12 Colo. Code Regs. § 2509-4-7.304

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 11, June 10, 2024

Section 12 CCR 2509-4-7.304 - PLACEMENT SERVICES

7.304.1DESCRIPTION [Rev. eff. 1/1/16]

A. Placement services are services provided to children in Program Areas 4, 5, and 6 who:

1. Meet the criteria for out-of-home placement and the target group criteria; and,

2. Are placed outside their homes because of a temporary emergency removal by law enforcement, court action, a voluntary placement agreement, or a voluntary services agreement; and,

3. Are in a placement approved by the county department.

B. The range of placement services for children for whom the goal is to return home includes kinship care, foster care homes, specialized group facilities, and residential child care facilities.

C. The range of placement services for children for whom the goal is not to return home includes adoption, kinship care, foster care homes, specialized group facilities, and residential child care facilities.

D. Placement options in this section do not apply to American Indian/Native Alaskan children. Refer to Section 7.309.7 for order of placement preference as required by the Indian Child Welfare Act.

7.304.2PLACEMENT OPTIONS

7.304.201Sibling Placement

When the child/youth is part of a sibling group and the sibling group is being placed out of the home, it shall be presumed that placement of the entire sibling group in the joint placement is in the best interests of the children/youth, in order to sustain family and/or family like relationships. Such presumption may be rebutted by the county by a preponderance of the evidence that placement of the entire sibling group in the joint placement is not in the best interests of a child/youth or of the children/youth. The county shall make reasonable and continued efforts to locate a joint placement for all of the children/youth in the sibling group unless (1) it is not in the best interests of the children/youth to be placed as a group as determined by the county in consultation with the family, youth, and gal when possible, and (2) these efforts do not unreasonably delay permanency for any child/youth. These efforts depend upon the county's ability to locate an appropriate, capable, willing, and available joint placement for all of the children/youth in the sibling group. As soon as practicable after making a decision affecting sibling placement, the county department shall notify the gal(s) appointed to the case. Efforts to place siblings as a group shall be documented in the Colorado Child Welfare Information System (CCWIS).

Sibling children/youth in foster and/or kinship care shall have the following rights unless:

1. They are not in the best interests of each sibling regardless of whether the parental rights of one or more of the foster children/youth's parents have been terminated

2. Youth are in the custody of division of youth services or a state hospital for persons with mental health disorders who may have different rights based on the rules and regulations where they reside

Except youth in the custody of the division of youth services created pursuant to section 19-2-203 or a state hospital for persons with mental health disorders, who may have different rights unless:

A. To be placed in foster care homes with the child/youth's siblings, when it is in the best interests of each sibling and when the county department locates an appropriate, capable, willing, and available joint placement for the children/youth siblings, in order to sustain family relationships,

B. To be placed in close geographical distance to the child/youth's siblings in order to promote continuity in the siblings' relationship;

C. To obtain temporary respite placements together, when possible;

D. To be placed with foster parents, placed with potential adoptive parents, and assigned to child welfare caseworkers who have been provided with training on the importance of sibling relationships;

E. To be notified, as permitted pursuant to state or federal law, about changes in their sibling's placement, discharge from foster care, catastrophic events, or other circumstances, including but not limited to significant life events as defined by the county department and in consultation with the family, youth and gal when possible. As soon as practicable after making a decision to notify or not notify the sibling, the county department shall notify the gal(s) appointed to the case.

F. To be included in permanency planning discussions or meetings for siblings, if appropriate;

G. To maintain frequent and meaningful contact with the child/youth's siblings if placement together is not possible;

H. To be actively involved in each other's lives and share celebrations, if the siblings choose to do so, including but not limited to birthdays, graduations, holidays, school and extracurricular activities, cultural customs in the siblings' native language, and other milestones;

I. To annually receive contact information for all siblings in foster care, which may include a telephone number, address, social media accounts, and e-mail address, unless a foster parent has requested the foster parent's identifiable information not be disclosed pursuant to section 19-1-303 (2.7)(a), C.R.S. (2019) and to receive updated photos of siblings regularly by mail or email, as appropriate;

J. To have more private or less restrictive communication with siblings as compared to communication with others who are not siblings;

K. To be provided with an explanation if contact with a sibling is restricted or denied, as permitted pursuant to state or federal law;

L. Pursuant to section 19-7-203(l), C.R.S., sibling youth in foster care shall have the right to expect that the youth's guardian ad litem will advocate on behalf of the youth for frequent contact and visits with siblings, unless the guardian ad litem determines through the guardian ad litem's independent investigation that the contact is not in the best interests of the youth;

M. To have contact with siblings encouraged in any adoptive or guardianship placement; and

N. To receive an age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate document that reflects the child/youths primary/preferred language from the department of human services setting forth the rights described in this section:

1. Within thirty days of the date of any placement or any change in placement;

2. On each occasion that a youth's case plan is modified;

3. At each placement where the youth resides; and

4. On at least an annual basis.

O. To have adult siblings of children/youth in foster care be considered as foster care providers, adoptive parents, and relative custodians for their siblings, if they so choose.

7.304.21Kinship Care

A. Definition: Refer to Section 7.000.2 (12 CCR 2509-1) for the definition of "kin" and "non-certified kinship care".

B. Kinship care shall be utilized in order to:

1. Maintain child(ren)/youth in their families or with persons with whom they have a family like or prior significant relationship in order to provide meaningful, emotional and cultural ties across their life span.

2. Minimize the trauma of out-of-home placement.

3. Support and strengthen families' ability to protect their child(ren)/youth and to provide permanency.

C. Kinship care: Assessment and Decision-Making

1. If during an assessment it is discovered that the child(ren)/youth and their parents are living with kin:

a) The child(ren)/youth are not considered to be in out-of-home care as the child(ren)/youth are living with their parents.

b) The rules for assessment apply (see Section 7.104 et seq. [12 CCR 2509-2]).

2. If during an assessment it is discovered that the child(ren)/youth are not living with their parents, but with kin:

a) The child(ren)/youth are not considered to be in out-of-home care as the child(ren)/youth are living with kin through arrangements made by the family.

b) The rules for assessment apply (see Section 7.104 et seq. [12 CCR 2509-2]).

c) These kinship providers may be eligible for forms of support listed in Section 7.304.21, E, 3.

3. If during an assessment it is discovered that the child(ren)/youth are in current or impending danger with their caregiver(s) and the family agrees to a temporary living arrangement with kin through the use of a safety plan:

a) The assessment cannot be closed until one of the following:

1) The child(ren)/youth have been returned to the care of their caregiver(s);

2) Documentation is obtained demonstrating that legal authority has been granted to kin (documented in the state automated child welfare information system); or,

3) A child welfare case has been opened.

b) The child(ren)/youth are not considered to be in out-of-home care as the arrangements are made through a safety plan.

c) These kinship providers may be eligible for forms of support listed in Section 7.304.21, E, 3.

d) If a case is not opened, the rules for assessment apply (see Section 7.104 et seq. [12 CCR 2509-2]).

e) If a case is opened, the permanency goal is identified as return home from kinship care and the child(ren)/youth are considered in kinship care. A removal is not opened and the rules for non-certified kinship care apply when the county department has not assumed legal authority for placement or taken legal custody (see Section 7.304.21, D).

4. If during an assessment it is discovered that the child(ren)/youth are in current or impending danger with their caregiver(s) and the family will not agree to a temporary living arrangement with kin through the use of a safety plan:

a) The assessment cannot be closed until one of the following occurs:

1) The child(ren)/youth have been returned to the care of their caregiver(s);

2) Documentation is obtained demonstrating that legal authority has been granted to kin (documented in the state automated child welfare information system); or,

3) A child welfare case has been opened.

b) Child(ren)/youth are considered to be in out-of-home care and a removal is required.

c) Kinship providers may be eligible for forms of support listed in Section 7.304.21, E, 3.

d) The rules for kinship care apply when the county department has assumed legal authority for placement or taken legal custody (see Section 7.304.21, E).

5. When a county department of human/social services places a child/youth of whom they have legal custody in the home of a non-certified kinship caregiver, the county department of human/social services shall request the court grant custody to the non-certified kinship caregiver if the child/youth is placed in a non-certified kinship home for more than 90 days from the date of removal, unless:

1) The non-certified kinship caregiver is pursuing certification;

2) The child/youth is in an interstate compact on the placement of children (ICPC) placement in another state; or

3) There are exceptional circumstances related to the best interests of the child/youth.

If certification is not achieved within 180 days of the date of removal, the county department of human/social services shall request the court grant custody of the child/youth to the non-certified kinship caregiver unless there are exceptional circumstances to continue custody with the county department of human/social services. These exceptional circumstances must be approved by the director of the county department of human/social services or their designee.

D. Kinship care services when the county department has not assumed legal authority for placement or taken legal custody, the county department shall:

1. Enable the family to make voluntary arrangements for temporary custody or guardianship by kin;

2. Provide parents and kin caring for the child(ren)/youth services to ensure the child(ren)/youth's safety, well-being, and smooth transition back to the parent's home. When return to parent's home is not a viable option, services to kin shall be used to help to provide permanency for the child(ren)/youth. The child(ren)/youth may receive such services without court involvement.;

3. Evaluate the non-certified kinship family addressing the areas of: safety, parenting skills, potential for permanency, needs of the kinship family, a support system, strengths and any other areas deemed necessary by the county department.

