1. Screen for Economic and Concrete Needs
Steps
1. Find the earliest appropriate opportunity to screen for Economic Security needs.
Economic security should be considered an integral part of case management that can impact the success of the child welfare or youth justice case.
-
Prevention providers may use their “Client supply and activities fee line” to purchase goods and services directly for families.
The ACS Family Services Division (FSD) Resource Team supports providers in coordinating larger tangible supports, such as:
Beds
Cribs
Cleaning services
Extermination services
-
Concrete funds are primarily intended to support foster parents and the children or youth in their care. These funds can be used to cover items such as:
Transportation
Tutoring
Beds for larger sibling groups
Special payments ($350/child) are avaible to support each child when they are first placed in a foster home to help meet immediate needs like backpacks and clothing.
Discharge Grants (up to $2,000/child) are available to reunifying families and youth transitioning out of foster care. Allowable items include, but are not limited to:
Groceries
Limited-trip OMNY cards
Furniture
Lamps
Bedding
Clothing
Toys
Books for children
Toiletries
Household items like cookware, flatware, towels, cleaning products, and appliances
Electronic devices like mobile phones, laptops, tablets, and Kindles
-
Funds may be used to address urgent and practical needs, including:
Emergency food and groceries
Essential emergency items like rain boots or a pair of glasses
Diapers/formula
Clothing/school uniforms/shoes
Beds (twin and full sized)
Cribs and toddler beds
Strollers
Window guards and safety gates
Heavy-duty cleaning services
Extermination services
Limited-trip OMNY cards
6. Determine if a referral to an Economic Resource Navigator is needed.
7. Explain the ability to refer the family or young person to an Economic Resource Navigator (ERN_ for any Economic Security needs requiring different scope or expertise.
Child Welfare Workers should address needs that are in scope for their roles—this scope often varies by organization but usually includes, at a minimum, things like groceries for the current week, cleaning supplies, and clothing—and consider making referrals to an ERN for more complex or sustained support.
ACS provides funding across several child welfare programs to help families and young people access concrete goods and services that support safety, stability, and basic needs.
8. If an external ERN referral if needed, collect consent to share and receive information about the family or young person’s needs wit another organization.
Consider using the Economic Security Referral Consent in the Economic Security Toolkit.
When you ask a family to share information about their economic situation, be upfront about why: this is so we can connect them to supports they may be eligible for, not to evaluate their parenting or flag them for further scrutiny. Say plainly what the information will (and won't) be used for, who can see it, and that saying no doesn't affect their case standing or their relationship with you.
If someone seems hesitant, slow down. Nervousness here is common and reasonable, especially for families who've had negative experiences with systems before. You don't need to push. Offer to answer any questions about how the information gets used, and let them know they can decline any part of it or revisit the conversation later. The goal is a family that feels informed and in control of what they share, not full participation for its own sake.
9. Prepare the family or young person for a hand-off.
Set expectations and clarify roles. Use the Economic Security Info Worksheet in the Economic Security Toolkit.
10. Document the Economic Security needs identified during screening in case notes and in the Economic Security Data Report.
11. Confirm the family or young person’s Economic Security needs t regular intervals or milestones throughout the case unless they are referred to a dedicated ERN.
Unless you've referred the family or young person to a dedicated ERN, re-confirm screening responses at regular intervals or milestones throughout involvement with an ACS program, as these needs change over time, and families and young people might be more willing to share about them at different moments. Suggested screening points by program:
-
First Opportunity: Intake for preliminary screening. Full screening during the first meeting with family or first home visit.
Reassessment Opportunity: If you haven't made a referral, check in at the 30-45 day conference/STC Service Termination Conference/FTC Family Team Conference/FASP Family Assessment Service Plan.
Latest Opportunity: 4-6 weeks before case closure, so the Case Planner still has a few visits scheduled and the Navigator has options for participating in a joint call.
