Arkansas Administrative Code
Agency 016 - DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
Division 15 - Children and Family Services
Rule 016.15.10-006 - Policies and Procedures; Revised, New and Rescinded Rules

A. For the purposes of the title IV-E foster care program, an individual:

B. For the purposes of the title IV-E adoption or guardianship assistance program, an individual:

III. SERVICES CASE OPENING

POLICY III-A: SERVICES CASE OPENING AND RE-EVALUATION

01/2011

The Division of Children and Family Services will open cases to ensure safety and promote the best interest of the child and to provide services to strengthen, reunify, and assist families. This will be accomplished through the delivery of Supportive, Protective, Adoptive (See Section VIII for Adoptive Services) or Out-of-Home Placement Services as deemed appropriate by assessment. The purpose of services shall be to provide the child with a continuous and stable living environment, promote family autonomy, strengthen family life where possible and promote the reunification of the child with the parent, guardian or custodian, when applicable.

The Division will ensure a determination of title IV-E/ Medicaid eligibility is obtained for each child placed in an out-of-home setting or subsidized adoption. When a child is removed from his home, a judicial determination as to whether reasonable efforts were made or were not required to prevent removal must be made no later than sixty days from the date the child is removed from the home. Eligibility for title IV-E foster care maintenance payments will be based on the following requirements:

A. Provide the youth with the opportunity to be actively engaged in all case/client plans impacting his or her future, including, but not limited to a Transitional Plan and a Life Plan.

B. Empower the youth with information regarding all available services and options and provide the youth with the opportunity to participate in services tailored to his or her individual needs and designed to enhance his or her ability to acquire the skills necessary to successfully enter adulthood.

C. Assist the youth in developing and maintaining healthy relationships and life connections with nurturing adults who can be a resource and positive guiding influence in his or her life after leaving foster care.

D. Provide the youth with basic information and documentation regarding his or her biological family and personal history.

E. Provide the youth with information that relates to the health care needs of youth aging out of foster care, including options for health insurance after exiting care and the importance of designating another individual to make health care treatment decisions on behalf of the youth, if he or she becomes unable to participate in such decisions and does not have, or does not want, a relative who would otherwise be authorized to make such decisions; provide the youth with the option to execute a health care power of attorney, health care proxy, or other similar document recognized under State law.

F. Inform the youth of his or her right to stay in care until age 21.

A. Youth in foster care, beginning at age 14 and continuing until the youth completes high school or other secondary educational program, may receive services such as the Casey Life Skills Assessment, basic life skills training, and other services such as tutoring that can be approved on a case-by-case basis.

B. Youth may choose to remain in care until the age of 21 and are eligible for Chafee services if they meet any of the following conditions:

C. If a youth was in foster care on his or her 18th birthday, and the foster care case is closed, he or she will be eligible for After Care services and support until age 21.

A. A full accounting of all funds held by the department to which he or she is entitled;

B. Information on how to access the funds;

C. When the funds will be available.

A. Complete the CFS-001: Referral for Transitional Service Support on all youth entering foster care between the ages of 14 and 18. The CFS-001 will be completed also on youth who turn 14 while in foster care. All youth must be assessed for life skills within 30 days of entering care or within 30 days after their 14th birthday.

B. Forward the completed and signed CFS-001 to the TYS Coordinator for eligibility determination. The youth must sign the CFS-001 to be eligible for Chafee.

C. Document in CHRIS ILP screen youth's eligibility or ineligibility. If the youth is eligible, the worker will notify the County Supervisor who will e-mail the TYS Supervisor asking them to assign the TYS Coordinator as secondary worker.

D. Assist the youth in completing the Casey Life Skills Assessment within 30 days of entering care or within 30 days after their 14th birthday.

E. Complete the case plan and ILP screen after the staffing.

F. Ensure that each youth age 14-17 is evaluated every six months to:

G. Ensure that each youth age 14-17 is assessed annually using the Casey Life Skills Assessment.

H. Complete the Independent Living "IL" screen in the Case Plan section of CHRIS.

I. Share the reassessment results with the TYS Coordinator and document the reasons for non-completion.

J. Coordinate transportation to life skills training with the foster parent or caretaker.

K. Prepare the youth for Transitional Team meetings.

L. Enter date into CHRIS in a timely manner.

A. Assist in obtaining an assessment/reassessment if the date occurs while the client is in the other county.

B. Transfer case files and all records of life-skills training sessions attended, skills acquired or mastered, and copies of assessment results to the FSW and TYS Coordinator in the county of residence to ensure that training needs and goals will continue to be addressed.

C. Assist youth in completing the NYTD survey.

A. Schedule a date and time with the youth's FSW for the youth to complete the initial Casey Life Skills Assessment. If a youth enters foster care at the age of 14 or older, they will be assessed within 30 days after entry. All youth age 14-17 should be reassessed at 6-month intervals and then annually using the Casey Life Skills Assessment to determine acquisition of transitional life skills.

B. Update the Contact Screen in CHRIS each time contact is made with a youth on their caseload. Contacts include group training sessions, face-to-face contact, phone contact, and/or the youth's attendance in life-skills training. Indicate the title or content and information concerning the youth's participation.

C. Develop life skills training resources.

D. Complete the CFS-035: TYS Coordinator Monthly Summary.

E. Submit the CFS-035 to the TYS Supervisor and the TYS Program Manager by the sixth day of the month.

F. Coordinate transitional activities with the FSW when appropriate.

G. Document the completion of the initial Casey Life Skills Assessment and any reassessments in the ILP screen.

H. Document that the results of the Casey Life Skills Assessment were routed to the youth, FSW and foster parents/provider in the Document Tracking screen.

I. Complete the Contact screen for all contacts with youth and complete Education and Employment screens when appropriate.

J. Document all contacts with youth on the Contact Screen.

K. Document all transitional activities/services on the youth's Services Offered/Delivered screen selecting Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (Resource 112416) as the Service Provider and complete the IL Subsidy Exceptional Amount field if ILP funds were authorized.

A. Develop a Transitional Plan with all youth in foster care between the ages of 14 and 21, and for all youth who turn 14 while in foster care, within 90 days of entering care or within 90 days after their 14th birthday.

B. Assist the youth in developing a Transitional Team to include individuals identified by the youth as significant (e.g. foster parents, bio family, AAL, CASA, mentors, therapists, TYS Coordinator, teachers, coaches).

C. Review the Transitional Plan every six months to ensure consistency with education plan, case plan, and life plan and coordinate with the youth's school at least annually, until the youth exits foster care or secondary school.

D. Determine, based on the youth's age, maturity, disabilities, and other factors, what shall be appropriate to include in the Transitional Plan.

E. Determine at which point in the youth's development to include the following components: (All components must be present by the time the youth is 17 years old.)

F. Assist the youth or arrange for assistance in:

G. Discuss with the youth the importance of designating someone to make health care decisions on their behalf, if they become unable, or if they do not have or do not want, an otherwise authorized relative to do so.

H. Assist the youth in contacting the individual(s) who they would like to serve as their health care power of attorney or health care proxy and completing documentation authorizing a health care power of attorney or health care proxy.

I. With court permission and if the youth desires, facilitate visits between the youth and his relatives.

J. Assist all youth in or entering foster care at age 14 or above or in the 9th grade, whichever comes first, within 90 days after their 14th birthday or 90 days after entering the 9th grade, in developing a Life Plan (CFS-002: Transitional Life Plan and Agreement).

K. Hold a final Transitional Team meeting within 90 days of youth's planned exit from foster care.

L. At the final Transitional Team meeting, complete CFS-003: Checklist for Youth Exiting Care and provide the youth with the following and obtain his signature and that of his attorney ad litem confirming receipt:

M. Document a current address and contact information for youth who reside outside the foster home in order to study, work, or for any other reason. This information must be kept current.

N. Within 72 hours of case closure, notify the Eligibility Unit of the case closing and provide the Trust Coordinator with any information requested.

A. A full accounting of all funds held by the department to which he or she is entitled;

B. How to access the funds;

C. When the funds will be available.

A. Arrange an interagency case staffing and initiation of transition plan following youth's 14th birthday.

B. Arrange an interagency case staffing within 30 days to include PACE determination and DD diagnosis identified for individuals taken into custody after age 14.

C. Arrange an interagency review every six months for youth likely to require state custody status as an adult.

A. Review plan and identify issues requiring clarification or issues that might have been omitted and request this information from DCFS.

B. Participate in case staffing and transition plan review following client's 17th birthday.

1. Youth must have been in foster care at or before age 17, OR

2. Youth must have entered care at age 17 or after due to dependency-neglect, OR

3. Youth must have entered foster care at age 17 or after with a prior dependency-neglect status.

A. Consider the following issues with the youth:

B. Assist the youth in locating and choosing a sponsor who may be the youth's out-of-home provider, attorney ad litem, apartment manager/owner, or a volunteer from the community.

C. Approve the sponsor chosen by the youth.

D. Notify the TYS Coordinator of the youth's sponsor.

E. Assist the youth and his or her Transitional Team in determining appropriate housing and needed support for the first school year. (If youth intends to reside with sponsor, he or she must be an approved placement.)

F. Complete CFS-370: Residence Checklist for Youth.

G. Notify Resource Worker to initiate the youth's monthly board payments when residence is selected.

H. Develop a budget with the youth and share it with the Transitional Team.

I. Visit the youth face-to-face at least once a month.

J. Obtain approval for less than twice-monthly visits from the County Supervisor, if appropriate.

K. Maintain monthly contacts with the youth's sponsor. Contacts may be by telephone.

A. Attend and participate in Team Meetings.

B. Assist the youth in selecting the independent living residence.

C. Assist the youth with managing their budget if selected as board payment payee.

D. Maintain regular contact with the youth.

E. Notify the FSW and/or Transitional Team of any problems or concerns detected during the visit.

1. Youth must have been in foster care at or before age 17, OR

2. Youth must have entered care at age 17 or after due to dependency-neglect, OR

3. Youth must have entered foster care at age 17 or after with a prior dependency-neglect status.

A. Work with the youth requesting after care support. Request will be made via CFS-004: Request for After Care Support.

B. Reopen the youth's closed child protective service case and assign the TYS Coordinator as the primary worker.

C. Select Independent Living Program services as the case type.

D. Complete the Contact screen for all contacts with youth, and update as appropriate.

E. Complete Education and Employment screens, and update as appropriate.

F. Update Client Contact Information and document names of life connections.

G. Document the type and extent of financial assistance to be provided.

H. Assist the youth in selecting a residence that is appropriate for his or her immediate needs, if needed.

I. Complete a CFS-370: Residence Checklist for Youth to assure the residence and location are acceptable and document in the Document Tracking screen in CHRIS.

J. Provide the youth with available alternatives for meeting their immediate housing needs, if appropriate.

K. Recommend and assist in arranging for personal or community support as requested.

L. Assist the youth in applying for assistance if he or she wishes to start or continue a post-secondary educational program.

M. Submit purchase requests for payment of allowable assistance and document in the Document Tracking screen. Payment is not made directly to the youth, except for approved travel reimbursement.

N. Forward after care support requests to Financial Support Unit at least two weeks before payment is due.

A. Upon the adoptive parent(s)' request.

B. When the child reaches the age of 18.

C. When the child reaches the age of 21, if he or she

D. Upon the child's death.

E. Upon the death of the adoptive parent(s) of the child (one parent if a single parent family and both in a two-parent family).

F. At the cessation of legal responsibility of the adoptive parent(s) for the child.

G. If the Division determines that the child is no longer receiving support from the adoptive parent(s).

A. In CHRIS:

B. Determine if termination of the adoption subsidy is necessary.

C. Conduct a staffing with the Manager, Adoption Services Unit.

D. Provide written notification to the adoptive parent to explain the reason for the termination of the adoption subsidy and the internal review procedures.

E. Enter computer data to terminate the adoption subsidy.

A. The court has first determined the responsible party to be indigent OR the child to be adopted is the subject of an open dependency-neglect case and the goal of the case is adoption; and

B. The person to be studied lives in the state of Arkansas.

A. Assign the case to a Family Service Worker or, if it is a request to conduct a non-relative independent adoption study, forward the request to the Adoption Unit, Slot S565 for assignment to an Adoption Specialist.

B. Contact OCC if an in-state court ordered home study request is received on a private litigation case that does not contain indigent language indicating the responsible party is unable to pay.

A. Contact the family by letter to advise of the request to conduct a home study. Enclose with the letter the appropriate forms to be completed by the family. The family will be advised to return the following completed forms to the worker within seven working days:

B. Contact the family a second time if the family has not returned the completed forms within the seven-day period. Advise the family that the completed forms must be returned within five working days. If the family does not respond to the second request, the worker will send a letter to the requesting party advising that the family has not responded to efforts to conduct the home study. Completion of the home study should not proceed if the information forms are not completed. Any assistance in completion of the forms should be provided or arranged by the worker in situations of physical or mental disabilities or illiteracy.

C. Contact the family to schedule a home interview upon receipt of the completed forms.

D. Interview the family. Follow the guidelines as outlined in policy for completing a home study. The home study is to be completed within thirty working days of receipt of the request. Notify the requesting party if additional time will be required to complete the home study.

E. Forward the completed home study with a cover letter to the court and the requesting party if different. A copy of the home study will be retained in the county office case file.

F. In CHRIS:

A. Purpose of the Home Study: Discuss the basis of the action and primary persons involved.

B. Motivation: The individual's (individuals') motivation for opening his or her home.

C. Household Composition: The full legal names of everyone residing in the home, birth dates, relationships to one another, and a brief physical description.

D. Housing: Address and location, type of structure, length of time at residence, upkeep and housekeeping standards, future residence plans, and sleeping arrangements.

E. Safety Hazards: An assessment of the safety of the home and grounds including water hazards, swimming pools, hot tubs, dangerous pets, and other hazardous items/areas.

F. Income and Expenses: Employment history for the last six years (duration, salary, duties/title, degree of job security, hours), other sources of income, monthly living expenses, outstanding debts, and insurance. A recent check stub and the previous year's income tax return are required to verify income and employment.

G. Health: Current health of each family member, prior illnesses or medical problems, disabilities, clinic or doctor utilized and frequency of use, counseling (when and purpose), and hospitalization for alcohol abuse, drug abuse, or mental illness.

H. Education: Family members' educational attainment, future educational plans, parenting classes attended, child's school, child's teacher (verification with school personnel on how the child is doing, academically and behaviorally), child's current school grades, child's educational functioning, any school problems or successes experienced by the child.

I. Child Care Arrangements or Plans: Current arrangement or proposed arrangement as it relates to their working hours and income.

J. Child Rearing Practices: Purpose of discipline, correction methods, how they show affection, how they handle stress, allowance, chores, and homework.

