Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee
Title 0250 - Children's Services
Subtitle 0250-07 - Social Services Division
Chapter 0250-07-14 - Relative Caregiver Program
Section 0250-07-14-.03 - PROCEDURES

Universal Citation: TN Comp Rules and Regs 0250-07-14-.03

Current through September 24, 2024

(1) Eligibility Guidelines for Participation in the Relative Caregiver Program.

(a) The child(ren) must reside in the home of the relative caregiver either through court order, power of attorney, or an informal agreement with the parents.

(b) The relative caregiver must be willing to take part in a needs assessment via the Relative Caregiver Family Needs Scale, the Home Safety Checklist, or any other needs assessment required by the Department in addition to any safety and needs scales utilized by the provider.

(c) The relative caregiver must agree to accept needed support services through the Relative Caregiver Program.

(d) The relative caregiver must be able to provide a safe home for related children and be committed to providing that home as long as is necessary and appropriate.

(e) A parent of the child may not reside in the home of the relative caregiver.

(f) The relative caregiver must be within the first, second, or third degree of relationship to the parent or stepparent of the child. The relative caregiver must be related to the child through blood, marriage, or adoption.

(g) The relative caregiver shall not have a total adjusted household income that exceeds twice the current Federal Poverty Guideline based on the size of the family unit. Household income will be determined by including the income of the relative caregiver, the spouse of the relative caregiver, and adult children of the relative caregiver who are living in the same home as the relative caregiver. To be approved for RCP or the Stipend Program, the relative caregiver family must not be receiving any type of DCS kinship payment or subsidy.

(h) Eligibility for the Relative Caregiver Program does not guarantee eligibility for the Relative Caregiver Stipend Program.

(i) The Department may waive these requirements for the non-stipend Relative Caregiver Program for good cause shown after determining in writing that doing so would be in the best interest of the child.

(2) Eligibility Guidelines to Receive the Relative Caregiver Stipend.

(a) In addition to Relative Caregiver Program eligibility, relative caregivers eligible to receive the Stipend must also meet the criteria listed below. A relative caregiver may be eligible to receive payment equal to fifty percent of the full foster care board rate for the care of the child(ren). If all the criteria below are not met, the family is not eligible for the Stipend but may still qualify for the Relative Caregiver Program.
1. The child(ren) is not in state custody.

2. The relative caregiver is twenty-one years of age or older.

3. The relative caregiver has been awarded custody of the child by a final order of a court acting under Title 37, Chapter 1, Part 1 of the Tennessee Code.

4. A parent of the child does not reside in the relative caregiver's home.

5. The relative caregiver agrees to seek the establishment and enforcement of child support, including the naming of the father of a child for the purpose of paternity establishment.

6. The relative caregiver is within the first, second, or third degree of relationship to the parent or stepparent of the child. The relative caregiver must be related to the child through blood, marriage, or adoption.

7. The relative caregiver shall not have a total adjusted household income that exceeds twice the current Federal Poverty Guideline based on the size of the family unit. Household income will be determined by including the income of the relative caregiver, the spouse of the relative caregiver, and adult children of the relative caregiver who are living in the same home as the relative caregiver.

(b) The RCP Provider will redetermine eligibility for the Relative Caregiver Stipend every three months and the relative caregiver is responsible for cooperating in the redetermination to ensure continuing eligibility.
1. The RCP Provider will ensure that participants maintain eligibility.

2. DCS will provide guidance to RCP Providers on the requirements for participant redeterminations. The RCP Provider is responsible for gathering the necessary documents from the relative caregiver to support the approval of the participant's continued enrollment in RCP.

3. RCP Providers will provide to DCS all updated eligibility documents.

4. On an annual basis, the RCP Provider will provide to DCS, in the manner prescribed by the Department, all redetermination documents even if there have been no changes from the initial submission of the documents.

5. Eligibility for the Stipend ends once the youth has reached the age of eighteen (18) years old.

6. Failure to submit redetermination documentation may result in termination of payments and closure of the RCP case.

(c) If the child(ren) for whom the relative caregiver is receiving the Stipend enters the custody of the Department, the relative caregiver will no longer be eligible for the Stipend for that child(ren) and all payments for that child(ren) will cease immediately.

