sECTION 11:
Goods and Services
Quick Links to information below
Understanding Concrete goods and services?
Advocating for your family’s needs for concrete goods?
Advocating for you and your family’s needs for services?
Infant safety education and services for infants?
Understanding DCYF Obligations- Reasonable and Active Efforts?
Understanding DCYF’s approval process and internal procedures?
Concrete goods and services
Understanding Concrete goods and services
This webpage provides parents with actionable information about resources available through the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). It empowers families to advocate for their needs by understanding what is available, how to request support, and DCYF’s obligations.
Remember, not all social workers will offer these resources unless you specifically ask for them. While many social workers are dedicated and knowledgeable, some may not be fully aware of all of their own policies or resources available for you. By knowing what you are entitled to and advocating for yourself, you can ensure they assist you effectively.
If you document your requests for concrete goods and services, especially if they are not provided, it can be critical if your case goes to court. This documentation shows your proactive efforts to seek help and highlights any lack of reasonable efforts on the department’s part. Courts take reasonable efforts seriously, as they are required to ensure the department has done everything possible to support families and prevent removal.
As you review the information on this webpage, remember that if you request these items or services and DCYF is unable or unwilling to provide them, this could reflect poorly on them in court. We’ll discuss reasonable efforts further below, but always document your requests and follow up—it’s a powerful way to advocate for your family’s needs.
Understanding Concrete Goods
What Are Concrete Goods?
Concrete goods are physical items or resources provided to address specific family needs. DCYF Policy 4519. These goods aim to:
- Ensure children’s safety and stability.
- Reduce risks of abuse or neglect.
- Prevent or support out-of-home placements.
- Facilitate safe reunifications.
Examples of Concrete Goods
- Food and Nutrition: Groceries, meal vouchers, food delivery.
- Housing Support: Rent assistance, temporary housing.
- Child Safety Items: Car seats, baby gates, childproofing materials.
- Transportation: Bus passes, gas cards, vehicle repairs.
- Clothing and Personal Care: Hygiene products, clothing vouchers.
- School Supplies: Backpacks, books, tutoring.
- Healthcare Supplies: Medications, first aid kits.
- Utility Assistance: Electricity, water, heating bills.
- Furniture: Beds, cribs, mattresses.
- Childcare Services: Assistance with childcare costs.
- Home Repairs: Addressing safety concerns.
The information summarized on this webpage is based on the Concrete Goods Guide used by DCYF. When requesting concrete goods, refer to this guide, as it outlines their guidelines for distributing these resources. This ensures your requests align with their policies and increases the likelihood of approval.
Advocating for your family's needs for Concrete goods
Identify Your Needs
Write down the specific goods or services your family requires and how they will improve your family’s safety or stability. You can present this to the social worker or you can use it as a list to read off to them.
Examples:
- “We need childproofing items, like baby gates and outlet covers to make our home safer for our toddler.”
- “I need assistance with transportation to attend medical appointments for my child.”
- “Our family needs a crib to provide safe sleeping arrangements for our newborn.”
- “We need a grocery voucher to meet our immediate food needs until I can access local resources.”
Communicate Clearly
Why It Matters: Using clear, specific language helps caseworkers understand exactly what you need. It’s easier for them to act when they know the exact item or service you’re requesting.
Example Phrases:
- Instead of saying, “I need help with my car,” try: “I need a gas card to attend medical appointments (or weekly therapy appointments) for my child.”
- Rather than, “I need support,” say: “I need rent assistance this month to keep my family in stable housing.”
- Instead of saying, “We need help with housing,” say, “I need assistance with a rental deposit so we can move into a safer home.”
- Instead of “We need clothes,” say, “My child needs a winter coat and shoes to wear to school.”
Provide Supporting Evidence
Why It Matters: Providing evidence shows your need is valid and urgent. It helps DCYF document your case and justifies their approval process.
Examples of Evidence:
- A letter from a doctor, community support representative, or service provider explaining the medical necessity of a car seat or medication.
- An inspection report showing the need for repairs to meet safety standards.
- A therapist’s note explaining the importance of consistent transportation for therapy appointments.
- A letter from a doctor recommending specific medical supplies or equipment, such as a wheelchair or specialized feeding tube.
