nara model, national model, and state or tribal standards ... · private home, including adjacent...

NARAModel,NationalModel,andStateorTribalStandardsCross-WalkPleasenote:AblankentryundereithertheNationalModelorNARAModelcolumnmeansthereisnocomparablestandardinthatModel.

www.grandfamilies.org1

NARAModelFamilyFosterHomeLicensingStandards(NARAModel)

Children'sBureauNationalModelFosterFamilyHomeLicensingStandards(NationalModel)

ComparableStateorTribalStandard StateorTribalStandardSource-Indicatethecitationforall(statutes,regulations/administrativecodes,policies,etc.)

PlantoaddressAlignment–Legislative,PolicyorProcedure

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1.DEFINITIONSA.“Applicant”–anindividual(s)whohassubmittedanapplicationandisseekingalicensefromthelicensingagencyasafamilyfosterhome.

B.“Communitystandards”–localnormsboundingacceptableconduct.Forhousing,thetermmeansacceptablebuildingstandardsbasedontheneighborhoodandsimilarhomes.

C.“Corporalpunishment”–anyformofphysicaldisciplineinwhichachildisspanked,paddledorhitonanypartofthebodywithahandorinstrument.

D.“Familyfostercare”–continuous24-hourcareandsupportservicesprovidedforachildinafamilyfosterhome.







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E.“Familyfosterhome”–aprivatehome,includingadjacentgroundsbelongingtothehome,inwhichachildisplacedforfamilyfostercareunderthesupervisionofthelicensingagency.Thistermincludesakinship,relative,andchild-specifichome.

F.“Fosterparent”–anindividualwhoprovidesfamilyfostercarewithalicensefromthelicensingauthority.

G.“Functionalliteracy”–theabilitytoreadandwriteatthelevelnecessarytoparticipateeffectivelyinsociety.

H.“Householdmember”–anyrelativeornon-relativewhoregularlylives,sharescommonareas,andsleepsinahome.Anindividualwhoisliving,sharingcommonareas,andsleepinginahometemporarilyformorethantwoconsecutiveweeksisconsideredahousehold







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member.

I.“License”–theapproval,verificationorcertificationofahomeandapplicanttoprovidefamilyfostercare.

J.“Licensingagency”(alsoknownas“agency”)–theentity,eitherprivateorpublic,thathasauthoritytoconsiderandapproveafamilyfostercarelicense.

K.“Licensingauthority"–thegovernmentalbodyresponsibleforcarryingoutlicensingandregulatoryfunctions,includingmonitoringcompliancewithapplicablestatelawsandrules.

L.“Relative”–anindividualwhoisrelatedbyblood,marriageoradoptionorwhohasaclosefamily-likerelationshiptoanotherindividual.ForAmericanIndianandAlaskaNativechildren“relative”couldalsoincludeatriballydefinedextended







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familyrelationship.

M.“Sibling”–brothersandsistersbybirthoradoption,stepbrothers,stepsisters,half-brothers,andhalf-sisters.

2.ELIGIBILITYSTANDARDSA.Allapplicantsmustsubmitacompleteapplicationandaccompanyingdocumentationforafamilyfosterhomelicense,andkeepcopiesintheirhome.

A.FOSTERHOMEELIGIBILITYAfamilyfosterhomelicenseincludesthefollowing:a.ThresholdRequirements:

B.1.Toapplyforafamilyfosterhomelicense:Applicantsmustbeage18orolder.

i.Applicantsmustbeage18orolder.

5.Applicantsmusthaveincomeorresourcestomaketimelypaymentsforshelter,food,utilitycosts,clothing,andotherhouseholdexpensespriortotheadditionofachildinfostercare.

ii.Applicantsmusthaveincomeorresourcestomaketimelypaymentsforshelter,food,utilitycosts,clothing,andotherhouseholdexpensespriortotheadditionofachildorchildreninfostercare.







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2.Applicantsmustbeabletocommunicatewiththechildinthechild’sownlanguage.3.Applicantsmustbeabletocommunicatewiththelicensingagencyandhealthcareandotherserviceproviders.

iii.Applicantsmustbeabletocommunicatewiththechild,thetitleIV-Eagency,healthcareproviders,andotherserviceproviders.

4.Atleastoneapplicantinthehomemusthavefunctionalliteracy,suchashavetheabilitytoreadlabelsonmedicationsinordertoproperlyadministerthem.

iv.Atleastoneapplicantinthehomemusthavefunctionalliteracy,suchashavingtheabilitytoreadmedicationlabels.