4. Ensure initiation of a signed original application to provide care for child(ren)/youth or a state approved, county specific kinship application at the time of change in a child(ren)/youth's living arrangement and document completion in the state automated child welfare information system.

5. Advise the kinship providers of the types of support listed in 7.304.21, E, 3.

6. Complete a background check for each adult (18 years and older) living in the home. These checks shall be completed prior to the child(ren)/youth's change in living arrangement and documented in the state automated case management system. The background check shall include:

a. Child abuse and/or neglect records in every state where any adult residing in the home has lived in the five years immediately preceding the date of application, except that child abuse and neglect records in other states where an adult has resided shall be initiated no later than seven (7) working days following placement.

b. Fingerprint-based criminal history record information checks from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) shall be conducted prior to placement unless it is an emergency placement (see Section 7.304.21, E, 2, f) in order to determine if any adult who resides in the home has been convicted (see Section 7.000.2 [12 CCR 2509-1]) of:

1) Child abuse, as specified in Section 18-6-401, C.R.S.;

2) A crime of violence, as defined in Section 18-1.3-406(2)(a), C.R.S.;

3) An offense involving unlawful sexual behavior, as defined in Section 16-22-102(9), C.R.S.;

4) A felony, the underlying factual basis of which has been found by the court on the record to include an act of domestic violence, as defined in Section 18-6-800.3(1), C.R.S.;

5) A felony involving physical assault, battery, or a drug-related offense within five years of the date of application;

6) A pattern of misdemeanor convictions within the ten (10) years immediately preceding submission of the application. (see Section 7.000.2 [12 CCR 2509-1])

7) Any offense in any other state, the elements of which are substantially similar to the elements of any one of the offenses described in 1-6, above.

c. Review the court case management system of the State Judicial Department and include a copy of the information in the case record; and,

d. Review the CBI sex offender registry and the national sex offender public website operated by the United States Department of Justice at initial placement and include a copy of the information in the case record:

1) Known names and addresses of each adult residing in the home; and,

2) Address only of the non-certified kinship care home.

7. Receive affirmation of the placement either through a court order or county director(s) or their designee's affirmation to place or allow continued placement of a child(ren)/youth with a non-certified kin or other adult living in the home that would otherwise be disqualified in Section 7.304.21, D, 8 and 9.

8. Decline placement of a child(ren)/youth in the home if the kin or any adult eighteen (18) years of age or older who resides in the home has been convicted of any offense described in Section D, 6, B, 1-7, is a registered sex offender or, is determined unsafe following a review of a finding of child abuse and/or neglect in the state automated case management system.

9. Evaluate the appropriateness of the placement. If a disqualifying factor (refer to Section 7.000.2, 12 CCR 2509-1) is identified following the placement of a child(ren)/youth in a non-certified kinship care home, a plan shall be developed as soon as possible and documented in the state automated case management system to address and remedy the concerns no later than two weeks after the date of placement. The plan shall include the following:

a. The circumstances of the placement;

b. The vulnerability of the child(ren)/youth, including age and development;

c. Safety issues impacting the child(ren)/youth;

d. Supports needed by the non-certified kinship caregiver(s); and,

e. Alternative solutions to removal of the child(ren)/youth from the placement, and document the solution in the family service plan including, but not limited to, the family's current status in the following domains:

1) Risk and safety;

2) Level of functioning;

3) Strengths;

4) Specific areas of concern to be addressed;

5) Services and supports needed; and,

6) Changes that must occur to mitigate the concerns.

E. Kinship care services when the county department has assumed legal authority for placement or been granted legal custody:

1. Eligible Populations: The child(ren)/youth shall meet the following criteria for placement in kinship care through the child welfare system:

a. Program Area 4, 5, or 6 target groups (refer to Section 7.000.1, 12 CCR 2509-1) and out-of-home placement criteria; and

b. There is legal authority for placement as defined in Section 7.304.51 and the Children's Code through a court order, a Dependency and Neglect or Delinquency action, emergency removal by law enforcement, or a voluntary placement, followed within 90 calendar days by a Petition for Review of Need for Placement (PRNP).

2. Placement with Kinship Care Providers:

a. When out-of-home placement is necessary, the county department shall determine whether there are available and willing kin to provide for the child(ren)/youth.

1) Kinship care providers shall be advised of the types of support available to them through the county department including:

a) Family preservation,

b) Certification for kinship foster care, and

c) The relative guardianship assistance program (see Section 7.311, et seq).

2) In the decision making process, funding and types of support including:

a) Kinship care may be considered a means of family preservation rather than a placement service.

b) The kinship caregiver(s) may become a foster care home. If the kinship caregiver prefers to be a kinship foster care home, the county director or his/her designee may allow a waiver of nonsafety certification standards (see Section 7.708.7 (12 CCR 2509-8).

c) Kinship caregivers for title IV-E eligible child(ren)/youth are entitled to the same level of reimbursement as non-related providers. Kinship caregivers may elect to receive no payment.

d) Other funding and support services, including in-kind or concrete services, can be put into place as mutually agreed upon with the provider.

3) Relative kinship care providers and potential relative kinship care providers shall be informed about the types of support noted in 7.304.21, E, 2, a, 1. The information provided, including the date(s), shall be documented in the statewide automated child welfare information system.

b. Parent(s) shall be included as part of the planning process when considering placement with kin unless there are documented reasons for their unavailability to participate.

c. If kin are available and willing, the county department shall assess the suitability of kin in accordance with the foster care certification requirements found at Sections 7.500 (12 CCR 2509-6) and 7.708 (12 CCR 2509-8).

d. If the parent(s) do not agree to a specific kinship placement, the county department shall request court ordered assessment for possible placement with kin, identify other kinship placement possibilities, and/or revisit possible kinship placement at a later time if out-of-home placement continues to be necessary. If the assessment is favorable, and the parent(s) still object to the kinship placement, the county department may request that the court order the kinship placement.

e. When removal from parents or guardians occurs on an emergency basis, child(ren)/youth may be placed with kinship providers who may be provisionally certified as a kinship foster care home in accordance with Section 7.500.311, C and D (12 CCR 2509-6).

f. When an emergency placement is necessary and a prospective relative or other available person is identified, and child(ren)/youth are placed into temporary custody by law enforcement and/or the court places temporary custody with a county department of human or social services the following actions shall occur prior to placement of child(ren)/youth in the home:

1) The county department shall contact local law enforcement to conduct an initial name-based state and federal criminal history record check. The results of the criminal record check shall be provided verbally to the county department. The county department of human or social services or law enforcement shall immediately conduct an initial criminal history record check of the relative or other available person and all adults in the home. If law enforcement is completing the criminal history check, the county department of human or social services shall request a verbal report regarding each person's criminal history from federal and state databases, and include the results in the case record.

2) The child(ren)/youth shall not be placed in the home if the criminal history record information check reflects one or more convictions of the criminal offenses listed in Subsection 7.304.21, D, 2, f, 7 unless ordered by the court.

3) Kin who is not disqualified as an emergency placement and who authorizes the child(ren)/youth to be placed in the home shall submit fingerprints no later than five (5) calendar days after the child(ren)/youth are placed in the home or no later than fifteen (15) calendar days when documented urgent circumstances exist. The cost of the fingerprints is the responsibility of the relative or other available person.

4) The county department shall confirm timely submission of fingerprints with kin whom the child/youth is placed with for an emergency placement.

5) In accordance with section 19-3-406(2), C.R.S. if the kin fails to submit a complete set of fingerprints to the county department, the county department or the law enforcement officer, as appropriate, shall immediately remove the child from the physical custody of the person unless otherwise ordered by the court.

6) A fingerprint-based criminal history record information check will be conducted by CBI using state and national CBI and FBI records. The local law enforcement agency is the authorized agency to receive the results.

7) If the fingerprint-based criminal history record information check indicates the person has a disqualifying criminal history, the county department of human or social services or local law enforcement officer shall immediately remove the child(ren)/youth from the emergency placement and shall not place a child(ren)/youth with the person who has the criminal history without court involvement and an order of the court affirming placement of the child(ren)/youth with the person.

8) A county department of human or social services or local law enforcement shall not make an emergency placement or continue the emergency placement of a child(ren)/youth with a person who has been convicted of one or more of the following offenses:

a) Child abuse, as specified in Section 18-6-401, C.R.S.;

b) A crime of violence, as defined in Section 18 1.3 406(B)(I), C.R.S.;

c) An offense involving unlawful sexual behavior, as defined in Section 16-22-102(9), C.R.S.;

d) A felony, the underlying actual basis of which has been found by the court on the record to include an act of domestic violence, as defined in Section 18-6-800.3(1), C.R.S.;

e) A felony involving physical assault or a drug-related offense, committed within the preceding five years;

f) Violation of a protection order, as described in Section 18-6-803.5, C.R.S.;

g) A crime involving homicide; or,

h) An offense in any other state the elements of which are substantially similar to the elements of any one of the offenses described in a-g, above.