K. Daily Schedule: Routines, sleeping habits, feeding habits, personal hygiene habits and consistency with routine.

L. Social History: Highlights and verification regarding action of marriages and divorces, children, relationships' support system, future plans, any significant extended family members not living in the home, and any significant personal, developmental, personality or legal problems.

M. Family Activities: Religious interests, social organizations, activities with children, and family roles.

N. Collateral and Reference Contacts: Discuss the results of contacts with the CFS-316: Request for Child Maltreatment Central Registry Check, CFS-342 (this check is required): State Police Criminal Record Check (this check is also required), school, child care providers, and reference letters for the home study. Any problems or concerns identified through collateral or reference contacts should be shared when appropriate with the family for clarification and further discussion.

O. Impressions, Conclusions and Recommendations: Evaluate the family's situation and ability to provide for a child based on the information obtained during the home study.

P. Approval: If the agency approves the foster parents(s), the agency shall specify in the home study the number age sex and other characteristics of children for whom the home is approved to provide care.

A. In CHRIS, document services delivered and activities conducted on the Services Provided to Resource screen in Resource.

B. Maintain a file containing the court order, correspondence, narrative and any forms.

A. Informal Respite Home-See "Types of Foster Homes" section above.

B. Formal Respite Care - A DCFS contract provider who supplies short-term care particularly when a child's current placement is at risk of disruption and/or respite is needed to prevent a residential, Division of Youth Services (DYS), juvenile detention center, acute psychiatric, or similar placement. Formal respite care should be provided in accordance with a family-driven, youth-guided respite plan and in coordination with a child's behavioral health treatment plan (if applicable). Formal respite care shall be provided for no more than seven days per three month period. Longer periods of formal respite care require approval from the Area Director or designee.

SELECTION

The Division is responsible for selecting a suitable foster home for each child placed in its care. The home must meet foster home standards and the individual child's needs for the duration of placement. The preferences of the foster parents in regard to selection of children in foster care for that home must be strictly adhered to. In order to have a suitable foster home for each child in foster care, to minimize the risks involved in placement of a child in foster care away from his own family, and to assure that the child in foster care will not be moved from one foster home to another foster home, it is necessary to select families on the basis of careful assessment and evaluation. At least one parent in the foster home shall be able to communicate effectively in the language of the child. However, this does not apply to foster parents for infants or short-term emergency placements. It is necessary to have a sufficient number and variety of homes available and to improve the skills of existing foster parents through on-going training and supervision subsequent to pre-service training. Foster parents are required to have a minimum of 30 hours of pre-service training. Foster parents must complete CPR and First Aid training and receive certification in both areas prior to approval to become a foster parent. No placements can be made in the foster home until the foster parents have obtained CPR and First Aid certification. Foster parent applicants are encouraged by the Division to undergo a self-assessment intended to eliminate applications from families that cannot give the physical and emotional care necessary for healthy nurturing of children.

FOSTER HOME STANDARDS

Standards for foster homes are established to assure good care and growth-producing living experiences in a safe home environment for every child in foster care under supervision of the child-placing agency. These written standards are used to determine the suitability of applicants to be foster parents.

Standards are categorized as 1) Character, Suitability, and Qualifications for the Family Members and 2) Physical Standards for the Home. Standards are to be met by the family for the duration of their service as a foster home.

CHARACTER, SUITABILITY, & QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE FAMILY MEMBERS

Joint Application: In a two-parent home, the husband and wife shall be joint applicants. Each shall actively participate in the foster home assessment. This joint family commitment shall be reevaluated annually.

Personal characteristics: Foster parents must have the personal characteristics which enable them to assume the responsibility of caring for children in foster care. These personal characteristics include:

Age: Applicants shall be age 21 or older. Applicants shall not be approved as a foster home if one or both spouses are under the age of 21.

An Alternative Compliance must be obtained if one or both applicants are age 65 or older or when one or both spouses of a currently opened foster home reaches age 65.

Health: A physical examination for each member of the household is required prior to approval. The findings of the physical examination must verify that all members of the household are free of any physical or emotional health conditions which would adversely affect the welfare of a child in foster care. A psychological examination may also be required. All members of the household older than 12 years shall receive an annual skin test for tuberculosis, as long as test results remain negative. All household members with a positive test must provide documentation from a physician every two years certifying that he or she is free from communicable tuberculosis. Documentation will be via the CFS-478 (Physician's Report).

Immunization for all children in a foster home (birth/legal children of the foster family and children in care) must be kept up to date.

Foster parents must keep the Division informed concerning any changes in their physical or mental health. Annual physical examination documentation by use of the CFS-478 is necessary for foster families.

Foster parents shall provide the Division with the health history of each member of the household. This history will include physical and mental health services and treatment received. This requirement can be satisfied by submitting a completed CFS-478 at the time a physical is obtained for each person in the household during the time of initial foster home assessment.

A physical disability in either foster parent that does not interfere with the ability to give adequate care to a child shall not be a barrier to foster parenthood. The impact of the disability on the individual should be evaluated. This shall include how it affects their personality and whether it may have significance to a specific child in foster care.

Family Composition: In an effort to provide a high-level of support for children in foster care, two parent homes comprised of a mother and a father are encouraged. Both the mother and father should demonstrate a strong commitment to fostering.

Single parent households are welcome particularly for those children whose need for a two-parent household is not a crucial aspect of the care required.

All foster parents should have a strong support system in order to assist them in their role as foster parents and, in turn, better serve children in foster care. Applicants with professional training, such as nurses, may be desirable for special needs children. Other adults (grandparents, aunts, etc.) and children who are a part of the household shall be assessed regarding how they may be affected by the presence of a child in foster care and also the effect they themselves may have on the child in care.

Homes will not be approved if there are transient roomers or boarders. The family may not consist of two persons who are cohabiting as sexual partners outside of a marriage which is valid under the constitution and the laws of this state. This prohibition applies equally to cohabiting opposite and same-sex individuals. Additionally, there may not be any other adults in the home cohabiting with a sexual partner outside of a marriage which is valid under the constitution and laws of this state.

Marriage Verification and Stability: Marriages and divorces shall be verified. The pattern of marital stability shall be considered. Prospective foster parents must provide a copy of their marriage license to verify marriage. Foster parents must have a stable marriage. Not only will the unstable marriage have a negative effect on children in foster care placed in the home, but the special problems of some children in foster care could contribute to the break-up of an already unstable marriage. A person who is divorced must provide verification of that divorce and must be divorced for at least one year from the date on the court order (i.e., verification of any divorces that were finalized in the preceding year only are required). A person who is widowed must provide verification that they have been widowed for at least one year. Couples who are separated may not apply to be foster parents.

In situations where existing foster parents plan to divorce, a reevaluation shall be conducted on the family to determine if the family still meets all other licensing standards to ensure the health and safety of the children placed in the home.

In situations where an existing single foster parent plants to marry, a reevaluation shall be conducted on the family. DCFS staff must ensure that the future spouse is interviewed to discuss his/her compliance with the "Personal Characteristics" as outlined in this publication. The intended spouse must complete and pass all background checks. All unmarried foster parents must be advised at their approval orientation to notify the division as soon as they are aware of any plans to marry so that the application process can be initiated on the intended spouse.

Maximum Capacity: When all children in care are from the same sibling group, there will be no more than eight children physically in the home (including the foster parent's biological children and any other children who normally reside in the home of the foster family). The foster home shall not have more than five unrelated minor children in care.

Including the foster parents' biological children, the foster home may have no more than two children under the age of two and no more than three children under the age of six.

The sole exception to the above limits shall be in those instances in which the placement of a sibling group in a foster home with no other children in the home would exceed the limits.

Eight related children from the same sibling group may be placed together in the same foster home. In this instance, the total number of the foster parent's children who reside in the home will determine the number of children from one sibling group that may be placed together in the home.

For example:

One biological child and seven children in care from the same sibling group

Two biological children and six children in care from the same sibling group

Three biological children and five children in care from the same sibling group

In addition, the number of children in a foster home will be determined by the stamina, capacities, and skills of the foster parents, by physical space available for children, and by the foster parents' ability to meet the needs of all children present in the home.

The applicants must have legal custody or guardianship of any children (other than children in foster care) in the home that are not their birth children or relatives. Foster parents shall not keep children for more than one child-placing agency. Foster parents will not provide babysitting or child care services for other children on a regular basis in their home.

Birth/legal children of the foster parents shall take part in the foster home assessment. The extent of their involvement shall be determined by their age and level of maturity. These children must be in agreement with their parents' decision to become foster parents. Their agreement must be reevaluated annually.

Religion: Children in foster care must have the opportunity for religious, spiritual, and ethical development. Foster parents shall respect the religious preferences of the child in foster care and his or her birth/legal family. They must be able to present their own religious beliefs to children in foster care in such a way as to take into consideration the child's own religious background. The foster parents shall never force their own religious beliefs on a child in foster care whose religious background differs from their own. Foster parents shall arrange transportation to religious services for a child when necessary.

However, lack of a religious affiliation or a religious faith will not be a barrier to consideration of foster parent applicants.

Education: The level of formal education attained by the foster parent applicants shall be sufficient to allow them to function in their community, in their employment, and in their home. For example: foster parents should be able to follow physician's instructions, read labels on medication, and administer proper dosages of medication. The level of their aspirations for children shall be in accord with the particular child's ability. Their awareness of local educational facilities is important to children in their care. Foster parents shall have a positive attitude toward both academic and vocational education and be willing to meet the child's individual needs.

Financial Stability: The family shall have sufficient, reliable income to assure the family's stability and security, without a board payment. The foster family shall provide documentation (a copy of the previous year's income tax return) of sufficient financial resources to meet their needs. A copy of their tax return shall be placed in the foster parent's case record. Management of income shall be considered more important than amount of income. The family shall understand that keeping children in foster care is not a profitable venture.

Employment: Both parents may be employed outside the home only with certain provisions. We strongly encourage either the husband or the wife to remain at home with a child in foster care for as long as necessary after placement to provide security and initial adjustment for the child in care. Careful consideration will be made before infants and preschool children are placed in a home where both foster parents have outside employment. When placing school-age children in a home where both parents are employed, the Division shall do so on the basis of careful evaluation of what is best for the individual child. Suitable plans for the care and supervision of children in foster care before and after school, during school holidays and vacations, and when children are ill and absent from school must be made and approved by the Division. Arrangements for a suitable caretaker must be made ahead of time to prevent last minute arrangements that could result in an inappropriate caretaker.

Single parent households where the sole parent is employed outside the home shall be considered the same as a two-parent household where both parents are employed outside the home. Only school-age children shall be placed there.

If employment is seasonal, the family must have compensatory income or savings in the off seasons. Demands made on foster parents' time by overtime work, revolving shifts, etc., are considered pertinent to their ability to provide adequate care for a child in foster care.

At no point shall foster homes also serve as licensed Child Care Facilities. There shall be no exceptions.

Criminal Record and Child Maltreatment Central Registry Check: Foster parents and all members of the household 10 years of age and older, excluding children in foster care, shall consent to a Child Maltreatment Central Registry Check in all the states in which the applicant or household member has lived in the past six years, and in the person's state of employment, if different. The person must have no history of true abuse and/or neglect. The Division shall repeat the Child Maltreatment Central Registry Check every two years on all persons required to have the check.

An FBI fingerprint-based Criminal Background Check will be conducted on foster parents and any other members of the household 18 years of age or older, excluding children in foster care. This check need not be repeated.

Foster parents and all members of the household age 18 or older, excluding children in foster care, shall consent to the Division making an Arkansas State Police Criminal Record Check. The Division shall repeat an Arkansas State Police Criminal Record Check every two years on any person required to have the check. This is required by the Minimum Licensing Standards for Child Welfare Agencies (PUB-04).

The members of the household shall be free of criminal convictions for offenses listed in ACA § 9-28-409. These offenses include: capital murder, 1st or 2nd degree murder, manslaughter, negligent homicide, kidnapping, false imprisonment in the first and second degrees, permanent detention or restraint, battery in the 1st, 2nd or 3rd degree, aggravated assault, assault in the 1st or 2nd degree, terroristic threatening in the 1st or 2nd degree, any sexual offense, permitting abuse of a child, endangering the welfare of a minor in the 1st or 2nd degree, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, engaging children in sexually explicit conduct for use in visual or print medium, transportation of minors for prohibited sexual conduct, use of a child or consent to use of a child in sexual performance, and producing, directing, or promoting sexual performance by a child; incest, interference with visitation, interference with custody, engaging in conduct with respect with controlled substances, distribution to minors, public display of obscenity, prostitution, promoting prostitution, criminal attempt, criminal complicity, criminal solicitation, criminal conspiracy, any felony or misdemeanor involving violence, threatened violence or moral turpitude, and former or future law of this or any other state or of the federal government which is substantially equivalent to one of the aforementioned offenses.

In addition, any felony conviction for physical assault or battery or a drug-related offense will disqualify a prospective foster or adoptive parent if the offense was committed within the past five years.

Vehicle Safety Check: DCFS will check the driving record (violation points) for each potential foster parent and other applicable members of the household. The Arkansas State Vehicle Safety Program sets the maximum number of traffic violation points a foster parent may be allowed.

Knowledge of Child Growth and Development: The foster parents must have a working knowledge of child growth and development. This must include knowledge of child care, milestones in development, first aid, and nutrition. Awareness of the emotional needs of children is as important as awareness of the physical needs of children.

Corporal punishment is not allowed in a DCFS Foster Home. Foster parents are expected to use time-outs, denial of privileges, and explanation of expectations, etc., as disciplinary measures.

The care and development of the child shall be maintained as follows:

Daily Activities

Clothing and Personal Belongings

Discipline and Control

Health Care

Education

Religious and Ethnic Heritage

Acceptance of Division Regulations

PHYSICAL STANDARDS FOR THE HOME

Accessibility of the Home: The foster home shall be accessible throughout the year to fulfill the needs of the child in foster care, and to ensure access to available education and religious training, recreation, parental visiting, supervision by the Division and medical care for the child. The accessibility of the home shall be judged in relation to the foster parents' ability to transport the child for medical care, etc., should that be needed.

Neighborhood: The neighborhood/community in which the foster home is located will be one which is accessible. It will provide a healthy environment and be free from health hazards, dangerous objects accessible to children, and incidents of violent crime.

Ownership of Home: If the foster family does not own the home in which they live, the person who owns the home shall verify that he/she has no objections to the applicant caring for children in foster care in the home.

General Appearance of the Home: The home shall be free from physical and health hazards.

Indoor Arrangement and Use of Rooms: Rooms shall be arranged to allow convenient living. There must be adequate space for privacy, play, and study for all family members. There shall be sufficient seating for the family to eat together. The number of children in foster care placed in a foster home also shall be limited by the number of persons who can satisfactorily live within the physical limits of the home. Individual space shall be provided for the child's personal possessions and a designated space for hanging clothes in or near the bedroom occupied by the child shall be provided for that child. Space requirements may be waived on a case-by-case basis for Provisional Foster Homes.