C.Theagencymustnotdenytoanyindividualtheopportunitytobecomeafosterparentonthebasisoftherace,color,ornationaloriginoftheindividual,orofthechild,asrequiredbythefederalMultiethnicPlacementAct(MEPA),42U.S.C.A.sec.1996bandTitleIV-EoftheSocialSecurityAct,42U.S.C.A.sec.671(18).MEPAalsoprovidesthatthislaw







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mustnotbeconstruedtoaffecttheapplicationoftheIndianChildWelfareAct,whichcontainspreferencesfortheplacementofeligibleAmericanIndianandAlaskaNativechildreninfostercare,guardianship,oradoptivehomes.Furthermore,theagencymustnotdiscriminatewithregardtotheapplicationorlicensureofafosterfamilyonthebasisofage,disability,gender,religion,sexualorientation,genderidentityormaritalstatus.3.PHYSICALANDMENTALHEALTHSTANDARDS A.Allapplicantsandhouseholdmembersmusthavephysicalexamsfromalicensedhealthcareprofessionalrecognizedbytheagency.Theexamresults,whichmustbenoolderthan12monthspriortoapplication,mustindicatethattheapplicantsarecapableof

b.PhysicalandMentalHealth:Allapplicantsmusthaverecent(conductedwithintheprior12months)physicalexamsfromalicensedhealthcareprofessionalthatindicatethattheapplicantsarecapableofcaringforanadditionalchildorchildren.Pleasenote:Nophysicalsrequiredofhousehold







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caringforanadditionalchild.Theagencymayrequirefurtherdocumentationand/orevaluationtomakesuchadetermination.

members.Instead,healthinformationonhouseholdmembersasrequiredinb.ii.

C.Applicantsandallhouseholdmembersmustdiscloseanypastorcurrentmentalhealthand/orsubstanceabuseissues.

i.Allhouseholdmembersmustdisclosecurrentmentalhealthand/orsubstanceabuseissues.

ii.Allhouseholdmembersmustprovideinformationontheirphysicalandmentalhealthhistory,includinganyhistoryofdrugoralcoholabuseortreatment.

C.Theagencymayrequirefurtherdocumentationand/orevaluationtodeterminethesuitabilityofthehome.

iii.ThetitleIV-Eagencymayrequirefurtherdocumentationand/orevaluationtodeterminethesuitabilityofthehome.

B.AllchildrenwhoarehouseholdmembersmustbeuptodateonimmunizationsjointlyrecommendedbytheAmericanAcademyofPediatrics,theAdvisoryCommitteeonImmunization

iv.AllchildrenwhoarehouseholdmembersmustbeuptodateonimmunizationsconsistentwiththerecommendationsoftheAmericanAcademyofPediatrics







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PracticesoftheCentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention,andtheAmericanAcademyofFamilyphysicians,unlesstheimmunizationiscontrarytothechild’shealthasdocumentedbyalicensedhealthcareprofessional.

(AAP),theAdvisoryCommitteeonImmunizationPracticesoftheCentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention(ACIP),andtheAmericanAcademyofFamilyPhysicians(AAFP),unlesstheimmunizationiscontrarytothechild’shealthasdocumentedbyalicensedhealthcareprofessional.

v.Allhouseholdmemberswhowillbecaregiversofinfantsmusthaveanup-to-datepertussis(whoopingcough)vaccineconsistentwiththerecommendationsoftheACIP,unlesstheimmunizationiscontrarytotheindividual’shealthasdocumentedbyalicensedhealthcareprofessional.Allhouseholdmemberswhowillbecaregiversofinfantsandchildrenwithspecialmedicalneedsmusthavean







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up-to-dateannualinfluenzavaccineconsistentwiththerecommendationsoftheACIP,unlesstheimmunizationiscontrarytotheindividual’shealthasdocumentedbyalicensedhealthcareprofessional.

10.CRIMANALHISTORYRECORDSCHECKSTANDARDS A.Applicantsandanyotherhouseholdmemberswhoareadultsage18oroldermustsubmittofingerprint-basedchecksofnationalandstatecrimeinformationdatabasesandchecksofstateorlocalcrimeinformationdatabasesbeforetheapplicantsmaybeapprovedforplacementofachild.

c.BackgroundChecks:i.Applicantsmustsubmittocriminalrecordandchildabuseandneglectregistrychecksasrequiredinsection471(a)(20)oftheSocialSecurityAct.

B.Theagencymustalsochecksexualoffenderregistriesformentionoftheapplicantsandanyotherhouseholdmemberswhoareadultsage18orolder.







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C.Ifarecordcheckrevealsafelonyconvictionforchildabuseorneglect,forspousalabuse,foracrimeagainstchildren(includingchildpornography),orforacrimeinvolvingviolence,includingrape,sexualassault,orhomicide,butnotincludingotherphysicalassaultorbattery,andastatefindsthatacourtofcompetentjurisdictionhasdeterminedthatthefelonywascommittedatanytime,approvalforplacementofachildmustnotbegranted.

