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What do social services look for in a home visit

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As a social worker, depending on the type of visit, I can end up looking for many things. But in this article, I want to share what social services commonly look for in a home visit, regardless of the type of visit we are on.

Having a messy home, with dishes everywhere, clothes piled, and trash all over the floor… This is often one of the first warning signs that not everything is right in this home.

Whilst we are all human, and therefore imperfect, having a terribly messy home is not exactly the best impression you can make to a social worker that everything is under control.

Recently bought items

Many clients come to me telling me of their financial difficulties. But recently, I saw a client with a new phone in his hand when I visited at his home. Another client had a brand new wardrobe. Was their financial difficulty that severe?

Whilst I am not in a place to judge their purchases or what they choose to buy, as a social worker, I tend to look for recently bought big-ticket items as an indication of the family’s financial capability.

As a social worker, I often like to check if the family has enough food. It is not only whether there is enough food, but whether there is nutritious food. I remembered a client who used to feed his two young children bread and jam everyday. I was concerned that those two young children were not necessarily getting the nutrients they needed. In addition, I’ve seen other clients who have filled their entire fridge with microwave meals and freezer with frozen meals. These meals might not necessarily be the most healthy option for the family.

To do so, I tend to ask the client to show me his food cupboard, or his fridge to see if he has sufficient food for the family. I also like to see if the family has a way of cooking their food, by observing their cookers or ovens. This way, I can ensure that the family does not only have food, but a way to prepare the food.

Shower/bath area

Going into a client’s toilet can often reveal a lot about the client. I used to have a client who would do everything in his toilet. He would do his laundry, washing, and store his bicycle! It helped me to see what was safe and unsafe for him. I also started to look at what changes we could make to help him live better.

When I go into a client’s toilet, I tend to note if the place is safe. Then, I observe if the client has the normal toiletries, such as toothbrushes, toilet paper, toothpaste, soap, and shampoo. A lack of these things might show that the client is struggling financially to afford such items. Or he might not be engaging in regular self-care for his own good.

Having the right furniture in a home is necessary for the family to thrive, and just survive. I once encountered a family who didn’t have a dining table to eat on. They would frequently eat out or on the floor. They also didn’t have a fridge to store items. This meant that they could not cook much. In addition, they did not have a water heater for hot showers in the morning. All of these meant that the children were not able to feel a sense of belonging to home, and would often much rather be out of the home.

One of my first priorities as a social worker was to ensure that they had the necessary household furniture to make home more like home. I wanted them to feel at home and not just housed.

This eventually helped in building a greater relationship between the parent and her children. It also reduced the problems the children gave to their parent.

This is a list of things that I, as a social worker, would tend to look out for in a home visit. If you have other things that might be helpful, please feel free to add them in the comments below!

Home visits are a crucial part of a social worker’s day. I hope this helps you to answer what social services look for in a home visit.

To find out how you might do better at other areas of your work, you can check:

How to write better casenotes

How to manage caseloads

How to focus

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The 14 best books to read as a social worker, should you take a fsc social worker job.

I’ve been involved with Social Services, recently. They tell me that, surprise visits, aren’t done anymore. Question, how do you expect to get the complete story, if they know you’re going? Neglect, abuse and other actions, will change, because they know you’re going. Then back to ‘normal’, when you’ve left. My situation is regarding my granddaughter. Her mum makes sure everything, appears, as it should, but in reality, a lot of things, will not be seen. We know this, because our granddaughter tells us.

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Lumiform / Checklists / Streamline patient care with a social worker home visit checklist

Streamline patient care with a social worker home visit checklist

• What is a social worker home visit checklist?

Social worker home visit checklists enforce guidelines that ensure client health is assessed in a thorough, consistent, and professional manner . In order for a home visit to be effective, the checklist you used needs to cover all the guidelines for social workers, including:

• The client’s living space
• The household members’ health
• The household members’ habits (eating and sleeping)
• The household member’s leisure time activities

An incorrect assessment may wind up damaging the patient’s overall wellbeing. This is why many healthcare facilities use a standardized social worker home visit checklist, because it’s a step-by-step walkthrough that ensures patient safety and living conditions are evaluated correctly.

Table of contents

Why use a social worker home visit checklist, 1. check for unsafe or unhealthy conditions, 2. look for physical hazards, 3. note family members in the home, 4. take lots of pictures, 5. observe mental health signs, 6. find out if they’re getting enough support from family and friends.

Home visit safety checklists for social workers are a means of identifying hazards present in a client’s living situation. During a home visit, social workers document every detail included in these checklists , leading to the most objective and accurate assessment possible.

These checklists are necessary because they gather all relevant information in one place so that clients get the best service possible. A social worker home visit checklist will make sure that all potential issues are identified before going into a client’s house, so that when something goes wrong, you’re prepared to address it.

What should a social worker home visit checklist include?

Social services workers are often the first point of contact for people who are experiencing a crisis . A social work home visit checklist can be used to determine whether or not a patient is ready to return to work, or by a judge who is deciding whether or not someone can be granted custody of their child.

They are responsible for ensuring that the people they serve have access to the help they need, and for making sure that clients are as comfortable as possible during social work visits.

Given those responsibilities, a social worker home visit checklist needs to:

• Check for unsafe or unhealthy conditions
• Look for physical hazards
• Note family members in the home
• Include pictures of the household
• Document signs of poor mental health
• Check for social support from family and friends

How do you write a social worker home visit checklist?

Pest infestations, rodent infestations, cockroach infestations, bed bugs, fleas, and lice are some of the most common health hazards that you may encounter during a home visit investigation.

Check for signs of these pests inside and outside the home. If you find any evidence of these conditions, your client may require assistance getting rid of them or changing their living situation.

