Emergency shelters are managed and operated by DHS to provide temporary placement for children (from birth up to the age of 18) who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. The shelter is intended to be a temporary placement as the children are transitioned to foster families, group homes, or reunified with parents.
Most shelter/facility placements are paid through contracts with DHS; however, these payments are not all listed or reflected on the Foster Care Inquiry Tool. CSS assigns child support to the state when it’s verified that a child is in any shelter/facility placement. The placement of a child can be verified on the Placement Screen in KIDS or eKIDs.
Shelter Placement
If the child is placed in a shelter:
- Update the CHU screen to show DHS custody (D) and
- Ensure the child is cross referenced to:
- the custodial person (CP) from whom the child was removed or;
- ‘Other OCSS’ (for more information on whether to add ‘Other OCSS’ as a CP, see “Juvenile Finance Glossary” reference document)
- Cross reference the family group number (FGN) with the C, H, or J number (foster care medical) so CSML will reflect a case type of E or F
- Note: If the child is on an active D case, contact the Center for Finance and Budget (CFB) to set the Bypass Flag to prevent current support from issuing.
- Update the obligation so current support will accrue against the CP that lost custody or ‘Other OCSS’ (see “Other OCSS as a CP” training article)
- Current support is retained
- Review receipt history to determine if a Finance Action Request should be sent to move receipts to foster care balances
Because placements often change, a Change in Placement Form should be received by the district office indicating the child has been moved (see “Juvenile Quick Reference Table” resource document for additional indicators).