9) If a relative or other person was not disqualified as an emergency placement based upon the fingerprint-based criminal history record information check and the child(ren)/youth were placed in the emergency placement, the county department of human or social services shall complete the following checks for the relative or available person and all adults in the home:

a) Review the court case management system of the State Judicial Department and include a copy of the information in the case record;

b) Review the state automated case management system and the child abuse and/or neglect registries in all states the adults living in the home have resided in the five years preceding the date of application and include a copy of the information in the case record; and,

c) Review the CBI sex offender registry and the national sex offender public website operated by the United States Department of Justice at initial placement, and annually, and include a copy of the information in the case record:

i) Known names and addresses of each adult residing in the home; and,

ii) Address only of the kinship home.

10) If information is found as a result of any checks of the relative or other available person that continued placement is unsafe, the county department of human or social services shall remove the child(ren)/youth.

11) If a disqualifying factor (refer to Section 7.002) and/or a concern about the safety of the child(ren)/youth is identified following the placement of the child(ren)/youth, the department of human or social services shall evaluate the appropriateness of continuing the placement. A plan shall be developed to address the concerns as soon as possible and the concerns shall be remedied no later than two weeks after the date of placement. The following shall be documented in the state automated case management system:

a) Review the circumstances of the placement;

b) Evaluate the vulnerability of the child(ren)/youth, including age and development;

c) Safety issues impacting the child(ren)/youth;

d) Supports needed by the non-certified kinship caregiver(s); and,

e) Identify alternative solutions to removal of the child(ren)/youth from the placement, and document the solution in the family service plan including, but not limited to, the family's current status in the following domains:

i) Risk and safety;

ii) Level of functioning;

iii) Strengths;

iv) Specific areas of concern to be addressed;

v) Services and supports needed; and,

vi) Changes that must occur to mitigate the concerns.

12) Fingerprint-based criminal history record information checks are not required if the relative or other available person in the home completed them within the three months preceding date of placement. The following checks shall be completed and included in the case record, and documented in the state automated case management system:

a) State automated case management system;

b) The CBI sex offender registry and the national sex offender public website operated by the United States Department of Justice at initial placement and annually:

i) Known names and addresses of each adult residing in the home; and,

ii) Address only of the kinship home.

c) Court case management system of the State Judicial Department; and,

d) Contact law enforcement to determine if any additional criminal history occurred or complete an online CBI name-based check.

g. Substitution of Fingerprints for Foster Care Certification

1) If the county department of human or social services or a child placement agency (when applicable) intends to accept an application for foster care, CBI shall be notified within five calendar days after requesting fingerprint-based criminal history record information checks in order to prompt flagging and automatic notification to the county department of human or social services or child placement agency when there are new criminal charges; and,

2) The substitute fingerprint process meets the requirement for an applicant for foster care certification pursuant to Section 26-6-106.3, C.R.S.

h. The reasonable and prudent parent standard requirements for a kinship provider or kinship foster parent to approve activities for a child(ren)/ or youth in foster care requires the following action: The county department of human or social services or child placement agency shall train the caregiver how to determine whether an extracurricular, enrichment, cultural, or social activity is consistent with the reasonable and prudent parent standard, when approving an age or developmentally appropriate activity identified in Section 7.701.200 (12 CCR 2509-8).

3. Decision Making:

a. As part of the assessment process, the county department of human or social services shall determine, with the kinship care provider, which funding options and support services will be necessary to support the placement. If the child(ren)/youth is eligible, at a minimum, the following funding sources shall be considered to support the child(ren)/youth in a kinship care placement:

1) child support by the absent parent(s). for child support, a referral may be made to child support services if the county department finds that a referral is appropriate; see section 7.601.712 (12 CCR 2509-7). if a referral is made, the county department must review the case every 6 months to reassess the appropriateness of the referral. the county department may consult with the child support services unit during the reassessment.

2) Social Security and/or other death benefits;

3) Supplemental Security Income; see Section 7.001.44 (12 CCR 2509-1);

4) Supplemental Security for Disability Income;

5) Temporary Assistance to Needy Families - for kinship care to be supported by Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, the caretaker must meet the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families definition in Section 3.600 of the Income Maintenance manual (9 CCR 2503-1);

6) Tricare or other medical benefits;

7) Medicaid;

8) Core Services (Section 7.303);

9) Child Welfare Child Care;

10) Colorado Child Care Assistance Program;

11) In-Kind Services or Donations;

12) Foster care maintenance payment; see Section 7.500.31, A (12 CCR 2509-6);

13) IV-E or state relative guardianship assistance program; see Section 7.311 et seq.

14) IV-E or state adoption assistance.

b. This decision making process shall address the needs of the child(ren)/youth, family and kin and focus on how the goals of safety, permanency, and child(ren)/youth well-being can be most effectively achieved for the child(ren)/youth.

c. The kinship care provider shall be advised of all support options available, and shall be advised of the grievance process available to certified and licensed providers.

d. Requests for approval for any exceptions for relatives to the foster care rules outlined in Section 7.708 (12 CCR 2509-8) shall be submitted by the county department of human or social services or child placement agency to the State Child Care Appeal Panel in accordance with procedures established by the Colorado Department of Human Services.

4. Services to kinship care providers shall:

a. Include training, support and services specific to the needs of kinship care providers.

b. Include supervision as described in the child(ren)/youth's Family Services Plan and in Section 7.500.313, A (12 CCR 2509-6).

5. Services to children/youth in all kinship care placements shall: Include the requirements of Section 7.301 (12 CCR 2509-4), assessment and case planning section.

6. Permanency Planning in Kinship Care

a. When a child(ren)/youth has been placed by the county department into temporary kinship care and reasonable efforts to reunite the child(ren)/youth with the parents are not successful, the county department shall consider permanent placement with the kinship care provider or other appropriate kin. The preferred permanent placement shall be adoption, legal guardianship, or permanent custody.

b. The grandparent, aunt, uncle, brother or sister must file a request with the court no later than twenty (20) days after the motion for termination has been filed, if the provider wishes to be considered as the guardian or to take legal custody of the child(ren)/youth. following the order of termination of the parent-child(ren)/youth legal relationship, the court shall give preference to this provider if it has been determined to be in the best interest of the child(ren)/youth and the attachment of the child(ren)/youth to the current caregiver has been considered.

7.304.3OUT-OF-HOME PLACEMENT CRITERIA

Not every child at risk needs out-of-home placement. These criteria are designed to provide a decision making model to assist in determining whether Core Service Program services and/or out-of-home placement are indicated. All three criteria must be met unless the youth is eligible for the foster youth transition program as described in 12 CCR 2509-3, 7.203.4.

Criterion 1: The child may be at imminent risk of out-of-home placement, as defined in Section 26-5.3-102(1)(b), C.R.S., because one or more of the following conditions exist:

A. Abandonment by or incarceration of parents/relatives/caretakers;

B. Abuse/neglect - as defined in the Children's Code;

C. Domestic violence - as defined in Section 18-6-800.3, C.R.S.;

D. Conditions that exist to such a degree for either the child or caretaker so that the caretaker is unable to care for the child:

1. substance abuse; drug exposed infants

2. mental illness

3. disability

4. physical illness

5. homelessness

E. Beyond control of parents;

F. Danger to self, others, or community;

G. Infant or young child of teen parent in placement;

H. Delinquency - adjudicated delinquent meeting current out-of-home placement criteria written pursuant to Section 19-2-212, C.R.S.;

I. Relinquishment or termination of parental rights;

J. Child returning home from out-of-home placement or moving to less restrictive level-of-care.

Criterion 2: Before considering placement, an assessment is completed to determine the level of risk. If assessment of risk determines that the child is at imminent risk of out-of-home placement, then child/family strengths are determined, and the appropriate services and/or community supports (reasonable efforts) needed to address the existing Criterion #1 conditions are identified. When these services are not immediately available, or are absent, unsuccessful, or exhausted, placement in the Core Services Program and/or out-of-home may be considered.

Reasonable efforts include the intervention strategies and advocacy efforts used:

A. To identify/locate appropriate parent/relative/caretakers if necessary to prevent out-of-home placement;

B. To assess the parent/relative/caretaker's ability to protect children;

C. To assist the parent/relative/caretaker and/or child in accessing and utilizing the identified services to address the presenting conditions.

Criterion 3: When placement is the best choice of available options/alternatives at this time to reduce risk to the child while continuing reasonable efforts to resolve the conditions which led to imminent risk, then, placement in the Core Services Program and/or out-of-home may occur.

7.304.4AGE AND RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS AND PAYMENT RESPONSIBILITY FOR CHILDREN/YOUTH IN OUT-OF-HOME CARE [Rev. eff. 4/1/13]

A. A child is eligible for placement services on the basis of need from birth to age 18 when the child meets target group eligibility and all three of the placement criteria, regardless of whether the placement is voluntary or court ordered. A youth continues to be eligible for placement services if the court had jurisdiction prior to the 18th birthday or the youth is eligible for and receiving services through the youth in transition program as described in 7.203.4 (12 CCR 2509-3).