A home visit safety checklist for social workers should include the following:

• The client’s home is free from pests, rodents, cockroaches and other insect infestation.
• The client’s home environment is not exposed to extreme weather conditions that can breed insect infestation.
• The client is living in premises that are free from pests.

Look for trip hazards, fall hazards, sharp edges on furniture, and any other items that could injure children. Make sure nothing in the home poses an electrical hazard. Check for frayed or poorly placed cords (such as those near a table leg or child’s toy).

Look for anything that has exposed wires or hot surfaces. Inspect all outlets and light switches and make sure they are not tampered with in any way.

During home visits, social workers should make sure:

• No harmful exposure to clients’ health is observed, such as household products with hazardous ingredients like ammonia, bleach, or paint thinner (all of which can cause poisoning)
• No issue needs to be reported to Child Welfare Services for further investigation
• Handrails are provided for the senior’s bathroom
• Furnishings and activities are age appropriate

The checklist should includes names of the client’s family members. It’s important to ask the family questions about their living situation, such as:

• Are there any new members?
• Has anything changed recently? (e.g., birth, death)
• Have there been any recent moves? (e.g., recently returned from evacuation center)

Taking pictures is a great way to document the condition of a home. It’s also important to take pictures of any food, clothing or toys that the patients use. For example, do you only see one pair of shoes for all three children? This could be a sign that someone in the family needs new shoes.

Taking photos also reminds you what you saw during your visit and gives you something tangible to show later on in court or in meetings with other professionals.

Take pictures of the backyard or outside area to document the condition of the home and provide evidence for your report.

Any photos you take should:

• Be well lit, in focus, and taken with a good quality camera (e.g., digital). Don’t use your smartphone’s camera.
• Have all relevant information in frame (e.g., both sides of the house; sidewalk leading up to the house).
• Include multiple versions for different times of day so that you can capture every possible view (e.g. to show how dark it gets in the front yard when streetlights turn off).

While a social worker home visit is mainly focused on the patient’s physical health, it’s important to check in on their mental health as well. Mental health problems can make a person feel isolated , which can lead to depression and even suicide.

If you notice that your patient is showing signs of depression, isolation, or any other signs of mental distress, make sure to speak with them about it. You may also propose therapy.

Some signs you as a social worker should look for include:

• Excessive sadness
• Feelings of worthlessness
• Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
• Sleep problems (insomnia or sleeping too much)
• Low energy and fatigue
• Irritability

A person’s support network is a vital aspect of a social worker home visit checklist. Informal carers provide important emotional and practical help for people with mental health problems, but are not always a support system as such. You can evaluate feelings of support by asking:

• Do you feel that your family/friends give you enough support?
• If not, what do they need to do more of?
• How often do you visit your family or friends every week?
• On a scale of 1 to 10, how happy are you with your social circles?

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Writing a social worker home visit checklist using workflow automation

Quality social worker home visit checklists are essential for social workers, especially when they’re new to the job. As a new social worker, it can be hard to know what information you’ll need and how much time you’ll have to devote to each task.

Paper-based checklists can be difficult to manage, especially if you’re dealing with multiple cases. That’s where workflow automation solutions like Lumiform come in. Lumiform makes creating checklists easy with a digital form builder, centralizes your staff, and synchronizes all their tasks so that they can work autonomously. Using Lumiform’s mobile app and desktop software allows you to:

• Turn all your manual data, records and images into digital forms that can be completed and viewed by any of your team members
• Make home visits faster, safer, and free of errors by recording even the smallest details automatically in regularly-generated analysis reports
• Help you and your social workers stay organized days or even weeks in advance with regular notifications and updates
• Create custom forms that are 100% tailor-made to suit your needs
• Complete your social work visits up to 10 times faster

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Max is a Content Writer at Lumiform originally from New York, NY. Before Lumiform, he worked at the fintech company, writing on a range of fintech-related topics. He has experience writing blogs, CRM communication, guides, and landing pages. In addition to a love of content writing, Max is passionate about standup comedy and cooking.

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Social Worker Home Visit Checklist

Make visits to your client’s home less daunting and more doable with our easy-to-use and well-designed social worker home visit checklist.

By Jamie Frew on Jun 03, 2024.

Fact Checked by Ericka Pingol.

What is a Social Worker Home Visit Checklist?

Social workers may be required to conduct home visits with their clients to ensure their safety or welfare. These checks might be for children in foster care, children needing ongoing checks to ensure their safety, elderly clients living in the community, disabled clients, clients reintegrating with society following incarceration or addiction treatment, or any other clients whose social worker needs to make sure their living conditions and welfare are being addressed.

Some social workers may regularly undertake home visits for their clients, whereas some may find the very idea completely daunting. There can be a lot of things to assess during the home visit, such as the living conditions or any hazards present that could cause your client harm, and ensuring you’re doing your best for your client can add a lot of pressure to not miss a thing.

That’s where our social worker home visit checklist comes in. We’ve split your client’s home into areas so you can systematically work through your checks and ensure the welfare and safety of your client.

Free Social Worker Home Visit Checklists

Check out these note templates for social workers to improve clinical documentation, workflow, and treatment outcomes.

How To Use This Template For Social Worker Home Visit Checklist

To ensure you’re confident incorporating this checklist into your home visits, we’ve created a simple step-by-step guide you can use to familiarize yourself with this home visit checklist . Just follow these simple steps and you’ll be a pro in no time.