*Summarysection(thisisfrom§471(a)(20),theAdamWalshAct)–Thestateortribemustnotgrantfinalapprovaltotheapplicantifarecordcheckrevealsafelonyconvictionfor:

• Childabuseorneglect;• Spousalneglect;• Acrimeagainstchildren;

(includingchildpornography);

• Acrimeinvolvingviolence,includingrape,sexualassault,orhomicide,butnotincludingotherphysicalassaultorbattery;

D.Ifarecordcheckrevealsafelonyconvictionforphysicalassault,battery,oradrug-relatedoffense,andaStatefindsthatacourtofcompetentjurisdictionhasdeterminedthatthefelonywascommittedwithinthepast5years,approvalfor

*Summarysection(thisisfrom§471(a)(20),theAdamWalshAct)––Thestateortribemustnotgrantfinalapprovaltotheapplicantifarecordcheckrevealsafelonyconvictionfor:

•Physicalassault,battery,







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placementofachildmustnotbegranted.

oradrugrelatedoffensewithinthelastfiveyears.

E.IfanapplicantwasconvictedforacrimeotherthanthoseincludedinC.andD.,theapplicantwillnotbeautomaticallyrejectedasafosterparent.Theagencymustconsiderthefollowing:

1. thetypeofcrime;2. thenumberofcrimes;3. thenatureofthe

offenses;4. theageoftheindividual

atthetimeofconviction;5. thelengthoftimethat

haselapsedsincethelastconviction;

6. therelationshipofthecrimeandthecapacitytocareforchildren;

7. evidenceofrehabilitation;

8. opinionsofcommunitymembersconcerningthe







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individualinquestion.

F.Applicantsandallhouseholdmembershaveanongoingdutytoreportanyjuvenileoffensescommittedbyanymemberofthehousehold.Theexistenceofahouseholdmemberwithajuvenileoffensedoesnotautomaticallyexcludetheapplicants. TheagencymustconsiderthesuitabilityofthehomebasedonthecriteriausedtoassesscrimessetforthinC-Eofthisstandardandstandard11.B.andC.

11.ABUSEANDNEGLECTBACKGROUNDCHECKSTANDARDS A.Theagencymustmeetthefollowingabuseandneglectbackgroundchecksstandards:







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1.Checkallchildabuseandneglectregistryandadultprotectiveservicesregistrymaintainedbythestate,tribeorlocalityforinformationonapplicantsandanyotherhouseholdmemberswhoareadultsage18orolder.

c.BackgroundChecks:i.Applicantsmustsubmittocriminalrecordandchildabuseandneglectregistrychecksasrequiredinsection471(a)(20)oftheSocialSecurityAct.*Summarysection(thisisfrom§471(a)(20),theAdamWalshAct)–-TitleIV–Eagenciesmustcheckanychildabuseandneglectregistrymaintainedbythestateortribeforinformationonanyapplicantandonanyotheradultlivingintheprospectivefosterhome.

2.Requestthatanyotherstateinwhichapplicantsandotheradulthouseholdmemberswhoareadultsage18andolderhaveresidedinthepreceding5yearsalsocheckallchildabuseandneglectregistryandadultprotectiveservicesregistrymaintainedbythatstate.

*Summarysection(thisisfrom§471(a)(20),theAdamWalshAct)–-Further,titleIV–Eagenciesmustrequestacheckofanyotherchildabuseorneglectregistryinastateortribeinwhichanysuchapplicantorotherhouseholdadulthasresided







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intheprecedingfive(5)years.

3.ComplywithanyrequestdescribedinA.2.thatisreceivedfromanotherstate.

B.Theapplicantsmustnotbelicensediftheapplicantsoranyhouseholdmemberwhoisanadultage18orolderhasbeenthesubjectofasubstantiatedallegationofsexualexploitationorsexualabuseofachildorhasbeensubstantiatedforchildabusethatresultedinachildfatality.

C.IfthereisasubstantiatedreportofchildabuseorneglectotherthanthoselistedinB.,involvingtheapplicantsoranyhouseholdmemberwhoisanadultage18orolder,theapplicationisassessedonacase-by-casebasis,whichincludesadiscussionwiththeapplicantsandhouseholdmembers,to







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determineifthesafetyofanychildinthehomewillbeimpacted.Ifnotimpacted,theresultsoftheabuseandneglectbackgroundcheckmaynotpreventlicensure.D.Applicantsandallhouseholdmembershaveanongoingdutytoreportanyjuvenileoffensescommittedbyanymemberofthehousehold.Theexistenceofahouseholdmemberwithajuvenileoffensedoesnotautomaticallyexcludetheapplicants.TheagencymustconsiderthesuitabilityofthehomebasedonthecriteriausedtoassesscrimessetforthinB.-C.ofthisstandardandstandard10C.-E.

