(1) Services shall be provided by a family preservation team under the direction of a social worker who holds a degree of Master of Social Work. The team may consist of social workers who hold a Bachelors degree in Social Work, paraprofessional staff, and private providers. All staff shall be required to complete a minimum of 40 hours of training in curses relating to family preservation philosophy, policies and procedures. Caseworkers shall provide the services in the family's home, and may provide some of the services in other natural environments of the family, such as their neighborhood or schools;
(2) The services to the family shall be coordinated by a single family preservation team leader who holds a Master in Social Work degree with backup family preservation team support staff and contract services identified to provide assistance as necessary;
(3) Caseworkers shall have the authority and discretion to spend funds up to a maximum amount specified by the Department to help families obtain necessary food, shelter or clothing, or to purchase other goods or services that will enhance the effectiveness of intervention;
(4) Family preservation assessment shall be initiated within 24 hours of receipt of referral into the program with emergency/crisis stabilization services initiated during this period. Services shall be available to the family upon completion of assessment and agreement of the family to receipt of services which shall commence no later than one week after referral;
(5) Duration of service is limited to a minimum of 60 days and a maximum of 90 days, unless the Department authorizes an additional provision of service through an exception to policy;
(6) Services shall meet the goals of the Individual Family Service Plan which shall be designed to eliminate the need for removal of children from the home, foster family self-sufficiency and meet overall goals of family preservation program;
(7) Services shall be designed to assist the family to improve parental and household management competence and to solve practical problems that contribute to family stress so as to effect improved parental performance and enhanced functioning of the family unit;
(8) Services shall be designed to help families locate and utilize additional assistance, including, but not limited to, counseling and treatment services, housing, child care, education, job training, emergency cash grants, state and federally funded public assistance, and other basic support services; and
(9) Services shall include, but are not limited to: conflict resolution, nutrition (meal preparation, food storage, purchase of food); housekeeping (health and sanitation); health and hygiene; physicals and follow-up medical care; school enrollment/transportation; parent effectiveness training; family therapy; legal assistance; drug and/or alcohol treatment; crisis services (food, shelter, clothing, etc.).