Download the PDF

The first step is to get your hands on the checklist template. You can download this template for free from the link on this page, or if you are already a Carepatron user- access this template and many others from our community template library. Once you have the template open, you can either print it out and fill it in by hand, or if you have the means to bring a device to your home visit- keep it digital and fill it in using the interactive PDF checkboxes. This is a good idea for keeping your checklist tidy, easily fixing any mistakes, and improving the security of your document.

Fill in your client’s details

This is an important step for ensuring your note is attached to the correct client record. This step can be done prior to conducting the home visit to maximize your time on site, or if you are unsure of your client's details- fill it in upon arrival at your client’s home. Either way, ensure you get these important details down or your hard work could be lost!

Complete each section of the checklist

As you walk around your client's home, take each room in turn and complete the relevant section of the checklist. You can take these sections in any order, and not necessarily in the order, they are given in the checklist. As long as you are thorough and inspect every room- you’ll be able to check off everything you need to.

Add any additional notes

We know that a home visit can’t be entirely captured using only a checklist, so we have left space for additional notes. These might be records of the family members and their details, any changes to the residents at the property, an explanation of any 0 or 1 scores given, any additional concerns, and a plan for the next steps for your client. 

Sign and date the note, and store it securely

The last step is to add your name, signature, and date in the spaces provided at the bottom of the checklist. It’s important that you keep this checklist in a secure location, whether physical or digital, as it contains sensitive and private information about your clients.

Social Worker Home Visit Checklist Example (Sample)

Still unsure about the different parts of this template? We’ve got you covered. Take a look at our example social worker home visit checklist, and you’ll be able to get an idea of what the finished version of this checklist looks like. Please note, yours may look very different depending on your client and the social worker completing it, but we still think it can be useful to see an example.

Download this Social Worker Home Visit Checklist Example here:

Who Can Use this Printable Social Worker Home Visit Checklist (PDF)?

This home visit checklist is designed for use by all kinds of social workers who conduct home visits as part of their work. We have kept the questions non-specific to any particular specialty, but we think this template would best suit social workers who work with:

• Children or Child Protective Services (CPS)
• The elderly
• Clients recovering from substance abuse or addiction

Additionally, trainee social workers, or students observing home visits with a licensed social worker, can benefit from using this template to practice completing their own home inspections.

Why is This Form Useful For Social Workers?

This form is designed to make home visits easier and keep you organized while you conduct your inspection. Our social worker home visit checklist has a bunch of useful features for social workers, such as:

Split into different rooms

We have separated the checklist into rooms so you can work your way through the house methodically. It can be overwhelming having a long list of checks to do, but one of the best ways of handling big tasks is by splitting them into manageable chunks- which is what we have done here. Don’t worry if your client’s house doesn’t exactly fit these rooms, e.g. they have no outdoor area, or they have multiple living areas. Just use the same section to cover multiple rooms, or cross out questions that aren’t relevant to your client’s home- e.g. if there are no animals or elderly people in the household.

Space for notes

Another useful feature is the space for notes at the end of the checklist. We know you can’t sum everything up into a single number, so we have left space for you to add your professional insights, opinions, and conclusions. Feel free to use this space for the next steps for your clients, your assessment of the outcome of the home visit, or elaborating on any 0 or 1 scores given. This allows you to capture the nuances that are often present following a home visit.

Why Use Carepatron For Social Worker Home Visits?

The information contained in your home visit checklist is highly sensitive and confidential to your client, and therefore it’s of paramount importance that you store this important record securely- and that’s what we do best. Our EHR system is HIPAA-compliant and deploys multiple levels of AES-256 encryption so you can rest assured your confidential social work documents are secure.

As well as keeping your information secure, Carepatron makes it easy to access these records whenever and wherever you need via our mobile or desktop software platforms. Give your social work clients access to their records through their own Carepatron client portal and help to empower them to participate in their care. 

Finally, Carepatron comes with all the bells and whistles you’d expect from a state-of-the-art software platform, such as AI-powered dictation software, integrated calendar capability, medical coding, tagging systems, billing and appointment management, and a community library of templates just like this one to help you get ahead and save time. With 24/7 support and over 10,000 medical practitioners who have chosen Carepatron, there’s no reason not to try Carepatron today and see how it can take your social work practice to the next level.

Commonly asked questions

It’s important to be prepared before your home visit, and you can do this by reading over your client’s case notes to refresh your memory of their history, and writing down any particular concerns you want to cover during the visit. Additionally, looking after your own safety is very important, so ensuring someone at your practice knows where you are going and when you expect to be back is a great idea, and you may have extra steps in place at your practice like organizing a partner to come with you, scheduling check-in phone calls, or asking your clients to secure any dogs prior to your visit.

This checklist is designed to be a tool to help you cover everything you need to during your home visit. There can be a lot of things you are expected to check, and so having a written list is a great help to ensure you cover everything you need to.

This will depend on your client and their history with you, but it’s a good idea to ensure the questions you ask are non-judgmental to help your clients feel comfortable enough with you to answer honestly. After all, you both want the same thing- to do the best for your client. Some questions you might ask are: “have there been any changes to the family members living here since we last spoke?” or  “what is your escape route in the event of a fire?”. The questions you ask should be guided by any areas of concern you identify during your visit, and the answers can be noted in the Notes section at the end of the template.

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Home Visit Checklist for Social Workers

Schedule a home visit date and time.

Prepare essential tools and resources

• 4 Measuring tape
• 5 Specific case resources

Go over case file before the visit

Travel to client's home, introduce yourself and explain the purpose of the visit, inspect living conditions.

• 1 Cleanliness
• 2 Safety measures
• 3 Hygiene practices
• 4 Organization
• 5 Maintenance

Document observed conditions and any potential hazards

Interview clients to gather relevant information, approval: client interview.

