Protection and Safety

Early Development Network

Philosophical Base

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (Department) Protection and Safety Division provides family-centered services to protect children from abuse and neglect, to improve conditions in families that place children at risk, and assisting youth to be productive and law-abiding citizens.

The goal of services coordination is to give families a good start in supporting their child with a disability and to develop their own skills in accessing, utilizing, and coordinating supports within their natural environments. "Natural environments means settings that are natural or normal for the child's age peers who have no disabilities." (34 CFR 303.18)

Referral

•  At initial assessment, the primary roles of the Protective and Safety Worker are to gather information to validate maltreatment or allegations on a court petition and to determine what services, if any are needed. The priority at this phase is securing child safety with attention to working with the family to preserve the family unit whenever possible.

•  Protection and Safety Initial Assessment Worker completes Protection and Safety referral form (PS-90) and sends it to Early Development Network Services Coordination Agency no more than two (2) working days after a case of abuse or neglect has been substantiated. Family is informed of referral to Early Development Network.

•  If child is a state ward Protection and Safety worker sends state ward notification letter to school district.

•  If an intake has been received within 6 months (180 calendar days) or less after an initial referral to Early Development Network has been made, a new referral is not necessary.

•  The Early Development Network Services Coordinator contacts family to set up home visit to discuss Early Development Network Program (or family declines to meet).

•  At the home visit Early Development Network Services Coordinator explains program and gets consent to evaluate child (or family declines to participate).

•  School determines need of surrogate parent based on Rule 51 if child is a state ward and shares information with Early Development Network services coordinator.

•  School begins the process of verification for special education for child not already in special education program.

•  Early Development Network Services Coordinator notifies Protection and Safety worker of child's special education eligibility. If found not eligible Early Development Network services coordinator sends HHS 6 notification and school sends family notice of ineligibility.

The Case is Opened for Ongoing Services

Evaluation/Review

Ongoing cases are reviewed every 6 months (180 calendar days) if court is involved.

A review of the IFSP plan must be conducted every six months or more frequently if needed.

A meeting must be conducted at least annually to evaluate and develop a new IFSP.

Case Closure

Case plan and goal have been met and the child is no longer at risk of maltreatment.

Services Coordinator makes sure that transition planning is started early enough to assure that the family as well as child needs are addressed and referrals and coordination with other programs can be done in a quality way. An infant or child with a disability and their family are eligible until August 31 st of the child's third birthday, the services are no longer needed, or the family declines services.