New York Codes, Rules and Regulations
Title 18 - DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
Chapter II - Regulations of the Department of Social Services
Subchapter C - Social Services
Article 3 - Child-care Agencies
Part 444 - Host Family Homes
Subpart D - Administration of Host Family Home Program
Section 444.13 - Duties and Responsibilities of Host Family Homes

(1) enable children cared for in the host family home to mingle freely and on equal footing with other children in the household and in the community, to be accepted as members of the household and to share in its pleasures and responsibilities;

(2) arrange for children of school age to attend school regularly, as required by the Education Law;

(3) never leave children under the age of 10 years alone without competent adult supervision, nor children above that age except as might reasonably be done by a prudent parent in the case of his or her own children;

(4) except as permitted by the Agency, never use a host family home to care for more than two infants under 2 years of age, including the host family home provider's own children, except in those cases where the host family home provider has demonstrated the capacity to do so and a sibling or halfsibling group would otherwise have to be separated;

(5) provide children with nutritious, wholesome, and prepared food, served at regular hours. Children cared for in the host family home must be permitted to eat meals in the same manner as other family members with due consideration to their age and special needs;

(6) keep the clothing of children cared for in the host family home in condition of repair and cleanliness;

(7) provide for each child cared for in the host family home with sufficient individual towels and toilet articles suitable for the child's age and gender and individual drawer and closet space;

(8) provide a suitable, well-lighted place for children of school age for home study;

(9) recognize and respect the religious wishes of the parent of the child cared for in the host family home, and endeavor to protect and preserve their religious faith, including making provision for the child to attend services conducted in the child's religious faith and to receive instruction in such faith, unless the parent expressly requests otherwise in writing;

(10) endeavor to cooperate with the Agency and inform such agency of any incident or event that affects or may affect the child's adjustment, health, safety, or well-being;

(11) provide a family atmosphere of acceptance, kindness and understanding, and endeavor to give each child the support, attention, and recognition that facilitates adjustment to the host family home and that promotes the child's normal development;

(12) permit an authorized representative of the Agency to enter the host family home to investigate complaint regarding care of such child;

(13) inform the Agency of any changes in family composition, or number of persons residing in the home and any substantive changes in the physical home comprising the host family home;

(14) cooperate with the parent/child's plan to see and/or talk with each other, as established by the child's parent and the host family home; and

(15) cooperate with the Agency and the child's parent on the return of the child to the parent upon termination of the designation of "person in parental relation".