health systems lead a discussion about the mental health needs of children in child welfare systems and strategies States can use. Sites are highlighted where child welfare and mental health are realizing the similarities in the principles that guide their practice—particularly family-centered practice and the creation of care management teams.
Community Partnerships and Linkages: Reaching Out to Work Together - From the National Child Welfare Resource Center for Organizational Improvement, this curriculum trains child welfare workers to create, use, and sustain working community partnerships and linkages for the benefit of children and families who have come into care in the child welfare system.
Meeting the Health Care Needs of Children in the Foster Care System: Strategies for Implementation - From the National Technical Assistance Center for Children's Mental Health, this report provides detailed information and examples of the range of approaches being implemented to address the health care needs of children in the foster care system. It is designed to serve as a technical assistance tool for States and communities interested in developing and improving health care approaches.
Meeting the Health Care Needs of Children in the Foster Care System: Summary of State and Community Efforts - Key Findings - From the National Technical Assistance Center for Children's Mental Health, this report provides a discussion of key findings from a three-year study conducted by the Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development.
National Resource Centers (NRCs) - NRCs are funded by the Children's Bureau, within ACF, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Each NRC provides onsite training and technical assistance to States, Tribes, and public child welfare agencies in the preparation and implementation of the Child and Family Services Review process.
National Technical Assistance Center for Children's Mental Health - Located within the Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development, the Center works with States, Tribes, communities and families and offers a range of training and technical assistance opportunities, publications, informational resources, and links to other organizations.
Promising Practices for Improving Health Care for Children in Foster Care - The National Initiative for Children's Healthcare Quality has developed model systems in communities around the country. Sponsored by Casey Family Programs, this collaborative has involved eight teams from around the country that have made improvements in mental health, dental and developmental services by redesigning their systems of care.
Regional Office Program Managers - List of ACF Regional Office Program Managers and their contact information.

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