New Hampshire Code of Administrative Rules
He - Department of Health and Human Services
Subtitle He-C - Commissioner, Department of Health and Human Services
Chapter He-C 6400 - PROGRAM AND SERVICE INFORMATION
Part He-C 6448 - CHILD-PLACING AGENCY LICENSING REQUIREMENTS
Section He-C 6448.08 - Child-Placing Agency Application Requirements

Universal Citation: NH Admin Rules He-C 6448.08

Current through Register No. 40, October 3, 2024

(a) DCYF shall forward an application packet to child-placing agency applicants meeting the requirements of He-C 6448.04 which includes the following:

(1) Form 2611 "Application For Child-Placing Agency License" (October 2019); and

(2) A copy of He-C 6448.

(b) A representative of the governing body of the child-placing agency applicant shall sign and date the "Certification" of Form 2611 "Application For Child-Placing Agency License" (October 2019) certifying the following:

"As a representative of the governing body, I certify that:

The governing body has authority over and responsibility for the operation and policy of the applicant agency;

The governing body is comprised of no less than 7 persons who have knowledge of the services provided; and

The governing body does not include staff members of the applicant agency, not have any proprietary relationship with liquid or fixed assets of any applicant agency"

(c) In addition to the requirements in (a) and (b) above, the administrator of the applicant agency shall sign and date the "Authorization/Statement of Understanding" of Form 2611 "Application For Child-Placing Agency License" (October 2019) which affirms:

"I have reviewed Administrative Rule He-C 6448 and shall adhere to the rule as a licensed child-placing agency. I hereby acknowledge that DCYF personnel will be provided with access to the child-placing agency's case records, personnel files, and other agency records in accordance with He-C 6448.07(a) .

I authorize the NH Division for Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) to conduct reviews to determine the agency's compliance with Administrative Rule He-C 6448. I further understand that DCYF has the right to verify information contained in this application.

The information contained in this application is correct to the best of my knowledge."

(d) In addition to the requirements in (a) - (c) above, all agency personnel, including volunteers and any member of the governing board that has regular contact with children, shall submit:

(1) A completed and notarized form "Criminal History Record Information Release Authorization Form" (DSSP256) directly to the New Hampshire department of safety - division of state police with Section II completed to authorize the release of the person's criminal records, if any, to the department; and

(2) A completed and notarized form 2501 "DCYF Central Registry Name Search Authorization Release of Information to Third Party" (October 2019) to the department and the applicant shall certify to the following:

"I acknowledge that the results of this search can only be released to myself or a Child-Placing Agency pursuant to NH RSA 170-E, the Department of Health and Human Services pursuant to NH RSA 170-G:8-c, or another state's Child Welfare Agency or Private Adoption Agency pursuant to NH RSA 169-C:35. I understand and authorize the results of this search to be provided to the person/agency listed below if in compliance with the aforementioned laws. Any entity below that is not governed under these laws will not be sent the results."

(e) In addition to the requirement in (a) - (d) above, the applicant shall submit documentation of the present need for the proposed child-placing agency that includes:

(1) Demographic data;

(2) Population to be served;

(3) Geographic area to be served; and

(4) Documents or statements of requested delivery of service from DCYF or other child-placing agency such as a request for proposal;

(f) In addition to the requirements in (a) - (e) above, the applicant agency shall submit the following attachments with Form 2611 "Application For Child-Placing Agency License" (October 2019):

(1) Written statements of philosophy and policy for agency operations that addresses:
a. Sexual harassment;

b. Drug free workplace;

c. Anti-discrimination;

d. Reporting of child abuse and neglect in accordance with RSA 169-C;

e. Discipline of children in care;

f. Confidentiality of files and, records and information gathered in accordance with RSA 170-E:28, 170-E:29, 170-E:33 and RSA 170-E:42;

g. Minimum educational or experiential requirements for staff;

h. Limits on the number of cases per caseworker;

i. Documentation that criminal record and central registry checks have been obtained on every staff member;

j. Methodology for assessment and evaluation of programs;

k. Provisions for the permanent retention of records pertaining to the placement of children for adoption, including maintenance of such records in the event that a licensed agency ceases to operate as a licensed child-placing agency.

l. The appropriateness, safety, environmental health, and general adequacy of the premises, including maintenance of adequate fire prevention and health standards conforming to state laws and municipal codes, to provide for the physical comfort, health and care of children received;

m. Provisions for food, clothing, educational opportunities, program, equipment, and individual supplies to assure the health and the physical and mental development of children served;

n. Provisions to safeguard the legal rights of children served;

o. Maintenance of records pertaining to the admission, progress, health and discharge of children;

p. Filing of reports with the department, including format, frequency, and content of such reports;

q. Protection and fostering of the particular religious faith of the children served, where applicable;

r. Duties and responsibilities of the board of directors or other governing body of the child-placing agency with respect to compliance with residential care and child-placing agency Licensing beginning at RSA 170-E:24 and the related standards according to He-C 6448.

(2) Written personal standards that include:
a. Titles for each position defining the salary scale, duties, and lines of authority;

b. Job descriptions and qualifications of the administrator and casework supervisor which shall meet or exceed the requirements set forth in He-C 6446.04(c) and (f) ;

c. A description of employee benefits;

d. Opportunities for growth through supervision, orientation, in-service training, and staff development including competency-based courses pursuant to He-C 6446.19;

e. Annual evaluations of the work and performance of each staff member that includes provision for employee participation in the evaluation process;

f. A description of the termination procedures established for resignation, retirement, or discharge; and

g. A grievance procedure for employees.

(g) In addition to the requirements in (a) - (f) above, the applicant agency shall submit the following attachments with Form 2611 "Application For Child-Placing Agency License" (October 2019):

(1) A copy of the child-placing agency applicant's charter, articles of incorporation, by-laws, or other policy documents demonstrating the legal authority for operating in NH;

(2) A copy of the most recent needs assessment conducted pursuant to He-C 6448.08(e);

(3) Copy of a Certificate of Good Standing from the New Hampshire secretary of state;

(40 Fee schedules for adoption services provided by the child-placing agency;

(5) For child-placing agencies in operation for at least 3 years, attach a copy of the most recent audited financial statements, and budgets for the last 3 years;

(6) For child-placing agencies in operation for less than 3 years, attach documentation of funding source, budget, staffing, fee schedules and contingency funds that demonstrates that the agency has the fiscal capacity to operate for at least 6 months;

(7) A copy of the agency specific handbook for foster and adoptive parent applicants that describe the requirements, policies, procedures, and forms; and

(8) A copy of the current listing of personnel, including volunteers, and an organizational structural chart noting supervisory relationships and the reporting hierarchy of the child-placing agency.

#7866, eff 4-2-03; ss by #9895, eff 4-2-11

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