65E-9.011. Discharge and Discharge Planning

(1) The provider shall have and use on an ongoing basis a written procedure on discharge planning and aftercare services that specifies the availability of services and the persons responsible for implementation of the aftercare plan.

(2) Discharge planning shall begin at the time of admission. A discharge plan shall be developed, written and interpreted in collaboration with the child, parent or guardian, department, foster parents and guardian ad litem, if applicable, within ten days of admission, and a projected date for discharge shall be included in the child’s treatment plan. A copy of the discharge plan shall be given to the parent or guardian, the guardian ad litem, and the department.

(3) Discharge planning shall include input from the child, the child’s parent or guardian, foster parents, department, and guardian ad litem.

(4) Discharge planning may include a period of transition into the community, such as home visits and meetings with community mental health service providers.

(5) Discharges shall be approved and signed by the treating psychiatrist.

(6) A child may be discharged only to the parent, guardian or placing organization, unless the provider is otherwise ordered by the court.

(7) The provider shall finalize the discharge plan and have it approved and signed by the treatment team. A copy of this discharge plan shall be provided to the parent or legal guardian, guardian ad litem and department at least 30 days before the proposed discharge date, which, at a minimum, shall include:

(a) The initial formulation and diagnosis;

(b) A summary of treatment and services which have been provided, the outcomes of treatment in relation to the child’s presenting problem on admission, and identification of needs for continuing treatment and services in the community following discharge;

(c) Recommendations for the child and parent or guardian following release from care, including referrals for community-based mental health services;

(d) The projected date of discharge and the name, address, telephone number and relationship of the person or organization to whom the child will be discharged; and

(e) A copy of the child’s medical, dental, educational, medication and other records for the use of the person or organization who will assume care of the child following discharge.

(8) Aftercare plans shall be developed by the provider staff under the guidance of the clinical director and shall encourage the active participation of the child and parent or guardian and guardian ad litem.

(9) The provider shall have and utilize written procedures for follow-up care, including a written plan for follow-up services and at least one contact with the discharged child and his parent or guardian and guardian ad litem within the first 30 days following discharge.

(10) For children age 17, the provider shall assess their needs for continuing services in the adult mental health service system and assist them in planning for and accessing those services.

(11) Within 10 business days of the physical departure of a child placed from out-of-state, the provider shall complete, date, and sign an Interstate Compact Report on Child’s Placement Status, (ICPC-100B) Form, CF 795, 10/05, which is hereby incorporated by reference, place a copy of the form in the child’s record, and mail the original and two copies of the form to: Office of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children, Child Welfare Program Office, Florida Department of Children and Family Services, 1317 Winewood Boulevard, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0700. A copy of the form may be obtained at the department’s website, www.dcf.state.fl.us/publications/efors/0795.pdf.

(12) Notwithstanding subsections (1)-(11) of Rule 65E-9.011, F.A.C., Providers who serve children committed under Section 985.19, F.S., shall abide by the following standards with regard to discharge planning:

(a) The provider shall finalize the discharge summary and have it approved and signed by the treatment team. At least 30 days before the proposed discharge, a copy of the discharge summary shall be sent to the child’s home district. The provider and district shall coordinate with each other to assist the district in the development of the discharge plan based on the provider’s recommendations for services after discharge.

(b) Once noticed by the court of a pending hearing related to child’s competency to proceed, the discharge summary shall be copied to the parties identified in Section 985.19, F.S.

(c) A copy of this discharge summary shall be provided to the parent or legal guardian, guardian ad litem and department at least 30 days before the proposed discharge date, which, at a minimum, shall include:

1. The initial formulation and diagnosis;

2. A summary of treatment and services which have been provided, the outcomes of treatment in relation to the child’s presenting problem on admission, and identification of needs for continuing treatment and services in the community following discharge;

3. Recommendations for the child and parent or guardian following release from care;

4. The name, address, telephone number and relationship of the person or organization to whom the child will be discharged; and

5. A copy of the child's medical, dental, educational, medication and other records for the use of the person or organization who will assume care of the child following discharge.

(13) Discharge summaries shall be developed by the provider staff under the guidance of the clinical director and shall encourage the active participation of the child and parent or guardian and guardian ad litem.

Specific Authority 394.875(8) FS. Law Implemented 394.875 FS. History–New 7-25-06, Amended 9-24-08.