Sleeping Arrangements

Water Supply: The home shall have a continuous supply of clean drinking water. Water supplied by any source other than a city water department shall be tested yearly by the Arkansas Health Department to assure that it is safe for human consumption. If a water supply is found unsafe, an alternate compliance of the water supply must be agreed upon, put in place, and maintained.

General Safety Standards: The home shall be free from physical hazards which would endanger the physical safety of children. This shall be verified by inspection of the entire dwelling, the yard surrounding the house, the basement, the attic (if accessible), the garage or carport, and any storage area. Specific qualities to check for include:

Fire Safety

Telephone: The home shall have an operational telephone. Working cell phones kept on the premises are acceptable. The phone shall be accessible to children.

Alternative Compliance & Policy Waiver Requests

DCFS bases its standards of care and character on the Child Welfare Agency Licensing Act (CWALA). If it is believed that a foster parent applicant possesses special abilities or circumstances which would make them good foster parents in spite of their inability to meet a standard, the county office may request an approval for alternative compliance or a policy waiver.

An alternative compliance is a request for approval from the Child Welfare Agency Review Board (CWARB) to allow a licensee to deviate from the letter of a regulation, provided that the licensee has demonstrated how an alternate plan of compliance will meet or exceed the intent of the regulation. What is proposed as an alternative to compliance with policy or standards will comply with the intent, if not the actual requirement.

Child Welfare Licensing requirements state, "Any person who is required to have a criminal check under the law and who pleads guilty or nolo contendere to, or is found guilty of any of the offenses listed in the licensing standards unless the conviction is vacated or reversed, shall be presumed to be disqualified to be an owner, operator, volunteer, foster parent, adoptive parent, member of an agency's board of directors, student intern, or employee in a child welfare agency after the completion of his or her term of confinement, probation, or parole supervision. This presumption may be rebutted in the following manner:

In making this determination, the board shall consider the following factors:

The following crimes require an Alternative Compliance:

A. Physician's statement of health for all family members.

B. Health Department inspection of the home, specifically the water supply and sewage disposal system, if it comes from a source other than city water. Annual testing of the water supply is required.

C. Inspection of the house and surroundings, including receiving documentation that the foster parent carries homeowner's or renter's insurance and general liability insurance, which may be included in the homeowners policy.

D. Personal interviews with or written responses from references.

E. A case record which includes documentation of compliance with standards and documentation that the foster parents completed CPR and First Aid training and received certification in both areas prior to approval. The case record shall also include a narrative summary of all pertinent information, and recommendation for approval. Terms of approval; i.e., the number of children for which the home has been approved, their ages and sex and any special needs must be specified. The preferences of the foster parents will be strictly adhered to by the Division.

F. A Child Maltreatment Central Registry Check of the foster parents and any other persons age 10 or older residing in the home, excluding children in foster care. This check must be made prior to approval and shall be repeated thereafter every two years.

G. A State Police Criminal Record Check on all persons age 18 and older residing in the home, excluding children in foster care. This check must be made prior to approval and shall be repeated thereafter every two years.

H. A fingerprint-based FBI Criminal Background Check on all persons age 18 and older living in the home, excluding children in foster care. This check must be made prior to approval and need not be repeated thereafter.

A. Expectations and responsibilities of the Division, the staff, and the foster parents.

B. Services to be provided.

C. Financial arrangements for the children placed in the home.

D. Authority the foster parents can exercise for the children placed in their home.

E. Actions that require Divisional staff authorization.

F. Legal responsibility for damage or risk resulting from children in their home.

G. The Division's process and procedures for investigating complaints.

H. The Division's procedure for giving advance notice of termination of a placement except for documented emergencies. (See the County Office Contact Persons Form placed at the end of this publication.)

A. Death or serious illness among the members of the foster family.

B. Marriage, separation, or divorce of foster parents.

C. Loss of or change in employment status by either foster parent.

D. Change in residence.

E. Suspected maltreatment of any child in the home.

F. The addition of family members.

G. Any other major life changes for the foster family.

A. The Division shall be responsible for selecting a foster home specifically trained and suited to a child's special needs.

B. The Division shall be responsible for the proper implementation of a permanent plan for a child.

C. The Division shall supervise all children in foster care placements. Children in out-of-home placement will be visited regularly and such visits will take place no less than weekly for the first month of placement into foster care or a new foster home. Visitation after the first month in care will occur monthly in the foster home, with the worker maintaining weekly contact with the child through the following settings: school, parental visits, during transportation to medical appointments, court hearings or via telephone. Visits may be scheduled or unannounced. A portion of this visitation shall be set aside for separate and private conversation between the Family Service Worker and the child to assess the quality of care being provided.

D. The Division shall evaluate the specific strengths, needs, preferences, and experience of each foster home. This shall be used to determine the number, ages, sex, and characteristics of children who will be placed in the home. These determinations shall consider the foster parents' own family life. No child may be placed in a foster home in violation of the limitations established in this assessment or the foster parents' preferences.

E. The Division shall make training available to the foster parents. Training will be at times and locations that will enable the foster parents to meet their training requirements. Assistance to the foster parents with reimbursement for transportation and child care shall be provided by the Division, as needed.

F. The Division shall provide support services, such as emergency, respite care, child care, transportation, crisis and after-hours intervention, counseling, and foster parent mentors for the foster parents. These services shall be available, as needed, to assist in providing proper care or to prevent the disruption of a child's placement.

G. The Division shall not place children with any foster parents who have not satisfactorily completed the required 30 hours of pre-service training.

H. The Division shall not place children with any foster parent who has not satisfied the annual in-service training requirement of 15 hours that comes due at the end of the second year. The Division may make an exception for any foster parent whose annual in-service training hours are no more than 60 calendar days overdue.

I. The Division shall keep a record for each child that includes legal documents (e.g., birth certificate, social security card, court orders). The Division delegates the responsibility for the day-to-day care of the child in foster care to the foster parents. Foster parents shall be provided with the following information for every child placed in their home:

J. The foster parents shall be notified of all staffings and judicial reviews for children in foster care placed in their home. Foster parents shall be provided the opportunity to have input in shaping the case plan. Foster parents shall have their roles and the roles of the child's Family Service Worker clearly defined with regard to carrying out each of the specific tasks of the child's case plan. While foster parents are responsible for the day-to-day care of children placed in their home, DCFS retains legal responsibility for supervision, decision making, and assuring continuity of care for the child.

K. All child maltreatment allegations concerning any person in a foster home shall be investigated in accordance with the Child Maltreatment Act § 12-18-602.

If any child in foster care is the subject (alleged offender or alleged victim) of an allegation of child maltreatment, the Division shall notify the child's family, the OCC attorney, Child Abuse Hotline, the CASA, and the attorney ad litem. The attorneys ad litem for all other children placed in the home shall be notified as well. The safety and welfare of any children in foster care shall be paramount.

Priority I Allegations: For all Priority I allegations, if the alleged offender is a foster parent or any other member of the foster family household, then all the children in foster care in that home will be removed from that foster home. If the alleged offender is a child in foster care, then the alleged offender child will be removed from that home and placed in a foster home without any other children.

Priority II Allegations: When any foster home is the subject of a Priority II child maltreatment allegation, an evaluation will be conducted on an individual basis to determine if the child(ren) can safely remain in the home during the investigation. If it can be shown that it is in the best interest of any of the children currently placed in that foster home, a protection plan may be considered to allow any or all of the children in foster care to remain in a home involved in a maltreatment report. If the safety and welfare standards of the Division cannot be met, and the children cannot safely remain in the home, the children in care shall be removed and placed in another approved foster home

While any foster home is being investigated because of a maltreatment allegation, Priority I or II, no additional children in foster care may be placed in the home.

If the Priority I or II allegation report is unsubstantiated, consideration will be given to returning any children who were removed from the foster home as a result of the allegation. This will be determined by holding a staffing so that all stakeholders may have input. The decision made shall depend on the best interest of the child.

If the report of Priority II maltreatment is an investigative true finding, the protection plan must be reevaluated if the children are allowed to remain in the home during the hearing process.

For all investigative determinations where allegations of Priority II child maltreatment are found true and up-held by the administrative hearing, the well-being of each child who is in the home will be re-assessed on an individual basis. If it can be shown that it is in the best interest of any child to remain in that home, then a waiver or alternative compliance, depending on the situation, may be considered so that the home may remain open to care for that child.

In cases where the foster home is allowed to remain open, if the foster parents wish to be considered for the placement of additional children, an Individualized Training Plan shall be developed and completed before any additional child is considered for placement in that home.

L. The Division shall continually monitor the appropriateness of the placement.

A. Foster parents shall comply with the objectives of the foster home program by providing care and supervision in a family environment for every child in foster care placed in their home by the Division. This care and supervision shall include experiences associated with normal family life and an opportunity for the child to develop to his or her full potential emotionally and physically.

B. Foster parents shall recognize that foster care is a temporary arrangement until a permanent plan can be established and implemented. Foster parents shall cooperate with the Division by respecting the rights of the child's birth/legal parents, participating in training offered by the Division, accepting the Division's supervision of any child placed in their home, and participating in periodic reevaluations of the home. The foster parents shall cooperate with the Division by recognizing that the Division sees foster care as a temporary but integral step in arriving at a permanent plan for the child. They shall agree to allow parental and sibling visitation, as scheduled by the Division. Foster parents shall agree to provide a home for the child in care as long as that placement is appropriate for the child.

C. Foster parents shall provide continuous care for any child placed in their home until the permanent plan can be implemented, unless there is agreement between the Division and the foster parents that the placement is not appropriate.

D. Foster parents shall agree to participate in pre-service and in-service training programs for foster parents, as specified by policy.

E. Foster parents shall provide direct care and have decision-making authority concerning the child's daily living. However, they cannot make independent major decisions that have far-reaching effects on the child's life, such as consents for surgery, military service, or marriage. They should not make decisions that have far reaching effects for the child's personal appearance without consulting the Family Service Worker.

F. Foster parents shall provide reasonable opportunities for mail/phone contact and visits with parents/legal guardians and with siblings.

G. Foster parents shall notify the Division immediately of serious illness, accidents, or any unusual circumstances affecting the health, safety, physical, or emotional well-being of the child in foster care.

H. Foster parents shall share the primary responsibility of helping children in foster care who are age appropriate to develop independent living skills along with the child's assigned Family Service Worker.

I. Foster parents shall sign an agreement with the Division to provide foster care, CFS-462: Initial Foster Home Agreement, and a separate agreement for each child in foster care placed in the home, CFS-462A: Foster Home Agreement Addendum.

J. The foster parents shall respect the rights retained by the birth/legal parents and the Division.

K. Foster parents shall maintain absolute confidentiality of private information about the child in their care and his/her birth/legal family. It is understood that the foster family interacts with others. Nevertheless, information about the child's history, or information which the child wishes to keep private must not be discussed with others. Policies, activities, and programs of the Department of Human Services are discussed publicly in generalizations only. Identification of particular cases or children must not be made without prior approval.

L. Foster parents shall make every effort to give the Division advance notice if it becomes necessary to request removal of a child placed in their home. When a foster parent requests a child in foster care be removed from their home, excluding an emergency that places the child or a family member at risk of imminent harm, the foster parent must attend a staffing to discuss what services or assistance may be needed to stabilize the placement. The staffing will be held within 48 hours of notification by the foster parent to have the child removed from their home. The child in foster care, the child's attorney ad litem, and a CASA, if appointed to the case, shall be notified so that they can attend and participate in the staffing and planning for the child's placement. If the placement cannot be stabilized, the foster parent will continue to provide for the child in care until an appropriate alternative placement is located, but this shall not be longer than five business days after the staffing. These efforts will serve to reduce the number of placements of children in foster care.

M. Foster parents shall maintain records in accordance with Division procedures and forms for the children placed with the family. This includes both health and progress records.

FOSTER PARENT LIABILITY

Foster parents must carry homeowner's or renter's insurance and general liability insurance, which may be included in the homeowner's policy.

Any claims that are not covered by home owner's insurance for damages or destruction to a foster parent's personal property or to the property of others due to the actions of a child placed in a foster home will need to be filed with the Arkansas Claims commission. Foster parents or the individual can request the appropriate application to submit a claim by contacting the Arkansas Claims Commission, 101 E. Capitol Ave., Suite 410, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201, Phone (501) 682-1619.

Prior to filing a claim with the Claims Commission, the foster parents or the individual will need to contact the local DCFS county office to provide information needed to complete an incident report. This incident report will be submitted to Central Office by county staff and will be used to assist the Claims Commission in processing the claim.

According to Act 941 of 1989: "Family foster parents approved by a child welfare agency licensed by the Department of Human Services shall not be liable for damages caused by their children in foster care, nor shall they be liable to the children in care nor to their parents or guardians of the children placed in their home for injuries to the children in foster care caused by acts or omissions of the family foster parents unless the acts or omissions constitute malicious, willful, wanton or grossly negligent conduct."

Click here to view image

Click here to view image

ABOUT THIS HANDBOOK

This handbook has been prepared to provide foster parents with information they will need to become a foster family and to maintain standing as a foster family. This handbook contains the standards that are required for a family to become approved to operate as a foster home and information about the role of a foster family. Please read this entire handbook to be familiar with the standards for which a family is responsible, and to ensure the family's continued compliance. Please contact the designated resource worker with questions about compliance or any of the licensing standards.

This handbook is only a reference guide. Contact your local DHS County Office for clarification and interpretation of any information provided in this publication.

INTRODUCTION

The Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is a licensed Child Welfare Agency and all of its approved foster homes must be in compliance with all licensing requirements. The Child Welfare Licensing act defines a "Foster Home" as private residence of one or more family members that receives from a child placement agency any minor child who is unattended by a parent or guardian in order to provide care, training, education, custody or supervision on a 24 hour basis, not to include adoptive homes (see PUB-04: Minimum Licensing Standards for Child Welfare Agencies). Although the licensing standards' definition of a foster home does not include adoptive homes, DCFS foster and adoptive homes must meet the same licensing standards to comply with federal funding regulations.

Foster Care is a program designed to provide a substitute family life experience in a DCFS approved foster home, provisional foster home, or licensed facility for a child who needs care for a temporary, or in some instances, for an extended period of time. During this time, the birth/legal family is either nonexistent or dysfunctional due to social, emotional, economic, and/or physical reasons. Foster care is founded on the premise that all children have a right to a safe and supportive environment in which to grow.

The purpose of foster care is to provide a healthy home and community experience for the child while the conditions which caused the placement away from the birth/legal family are being resolved. Thus, foster care is intended to be temporary. The length of a child's stay in foster care will depend a great deal on the conditions which caused the placement and the time and the resources available to resolve them. The goal of foster care is to work toward a permanent placement for the child, preferably, return to the birth/legal parents.

