	Pregnancy Support Services

Introduction

Administration and Management

Service Delivery Administration Standards

Service Standards

PS 10: Case Closing and Aftercare

Case closing is a planned, orderly process, and the organization helps individuals develop plans for obtaining follow-up services.

NA The organization provides only Pregnancy Options Counseling or Birth Options Counseling.

PS 10.01

Planning for case closing:

is a clearly defined process that includes assignment of staff responsibility;
begins at intake; and
involves the provider, the service recipient, and any others involved in service planning and provision, as appropriate.

PS 10.02

Upon case closing, the organization notifies any collaborating service providers, as appropriate.

PS 10.03

When an individual’s third-party benefits or payments end, the organization determines its responsibility to provide services until appropriate arrangements are made and, if service ends due to non-payment, the organization works with the individual to identify service options.

Interpretation: Third-party benefits or payments should be accepted in accordance with state regulations. The organization must determine on a case-by-case basis its responsibility to continue providing services to persons whose third-party benefits have ended and who are in critical situations.

NA The organization does not receive third-party benefits or payments for service.

PS 10.04

If an individual is asked to leave the program, the organization makes every effort to link the person with appropriate services.

PS 10.05

Individuals and providers work together to develop aftercare plans that identify services needed or desired by the individual, and specify steps for obtaining these services.

Interpretation: While the decision to develop an aftercare plan is based on the wishes of the service recipient, unless aftercare is mandated, the organization is expected to be strongly proactive with respect to aftercare planning. To increase the likelihood that needed supports and services will be accessed after case closing, the organization should take the initiative to explore suitable resources, contact service providers, and follow up on the aftercare plan, as appropriate, when possible, and with the permission of the individual.

Research Note: Some literature suggests that adolescent and young mothers may continue to need supportive services well after the birth of the child. Accordingly, it may be especially important to connect individuals with follow-up services if an organization providing Pregnancy Support Services does not continue to offer services after birth.

NA The organization has a contract with a public authority that does not include aftercare planning or follow-up.

PS 10.06

The organization that has a contract with a public authority that does not include aftercare planning or follow-up:

conducts a formal case closing evaluation and assessment of unmet needs; and
informs the public body of the findings, in writing, as appropriate to the contract and with the permission of the individual.

NA The organization does not have a relevant contract with a public authority.

QUICK JUMP TO


	PURPOSE: Individuals who participate in Pregnancy Support Services learn about parenthood, make informed decisions about their pregnancies, stay healthy, and pursue their educational and vocational goals.

RELATED FILES


	SERVICE One or more organization-operated programs or activities that have a common general objective and deploy the organization's material and human resources in a planned and systematic manner. An organization that publicly promotes or identifies itself in writing as offering a service, is licensed to deliver a service, assigns personnel and/or space to a service, or allocates financial resources to a service is considered to offer that service.


	CASE CLOSING A voluntary or involuntary process which occurs when an organization no longer assumes responsibility for providing services to a particular individual, group, or family. Also known as "termination" or "discharge."


	PREGNANCY OPTIONS COUNSELING Counseling services designed to help pregnant individuals make decisions about all possible options for a pregnancy including and not limited to parenting, adoption or other transfer of custody, and termination. See also BIRTH OPTIONS COUNSELING.


	BIRTH OPTIONS COUNSELING Counseling services designed to help pregnant individuals make decisions about options for birth, including and not limited to parenting and adoption or other transfer of custody. Organizations providing Birth Options Counseling do not provide information and counseling about pregnancy termination. See also PREGNANCY OPTIONS COUNSELING.


	PLANNING The process of specifying objectives, evaluating the means for their achievement, and exercising deliberate decision making about appropriate courses of action.


	INTAKE The client's entry point for services at which eligibility is assessed against established criteria and a preliminary evaluation of the presenting problem occurs.


	SERVICE RECIPIENT The individuals, groups, organizations, or communities that use, receive, or benefit from programs and services. Service recipients can include consumers, patients, family members, legal guardians, advocates, public/private organizations, employers, and purchasers. All are regarded as significant stakeholders served in a variety of agencies and practice settings.


	CASE A general term used to designate clients (including individuals, families, and groups) served by an organization for purposes of monitoring the provision of services. A foster care case is generally based on the placement of an individual child, although casework for the child may include services to the child's family. A child protective services case is based on an entire family household if a family assessment model is used; otherwise a case is defined as a child.


	PROGRAM A system of services offered by an organization. For example, an organization providing a mental health service may offer several mental health programs to different populations, e.g., a mental health program for adolescent teens. The word "program" can be used interchangeably with the word "service" or to describe specific programs.


	AFTERCARE Additional services provided beyond the period of primary care that offer continuity and supportive follow-up.


	CONTRACT A formal written agreement between two or more parties that specifies the services, space, or products to be provided in exchange for some form of compensation. Also known as "purchase of service arrangement."


	ASSESSMENT An evaluation, which utilizes professional expertise and skills in the collection and analysis of data to understand and describe the nature of service needs of an individual, family, or group. Assessment, as in needs assessment, is also used to determine priorities of program planning and service development for the organization as a whole. See also DIAGNOSIS.


	EVALUATION The review and assessment of organizational operations, programs and services.