• Interview clients to gather relevant information Will be submitted

Observe and assess client interactions with family members

Document all findings during home visit, leave contact information with the client, travel back from client's home, submit report of home visit, approval: home visit report.

• Submit report of home visit Will be submitted

Develop a plan of action based on findings

Schedule follow-up visit if needed, follow up interventions and referrals, update case file accordingly, archive home visit process, take control of your workflows today., more templates like this.

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• Social Worker Home Visit Checklist

A social worker home visit checklist is used by social workers to assess whether a client is safe at home. A free home visit checklist template is a great tool for social workers who want to get a snapshot of a client’s living environment, safety, and well-being. Whether you’re a social worker, social services employee, or a case worker, you can use this checklist in your everyday work life to make sure your home visits are done correctly.

Simply customize fields to match what you need to document on each visit, print out copies, and use them on the job — you don’t have to carry a bulky and heavy printout with you! By using a checklist to follow procedure, you can ensure that you know what you’re supposed to be doing at each step of the home visit, whether you’re a social worker, social services employee, or a case worker. You can also track the home visits you’ve made and see which ones you’ve completed, making a Social Worker Home Visit Checklist even more worth your while!

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What Is a Social Worker Visitation?

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Social workers who work in specific settings, such as child welfare agencies, are often called upon to perform home visits with their clients. A social worker visitation is a visit performed in a home or, occasionally, another suitable location for the purposes of supervising a meeting between two parties.

This can be a daunting task that requires appropriate professional boundaries and clinical skills needed to manage visitations. Understanding the importance of home visits in social work will help you better understand the work.

Function of the Job

There are varying levels of visitation, ranging from structured family visits to relaxed or intermittent supervision, in which a social worker is only present for part of a visitation. In most cases, social worker visitations are performed to provide supervision to families who have been separated due to abuse, neglect, abandonment or drug and alcohol abuse.

Social workers who work in child welfare settings are probably the most common providers of visitation services. Visitations most often occur when children are removed from their natural families and placed in alternative care settings, but they may also occur when children remain in their homes. Depending on the circumstances, children may be allowed to have supervised visits with their families, including parents and siblings.

Goals for Visits

A social worker usually tries to promote reunification of the family, if possible. This is not always feasible, and sometimes children are permanently removed from their families and placed in foster care. A social worker evaluates the circumstances and behaviors of involved parties during each visitation to determine the appropriate course of action, explains MyCaseHelper.com .

During a visitation, the social worker teaches specific parenting skills to parents and assists them with interacting with their child. She also helps children deal with fears of abandonment and the difficulties inherent to being separated from their parents.

Responsibilities of Social Workers

A social worker who performs visitations usually has several important responsibilities to her clients. It's crucial for children to maintain strong attachments to their parents when they are removed from their homes.

A social worker's main responsibility is to maintain the attachment of a child to his parents. She accomplishes this by arranging frequent, supervised contact, which may vary based on the age of the child.

A social worker may also prepare placement plans, develop written visitation plans that include frequency and timing of visits, notify parents if visitations need to be cancelled or rescheduled and perform administrative tasks, like filling out forms and other paperwork.

Other Factors to Consider

Visitations may take a social worker out of her comfort zone, especially in the beginning phases. Do social workers do home visits alone? Yes, and this can be dangerous. During the first visit, a social worker is entering unfamiliar territory and must take certain precautions to ensure her safety and the safety of her clients, explains Social Workers Toolbox.com .

She needs to assess safety conditions in the home and ensure that certain boundaries are respected. For example, a social worker must establish rules for parties involved in the visitation, such as using appropriate language and maintaining physical boundaries.

Social workers must also be aware of exits to the home and make sure that her supervisor knows the exact details of the visitation. She should know when to remove herself from volatile situations and when to bring law enforcement along on her visits.

• MyCaseHelper: 5 Things CPS Looks For During a Home Visit
• Social Workers Toolbox: Child protection home visit – practical guidance

Ashley Miller is a licensed social worker, psychotherapist, certified Reiki practitioner, yoga enthusiast and aromatherapist. She has also worked as an employee assistance program counselor and a substance-abuse professional. Miller holds a Master of Social Work and has extensive training in mental health diagnosis, as well as child and adolescent psychotherapy. She also has a bachelor's degree in music.

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Home Visitor Safety

You can work with other program administrators and community resources to implement policies, procedures, and strategies that can contribute to home visitors’ and families’ safety in unsafe situations. As you put safety plans and measures in place, keep the following concepts in mind [ 5 ]:

Sometimes situations, such as crises, arise that pose some degree of risk to the safety of family members and home visitors.  The potential for physical harm exists in any emotionally charged crisis. Staff should never overlook or discount that potential.

Home visitors’ skills in handling a potentially dangerous situation shape intervention decisions. Sometimes home visitors find themselves faced with, or caught up in, a family situation that is too complex or too dangerous for them to address directly. At such times, it is critical to recognize that the situation is beyond their intervention abilities and to discuss alternatives with their supervisor.

The best predictor of impending danger is behavior. Safety measures are called for if a family member's current or past behavior includes violent/abusive acts, threats of harm, criminal activities, the use of addictive substances, signs of a serious emotional disorder, or threats of suicide. These measures are needed at several points in the intervention process: before face-to-face visits with the family, during face-to-face visits, and as part of referral and follow-up services.

Home visitors must always be aware of behaviors and situations that signal danger. Some violent incidents may be predicted, but many helping professionals fail to recognize signs of potential violence. Signs of loss of control and impending danger include expressions of anger and hostility. Staff may also sense that a situation is dangerous; know the family has access to guns or other weapons; be aware of violent acts or threats by family friends or relatives; and recognize mounting tension, irritability, agitation, brooding, and/or limit testing in family members.