Foster care is a team effort involving DCFS, the foster parents, the child in foster care, and the birth/legal parents. When all those directly involved in the situation understand their own and each others' roles and cooperate as team members in a team effort, the quality of the experience for all is increased, and the effect on the child's future well-being is greatly improved.

Good communication among all team members, as well as mutual respect, understanding, and honesty is essential for achievement of foster care goals. All team members share the responsibility for ensuring that lines of communication are kept open and in use.

Because of differences in responsibilities and perspectives, conflicts may arise. How well conflicts are worked

TYPES OF FOSTER HOMES

There are two types of foster homes: Regular Foster Homes and Provisional Foster Homes.

Regular Foster Homes

Regular foster homes are ones in which the foster parents agree to provide 24 hour care for a particular child in foster care. There will be an agreement between the child-placing agency and the foster parents that the family can care for that child as a substitute family until such a time as a permanent plan can be developed and implemented for that child. The foster parents will be given pertinent information about the child in foster care. This includes reasons for placement, circumstances for removal from the parent's home, where siblings are placed, a copy of the case plan and visitation plan. They will be kept informed concerning plans for the child's future. In many instances it will be appropriate for foster parents to reach out to the birth/legal parents. However, this outreach will be supervised by members of the reunification services team.

Family members and the physical characteristics of the home must be evaluated to determine special qualifications of the prospective foster family. Evaluation is considered with regard to special training and expertise, experience, and preference as to the numbers, ages, sex and characteristics of children who may be placed in their home.

Regular foster homes may also elect to serve in the following roles:

Emergency Foster Home - This is a home where the foster parents agree to provide temporary, short-term care for any child who is referred by the child-placing agency at any hour of the day or night. Emergency referrals include children placed in emergency custody of the child-placing agency by the courts, children for whom the child-placing agency is searching for a suitable regular foster home, and children who must be removed from a foster home before another suitable foster home is located. Placements are of short duration, pending outcome of a court hearing or location of a suitable regular foster home or relative.

Informal Respite Home - This is a home that can provide temporary care when the Foster Family Support System (see Alternate Care) is unable to assist or for situations in which children will be outside of the foster home for more than 72 continuous hours and the FFSS is not approved to provide care for that period. An informal respite home may provide care for no more than seven continuous days at one time.

Provisional Foster Homes

In an effort to preserve family connections and expedite placement of children, the Division may place a child in foster care with a relative ("Relative" means a person within the fifth degree of kinship to the child by virtue of blood or adoption) if one has been identified and is appropriate. This type of placement is classified as a "Provisional Foster Home". The purpose of opening a provisional foster home is to enable DCFS to make a quick placement for the child with a relative with whom a bond already exists. Therefore, a provisional home may be opened before the results of the FBI Background Check are received, before the provisional foster parents have completed the pre-service training, and before a full home study is finished (however a walkthrough of the home is required before placement in a provisional home). These are the only differences in approval requirements, including minimum licensing requirements, between provisional foster homes and regular foster homes in Arkansas.

Once opened as a provisional home, DCFS staff works with the foster parents in that home to bring them into full compliance within a six month period. Provisional foster homes that are not in full compliance at the end of six months must be closed and the child(ren) removed or the relative must have been granted permanent custody by the court. If the home is opened as a regular foster home, the foster parents may then request to care for non-relative children in foster care with the understanding that additional evaluation of their home would be required to ensure that it would be an appropriate placement for non-relative children. Provisional foster homes shall not be paid a board payment until the relative meets all of the licensing requirements and DCFS standards, and is reclassified as a regular foster home.

The child is in the custody of the Department, therefore, the child shall remain in a licensed or approved foster home, shelter, or facility until the relative's home is opened as a provisional foster home, regular foster home, or the court grants custody to the relative or other person after a written, approved home study is presented to the court.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE FOSTER CARE TEAM

Children in Foster Care

Children have certain inherent rights based on their special status as children and their inability to care for themselves. Among these inherent rights are the right to live with their birth/legal family and to receive love, protection, nurturance, and support until they reach the age of majority; the right to be free from harm, neglect, and abuse; to receive an education; to have physical care and medical attention; to enjoy all facets of family life; to be disciplined and to receive religious and moral training, and to grow into well-adjusted young adults.

When a child's right to live with his or her own birth/legal family is in jeopardy, the child has a right to be represented by legal counsel and to have their legal rights protected in any judicial procedure which addresses custody or guardianship. DCFS has certain responsibilities to children who have been removed from the custody of their birth/legal parents.

Responsibilities of DCFS to children in foster care:

Birth/Legal Parents

Birth/legal parents are the key to long-range planning for the child in foster care. They are central members of the foster care team. The child began with them, identifies with them and, in most instances, has a longing to return to them. The return home of the child is dependent on his birth/legal parents' ability to improve their situation. Otherwise, the birth/legal parents face the possibility of long-range plans being made which may include termination of parental rights. With the exception of parents of children for whom DHS is guardian or birth/legal parents whose rights have been permanently terminated, DCFS has certain responsibilities to the birth/legal parents of children placed in the custody of DHS.

Responsibilities of DCFS to Birth/Legal Parents:

Responsibilities of birth/legal parents:

Foster Parents and Provisional Foster Parents

It is the responsibility of foster parents and provisional foster parents to provide 24 hour nurturing care to children in foster care. They also have a responsibility to help the child develop a good self image and have positive feelings about their past, present, and future.

As temporary substitute parents, foster parents are close to the child in foster care on a day-to-day basis. This closeness allows the foster parents to function as a vital member of the foster care team. As such, the foster parents are in an excellent position to evaluate the child's current needs and ensure that those identified needs are being met by the foster family or through resources in the community.

As team members with a unique perspective of the child, foster parents can contribute a special knowledge to DCFS and to the birth/legal parents including information about the child's behavior, relationships with playmates, and other members of the foster family and adjustment to school and to the neighborhood.

By observing the child's relationship with their birth/legal parents and the child's reactions to visitation, foster parents can enhance the DCFS work with the birth/legal parents. In some instances, the foster parent may also serve as a mentor to the birth/legal parents. This mentoring relationship may be the first opportunity the parent has had to observe and learn effective parenting skills.

Responsibilities of DCFS to Foster Parents:

Responsibilities of foster parents to DCFS, the child, and the child's family:

Foster parents are prohibited from using corporal punishment on a child in foster care. Methods of discipline that are unacceptable for use by foster parents with the child include, but are not limited to:

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES & DIVISION OF CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES

DHS, acting through DCFS, serves as the court-appointed legal custodian of the child and has the ultimate responsibility for ensuring that the child has the best possible foster care experience and that appropriate long-term plans are made. There is also a direct vested interest in resolution of the problems or conditions affecting the status of the birth/legal family. The cooperative efforts from the courts, other agencies, and community resources are necessary to ensure that responsibilities to the child and assistance in resolution of problems or conditions affecting the child's birth/legal parent are carried out.

Department/Division responsibilities:

APPROVAL, TRAINING, & SUPPORT OF FOSTER HOMES

Foster Home Approval Process

In order to ensure quality foster homes, DCFS will complete a thorough home assessment for each prospective foster family. The home assessment is a mutual selection process. It involves several components including, but not limited to, an in-home consultation visit, background checks, pre-service training, a home study, and ongoing consultation with the prospective foster parents to ensure that all appropriate criteria related to both compliance and quality are met. An assessment will be conducted prior to the placement of a child in one's home. Families that move to Arkansas from another state where they have been approved as a foster family must complete the entire approval procedure of the Arkansas DCFS.

The purpose of the foster home assessment is threefold: first, it is to educate candidates; second, it is to assess their character, suitability, and qualifications to open a foster home, and third, it is to see that they meet the Standards of Approval for Foster Homes, PUB-22.

Assessing the character, suitability, and qualifications of the family to operate a foster home will be done in relation to the following areas:

Standards of Approval

Age - The minimum age is 21 years. Alternative compliance must be obtained if one or both applicants are age 65 or over or when one or both spouses of a currently opened foster home reaches age 65.

Health - All household family members must pass a medical exam (within six months prior to the approval) and have a doctor's recommendation at the time the home is initially approved. Each foster parent and every family member must repeat the exam yearly to remain in compliance. All members of the household older than 12 years shall receive an annual skin test for tuberculosis, as long as test results remain negative. A household member with a positive skin test must provide documentation from a physician every two years certifying that he or she is free from communicable tuberculosis.

Physical Disabilities - Physical disabilities of any family member will be evaluated to determine the effect, if any, the disability has on the family's ability to provide adequate care for a child and how the disability may affect a child's adjustment to the family.

Marriage and Divorce - Proof of marriage and evidence of a stable marriage and stable family situation must be provided. Not only will an unstable marriage or family situation have a negative effect on children in foster care that have been placed in the home, but the special problems of some children in foster care could contribute to the break-up of an already unstable marriage or the permanent disruption of an already unstable family situation. If foster parents divorce, the Resource Worker will complete a reevaluation of the home to determine if the family still meets all other licensing standards to ensure the health and safety of the children placed in the home. A person who is divorced must provide verification of that divorce and must be divorced for at least one year from the date on the court order (i.e., verification of any divorces that were finalized in the preceding year only are required). A person who is widowed must provide verification that they have been widowed for at least one year. Couples who are separated may not apply to be foster parents.

In situations where an unmarried foster parent has plans to marry, a reevaluation shall be conducted on the family. DCFS staff must ensure that the future spouse is interviewed to discuss his/her compliance with the "Personal Characteristics" outlined in PUB-22, Standards of Approval for Foster Homes. The intended spouse must complete and pass all background checks. All unmarried foster parents must notify the Division as soon as they are aware of any plans to marry so that the application process can be initiated on the intended spouse.

Households that contain an adult, who is cohabiting with a sexual partner outside of a marriage which is valid under the constitution and laws of this state, may not participate in foster care. This prohibition applies equally to cohabiting opposite-sex and same-sex individuals. Additionally, there may not be any other adults in the home cohabiting with a sexual partner outside of a marriage which is valid under the constitution and laws of this state.

Family Composition - A foster home may have up to eight children. This may consist of up to five unrelated children in foster care, and up to three of the foster parent's own children. Or in the case of sibling groups, the foster home may have up to eight related children in foster care. In this instance, the total number of the foster parent's children who reside in the home will determine the number of children from one sibling group that may be placed together in the home.

For example:

No children of the parents and eight children in care who are all related.

One child of the parents and seven children in care who are all related.

Two children of the parents and six children in care who are all related.

Three children of the parents and five children in care who are all related or unrelated.

Including the foster parent's own children, the foster home may have no more than two children under age two and no more than three children under age six.

There can be no roomers or boarders in the home. Family members are not considered roomers or boarders. Households will be assessed based on the caretaker's ability to parent a child in foster care. Other children and adults who are part of the household will be evaluated on the basis of how they will affect the successful development of a child in foster care.

Parenting Ability - Ability to provide a nurturing family life experience for the child including guidance, intellectual stimulation, affection, and appropriate discipline.

Employment - In two-parent homes where the parents are both employed outside the home or in a single-parent home where the parent is employed outside the home, careful consideration must be given to the age and characteristics of the children for whom the home wishes to provide care as well as to the family's plan for child care. Stable employment history is required of the primary wage earner in the foster home. The foster home shall not be licensed as a Child Care Family Home.

Income - Evidence of stable income sufficient to meet the needs of one's family is required for approval. The foster family shall provide documentation of sufficient financial resources to meet their needs. The family shall have sufficient, reliable income to assure stability and security, without including the board payment. Management of income shall be considered more important than amount of income. Keeping children is foster care is not a profitable venture.

Physical Standards - Location, condition, and physical layout of the home will be considered. Physical conditions of the home shall present no hazard to the safety or health of a child. The home should have at least two exterior doors situated to provide safe exit or the home shall have a written statement from the Fire Department that the alternative escape route is approved. This approval shall be kept in the foster home case record. There shall be 50 square feet of sleeping space per child in foster care and an opening window, large enough that the child can exit through it, in each bedroom where a child in foster care sleeps. Bars, grilles, grates, or other items that block access to the window are permitted only if they can be removed from the inside without the use of a key, tool, or force greater than that required for normal operation of the window. In this event, each such bedroom must have a working smoke detector in the bedroom. The stacking of baby beds is prohibited.

Telephone - The home shall have an operational telephone. Working cell phones kept on the premises are acceptable. The phone shall be accessible to children.

Transportation - The foster parents shall maintain a mode of transportation which complies with state motor vehicle laws and shall allow children in foster care to be transported only by a licensed driver. Foster parents must have proof of current insurance. a valid vehicle safety record check; and a Child Maltreatment Central Registry check). Children in foster care shall be transported only while wearing safety belts, or in child safety seats, according to Arkansas law.

Home Environment - Cleanliness of the home will be considered.

Central Registry - A Child Maltreatment Central Registry Check must be conducted prior to approval on foster parent applicants and each member of the household age 10 years or older, excluding children in foster care, including any state where either the applicant or household member work if different from their state of residence. A registry check will also be conducted in any other state where the applicant has worked or resided during the preceding six years. The Division will repeat the Child Maltreatment Central Registry Checks every two years. Successful completion is necessary before referral to pre-service training. Expedited checks will be done on provisional foster homes.

FBI Criminal Background Check - A finger-print based FBI criminal background check must be conducted prior to approval on foster parents and any other members of the household 18 years of age or older, excluding children in foster care. This check need not be repeated. Conducting a finger-print based criminal record check is not necessary to open a provisional foster home.

Criminal Record Check - An Arkansas State Police Criminal Record Check must be conducted prior to approval on the foster parents and all members of the household age 18 and older, excluding children in foster care. The Division shall repeat the Criminal Record Check every two years. Successful completion or approval of alternative compliance is necessary before referral to pre-service training.

Motor Vehicle Safety Check - A motor vehicle safety check will be conducted on each household member who will be responsible for transporting children in foster care. Each member must have a current, valid driver's license. The foster family members must be in compliance with the Arkansas Motor Vehicle Safety program. DCFS will check the driving record (violation points) for each potential foster parent. The Arkansas State Vehicle Safety Program sets the maximum number of traffic violation points a foster parent may be allowed. It is the foster family's responsibility to report any traffic violations to their Resource Worker within 24 hours.

References - A minimum of three references familiar with one's child caring experiences and practices will be contacted regarding the character and ability to provide for children.

Smoking - DCFS policy is that second-hand smoke is detrimental to a child's health and the presumption will be that it is not in a child's best interest to be placed in a foster home that permits smoking in the presence of a child in foster care. To rebut this presumption, the worker must clearly identify why it is in the child's best interest to be exposed to second-hand smoke.

DCFS shall not place or permit a child in foster care to remain in any foster home if the foster parent smokes or allows anyone else to smoke in the presence of any child in foster care unless it is in the child's best interest to be placed in or remain in the foster home.