4.HOMESTUDYSTANDARDS A.Theagencymustconductawrittencomprehensivefamilyassessmentandhomestudyincollaborationwiththeapplicantstoinclude:

d.HomeStudy:Applicantsmusthavecompletedanagencyhomestudy,whichisawrittencomprehensivefamilyassessmenttoincludethefollowingelements:







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1.Atleastonescheduledon-sitevisittoassessthesafetyofthehomeusingtheselicensingstandards.

i.Atleastonescheduledon-sitevisittoassesshometoensurethatitmeetsthestate,tribaland/orlocalstandardsapplicabletothesafetyandcareofthehome;

2.Atleastonescheduledinhome,individualinterviewofeachhouseholdmembertoobservefamilyfunctioningandassessthefamily’scapacitytomeettheneedsofachildinfostercare.

ii.Atleastonescheduledinhomeinterviewforeachhouseholdmembertoobservefamilyfunctioningandassessthefamily’scapacitytomeettheneedsofachildorchildreninfostercare;

Theagencywilldeterminewhethertointervieworjustobserveeachhouseholdmemberbasedonhisorherageanddevelopment.

iii.ThetitleIV-Eagencyhasdiscretiononwhethertointervieworobserveeachhouseholdmemberbasedonhisorherageanddevelopment;and

B.Theagencymustobtainatleastthreereferences,includingatleastonefromarelativeandonefromanon-relative.

iv.Multipleapplicantreferencesthatattesttothecapabilityoftheapplicanttocareforthechild,includingatleastonefromarelativeandonefromanon-relative.







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C.TribalagenciesmayalsobeinvolvedinconductinghomestudiesforAmericanIndianandAlaskaNativechildren.42U.S.C.A.sec.671(26)(B)providesthatanyreceivingstatemusttreatanytribalhomestudyreportasmeetingtherequirementsimposedbythestateforthecompletionofahomestudy.

7.OTHERLIVINGSPACESTANDARDS A.Thehomemaybeahouse,mobilehome,housingunitorapartmentoccupiedbyanindividualorafamily.

B.FOSTERFAMILYHOMEHEALTHANDSAFETYa.LivingSpace:Thehomemustbeahouse,mobilehome,housingunitorapartmentoccupiedbyanindividualorafamily.Thehomemusthave:

9.ADDITIONALHEALTHANDSAFETYSTANDARDSB.1.Afamilyfosterhomemusthaveacontinuoussupplyofsafedrinkingwater.

i.Anadequatesupplyofsafedrinkingwater;







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9.B.2.Ifahomeusesprivatewellwateroranothersourceofdrinkingwaterotherthanwaterthroughthemunicipalwatersupply,thenitmustbetestedforsafety.

*Summarysection–mayincludewaterfromamunicipaldrinkingsource,aprivatewellorothersource.

7.A.6.Havekitchenfacilitieswithasink,refrigerator,stove,andoveninsafeoperatingcondition.

ii.Aproperlyoperatingkitchenwithasink,refrigerator,stove,andoven;

7.A.5.Haveatleastonetoilet,sink,andtuborshowerinsafeoperatingcondition.

iii.Atleasttoilet,sinkandtuborshowerinoperatingcondition;*Summarysection–Endnotevi.statesthatthetoilet,sinkandshowerortubarenotrequiredtobeinthesameroom.

7.A.7.Haveheatingand/orcoolingasrequiredbythegeographicarea,consistentwithacceptedcommunitystandardsandinsafeoperatingcondition.

iv.Heatingand/orcoolingasrequiredbythegeographicarea,consistentwithacceptedcommunitystandardsandinsafeoperatingcondition;and







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7.A.4.Haveaworkingphoneoraccesstoaworkingphoneinclosewalkingproximity.

v.Aworkingphoneoraccesstoaworkingphoneinclosewalkingproximity.