Home visitors must be and feel safe if they are to support families. Home visitor safety can and must be addressed at many levels. The threat of violence does not occur only in the homes of families or in high-crime neighborhoods, but also in seemingly secure workplaces. Work conditions favorable to violence prevention require action at management, supervisory, and personal levels.

Some general strategies that you may consider include the following:

• Have home visitors work in pairs, particularly when they go to more dangerous neighborhoods. Accompany home visitors, if needed.
• Forge a relationship with the local police department. When police are aware of home visitors’ presence in the community, they may be able to provide protection such as self-defense training and alerts as to potentially hazardous events in the community.
• Provide cell phones, beepers, or other communication devices. Work with finance and other program staff to ensure the budget covers this equipment.
• Involve families in home visitor safety. They often know of potential safety hazards in the neighborhood (e.g., high-crime areas, gang activity) and can inform home visitors of the safest way to travel through the area.
• Work with program administrators and community resources to develop crisis protocols and make sure home visitors are aware of them. Provide opportunities for home visitors to review and practice implementing protocols. Topics may include child abuse/child neglect, substance misuse, violence in the neighborhood, and the presence of a contagious disease.
• Make sure that you or another administrator is “on call” whenever a home visitor is in the field, including after hours and weekends, so that home visitors can get an immediate response when needed.
• Make sure you know home visitors’ schedules. This should include family names and contact information, date and time of visit, and when to expect the home visitor to return. 

In addition, you might encourage home visitors to do the following [ 4 ]:

• Trust their instincts. If they feel something is not right or see something in the home that makes them uncomfortable (e.g., physical or verbal violence, alcohol/drug use, evidence of firearms, or the presence of an acutely intoxicated individual), follow established protocols and leave, if necessary. Encourage home visitors to say to the parent, “Maybe this isn’t a good time for a visit. Let’s reschedule.” Before going on future visits, encourage home visitors to talk with you about how to ensure their safety in the home. Work with home visitors to talk with the parent about the issues that made them feel uncomfortable and to make referrals if needed.
• Wear comfortable shoes.
• Get clear directions to the neighborhood and the home or apartment building, especially for new visits. Take a practice drive to make sure the directions work. Confirm how to enter the home if it is a duplex or apartment.
• Ask families where it is best to park, and park as close to the home as possible. Always park in well-lit areas. If it is not possible for the home visitor to park in a safe place, discuss other options, such as meeting the family in another setting or being driven and picked up by a co-worker.
• Put any important or valuable items in the trunk of the car before arriving for the visit. Avoid carrying and wearing expensive items.
• Contact parents before a visit so they can be on the lookout for the home visitor.
• If no one answers the door, sit in the car or drive around the block rather than wait at the door. Make sure to specify the amount of time home visitors should wait if a family is not home as part of your home visit protocol.
• Make sure home visitors’ cars are in good working order and that there is plenty of gas in the tank.
• Organize belongings so they do not have to take time to search for them. For example, when they leave a home visit, they should have their keys in hand.

4 Rebecca Parlakian and Nancy Seibel, Help Me Grow Home Visitor Curriculum (Cuyahoga County, OH: Help Me Grow of Cuyahoga County, 2005).

5 Head Start Bureau, “Assessing Family Crisis.” Excerpts from Training Guides for the Head Start Learning Community: Supporting Families in Crisis (Washington, DC: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Administration for Children, Youth and Families, 2000), https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/mental-health/article/assessing-family-crisis.

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National Centers: Early Childhood Development, Teaching and Learning

Program Option: Home-Based Option

Last Updated: May 22, 2023

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What to Expect from the IHSS Home Visit

Before the visit

After you submit your initial paperwork , you will receive a notice from IHSS including the time and date of your in-home visit, along with a list of any documentation you will need to provide during the visit. This may include medical documentation, copies of assessments, and identification and proof of eligibility to work in the United States, if you plan to be your child’s provider .

Your child must be present for the visit . If you and your child are unavailable during the time slot assigned by IHSS, you must notify the caseworker as soon as possible to set a new appointment. If you are not home when the caseworker arrives, your application will likely be denied.

For further in-depth reading on preparing for the caseworker’s home visit, see Disability Rights California’s publication “ IHSS Self-Assessment and Fair Hearing Guide .” Be aware that this guide is meant for both children and adults, so some services may not be applicable.

During the visit

IHSS uses a “ functional index ranking ” to determine age-appropriate skills based on the Adapted Vineland Social Maturity Scale. The caseworker will interview you about your child’s self-care skills in the areas listed on this chart, so it may be useful to review it in advance and think about your child’s age and skill level for each self-care task that a typically developing child would be expected to perform independently. Although this chart uses numeric ranking, your caseworker will not ask you to rank your child’s skills on that basis; you should be prepared to discuss them qualitatively by describing what your child can and cannot do.

You can hear an explanation of the functional index ranking in this clip from Undivided's Public Benefits Specialist, Lisa Concoff Kronbeck:

You may also wish to provide the caseworker with copies of your child’s ABA assessments, Individualized Program Plan (IPP), and/or Individualized Education Plan (IEP) , if you think they will be beneficial to your child’s case.

If you know that you will be applying for protective supervision and/or paramedical services , you may want to have these documents already prepared for the caseworker, along with documentation of need. If you are requesting paramedical services, the caseworker may visit your home again with a nurse from IHSS to go over the specific services on the form.

You should also be prepared to fill out additional forms when the caseworker arrives. Some common documents you may be asked to fill out include:

Tax forms (W-4 and I-9) to confirm identification and eligibility to work in the United States.

SOC 2298 , the Live-In Provider Self-Certification, which confirms that you are a live-in provider and your IHSS income is tax-exempt.

SOC 450 , the Voluntary Services Certification that lists people who are voluntarily providing unpaid services to the child and what services they are providing. You should write, “ Nobody is volunteering to provide IHSS-eligible services without payment .”

SOC 825 , the 24-hour care plan for protective supervision. This form does not require great detail; it is simply meant to ensure that arrangements have been made for 24-hour coverage for a child who requires 24-hour supervision. A sample response might read, “8:00 a..m. to 3:00 p.m. at school with 1:1 aide. I provide all supervision outside of school hours.”

After the visit

After your child’s home visit, you should gather and submit any additional documentation that you and the caseworker have discussed. This may include further medical documentation, or protective services and paramedical supervision forms and documentation if you did not have them already prepared for the home visit.

As we mentioned in our article about the application process , the IHSS office usually will not let you know if required documentation is missing or lost; they will often simply issue a denial letter or neglect to award hours for the service (for example, if the protective supervision documentation is missing).

To ensure a smooth application process, confirm that IHSS received all paperwork submitted on your child’s behalf , including documentation and forms submitted by medical providers. Have your child’s case number available whenever you call to confirm receipt of documents. Repeat this step every time you submit a new batch of documents.

Tip : Keep copies of everything you submit, along with the date you submitted the documents. You should also ask your doctor to provide you with a copy of any documents they send to IHSS, should anything need to be resubmitted.

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Important Home Visiting Information During COVID-19

Updated: May 18, 2023

The COVID-19 public health emergency expired as of May 11, 2023. With the end of the public health emergency, specific flexibilities offered for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 ( P.L. 116-260 ) have ended. MIECHV awardees may continue to use grant funding for reasonable, allocable, and allowable uses outlined in 42 U.S.C. § 711 (Title V, § 511 of the Social Security Act, as amended) and program guidance. These may include reasonable expenses to support the implementation of virtual or hybrid home visiting services to ensure eligible families can participate in evidence-based home visiting programs. 42 U.S.C. § 711 (Title V, § 511 of the Social Security Act, as amended), which authorizes the MIECHV Program, defines a virtual home visit as “a visit conducted solely by use of electronic information and telecommunications technologies.”

Please note that the end of the public health emergency does not impact allowable uses of funding for MIECHV awards made with American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) funding. HRSA encourages MIECHV awardees to continue to prioritize using ARP award funding to address the immediate and ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and families.

Jump to: Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 FAQs for Home Visiting Grantees

Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021

On December 27, 2020, the President signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 ( P.L. 116-260 ). This bill provided new authorities to MIECHV awardees to assist in their response to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

The law allowed awardees to use MIECHV funds during the COVID-19 public health emergency period to:

• Train home visitors in conducting virtual home visits and in emergency preparedness and response planning for families
• Acquire the technological means as needed to conduct and support a virtual home visit for families enrolled in the program
• Provide emergency supplies to families enrolled in the program, regardless of whether the provision of such supplies is within the scope of the approved program, such as diapers, formula, non-perishable food, water, hand soap, and hand sanitizer

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, specified that the additional authorities are available “during the COVID–19 public health emergency period.” The public health emergency ended on May 11, 2023, so these authorities are no longer available.

Back to the top

American Rescue Plan Act of 2021

On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 ( P.L. 117-2 ) (ARP) was signed into law. ARP appropriated $150 million for MIECHV awardees to address the needs of expectant parents and families with young children during the COVID-19 public health emergency. ARP identifies seven categories of required uses of funding, which are service delivery, hazard pay or other staff costs, home visitor training, technology, emergency supplies, diaper bank coordination, and prepaid grocery cards.

The end of the COVID-19 public health emergency does not impact awards made with ARP funding.

On May 10, 2021, HRSA awarded approximately $40 million in funding provided by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) to 56 states, territories, and nonprofit organizations currently funded through the MIECHV Program to support home visiting activities that address immediate needs of parents, children, and families related to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

On December 1, 2021, HRSA awarded approximately $81 million in additional ARP funds to continue to support MIECHV recipients in responding to ongoing COVID-19-related needs, including the expansion of services for families residing in at-risk communities as identified in the current approved needs assessment update. The remaining ARP funds will be used to support research, evaluation and technical assistance activities, tribal awards, and competitive innovation awards.

More information on the MIECHV ARP awards, including program guidance and Frequently Asked Questions, is available on the MIECHV Technical Assistance webpage .

FAQs for Home Visiting Grantees

With the end of the covid-19 public health emergency, how can miechv awardees spend formula award funding.

MIECHV awardees may continue to use formula award funding for reasonable, allocable, and allowable uses within the scope of their project. These may include reasonable expenses to support the implementation of virtual or hybrid services to ensure eligible families can participate in evidence-based home visiting programs. 42 U.S.C. § 711 (Title V, § 511 of the Social Security Act, as amended), which authorizes the MIECHV Program, defines a virtual home visit as “a visit conducted solely by use of electronic information and telecommunications technologies.”

MIECHV awardees may reach out to their HRSA Project Officer and Grants Management Specialist with any questions.

With the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency, how can MIECHV awardees continue to support families affected by COVID-19?

HRSA urges awardees to prioritize using American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) award funding to address the immediate and ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and families, consistent with the seven categories of required uses of funding (Section 9101 of P.L. 117-2 ): service delivery, hazard pay or other staff costs, home visitor training, technology, emergency supplies, diaper bank coordination, and prepaid grocery cards.

Please note that the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency does not impact awards made with ARP funding.

With the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency, can MIECHV award funding support virtual home visiting services?