All foster parents will complete CFS-363: Foster Parent Smoking Certification and identify if the foster parents will permit smoking in the presence of a child in foster care.

Foster parents will indicate if smokers in the home or who visit the home will be permitted to smoke while in the presence of a child in foster care. If the foster parent indicates smoking will not occur in the presence of a child in foster care, then children in foster care may be placed in this foster home and DCFS will designate the home a "non-smoking" foster home.

If a foster parent indicates that smoking will occur in the presence of a child in foster care, the foster home will be designated a "smoking" foster home and no child may be placed or remain in the foster home unless it is in the child's best interest to be placed in or remain in the foster home.

The Area Director will sign and submit the CFS-363 along with any supporting documentation for review and signature to the Assistant Director of Community Services requesting a finding that it is in the child's best interest to be placed in or remain in a smoking foster home. No child in foster care shall be placed in a smoking foster home without a waiver from the Assistant Director of Community Services.

State law prohibits smoking in a vehicle if a child in the car is under the age of six and weighs less than 60 pounds. Thus, no foster parent or DCFS employee may smoke in the vehicle when transporting a child in foster care who is under the age of six and weighs less than 60 pounds.

In accordance with A.C.A. 20-27-1804, smoking is prohibited in all vehicles and enclosed areas owned, leased, or operated by the State of Arkansas, its agencies, and authorities. Therefore, DCFS staff may not smoke in a state vehicle OR in their private vehicle when a child in foster care is present. Foster parents are strongly discouraged from smoking in a vehicle when a child in foster care is present.

Alternative Compliance & Policy Waiver Requests

DCFS bases its standards of care and character on the Child Welfare Agency Licensing Act (CWALA). If it is believed that an applicant possesses special abilities or circumstances which would make them good foster parents in spite of their inability to meet a standard, the county office may request an approval for alternative compliance or a policy waiver.

An alternative compliance is a request for approval from the Child Welfare Agency Review Board (CWARB) to allow a licensee to deviate from the letter of a regulation, provided that the licensee has demonstrated how an alternate plan of compliance will meet or exceed the intent of the regulation. What is proposed as an alternative to compliance with policy or standards will comply with the intent, if not the actual requirement.

A policy waiver request is a request to deviate from DCFS policy, procedures, and standards. Waiver requests may be approved by the DCFS Director.

All policy waiver and alternative compliance requests will be approved or denied based on the individual circumstances of the foster parent applicant. Safety and welfare of the child(ren) involved will be paramount.

If a foster parent or applicant has questions or concerns regarding alternative compliance or waiver requests, they should consult their Resource Worker.

Training

DCFS recognizes the child's right to be placed in a home able to deal with the special problems and traumas of out-of-home care. Foster parenting is a specialized field, different from parenting one's own children, and for which special training is essential. As foster parenting is far too complex to be covered in one course, DCFS will provide opportunities for training of prospective foster parents and training related to the special needs of children in out-of-home placements. An individualized training plan will be developed taking into consideration the age and characteristics of children for whom the foster parent has expressed preferences.

Pre-Service Training

Successful completion of the assessment and, if applicable, approval of alternative compliance or policy waiver, is necessary before referral to pre-service training. Training of prospective foster parents will be done by using group processes, but may be done on an individual basis when necessary. Foster parents must complete the Division's pre-service training curriculum which includes 27 hours of Foster/Adopt PRIDE training and three hours of DCFS orientation prior to placement of a child. Foster parents shall have current CPR and First Aid Training. No child will be placed in the foster home until each foster parent has obtained CPR Certification and completed First Aid training.

First Aid and CPR training and certification will only be accepted from a certified trainer associated with the American Heart Association, the National Safety Council, or the American Red Cross. First Aid training provided through the National Safety Council must be the Standard First Aid, not Basic First Aid. All CPR classes must cover infant, child, and adult methods. Prospective foster parents must obtain a certification card from the trainer representing the certifying national organization. DCFS staff will coordinate the CPR and First Aid training with the national organization.

Continuing Education

DCFS will require participation in local educational and training opportunities. Each foster parent shall annually participate in a minimum of 15 hours of approved training. This additional 15 hours becomes due at the end of the second year that a foster home is in operation. The same training classes cannot be repeated yearly. Training classes may cover a wide range of topics related to parenting, child development, behavior problems, medical needs, etc., and may be offered by educational systems (college, university, local school system), Health Department, Community Mental Health Centers, the Foster Parent Association and others. Special TV programs related to child abuse, parenting adolescents, etc. may also be considered training. However, videos, TV programs, online courses and books are only accepted on a limited basis. No more than five hours of videos, books, or online courses or TV programs for each foster parent will be accepted per year and must have prior approval by the Area Director or designee. To be considered as training these programs must be discussed with the Resource Worker assigned to the foster parents and receive prior approval before the program is viewed. Participation shall then be documented in the foster home case record. The DCFS County Office will inform all foster parents of any training and educational opportunities known to them. CPR training is not allowed to be counted toward the required 15 hours. The CPR requirement may not be taken on-line.

A statewide foster parent training conference and area conferences are held yearly, if funds are available, to give foster families the opportunity to obtain the required hours. Both in-state and out-of-state conferences may be considered training. Funds may be available to defray expenses for these educational opportunities. Prior approval is required for reimbursement. Contact a Resource Worker.

The appropriate DCFS County Office will maintain the training record, both DCFS and non-DCFS sponsored. Foster parents are responsible for reporting to their Resource Worker participation in non-DCFS sponsored training. Evidence of attendance (training certificate, etc.) will be needed to document participation.

Both travel and baby-sitting expenses incurred when attending mandatory local and DCFS sponsored training are reimbursable. A Resource Worker must be contacted prior to the training for approval of such expenses.

Reevaluation of Foster Homes

The Resource Worker will monitor the foster home at least quarterly for continued compliance with the minimum licensing standards and policy requirements and complete CFS-475(F): Checklist for Compliance.

Foster homes must be reevaluated annually (i.e., no later than the anniversary month of the foster home's approval), to assure that they continue to meet all standards and policy requirements. Any foster home that does not continue to meet standards will be closed. The Resource Worker or designee will formally review each foster home and complete CFS-475 (A-C): Checklist for Ongoing Monitoring and CFS-451: Foster Parent Reevaluation. The review will be filed in the foster home record.

This reevaluation is necessary to ensure that changes in the family, either physical changes or changes in attitudes, do not adversely affect children placed in that home. After having actually experienced children in foster care in the home, one may have very different feelings about foster parenting and the ability to work with different types of children. The opportunity will be provided to express any changes in feelings subsequent to the last approval, evaluation, or reevaluation. Also, a Resource Worker may assess the family's ability as shown by past experiences with children in foster care. This information will be recorded in the foster home record to be used by any Resource Worker placing or supervising a child in that home.

The foster parent reevaluation packet will be mailed or hand-delivered to be completed prior to the home visit by the resource worker. The resource worker will make an appointment to conduct the reevaluation, review the completed packet, and interview the family. The foster parent reevaluation form will be filed in the foster home record and a narrative entry will also be made in the record that reflects the resource worker's assessment of the following items:

* Continued compliance with Minimum Licensing Standards

* Continuing education compliance

* Maintenance of current CPR Certification and First Aid training

* How the family has met the needs of the children placed, including physical, emotional, educational and recreational needs

* Identification of persons in the home at the time of the reevaluation

* Attitudes toward birth/legal parents

* Impressions and Evaluation

* Objective evaluation of present and future capacity as a foster home

* Strong points of the foster home

* Weak points of the foster home

* How the family has met the needs of the children placed in the home

* Health and Financial Status

* Declaration on status of other applicable requirements, such as physician's exam, TB test, criminal record checks, motor vehicle check, and telephone

* Recommendations

* Age, sex, and special characteristics of children who should be placed in the home

* Problems which can and cannot be handled

* Recommended length of placement desirable

(For reference, see CFS-451: Foster Parent Reevaluation)

The Resource Worker will notify the family of the disposition of the reevaluation in writing within 10 days. When re-approved, the family will receive a reevaluation letter.

A reevaluation of a family foster home shall be conducted whenever there is a major change in the lives of family foster parents including, but not limited to:

Death or serious illness among the members of the foster family

Marriage, separation, or divorce

Loss of or change in employment

Change in residence

Suspected abuse or neglect of any child in the home

Addition of family members (e.g., birth, adoption, aging relatives moving in)

Support to Foster Families

As an integral part of DCFS delivery system, one can expect support from DCFS in the form of training, in-home contacts, case consultation, board payments, special services to children in one's care, and recognition and acknowledgment of these efforts.

When a foster parent requests that a child in foster care be removed from their home, excluding an emergency that places the child or a family member at risk of harm, the foster parent will be expected to attend a staffing to discuss what services or assistance may be needed to stabilize the placement. The staffing will be held within 48 hours of notification by the foster parent to remove the child from their home. The age-appropriate child in foster care, the child's attorney ad litem and a CASA, if appointed to the case, the parents, or guardian, and all parties' attorneys shall be notified so that they can attend and participate in the staffing and planning for the child's placement. If the placement cannot be stabilized, the foster parent will continue to provide for the child in foster care until an appropriate alternative placement is located, but this shall not be longer than five business days.

Foster parents work primarily with three different DCFS staff positions. These are the Family Service Worker, the Foster Parent Resource Worker, and in some instances, the Foster Parent Ombudsman. To better understand how these staff members work as a team and interact with the goal of providing the best overall experience for children in foster care, the following job descriptions are offered.

Family Service Worker

The Family Service Worker (FSW) is primarily responsible for working with the child in foster care and his or her biological or legal family. They work to correct problems in the home of the birth/legal parent with the goal of preventing the need for removal and, if removal is necessary, then working to reunify the child and family.

In the course of serving the needs of children in foster care, the FSW will frequently visit the foster home. When he or she visits the home, the main objective is to discuss the case plan, any changes in the plan, or specific problems with the placement. Neither foster parents nor the FSW are expected to have answers to all problems. Foster parents have the child-raising experience. The FSW has the objective knowledge about children in foster care. Together, solutions are found. The Family Service Worker is expected to be neither a formal guest in the home nor a casual acquaintance or a "best friend." The relationship is most positive when it is pleasantly professional. Problems with the FSW visiting occur when foster parents, and/or child in foster care, do not know the purpose of the visit. Problems also arise when the FSW is seen as a negative authority figure. For example, threatening the child with "if you're not good I'll call the worker", or perceiving the FSW as someone who will solve all the problems, i.e., "We'll call the worker; she'll take care of everything," is not productive. This does not support the team approach and it undermines the foster family's authority. Foster parents and the Family Service Worker are partners working together. This partnership works best when each person presents the other to the child as a positive influence in that child's life, each one bringing his or her contribution to the effort taking place on behalf of the child.

The following are some of the responsibilities of the Family Service Worker:

* Providing protective services, foster care, and supportive services for abused and/or neglected children;

* Providing assistance in investigating suspected child abuse and neglect complaints to determine if allegations can be substantiated by making on-site visits, securing background information, and interviewing parties involved;

* Documenting all casework activities for children in foster care whose cases they are assigned;

* Providing assistance in developing case plans to establish goals, objectives, tasks, and time frames for all parties involved;

* Recruiting families, providing assistance in conducting home studies and family assessments to determine appropriate child placements;

* Visiting clients and/or foster parents to monitor progress toward case objectives;

* Performing any other related responsibilities as required to further the goal of a therapeutic experience for children in protective services and foster care; and,

* Maintaining regular contact with clients, law enforcement officials, medical personnel, teachers, child care personnel, foster parents, agency and private attorneys, and the general public.

Foster Parent Resource Worker

The Foster Parent Resource Worker is responsible for overseeing the operation of all foster homes. Each DCFS service area has an assigned Foster Parent Resource Worker who serves as an advocate for the foster parent. The Resource Worker is responsible for recruiting foster families, facilitating orientations and training sessions, and other licensing and education requirements, both new and on-going. They monitor compliance, provide case management to promote foster home retention, provide support, facilitate corrective action, develop resources, and assess homes that are not in compliance as well as work with those homes and families, and provide other types of general support to care providers within their area.

The Foster Family Resource Worker's assistance to the foster care family includes, but is not limited to the following:

* Conducting interviews for the purpose of gathering social histories or other needed information to assess for eligibility or appropriateness of referral;

* Administering background checks;

* Responding to adoption inquiries and referring, when appropriate, to adoption staff;

* Conducting quarterly foster home visits for monitoring continued compliance, appropriateness, and suitability;

* Completing annual evaluations of each foster home;

* Checking for licensing compliance;

* Following up with corrective actions for homes that are out of compliance;

* Responding to requests from foster parents as they need required logs and/or on-call lists, etc;

* Creating Family Development Plans for continued inservice training and conducting make-up training as needed;

* Conducting health and safety assessments as needed (only in regard to licensing complaints-non maltreatment) and other licensing standard compliance;

* Assisting in the development of foster parent support groups/associations and participating in the annual foster parent conference;

* Visiting the foster home;

* Providing training information;

* Providing information regarding available resources; and,

* Performing any other duties identified by the Area Director that will promote the success of the foster home.

The Resource Worker will work with the foster parents to improve the overall working relations between DCFS and the Foster Parent Association.

Foster Parent Ombudsman

The Foster Parent Ombudsman serves as a statewide advocate for foster parents and assists with providing training, updates, and support to the Foster Parent Associations.

Some of the duties include:

* Receiving phone calls, emails, or letters regarding complaints and problems the foster parents are experiencing (wide range of calls and issues such as licensing standards, staff complaints, travel reimbursement, adoption issues)

* Attending and facilitating Foster Parent Association support group meetings (provide training/continuing education, updates on DCFS policies, answer general questions about the agency)

The Foster Parent Ombudsman may be contacted if the foster parent has a complaint; however, the Ombudsman is not part of the official grievance procedure. (See the section on Family Foster Parents Grievance Procedure for further clarification.)

Visits to the Foster Home

The Family Service Worker overseeing the care of individual children in the foster home will make at least weekly visits in the home during the first month of placement. After the first month, the FSW must make weekly contact with the child at school, or during sibling or parental visits, but must continue to visit the home at least monthly. Visits may be scheduled or unannounced. The Resource Worker will visit the home at least quarterly. More frequent visitation may be made to the home to help solve any problems that arise.

The visits will be used to relay necessary information to the child and to allow the foster parents to voice their feelings about the placement and subsequent adjustment jointly, as well as, privately, and to ascertain if the needs of that particular child are being met. Each visit will include a private conversation with the child away from the foster parent. Another purpose of home visits is to monitor continued compliance with licensing standards.

Availability of Family Service Worker & Resource Worker to Foster Families

For foster parenting to be a successful experience, one must have access to the Family Service Worker and Foster Family Resource Worker. If either of these staff members is absent from the office when telephoned, calls will be returned promptly. If a visit is necessary, it will be scheduled.

