10A NCAC 71C .0102. ASSESSMENT AND SUPPORTIVE COUNSELING

(a)  A thorough assessment must be conducted of the client's situation, including strengths and limitations in the following areas:

(1)           physical health;

(2)           mental health;

(3)           social system;

(4)           activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living;

(5)           economic and financial circumstances; and

(6)           environment.

(b)  With the exception of the circumstances listed below the client must be seen personally by the social worker as many times as is necessary to do a thorough assessment in the six areas, but a minimum of one time.  The personal contact may be in a setting other than the client's home, if the client or others can provide the necessary information for an assessment of the client's living environment, and, if during the course of the assessment, it does not appear that in-home services will be needed or appropriate as an alternative to placement or as an interim service plan.

(c)  For the following situations, an assessment must be done as thoroughly as possible with information and resources available to the social worker, without requiring personal contact with the client to complete the assessment.

(1)           a client who is not currently living in the county in which the application is made;

(2)           a client who is in an emergency situation, where a placement is needed quickly and personal contact would be a barrier to achieving a quick placement;

(3)           a client whose case is being transferred within the agency or referred by another service provider or facility, and an assessment which addresses all six functional areas is available.  This assessment must be updated to reflect current information.

(d)  Documentation must reflect the reason the client was not seen personally in conducting the assessment.

 

History Note:        Authority G.S. 143B-153;

Eff. March 1, 1994;

Amended Eff. March 1, 1995.