When a provider is willing to accommodate a client who needs to be placed urgently, even though there are no places available with the provider on the system, an emergency placement can be created. This might happen where a caseworker wants to place a child with a sibling, or where a provider happens to be in close proximity to the client location and is able to arrange an extra bed for the client on a temporary basis.
CPM supports this by allowing the creation of a place over and above the designated capacity of the provider. Once the provider has a designated place available, the client can be transferred to that place and the emergency place is closed. For example, Joan is a five year old child who has been severely abused by her parents. Her case is brought to the organization, and they decide to move her to an out-of-home placement immediately. There are no places available with any of the registered foster care families (providers) local to Joan. However, the caseworker calls up a few of the providers and among them one family agrees to take the child in. The caseworker creates an emergency placement with the family, which creates an emergency place. A few days later, a place becomes available in a preferred foster home. Joan is moved to the available place and the emergency place is closed.