Utah Administrative Code
Topic - Human Services
Title R501 - Human Services Program Licensing
Rule R501-12 - Foster Care Services
Section R501-12-6 - Physical Aspects of Home
Universal Citation: UT Admin Code R 501-12-6
Current through Bulletin 2024-06, March 15, 2024
(1) The provider shall ensure the following regarding the foster home environment:
(a) indoor and outdoor areas of the home are
maintained to ensure a safe physical environment;
(b) the home is free from health and fire
hazards;
(c) the home has a working
smoke detector and a working carbon monoxide detector on each separated level
and at least one of each shall be in close proximity to sleeping
areas;
(d) the home has at least
one fire extinguisher meeting the rating requirements of 2A:10BC, that is fully
charged and readily accessible to the main living area;
(e) the home has at least one toilet, sink
and tub or shower; and
(f) each
bathroom has a lock sufficient to preserve the privacy of the
occupant.
(2) The provider shall ensure bedroom spaces comply with the following:
(a) children of the opposite genders do not
share a bedroom unless;
(i) each child sharing
the room is under two years of age;
(ii) the DHHS client record identifies
gender-specific rationale; or
(iii)
there is written caseworker approval for the bedroom
assignment;
(b) the
foster parent's bedroom is only shared with a foster child under the age of two
years and the foster parent may not bed-share with a foster child;
(c) the foster parent's bedroom is not
considered in calculating the allowable bedroom space for a foster
child;
(d) a foster child may not
share a bedroom with other adults in the home;
(e) a foster child has an individual bed or
crib, mattress, and linens that meet the child's needs;
(f) weighted blankets are only used for
foster children if therapeutically recommended in writing or approved in
writing by the child's caseworker;
(g) there is a minimum of 40 square feet per
child, excluding adjoining bathrooms and storage space;
(h) no more than four children are housed in
a single bedroom that houses at least one foster child;
(i) a bedroom used for a foster child is
comparable to other similarly utilized bedrooms in the home, including access,
location, space, finishings, and furnishings;
(j) a bedroom used by a foster child on the
ground floor shall have a minimum of one screened window that opens that may be
used to evacuate the room in case of fire;
(k) a bedroom used by a foster child that is
not on the ground floor shall have a source of natural light and a minimum of
two exits, at least one of which shall exit directly to outside the home that
may be used to evacuate the room in case of fire; and
(l) closet or dresser space is provided
within the bedroom for the foster child's personal possessions and for a
reasonable degree of privacy.
(3) The provider shall ensure:
(a) there is space or access to common areas
for recreational activities;
(b)
there is adequate lighting, ventilation and the home is maintained at a
reasonable temperature when occupied by a foster child in consideration of the
age and needs of the foster child and other residents;
(c) there is a properly operating kitchen
with working refrigerator, cooking appliances, adequate supply of safe drinking
water and functional indoor plumbing;
(d) hazards on the property are abated and
mitigated through the use of protective hardware, fences, banisters, railings,
grates, natural barriers, or other licensor approved methods to include:
(i) fall hazards of 3 feet or greater
including steep grades, cliffs, open pits, window wells, stairwells, elevated
porches, retaining walls;
(ii)
drowning hazards including swimming pools, hot tubs, water features, ponds or
streams;
(iii) burn hazards
including fireplaces, candles, radiators, water temperature;
(iv) unstable heavy items to include
televisions, bookshelves; and
(v)
high voltage boosters, or dangerous traffic conditions;
(e) home and its contents are maintained in a
clean and safe condition and food, clothing, supplies, furniture, and equipment
are of sufficient quantity, variety, and quality to meet the foster child's
needs;
(f) the home is free from
rodent and insect infestation;
(g)
there are at least two exits adequately sized for emergency personnel on each
accessible floor of the home and multiple-level homes have a functional,
automatic fire suppression system, or an escape ladder, stairway, or other
exterior egress to ground level accessible from each of the upper
levels;
(h) the foster parent has
and uses child safety devices appropriate to the needs of the foster child,
including safety gates, and electrical outlet covers;
(i) the home address is clearly visible and
location is accessible;
(j) the
water and sewage disposal system, other than a public system, is approved by
the appropriate authorities;
(k)
there is trash and recycling disposal;
(l) any swimming pool is secured to prevent
unsupervised access and complies with applicable community ordinances;
and
(m) any hot tub and spa has a
locked cover.
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