(Revised 1/26/07 ML #3051)
Financial responsibility for the case always rests with the “financial county.”
The financial county generates the Foster Care Payment information on the appropriate CCWIPS screen unless an agreement to do so is negotiated with another county. If an agreement exists with another county, refer to CCWIPS Manual.
The county of financial responsibility maintains all case management responsibility not vested in the custodian. In cases where the financially responsible county is also the custodian, the county has complete responsibility for the case, including eligibility and payment and all activities associated with placement and supervision of the child.
In certain circumstances, the financial/custodial county may negotiate an agreement with another county to provide specific services, such as placement and supervision. In such an instance, the financial/custodial county remains responsible for ensuring that permanency planning takes place, and that the case is documented, for example, in preparation for audit.
Therapeutic Family Foster Home, Group/RCCF/RTC/PRTF Facility:
PATH-ND (Professional Association of Treatment Homes):
In therapeutic family foster care, the financial county for purposes of PATH-ND cases is similar to the procedure for children in group/RCCF/RTC/PRTF care. The custodian refers the child, ensures that permanency planning takes place, maintains the county case file for purposes of ensuring that custodial duties are carried out and compliance issues met. Therefore, for purposes of PATH-ND, the county of financial responsibility for eligibility and payment in most cases is the custodial county. In special circumstances there may be exceptions to this. Please refer questions to the regional human service supervisor.
Group/Residential Child Care Facility
The county of financial responsibility for children and youth in foster care in group and/or residential child care facilities, in or out of state, is the county where the child’s parent has residence at the time of court intervention. Financial responsibility will remain with that county as long as the individual remains in care.
Subsidized Adoption
Prior to adoption, follow above guidelines for family foster care. Refer to Subsidized Adoption Manual Service Chapter 617-05 for further information.