Alaska Administrative Code
Title 7 - Health and Social Services
Part 4 - Children's Services and Juvenile Justice
Chapter 56 - Child Placement Agencies
Article 2 - Administration
7 AAC 56.140 - General casework management

(a) When an agency places a child into a facility regulated under AS 47.32 and 7 AAC 50, the responsibility for the child's care becomes a joint responsibility between the agency and the facility. The facility must meet the requirements for the type of facility specified in its license issued under 7 AAC 50. The agency is not required to duplicate activities, such as care and treatment planning, being carried out by the facility; however, the agency shall participate in the planning, including providing information about the child required by 7 AAC 50. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of this section regarding time frames and any specifics of care, requirements of 7 AAC 50 for the facility control.

(b) An agency that operates a residential child care facility to serve runaway children under 7 AAC 50.615 or that designates shelter homes for runaway children under AS 47.32 and the requirements of 7 AAC 50.620 must have a program of care for serving runaway children as described in 7 AAC 50.615(c). The agency may provide the program on site at the agency's residential child care facility or in the agency's office.

(c) When an agency is placing a child in state custody under an agreement, child placement responsibilities become a joint responsibility between the agency and the department. The agency is not required to duplicate activities, being carried out by the state placing worker. However, at a minimum the agency shall obtain prior approval from the state placing worker for the initial placement of a child in a placement setting and for any subsequent placement.

(d) If the child placing worker who is assigned to a child is different from the one assigned to the child's parent, the agency shall arrange for at least monthly consultations between the workers regarding progress toward achievement of a permanent placement plan for the child.

(e) A worker who notes concerns or significant changes in the child or placement setting shall promptly inform all workers assigned to the child or the child's family of the concerns.

(f) An agency shall ensure continuity of casework management responsibilities in the absence of the worker for an extended period, such as a vacation or sick leave.

(g) An agency may not place a child in a home of another agency, unless the receiving agency has given prior approval for the placement of the child.