DCYF Policy Manual
Policies for NH Division for Children, Youth and Families (DCYF)
The NH Division for Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) is pleased to share the policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs) that guide the Division’s work. DCYF policies and SOPs provide direction and guidance to DCYF staff on their work with children, youth, families, and other system partners. DCYF policies and SOPs are regularly updated based on changes to State or federal law, legislation, and best practices. As such, new and revised DCYF policies will be updated to this page on an ongoing basis.
Contact Information
Note: Policies are listed below by a 4-digit number. SOPs are listed as sub-items to the policy they are implementing, with the same 4-digit number as the related policy. An SOP will have a dot and additional number for reference in the DCYF cataloguing system.
Table of Contents
Ch 1 - Introduction - 1001-1049
Ch 2 - Staff Responsibilities -1050-1149
Ch 3 - Child Protective Field Services 1150-1324
Ch 4 - Juvenile Justice Field Services - 1325-1499
Ch 5 - Case Management Standards for CP and JJ Field Services - 1500-1599
Ch 6 - Out-of-Home Placements - 1600-1699
Ch 7 - Foster Care Providers - 1700-1774
Ch 8 - Adoption & Post-Adoption Supports - 1775-1849
Ch 9 - Services for Children, Youth and Families - 1850-1949
Ch 10 - Adolescent Services - 1950-2024
Ch 11 - Sununu Youth Services Center - 2025-2499
Ch 12 - Prevention and Community Education - 2500-2599
Ch 13 - Provider Management - 2600-2649
Ch 14 - Fiscal Management - 2650-2749
Ch 15 - General Administrative Operations - 2750-2799
Ch 16 - Quality Assurance - 2800-2899
Ch 17 - Workforce Development - 2900-2999
Ch 1 - Introduction - 1001-1049
DCYF Mission
Agency Roles
Practice Philosophy
Ch 2 - Staff Responsibilities -1050-1149
Standards and Expectations
- 1050 Standards for Supervision
- 1051 Professionalism and Ethics
- 1060 Exit Interview
- 1070 Confidentiality
- 1076 Sick Leave
- 1080 Mobile Devices
- 1084 Mobile Printers
- 1091 State Vehicle Use
- 1099 Critical Incident Reporting - Case Specific
Worker Safety
Collaborations
Ch 3 - Child Protective Field Services 1150-1324
CPS Central Intake
- 1150 Central Intake Screening
- 1150.1 Report Types, Screening Decisions, Overrides and Response Priority Levels
- 1150.2 Jurisdiction and DO Assignment for Credible Reports of Abuse/Neglect
- 1150.3 Abuse Allegation Types
- 1150.4 Neglect Allegation Types
- 1150.5 Reports Not Accepted for Assessment
- 1150.6 Requests for Voluntary CHINS - Intake
- 1150.7 Screening RSA 126-U Complaints
- 1157 Receiving Additional Information Regarding an Open Assessment
- 1158 Additional Allegations Received by Central Intake
CPS Family Assessments
- 1170 Transfer of Referral from Central Intake Staff to District Office Assessment Supervisor
- 1172 CPS Assessments of Abuse and Neglect
- 1172.1 Planning and Commencing an Assessment
- 1172.2 Report to Law Enforcement
- 1172.3 Interviewing Children
- 1172.4 Interviewing Parents/Guardians
- 1172.5 Professional Reporters and Collaterals
- 1172.6 Medical Services
- 1172.7 Multi-Disciplinary Teams
- 1172.8 Safety and Risk Assessments
- 1172.9 Administrative Reviews
- 1173 Engaging Families During an Assessment
- 1175 Reporting Abuse and Neglect Involving School Personnel to Department of Education
- 1176 Investigatory Interventions
- 1181 Children Left at Hospitals or Safe Havens
- 1184 Enhanced Assessment Practice
- 1185 Investigating Allegations of Abuse and Neglect in Residential Treatment Programs
- 1186 Investigating Allegations of Abuse/Neglect in Foster Homes
- 1196 Field Reversals
- 1198 Low and Moderate Risk Considerations
- 1209 Voluntary Services
- 1210 Interventions for Children and Families
- 1211 Non-Court Cases (b-case)
- 1212 Added Allegations and New Reports During Assessments
- 1213 Final Determinations and Closing the Assessment
- 1214 Sending a Notice of Finding
- 1215 Administrative Appeals
- 1217 Transition of Assessment to Family Services Case
CPS Family Services
- 1235 Case Contact Policy
- 1240 Managing Cases with Substance Use
- 1255 Subsequent Reports in a CPS Case
