Supporting Your Patients with Family Care Plans

Pending federal legislation changes the language from Plan of Safe Care to Family Care Plan. In CT, SEPI-CT has adopted this language change currently.

A Family Care Plan (FCP) is a document that provides a roadmap of supports for the birthing person, baby and family. This includes strategies and services that support the health and wellbeing of newborns, and the substance use treatment and recovery of the birthing person. Per federal legislation, people who use substances during their pregnancy should have a Family Care Plan developed prior to delivery or at the time of birth in the event of a CAPTA notification.

Video: Supporting Your Patients with FCPs

The Family Care Plan Must:

  • Be developed at the time of the birth event if not completed prior to delivery 
  • Be reviewed by the CAPTA Reporter at the hospital. If there is no Family Care Plan at the time of delivery, the hospital is required to create one in order to submit a CAPTA Notification. 
  • Meet the needs of mother/birthing person, infant, and family.

When working with your patient or client to create a Family Care Plan, it is essential that the mother/birthing person is at the forefront of the plan. The mother/birthing person should choose which resources and providers to include in the plan development and select which areas they need support in. They also have the ability to change the plan or update it as they progress in their pregnancy.

As a provider, you should also not assume that someone else has completed the plan with the mother/birthing person. Talk with your patient about who will be the lead provider on the plan and have them sign a Release of Information so that the plan can be shared with all healthcare providers on the birthing person’s team.

How to Create Family Care Plans

A digital FCP can be completed online by the birthing person or collaboratively by the birthing person and their provider with SEPI-CT’s virtual tool.

After completing a FCP with your patient or client, ensure that they have access to the plan either electronically or physically. Keep a copy of the plan on file or in an electronic health portal.