Contracts for development of model placement transition plans.

The department shall contract for the development of model placement transition plans and related explanatory material that may be the basis for developing individualized transition plans for children in out-of-home care who are changing placements. Such plans must provide specific recommendations regarding transition plan elements that may include, but are not limited to, the length and pace of the transition and the sequence of steps needed to gradually introduce new caregivers and to build relationships and attachments. The model transition plans shall consider and vary in response to important factors affecting how a child’s placement transition should proceed to mitigate trauma and encourage the child’s healthy development and the stability of the placement, which may include, but is not limited to, the child’s age or developmental stage; the level and type of abuse, neglect, or trauma experienced by the child; attachment to or the length of time the child has spent with the current caregiver; and familiarity with, location of, and attachment to the proposed caregiver. The model transition plans and accompanying explanatory material must be provided to, at a minimum, all staff who develop transition plans for children in out-of-home care, whether such staff work for the department, a community-based care lead agency, or a subcontracted provider. The model transition plans and accompanying material may also be provided to caregivers and other child welfare professionals.