7.B.Theapplicants’homeandallstructuresonthegroundsofthepropertymustbemaintainedinaclean,safe,andsanitaryconditionandinareasonablestateofrepairwithincommunitystandards.7.C.Thehomemustsatisfythefollowinglivingspacestandards:7.C.1.Befreefromobjects,materials,andconditionsthatconstituteadanger.

b.ConditionoftheHome:Theapplicants’home,grounds,andallstructuresonthegroundsofthepropertymustbeproperlymaintainedinaclean,safe,andsanitaryconditionandinareasonablestateofrepairwithincommunitystandards.Theinteriorandexteriormustbefreefromdangerousobjectsandconditions,andfromhazardousmaterials.Thehomemustmeetthefollowingrequirements:

7.C.8.Haveventilationwherehouseholdmembersandchildreninfostercareeat,sleep,study,andplay.

i.Haveadequatelighting,ventilationandpropertrashandrecyclingdisposal,ifrecyclingisavailable;







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7.C.9.Haveartificiallightingwherehouseholdmembersandchildreninfostercarestudyandread.7.C.3.Regularlydisposeoftrashandrecycling.7.C.2.Preventoreliminaterodentandinsectinfestation.

ii.Befreefromrodentsandinsectinfestation;

9.B.3.Thetemperatureofanywaterheatersmustbesetinaccordancewiththemanufacturer’srecommendations.

iii.Properwaterheatertemperature;

9.ADDITIONALHEALTHANDSAFETYSTANDARDS A. Theapplicants’homemustmeetthefollowingstandardsconcerningweapons:

1.Thefollowingweaponsmustbestoredinaninoperativeconditioninalockedareainaccessibletochildren:a. Firearms;b. Airguns;c. BBguns;

iv.Weaponsandammunitions(separately)stored,locked,unloaded,andinaccessibletochildren;







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d. Huntingslingshots;Anyotherprojectileweapon.2.Allammunition,arrowsorprojectilesforsuchweaponsmustbestoredinalockedspaceseparatefromtheweapons.

3.Applicantswhoarealsolawenforcementofficialsandcandocumentthattheirjurisdictionrequiresthemtohavereadyandimmediateaccesstotheirweaponsmaybeexemptfromtheseweaponrequirementsprovidedtheapplicantsadoptandfollowasafetyplanapprovedbytheagency.

C.1.Anyanimalthatposesathreattothesafetyorhealthofachildinfostercaremustbeconfinedinaplaceawayfromthechildandinaccessibletothechild.

2.Petsthatarerequiredtobevaccinatedbystateortriballawmustbevaccinatedagainstdiseasesthatcantransmitto

v.Petsarevaccinatedinaccordancewithstate,tribaland/orlocallaw;







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humans,includingrabies.

E.Theapplicants’homemustmeetthefollowingstandardsconcerninghazardousmaterialsandfirstaidsupplies:Preventthechild’saccess,asappropriateforhisorherageanddevelopment,toallmedications,poisonousmaterials,cleaningsupplies,otherhazardousmaterials,andalcoholicbeverages.

vii.Haveconditionsthatpreventthechild’saccess,asappropriateforhisorherageanddevelopment,toallmedications,poisonousmaterials,cleaningsupplies,otherhazardousmaterials,andalcoholicbeverages;

D.Theapplicants’homemustmeetthefollowingstandardsconcerningswimmingpools,hottubsandspas:

vi.Swimmingpools,hottubs,andspasmustmeetthefollowingtoensuretheyaresafeandhazardfree(andadditionallymustmeetallstate,tribaland/orlocalsafetyrequirements):

1.Swimmingpoolsmusthaveabarrieronallsidesatleastfourfeethigh.

1.Swimmingpoolsmusthaveabarrieronallsides.

2.Swimmingpoolsmusthavetheirmethodsofaccessthroughthebarrierequippedwithasafetydevice,suchasaboltlock.

2.Swimmingpoolsmusthavetheirmethodsofaccessthroughthebarrierequippedwithasafetydevice,suchasaboltlock.







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3.Swimmingpoolsmustbeequippedwithalifesavingdevice,suchasaringbuoy.

3.Swimmingpoolsmustbeequippedwithalifesavingdevice,suchasaringbuoy.

4.Iftheswimmingpoolcannotbeemptiedaftereachuse,thepoolmusthaveaworkingpumpandfilteringsystem.

4.Iftheswimmingpoolcannotbeemptiedaftereachuse,thepoolmusthaveaworkingpumpandfilteringsystem.

5.Hottubsandspasmusthavesafetycoversthatarelockedwhennotinuse.

5.Hottubsandspasmusthavesafetycoversthatarelockedwhennotinuse.

