Section 7 AAC 67.120 - Alternate caregivers and babysitters(a) A foster parent shall use the reasonable and prudent parent standard when designating alternate caregivers and babysitters.(b) A foster parent shall designate an alternate caregiver when the foster parent will be away from the foster home for more than 24 hours, as follows: (1) the use of an alternate caregiver may not exceed 48 hours in a calendar week unless approved by the department;(2) a foster parent may not designate an alternate caregiver for longer than 14 days; when utilizing an alternate caregiver for longer than 24 continuous hours, the foster parent must provide notice and contact information for the alternate caregiver to the licensing specialist and the child's caseworker;(3) an alternate caregiver must be at least 18 years of age to care for children younger than 15 years of age, and must be at least 21 years of age to care for children at least 15 years of age and under 18 years of age;(4) an alternate caregiver must have a valid background check in accordance with AS 47.05.300 - 47.05.390 and 7 AAC 10.900 - 7 AAC 10.990;(c) Regardless of whether an alternate caregiver is designated for longer absences of the foster parent, the foster parent may utilize a babysitter for short-term, intermittent care. A babysitter is excused from the requirement in (b)(4) of this section for a background check, but must meet the following conditions: (1) be at least 14 years of age;(2) provide only short-term or intermittent care; for purposes of this subsection, short-term or intermittent care consists of fewer than 48 hours of care in a calendar week and no longer than six consecutive hours without permission of the department;(3) demonstrate the ability to handle common emergencies.(d) A foster child placed in a home may not provide child care on behalf of the foster parent, unless authorized by the child's case worker in writing and outlined in the child's case plan.(e) A foster parent shall comply with a request by the department to remove an alternate caregiver or babysitter from contact with children.(f) The department will not provide additional financial support or assistance to locate or pay an alternate caregiver.(g) A foster parent shall provide an alternate caregiver or babysitter with at least the following information: (1) the responsibilities expected of the caregiver or babysitter;(2) emergency procedures and health and safety measures;(3) information about the emotional, behavioral, medical, or physical conditions, if any, of each child in care;(4) expectations regarding supervision and behavioral management of a foster child, including the requirement that no physical discipline is to be used on a foster child;(5) contact information for the foster parent and caseworker, and other emergency telephone numbers.Eff. 7/1/2022, Register 242, July 2022Authority:AS 44.30.020
AS 47.14.120
AS 47.32.010
AS 47.32.020
AS 47.32.030
AS 47.32.110
AS 47.32.180
AS 47.32.190