(d) Documents evidencing the income of the relative caregiver, the spouse of the relative caregiver, and adult children of the relative caregiver who are living in the same home of the relative caregiver, are required to be provided by the relative caregiver to the RCP Provider. Such documents include the following, where applicable, to determine financial eligibility:
1. Gross earned income or money derived from work efforts. Examples of earned income would be wages, salaries, and commissions. Garnished or diverted wages are considered to be earned income;

2. Income from self-employment or from other sources such as rental income and small business enterprises;

3. Pensions;

4. Social security benefits;

5. Veteran's benefits;

6. Military allotments;

7. Unemployment compensation;

8. Severance pay;

9. Non-recurring lump sum payments such as windfalls, cash prizes, awards, income tax credits, stimulus payments, or other payments;

10. Income from a trust fund; or

11. Income from interest payments, dividends, annuities, and royalties.

(e) A relative caregiver must demonstrate a qualifying relationship to the child by providing one or more of the following:
1. Birth certificates or copies of birth certificates;

2. Hospital birth records;

3. Juvenile Court or Family Court records that specify relationship;

4. Copies of income tax returns listing the child as a specific relative;

5. Hospital records that specify relationship;

6. DCS or other state department records that specify relationship;

7. Family Bible or other family records that are in ink and have not been altered;

8. Trust documents if relationship is specified in document;

9. Wills and deeds to property if the individual and relationships are specified;

10. Written statements of physicians or midwives who attended the births and remember the names of persons involved;

11. School records that specify relationship;

12. Military records that specify relationship; or

13. Other proof containing sufficient evidence of relationship as approved by the Department.

(3) Guidelines for Client Intake and Service Plan Development.

(a) Families may be referred to the Relative Caregiver Program by DCS, hospitals, Department of Human Services (DHS), community mental health services, schools, juvenile or family courts, Community Services Agencies, private agencies, and other sources. Self-referrals are also allowable. Priority will be given to those families referred through DCS, DHS, the Courts, and children at-risk of placement into state's custody.

(b) DCS and Relative Caregiver Program Providers are responsible for determining whether or not an individual or family is eligible to participate in the program. An individual's eligibility must be redetermined by the RCP Provider every three months. The RCP Provider must work to ensure that financial aid and services are provided to families in an equitable, lawful, compliant, and respectful manner. When families are determined ineligible, appropriate referrals for services will be made to ensure safety and permanence for children in relative care. DCS will monitor Relative Caregiver Program determinations of eligibility. DCS also reserves the ability to conduct on site case file reviews of the Relative Caregiver Providers. While these rules contemplate the Relative Caregiver Program being administered by contracted providers, the Department reserves the right to directly administer the program.

(c) A referral may be made to the Relative Caregiver Program in the following ways:
1. By submitting the Relative Caregiver Program Referral form to the respective RCP Provider;

2. Calling the Relative Caregiver Hotline; or

3. Contacting the RCP Provider directly.

(d) After a referral is received:
1. The RCP Provider initiates contact to schedule an initial face-to-face visit with the family after receipt of the referral;

2. The RCP Provider informs referent via email or telephone of family eligibility; and

3. The RCP Provider documents contact with the family in the manner prescribed by DCS.

(e) The RCP Provider and the family must collaboratively complete a Family Needs Scale, a family needs assessment, and develop a service plan.

(f) In compliance with T.C.A. § 37-1-403, if the Relative Caregiver Provider believes it is not in the best interests of the child(ren) to remain in the home of the relative caregiver, appropriate steps must be taken to ensure the safety of the child(ren). These steps include making a report to the Child Abuse Hotline and notifying the RCP supervisor and DCS Central Office staff of the situation.

(g) Once a service plan has been developed, the Relative Caregiver Program Provider must help the family achieve the goals outlined in the agreed upon service plan.

(h) The Family Needs Scale must be used by each Relative Caregiver Program Provider as part of the initial assessment to assess family need.

(i) A service plan may include, but is not limited to, the following types of referrals and services: individual and family counseling, respite care, legal services, financial aid, recreation, homemaker services, transportation, advocacy, support groups, training, mediation, family conferencing, case management, mentoring, childcare, and children's activity groups as needed for eligible families. These services may not duplicate services the family is already receiving.

(4) Guidelines for Relative Caregiver Provider Staff.

(a) Each Relative Caregiver Program Provider utilizing volunteers shall have written procedures that comply with the terms of their contract and DCS policy/protocol regarding volunteers.

(b) Relative Caregiver Program paid or volunteer staff may not solicit or accept gratuities, favors, or anything of monetary value from program participants.

(c) Relative Caregiver Program paid or volunteer staff may not offer for sale any type of merchandise or other service to RCP participants.

(d) Relative Caregiver Program paid or volunteer staff may not encourage the acceptance of children and their relative caregiver based on any particular belief or philosophy when determining eligibility.

(e) Each Relative Caregiver Program shall make available to DCS an up-to-date written organizational chart clearly defining established lines of authority.

(f) Each Relative Caregiver Program shall have clearly defined job descriptions for staff.

(g) A Relative Caregiver Program staff person shall be designated to have the responsibility of ensuring that services are available on a day-to-day basis according to the contract, governing statutes, and in a manner that best serves children and their relative caregivers.

