DCFS
“All policy guidelines are to be followed with the exception of in-person contacts. The use of phone/emails/skype/facetime and any other form of technology is encouraged to ensure a continuity of service for our children and families. Team decision making through the below described COVID-19 Practice Support Team will be available for additional guidance and support. In all required contacts, extra precaution should be taken such as social distancing, frequent handwashing, protective gear, protective clothing, and following other CDC recommendations. The Office of Emergency Preparedness is working diligently to secure these items to provide to each office.”
Source, many more details: Child Welfare Memorandum ‘COVID-19 Staff Protocol for Client/Stakeholder contact’
If you suspect abuse or neglect of a child, call 855.4LA.KIDS (855.452.5437) toll-free, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. All calls are confidential.
Foster Care and Adoptions
“In lieu of in-person monthly worker visits with foster children, workers are to have phone/Skype/FaceTime contact at least weekly with all children and caregivers individually. Ensure that a discussion is held on the impact of COVI-19 is having on their lives and any hardships experienced. For children placed with a caregiver where there is safety concerns or the placement is at risk of disruption, an in-person visit it to be held. When conducting home visits, contact the foster caregiver and conduct pre-screen of COVID-19 using the below screening protocol. If any answer to the three screening questions is yes, consult with the COVID-19 Practice Support Team to determine next steps.”
Guidance for Foster Parents is available at http://dcfs.louisiana.gov/page/covid19-guidance-or-foster-parents.
Child Protective Services
Investigations continue to happen in-person. “As per policy the reporter is to be contacted. If the reporter reveals that the client has been exposed to COVID-19, the worker should consult with their supervisor/manager and the COVID-19 Practice Support Team prior to going to the home. Safety and risk of the child victim(s) and the worker will be a factor in determining the next steps.”
Family Services
“Workers are not required to conduct in-person field visits for currently open FS cases without a safety plan. To the extent possible, individual contact with each child in the family is encouraged via phone or other technology methods. FaceTime or Skype is encouraged for younger children who may not be able to communicate verbally.
Workers will contact parent/caretakers for all currently open FS cases with a safety plan via verbal communication, in order to conduct the COVID-19 screening. The worker shall visit with the family at least once prior to March 31st, based on case specific needs for all cases with a safety plan in place and screened with no COVID-19 concerns.”