N.Y. Social Services Law § 409-j: Case management

§ 409-j. Case management. 1. As used in this title, "case management"

shall refer to a method of providing necessary prevention and support

services, directly or by purchase of services, to recipients of public

assistance and shall require the facilitating of such services for the

purpose of insuring family stability and assistance in achieving the

greatest degree of economic independence.

2. Appropriate local social services staff shall be designated as

responsible on a case by case basis, for the assessment of services

needed by the adolescent or teenage recipient to achieve defined service

goals, and for the planning and referral of services and follow-up

activities, including the monitoring and evaluation of services

provided. Designated case management staff shall be responsible for

performing such activities for a specified period prescribed pursuant to

department regulations dependent on such factors as age, education and

job skills attainment of the individual, household size and stability of

the family unit.

3. When referrals to services are provided under other state-funded

programs or are directly purchased by the social services district, the

district may request that the provider obtain and transmit to the

district the information necessary to perform the case management

function.

4. The provisions of this title shall apply to those cases involving

pregnant adolescents and teen parents in receipt of public assistance,

including any males and females under eighteen years of age who are

designated payees of their own cases, payees of their children's cases

or those public assistance recipients under eighteen years of age

identified pursuant to rules and regulations as at-risk youth needing

prevention services, where appropriate. At local option, case management

services may be provided to those cases headed by persons eighteen years

of age or older but under twenty-one years of age.

5. In the event that an adolescent or teenage recipient refuses to

accept services identified by social services district staff as needed

by the adolescent or teenager, such refusal shall not carry any threat

of fiscal sanctions.

6. Case records developed by social services districts and other

agencies for persons eligible for or receiving services pursuant to the

provisions of this section shall be confidential and maintained in

accordance with the provisions of section one hundred thirty-six of this

chapter and the regulations of the department.