DIRECT SERVICES PROGRAM CASEWORKER GUIDELINES.

(a) The department shall use program data and best practices to establish and maintain guidelines that provide direction for caseworkers' decisions in all of the department's direct services programs. The guidelines:

(1) must categorize direct services program cases based on the types of services provided and, for each category, include provisions addressing:

(A) the recommended length of time a case in that category should last; and

(B) the recommended total expenditures for a case in that category;

(2) must include provisions for creating intermediate goals for a client receiving services through a direct services program that will allow:

(A) the caseworker to monitor the client's progress; and

(B) the caseworker's supervisor to evaluate how the client's case is advancing;

(3) must include criteria for caseworkers to use in evaluating progress on the intermediate goals described in Subdivision (2); and

(4) may include other provisions designed to assist caseworkers and their supervisors to achieve successful outcomes for clients.

(b) A caseworker may exceed the recommended guidelines described in Subsection (a)(1) in a direct services program case but must obtain the approval of the caseworker's supervisor after documenting the need to exceed the guidelines.

(c) The guidelines established under this section are not intended to limit the provision of appropriate or necessary services to a client.

(d) The department shall provide the guidelines established under this section to caseworkers in a format that allows caseworkers to easily access the information.