B. All children residing or present in the state are eligible for placement services when the criteria in the Target Group sections 7.201, 7.202, and 7.203, the Out-of-Home Placement Criteria section 7.304.3, and the Authority for Placement section 7.304.51, are met.

C. The child's county of residence shall be the county department which has financial and case decision-making responsibility for a child in out-of-home placement shall be the child's county of residence. The child's residence follows the parents' residence unless one or more of the following circumstances exist:

1. When the parent-child legal relationship has been terminated, the child's residence is the county in which the county department has legal custody of the child.

2. When the court has transferred legal custody to a county department and the parent-child legal relationship has not been terminated, the child's residence is that county until the court transfers custody to some other entity, including changes of venue as described in the following section, 7.304.4, E.

3. When a county department has legal custody and the court has also appointed a guardian, the child's residence is that of the county department holding legal custody.

4. When a child is in parental custody, the child's residence is that of the parents, or of the last caretaker parent, unless there is a court order giving custody to one of the parents. In that case, the child's residence is that of the parent with legal custody.

5. When a child is in the legal custody of an individual, the child's residence is that of the individual.

6. When the youth is receiving services through the Foster Youth in Transition Program, the youth's residence shall be the county in which the youth resides, based on their self attestation. Any changes of jurisdiction for this population shall be determined as described in 7.203.43(A)(4).

D. Residence for school purposes may be determined on other factors, such as the type of facility in which the child is placed or the legal status of the child. See Educational Assessments in the Assessment and Case Planning section.

E. The county department shall transfer financial and service planning, and financial responsibility as follows:

If a parent whose residence is used to determine the county department's financial responsibility for a child in out-of-home placement moves to another Colorado county, the county department shall initiate procedures to transfer the financial responsibility to the new county, unless:

1. The court or the county department finds that the transfer of jurisdiction would be detrimental to the best interest of the child(ren); or,

2. The legal custodian has a history of frequent moves, except when there is evidence of stability in the most recent move, such as a signed lease whose term is six or more months, or there is other firm evidence of the intent to remain in the new residence for six or more months; or,

3. The case is within 3-6 months of resolution; or,

4. The custodial parent is committed to a state mental institute or correctional facility; or,

5. The custodial parent is residing temporarily in the receiving county to receive rehabilitation services, employment training, education, medical care, or shelter services; or,

6. Adjudication has not taken place; or,

7. Change in venue hinders achieving the child's permanency goal; or,

8. The case is an expedited permanency planning case, unless pursuant to Section 19-3-201(2), C.R.S., wherein it states that is shall be presumed that any transfer of proceedings without good cause shown that results in a delay in the judicial proceedings would be detrimental to the child's best interest. Such presumption may be rebutted in court by preponderance of evidence; or,

9. When parental rights have been terminated for the child(ren); or,

10. If the case involves a juvenile for whom a juvenile delinquency filing has been made, pursuant to Section 19-2-105(1)(b), C.R.S.

F. Each county shall designate a Change of Venue coordinator.

G. When a motion for a Change of Venue has been made by the sending county, the sending county shall mail the Change of Venue motion to all parties and attorneys of record in the case and to the county attorney in the receiving county.

H. Within fifteen (15) calendar days after a court signs an order granting a Change of Venue and transferring jurisdiction, the sending county shall:

1. Provide written case information, if not located in the state automated system, to the designated Change of Venue coordinator in the receiving county which shall include, but need not be limited to:

a. Permanency goals;

b. Target dates related to the case;

c. Evaluations;

d. A current Family Services Plan;

e. Court reports;

f. Dates of placement moves;

g. Progress of the child(ren) in placement;

h. All Title IV-E eligibility determinations; and,

i. Recommendations for continuing progress in the case.

2. Update all documentation in the case file and in the state automated system.

3. Provide information, to the extent known, concerning the physical location of the child's parents, guardians, legal custodians, and relatives.

4. Prepare the case for transfer by:

a. Scheduling a family engagement meeting involving all parties, county department caseworkers and supervisors, and community providers; or,

b. Conducting a case staffing between county caseworkers and supervisors in the sending and receiving county departments; or,

c. Submitting a written case transfer summary.

5. Forward a complete copy of the case file from the sending county attorney's office to the receiving county attorney's office. Privileged attorney-client communications do not need to be included in the transferred case file.

I. The child, family, and foster care provider shall be prepared for the transition by the sending county department.

J. The sending county department is responsible for financial and service planning for the case and for payment of services through the calendar month in which the Change of Venue becomes effective. This date is to be confirmed by the sending county department in writing and there shall be no lapse in financial coverage during this process. If venue does not change, the sending county department retains financial responsibility.

K. The receiving county department shall provide courtesy supervision and available services during this transition. If venue does not change, the sending county department retains financial responsibility.

L. If a child is born while the mother is committed to a state mental institute or correctional facility, the county of residence prior to commitment shall be the county of fiscal responsibility.

M. When a child is placed for adoption, the county department holding legal custody and guardianship shall have fiscal responsibility for the child until the adoption is finalized.

N. If a child needs placement out of the home following finalization of adoption, the child's residence is that of the adoptive parents.

O. Residence related to subsidized adoption is addressed in the Adoption Services section.

7.304.5SPECIFIC PROCEDURES FOR OUT-OF-HOME PLACEMENT

7.304.51Authority for Placement

The county department shall ensure that a child may enter any out-of-home placement only when:

A. Target group and placement criteria are met; and,

B. An emergency is determined to exist and s/he is removed from the home by a law enforcement officer, with or without a court order, or,

C. A parent has signed a voluntary placement agreement under conditions established by the county department and according to the Children's Code; or,

D. A juvenile court, or a court acting as a juvenile court (including a tribal court), has ordered the child to be placed out of the home and has transferred legal custody to the county department or a social services department of a federally recognized Indian tribe, for placement in a family care home or other child care facility.; OR,

E. A youth who is eligible for the Foster Youth in Transition Program as described in 7.203.41 (12 CCR 2509-3) has entered into a voluntary services agreement with the county department.

7.304.52Family Search and Engagement

A. Family search and engagement shall:

1. Be commenced for the noncustodial parent within three (3) working days. The county department must provide notification to the absent parent of the following:

a. The child or youth has been removed from the home; and,

b. The option to participate in the care, treatment, or placement of the child or youth.

2. Be completed within thirty (30) calendar days for all grandparent(s) and other adult relatives or the parent of a sibling of a child/youth who has been removed from his/her legal custodian's home. The latter shall not be construed as subordinating the rights of foster or adoptive parents of a child or youth to the rights of the parents of a sibling of the child or youth. The county department of human or social services shall provide notification of the following information:

a. The child or youth has been removed from the home;

b. Options to participate in the care or placement of the child or youth;

c. Options that may be lost by failing to respond to the notice;

d. The requirements to become a foster parent, and services and supports available to the child and/or youth placed in the family foster care home; and,

e. A description of the Relative Guardianship Assistance Program.

B. The county department shall assure that:

1. Parents are consulted regarding their suggestions for appropriate caretakers.

2. Children and youth are consulted as appropriate regarding their suggested relative caretakers.

3. When the court orders a delay in contacting specific relatives for good cause including, but not limited to, domestic or other family violence, then the county department shall discontinue the family search and engagement involving the relative until otherwise authorized by the court.

C. Family search and engagement shall occur for all children including American Indian/Alaskan Native children and youth at least every six (6) months throughout the life of the case until the child or youth has achieved permanency, except as noted in Section 7.304.52, B, 3, or when the following conditions exist:

1. A placement is stable with a relative or kin a minimum of six (6) consecutive months; and,

2. The relative or kin has committed to the legal permanence of the child or youth; and,

3. There is agreement among the parties that the relative or kin is the appropriate permanent option, the juvenile or district court finds it is the appropriate permanency plan, and it is in the best interest of the child or youth that family search and engagement be discontinued.

4. A non-relative foster care parent without a prior relationship to a youth twelve (12) years of age or older and his/her siblings residing in the same placement commits to the permanency of the youth and children. in addition, the juvenile or district court adopted a permanency plan of guardianship or Allocation Of Parental Responsibilities (APR) and the requirements in section 7.311.1, c, 2 (relative guardianship assistance program) are met.

D. A family engagement meeting shall occur within thirty (30) calendar days when any of the following conditions exist:

1. The child or youth is in a family-like permanent setting without the provider expressing formal intent to provide legal permanence at the time that any of the following conditions exist:

a. The child or youth has been in out-of-home placement fifteen (15) of twenty-two (22) months; or,

b. The child or youth has had two (2) or more unplanned moves within a twelve (12) month period; or,

c. The child or youth is assigned a permanency goal of Other Planned Permanent Living Arrangement (OPPLA).

2. The child or youth is in out-of-home placement in a non-family-like setting without an approved permanency plan and any of the conditions in Section 7.304.52, D, 1, a-c, exist.

