Youth for Tomorrow
The Texas Service System
Service System Procedures for Residential Providers with a DFPS Contract
History of Youth for Tomorrow
Youth for Tomorrow, originally known as Paul Anderson Youth Home, was established
as a non-profit, residential program in 1960 to serve homeless children and was
located in Lewisville, Texas. The program was reorganized in 1985 and renamed Youth
for Tomorrow (YFT). In 1988, the YFT Board of Directors closed the program, which
remained a legal but dormant organization until November 1990.
In November 1990, the Board of Directors responded to a Request for Proposals to
provide LOC support services to the Texas Department of Family & Protective
Services (DFPS). DFPS awarded the contract to YFT effective January 1, 1991.
YFT, a private, non-profit organization, provides these statewide contract services
according to policies and procedures approved by DFPS. YFT maintains one (1) office
in Arlington, Texas to deliver the services described herein and serves all DFPS
Regions. The DFPS contract with YFT is a cost reimbursement contract.
CPS Requests for Initial Service Authorizations
DFPS Program staff may forward requests to YFT for an Initial Service Authorization
(Moderate, Specialized, or Intense) and for placement recommendations for children
needing residential services.
-
Service System Authorizations are based on the existing Service System
definitions (http://e-provider.org/service_levels.htm).
-
YFT placement recommendations result from computer decision support
software and the staff's knowledge of residential resources.
-
YFT provides CPS caseworkers with a Service System Authorization and
residential recommendations within 2 working days of receipt of all required
information. Service Authorizations are loaded into the DFPS computer system
(IMPACT) each working day.
Provider Requests for Initial Service Authorizations
Providers may admit CPS children who are new to conservatorship at a Basic service
level. If the Provider determines within 45 days of admission that the child needs
more than Basic services, then the Provider may submit a completed application to
YFT for an appropriate Initial Service Authorization. An application includes the
information listed below. YFT cannot complete this service without the
required documentation.
-
Provider LOC Authorization Request Form 2089c (must include PID
number)
-
Common Application (Form 2087)
-
Emotionally Disturbed Children: Psychological or psychiatric evaluation
completed within 14 months, OR
-
Medically Needy Children: An evaluation by a Physician (MD) describing
medical conditions or disabilities
-
(Optional) Information describing any extenuating circumstances, incident
reports, etc.
When YFT receives the required documentation within the 45-day time period, YFT
will complete the review within 2 working days. The results are faxed to the
Provider and loaded into the DFPS computer system (IMPACT) on the date of
completion. Please refer to a letter to Residential Child Care Provider, dated
April 22, 2004, from Audrey Deckinga, Division Administrator for additional
information. The application forms necessary to
access this service are available on the YFT website (www.yft.org). When Providers
have any subsequent questions about this service, they may submit their questions
to provider@yft.org for additional
guidance.
Scheduled Utilization Reviews for CPS Children
DFPS requires YFT to re-authorize treatment services for CPS children receiving
Moderate services every 12 months and every 3 months for children receiving
Specialized or Intense services. YFT completes this work by reviewing the clinical
records for the previous 30 days, which are submitted by the residential
provider.
Typically, a clinical record includes a current service or treatment plan,
individual and group therapy reports, daily caregiver reports, behavioral school
reports, medical reports, any recent special evaluations, and serious incident
reports.
YFT staff will contact Providers to schedule these review services. Upon completion
of a scheduled Utilization Review, YFT staff will submit to the Provider a summary
of children reviewed in their program, which includes the new Service
Authorizations and effective dates. YFT also mails the Provider a copy of each
child's UR that will be loaded into the DFPS computer system (IMPACT).
Expired Service (Level) Authorizations
When Providers determine that a CPS child's Service Authorization will expire
before YFT's next scheduled Utilization Review, they may submit a request for a
review directly to YFT. These requests should include a brief explanation and a
copy of the clinical record for the previous 30 days. The review results of these
expired cases are faxed to the Provider and loaded into the DFPS computer system
(IMPACT) on the date of completion.
Provider Requests for a Higher Level of Service
When Providers believe that a CPS child needs a higher level of service, DFPS
requires that Providers contact the child's CPS caseworker to review this matter.
The CPS caseworker should then request from the Provider a copy of the clinical
record for the previous 30 days, attach a LOC Authorization Request Form (IMPACT
form), and forward this information to YFT for a non-scheduled review.
If this request for a higher Service Level is within the Provider's contract, these
reviews are completed within 10 working days of receipt of all information and
effective on first day of the following month. The effective date for children who
are authorized Intense Services is the date of review. These Service Authorizations
are loaded into the DFPS computer system (IMPACT) on the date of completion.
Thereafter, CPS caseworkers will share the results with the contract
Provider.
Billing Problems and Questions
DFPS urges Providers to contact the CPS county eligibility worker(s) for each
child's billing problems and questions. YFT cannot assist Providers with these
matters.
Service System Reviews - DFPS Residential Contracts
DFPS requires YFT to conduct an annual Service System Monitoring review of
residential providers contracting with DFPS. This process is completed according to
policies and procedures approved by DFPS. The DFPS Service System Monitoring standards
for this review are available at http://e-provider.org/loc2.htm.
In general, DFPS encourages residential contractors to contact YFT staff for
guidance when they have questions regarding the Texas Service System. When
residential contractors disagree with a YFT action, please contact YFT for a copy
of the appeal procedure approved by DFPS.
DFPS Residential Contracts
While YFT provides a support service for the Texas Service System, a DFPS
Residential Contract Manager (RCM) is responsible for the direct management of the
contract relationship with DFPS. Therefore, residential contractors planning to
amend or otherwise adjust their contract with DFPS need to contact the Residential
Contract Manager responsible for their contract.
Please call or email the YFT office should you have any other questions.