- A letter from a therapist stating the need for transportation assistance to attend counseling sessions.
- Photos of safety concerns in the home, such as broken windows or lack of baby-proofing.
- Documentation showing you are attending substance use treatment or parenting classes to demonstrate proactive efforts.
Reference Policies
Why It Matters: Citing DCYF policies, like Policy 4519, demonstrates your knowledge of what they’re obligated to provide. This can encourage a caseworker to act more quickly.
Example Phrases:
- “According to DCYF Policy 4519, these goods meet the criteria for supporting safety and stability, so I’d like to request assistance with…”
- “I understand DCYF can help with furniture like cribs or beds; I’m requesting support to meet these needs for my child.”
- “According to DCYF Policy 4519, additional clothing vouchers are allowed for children with exceptional needs. I would like to request one for my child.”
- “The Concrete Goods Guide states that families can receive safety items like fire extinguishers and outlet covers. Can we look into those for our home?”
Tip: If you can, bring a copy of the policy or guide with you to the meeting to reference directly.
Follow Up
Why It Matters:
Persistence shows you’re serious about your family’s needs. Regular follow-ups keep your request on their radar and ensure progress is made.
Example Phrases:
“I wanted to follow up on the rent assistance request I made last week. Could you provide an update on its status?”
“I’m checking in to confirm if the grocery voucher I requested has been approved or if additional information is needed.”
“I’m checking in about my request for a clothing voucher for my child. Has there been any update?”
“Thank you for discussing safety items for our home during our last meeting. Can you confirm when we might receive them?”
“I want to make sure my request for a transportation voucher has been submitted. Please let me know if there’s anything else you need from me to process it.”
Additional Tips for Empowering Parents
1.Ask Questions:
- “What specific items can DCYF help me with under the Concrete Goods policy?”
- “Are there any other programs or vouchers available that I may qualify for?”
2. Be Proactive:
- Research community programs like Help Me Grow to complement DCYF support.
- Let your caseworker know you’ve explored other resources and need their help filling the gaps.
3. Be Persistent but Polite: If you feel like you’re being ignored, kindly but firmly ask for updates or escalate your concerns.
4. Seek Help: If you’re struggling to navigate the process, consider asking an advocate or trusted community member for support in communicating with DCYF.
5. Use Documentation to Your Advantage:
- Keep a log of all requests made, including dates and caseworker responses.
- If DCYF doesn’t follow through, this documentation can demonstrate their lack of reasonable efforts.
- “What is the process for requesting assistance with housing?”
- “Can you explain what documentation I need to support my request?”
Understanding Services
Mental Health Support: Counseling, evaluations, family therapy.
Substance Use Treatment: Recovery programs, urinalysis monitoring.
Parenting Programs: Evidence-based courses, parenting assessments.
Home-Based Services: Homebuilders Program, in-home visits.
Domestic Violence Support: Counseling, safety planning.
Educational Advocacy: Support for school needs.
Childcare Assistance: Financial aid or placement help.
Advocating For you and Your family's needs for Services
Mental Health Support
Examples:
- Counseling for a child experiencing anxiety after a family transition.
- Family therapy to improve communication and address conflict.
- A mental health evaluation to assess developmental concerns in a child.
- Mental health therapy for your own individual needs.
Why It Matters:
- “I’m requesting counseling for my child to help them process recent changes in our family structure and improve their emotional well-being.”
- “We need family therapy to strengthen our bond and create a more stable home environment.”
- “I need individual counseling to help me manage stress, process past trauma, and develop healthier coping mechanisms. By improving my mental health, I can be a more present and stable parent for my child.”
Substance Use Treatment
Examples:
- Enrollment in a recovery program to support sobriety.
- Requesting urinalysis monitoring to demonstrate commitment to sobriety and parenting readiness.
Why It Matters:
- “I need support accessing a recovery program so I can maintain sobriety and provide a stable environment for my children.”
- “Urinalysis monitoring will help me document my progress in recovery and show my commitment to regaining custody of my child.”
Parenting Programs
Examples:
- Joining an evidence-based parenting class to learn strategies for positive discipline.
- Requesting a parenting assessment to identify areas of strength and improvement.