E. 7.304.52 does not apply to youth who are participating in the Foster Youth in Transition Program unless the youth consents and signs all applicable releases of information. The services described in this section shall be offered to these youth.

F. The county shall document all efforts in the Family Services Plan for the child or youth. Initial and ongoing family search and engagement results shall be reviewed and documented during ninety (90) day supervisory reviews.

7.304.53COURT-RELATED PROCEDURES

A. County department staff shall work with the courts in order to best serve families, children, and adults. This includes, but is not limited to:

1. Providing competent and appropriate testimony. When the case involves the Indian Child Welfare Act, testimony shall be provided by a qualified expert witness (see Indian Child Welfare Act, "Definitions", Section 7.309.1, L).

2. Identifying witnesses and evidence to be presented.

3. Being in compliance with the Indian Child Welfare Act.

4. Working with the legal representative of the county department and all other attorneys involved to serve the best interest of the child(ren) and family.

5. Ensuring that the court is provided names and addresses of parents, foster parents, pre-adoptive parents, and kin who are providing out of home care for a child in order that the court can inform and allow these individuals an opportunity to be heard at all hearings and reviews involving the child.

B. The county department shall document the following court related procedures in the case file:

1. The child and family's legal status including custody, guardianship, parental rights, and other judgments issued by the court(s) of jurisdiction. The term "allocation of parental responsibilities" when used by the court shall be interpreted to mean custody for child welfare purposes. The term "allocation of parental responsibilities" shall not be used as a permanency goal.

2. Title IV-E related documents described in Section 7.601.71.

3. The reasonable efforts which have been made to prevent removal of the child from her/his home, the reasonable efforts that have been or will be made to return the child to her/his home, and the reasonable efforts to finalize a permanent plan. The specific actions taken shall be documented and submitted to the court. When the case involves the Indian Child Welfare Act, "active efforts" rather than "reasonable efforts" must be provided (see Indian Child Welfare Act, "Definitions", Section 7.309.1, A).

When applicable, the county department shall document and submit to the court existing circumstances in which the court may determine that reasonable efforts are not required to prevent a child's removal from the home or to reunify the child and family. These circumstances are:

a. A court has determined that the parent has subjected the child to aggravated circumstances as specified in Section 19-3-604(1) and (2), C.R.S.

b. A court has determined that the parent has been convicted of:

1) murder or voluntary manslaughter of another child of the parent; or,

2) aiding or abetting, attempting, conspiring, or soliciting to commit murder; or, voluntary manslaughter of another child of the parent; or,

3) felony assault that results in serious injury to the child or another child of the parent.

c. The parental rights of the parent with respect to a sibling have been terminated involuntarily unless the prior sibling termination resulted from a parent delivering a child to a firefighter or a hospital staff member pursuant to the provisions of Section 19-3-304.5, C.R.S.

d. Youth who are participating in the Foster Youth in Transition program as described in 12 CCR 2509-03, Section 7.203.4, et seq., pursuant to Section 19-7-307(2), C.R.S.

4. That the court and the parents are notified of any change in placement before the change unless the child is in immediate danger.

5. That a record is kept of all family time and of reasons planned visits did not occur.

6. That the court, the parents, and the child are given written notice ten days before any determination which affects the parent's family time rights unless the child's health or well-being is endangered by delaying action or would be endangered if prior notice was given. The caseworker shall keep a copy of this notification in the case record.

7. The treatment plans, including the Family Services Plan and court ordered plan, that have been attempted to return the child to the family home.

8. That the county has requested the court, in its periodic reviews, to make findings regarding the continued necessity and appropriateness of placement, the extent of compliance with the case plan, the extent of progress which has been made toward alleviating or mitigating the causes necessitating the placement, and projecting a likely date by which the child may be returned home or placed in an alternate permanent living arrangement.

7.304.54Court Procedures Related to Permanency Planning [Rev. eff. 3/1/16]

A. The county department must develop a permanent plan for any child who is in out-of-home placement and is the subject of any court action, including Dependency and Neglect, Delinquency, Petition to Review the Need for Placement, or a Foster Youth in Transition Program case and a concurrent plan for cases filed under Section 19-3-102(2), C.R.S., regarding habitual abuse. The purpose of the plan is to establish treatment needs related to the stated goal for the child and to decide a method to provide a safe, stable, permanent environment for the child as quickly as possible

B. The county department shall submit this plan at the permanency court hearing. That hearing must be held before twelve (12) months have elapsed from the date of the child's original out-of-home placement, and shall be held as soon as possible following the dispositional hearing. Following the initial permanency hearing, subsequent permanency hearings must be held every twelve months thereafter while the child remains in out-of-home care. These hearings shall be combined with a periodic review when possible.

C. The county department shall provide the court with documentation of the efforts made by the department to finalize the permanency plan for the child. The county department shall request the court to make a finding (if the evidence so warrants) that the department made reasonable efforts to finalize the permanency plan for the child.

D. Paper reviews, ex parte hearings, agreed orders or other actions or hearings which are not open to the participation of the parents of the child (if appropriate age) and foster parents or pre-adoptive parents are not permanency hearings.

E. When the court determines that reasonable efforts to return the child home are not required, the county shall request that the permanency hearing be held no later than thirty (30) calendar days after such court determination, unless the requirements of the permanency hearing are fulfilled at the hearing in which such a determination is made.

F. The county department shall ensure and document that a request is made to the court for such a hearing in sufficient time to assure that the hearing is held within the twelve (12) month time frame. Permanency hearings shall be combined with a review hearing when possible.

G. The county department shall include, in the permanency plan, recommendations to the court on either:

1. Returning the child to his/her parent or guardian within the next six months; or,

2. Permanent placement with a relative through adoption; or,

3. Permanent placement with a relative through guardianship or permanent custody; or,

4. Adoption (non-relative); or,

5. Legal guardianship/permanent custody (no-relative); or,

6. Return home through reinstatement of parental rights; or,

7. Other planned permanent living arrangement through emancipation; or,

8. Other planned permanent living arrangement through relative long term foster care; or,

9. Other planned permanent living arrangement through non-relative long term foster care.

H. For permanency goals 8 or 9, the county department shall ensure that the plan contains the name or other identifier, such as the system provider number, if the name of the provider must be kept confidential, of the specific placement and the date that placement shall end.

I. For permanency goals 7, 8, and 9, the following requirements shall apply to the county department of human or social services for purposes of approving the case plan and the case review procedure for youth, except for youth participating in the Foster Youth in Transition Program:

1. At each permanency hearing held with respect to the youth, provide documentation of the intensive, ongoing, and, as of the date of the hearing, unsuccessful efforts made to address the following:

a. Return the youth home;

b. Secure a placement for the youth with a fit and willing relative (including adult siblings), a legal guardian, or an adoptive parent; and,

c. Include efforts that utilize search technology (including social media) to find biological family members for the youth.

2. Provide compelling reasons why it continues not to be in the best interests of the youth to return home, be placed for adoption, with a legal guardian, or with a fit and willing relative.

J. The county department shall request that the court order contain specific findings regarding the above goals.

K. The county department shall assure that the permanency hearings determine whether an out-of-state placement continues to be appropriate and is in the best interest of the child.

L. The county department shall assure that the permanency hearings determine whether the permanency plan includes services for a successful adulthood for a child fourteen years of age or older.

M. Permanency hearings are required to be held if a termination is under appeal, for children placed in a permanent foster home with a specific caregiver, and for children who are free for adoption and are placed in adoptive homes pending the finalization of the adoption.

N. The county department shall file for termination of parental rights no later than the end of the 15th month of placement for any child who has been in foster care under the responsibility of the state for 15 of the last 22 months unless there is a compelling reason submitted to the court identifying why it is in the child's best interest to not terminate parental rights.

O. The county department shall file for termination of parental rights no later than sixty (60) calendar days after the court determines that the child is an abandoned infant, unless there is a compelling reason submitted to the court identifying why it is in the child's best interest to not terminate parental rights.

P. The county department shall file for termination of parental rights no later than sixty (60) calendar days after a judicial determination is made that reasonable efforts to reunify the child with the parent are not required, unless there is a compelling reason submitted to the court identifying why it is in the child's best interest to not terminate parental rights.

Q. The county department shall discuss the purpose and responsibilities of relative guardianship with the parents or legal custodian of a youth or child and the importance of achieving permanency.

7.304.55Court Procedures Related to Termination of the Parent-Child Legal Relationship

A. The county department shall consider termination of the parent-child legal relationship as a part of the permanency planning process. Termination is a court action that permanently divests the child and parent of all legal rights and responsibilities with respect to each other. It does not modify the child's status as an heir at law, which occurs when there is a final decree of adoption. Termination of the parent-child legal relationship with both parents frees a child for adoption.

B. When the county department files a petition for dependency and neglect, the petition shall include a statement related to termination of the parent-child legal relationship as required in the Colorado Children's Code, Section 19-3-502(3)(a), C.R.S..

C. The county department shall give primary consideration to the physical, mental, and emotional conditions and needs of the child when considering filing a motion for termination, and when making any reports and recommendations to the court.