Telephone numbers of the Resource Worker who may be contacted after hours will be furnished (See section on DCFS County Office contact persons in the back of this Handbook). After-hours contact should be used for emergencies only. Also, information will be provided which may be needed for the child in the home in an emergency situation, such as the child's Medicaid number and Medical Passport. At the time of placement all information known about the child will be provided, such as: expected length of stay, information regarding illnesses, chronic health problems, medication, habits, etc.

Crisis and After Hours Response

Foster parents will have access to a Family Service Worker in their county 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A list of after hours numbers (on-call pager/cell phone numbers) where the local on-call FSW can be reached will be provided. If the after hours call requires a direct contact with the child's FSW, the on-call worker will provide the assigned Family Service Worker's home phone number or will contact the assigned worker and have that worker make contact.

Child Care for Children in Foster Care

Generally pre-school age children in foster care should not be placed in a two-parent foster home where both of the foster parents are employed outside the home, or, in a single-parent foster home where the sole parent is employed outside the home. Child care may be authorized for a child in foster care if child care is determined to be appropriate as part of the case plan or if court-ordered. Appropriate reasons include:

A. Normal Age-Appropriate Activities - Children in foster homes should be encouraged to participate in normal age-appropriate activities such as overnight visits with friends, extra-curricular activities, church activities, and short-term summer camps. Foster parents shall exercise careful consideration when determining whether a child may participate in any normal age-appropriate activity. Foster parents shall notify the FSW if the child will spend more than 24 continuous hours outside the foster home when participating in said activities.

B. Babysitting - Babysitters may be used to provide occasional care for children in the foster home for no more than six continuous hours at one time, Foster parents shall exercise careful consideration when evaluating the character and competence of any individual asked to babysit. Babysitters shall not transport children. Background checks of any kind are not required.

C. Foster Family Support System - The Foster Family Support System (FFSS) may be comprised of up to three individuals or families identified by the foster family. FFSS members may provide care for children when the foster parent is unable to do so on the occasion of anticipated or unanticipated events. Foster parents shall exercise careful consideration when evaluating the character and competence of any individual asked to serve as an FFSS member.

Members of a Foster Family Support System may transport children and care for children in the foster home or in the home of the FFSS member. However, an FFSS member shall not provide care for more than 72 continuous hours at one time regardless of the location in which care is provided. Requests for longer periods of care provided by an FFSS member must be approved by the Area Director or designee. The FSW shall be notified when an FFSS member will provide care for more than 24 continuous hours. The Foster Family Support System shall not be used in place of respite care or as an out-of-home placement.

All prospective FFSS members must be cleared through a Child Maltreatment Central Registry Check and a State Police Criminal Record Check. The Division will request any other state where the prospective FFSS member has resided in the preceding six years to check its child abuse and neglect registry. The Division will provide documentation in the case record that the Child Maltreatment Central Registry and State Police Criminal Record Checks were conducted on the prospective FFSS member. The Division will check the driving record (violation points) for each potential FFSS member. The Arkansas State Vehicle Safety Program sets the maximum number of traffic violation points an FFSS member foster parent may be allowed. Documentation of at least one home visit for evaluation purposes is required of all prospective FFSS members.

D. Respite Care - When an FFSS member is not available to provide needed care on a short-term basis, respite care may be utilized in order to temporarily relieve the foster family of the ongoing responsibilities and stresses of care. There are two types of respite care:

Liability of Foster Parents

Foster parents must carry homeowner's or renter's insurance and general liability insurance, which may be included in the homeowners policy.

Any claims for damages or destruction to a foster parent's personal property, not covered by homeowner's insurance, car insurance, or to the property of others due to the actions of a child placed in a foster home should be filed with the Arkansas Claims Commission. Foster parents or the individual may request the appropriate application to submit their claim by contacting the Arkansas Claims Commission, 101 East Capitol Ave., Suite 410, Little Rock, AR 72201-3823, Telephone: 501-682-1619, www.claimscommission.ar.gov.

The foster parents or the individual should contact their County Office and provide information needed to complete an incident report. (This is a different document from the claim form mentioned above.) This incident report will be submitted to Central Office and will be used to assist the Claims Commission in processing the claim.

Foster parents approved by the Division shall not be liable for damages caused by children in foster care, nor shall they be liable to the children in foster care or to the parents or guardians of the children in foster care for injuries to the children in foster care caused by acts or omissions of the family foster parents unless the acts or omissions constitute malicious, willful, wanton, or grossly negligent conduct. (Act 941 of 1989)

The information contained within this handbook is a guideline for the DCFS Foster Care Program. If any information contained herein should be in disagreement with official DCFS policy as written in the DCFS Family Services Policy and Procedure Manual or with state/federal law; then the policy or law shall take precedence. DCFS urges discussion of any concerns related to children in foster care in one's home with a Family Service Worker.

In the event one needs to contact the Division of Children and Family Services for any reason, please call the persons listed below in the order they are listed. For example, if one cannot reach the Family Service Worker or feel they need to speak to a supervisor, then one should call the second name listed.

DCFS CONTACT INFORMATION

CHILD'S NAME________________________________________________________________

FAMILY SERVICE WORKER_______________________________________________________

Work Phone______________________________________________________

Emergency Phone_________________________________________________

FAMILY SERVICE WORKER'S SUPERVISOR__________________________________________

Work Phone______________________________________________________

Emergency Phone_________________________________________________

DCFS COUNTY OFFICE SUPERVISOR_______________________________________________

Work Phone______________________________________________________

Emergency Phone_________________________________________________

FOSTER PARENT RESOURCE WORKER ______________________________________________

Work Phone______________________________________________________

Emergency Phone_________________________________________________

DCFS AREA DIRECTOR___________________________________________________________

Work Phone______________________________________________________

Emergency Phone_________________________________________________

Click here to view image

NATIONAL FOSTER PARENT ASSOCIATION CODE OF ETHICS FOR FOSTER PARENTS

Preamble

Foster family care for children is based on the theory that no unit in our society, other than the family, has ever been able to provide the special qualities needed to nurture children to their fullest mental, emotional and spiritual development. If, for a certain period, a family ceases to provide these special qualities, substitute care must be used. It is recognized that ideally, foster care is temporary in nature. Persons who provide foster family care must have commitment, compassion and faith in the dignity and worth of children, recognize and respect the rights of natural parents, and be willing to work with the child-placing agency to develop and carry out a plan of care for the child.

Foster care is a public trust that requires that the practitioners be dedicated to service for the welfare of children, that they utilize a recognized body of knowledge about human beings and their interactions, that they be committed to gaining knowledge about human beings and their interactions, and that they be committed to gaining knowledge of community resources which promote the well-being of all without discrimination.

Each foster parent has an obligation to maintain and improve the practice of fostering, constantly to examine, use and increase the knowledge upon which fostering is based, and to perform the service of fostering with integrity and competence.

Principles

In order to provide quality foster care services, foster parents subscribe to the following principles:

I regard as my primary obligation the welfare of the child deserved.

I shall work objectively with the agency in effecting the permanent plan for the child in my care.

I hold myself responsible for the quality and extent of the services I perform.

I accept the reluctance of the child to discuss his past.

I shall keep confidential from unauthorized persons information pertaining to any child placed in my home.

I shall treat with respect the findings, views and actions of fellow foster parents, and use appropriate channels, such as a foster parent organization, to express my opinions.

I shall take advantage of available opportunities for education and training designed to upgrade my performance as a foster parent.

I respect the worth of all individuals regardless of race, religion, sex or national ancestry in my capacity as a foster parent.

I accept the responsibility to work toward assuring that ethical standards are adhered to by any individual or organization providing foster care services.

I shall distinguish clearly in public between my statements and actions as an individual, and as a representative of a foster parent organization.

I accept responsibility for working toward the creation and maintenance of conditions within the field of foster family care which enable foster parents to uphold the principles of this code.

EXCERPT, DIVISION OF CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES PUB-357: CHILD MALTREATMENT ASSESSMENT PROTOCOL

NEGLECT - Acts or omissions of a parent, guardian, custodian, foster parent, or any person who is entrusted with the juvenile's care by a parent, custodian, guardian, or foster parent, including, but not limited to, an agent or employee of a public or private residential home, child care facility, public or private school, or any person legally responsible under state law for the juvenile's welfare, but excluding the spouse of a minor and the parents of a married minor, which constitute:

VII. DEVELOPMENT OF FOSTER HOMES

POLICY VII-A: FOSTER HOME PURPOSE AND ROLES

01/2011

The development of quality foster homes is a process essential for ensuring the safety and well-being of children in care while concurrently supporting children's permanency goals. The foster family is part of a team also comprised of DCFS, the child in foster care, the custodial/non-custodial parents and other appropriate community members. When these team members understand their own and each others' roles and cooperate, the quality of the experience for everyone is increased, and the well-being of the child and his or her family is positively affected.

For the purpose of title IV-E eligibility, a foster home means the home of an individual or family licensed or approved as meeting the standards established by the Child Welfare Agency Review Board that provides 24-hour out-of-home care for children (with respect to foster family homes on or near Indian reservations, approval would rest with the tribal licensing or approval authority). Foster homes that are approved must be held to the same standards as foster homes that are licensed. Anything less than full licensure or approval is insufficient for meeting title IV-E eligibility requirements.

In addition, the Child Welfare Agency Licensing Act defines a foster home as a private residence of one or more family members that receives from a child placement agency any minor child who is unattended by a parent or guardian in order to provide care, training, education, custody or supervision on a 24 hour basis, not to include adoptive homes. The home must meet foster home standards and the individual child's needs for the duration of the placement.

There are two types of DCFS foster homes: Provisional Foster Homes and Regular Foster Homes.

Provisional foster homes are identified and recruited by the Family Service Worker, who, in an effort to preserve family connections and expedite placement, may seek to place a child in foster care with a relative. "Relative" means a person within the fifth degree of kinship by virtue of blood or adoption (see POLICY VI-A) if one has been identified and is appropriate.

The purpose of opening a provisional foster home is to enable DCFS to make a quick placement for a child with a relative with whom a bond already exists. Therefore, a provisional home may be opened before the results of the FBI Background Check are received, before the provisional foster parents have completed the pre-service training, and before a full home study is finished (however a walkthrough of the home is required before placement in a provisional home). These are the only differences in approval requirements, including minimum licensing requirements, between provisional foster homes and regular foster homes in Arkansas.

Once opened as a provisional home, DCFS staff works with the foster parents in that home to bring them into full compliance within a six month period. Provisional foster homes that are not in full compliance at the end of six months must be closed and the child(ren) removed, unless the relative has acquired custody. If the home is opened as a regular foster home, the foster parents may then request to care for non-relative children in foster care with the understanding that additional evaluation of their home would be required to ensure that it would be an appropriate placement for non-relative children.

DCFS is licensed to approve foster homes. Regular Foster Homes are approved foster homes that may provide care for both related and non-related children. In addition, a Regular Foster Home may also serve, if desired, as an emergency home or as an informal respite home.

An emergency home is where the foster parents agree to provide temporary, short-term care for any child who is referred by the child-placing agency at any hour of the day or night. Emergency referrals include children placed in emergency custody of the child-placing agency by the courts, children for whom the child-placing agency is searching for a suitable regular foster home, and children who must be removed from a foster home before another suitable foster home is located. Placements are of short duration, pending outcome of a court hearing or location of a suitable regular foster home or relative. An informal respite home provides temporary care (no more than seven continuous days at one time) for children in out-of-home placements when the children's full-time foster family is unable to do so and a member of the foster family's support system cannot assist. (See POLICY VII-G: Alternate Care.)

DCFS employees are only permitted to be agency-approved foster homes for informal respite care purposes (see POLICY VII-G: Alternate Care). However, in situations where Division staff are relatives of children placed in DHS custody, and it is in the best interest of the child to be placed with the relative, the DCFS Director may grant approval for the relative/employee to serve as a full-time foster home on a case-by-case basis.

For additional information, see PUB-11: What Happens When Your Child and Family Are Involved in DCFS?, PUB-22: Standards of Approval for Foster Homes and PUB-30: Foster Parent Handbook.

POLICY VII-B: FOSTER HOME RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION

01/2011

The Division shall recruit a sufficient number of foster families to ensure that all children are placed in the least-restrictive, most family-like setting that meets each child's individual needs. Recruitment should result in an increased number of qualified, trained foster families in Arkansas. The Division shall diligently recruit potential foster families that reflect the ethnic and racial diversity of children in care. Targeted recruitment of specialized foster parents shall address the special needs of children needing placement.

Recruitment of new foster families is an ongoing activity for which all staff are responsible. However, Resource Workers in each Area will take the lead role in the recruitment process. Recruitment efforts include, but are not limited to, participation from current foster parents, development of local and statewide media campaigns, and collaboration with community organizations.

Each Area Director will develop an annual recruitment plan to be initiated at the beginning of each fiscal year. The CFS-445: Family Foster Home Needs Assessment will be utilized in the development of the recruitment plan. The plan will outline ongoing recruitment efforts for the Area. The Family Foster Home Needs Assessment will also be utilized in the development of the Area Foster Home Recruitment Plan and the Statewide Foster Home Recruitment Plan.

As part of foster home recruitment, each county will host information meetings to explain the steps to becoming a foster parent as well as the responsibilities that foster parents have to children and their families who are involved with DCFS. The information meeting will also help attendees better determine if they want to apply to become a foster home. Prospective foster parents should attend an information meeting prior to beginning the application process. Neighboring counties may hold joint information meetings to better accommodate schedules and maximize staff time.

Recruitment does not end when a foster home is opened. It must be sustained with retention efforts. DCFS will retain quality foster homes by ensuring good communication with and support to foster families.

PROCEDURE VII-B1: Foster Parent Recruitment

All staff should participate in recruitment efforts. While the following is not a comprehensive list, staff should:

The Area Director or designee will:

The Foster Care Unit will:

PROCEDURE VII-B2: Retention of Foster Homes

All DCFS staff will:

Resource Workers will:

PROCEDURE VII-B3: Inquiries

The County Supervisor or designee will:

The designated Resource Worker will:

The designated staff person will provide the family with an information packet within three working days after initial contact is made. The information packet will consist of:

Copies of the brochures can be obtained from the Adoption and Foster Care Units.

PROCEDURE VII-B4: Information Meetings

The Resource Worker or designee will:

POLICY VII-C: FOSTER HOME ASSESSMENT PROCESS

01/2011

In order to ensure quality foster homes, DCFS will complete a thorough home assessment for each prospective foster family. The home assessment is a mutual selection process. It involves several components including, but not limited to, an in-home consultation visit, background checks, pre-service training, a home study, and ongoing consultation with the prospective foster parents to ensure that all appropriate criteria related to both compliance and quality are met. Prospective foster parents, with the exception of provisional foster parents, are highly encouraged to attend an Information Meeting before the In-Home Consultation Visit.