-
First Opportunity: 60-day permanency conference
Reassessment Opportunity: 12-month permanency conference, home visits
Latest Opportunity: Trial/final discharge conference
-
First Opportunity: Joint transition conference, PD warm handoff to FSU/FPP
Reassessment: 45-day conference, FSU case referral to PPRS
Latest Opportunity: 8 weeks before case closure (possibly the 60-day conference)
-
First Opportunity: Joint transition conference, Protective Diagnostics (PD) warm handoff to FSU/FPP
Reassessment Opportunity: Home visits, third week meeting
Latest Opportunity: 45-day conference, FPP case transition back to the PD unit
-
Opportunity: Staff interviewing family for ATP eligibility may identify a need and flag for provider, or when referred to prevention program.
-
First Opportunity: During intake or when referred to prevention program
Latest Opportunity: 30 days before closure (no closure meeting)
-
First Opportunity: Home visit time for assessment
Reassessment Opportunity: Second pre-release conference
Latest Opportunity: Prior to release conference
-
First Opportunity: Intake
Latest Opportunity: 4-5 weeks before trial begins (Note: NSD may not be long enough for 4-5 weeks.)
-
Opportunity: 30 days before closure (no closure meeting)
2. Clearly explain the purpose of screening and ask if the family or young person is interested in it.
Consider saying something like:
"This is something we're trying out with the families we work with. We know that people experience challenges that can make it hard to take care of themselves or their families in the ways they want to. There are different resources and benefits we might be able to connect you to that could help address some of those challenges. For anything you identify, we can connect you with an ERN who might be able to help. Nothing we discuss will impact your ACS case. This is a new initiative, so we might also ask for your feedback about it in a few weeks.
Can I show you a worksheet to help identify needs we might be able to help with?”
"'Is there anything that you need support around?'.... If I'm coming in with a set of priorities, that's what I'm most going to talk about.... Down the line, if that [other] option is still available and that's something that I need, then okay, let's talk about [it].”
- ACS-connected family member
Guidelines
Child welfare cases can put people on edge. Families and young people are more willing to accept support when they feel trust and agency.
Leverage shared identity. Families often feel more comfortable with and trusting of people from shared backgrounds—people who understand what it's like to be in their shoes. When possible, match families with staff whose stories might be familiar. And acknowledge shared experiences—or where experiences diverge—when it feels relevant and appropriate.
Frame screening as universal. Present it as something offered to all families to reduce stigma and reinforce that these conversations are meant to support, not judge.
Commit to protecting their privacy. Be explicit that you will not share information about their economic or concrete needs without their permission.
Make participation voluntary. Offer explicit permission for them not to share information they're uncomfortable sharing. Explain that screening is voluntary and they can skip any questions.
Explain why you're asking. Be clear about why questions are being asked and how the information will be used.
Move at the speed of trust. Some families and young people will be willing to discuss any Economic Security needs if there's potential for support. Others will have only specific needs they wish to discuss. Screen for as many needs as they're willing to talk about. Focus on their priorities. Further needs can be surfaced later as more trust is built. Validate their priorities and don't fixate on other needs. The task is only to gather enough information to know if Economic Security support is needed.
3. Conduct screening.
Consider using the Economic Security Screener in the Economic Security Toolkit.
Needs to screen for must include food, clothing, public benefits (SNAP, Medicaid, SSI/SSD, etc.), housing, utilities, transportation, documents (birth certificate, social security card, etc.), health insurance, taxes, education, employment, finances, other life needs, and legal support.
Guidelines
Consider using the Economic Security Info Worksheet as an easy entry point with icons and simple language that doesn't overwhelm or overpromise. It can be used before the Economic Security Screener or in parallel with it.
Gather only enough information for the Child Welfare Worker to either (A) address a need or (B) make a referral to an ERN, who will conduct a more thorough assessment.
4. Work with the family or young person to identify top priorities among identified Economic Security needs.
Ask and focus first on what they want help with.
5. Offer support around any Economic Security needs within scope.
Child Welfare Workers should address needs that are in scope for their roles—this scope often varies by organization but usually includes, at a minimum, things like groceries for the current week, cleaning supplies, and clothing—and consider making referrals to an ERN for more complex or sustained support.
ACS provides funding across several child welfare programs to help families and young people access concrete goods and services that support safety, stability, and basic needs.