D. The county department shall ensure that the child's psychological and medical conditions have been evaluated and that the results of those evaluations indicate that termination is in the best interest of the child.

E. The county department shall consider termination of the parent-child legal relationship based on a finding of parental unfitness as outlined in the Colorado Children's Code, Sections 19-3-604(1)(a) through 19-3-604(1)(c), C.R.S. and 19-5-105 (3.1), C.R.S.

F. The county department shall gather information to present the court with clear and convincing evidence regarding the criteria for termination and evidence beyond a reasonable doubt in the case of children eligible under the Indian Child Welfare Act.

G. In planning for termination of the parent-child legal relationship, the county department shall:

1. Work with the county's attorney in preparation of the court case.

2. Provide a treatment plan for the court's approval.

3. Cooperate with any guardian ad litem AND/OR COUNSEL FOR YOUTH for the case.

4. Provide prepared staff to testify at the termination hearing, identify other witnesses, and assist in preparation of witnesses.

5. Keep parents, children, and appropriate interested parties informed regarding hearings and the status of the case.

6. File a motion for termination no less than 30 calendar days before the hearing.

H. Prior to and following termination of the parent-child legal relationship by the court, the county department shall:

1. Consider legal custody or adoption by relatives when in the child's best interests.

2. Determine resources available for an adoptive placement or alternative permanent plan which best meets the needs of the child.

3. When filing a motion to terminate parental rights, county staff shall begin efforts to recruit, identify, process and approve a qualified adoptive family for the child and document such efforts in the Family Services Plan.

4. Prepare a report for the court to be presented at a hearing scheduled within 90 calendar days following the date of termination. The report shall indicate what disposition of the child's case has occurred.

I. Permanency hearings are required to be held if a termination is under appeal or if a child is in a pre-adoptive placement following termination.

J. When the county department has legal custody/guardianship following termination of the parent-child legal relationship, the county department shall not close the child's case until:

1. The child is adopted; or,

2. The child reaches 18 years of age and the court does not continue its jurisdiction; or,

3. The child is emancipated before 18 years of age; or,

4. The court transfers legal custody to another individual or agency; or,

5. The court otherwise terminates the county department's legal responsibility.

7.304.6PLACEMENT ACTIVITIES

7.304.61PRE-PLACEMENT ACTIVITIES

A. The child/youth shall have a medical examination before placement or a screening as soon as is reasonably possible after placement. The county department shall assure that the screening is consistent with the Early Periodic Screening Diagnosis and Treatment initial screening described in Section 8.286.01 of the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing's Medical Assistance manual (10 CCR 2505-10). If a medical, dental, or psychological evaluation is necessary and cannot be covered under Medicaid, third-party insurance, or other sources, the county department may purchase it under program services. See General Information and Policies section (7.000) and Resources, Reimbursement, and Reporting Section (7.400) of this manual.

B. Prior to the placement of a child/youth in a child placement agency or county foster care home, the placing agency may review the written family assessment, home study, and background checks of the foster parent(s) for use in determining if the home is appropriate for the needs of the child/youth.

C. When the child/youth is part of a sibling group and the sibling group is being placed out of the home, it shall be presumed that placement of the entire sibling group in the joint placement is in the best interests of the children/youth in order to sustain family relationships. Such presumption may be rebutted by the county by a preponderance of the evidence that placement of the entire sibling group in the joint placement is not in the best interests of a child/youth or of the children/youth. The county shall make thorough efforts to locate a joint placement for all of the children/youth in the sibling group unless:

1) It is not in the best interests of the children/youth to be placed as a group and

2) These efforts do not unreasonably delay permanency for any child.

These efforts depend upon the county's ability to locate an appropriate, capable, willing, and available joint placement for all of the children/youth in the sibling group. Efforts to place siblings as a group shall be documented in the child/youth's case record.

D. The county department shall share all available information about the child, including relevant social, medical, and educational history, behavior problems, court involvement, family time plans, and other specific characteristics of the child, with the provider before placement. It shall share additional information when obtained. The county department shall inform foster parents of court hearings involving children in care.

E. A child's foster care placement shall not be delayed in order to recruit a same race home when a foster family is available who is of other ethnic or racial identity than that of the child.

F. The county department shall document all pre-placement activities in the case file.

1. an infant that is six (6) months of age or younger must not be placed in a foster care home where any caretaker in the home is not current on influenza and pertussis vaccinations. if the provider is providing care for infant(s) under 6 months of age, the provider must be current on the influenza and pertussis vaccinations. a medical exemption is allowed when an individual has a medical condition that prevents them from receiving a vaccine. a non-medical exemption is allowed when an individual has religious beliefs whose teachings are opposed to immunizations or a personal belief that is opposed to immunizations.

if an exemption applies, the provider(s) must provide a written statement detailing the basis for the applicable exemption to the agency that licenses the provider(s).

G. The county department shall execute the Provider Contract and Agreement with county department certified foster homes and county department sponsored group homes, and the agreement to purchase Child Placement Agency or Residential Child Care Facility services with Child Placement Agencies and Residential Child Care Facilities before placement. The Agreement to Purchase form is child specific and shall be completed for each child placed through a Child Placement Agency or with a Residential Child Care Facility.

1. Placement contracts shall specify the responsibilities of the provider and the county department in the services to be delivered to the child and family in conjunction with the Family Services Plan. The placement contracts shall also require twenty-four (24) hour out-of-home care facilities to have staff present and trained in how to make decisions using the reasonable and prudent parent standard when approving extracurricular, enrichment, cultural, and social activities; and,

2. County departments shall provide twenty-four (24) hour out-of-home care providers with a copy of the policy that identifies activities that providers trained in the reasonable and prudent parent standard may approve, and activities that require county department approval.

H. When a youth is participating in the Foster Youth in Transition Program:

1. With the participating youth's consent, the youth's housing may be in any placement approved by the county or the court for which the youth is otherwise eligible, including a supervised independent living arrangement as described in 7.305.2(D), and is the least restrictive option to meet the participating youth's needs; or

2. If the participating youth needs placement in a qualified residential treatment program, then the placement must follow all of the requirements required for the county to place a child/youth in a qualified residential treatment program.

7.304.62Placement Activities

The county department shall:

A. Give the provider a written record of the child's/youth's admission to the home at the time of placement.

B. Give the provider a written procedure or authorization for obtaining medical care for the child and assure that the provider receives the child's/youth's state identification number and Medicaid card for Medicaid eligible children in a timely manner.

C. Give the provider a copy of the Family Services Plan for the child/youth at the time of placement or when it is completed following placement.

D. Document the above placement activities in the case file.

E. Add the placement in the Department's automated reporting system prior to the next payroll.

F. Within four weeks of the initial placement, give the provider a complete medical history for the child. The medical history shall contain, to the maximum degree possible, the information listed in the Department of Human Services Health Passport.

G. Provide the child/youth with a full medical examination scheduled within fourteen (14) calendar days after placement and a full dental examination scheduled within eight (8) weeks after placement. The schedule of the appointments shall be documented in the case record. The county department shall maintain the medical and dental information in a record which is kept with the child/youth during placement and upon return home, emancipation, or adoption. The county department shall document that ongoing medical and dental care is provided in a timely manner as defined by the department and by the health care provider. If the child/youth received the required full medical examination at the time of the placement, then the regular schedule of appointments should be maintained in subsequent placements.

If the governor or local government declares a disaster or emergency, and because of the declared disaster or emergency the medical and dental exams cannot be completed for the child/youth in the required time frame, the medical exam and dental exam must be completed as soon as possible, but no later than 45 calendar days after the declared conclusion of the disaster or emergency.

H. Document the exceptional circumstances which require an emergency or temporary placement to last longer than sixty (60) calendar days.

I. Except in emergency situations, make subsequent placements according to court order and shall notify all parties to the extent possible.

J. Not move a child from one short-term emergency placement to another unless all reasonable efforts to return the child to the child's home or to place the child in a more permanent setting have been exhausted and are documented in the Family Services Plan.

K. Not move a child more than twice unless such move results in a permanent placement or is determined to be in the best interests of the child and the reasons for the additional move are documented in the child's Family Services Plan.

L. Notify the guardian ad litem and/or counsel for youth, parent(s) or legal guardian within one (1) business day upon a child/youth's placement into a foster care home. The Guardian Ad Litem's AND/OR COUNSEL FOR YOUTH'S contact information shall be provided to the foster parents.

M. If it is in the best interest of each sibling, the county department shall notify the siblings of any child/youth in foster care or kinship care, of sibling placement and changes in sibling placement, catastrophic events, or other circumstances, including but not limited to significant life events, as defined by the county department and in consultation with the family, youth and GAL when possible.

N. Provide notice of, and a right to be heard at, any Administrative Review to the child/youth (if age appropriate), foster parents, pre-adoptive parents, or relatives providing care to a child/youth and, upon written request, a written notice of the court hearing, which identifies the following:

1. The child/youth's current court case number;

2. The date and time of the next court hearing; and,

3. The name of the magistrate or judge and the court division to which the case was assigned.

O. Upon receipt of written notice by a foster parent, employees of State and county departments, or others with the need to know, are prohibited from releasing personally identifying information about a foster parent, other than the first name, to any adult member of the foster child/youth's family, unless the foster parent subsequently provides written consent for the release of information.