Why It Matters:
- “I want to participate in a parenting class to build skills and create a nurturing environment for my children.”
- “An assessment would help me better understand my parenting strengths and where I can grow to meet my child’s needs.”
Home-Based Services
Examples:
- Accessing the Homebuilders Program to address an immediate family crisis.
- Requesting in-home visits to receive guidance on improving household safety and family dynamics.
Why It Matters:
- “The Homebuilders Program can help us manage a crisis and avoid out-of-home placement for my child.”
- “In-home visits would provide me with the tools and support I need to make my home safer and more stable for my child.”
Domestic Violence Support
Examples:
- Counseling for a parent or child affected by domestic violence.
- Safety planning to create a secure environment for the family.
Why It Matters:
- “I’m seeking counseling to help my child heal from the effects of witnessing domestic violence.”
- “A safety plan will help ensure that my children and I have a secure and stable living situation.”
Educational Advocacy
Examples:
- Requesting support to access school services for a child with special needs.
- Assistance with obtaining tutoring or supplies to help a child struggling academically.
Why It Matters:
- “My child needs educational support to address their learning challenges and reach their full potential.”
- “I’m requesting assistance with tutoring to help my child catch up in school and feel more confident academically.”
Childcare Assistance
Examples:
- Financial aid to cover daycare expenses while a parent works or attends treatment.
- Placement support to find a reliable and safe childcare provider.
Why It Matters:
- “I need childcare assistance so I can maintain my job and provide for my family.”
- “Finding safe and reliable childcare will allow me to focus on my recovery and meeting my family’s long-term needs.”
Infant Safety Education and Services for infants
Programs and Resources
- Safe Sleep Practices: Cribs and sleep safety items.
- Period of PURPLE Crying: Education on managing infant crying to prevent shaken baby syndrome.
- Childproofing Assistance: Safety latches, outlet covers, etc.
Plan of Safe Care (POSC):
For substance-exposed newborns, the POSC includes:
- Early intervention referrals.
- Parenting resources.
- Substance use support.
- This also includes a referral to ESIT (Early Support for Infants and Toddlers. If DCYF or the program states you do not qualify please refer to the form that indicates: “All newborns experiencing prenatal substance exposure are automatically eligible for ESIT services.” )
For more information on support and services prior to birth, during birth, post birth please see Section 10- Hospital Holds.
Understanding DCYF Obligations- Reasonable and Active Efforts
DCYF Policy 4304 governs active, diligent and reasonable efforts. Reasonable and Active Efforts are obligations that the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) must fulfill to support families in preventing child removal, addressing safety concerns, and promoting timely reunification or stability when out-of-home placement occurs. Reasonable efforts involve practical steps to help families access services and resources, such as housing support, food assistance, transportation, and safety items, to mitigate risks and keep children safely at home. Active efforts, specifically for Indian children under the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), require intensive and culturally appropriate support to prevent removal and reunify families. Diligent efforts ensure parents are notified and guided through the dependency process, removal decisions, and reunification steps. DCYF’s failure to provide adequate services, goods, or documentation of these efforts can reflect poorly in court, as it may show they did not do everything possible to prevent removal or support reunification. Parents can strengthen their case by documenting requests for support and any refusals, highlighting a lack of reasonable efforts by DCYF. Courts take these obligations seriously, and holding DCYF accountable can ensure families receive the resources they need to create safe and stable environments for their children. See Section 4 for a further discussion on ICWA and active efforts. See Section 7 for discussions on reasonable efforts.
Understanding DCYF's Approval Process and Internal Procedures
Understanding DCYF’s approval process and internal procedures is crucial because it helps you navigate the system more effectively and advocate for your family’s needs. When you know how decisions are made—such as who needs to approve requests and the types of support available—you can tailor your requests, use the right terminology, and provide the necessary evidence to strengthen your case. This knowledge gives you a significant advantage when speaking with your social worker, ensuring that your requests align with DCYF’s guidelines and increasing the likelihood of getting the support your family needs.
Approval Process for Concrete Goods
- Under $500: Caseworker/Social worker can approve to give out.
- $501–$1,000: Social worker must get Supervisor approval.
- $1,001–$2,000: Social worker and Supervisor must get Area administrator approval.