Basic criteria for consideration in determining the appropriateness of foster homes (provisional and regular) includes, but is not limited to:

Age:

Applicant is at least 21 years old.

Marital Status:

General Physical and Mental Health:

Members of the household must not have a health condition or disability that would interfere with the family's ability to parent the child. Each member of the household shall have a physical examination by a physician within six months prior to the approval of the home study on the prospective foster family, and annually thereafter.

Housing:

The Resource Worker must process all of the following forms for the appropriate foster family members and the Foster Family Support System and will:

PROCEDURE VII-C2: In-Home Consultation Visit

The Resource Worker will:

The Area Director will:

PROCEDURE VII-C3: Initiation of Pre-Service Training

In order to approve applicants for Pre-Service Training, within 10 working days of receiving the results of all Child Maltreatment Central Registry Checks and the State Police Criminal Record Check, the Resource Worker will:

The Area Director or designee will:

PROCEDURE VII-C4: Pre-Service Training

The prospective foster family will:

The Resource Worker will:

The Area Director or designee will:

PROCEDURE VII-C5: Home Study

The home study can be conducted by designated Division staff, by staff contracted through the MidSOUTH Training Academy or other contract providers, or by volunteers trained by designated DCFS staff.

The individual conducting the home study will:

The Resource Worker will:

The Area Director or designee will:

PROCEDURE VII-C6: Final Approval of Foster Homes

The Resource Worker will:

The County Supervisor will:

The Area Director will:

POLICY VII-D: DENIAL OF A FOSTER HOME

01/2011

If at any point during the home assessment the Division determines that an applicant does not meet the standards or any other criteria of a quality foster home, DCFS will deny approval of the home.

PROCEDURE VII-D1: Denial as a Result of the In-Home Consultation Visit Report

The Resource Worker will:

PROCEDURE VII-D2: Denial due to Negative Results of a Background Check

The County Supervisor will:

PROCEDURE VII-D3: Denial as a Result of the Home Assessment

The County Supervisor will:

POLICY VII-E: REEVALUATION OF THE FOSTER HOME

01/2011

In order to ensure continued quality of all DCFS foster homes, the Division shall reevaluate each foster home's ability to care for children at least annually and whenever there is a major life change. Major life changes include:

* Death or serious illness among the members of the foster family.

* Marriage, separation, or divorce. (See more detailed information concerning foster parents who plan to marry or divorce below.)

* Loss of or change in employment.

* Change in residence.

* Suspected child maltreatment of any child in the foster home.

* The addition of family members.

The completion and approval of all foster home reevaluations must be documented in CHRIS. If a foster home reevaluation is not completed and documented annually in CHRIS, any IV-E eligible child placed in the home will lose his IV-E eligible claimability until the reevaluation of the family is completed and documented.

In addition to continuing to meet all Minimum Licensing Requirements and DCFS Policy as it relates to foster homes, foster parents must also complete a minimum of fifteen hours of Division-sponsored or Division-approved in-service training annually after the first year of service. Foster parents must also maintain current CPR certification and Standard First Aid training. Maintenance of CPR certification and First Aid training is in addition to the fifteen hours of continuing education and, therefore, cannot be counted as part of the continuing education.

If the foster parents' annual in-service training requirements are more than 60 calendar days overdue, then a reevaluation will also be required unless an extension to meet in-service training requirements has been granted by the Area Director.

Foster parents shall complete their annual in-service training requirements before any additional children in care are placed in their home unless an exception is granted. Foster parents who do not meet the in-service training requirements will be notified that they must complete the in-service training requirements within 60 days. No additional children will be placed in the home during this 60 day period.

PROCEDURE VII-E1: Annual Reevaluation of the Foster Home

The Resource Worker will:

The Area Director will:

When an exception to the in-service training requirements is requested, the Area Director will:

PROCEDURE VII-E2: Single Foster Parents Who Plan to Marry

When a single foster parent plans to marry and wishes to continue providing care to children in foster care, the Resource Worker will:

The future spouse will be considered an applicant seeking approval. He or she must complete and submit the following to the Resource Worker:

The foster parent and fiance should be informed that the reevaluation, the fiance's approval and the waiver will have to be granted before the fiance can take on the role of foster parent and reside with the children in the home. A waiver is needed due to the DCFS Policy requiring that foster parents to be married for at least two years.

Once the reevaluation is completed and all newly involved persons have been approved for contact with children in foster care, a waiver should be requested, which should address the strengths and qualities of the relationship that support the request for the waiver. See Appendix 9.

PROCEDURE VII-E3: Married Foster Parents Who Plan to Divorce

When jointly licensed foster parents, who currently have children placed in their home, plan to divorce, the Resource Worker will:

POLICY VII-F: FOSTER HOME REOPENING

01/2011

There may be situations when foster parents who previously self-elected to close their home and/or whose home was closed by the Division would like to reopen.

PROCEDURE VII-F1: Reopening a Foster Home That Has Been Closed Less Than One Year

For former foster homes that have been closed less than a year and express interest in reopening, the Resource Worker shall:

PROCEDURE VII-F2: Reopening a Foster Home That Has Been Closed More Than One Year but Less Than Two Years

For former foster homes that have been closed for more than one year but less than two years and express interest in reopening, the Resource Worker shall:

PROCEDURE VII-F3: Reopening a Foster Home That Has Been Closed for More Than Two Years

For former foster homes that have been closed for more than two years and express interest in reopening, the Resource Worker shall:

POLICY VII-G: ALTERNATE CARE FOR CHILDREN IN OUT-OF-HOME PLACEMENT

01/2011

Alternate care for children in out-of-home placement may be used to provide assistance to foster parents when circumstances requiring supervision by an appropriate adult other than the foster parents exist, e.g., if both foster parents work, during foster parent training, transporting a child in foster care for medical purposes, need for short-term, temporary care to provide relief to the foster parent from the on-going responsibility of care, etc.

There are five types of alternate care:

PROCEDURE VII-G1: Normal Age Appropriate Activities

The Foster Family will:

The Family Service Worker will:

The County Supervisor will:

PROCEDURE VII-G2: Babysitting

The Family Service Worker will:

The County Supervisor will:

PROCEDURE VII-G3 Child Care for Children in Temporary Out-of-Home Placement

For routine child care services, the Family Service Worker will:

If the child leaves the foster care or protective services program, CHRIS will automatically notify the child care system.

The County Supervisor will:

For non-routine child care services (e.g. when the foster parents are obtaining foster parent training), the Family Service Worker will:

PROCEDURE VII-G4: Foster Family Support System for Children in Out-of-Home Placement

The Family Resource Worker will:

The Foster Family will:

The Family Service Worker will:

The Area Director will:

PROCEDURE VII-G5: Respite for Children in Out-of-Home Placement

The Foster Family will:

The Family Service Worker will:

The Financial Coordinator will:

The Area Director will:

A. At least 21 years old;

B. A primary caregiver who is at an age so that it can be anticipated that he can parent the child into adulthood. This assessment will be made by the Adoption Specialist when determining what is in the best interests of the child(ren) to be adopted.

A. In a two-parent home, the husband and wife shall be joint applicants; each shall actively participate in the approval process, and shall provide verification that they have been married. The marriage shall be stable.

B. A person who is divorced must provide verification of that divorce and must be divorced for at least one year from the date on the court order (i.e., verification of any divorces that were finalized in the preceding year only are required).

C. A person who is widowed must provide verification that they have been widowed for at least one year.

D. Couples who are separated may not apply to adopt.

E. A single person may apply to adopt.

A. Space is adequate to promote health and safety. Each bedroom should have at least 50 square feet of space per occupant.

B. All firearms are maintained in a secure, locked location.

C. All water hazards and dangerous pets will be assessed. Safeguard measures will be implemented, as appropriate.

D. Children of opposite sexes will have their own separate bedrooms if either child is four years old or older, except for a mother in foster care with her child(ren).

E. Water is provided by public water system or approved by the Department of Health.

A. Encourage adoptive parents to:

B. Actively coordinate with professional organizations and minority groups to create public interest.

C. Contact community organizations and media to inform them about DCFS needs and successes.

D. Conduct Information Meetings.

A. Publicize the need for adoptive families.

B. Publicize the availability and purpose of adoption subsidy.

C. Recruit adoptive families that reflect the ethnic and racial diversity of children for whom adoptive homes are needed.

D. Recruit for placement for specific children when necessary.

E. Utilize adoptive families and volunteers in recruitment campaigns.

F. Provide adoption brochures.

G. Explain and discuss the adoption process.

H. Refer applications from friends, relatives, and DHS employees to the Adoption Supervisor.

I. Complete the adoption preparation/assessment within four to six months (includes pre-service training).

A. Ensure good communication among all team members, as well as mutual respect, understanding, and honesty.

B. Support adoptive homes as needed in order to best serve children and their families.

A. Keep adoptive applicants and adoptive parents informed of DCFS programs, services, and policies that relate to adoption.

B. Support the prospective adoptive parents throughout the inquiry, application, preparation/assessment, approval, waiting for placement, selection, placement and finalization of adoption.

A. Designate a staff person to respond to all phone and internet inquiries within five working days.

A. Respond to all phone and internet inquiries within five working days of the inquiry follow-up assignment.

B. When responding to an inquiry, give a brief explanation of the county adoption needs, correct any misinformation the caller may have, and explain the adoptive parent assessment process. Inquiries made through the website will automatically populate the appropriate CHRIS county inbox the next working day.

C. Enter information documenting all activities with "adopt-only" families beginning with Applicant Status (Inquiry) to the approval process in CHRIS. This includes all appropriate Provider Screens - General Information Tabs, Household Members/Requirements Tab, Contacts Screen, Preferences Tab, Adoption Characteristics Tab and Services Details Screen.

D. Provide the family with an information packet within five working days after initial contact is made. The information packet will consist of:

A. Conduct a meeting with a group of adoptive applicants within 30 working days of initial contact. This may or may not include a joint meeting with individuals interested in fostering.

B. Notify Adoption Supervisor if this time frame cannot be met.

C. During the informational meeting inform attendees of the following:

D. Provide all participants with a copy of PUB-22: Standards of Approval for Family Foster Homes.

E. Provide participants with a Background Check Packet (MidSOUTH shall not provide the packet to prospective adoptive families), which includes:

F. Have a notary present to notarize the forms in the Background Check Packet if the family chooses to complete during the Information Meeting.

G. Provide participants with additional Background Check Packets for their Foster Family Support System.

PROCEDURE VIII-G5: Background Check Processing

If the prospective adoptive family did not attend an Informational Meeting, the Adoption Specialist must provide the family with a Background Check Packet which includes:

A. Submit the signed CFS-593, VSP-1 and VSP-2 to the Vehicle Safety Program Coordinator along with a clear copy of the driver's license for each prospective adoptive parent and applicable teenage driver.

B. Submit the completed CFS-316: Request for Child Maltreatment Central Registry Check for each household member age 10 years and older, excluding children in foster care. The CFS-316 must be notarized. The Child Maltreatment Central Registry Check shall be repeated annually thereafter until the adoption decree has been issued. The person must have no history of true abuse and/or neglect.

C. Use CFS-341: Certification of Absence of Criminal Record to obtain written certification from the prospective adoptive parent(s) that any household members aged 10-17 do not have a criminal record. File a copy in the case record.

D. Submit the completed CFS-342: State Police Criminal Record Check for each household member age 18 years and older, excluding children in foster care. The CFS-342 must be notarized. The State Police Criminal Record Check must be completed prior to requesting the FBI Criminal Background Check. Applicants must have no history of convictions for offenses listed in ACA § 9-28-409. These checks must be made prior to approval and be shall be repeated annually thereafter until the adoption decree has been issued (see Procedure VIII-F1 for a listing).

E. Out-of-state adoptive families do not need to do an Arkansas State Police Check if they have never resided in Arkansas. Adoptive parents and each member of the household age 18 years and older, excluding children in foster care, residing out-of-state shall provide state police criminal record checks from their state of residence. These checks must be made prior to approval and shall be repeated annually thereafter until the adoption decree has been issued. Any person who is found guilty of or pleads guilty to an excluded criminal offense pursuant to ACA § 9-28-409(e)(1) shall be excluded as an adoptive parent.

F. Process an FBI fingerprint-based Criminal Background Check for all adoptive applicants and all members of the prospective adoptive home who are 18 years of age and older, excluding children in foster care. Encourage the adoptive applicants to submit the FBI Criminal Background Check as early as possible given that processing time may be significant. The FBI fingerprint-based Criminal Background Check must be submitted prior to the family attending training; however, the results are not required before the family can attend training.

There are two options for completing the FBI check:

A. After attendance at an Information Meeting and after clearances on all required background checks have been received, conduct an in-home consultation visit with the prospective adoptive family in order to:

B. The Adoption Specialist will be responsible for submitting the completed reference letters to the individual conducting the home study.

C. Require a professional assessment of an applicant's ability to parent, if needed. It may be necessary for the adoptive applicant to pay for that assessment.

A. Submit the signed and completed CFS-446: In Home Consultation Visit Report to the Adoption Supervisor with one of the following recommendations:

B. If the Adoption Supervisor approves the recommendation to send the applicant to Pre-Service Training, complete the contact purpose of "In-Home Consultation/Approval for Training" in the Provider Contact Information Screen.

C. Arrange and/or provide one-on-one pre-service training to the family if group training sessions are unavailable locally.

D. Enter the CFS-409 responses in the Provider Adoption Characteristics Tab in CHRIS.

A. Log receipt of the CFS-446 on the DCFS Foster/Adopt Home in CHRIS.

B. Note approval or disapproval of recommendation within five working days of submission of the CFS-446 by the Adoption Specialist. Either approve or disapprove the recommendation of the Adoption Specialist.

C. When an applicant is approved:

D. When an applicant is NOT approved:

A. Complete a minimum of 27 hours of Foster/Adopt PRIDE training and three hours of DCFS orientation prior to placement of a child. All make-up sessions shall also be completed in order for a family to fully complete pre-service training.

B. Complete CPR and First Aid Training and receive certification in both areas.

C. Submit the completed CFS-409: Foster/Adoptive Family Preference Checklist to the Adoption Specialist by the first day of Pre-Service Training:

D. Submit the following forms to the Adoption Specialist by the last day of Pre-Service Training:

E. Ensure that the individuals providing references have submitted them to the Adoption Specialist by the last day of training. Each person providing a reference should mail the reference letter directly to the Adoption Specialist using the pre-stamped, pre-addressed envelope provided (i.e., all reference letters shall remain confidential; prospective adoptive family shall not handle a completed reference letter).

A. Assist with the Area or County Orientation Session.

B. Document the CPR Training and First Aid Training Effective and Expiration Dates in the Provider Household Members/Requirements Tab in CHRIS.

A. Conduct an initial face-to-face interview with the prospective adoptive parent(s) using CFS-405 to guide the conversation.