5.CAPACITYSTANDARDS A.Thetotalnumberofchildreninafamilyfosterhome,includingthefamily'sownchildrenlivinginthehome,mustnotexceed8,ofwhichnomorethan6maybechildreninfostercare.Theagencymaydeterminelowercapacitiesbasedonthefamilyassessmentandhomestudy.B.Thenumbersofchildrenmay

C.FOSTERHOMECAPACITYThetotalnumberofchildreninfostercareinafamilyfosterhome,mustnotexceedsix(6)consistentwithsection472(c)(1)(A)(ii)(lll)oftheAct.Persection472(c)(1)(B)of







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beincreasedwithagencyapproval:

theAct,thenumberoffosterchildrencaredforinafosterfamilyhomemayexceedthisnumericallimitationattheoptionofthetitleIV-Eagencyforanyofthefollowingreasons:

1.Toallowaparentingyouthinfostercaretoremainwiththechildoftheparentingyouth.

a.Toallowaparentingyouthinfostercaretoremainwiththechildoftheparentingyouth;

2.Toallowsiblingstoremaintogether.

b.Toallowsiblingstoremaintogether;

3.Toallowachildwithanestablishedmeaningfulrelationshipwiththefamilytoremainwiththefamily.

c.Toallowachildwithanestablishedmeaningfulrelationshipwiththefamilytoremainwiththefamily;and

4.Toallowafamilywithspecialtrainingorskillstoprovidecaretoachildwhohasaseveredisability.

d.Toallowafamilywithspecialtrainingorskillstoprovidecaretoachildwhohasaseveredisability.

5.A.CAPACITYSTANDARDS1.Nomorethan3childrentotalunderage2.

2.Nomorethan4childrentotalunderage5.







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3.Nomorethan4childrentotalbetweentheagesof5-13.

4.Nomorethan4childrentotalovertheageof13.

6.SLEEPINGSTANDARDS A.Eachchildinfostercaremusthaveasleepingspacewithanindividualbedorcrib,mattressandlinens,asappropriateforthechild’sneedsandageandsimilartootherhouseholdmembers.

D.FOSTERHOMESLEEPINGARRANGEMENTSApplicantsmustprovideasafesleepingspaceincludingsleepingsupplies,suchasmattressandlinens,foreachindividualchild,asappropriateforthechild’sneedsandageandsimilartootherhouseholdmembers.Fosterparentsmustnotco-sleeporbed-sharewithinfants.

1.Childrenwhoarerelativesmayshareabedwithagencyapproval.

2.AllcribsinthehomemustbeincompliancewithConsumerProductSafetyCommissionstandards.

3.Allbunkbedsinthehomemustnothavemorethantwotiers.







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a. Theuppertiermusthaverailingsonbothsidestopreventfalling. b.Thetoptiermustnotbeusedbyachildundertheageof6.B.Theremustbenomorethan4childrentotalsharingaroomusedasasleepingspace.

1.Achildovertheageof5mustnotsharearoomusedasasleepingspacewithachildoftheoppositesex.

2.Childrenwhoarerelativesmaysharearoomusedasasleepingspacewithagencyapproval.

3.Achildunder12monthsofageinanindividualcribmaysharearoomusedasasleepingspacewiththefosterparent.

4.Achildover12monthsofagemaysharearoomusedasasleepingspacewiththefosterparentwithagencyapproval.







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8.FIRESAFETY/EVACUATIONPLANSTANDARDS A.Theapplicants’homemustmeetthefollowingfiresafety/evacuationplanstandards:

E.EMERGENCYPREPAREDNESS,FIRESAFETY,ANDEVACUATIONPLANSTheapplicantmusthaveemergencypreparednessplansanditemsinplaceasappropriateforthehome’sgeographiclocation.Theapplicant’shomemustmeetthefollowingfiresafetyandemergencyplanningrequirements:

1.HaveatleastoneUL(Underwriter'sLaboratory)approvedsmokedetectoroneachlevelofoccupancyofthehomeandnearsleepingareas.

a.Haveatleastonesmokedetectoroneachlevelofoccupancyofthehomeandatleastonenearallsleepingareas;

b.Haveatleastonecarbonmonoxidedetectoroneachlevelofoccupancyofthehomeandatleastonenearallsleepingareas;

2.Haveatleastoneoperablefireextinguisherthatisreadilyaccessible.

c.Haveatleastoneoperablefireextinguisherthatisreadilyaccessible;







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3.Befreeofobviousfirehazards,suchasdefectiveheatingequipmentorimproperlystoredflammablematerials.Householdheatingequipmentmustbeequippedwithappropriatesafeguards,maintainedasrecommendedbythemanufacturer.

d.Befreefromobviousfirehazards,suchasdefectiveheatingequipmentorimproperlystoredflammablematerials;

4.Haveawrittenemergencyevacuationplantobereviewedwiththechildwithin24hoursofplacementinthehomeandpostedinaprominentplaceinthehome.Theplanmustidentifymultipleexitsfromthehome,anddesignateacentralmeetingplaceclosetothehomethatisknowntothechildyetatasafedistancefrompotentialdanger.

e.Haveawrittenemergencyevacuationplantobereviewedwiththechildandpostedinaprominentplaceinthehome;

B.Applicantsmustmaintainacomprehensivelistofemergencytelephonenumbers,includingpoisoncontrol,andpostthosenumbersinaprominentplaceinthehome.Ifthereisa

f.Maintainacomprehensivelistofemergencytelephonenumbers,includingpoisoncontrol,andpostthosenumbersinaprominentplaceinthehome;and







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landlinephonelocatedinthehome,thenumbersmustbepostednexttothephone.9.ADDITIONALHEALTHANDSAFETYSTANDARDSE.2MaintainfirstaidsuppliesasrecommendedbytheRedCross.

g.Maintainfirstaidsupplies.

