and keeping the child safely in the home. A POSC includes several components, depending on the needs of the family, and may include the following: Substance use assessment and services Medical services needed to meet the ongoing health needs of the mother and other family members Mental health services Assistance with obtaining safe housing 6 Arizona, California, Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Virginia, and West Virginia 7 Delaware, Florida, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont Instruction on the special care needs of the infant Provision of infant safe-sleep information and ensuring safe-sleep arrangements in the home Child care or respite care Vocational training for mothers seeking entry to the job market Comprehensive and coordinated social services, including family therapy groups, parent-child therapy, and residential support groups MONITORING PLANS OF SAFE CARE Laws and/or policies in 13 States require the child welfare department to monitor the implementation of a POSC to ensure that the specific action steps are completed.6 This includes ensuring the family or caregiver is receiving the treatment and appropriate services required by the plan and the infant is safe and receiving appropriate care. Confirming the services identified in the POSC are implemented will ensure the ongoing health and substance use treatment needs of the infant and family are met. The POSC is updated as needed as additional needs and referrals for services are identified. Laws or policies in 10 States require the child welfare department to collect data required to meet Federal and State reporting requirements.7 The data required, to the Children’s Bureau/ACYF/ACF/HHS | 800.394.3366 | Email: info@childwelfare.gov | https://www.childwelfare.gov 6 extent practicable, to be submitted through the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System,8 include the following: The number of infants identified as being affected by substance use, withdrawal symptoms, or FASD The number of infants for whom a POSC was developed The number of infants for whom referrals were made for appropriate services, including services for the affected family or caregiver Suggested Citation: Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2020). Plans of safe care for infants with prenatal substance exposure and their families. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau. 8 The National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) is a voluntary data collection system that gathers information from all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico about reports of child abuse and neglect. This publication is a product of the State Statutes Series prepared by Child Welfare Information Gateway. While every attempt has been made to be as complete as possible, additional information on these topics may be in other sections of a State’s code as well as agency regulations, case law, and informal practices and procedures. Children’s Bureau/ACYF/ACF/HHS | 800.394.3366 | Email: info@childwelfare.gov | https://www.childwelfare.gov 7 ALABAMA Current Through August 2019 Definitions Citation: Admin. Code § 660-5-34-.02 For the purpose of screening and accepting reports of child abuse/neglect that are received by the Department of Human Resources, the following departmental definitions of abuse and neglect are used: The definitions of physical abuse indicate nonaccidental injury or threatened injury to a child and that serious harm is present or threatened. Physical abuse, which is directly attributable to a physical act by the person allegedly responsible, includes fetal alcohol syndrome or drug withdrawal at birth due to the mother's substance use or misuse. The definitions of neglect indicate a failure by the parent or primary caregiver to protect children from a risk of serious harm. These definitions include a positive test for alcohol and/or drugs at birth. Infants who test positive for alcohol and/or drugs at birth due to the mother's substance misuse, as determined by a medical professional, is considered abuse/neglect. Notification/Reporting Requirements This issue is not addressed in the statutes and regulations reviewed. Assessment of the Infant and Family Citation: Admin. Code § 660-5-34-.02 When complaints or reports are received, the county department has the duty and responsibility to assess the complaint or report and do the following: Evaluate the extent to which children are being harmed or are at risk of serious harm Evaluate the parents' capacity to improve the situation Provide the supportive services needed to better the family's situation for children When parents are unable to use this help, invoke legal authority of the court by petition and secure adequate protection, care, and treatment for children whenever necessary to meet their needs and rights Responsibility for Development of the Plan of Safe Care This issue is not addressed in the statutes and regulations reviewed. Services for the Infant This issue is not addressed in the statutes and regulations reviewed. Services for the Parents or Other Caregivers This issue is not