- 1262 Closing In-Home Cases
- 1263 Case Closure When the Concurrent Goal is Achieved
Central Registry
- 1265 Submitting a Founded Referral for Entry on the Central Registry
- 1266 Entering a Person Responsible for Child Abuse and/or Neglect on the Central Registry
- 1268 Expungements from the Central Registry
- 1269 Central Registry Records Management
Working with Families in Court
- 1275 Considering Court Actions
- 1276 Intervening Through Court Actions
- 1277 Court Hearings
- 1278 Dispositional Hearing
Ch 4 - Juvenile Justice Field Services - 1325-1499
Investigations
Youth Supervision
- 1340 Drug and Alcohol Testing
- 1341 Conditional Release
- 1343 Internet Intelligence Monitoring
- 1344 Photographing Delinquent Minors and Children in Need of Services
- 1345 Parole Supervision
- 1346 Search and Seizure
- 1347 Restitution
- 1359 Extended Hours
Field Equipment
Authority Limitations
- 1376 Arrest and Custodial Authority
- 1377 Handcuffing and Other Mechanical Restraints
- 1378 Use of Oleoresin Capsicum Spray
- 1379 Use of Force
Case Management
- 1392 Detention Assessment
- 1395 Child in Need of Services (CHINS)
- 1398 Intrastate Transfer of Juvenile Justice Cases
- 1403 Recommendations for Non-Resident Youth
Ch 5 - Case Management Standards for CP and JJ Field Services - 1500-1599
Engaging Families
- 1501 Family Engagement During a Case
- 1503 Maintaining Connections
- 1508 Safety Planning
- 1510 Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Compliance
- 1515 Identification and Notification of Relatives
Case Management
- 1549 Prevention Plans
- 1550 Case Plans
- 1551 Prevention and Case Planning Process.
- 1554 Human Trafficking Response
- 1555 Joint Case Planning and Case Management
- 1558 Missing Children
- 1560 Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) Assessment
- 1565 Reunification
Legal Processes
Case Transfers and Interstate Compact
- 1584 ICPC When NH is the Receiving State (Non-Residential)
- 1585 ICPC When NH is the Sending State (Non-Residential)
- 1590 Placement in Certified Out-of-State Residential Treatment Programs
- 1591 ICJ General Provisions, Victim Notification, and Forms
- 1592 ICJ Travel Permits
- 1593 ICJ Supervision Transfer From New Hampshire
- 1594 ICJ Supervision Transfer To New Hampshire
- 1595 ICJ Youth Absconder and Reporting Non-Compliance, Failed Supervision and Retaking
- 1596 ICJ Case Closure
- 1597 ICJ Other Provisions
Ch 6 - Out-of-Home Placements - 1600-1699
Finding a Placement
- 1600 Placement Considerations
- 1603 Adolescent Foster Homes
- 1604 Individual Service Options
- 1605 Therapeutic Foster Care
- 1610 Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI)
- 1615 Placement
Permanency
Transitions
Well-Being
- 1650 Diary Requirements for Children and Youth in Foster Care
- 1651 Health Care Planning for Children in Placement
- 1652 HIV-1/AIDS and Children in Care
- 1653 Use of Psychotropic Medicines for Children and Youth in Out-of-Home Placements
Educational Stability
- 1666 Educational Planning for Children/Youth in Placement
- 1667 Educational Requirements for Children or Youth with Disabilities
- 1668 Educational Surrogate Parents
Financial Supports
Supporting Adolescents
Ch 7 - Foster Care Providers - 1700-1774
Recruitment
- 1700 Foster Home License Inquiries
- 1701 Recruitment and Retention Plan
- 1702 Provisional Interim Care (PIC) Homes
- 1711 Reasonable Modifications for Foster Care and Adoption Programs
Licensing
- 1715 Application Process
- 1716 Foster and Adoptive Family Assessment and Home Study
- 1717 Criminal Convictions - Request for Waiver
- 1718 Denial of Application
- 1719 Initial Licenses
- 1720 License Renewal
- 1721 Specialized Licenses
- 1722 Changes in Licensing Status
- 1730 Foster Home Capacity
- 1731 Orders to Comply
- 1732 Revocation of License
- 1733 License Closures
- 1740 Foster Home Record Maintenance
Foster Parent Training
- 1750 Pre-Licensing Training
- 1751 In-Service Training
- 1752 Foster Parent Insurance Coverage
- 1753 Foster Parent Training-Related Child Care
- 1754 Foster Parent Identification Cards
Ch 8 - Adoption & Post-Adoption Supports - 1775-1849