- Over $2,000: Social worker, Supervisor and Area Administrator must get Regional Administrator approval.
Don’t let this process intimidate you—there are clear procedures in place to ensure requests for concrete goods are reviewed appropriately. If you’re asking a social worker for something that exceeds their approval range and they’re hesitating or avoiding your request, remind them of the process. Politely let them know that they need to escalate the request to their supervisor, area administrator, or regional administrator, depending on the amount. Knowing these steps gives you the confidence to advocate effectively and ensures your request gets the attention it deserves.
You must exhaust as many Community Resources first in most circumstances
Keep in mind that DCYF will expect you to demonstrate efforts to access community resources before they approve funding or services. This ensures that their funds are being used only for needs that cannot be met through existing resources. For example, they will want to see that you’ve explored options like local food banks, diaper banks, WIC, or TANF for assistance. Similarly, for services, DCYF may require you to check if your insurance can cover the costs first (they should help you with this, if not, then ask for assistance from them). By showing that you’ve exhausted these options and still have unmet needs, you strengthen your case and demonstrate that you’re actively working to support your family. Knowing your community resources and how to access them is key to advocating effectively.
Forms of support from DCYF
Keep in mind that DCYF will never simply hand over a check or cash to you. The will give assistance in various forms such as:
- Their Own Office Inventory: Quick access to safety and personal care items.
- Vouchers & Gift Cards: Gas cards, grocery vouchers, laundromat cards.
- Amazon E-Vouchers: Baby supplies, safety items.
- Direct Shipping: Beds, cribs, or large items needing setup.
- Direct Payment to Vendors: Rent, utility bills, vehicle repairs.
Types of Authorized Expenditures by DCYF
DCYF authorizes three types of expenditures for concrete goods and services to address family needs while maintaining accountability. Here’s a breakdown of these categories and examples to help you understand how they apply:
- Time-Limited Assistance: Each referral for concrete goods or services is limited to 60 days of assistance per case, except for grocery or gas assistance, which is not subject to this limit. Example: Covering temporary rent assistance to prevent homelessness.
- Economic Assistance: DCYF ensures goods and services are obtained at the most affordable market rate to meet the family’s needs for safety, well-being, stability, or reunification. Example: This means DCYF cannot choose the most expensive option when purchasing items for a family or arranging services. They are required to select reasonably priced items for concrete goods or use DCYF-contracted providers for services, unless the parent’s insurance covers the cost of the service.
- Transitional Assistance: Concrete goods and services are intended to fulfill a one-time need or provide short-term stability while families transition to longer-term state or community support. Example: Covering utility bills for one billing cycle while the family applies for ongoing energy assistance programs.
Why It Matters:
Understanding these categories helps parents align their requests with DCYF’s guidelines, increasing the chances of approval. By demonstrating how your request fits within these authorized expenditures, you can advocate effectively for your family’s needs.
Note: If you are involved in a court case, these limitations may change in your favor. Your attorney can advocate for extended time periods or additional support, and if the court issues an order, DCYF is required to comply with it.
Links, Forms & Publications
DCYF may request that you sign a release of information. It’s important to carefully review this consent form and limit access to only the relevant information that DCYF needs. For more details, refer to Section 5 at timestamp 11:09.
Another type of release of information is the Authorize and Consent Form, which is also covered in Section 5. This form may be required for you to receive items from Amazon. Be sure to get a copy or take a photo of the completed form to ensure nothing is added later without your knowledge. If the form is for Amazon purposes (you’ll see a checkbox for this), write next to it: “This is an authorization for Amazon only.” This ensures the scope of the authorization is clearly defined.
Office inventory and direct shipping guide: this gives you an idea of what DCYF may have on hand (in their office) or what they can directly ship to you.
DCYF can help with phones and in-home services that require tablets. This gives you an example of what they can provide. FYI-work with your social worker first to ask about these options. The point to this link is to let you know that DCYF can provide phone and/or tablet.
Early support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT)
Parenting Essentials Product Voucher Amazon Webpage
Opiod use flyer and assistance
DCYF links for assistance- housing, child care, goods, etc.
Home visiting guide- while this guide is older it does provide descriptions of the variety of programs.