B. Evaluate the first interview and note responses that will require further clarification and/or development.

C. Collect the three reference letters from the Adoption Specialist and review. Three positive references are required.

D. Conduct a second face-to-face interview with the applicant(s).

E. Evaluate the second interview and note responses that will require further clarification and/or development.

F. If necessary, conduct additional face-to-face interviews with the prospective adoptive parent(s) and/or other members of the household to further explore topics noted during the evaluation process.

G. Interview each household member separately who is 10 years of age or older. Observe younger children and interview if appropriate.

H. Within 45 working days of the family completing pre-service training, complete the home study report (based on CFS-405) and submit to the Adoption Specialist for review and assessment.

A. Review the final report (based on CFS-405) and other assessment documents and, based on the review, recommend to approve or deny the home.

B. Send a copy of the home study report, written recommendation of approval or denial, all required forms including the three positive, confidential reference letters to the Adoptions Supervisor within one week of receiving the final report from the home study evaluator.

C. Provide a copy of the final home study report to the family regardless of approval or denial if the family has requested to see the report.

D. If the home is denied, explain the reasons for denial in a personal interview and refer for professional services if indicated.

E. Keep the family's photo album in his or her possession.

F. Document the Initial Home Study Completed Date on the Provider Services Details Screen in CHRIS.

A. Review and assess the completed home study report and other assessment documents as well as the Adoption Specialist's recommendation to approve or deny the home.

B. Determine whether to approve or deny the adoptive applicant within one week of receiving all final documents from the Adoption Specialist.

C. Notify the adoptive applicant in writing of approval or denial within one week of receiving all final documents from the Adoption Specialist.

D. Notify the applicant in writing if a determination to approve or deny the home based on the home study report and other assessment documents cannot be completed within 60 days of the family completing pre-service training and explain the reason. Send a copy to the Adoption Specialist.

E. In CHRIS, upon approval of the adoptive applicant, enter the new adoptive family in CHRIS by completing the Resource screens to obtain a resource provider number. Also, the Vendor Maintenance Form - F10021 must be completed and sent to AASIS as soon as possible by designated staff.

F. Return the home study report and entire record to the Adoption Specialist with a copy of the written approval or denial notification.

A. Visit in the home and ascertain changes in the situation and assess the family's continued interest in adoption.

B. Use the CFS-475: Checklist for Compliance to update the narrative summary and record annually from the date in the approval letter until a child is placed and the adoption is finalized.

C. Complete/update the Individual Training Needs Assessment (ITNA) with the parent.

D. Submit the completed ITNA to MidSOUTH within 45 working days of the home visit.

E. Submit within 45 working days from the home visit a packet to the Adoption Supervisor to include:

F. Send a copy of CFS-475, all required forms and written notification of approval to the Adoptions Manager or designee when a reevaluation is approved.

G. In CHRIS, under the Pre-Adoptive Home Service for the approved adoptive family:

A. Refer to Procedure VIII-G5.

B. In CHRIS, under the Pre-Adoptive Homes Service for the approved adoptive family:

A. Pursue child's relatives as possible adoptive placements.

B. Invite Adoption Specialist to permanency planning staffing.

C. Assure prior to the permanency planning staffing that the child's out-of-home placement record is up to date and that all attachments which are required for an adoption packet (Appendix 2-B) are in the child's record. These will be copied and forwarded to the Adoption Specialist within three working days after the permanency planning hearing.

D. Notify the Adoption Specialist within 14 days prior to TPR staffing and hearing.

E. Send additional attachments to the Adoption Specialist once the initial adoption packet is completed in order to maintain current information until a child is placed with an adoptive family.

F. Document in the child's out-of-home placement record and in CHRIS the efforts to secure needed attachments and the reason for an attachment not being available.

G. Provide information requested by the Adoption Specialist in the preparation of the child's adoption summary and in the selection of an adoptive family.

H. Place siblings together in the same adoptive home. Separate siblings by placement only upon written determination by a Mental Health Professional that placement of the siblings together would be detrimental to their best interest or is otherwise not possible at the time of initial placement.

I. Continue to prepare the child for adoption.

A. Determine prior to the 11 month staffings if there is a resource of approved adoptive applicants to consider for a child who may have a permanent goal of adoption (enter characteristics of child into the computer matching system to obtain listing of approved adoptive applicants). If there is not an adequate resource of approved adoptive applicants, the Adoption Specialist will initiate generalized recruitment for an adoptive family who may be interested in adopting a child with similar characteristics.

B. Prepare the child's adoption packet (adoption summary and attachments -- see Appendix 2-A and 2-B) within 30 days from the permanency planning hearing.

C. In CHRIS, complete the Adoption Characteristics section in the Child's Characteristic's Screen in the child's case.

D. Enter characteristics of the child into the computer matching system, CFS-468: Adoption Data Matching within five working days from the court hearing that terminated parental rights to obtain a listing of approved and registered adoptive applicants from in and out-of-state.

E. Contact the Adoptions Manager or designee, to request adoption assessments on the approved adoptive applicants.

F. Decide within 10 working days from receiving the listing and adoption assessments if recruitment of an adoptive family is needed.

G. Assist the Family Service Worker in preparing the child for adoption.

H. Complete and maintain a CFS-433: Individualized Recruitment Plan written recruitment plan if an appropriate adoptive family is not available.

I. Send the following to the Adoptions Manager or designee, if a photo-listing and website registration of the child is needed: a color photograph, adoption summary, special evaluations if applicable, the CFS-467: Adoption Recruitment Agreement if 10 years or older and a draft of the completed registration page.

J. Notify the Adoptions Manager or designee in writing if registrations are needed on available, national adoption exchanges.

K. Monitor and document recruitment activities on the CFS-433: Individualized Recruitment Plan.

L. Enter characteristics of the child into the computer matching system CFS-468: Adoption Data Matching on a consistent basis if the initial listing did not result in the selection of an appropriate adoptive family.

M. Update the child's adoption summary annually until an appropriate adoptive family is selected and ensure that attachments are updated. Send a copy of the updated adoption summary and special evaluations to the Adoptions Manager or designee if the child has a photo-listing, website and/or adoption exchange registration. Send a copy of the updated summary to the child's Family Service Worker.

N. Ensure compliance with Indian Child Welfare Act, if applicable.

O. Consult with the Family Service Worker, the family's Adoption Specialist and other appropriate DCFS staff and professionals involved with the child in the selection of an adoptive family. Schedule and conduct a staffing, if applicable.

P. Select the most appropriate approved adoptive applicant for the child consistent with the child's needs. Ensure the applicant's ability to meet the special needs of the child. Refer to PUB-04: Minimum Licensing Standards for Child Welfare Agencies. Document the selection by completing the CFS-470: Selection of Adoptive Family.

Q. In CHRIS, complete the Provider Adoption Considerations Tab on the selected family (Pre-Adoptive Home Service) identifying the considered foster child.

R. Send the completed CFS-470 to the Adoption Supervisor within ten working days of receiving the assessments of approved adoptive applicants for a child who does not have a special need(s) and within thirty working days for a child with a special need(s). Attach a copy of the child's adoption summary and the selected family's adoption assessment to the CFS-470.

S. Prepare the child's adoption packet:

T. Discuss delays in the selection of an adoptive family with the Adoption Supervisor and document reasons for the delay.

U. Determine immediately if another approved adoptive applicant can be selected if the Adoption Supervisor, the adoptive family, or child does not agree with a selection. Document if another approved adoptive family cannot be selected and continue recruitment activities.

V. Forward a written notification to the Adoption Specialist for each approved adoptive applicant who has been considered, and provide the reason(s) for the applicant not being selected. The applicant's Adoption Specialist will notify the approved applicant in writing if he had asked to be considered for a child who is registered in the DCFS photo-listing and website but was not selected.

W. Initiate and follow ICPC procedures if an out-of-state approved adoptive applicant is selected.

A. Complete, within five working days of receiving the required information, a photo-listing and website registration for a child referred by an Adoption Specialist.

B. Coordinate and maintain a photo-listing book and website of children with special needs to be distributed to each Adoption Specialist.

C. Complete, within five working days of receiving the required information, a registration on an available adoption exchange for a child referred by an Adoption Specialist.

D. Send to an Adoption Specialist within three working days names of prospective adoptive families who respond to recruitment activities.

E. Coordinate and maintain the computer matching system to assist in the selection of an adoptive family.

F. Maintain the file for adoption assessments of approved adoptive applicants who reside within the state and out-of-state.

G. Provide technical assistance on recruitment and selection of adoptive families.

A. Assess the child's adoption packet, the assessment of the approved adoptive applicant, and the CFS-470: Selection of Adoptive Family from the Adoption Specialist and determine the appropriateness of the selection within 10 working days.

B. Document the determination to approve or deny the selection on the CFS-470: Selection of Adoptive Family from the Adoption Specialist and explain in writing the reason(s) for a denial.

C. Return all information to the Adoption Specialist.

A. Continue to assist the Family Service Worker in preparing the child for adoption.

B. Work with the Family Service Worker in preparing the child to meet the selected adoptive family (including the presentation of the family's photograph album) after the adoptive parents has signed the disclosure form.

C. In CHRIS:

D. Arrange and conduct pre-placement visits between the child and the selected adoptive family. There must be at least three pre-placement visits for a child who is two years of age or older. These visits shall not be scheduled until the selected adoptive parents have signed the disclosure form.

E. Supervise visits of the child with the selected adoptive family when the visits are in the child's area.

F. Review information about the child with the selected adoptive family and answer questions.

G. Provide support to the selected adoptive family.

H. Assess the acceptance and development of a relationship between the selected adoptive family and the child.

I. Remain in contact with the adoptive family's Adoption Specialist.

J. Coordinate times, dates, places, and activities for the pre-placement visitation schedule with the family's Adoption Specialist and child's Family Service Worker.

K. Arrange any needed appointments with the Family Service Worker for the selected adoptive family to meet with special providers, i.e., mental health counselors, doctors, school personnel, etc.

L. Assess the child's wardrobe. Arrange purchases of any additional clothing with the Family Service Worker.

M. Arrange with the Family Service Worker a physical exam and developmental assessment by a physician within 30 days prior to adoptive placement and completion of the CFS-366: Health Screening.

N. Present and explain the CFS-420: Legal Risk Adoption Placement Agreement to the selected adoptive parent(s) if a legal risk adoptive placement is planned. Secure the adoptive parent's(s) signature on the CFS-420 and approval from the Adoptions Manager prior to placement.

O. Document dates of pre-placement visits, contacts, activities, progress, concerns, etc. and send a copy to the family's Adoption Specialist, Adoption Supervisor, Family Service Worker, and OCC Attorney for the child's initiating county.

A. Review, discuss and present to the selected adoptive parent the child's non-identifying adoption packet and CFS-471: Disclosure for Adoption and document in narrative.

B. Assist in assessing appropriateness of the selection.

C. Secure the signature of the selected adoptive parent on the CFS-471.

D. Give the selected adoptive parent a copy of the signed CFS-471.

E. Advise the child's Adoption Specialist of the family's interest in adopting the child.

F. Coordinate with the child's Family Service Worker and Adoption Specialist a pre-placement visitation schedule.

G. Supervise visits of the child with the selected adopted family when visits are in the family's area.

H. Discuss and coordinate with the selected adoptive parent resources (adoption subsidy, counseling, medical, educational services, etc.) which a child may need. In addition, when discussing an adoption subsidy, the Adoption Specialist will be clear that they will only be screening for a determination of special needs, subsidy eligibility and making a recommendation to the Adoption Unit. The Adoption Specialist will notify the family of approval/denial of an adoption subsidy. (See Procedure VIII-H1: Initial Application for Adoption Subsidy.) The Adoption Specialist must also explore other resources and assistance that may be available for the child and adoptive family when screening for a subsidy.

I. Document dates of contacts, activities, progress, concerns, etc., in the narrative section of CHRIS as well as in the court report and send a copy to the child's Adoption Specialist, designated Adoption Supervisor, Adoptions Manager, Family Service Worker, and OCC Attorney for the child's initiating county.

J. Send a completed CFS-414: Change of Status to the Adoptions Manager or designee, when the child has been placed.

A. Continue to prepare the child for adoption.

B. Prepare the child to meet the selected adoptive family with the assistance of the child's Adoption Specialist after the adoptive parents have signed the CFS-471: Disclosure for Adoption.

C. Prepare and support the foster family or out-of-home placement provider for separation and enlist their help with the child.

D. Prepare child's school personnel, therapist, and other professionals for the proposed adoption.

E. Coordinate with the child's Adoption Specialist times, dates, places and activities for the pre-placement visitation schedule.

F. Participate in pre-placement and placement activities and remain involved until the process is completed.

G. Assess the feelings and reactions of the child and the foster parents or out-of-home placement provider and share these with the child's Adoption Specialist.

H. Provide information about the child to the selected adoptive family.

I. Assure that the child's clothing and personal belongings are appropriately prepared and packed for the move to the adoptive family's home.

J. Transfer the child's out-of-home placement record (including CHRIS record) to the adoptive family's Adoption Specialist within five working days of the placement date (after pre-placement visits have been completed). The family's Adoption Specialist will assume primary case management responsibility at the time of placement.

K. In CHRIS:

A. Help prepare the child for adoption.

B. Participate in the pre-placement and placement activities.

C. Provide the selected adoptive family with information about the child.

D. Assess and report the child's feelings, actions and reactions to the Family Service Worker and/or the Adoption Specialist.

E. Encourage and support the child to accept the adoptive family.

A. Provide casework counseling, support, and referral to needed resources/services until the adoption is finalized.

B. Visit the adoptive family in their home at least once a week during the first four weeks after placement and at least twice a month in the home until the adoption is finalized.

C. Have a private conversation with the age-appropriate child during each visit.

D. Process an application for adoption subsidy, if applicable, prior to recommending finalization of the adoption. (Refer to Policy VIII-H.)

E. Document place and dates of contacts, activities, progress, concerns, etc., and send a copy to Adoption Supervisor, child's Adoption Specialist, and OCC Attorney for the child's initiating county.

F. Develop a CFS-6010: Case Plan within thirty days of the child's placement.

G. Notify the pre-adoptive parent of the date for a judicial review.

H. Establish time frame for finalization of the adoption, and document the reasons the adoption has not been finalized within six months.

I. Inform the family about post-adoption services (provide subsidy brochure).

J. In CHRIS:

A. Notify immediately the Adoption Supervisor. From the initiating county notify the County Supervisor, Family Service Worker, Adoption Specialist, OCC Attorney and attorney ad litem.

B. Schedule and conduct a staffing to include those listed above and the adoptive parent(s), age appropriate child and any other significant individuals.

C. Return the following case management responsibilities to the initiating county Family Service Worker if there is no plan to immediately select another adoptive family and disruption occurs:

D. Prepare the family for disruption and provide casework counseling and referrals for needed services.

E. In CHRIS: