Referring a Parent for Care: A Starting Guide for Child Welfare Caseworkers

When a case plan calls for a parent to get care for depression, anxiety, alcohol or opioid use, the caseworker is often the one who has to find it. Here is a starting guide for caseworkers referring an adult parent or caregiver: which practice fits which need, a federal resource built for child welfare and treatment staff, what the privacy rules say about records in a case, and how to refer to Hope Health Network.

Matching the parent's need to a practice

• Low mood, constant worry, trauma symptoms, trouble sleeping or postpartum depression: Hope Behavioral Medicine provides psychiatric medication management and counseling for adults with anxiety, depression, ADHD, insomnia, PTSD, OCD, bipolar disorder and postpartum depression, in person in West Ashley and by video.
• Opioid or alcohol use: Hope Addiction Medicine provides medication-assisted treatment for opioid and alcohol use disorders. Treatment typically begins with an in-person assessment, followed by weekly in-person or virtual visits before moving to a monthly schedule, and each plan is tailored to the patient.
• No regular provider, or a chronic condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure: Hope Medical Associates provides primary care, including care for diabetes, hypertension and COPD, the Medicare yearly wellness visit, and help establishing a primary care provider after a hospital stay.

You do not need to choose a practice; we route each referral to the right one. This guide speaks only about the adult parent or caregiver as the patient.

A resource built for caseworkers

The National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare (NCSACW), published by the Administration for Children and Families and SAMHSA, works to help child welfare, treatment and court systems work together. Its page on medication for substance use disorders describes medication as an evidence-based, whole-patient approach to treatment. NCSACW also publishes a primer for judicial professionals on medication treatment for parents and children affected by opioid use disorders.

What the records rules say

Records from a federally assisted substance use treatment program are covered by 42 CFR Part 2. Under 42 CFR 2.12, those records may not be used in civil, criminal, administrative or legislative proceedings against the patient unless the patient consents or a court issues an order under subpart E. For a caseworker to receive updates, the parent's written consent has to meet 42 CFR 2.31.

For other health information, such as mental health or primary care records, a provider generally needs the parent's signed authorization before sharing with a caseworker. Under 45 CFR 164.508, the authorization describes the information, who may share it, who receives it, the purpose, an expiration date or event, and the parent's signature and date.

Helping the first visit happen

• Make sure the parent agrees to the referral and knows a call is coming.
• Note the parent's insurance, or that there is none.
• Ask whether video visits would work around work and child care. Mental health care is available by video anywhere in South Carolina.
• If you will need updates, plan the consent or authorization conversation early.

How to refer

The referral line, fax number and secure form are on our referral page, and family services staff can read more on our family services page. A faxed referral should include the patient's name, insurance, the reason for referral and any relevant clinical notes. We typically contact the patient within two business days of a faxed referral, and initial evaluations are often able to be scheduled within a week of the request. If the patient needs to be seen sooner, call us.

Our practices accept Medicare, most major commercial plans, and all South Carolina Medicaid managed care plans except Select Health (First Choice). Self-pay rates are also available.

Our practices are not an emergency service, and the referral form is not monitored for emergencies. For someone in crisis, call or text 988, and in immediate danger, call 911.

This article explains these rules in general terms. It is not legal advice.

Sources: National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare; NCSACW, Medication for Substance Use Disorders; 42 CFR 2.12, applicability; 45 CFR 164.508, uses and disclosures for which an authorization is required.

This article is general information, not medical advice, and does not create a patient–provider relationship. Every situation is different, so see a provider who can evaluate yours and develop a plan of care. Any medication discussed here may not be right for you: the right choice depends on your diagnoses, other health conditions and current medicines, so take medication only as directed by the provider managing your care. If you are ever in doubt about an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.