Yes, MIECHV award funding may continue to support virtual or hybrid home visiting services per Section 511 of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 ( P.L. 117-328 ). 42 U.S.C. § 711 (Title V, § 511 of the Social Security Act, as amended), which authorizes the MIECHV Program, defines a virtual home visit as “a visit conducted solely by use of electronic information and telecommunications technologies.”

Should well-child telehealth visits be included in performance reporting?

Well-child telehealth visits completed according to the AAP schedule can be included as meeting the numerator criteria for performance measure 4. The AAP has issued guidance on providing well-child care via telehealth during COVID-19 . We recognize that not all providers may offer well-child visits, in person or via telehealth, during this time. Awardees should continue to report on well-child visit completion following directions and information in the Form 2 toolkit (PDF - 1 MB) and FAQs (PDF - 1 MB) .

How should MIECHV awardees report virtual screenings for the purposes of annual performance measurement reporting?

All families screened with a validated tool should be included in the numerator and denominator per the measure definitions (Measure 3, Measure 12, and Measure 14). MIECHV awardees should consult with tool developers to determine appropriateness and criteria for virtual/remote screening. Please note that awardees should not report the number families screened virtually separately; however, awardees may voluntarily provide additional information related to virtual screenings in the comments section. The same information applies for reporting of virtual observations for Measure 10 (Parent-Child Interaction). For more information and tips on conducting virtual screenings, please review this HV CoIIN memo (PDF) .

Should postpartum telehealth visits be included in Performance Reporting?

Postpartum telehealth visits that meet the criteria defined in Form 2 (PDF - 489 KB) can be included in the numerator for measure 5. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that women connect with their health care provider to discuss how their postpartum care visits may change during this time, including a shift to telemedicine or telehealth.

Sacred Space: A Love Letter to Home Visits

Yellow Couch

by Mandy Goodwin-Noa, LCSW

     I have sat on many couches. Like the kitchen table, couches are the gathering spaces. They carry the scars of movement, the patterns of generations, and the smells of home. Couches bury conversations into their fibers that release into the dreams of an afternoon nap. I miss sitting on couches–well, on the couches of families I visit.

     Perhaps it’s easy to wax poetic about couches because they integrated much more into our lives this past year. That fact reminds me of the weight of a home visit. Our homes became our worlds–our safe havens (ideally). Maybe the space became one longed for, or perhaps “home” was redefined outside four walls.  Many of us may be avoiding home visits for safety, but one day, soon, they will return.  When we step back through front doors, will we carry a new perspective?

     I consider how directly tied space is to mental health. My rainy shelter-in-place days required much more rearrangement and thoughtful use of my living room compared to sunny, warm, windows-open afternoons. Notice how the senses are engaged. What are the sources of light? Like an urban planner, glance around for plants or access to nature. Are there textures of comfort or discomfort? Our homes mark our rhythms. Worn, cluttered paths surround daily objects—the coffee pot, the cabinet, the door mat. Is there control or chaos?

     Our walls are illustrations of our lives. How we adorn our homes engages our imagination. Who or what moment is memorialized in frames? What iconography exists, even in the small corners of a hotel room? What is on the refrigerator hall of fame?  What messages do the art on the walls advise about the world?  I love glancing around the room while I have conversations–commenting on what space has been carved out for and noticing where patterns exist.

     I will enter homes with much more gratitude. Thankful for shared conversations on patterned linoleum that likely only felt the same feet for more than a year. I will also pass through doors with much more respect. Respect for this space that became a family’s sanctuary, where, like me, they gazed out windows wondering when the world would be “normal” again and where toys cluttered desks with work computers and spelling books. And although I will be noticing the environment, I will not judge, but admire. The home visit is a glance at the family’s collage of who they are and where they are going. Even on blank walls, there’s hope to be found.

Mandy Goodwin Noa

Mandy Goodwin-Noa

Mandy Goodwin-Noa, LCSW, is a school social worker for Cobb County School District in Atlanta, Georgia. She is also Program Director for Paint Love, a nonprofit that provides extraordinary art programming to youth who have experienced poverty and trauma. Mandy is passionate about the intersection of art and social work.

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Need a new or replacement social security card we’re making it easier.

March 19, 2024 • By Lizbeth Portalatin-Perez, Director for the Division of Strategic Communications

Last Updated: March 19, 2024

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Lizbeth portalatin-perez, director for the division of strategic communications, related articles, a new – and faster – way to request a social security card, 1 million social security replacement cards and counting, three things every family should do when expecting a new baby, slam the scam: how to spot government imposters.

June 3, 2024 2:59PM

I need a brand new social security card, mine got stolen.

June 4, 2024 7:37AM

Hi, Lusiana. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. To get a replacement Social Security card, you can begin – and in many cases – complete the application process online . You may have the option to self-schedule an appointment at a local Social Security office or card center to show your documents, if necessary, and complete the application. For a list of acceptable documents, check out our fact sheet or webpage . If you need more information, visit our Frequently Asked Questions . We hope this helps.

June 2, 2024 11:44AM

I applied for a new social sercuity card and they charged me 49.00 and I think I’ve been had, still received any thing yet and they have my number

June 4, 2024 7:50AM

Hi, Amie. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. There is no charge for a replacement card. To get a replacement Social Security card, you can begin – and in many cases – complete the application process online . You may have the option to self-schedule an appointment at a Social Security Office or card center to show your documents, if necessary, and complete the application. For a list of acceptable documents, check out our fact sheet or webpage . If you need more information, visit our Frequently Asked Questions . We hope this help.

