Psychological Testing of DCFS Supervised Children

0600-501.05 | Revision Date: 07/01/14

Overview

This policy guide provides information on psychological testing of DCFS supervised children, including where requests for testing come from, required consent and approvals for testing, requesting a test and reviewing a testing report.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Policy

Psychological Testing of DCFS Supervised Children

Requests for Testing

Consent

DCFS CSAT Leads

DCFS Specialized Foster Care (SFC) Team

Testing Reports

Procedure

Requests for Psychological Testing

CSW Responsibilities

SCSW Responsibilities

Reviewing the Testing Report

CSW Responsibilities

Approvals

Helpful Links

Forms 

Referenced Policy Guides

Version Summary

This policy guide was updated from the 03/05/12 version, as part of the Policy Redesign, in accordance with the DCFS Strategic Plan.

POLICY

Psychological Testing of DCFS Supervised Children

Requests for Testing

Psychologists/practitioners, MAT Assessors, and/or out-of-home care providers may suggest that psychological testing is needed for a child. The CSW must consult with his/her SCSW to assess these requests and determine if psychological testing is the best assessment tool for the child at that time. The CSW and SCSW should consider:

• Concerns/questions to be addressed;

• If there are less-intensive assessment methods that could address concerns; and

• If the testing would benefit the child in terms of the child’s case plan, services to be offered, placement considerations, potential adoption, etc.

For routine situations, the response must be within five (5) business days or less. Requests on behalf of children in psychiatric hospitals and/or for evaluation to clarify a child’s diagnosis in order to determine the need for psychotropic medication require an immediate response.

Consent

Prior to requesting psychological testing of DCFS supervised children, CSWs must obtain written consent from the child’s parent/legal guardian on the DCFS 179-MH, Parental Consent for Child’s Assessment and Participation in Mental Health and/or Regional Center Developmental ServicesServices provided by the Regional Centers, which include diagnostic evaluation, coordination or resources such as education, health, welfare, rehabilitation and recreation for persons with developmental disabilities. Additional services include program planning, admission to and discharge from state hospitals, court-ordered evaluations and consultation to other agencies.. For youth who are twelve (12) or older, and nonminor dependents (NMDs), the youth must provide written consent. If consent cannot be obtained, a court order is required for testing.

DCFS CSAT Leads

Private practitioner requests for psychological testing of DCFS supervised children who are receiving Medi-CalCalifornia's federal Medicaid program. funded services must be submitted by the case-carrying CSW to the Coordinated Services Action Team’s (CSAT) in-box.

DCFS CSAT Leads (MAT Coordinator for newly detained children/SLS for children on newly opened non-detained and existing open cases) review requests for psychological testing based on the following:

• The child must be a Medi-Cal beneficiary and meet medical necessity criteria for specialty mental health services.

• Written consent from the parent/legal guardian has been obtained on the DCFS 179-MH and DCFS 179-PHI and/or there is a court order for psychological testing.

• Consultation with the CSW confirms that the child has not been tested within the past two (2) years (or annually for at-risk children under seven (7)), unless the specific need to test more often is established.

• If the child was tested per WIC Section 730, or by a school to evaluate for special education, etc. within the last two (2) years, additional psychological testing may not be necessary.

• Proper documentation supporting the need for psychological testing has been supplied (i.e. court reports, mental health provider, group home and/or placement quarterly reports, etc.)

• The reasons for the referral are specific, relevant, and individualized to the child and the child’s case plan.

• A reviewed DCFS 174, specifically pages 1 and 2, and the Child Welfare Mental Health Screening Tool (MHST), when required (i.e. a previous positive MHST is not on file).

DCFS CSAT Leads will submit psychological testing referral packets to the Department of Mental Health’s (DMH) Specialized Foster Care (SFC) Team.

DMH Specialized Foster Care (SFC) Team

The DMH SFC Team reviews the psychological testing referral packet to ensure the following before psychological testing is done:

• The basis for the referral is adequately documented (e.g. new behaviors exhibited and/or past interventions which are no longer working, etc.).

• The reasons for the referral are best addressed through psychological testing.

• The testing fulfills specific purposes regarding:

• The child’s failure to improve with past interventions

• An inexplicable decline in the child’s functioning or symptom exacerbation

• Probable but non-imminent risk of harm to self or others

• Diagnosis (if it will impact the court, outcome, and/or conduct of the child’s treatment)

• The design of a more beneficial service plan or treatment approach

• The type of placement and/or degree of restriction

• The child’s capacity for informed consent, transition status

• Other special circumstances.

• Psychological testing is still necessary, whether or not any less-intensive methods used have answered the questions regarding the child’s condition.

• The planned tests or areas of testing are appropriate and adequate. This information can only be obtained from the practitioner.

Testing Reports

The psychological testing report must be submitted with the court report. If the records are needed for the placement or treatment of a child, the declaration from the agency or therapist (Declaration in Support of Access to Juvenile Records) must be on file, and the SCSW must approve the release of the information.

