Ariz. Admin. Code § 21-6-301

Current through Register Vol. 31, No. 2, January 10, 2025

Section R21-6-301 - General Requirements for Foster Parents

A. A foster parent shall:

1. Be 21 years of age or older;

2. Reside in Arizona and be lawfully present in the United States;

a. Each applicant shall present one of the documents specified under A.R.S. § 41-1080(A) and, as applicable, (E), to the licensing agency to demonstrate that the applicant is lawfully present in the United States; and

b. If an alien applicant has only temporary authorization to be present in the United States, the applicant shall provide documentation indicating that the authorization is valid for a minimum of one year or that the applicant has already taken steps to obtain authorization to remain for at least one year.

3. Live in a home in which all adult household members pass a background check based on:

a. A Central Registry check in Arizona and in the registries in other states the applicant has lived in during the previous five years,

b. A completed and notarized criminal record self-disclosure, and

c. A valid Level One fingerprint clearance card from the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS).

4. Be of reputable and honest character. A licensing agency shall verify compliance by evaluating information provided by the applicant and information obtained through background checks, references, interviews, and records of the Department;

5. Live in a home in which all household members are free of medical, physical, or mental health conditions that would interfere with the safe care and supervision for a foster child.

a. The applicant shall demonstrate compliance by providing his or her licensing agency with:

i. A health self-disclosure completed by all adult household members before initial licensure, and at each renewal thereafter;

ii. A physician's statement for the applicant completed no more than 12 months before the license application is submitted via the Department's electronic database and at least every two years thereafter; and

iii. A physician's statement for each household member who will be providing care and supervision for a foster child. The physician shall complete the statement no more than 12 months before the license application is submitted via the Department's electronic database and every two years thereafter in accordance with R21-6-302.

b. If a health self-disclosure or physician's statement for a household member identifies a history of medical, physical, or mental health conditions, the applicant shall have the opportunity to explain treatments, adaptive equipment, or other accommodations used to reduce or eliminate any risk associated with the condition that could interfere with the applicant's ability to provide safe care and supervision for a foster child;

6. Demonstrate careful and sensible judgment, exercise a reasonable and prudent parenting standard under R21-6-307, and have the stability, maturity, nurturing skills, knowledge, and ability to provide safe care to a foster child. The licensing agency and OLR shall consider relevant factors in this assessment, including:

a. Length of time the applicant has lived in the current residence, and recent patterns involving relocation;

b. Length of time household members have lived together and their ability to accommodate each other;

c. Applicant's ability to cope effectively with change, stress, and anger;

d. Applicant's experience providing care and supervision for children or vulnerable adults;

e. Applicant's knowledge of or experience with human and child development;

f. Applicant's method of discipline with the applicant's own children and the applicant's willingness to use positive discipline; and

g. Applicant's willingness and ability to comply with licensing requirements;

7. Have income or resources to afford current expenses without regard to future reimbursement. The calculation of current expenses does not include the expense of caring for a foster child already living with the applicant.

a. The applicant shall demonstrate compliance by completing the financial information on the application for licensure and by providing the licensing agency with bank statements, pay stubs, income tax forms, and other financial records that demonstrate income and resources that meet or exceed expenses.

b. The licensing agency and OLR shall consider resources including:

i. A reliable source of financial assistance or payment, including social security, Nutrition Assistance (formerly known as food stamps), Cash Assistance, adoption subsidy, and Women, Infants and Children; and

ii. Reimbursement for medically complex and therapeutic homes, as certified under R21-6-331;

8. Have the support and agreement of all adult household members on the decision to be a foster parent;

9. Provide a safe home with sufficient space and privacy for a foster child, as described under R21-6-311 and R21-6-313;

10. Work cooperatively with a licensing agency and OLR; and

11. Comply with all licensing requirements specified in this Chapter.

B. OLR shall determine whether an applicant meets the licensing requirements for a foster parent based on information provided by the applicant and the licensing agency, including the application, home study, prior licensing history, and the professional judgment of the licensing agency.

Ariz. Admin. Code § R21-6-301

New section made by exempt rulemaking at 21 A.A.R. 3479, effective 1/24/2016.