New Jersey § 30:4c-77

§ 30:4c-77.

a. Subject to the guidelines and policies of the specific contracts entered into by

providers of family preservation services, agencies authorized to place children in

the State may refer a family to the appropriate family preservation services program. All members of the family who accept such services shall be responsible for cooperating

fully with the family preservation direct services worker. b. The family preservation services provided under this act shall meet the following

criteria: (1) A family preservation direct services worker shall carry a caseload of a maximum

of two families at any given time, except that during the last week of the provision

of services with one of the two families, the worker may carry a third case. The family preservation direct services worker may serve a total of 18 families

within a 12 month period; (2) An eligible family shall receive an initial visit by the family preservation direct

services worker within 24 hours of the referral. The program shall provide services to a family for four to eight weeks, as appropriate. The worker shall conduct a follow-up evaluation of the family at three, six and

12 months after the family has completed the program; (3) Family preservation services shall be provided in the family's home, community

or the child's school, consistent with the needs of the family. The family preservation direct services worker shall visit the family for no less

than five hours per week. The worker shall be available to provide services to the family 24 hours a day,

seven days a week; (4) The family preservation direct services worker shall develop, in consultation

with the family, a service plan which addresses the reasons for the consideration

of the out-of-home placement. The plan shall also include, but not be limited to, an assessment of the family's

strengths and problems, a statement of options designed to solve the problems and

the identification of appropriate resources that will be needed to maintain the progress

achieved through the program; and (5) The agency referring the family shall identify the services which will be provided

to the family during and after the provision of family preservation services.