12.ASSURANCESFROMAPPLICANTSA.10.Theywillensurethatthechildinfostercarehaslegalandsafetransportationtoandfromhealthcare,therapy,andagencyappointments;school;extracurricularactivities;socialevents;andscheduledmeetingsorvisitationwithparents,siblings,extendedfamilymembers,andfriends.A.11.Theywillensurethatifaprivately-ownedvehicle,ownedbytheapplicants,familyorfriends,isusedto

F.TRANSPORTATIONApplicantsmustensurethatthefamilyhasreliable,legalandsafetransportation.Reliabletransportationincludesaproperlymaintainedvehicleoraccesstoreliablepublictransportation;ifaprivately-ownedvehicleownedbytheapplicant’sfamilyorfriendsisusedtotransportthechildinfostercare,legaltransportationincludeshavingavaliddrivinglicense,insuranceandregistration;andsafe







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transportthechildinfostercare,itmustbeinspected(ifapplicableunderstateortriballaw),registered,andinsured,andmeetallapplicablestateortribalrequirementstobeanoperablevehicleontheroad. Safetyrestraintswillbeusedthatareappropriatetothechild’sage,height,andweight.

transportationincludessafetyrestraintsasappropriateforthechild.

13.PRE-LICENSETRAININGSTANDARDSA.Allapplicantsmustcompleteatleast6hoursofpre-licensetrainingoncareofthechild.B.Pre-licensetrainingtopicsmustinclude:1.Anoverviewofthechildwelfaresystem:a.Legalrights,roles,responsibilitiesand

G.TRAININGa.Applicantsmustcompletepre-licensingtrainingonthefollowingtopics:• rights,roles,responsibilitiesandexpectationsoffosterparents;

• agencystructure,purpose,policies,andservices;

• lawsandregulations;• theimpactofchildhoodtrauma;

• managingchild







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expectationsoffosterparents;

b.Agencypurpose,policies,andservices;and

c.Courts,andapplicablelawsandregulations.

2.Informationincludingtraumaconceptsandbehavioralmanagement,toprovidefortheneedsofthechildwhoisormaybeplacedinthehome.

behaviors;• firstaid(includingcardiopulmonaryresuscitation(CPR)fortheagesofthechildreninplacement)andmedicationadministration;and

• theimportanceofmaintainingmeaningfulconnectionsbetweenthechildandparents,includingregularvisitation.

*Summarysection–Endnotexistates“WedidnotintendthattrainingonCPRwouldnecessarilyincludecompletionofaCPRcertificationcourse.”

Fosterparentsmustparticipateinongoingtrainingtoreceiveinstructiontosupporttheirparentalrolesandensuretheparentisuptodatewithagencyrequirements.







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Further,thistrainingmayalsoincludechild-specifictrainingand/ormayaddressissuesrelevanttothegeneralpopulationofchildreninfostercare.

12.ASSURANCESFROMAPPLICANTS A.Applicantsmustsignanagreementcontainingthefollowingassurancesthattheyandallhouseholdmemberswillcomplywiththeirrolesandresponsibilitiesasdiscussedwiththeagencyonceachildisplacedintheircare:

H.FOSTERPARENTASSURANCESApplicantsmustagreetocomplywiththeirrolesandresponsibilitiesasdiscussedwiththetitleIV-Eagencyonceachildisplacedintheircare.ThetitleIV-Eagencymustrequireassurancesincluding:

1.Theywillnotuseanycorporalordegradingpunishmentonanychildreninthehome.

a.Applicantswillnotusecorporalordegradingpunishment.

2.Theywillnotuseanyillegalsubstances,abusealcoholbyconsumingitinexcessamountsorabuselegalprescriptionandnonprescriptiondrugsbyconsumingtheminexcessamountsorusingthemcontrary

b.Applicantswillnotuseanyillegalsubstances,abusealcoholbyconsumingitinexcessamounts,orabuselegalprescriptionand/ornonprescriptiondrugsbyconsumingthemin







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toasindicated. excessamountsorusingthemcontrarytoasindicated.