P. Provide at the time of initial placement and at least annually thereafter to the child(ren)/youth contact information for all siblings in foster care, which may include a telephone number, address, social media accounts, and e-mail address, unless a foster parent has requested the foster parent's identifying information not be disclosed, and to receive updated photos of siblings regularly by mail or e-mail, as appropriate.

Q. Refer to Section 7.406.1, F, for the applicable criteria when a child/youth will be absent from the designated out-of-home placement and the county elects to reimburse the provider using the seven (7) day or thirty (30) day policy.

R. Allow out-of-home care providers, who are trained in a reasonable and prudent parent standard, to authorize children and youth to participate in community-based activities without the need for a fingerprint-based criminal record background check for the adult(s) involved in the activities. A decision to allow participation shall be based on trained providers using a reasonable and prudent parent standard, as defined in Section 7.701.200, A (12 CCR 2509-1), and the procedures defined in Section 7.701.200 (12 CCR 2509-8).

S. Respond to issues related to human trafficking as outlined in Section 7.303.4.

T. If a disqualifying factor (refer to Section 7.000.2 (12 CCR 2509-1)) is identified following the placement of a child and/or youth in a non-certified kinship care home, the county department of human or social services shall evaluate the appropriateness of continuing the placement. A plan shall be developed to address the concerns as soon as possible, and the concerns shall be remedied no later than two weeks after the date of placement. The following shall be documented in the state automated case management system in the contact log in the resource section or in the record:

1. The circumstances of the placement;

2. The vulnerability of the child and/or youth, including age and development;

3. Safety issues impacting the child and/or youth;

4. Supports needed by the non-certified kinship caregiver(s);

5. Identify alternative solutions to removal of the child and/or youth from the placement and document the solution in the family service plan including, but not limited to, the family's current status in the following domains:

a. Risk and safety;

b. Level of functioning;

c. Strengths;

d. Specific concerns to be addressed;

e. Services and supports needed; and,

f. Changes that must occur to mitigate the concerns.

6. When the disqualifying factor cannot be mitigated, the alternative solution and plan does not resolve the concerns about appropriateness of the placement, or timeframes are not met, the county department shall remove the child /youth from the placement.

U. Assure that each child or youth in out -of -home care is accompanied to psychiatric appointments by an adult who has knowledge about the daily functioning and behavior of the child or youth, except for youth receiving services through the Foster Youth in Transition Program.

7.304.63Out of State Placement Activities

A. All out-of-state placements for kinship, foster, group, or residential care must comply with the Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children, Section 7.307.

B. County departments must follow federal guidelines and shall not place children out of state who are in care under a placement contract (voluntary placements). Such placements can only be made by a parent or guardian.

7.304.64FAMILY TIME

A. in all cases where counties have primary responsibility for a child/youth in out-of-home placement, including all types of kinship placements, an appropriate family time plan shall be established and documented in the comprehensive child welfare information system (CCWIS). The family time plan shall specify:

1. The frequency, location, and duration type of contact by the parents/caregiver(s).

2. The persons that may be present during family time.

3. Method of family time, which shall include if family time should be supervised or unsupervised and the level of supervision and by whom; it is presumed that supervision be conducted by informal supports, when available, and occur in the community, a homelike environment, or other agreed upon location unless the child/youth's safety, or mental, emotional, or physical health requires professional supervision.

4. The child or youth's opportunity to communicate with the parents, siblings, or other relatives outside of family time.

5. The purpose of the family time.

6. Special considerations or restrictions such as federal or state disability laws.

7. The county department and the court shall consider a parent's preferences when determining supervision, location, and timing of family time.

8. The county department and the court shall consider a child's or youth's preferences when determining supervision, location, and timing of family time, including the child/youth's refusal to participate in the family time.

B. Within thirty (30) days of the child/youth's removal, the county shall provide the court with family time recommendations that are consistent with the child's or youth's age and developmental needs and best interests. This shall be documented in the comprehensive child welfare information system (CCWIS).

C. Whenever possible, the family time plan shall be developed in collaboration with the family; all family time is to include the maximum contact possible.

D. Child(ren)/youth in out-of-home care shall receive an age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate document from the county department detailing their rights regarding sibling contact:

1. Within thirty days of the date of any placement or any change in placement.

2. On each occasion that a child/youth's case plan is modified;

3. At each placement where the child(ren)/youth resides; and

4. On at least an annual basis.

E. the county department shall include information regarding sibling contact in the family time plan. The child(ren)/youth shall be consulted about their wishes as to sibling contact. In developing the family time plan, if it is in the best interests of each sibling, the county department shall:

1. Promote frequent contact between siblings in foster care, which may include telephone calls, text messages, social media, video calls, and in-person time;

2. Clarify that sibling contact should not be contingent upon parental contact.

3. Clarify that restriction of sibling contact should not be a consequence for behavioral problems.

4. Ensure that timely and regularly scheduled sibling time are based on individual circumstances and needs of the child(ren)/youth.

F. Sibling contact should occur with sufficient frequency to promote the continuity of the relationships unless:

1. The county department has determined that it is not in the best interests of one or both children/youth or

2. It has been determined in consultation with the county/city attorney and the district attorney that criminal action is pending in any jurisdiction where either sibling is a victim or witness and that such sibling contact may have a detrimental effect upon the prosecution of the pending criminal action, or

3. Contact is not permitted because it would violate a known existing protection order pending in any state.

4. If, in arranging sibling contact, a county department determines that such contact would not be in the best interests of one or both of the siblings, the county department shall deny the request, document its reasons for making the determination in the comprehensive child welfare information system (CCWIS), and provide the siblings with an explanation for the denial, as permitted under state and federal law. as soon as practicable after making a decision affecting sibling contact, the county department shall notify the GAL(s) or counsel for youth (CFY) appointed to the case.

G. The family time plan shall be reviewed and modified on an ongoing basis for the duration of the case and shall be aligned with the families' needs. Any such changes in the family time plan shall be documented in the Child Welfare Information System (CCWIS) and in every court report.

H. Youth participating in the foster youth in transition program are not required to have a family time plan with their parent(s).

7.304.65RESTRICTING OR SUSPENDING FAMILY TIME

A. Family time is not required if it violates an existing protection order in Colorado or any other state with lawful jurisdiction.

B. If in-person family time is made impossible due to the policies of a facility where a parent is incarcerated or in treatment or if a county department is certain that a parent will not be present for a planned visit based on communication with the parent and child/youth, the county department is not required to transport a child/youth for planned family time.

C. If restricting or suspending ongoing family time is necessary to protect the child's or youth's safety or mental, emotional, or physical health, the caseworker shall contact the county attorney to notify the court and request a hearing to determine whether ongoing family time shall be reduced or suspended. This procedure is necessary when any of the following ongoing changes are necessary to protect the child or youth:

1. A change in the level of supervision to a more restrictive level of supervision.

2. A change from in-person to virtual or other forms of contact that are not in-person;

3. A change in the location of supervision to a more restrictive environment.

D. It shall not be necessary for the county department to seek a court order to reduce or suspend family time in the following circumstances:

1. Circumstantial time-limited cancellation of scheduled family time;

a. When allowing the family time to proceed as scheduled would endanger the child's or youth's safety or mental, emotional, or physical health at that visit or,

b. Unforeseen circumstances such as inclement weather and illness or,

c. A parent has consented to or requested cancellation.

2. All parties in a dependency and neglect action have consented in writing, after speaking with their legal representative, to an ongoing alteration to a family time schedule, level of supervision, location of family time, or other terms and conditions of family time.

3. The community supervisor or kin is no longer available or willing to supervise family time, and another community supervisor or informal support has not been identified, but the department or agreed upon third party supervisor is able to supervise the current court-ordered frequency and duration of family time.

E. At a hearing when the county department requests a reduction or suspension of family time, the county shall ensure the court has up-to-date information about the status of family time and make relevant information, including the information it is basing the decision to request a reduction or suspension in family time, available to all parties.

F. family time or contact between a child or youth and the child's or youth's parent or sibling shall not be limited as a sanction for the child's or youth's behavior or as an incentive to change the child's or youth's behavior.

G. Family time shall not be reduced or suspended as a sanction for the parent's failure to comply with court orders or services if the child's or youth's safety or mental, emotional, or physical health is not at risk as a result of family time.

H. Any written agreements should be filed with the court or included in the next submitted written court report.

I. When making recommendations to suspend or restrict family time, the caseworker should consider whether modifications to the parent's treatment plan, if one exists, are necessary to address the issues leading to a reduction in or suspension of family time and shall make recommendations to the court if necessary.

J. In the 90-day review, the county shall update whether the continued reduction in or suspension of family time remains necessary to protect the child's/ youth's safety or health and what conditions are necessary for family time to resume.

K. The state, county department, and child placement agencies may not set a universal policy restricting or denying family time.

