Iowa Admin. Code r. 441-156.9

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 8, October 30, 2024

Rule 441-156.9 - Rate of payment for foster group care

(1)In-state reimbursement. Effective July 1, 2014, contracted foster group care facilities licensed or approved in the state of Iowa shall be paid for group care maintenance and child welfare services in accordance with contracted terms.

a. Additional payment for group care maintenance may be authorized if a facility provides care for a mother and her young child according to subrule 156.9(4).

b. No less than annually, the department shall redetermine the allocation of the combined child welfare service per diem rate between the maintenance and service portions plus the inflation factor based on review of the verified Form 470-5421, Combined Cost Report. If the new allocation differs from the current allocation, the department shall:

(1) Reallocate the combined child welfare service per diem for foster group care between the maintenance and service portions plus the inflation factor of the combined rate; and

(2) Notify all providers of any change in the allocation between maintenance and service rates.

(2)Out-of-state group care payment rate. When the department determines that appropriate care is not available in Iowa and a licensed or approved contractor outside Iowa is used, the payment rate for contracted foster group care services shall be the Iowa rate unless the director grants an exception. The rate shall not exceed the rate paid for clients from that state.

(3)Out-of-state placement determination.

a.Placement. When determining whether appropriate care is available within the state, the director shall consider each of the following:

(1) Whether the child's treatment needs are exceptional.

(2) Whether appropriate in-state alternatives are available.

(3) Whether an appropriate in-state alternative could be developed by using juvenile court-ordered service funds or wrap-around funds.

(4) Whether the placement and additional payment are expected to be time-limited with anticipated outcomes identified.

(5) If the placement has been approved by the service area manager or chief juvenile court officer.

b.Procedure. The service area manager or chief juvenile court officer shall submit the request for director's exception to the Appeals Section, Department of Human Services, Hoover State Office Building, Fifth Floor, Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0114. This request shall be made in advance of placing the child and should allow a minimum of two weeks for a response. The request shall contain documentation addressing the criteria for director's approval listed in paragraph 156.9(3)"a. "

c.Appeals. The decision of the director regarding approval of an exception to the rate determination in rule 441-156.9 (234) is not appealable.

(4)Mother-young child rate. When a group foster care facility provides foster care for a mother and her young child, an additional maintenance rate shall cover the maintenance needs of the young child. No additional amount shall be allowed for service needs of the child.

a. The rate shall be set in the provider contract. The young child maintenance rate shall be limited to the costs associated with food, clothing, shelter, personal incidentals, and supervision for each young child and shall not exceed the maintenance rate for the mother. Costs for day care shall not be included in the maintenance rate.

b. Unless the court has transferred custody from the mother, the mother shall have primary responsibility for providing supervision and parenting for the young child. The facility shall provide services to the mother to assist her to meet her parenting responsibilities and shall monitor her care of the young child.

c. The provider shall provide services to the mother to assist her to:

(1) Obtain a high school diploma or high school equivalency.

(2) Develop preemployment skills.

(3) Establish paternity for her young child whenever appropriate.

(4) Obtain child support for the young child whenever paternity is established.

d. The provider shall maintain information in the mother's file on:

(1) The involvement of the mother's parents or of other adults.

(2) The involvement of the father of the minor's child, including steps taken to establish paternity, if appropriate.

(3) A decision of the minor to keep and raise her young child.

(4) Plan for the minor's completion of high school or a high school equivalency program.

(5) The parenting skills of the minor parent.

(6) Child care and transportation plans for education, training or employment.

(7) Ongoing health care of the mother and child.

(8) Other services as needed to address personal or family problems or to facilitate the personal growth and development toward economic self-sufficiency of the minor parent and young child.

e. The provider shall designate $35 of the young child rate as an allowance to the mother to meet the maintenance needs of her young child, as defined in her case permanency plan.

This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code sections 234.6 and 234.38.

Iowa Admin. Code r. 441-156.9

ARC 7741B, lAB 5/6/09, effective 7/1/09; ARC 8715B, lAB 5/5/10, effective 7/1/10; ARC 9778B, lAB 10/5/11, effective 11/9/11

Amended by IAB July 9, 2014/Volume XXXVII, Number 1, effective 7/9/2014.

Amended by IAB September 3, 2014/Volume XXXVII, Number 5, effective 10/8/2014

Amended by IAB January 4, 2017/Volume XXXIX, Number 14, effective 3/1/2017