(h) Every Relative Caregiver Program paid or volunteer staff person who enters the home of caregivers must display their agency picture identification card.

(i) DCS Contract Agencies will conduct initial and annual background checks on all employees and volunteers who have direct contact with children or families in the RCP program. Background checks must be conducted on all prospective staff and volunteers that have direct contact with children or who work with sensitive or confidential information. These are conducted in accordance with DCS Administrative Policies and Procedures: 4.1 Employee Background Checks.

(j) Every Relative Caregiver Program paid or volunteer staff person must have background check identification in that person's agency personnel file, pursuant to the program's contractual agreement with DCS and the DCS Relative Caregiver Program Operations Manual.

(k) No Relative Caregiver Program may unlawfully discriminate against any employee, applicant for employment, or recipient of service. Each program must clearly post signs in English, and other languages as may be appropriate, at agency offices and locations where services are provided, indicating nondiscrimination in hiring, employment practices, and provision of services.

(5) Guidelines for Data Collection and Reporting.

(a) Each Relative Caregiver Program Provider must maintain an accurate, confidential case file on each relative caregiver family participating in the program which documents participant identifying data, requests for services, and services provided.

(b) All Relative Caregiver Program Provider reports and statistics require backup documentation. This record keeping must be done on DCS-approved forms, contained within the case file, and made available to DCS.

(c) Each Relative Caregiver Program Provider must report program and financial data as required by DCS. Providers will submit financial data to DCS on a monthly basis on DCS-approved forms. Each Relative Caregiver Program will provide expenditures by line item in the budget and maintain appropriate backup documentation of these expenditures at the program site.

(d) The Relative Caregiver Program must submit monthly reports and financial invoices to DCS on DCS-approved forms. The RCP Provider must submit a report detailing achievement of outcomes set forth in the agency's contract, such as aggregated data for the number of persons served, cases closed, services provided, educational workshops provided, support groups provided, demographic summaries, placement reason by county, and closed cases of caregivers and children.

(6) Guidelines for the Dissemination of Financial Aid through the Relative Caregiver Program.

(a) Children and their relative caregivers may have special non-recurring needs for financial aid. Meeting these needs will enable families to provide safe, stable homes for their related children that support appropriate growth, development, and good health. The Relative Caregiver Program will provide financial support to all eligible families with the need for financial aid as funds permit.
1. Financial aid may be used to purchase a wide range of tangible items, supports, services, or other needs.

2. Financial aid may not be made that duplicates available existing supports.

3. All financial aid determinations will be based on written requests for assistance submitted by the Relative Caregiver Program staff person to an RCP Provider designee. This written request must be contained within the case file.

4. Each Relative Caregiver Program Provider should develop, utilize, and continuously update an inventory of available services and supports in their communities to ensure that Program funds are not used to duplicate existing services.

5. Each Relative Caregiver Program Provider must maintain adequate support documentation in the case file to verify that contracted and paid for services and expenses actually occurred.

(b) Relative caregivers who qualify for the Stipend Program will utilize the funds for any caretaking function that best suits the support of the child's stability and upbringing. All other Relative Caregiver Program grant dollars that are provided as financial aid will be to support the permanency and well-being of the child with the caregiver.

(7) Financial Aid Revisions, Renewals, and Terminations.

(a) DCS may adjust financial aid assistance and the Stipend rates and payments based on the availability of funds. If stipends are denied due to insufficient appropriations as outlined in Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0250-07-14-.03(11), then no appeal will be afforded.

(b) Relative Caregiver Stipend payments shall terminate when one of the following occurs:
1. Upon the relative caregiver's request;

2. The relative caregiver's legal responsibility to the child ends;

3. The relative caregiver fails to complete the redetermination process within the time frames outlined above in Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0250-07-14-.03(2)(b).

4. If the child(ren) marry;

5. If the child(ren) die;

6. The child(ren) no longer meet the continuing eligibility criteria used to continue the Stipend as outlined in Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0250-07-14-.03(2) and statute; or

7. If DCS determines that the relative caregiver was made eligible for the Stipend Program in error, DCS reserves the right to terminate the Stipend due to error or oversight concerning the determination of eligibility for the Stipend Program.

(c) When the Department becomes aware of overpayment to a relative caregiver, the Department will take necessary action to recover overextended funds.

(8) Notification of Change.

(a) Relative caregivers will notify the Department of Children's Services relative caregiver staff when there is a change in circumstances that warrants a modification or termination of the financial aid being received or the Stipend being received. This includes, but is not limited to, the child(ren) being removed from the care and custody of the relative caregiver and placed into the custody of another individual or entity.

(b) In the event the relative caregiver becomes incapacitated or dies, the Relative Caregiver Stipend may be transferred to a successor relative caregiver if all eligibility criteria are met.

(9) Appeals.