Recruitment
- 1784 Child Matching Process for Adoption and Permanent Placement of Children
- 1790 Adoptive Histories
Adoptions
- 1800 Voluntarily Mediated Agreements in Adoptions
- 1802 Adoption Assistance Program
- 1803 Extended Adoption Assistance Program
Post-Adoption Practice
- 1825 Post-Adoption Services Policy
- 1827 Adoption Records
- 1828 Contact Between Adopted Persons and Birth Families
Ch 9 - Services for Children, Youth and Families - 1850-1949
Provider Status
Direct and Purchased Services
- 1870 Direct Resource Assistance
- 1871 Emergency Assistance Services
- 1872 Guardian Ad Litem Services
- 1873 Legal Counsel Services
- 1874 Dental Services
- 1875 Medical Services
Community-Based Services
- 1900 Transportation Services
- 1901 Adoptive History Report Services
- 1902 Child Care Licensed Services
- 1903 Child Care License-Exempt Services
- 1904 Child Health Support Service
- 1906 In-Home Individual Service Options
- 1907 Home-Based Therapeutic Services
- 1908 Intensive Home and Community Services
- 1909 Communication Access Services
- 1910 Family Support Services
- 1911 Outreach and Tracking Services
- 1912 Respite Care
- 1917 Substance Use Disorder Outpatient Counseling Services
- 1919 Diagnostic Evaluation Services
- 1920 Outpatient Counseling Services
Title XX
Title IV-B
Ch 10 - Adolescent Services - 1950-2024
Fostering Independence
- 1950 Adventure Training
- 1952 Miscellaneous Independent Living
- 1953 Skills Training
- 1954 Stipend
- 1957 Transportation for Independent Living
Supporting Transitions
- 1960 Bill of Rights for Youth in Care
- 1966 Credit Report Assistance for Youth in Care
- 1969 (NYTD) Independent Living Services Provided
- 1972 90-Day Youth Transition Meeting
- 1973 (NYTD) Outcome Survey
- 1975 Advanced Directives, POA, and Living Will
- 1977 HOPE Program – Voluntary Extended Foster Care
Aftercare Services
Ch 11 - Sununu Youth Services Center - 2025-2499
Admission and Orientation
- 2025 Resident's Property (Committed)
- 2026 Resident's Property (Detention)
- 2027 Residential Orientation
- 2028 Admission Procedure
- 2029 Return of Committed Youth to SYSC
- 2040 PREA General Provisions
Safety and Security
- 2050 Main Lobby and Reception
- 2051 Supervisor Documentation
- 2052 Juvenile Supervision, Movement, and Counts
- 2053 Emergency Response
- 2054 Watch Assessment - Initiation, Communication, and Duties
- 2055 PREA - Immediate Response to Sexual Abuse and First Responder Duties
- 2056 Suicide Prevention
- 2058 Searches
- 2059 Fire Safety Procedures for SYSC – PROTECTED
- 2060 Daily Census
- 2061 Operations and Central Control
- 2062 Hand-Held Communication System
- 2063 Hospital Security
- 2064 Security Manual
- 2065 Incident Tracking and Review
- 2066 SYSC Safety and Security Inspections
- 2067 Intercom Use
- 2068 Escape and Abscond
- 2069 SYSC Access and Security
- 2070 Youth Visitation
- 2071 SYSC Staffing Plan and Master Schedule
- 2075 Residential Unit Communication and Documentation
- 2076 Staff Property within the Secure SYSC
- 2077 Tool Control
- 2080 De-Escalation Interventions
- 2083 Restrictive Intervention
- 2088 PREA Investigations
Resident Rights & Privileges
- 2090 Basic Rights for Committed and Detained Youth
- 2095 PREA Youth Reporting and Protection Against Retaliation
- 2100 Behavior Management
- 2105 Ombudsman Program
- 2110 Well-Being at SYSC
- 2115 Telephone and Mail Privileges
- 2120 Resident Appearance
Clinical and Classification
- 2130 Treatment Planning
- 2131 Proactive Safety Screening and Planning
- 2132 SYSC Programming
- 2140 Classification of Committed Youth
- 2150 Court Reports
- 2170 Crisis Services Unit
- 2180 Medical/Clinical Response to PREA
Religious Programs
Academic Vocation and Work
- 2200 Educational Services
- 2201 Educational Records
- 2202 Philosophy of Educational Services
- 2204 Qualification of Educational Faculty
- 2205 Self-Monitoring School Record Review of Special Ed Students
- 2206 Student Non-Discrimination Grievance Procedure
- 2207 Suspension
- 2225 SYSC Education Department Computers
Healthcare
- 2250 Health Services Quality Assurance
- 2251 Universal Precaution
- 2252 Medical Emergencies