All pertinent information must be transcribed on to the DCFS 709, Foster Child’s Needs and Case Plan Summary, and the Health Notebook. If the SCSW/CSW believes that an actual copy of the psychological report should be given to the caregiver, the copy must be redacted to exclude all information on individuals other than the child and information otherwise protected by other areas of the law. Sharing of information from the summary and recommendations sections of the report is generally sufficient for service providers to understand the child’s needs and to plan for appropriate services.

Back to Policy    

PROCEDURE

Requests for Psychological Testing

CSW Responsibilities

1. Determine whether or not psychological testing is needed.

1. If the SCSW does not approve the request for psychological testing, or if DMH Specialized Foster Care (SFC) Staff determine that psychological testing is not appropriate, contact collateral contacts to discuss alternative assessment methods.

• Document these discussions in the Contact Notebook.

2. If psychological testing is approved, confer with the out-of-home caregiver and schedule the testing as soon as possible.

3. Notify the child’s attorney of the upcoming psychological testing.

2. Obtain consent for psychological testing.

3. Follow the CSAT protocol for requesting mental health services by completing pages 1 and 2 of the DCFS 174, Family Centered Referral Form.

1. In the “Concerns of Family/Child” field, select “Mental Health.”

2. In the “Comments” field, enter “Request for Psychological Testing,” and then provide a brief explanation as to why the request is being made.

3. Attach any supporting documentation.

4. Discuss the DCFS 174 and any supporting documentation with the SCSW.

5. Submit the request to the SCSW for approval.

6. If there is not a previous positive MHST on file, complete the MHST (as appropriate).

4. Once the request is approved by the SCSW, consult with the co-located DMH Specialized Foster Care (SFC) Staff regarding the child’s need for psychological testing, including what questions should be addressed by the testing.

1. Confer with the out-of-home caregiver and schedule testing as soon as possible.

2. Notify the child’s attorney of the upcoming psychological testing.

3. If appropriate, submit the referral with supporting documentation through the CSAT process.

5. If the request is not approved by the SCSW, or if the DMH SFC Staff determined that psychological testing is not appropriate, contact the appropriate collateral contacts and discuss alternative assessment methods for the child.

6. Document all collateral contacts in the Contact Notebook and the Health Notebook.

SCSW Responsibilities

1. Discuss the DCFS 174 and any supporting documentation with the CSW to determine if the form is complete, accurate, and the request is appropriate.

1. If so, approve the request for psychological testing, and sign the DCFS 174.

2. If not, deny the request for psychological testing and discuss the reasons for the denial with the CSW.

Back to Procedure  

Reviewing the Testing Report

CSW Responsibilities

1. Review the report and its recommendations (if applicable).

2. Discuss the results with the appropriate collateral contacts, including out-of-home care providers.

3. Transcribe all pertinent information from the report to the DCFS 709, Foster Child’s Needs and Case Plan Summary.

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4. If the caregiver insists on receiving a copy of the report, consult with County Counsel prior to releasing the report to them.

5. Incorporate information regarding the report and recommendations into the child’s case plan or case plan update.

6. Attach a copy of the report to the court report for the next hearing.

7. File the original report in the Psychological/Medical/Dental/School Reports Folder.

8. Document all relevant information in the Health Notebook.

Back to Procedure  

APPROVALS

SCSW Approval

• DCFS 174

HELPFUL LINKS

Forms

CWS/CMS

DCFS 709, Foster Child’s Needs and Case Plan Summary

DCFS 174, Family Centered Referral Form

DCFS 179-MH, Parental Consent for Child’s Mental Health Assessment and for Child’s Preparation in Mental Health Treatment

DCFS 179-PHI, Authorization for Disclosure of Child’s Protected Health Information (PHI)As defined by Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), is health (including mental health) information created or maintained by a health care provider that identifies or can be used to identify a specific individual. PHI relates to an individual’s health, health care or payment for care – in the past, present or future.

LA Kids

DCFS 709, Foster Child’s Needs and Case Plan Summary

DCFS 174, Family Centered Referral Form

DCFS 179-MH, Parental Consent for Child’s Assessment and Participation in Mental Health and/or Regional Center Developmental Services (also available in Spanish)

DCFS 179-PHI, Authorization for Disclosure of Child’s Protected Health Information (PHI) (also available in Spanish)

Declaration in Support of Access to Juvenile Records

Referenced Policy Guides

0070-516.15, Screening and Assessing Children for Mental Health Services and Referring to the Coordinated Services Action Team (CSAT)

0500-501.20, Release of Confidential DCFS Case Record Information

0600-501.05, Psychological Testing of DCFS Supervised Children

0600-514.10, Psychotropic MedicationMedications used as tools for producing certain chemical and physiological effects in the central nervous system. They are usually classified according to the types of disorders they are primarily used to treat.: Authorization, Review, and Monitoring for DCFS Supervised Children

Back to Helpful Links