FY22 Medically Complex Training Program

The Medically Complex Training Program provides initial and ongoing training as well as support to families providing care to children with complex medical needs throughout Kentucky. Foster parents working with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) and private child placing (PCP) agencies, along with DCBS and PCP staff attend Medically Complex training. There are four (4) web-based trainings that serve as prerequisites to the initial medically complex classroom training, Join Hands Together. These include Medically Complex Orientation (2.25 hours), DCBS Standards of Practice for Medically Complex Homes (1 hour), Growth and Development (1 hour) and Nutrition (1 hour). These are required for all families before they attend the one-day classroom training component of Join Hands Together. They are to be completed one week prior to attending the scheduled one-day classroom training that provides the remaining 6.75 hours of training credit needed to become a Medically Complex Foster Home. Certification in infant, child and adult CPR and first aid is still required, along with regional approval, before a foster parent is deemed a Medically Complex Foster Parent. During FY 2021, up to 15 JHT classroom trainings will be delivered to DCBS and PCP foster parents and staff. There are 36 available slots for each training. At the direction of DCBS, those slots are distributed as follows: 12 for PCP foster parents, 12 for DCBS foster parents, 5 for PCP workers, and 7 for DCBS and/or PCP foster parents who have an exception. During FY 2021, the Medically Complex Training Program will continue to work in conjunction with the DCBS Training Branch and DCBS Division of Protection and Permanency to implement ongoing medically complex training events designed to meet the diverse training needs of the state’s medically complex foster parents. Various training topics related to the care of children designated as Medically Complex will be available for participants to choose from to meet training requirements at two conference-style events offered annually. All medically complex foster parents will be encouraged to attend these statewide training events. Make-up training will be made available utilizing web-based trainings that have been approved for use as ongoing Medically Complex training credit. Make-up training is reserved for those medically complex foster parents who are unable to attend an annual event during their renewal period and who also have a child designated as medically complex placed in their care. Goal: The goal of the Medically Complex Training Program is to provide training and support to foster homes in Kentucky caring for children in out-of-home care with complex medical needs. Objective 1: Develop curricula and deliver training that provides accurate and current information to Medically Complex Foster Parents The program coordinator works closely with the DCBS Training Branch and Division of Protection and Permanency’s Medical Support Section, as well as other partners, to identify subjects that need curriculum development and/or training delivery. The need for curriculum development or training topics is further identified by surveying current medically complex foster parents. All training material is researched and checked for accuracy and/or presented by experts in their respective fields. This includes consultation with the Medical Support Section and partners in the medical community. Objective 2: Coordinate and schedule statewide trainings Proposed Scope of Work University of Kentucky College of Social Work Training Resource Center – Medically Complex Training Program (MCTP) July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022 The Program Coordinator works closely with DCBS to determine training topics utilized in the statewide training events. Trainings are attended by DCBS and PCP staff, foster parents, and respite providers. The program coordinator utilizes training participant data to develop a training schedule to meet the ongoing training needs of medically complex foster parents. Objective 3: Provide phone and email support to the DCBS Division of Protection and Permanency’s Medical Support Section The Program Coordinator provides support to DCBS Division of Protection and Permanency’s Medical Support Section regarding medically complex training and other related questions/issues. This support (via phone, email, and in-person meetings) is based on the needs of DCBS, specifically the Medical Support Section. This support and communication includes updates regarding medically complex curriculum and training, participation in collaborative meetings, and feedback regarding significant issues that arise during the training process, especially those related to practice or policy concerns. The Program Coordinator also shares all training dates and times with the Medical Support Section and Out-of-Home Care Branch so they can participate as needed. Objective 4: Monitor training participation The Program Coordinator and Conference Coordinator work with TRIS to track participation at Medically Complex trainings. Objective 5: Maintain a listserv to distribute information to families providing medically fragile care A listserv that includes medically complex foster families and DCBS staff is maintained and continually updated. This listserv is used as a vehicle to disseminate information on Medically Complex training opportunities and other relevant updates and information. Objective 6: Provide information, support and consultation to R&C Staff The Program Coordinator is available as needed to consult with R&C supervisors and staff who work to recruit existing foster parents to provide Medically Complex care. The Program Coordinator will provide information, support and consultation as it relates to the Medically Complex Training Program. A Medically Complex brochure is maintained and distributed as appropriate. Objective 7: Develop and implement ongoing virtual service provision plans Program staff will develop and implement continuity plans for Medically Complex training services using virtual platforms and technologies. These virtual service provision plans will be executed as needed to ensure the continuity of medically complex training services to foster parents across the Commonwealth. The University of Kentucky utilizes Subrecipients for grants.