CHAPTER 5. FAMILY PRESERVATION SERVICES

IC 31-26-5
     Chapter 5. Family Preservation Services

IC 31-26-5-1
"Child at imminent risk of placement"
    
Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "child at imminent risk of placement" means a child less than eighteen (18) years of age who reasonably may be expected to face in the near future out-of-home placement under IC 31-27 through IC 31-28 and IC 31-30 through IC 31-40 as a result of at least one (1) of the following:
        (1) Dependency, abuse, or neglect.
        (2) Emotional disturbance.
        (3) Family conflict so extensive that reasonable control of the child is not exercised.
        (4) Delinquency adjudication.
As added by P.L.145-2006, SEC.272.

IC 31-26-5-2
Department contracting to provide family preservation services
    
Sec. 2. The department may contract to provide or provide, when appropriate, within the limits of available funding, family preservation services to families with a child at imminent risk of placement.
As added by P.L.145-2006, SEC.272.

IC 31-26-5-3
Duties of family preservation services
    
Sec. 3. (a) Family preservation services may provide:
        (1) comprehensive, coordinated, flexible, and accessible services;
        (2) intervention as early as possible with emphasis on establishing a safe and nurturing environment;
        (3) services to families who have members placed in care settings outside the nuclear family; and
        (4) planning options for temporary placement outside the family if it would endanger the child to remain in the home.
    (b) Unless authorized by a juvenile court, family preservation services may not include a temporary out-of-home placement if a person who is currently residing in the location designated as the out-of-home placement has committed an act resulting in a substantiated report of child abuse or neglect or has a juvenile adjudication or a conviction for a felony listed in IC 31-27-4-13.
    (c) Before placing a child at imminent risk of placement in a temporary out-of-home placement, the department shall conduct a criminal history check (as defined in IC 31-9-2-22.5) for each person described in subsection (b). However, the department is not required to conduct a criminal history check under this section if the temporary out-of-home placement is made to an entity or facility that is not a residence (as defined in IC 3-5-2-42.5) or that is licensed by the state. As added by P.L.145-2006, SEC.272.

IC 31-26-5-4
Family preservation services; delivery of services
    
Sec. 4. Family preservation services must be delivered:
        (1) only to families and in situations where the services may reasonably be expected to avoid out-of-home placement of the child; and
        (2) to afford effective protection of the child, the family, and the community.
As added by P.L.145-2006, SEC.272.

IC 31-26-5-5
Family preservation services; required services; discretionary services
    
Sec. 5. (a) Family preservation services must include the following:
        (1) A twenty-four (24) hour crisis intervention service.
        (2) Risk assessment, case management, and monitoring.
        (3) Intensive in-home skill building and counseling.
        (4) After-care linkage.
    (b) The following services may be available as needed to families receiving family preservation services:
        (1) Emergency respite care.
        (2) Pre-adoption and post-adoption services.
As added by P.L.145-2006, SEC.272.

IC 31-26-5-6
Family preservation services; maximum caseload per caseworker
    
Sec. 6. A caseworker who provides family preservation services may retain a maximum caseload of twelve (12) families.
As added by P.L.145-2006, SEC.272.