3.Theywillnotsmokeinthepresenceofthechildinfostercare,inthefamilyfosterhomeorinanyvehicleusedtotransportthechild.Furthermore,guestswillnotbeallowedtosmokeinthepresenceofthechildinthefamilyfosterhomeorinanyvehicleusedtotransportthechild.

c.Applicantsandtheirguestswillnotsmokeinthefamilyfosterhome,inanyvehicleusedtotransportthechild,orinthepresenceofthechildinfostercare.

4.Theywillcloselysupervisethechildinfostercarewhenthechildisincloseproximitytoanyswimmingpoolorbodyofwater.Whentheycannotsupervise,theymustrestrictthechild’saccesstoswimmingpoolsorbodiesofwater.Thechildmustneverbelefttoswimalone.

5.Theywillprovidewatersafetyinstructiontothechildinfostercareasappropriatefor







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hisorherageanddevelopmentifthehomeisadjacenttoanybodyofwaterorhasaswimmingpool.Watersafetyinstructionaddresseskeyknowledgeandskillsonhowtobesafearoundwateranddoesnotnecessarilymeanswimminglessons.6.Theywillmaintaintheswimmingpoolinsafecondition,includingtestingandmaintainingthechlorineandpHlevelsasrequiredbythemanufacturer’sspecifications.

7.Theywilllockallentrypointswhentheswimmingpoolisnotinuse.

8.Theywillremoveorsecureanystepsorladderstotheswimmingpooltomakethemunusablewhenthepoolisnotinuse.

9.Theywillsetupandmaintainwadingpoolsaccordingtothemanufacturer'sinstructions,andemptyandstorethemwhennotinuse.







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12.Theymayneedtotakeadditionalstepsforthesafetyofthechildinfostercare,dependingonthehome,theareainwhichitislocated,andtheageandanycognitiveandbehavioralchallengesofthechild.Forexample,applicantsmayberequiredtochildprooftheirhomeorplaceafencetopreventthechildfromaccessingnearbyrailroadtracksoranotherhazard.

13.Theywilladheretothereasonableandprudentparentstandard.

d.ApplicantswilladheretothetitleIV-Eagency’sreasonableandprudentparentstandardpersection472(c)(1)(A)(ii)(l)oftheAct.

B.Theagencywillreviewtheassurancesagreementwiththefosterparentsatinitiallicensing,whenachildisplacedintheircare,andannuallythereafter.







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14.EMERGENCYPLACEMENTSTANDARDSA.Achildmaybeplacedinahomeonanemergencybasispendinglicensureforamaximumof90calendardayswitharelative.Theapplicantsmustagreetocompletethefullassessmentandapprovalprocessforafamilyfosterhomelicensewithin90calendardays.ForemergencyplacementsofAmericanIndianandAlaskaNativechildren,agenciesshouldworkcloselywithtribalandurbanIndianorganizationsthathaveexpertiseinrecruitingandlicensingtribalfamilyfostercarehomes.

B.Theagencymustcompletethefollowingpriortoapprovinganemergencyplacement:

1.Stateand/orlocalcriminalbackgroundcheckof







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applicantsandanyotherhouseholdmemberwhoisanadultage18orolder.Todetermineeligibility,theresultsofthecheckwillbeassessedusingthecriteriain10.C.,D.,andE.above.2.State,tribal,and/orlocalchildabuseandneglectregistryandadultprotectiveservicesregistrycheckforinformationonapplicantsandanyotherhouseholdmemberwhoisanadultage18orolder.Todetermineeligibility,theresultsofthecheckwillbeassessedusingthecriteriain11.B.andC.above.

3.Forotherstatesinwhichapplicantsandanyotherhouseholdmemberwhoisanadultage18andolderhaveresidedintheprecedingfiveyears,applicantsandhouseholdmembersmustattestthattheyarenotonthechildabuseandneglectregistryortheadultprotectiveservicesregistry.Atthattime,theagencywill







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submititsrequestthattheotherstateschecktheirregistries. 4.Preliminaryvisualinspectiontoassessthesafetyofthehome.

5.Preliminaryassessmentoftheabilityoftheapplicantstomeettheneedsofthechild.

6.Discussassurancesagreement,asdescribedinstandard12above,withapplicantsandobtaintheirsignaturesontheagreement.

C.Ifthehomeisnotlicensedwithin90calendardays,thechildmustberemovedfromthehome,unless:

1.Adirectplacementofthechildinthehomeisorderedbythecourtwhilethechildisstillinthecustodyofthechildwelfareagency.

2.Theapplicantsfileforandreceivecareandcustodyof







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thechilddirectlyfromthecourt.3.Theagencygrantsanextensionofupto90calendardaysforapplicantstocompletelicensureifitdeterminesthatremovalofthechildwouldbedetrimentaltothebestinterestsofthechild.

nara model, national model, and state or tribal standards ... · private home, including adjacent...

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