(a) Relative Caregivers may appeal DCS's denial, termination, or modification of the child(ren)'s Stipend by using the Department's Fair Hearing and Appeal Process. Relative caregivers must appeal an adverse decision within ten (10) business days of written notice of adverse action. If adverse action is upheld, the appeal payments continued during the appeal period will be considered an overpayment and will be subject to recovery. The following are the steps in the appeal process:
1. If DCS determines the Stipend will be denied, terminated, or modified, the Relative Caregiver Provider must notify the relative caregiver, within five (5) business days, in writing of the adverse action. The Appeal for Fair Hearing form must be given to the relative caregiver at the same time as the notification.

2. The relative caregiver must be informed about the timeframe in which they have to file an appeal and be provided with the fax number and mailing address to file the Appeal for Fair Hearing form.

3. The DCS Administrative Procedures Division will notify the appropriate DCS office if an appeal of the Relative Caregiver Program is received. Once notified by the DCS Administrative Procedures Division, the DCS office must follow the direction of that office to ensure due process protocol is followed.

4. DCS or RCP Provider staff must complete an Appeal Summary as directed by the DCS Administrative Procedures Division.

5. This appeal process only applies to the denial, termination, or modification of receiving the Stipend and shall not apply to the appeal process for denial or termination of enrollment outlined in Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0250-07-14-.03(9)(b).

(b) Relative caregivers may appeal DCS's denial or termination of their enrollment in the Relative Caregiver Program by the following process:
1. If the RCP Provider determines that enrollment in the Relative Caregiver Program is denied or terminated, the relative caregiver must inform the RCP Provider of their objection within ten (10) days of the determination. Failure to timely object will end any further appeal of the decision.

2. Upon receiving an objection, the RCP Provider notifies DCS Central Office via email for a file review of the determination. DCS Central Office has ten (10) business days from receipt of the request to respond in writing to the relative caregiver about the outcome of the file review and the justification for the determination.

3. If DCS Central Office upholds the denial or termination of enrollment in the RCP Program, the Appeal for Fair Hearing form is included in the written notice of adverse action to the relative caregiver. The relative caregiver must also be informed about the timeframe in which they have to file an appeal and be provided with the fax number and mailing address to file the Appeal for Fair Hearing form.

4. Relative caregivers must appeal DCS Central Office's decision denying or terminating enrollment in the Relative Caregiver Program within ten (10) business days of written notice of adverse action.

5. The DCS Administrative Procedures Division will notify the appropriate DCS office if an appeal of the Relative Caregiver Program is received. Once notified by the DCS Administrative Procedures Division, the DCS office must follow the direction of that office to ensure due process protocol is followed.

6. DCS or RCP Provider staff must complete an Appeal Summary as directed by the DCS Administrative Procedures Division.

(c) If the child(ren) is removed from the custody of the relative caregiver, then the relative caregiver will no longer be eligible for the Relative Caregiver Program.

(10) Guidelines for the Training of Relative Caregiver Program Provider Staff.

(a) Relative Caregiver Program Provider staff should receive adequate training in the following areas:
1. Evaluating home safety;

2. Identifying and helping relative caregivers understand the physical and mental developmental patterns, emotional, and behavioral disorders of children;

3. Working with the triad consisting of the relative caregiver, the child, and birth parent (when appropriate);

4. Observing evidence of prior or current substance abuse by caregivers;

5. Observing the relative caregiver's physical and mental functioning;

6. Determining the availability of a supportive extended family system;

7. Assessing the relative caregiver's willingness and ability to provide a safe, permanent home;

8. Implementing service plan recommendations and meeting any special needs of the child(ren) in their home;

9. Private and public benefits potentially available to relative caregiver families; and

10. Understanding the purpose of the Relative Caregiver Program, the role of the Department of Children's Services relative to this Program, and the philosophy, ethics, policies, and procedures for the Program.

(b) Records identifying dates of training and topics covered are to be maintained in the Relative Caregiver Program staff personnel file.

(11) Stipend Payments in the Event of Insufficient Appropriations.

(a) The Department will make payments to eligible relative caregivers enrolled in the Stipend Program equal to fifty percent of the full foster care board rate for the care of the child(ren) subject to the appropriation of sufficient funds to make such payments. Should insufficient funds be appropriated for the Stipend Program to provide Stipend payments to all eligible relative caregivers, then the Department will provide funds to eligible, enrolled relative caregivers on a first-come, first-served basis. Eligible relative caregivers who do not receive the Stipend payment due to insufficient appropriations will be waitlisted and enrolled in the Stipend Program on a first-come, first-served basis once there is availability in the Stipend Program or additional funds are appropriated subject to the relative caregiver's continued eligibility.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 37-1-186 and 37-5-105 and 2022 Tennessee Laws Pub. Ch. 785.

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