Utah Administrative Code
Topic - Human Services
Title R501 - Human Services Program Licensing
Rule R501-12 - Foster Care Services
Section R501-12-15 - Additional DCFS Kinship and Specified Home Licensure Considerations
Current through Bulletin 2024-06, March 15, 2024
(1) An applicant may apply for licensure for the placement of a specific foster child or sibling group.
(2) The minimum age for a kinship specific applicant is 18 years of age and a kinship applicant is permitted to cohabitate or be legally married.
(3) Only the office, an agency contracted by the department or an approved DCFS kinship home study specialist may conduct a kinship specific home study.
(4) A minimum of two acceptable reference letters sent in accordance with Subsection R501-12-4(5) are required for a kinship applicant.
(5) The foster parent may not accept a placement until the home study, safety inspection, and background screening approvals, are successfully completed, unless the placement is made on an emergency basis as authorized by Section 80-2a-301.
(6) The office shall grant a kinship specific probationary license or initial license upon receipt and approval of a completed kinship or specific packet submitted by DCFS.
(7) A kinship specific home licensee may not accept placement of any foster child other than the foster child, or relatives to that foster child, as designated on the license certificate.
(8) If a kinship specific licensee desires to provide general foster care services, they shall complete the following:
(9) If DCFS does not support a license change, no further licensing action will be taken, unless the issue is disputed and overturned by the office director.
(10) In accordance with Section 26B-2-130 and the Indian Child Welfare Act, United States Code, Title 25 Sections 1901-1963, DCFS may request reduced requirements for a kinship specific licensee by submitting a variance request outlining the rules to be varied and how the request does not impact the health and safety of the specific foster child or sibling group. This requires prior written approval by the director of the office before it may become effective.