- 2253 Emergency Medical Response Action Plan for AED/CPR Use
- 2254 First Aid Boxes and Eye Wash Stations
- 2255 Health Care Services
- 2256 Intoxication and Withdrawal
- 2257 Containment of Infectious/Communicable Diseases
- 2258 Dental Services
- 2259 Sick Status
- 2260 Physician's Orders
- 2261 Exposure Control Plan
- 2262 Blood-Borne Pathogens Prevention for Employees
- 2263 Special Health Care
- 2264 Sick Call
- 2265 Physician Medical Services And Psychiatric Services
- 2266 Medical Memoranda
- 2267 Transporting Residents to the Emergency Room
- 2268 HIV Infection and AIDS
- 2269 Infirmary Use
- 2270 Medical Consultation
- 2271 Medication Errors
- 2272 General Techniques and Recommendations for Isolation Precautions
- 2273 Medication Administration
- 2274 Pharmaceuticals- Storage and Procurement
- 2275 PPD Testing for Residents
- 2276 Activity Restriction
- 2277 Hunger Strikes
- 2278 Lab Protocols for Select Medications
- 2279 Nursing Services at Admission
- 2280 Medical Isolation of Residents
- 2281 Medical Appointments in the Community
- 2283 Immunizations
- 2284 Resident Participation in Research and Drug Testing
- 2286 Post Exposure Evaluation and Follow-Up
- 2287 Off-Campus Trips and Out-of-Building Activities
- 2288 Haircutting and Disinfecting Hair Cutting Instruments
- 2289 Infection Control Program
- 2290 Special Diets
- 2291 Visitor Injury
- 2292 Regulated Medical Waste
- 2293 Nursing Orientation
- 2294 Medication Administration Record
- 2295 Medical Supplies(Preparation for Daily Procedures/Treatments)
- 2296 Informed Consent and Refusal of Treatment
- 2297 Medical Records
- 2298 Release of Information
- 2299 Furlough Medications
- 2300 Resident Discharge
Recreational Activities
- 2315 Water Safety
- 2317 Library Services
- 2319 Daily Living Activities
- 2320 Recreational Activities
- 2325 Community Services
- 2330 Resident Jobs and Allowances
Release
Documentation and Records
Food Services
- 2380 Resident Conduct in the Dining Hall
- 2381 Dining Hall Schedule
- 2382 Dining Hall Procedures
- 2383 Food Services
- 2384 Food Services Outside Normal Hours
- 2388 Resident Assistance in Kitchen and Dining Hall
- 2390 Food Services for Staff
Sanitation and Hygiene
- 2400 Resident Clothing and Shoes
- 2401 Resident Linen
- 2403 Youth Hygiene
- 2405 Housekeeping for Residential Units – Youth Responsibilities
- 2406 Housekeeping and Sanitation
- 2410 Linen
Physical Plants & the Environment
- 2415 Inspections
- 2417 Donations to Sununu Youth Services Center
- 2418 Scope of Maintenance and Facility Services
- 2420 Maintenance Work Orders
- 2430 Facility Construction
- 2435 Food and Beverages within the Secure Perimeter of SYSC
Fiscal Management
- 2450 Procurement (Non-maintenance)
- 2451 Money and Accounts
- 2453 Transfer/Disposal of Equipment
- 2455 Warehouse Access
- 2457 Procurement (Maintenance)
- 2465 Claims for School Meals Program
Personnel
- 2475 Abuse or Neglect of Committed or Detained Youth
- 2476 PREA Requirements for Managing SYSC Personnel, Contractors, Volunteers and Mentors
- 2480 Professional Appearance
- 2482 Reimbursement of Damaged Clothing - Youth Counselors
Ch 12 - Prevention and Community Education - 2500-2599
Engaging the Community
Ch 13 - Provider Management - 2600-2649
Certification
Monitoring
Ch 14 - Fiscal Management - 2650-2749
Child, Youth, and Family Eligibility Determinations
Payments
- 2671 Authorizations and Payments During Hospital Stays and Runaways
- 2672 Foster Family Home Payments
Rates
Ch 15 - General Administrative Operations - 2750-2799
Jurisdictions
- 2751 SYSC Administration
- 2753 District Office Catchment Areas - Child Protective Services
- 2754 District Office Catchment Areas - Juvenile Justice Services
Information
- 2760 Complaints Protocol
- 2761 Public Information
- 2765 Division Case Records and Files
- 2770 Restricted Information
Policy/Rule Maintenance
Ch 16 - Quality Assurance - 2800-2899
Records and Data
Practice Reviews
Ch 17 - Workforce Development - 2900-2999
Staff Training
Volunteers and Interns
- 2915 Citizen and Volunteer Involvement
- 2916 Candidates for Internships with DCYF
- 2917 Managing DCYF Internships
Mentoring