May 22, 2024 8:11PM

I need a new MEDICARE card. I cannot check my account because the system does not accept the ID number I have because “it is old.” I cannot use the 800 telephone number because I am in Lima, Perú, and here such number is used for inquiring about Peruvian public offices. Thank you for your assistance.

May 28, 2024 3:45PM

We’re sorry to hear about your experience, Olinda. Since you’re living outside the United States, you should contact your local Federal Benefits Unit for assistance. Also, our Office of Earnings & International Operations webpage provides additional resources for our customers living abroad. We hope this helps.

May 22, 2024 3:20PM

I have an appointment to verify my documents for the replacement of my social security card. Would I get my new card given to me at the appointment after verification or would it be mailed to me afterwards?

May 28, 2024 12:43PM

Hi B. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. We will mail your Social Security card as soon as we have all of the necessary information. You should usually receive it within 7-10 business days from that time. For more information about receiving a Social Security card, visit our Frequently Asked Questions . We hope this helps.

May 20, 2024 11:09AM

My son is working a summer internship out of state. His employer wants his original SS card. What is the easiest way to get it to him, besides me mailing it to him?

May 30, 2024 11:37AM

Hi, Val. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. If you prefer not to mail the Social Security Card to him, your son can apply to get a replacement Social Security card. He can begin – and in many cases – complete the online application . He may have the option to self-schedule an appointment at a local Social Security office or card center to show your documents, if necessary, and complete the application. Since you no longer have an ID, we may be able to use other documents to verify your identity, like your passport. For a list of other acceptable documents, check out our fact sheet or webpage. If you need more information, visit our Frequently Asked Questions . We hope this helps.

May 9, 2024 5:04PM

So a Learner’s Permit, issued by the state DMV, is apparently NOT considered proper identification to the Social Security Administration offices. Even though it’s accepted as ID literally everywhere else in any state… so my husband can’t even apply to get a replacement Social Security card in order to get a job. He shouldn’t have to give up his Learner’s Permit for a regular ID when it was issued by our state with no issues. Could you please explain this to me?

May 10, 2024 5:23PM

Hi, Jodi. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. If your husband does not have a driver’s license, we may be able to use other documents to verify his identity so he can get a replacement Social Security card. For a list of acceptable documents, check out our fact sheet or webpage . Your husband can begin the application online . He may get the option to self-schedule an appointment at a local Social Security office or card center to show his documents and complete the application process. For more information, visit our Frequently Asked Questions . We hope this helps.

May 13, 2024 3:28AM

I am her husband and can you explain to me why Oregon’s Learner’s Permit card is NOT a valid ID? I was told its because its Temporary. I’m sorry but it seems like its as temporary as any other ID. I shouldn’t be getting punished because I am in the middle of going through with getting my license.

May 8, 2024 11:48AM

My wallet, along with my id and ss card was in it. I was going to get my id updated because we moved to another state. SSA says a valid id is a requirement for a replacement card and when I try to get and id in Indiana, they want my ss card as proof of who I am… do you see my dilemma ? Is there any way I can get my ss card with no id?

May 9, 2024 1:40PM

Hi, Chris. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. To get a replacement Social Security card, you can begin – and in many cases – complete the application process online . You may have the option to self-schedule an appointment at a local Social Security office or card center to show your documents, if necessary, and complete the application. Since you no longer have an ID, we may be able to use other documents to verify your identity, like your passport. For a list of other acceptable documents, check out our fact sheet or webpage . If you need more information, visit our Frequently Asked Questions . We hope this helps.

April 23, 2024 10:34AM

I’m working with a client who is trying to get a replacement social security card. She completed all the needed paperwork and provided the needed documentation. She has not received the card. She started this process over a month ago. When she calls to check on the status she is told it has been processed, just not mailed out. She uses a PO Box. Is that a problem??

May 3, 2024 8:30AM

Hi, Michael. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. We can mail a replacement Social Security card to a P.O. box. For more information about how long it should take to get a Social Security card, visit our Frequently Asked Questions . If your client still has questions, she can call her local Social Security office or card center . We hope this helps.

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Family-based immigrant visas and sponsoring a relative

If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you may be able to sponsor a family member for a Permanent Resident Card (Green Card). Learn about the process and who is eligible.

Categories of people eligible for family immigrant visas

Applying for a family-based immigrant visa is the first step in the process for the person you are sponsoring to become a permanent resident. There are two categories of this type of visa:

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Westchester County NY Caseworker Savagely Beaten While Attempting Home Visit

A social worker in suburban New York was severely injured last month after she was savagely beaten while on a home visit in Peeksill.

A criminal complaint against Haseem Jenkins, 31, says that he punched and kicked caseworker Maria Coto, 56, when she mistakenly knocked on his door on May 14, the Peekskill Herald reported .

Coto has been on life support with facial fractures and brain bleeding and swelling since the attack, WCBS reported .

A neighbor told the station that Coto ran into his apartment when she was attacked, and Jenkins followed her.

Jenkins was shouting, “I’m going to kill you. I’m going to kill you, b****. I’m going to kill you, b****,” the neighbor said.

The neighb0r said he grabbed Jenkins by the neck in an attempt to stop the attack, and Coto “fell down flat on the floor, face down.”

Jenkins has been charged with attempted murder and assault and is being held without bail.

Westchester County Executive George Latimer approved an emergency contract expanding security escorts for Department of Social Services workers, and some caseworkers have begun conducting home visits in pairs, the Peekskill Daily Voice reported .

“This unforeseen and tragic incident has prompted us to take immediate action to protect our personnel from further harm while they perform their duties on behalf of the County of Westchester,” Latimer said.

Jenkins’ next court date is June 13, according to jail records.

For the latest true crime and justice news,  subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast .

[Featured image: Shutterstock]

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