Greetings RBWO Providers,

The Division has provided updated guidance on virtual contacts that went into effect May 1, 2021.  After careful consideration, the Division will begin a phased transition back to in person contacts beginning in May and finalizing in July.  Safety precautions will continue to be practiced during face-to-face contacts, including wearing masks and maintaining social distancing. 

Effective May 1, 2021, routine contacts for Family Preservation, Foster Care and Resource Development began being conducted as follows:

• A third of all cases now require face-to-face contact each month.
• All cases require face-to-face contact at least once over a consecutive three-month period.
• Virtual contacts are conducted in the other two months.

On July 1, 2021, we will receive new guidance on case contact requirements that will begin August 1, 2021.  If our federal partners decide that virtual case contacts can no longer count as the required monthly contact, our policy may change before this date. 

In an effort to make this transition as safe and smooth as possible, the Office of Provider Management is in the process of developing an enhanced Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).   Part of this SOP will include the following:

• OPM will begin conducting face-to-face Safety Reviews for 1/3 of our contracted providers on May 10, 2021.
• We will be conducting all remaining Safety Reviews virtually.
• Face-to-face Safety Reviews will be announced and a safety questionnaire will be completed to ensure the face-to-face review is safe to conduct.
• The goal is to resume Annual Comprehensive Reviews on or after July 1st. 
• All other review types (PBP Verification review and Safety Desk check review) will continue to be conducted as a desk review until further notice. 

We ask that your agency provide notice to your foster parents, staff and youth to alert them of these changes prior to May 10^th. 

If there are any questions, please contact your assigned Monitoring Manager.

Sincerely,