7.304.651Qualified Residential Treatment Program Placement Reviews

Definition:

A Qualified Residential Treatment Program (QRTP) Placement Review means a review conducted by the State Department's Administrative Review Division (ARD), that is open to the participation of the parents, legal guardian or custodian of each child or youth, the child or youth (if age appropriate as determined by the caseworker), the QRTP staff, and attorneys of record; and conducted by a placement reviewer, who is not responsible for the case management of, or the delivery of services to the child or youth who is subject to the review.

A. The county department shall participate in the QRTP Placement Review for all children in QRTP placements who meet the criteria for inclusion in the review system.

B. Identification of youth eligible for an ARD QRTP Placement Review

1. Children and youth are eligible for a review conducted by the ARD at or before 90 days of placement in a QRTP.

2. For cases that are court involved, all parties to the case must consent to a review by the ARD. If all parties do not consent the review will remain with the courts.

3. The determination that all parties consent that the ARD will review the placement at 90 days must happen no later than the 60 day court review.

4. For cases that are court involved, the county department shall document that each party consented to the QRTP Placement Review to be conducted by the ARD instead of the court. The county department shall document this consent in the Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System.

5. At each subsequent review the county department will ask the parties in attendance if they consent to the next review being conducted by the ARD. County departments will be responsible for seeking consent for any parties who were not at the review no later than 30 days prior to the next review.

6. In instances of a voluntary placement, the ARD shall review the child or youth's placement no later than 60 days after placement in a QRTP or within 30 days after placement when the qualified individual does not support the QRTP level of care or the child, juvenile, or youth, guardian ad litem and/or counsel for youth, or any party objects to the placement.

C. Scheduling process for ARD QRTP Placement Reviews

1. For cases that are court involved, the county department shall coordinate with the ARD to schedule the review no later than 1 business day after the 60 day court review.

a. Scheduling shall include determination of the following:

i. Day of the review.

ii. Time of the review.

iii. Venue for the review.

2. In instances of a voluntary placement the county will notify the ARD of the need for review no later than two business days after placement and the scheduling process shall commence.

3. If a child or youth leaves the QRTP level of care after a review has been scheduled, the county department must cancel the review and notify the ARD and all parties as soon as possible.

D. Invitations

1. The county department shall invite parents, legal guardian or custodian, the child members selected by the child (for children 14 years of age and above), kin, out-of-home care providers, and attorneys of record to the QRTP Placement Review. The county department shall encourage all invitees to attend.

2. The county department shall send letters of invitation to all review participants at least two weeks prior to scheduled reviews, and ensure that invited parties are properly documented in the Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System prior to the time of the review. The parent or Indian custodian and the Indian child's tribe shall be sent letter(s) of invitation at least two weeks prior to the scheduled review by certified or registered mail with return receipt requested. All other invitations may be sent by electronic mail. Invitations shall include date, time, location, and purpose of the review. If the case involves an Indian child, the requirements of the pending court proceedings section of the Indian child welfare act applies. 25 U.S.C. § 1912(a) (2020) is hereby incorporated by reference. No later amendments or editions are incorporated. Copies are available for public inspection by contacting the ARD director during regular business hours at Colorado Department of Human Services, Administrative Review Division, 4045 S. Lowell Blvd., Denver, Colorado 80236; or at a state publications depository library.

E. Review process

1. The county department shall submit evidence:

a. Demonstrating that ongoing assessment of the strengths and needs of the child, juvenile, or youth continues to support the determination that the needs of the child, juvenile, or youth cannot be met through placement with a parent, legal guardian, legal custodian, kin caregiver, or in a foster family home; that the placement in a Qualified Residential Treatment Program provides the most effective and appropriate level of care for the child, juvenile, or youth in the least restrictive environment; and that the placement is consistent with the short- and long-term goals for the child, juvenile, or youth as specified in the permanency plan for the child, juvenile, or youth, or as outlined in the family services plan;

b. Documenting the specific treatment or service needs that will be met for the child, juvenile, or youth in the placement and the length of time the child, juvenile, or youth is expected to need treatment or services; and c. Documenting the efforts made by the county department to prepare the child, juvenile, or youth to return home or to be placed with a fit and willing kin caregiver, a legal guardian, legal custodian, or an adoptive parent, or in a foster family.

F. Findings

1. The ARD shall enter copies of Administrative Review findings in the department's Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System and the county department shall include a summary of those findings in court reports.

2. In the event that the ARD disagrees with the placement of a child in a QRTP, it may result in the placement becoming IV-E non-reimbursable if the child does not step down to a lower level of care within 30 days of the ARD determination.

G. Fiscal sanctions

1. Fiscal sanctions and disallowances may occur as a result of QRTP Placement Review that does not identify placement in a QRTP as the most effective and appropriate level of care for the child, juvenile, or youth. Reimbursement is reduced to the average cost of the determined less restrictive type of available placement, unless the child is court-ordered into the more restrictive placement against the recommendation of the county department.

2. The county department shall move the child, juvenile or youth to a lower level of care within thirty (30) calendar days of the QRTP Placement Review finding in order for reimbursement to be uninterrupted. The county department shall provide the ARD with confirmation of the change in placement.

3. If the county department disagrees with the findings of the ARD's QRTP Placement Review, the county department may appeal in writing. An appeal must be received by the ARD within three (3) working days of the receipt of written results of the review.

4. Reimbursement is denied from the date of the review if the county department neither corrects the non-compliance nor appeals the review decision within allotted timelines.

H. Confidentiality

1. Federal confidentiality requirements at 42 U.S.C.A. section 5106a(2)(B) (viii) restrict the use of, or disclosure of, information concerning individuals served by the child welfare agency, and these same rules apply to the QRTP Placement Review process.

2. Section 19-1-307, C.R.S. requires that reports of child abuse or neglect and the name and address of any child, family, or informant or any other identifying information contained in such reports shall be confidential and shall not be public information. To the extent QRTP Placement Reviews are incorporated in child abuse and neglect records, they shall be confidential.

3. Audio and/or video recording of QRTP Placement Reviews shall not occur without releases of confidentiality forms signed by all parties to the case prior to recording.

7.304.66Monitoring of Purchased Services for Out-of-Home Placement and Core Services

7.304.661Out-of-Home Placement

A. The county department shall contract with providers for specific services using the state-prescribed contracts. The contract shall specify the responsibilities of the provider and the county for services to be provided to the child and family in conjunction with the Family Services Plan. The county department shall monitor the services purchased from Residential Child Care Facilities, Child Placement Agencies, Core Service Programs, and all out-of-home providers at least monthly, by face-to-face or telephone contact with the provider. The county department shall contract with providers to submit written quarterly progress reports to the county department and to attend Administrative Reviews in person or by conference call. The county department shall participate in staffing or planning meetings on a regular basis as defined in the case plan. The county shall contract with providers to comply with the county-designated family time plan as specified in the placement agreement.

B. The county department shall reassess the case plan with the provider at least every six months and document progress toward goals, including discharge planning. It shall make necessary modifications to the plan based on mutual treatment planning with the provider.

C. If there are problems or complaints concerning the care or treatment of a child in a purchased Residential Child Care Facility or Child Placement Agency placement, or Core Services Program services, or a report of violations of child care standards, the county department shall report the circumstances to the licensing or certifying authority within 24 hours. If the nature of the complaint involves an allegation of abuse or neglect, a report to the local investigating authority shall be made immediately.

7.304.662Core Services

A. Counties with a state-approved Core Service Program plan may directly provide or purchase Core Services Program.

B. If a Core Service Program is purchased, all state rule requirements shall be followed.

C. When the county purchases Core Services, the county has the responsibility to select contractors who have the skills and resources to deliver the services for which they are contracting. Counties shall monitor all purchase of services contracts to insure that contracted services are delivered.

D. Core Services may be purchased and provided for a child placed out-of-state with written state department approval.

E. County departments shall adhere to state guidelines regarding coding and state reimbursement requirements for provided or purchased services.

F. County Core Service Programs may only be used for a child in out-of-home placement when services are not available through the contract with the out-of-home provider or the county negotiates a lower rate with the provider.

G. Core Service Programs may only be used for clients when the client's private insurance and/or other funding sources are exhausted, insufficient, or inappropriate.

H. Core Service Programs that have duplicative components cannot be provided/purchase at the same time.

7.304.67Post-Placement Activities

A. The county department shall update the status of the child in the Department's automated reporting system within seven calendar days following termination of the placement.

B. The county department shall complete a written summary within 30 calendar days after termination of the placement. This summary may be included as part of a court report, six month summary, or case closing summary. The summary shall document that the caseworker has:

1. Discussed with the child and family the goals that have been achieved and not achieved.

2. Established a clear plan for follow-up services if needed.

3. Involved the foster care provider in the evaluation of services, progress, and the child's further needs.

C. The county department shall follow all required eligibility and documentation procedures to confirm the placement change.

7.304.7RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF FOSTER PARENTS AND PROVIDERS

7.304.71Rights of Foster Parents

A. The foster parents have a right to a notice of legal status on children in their care and a right to declare their intent to adopt or not to adopt.

B. For a relinquished child, the foster parents may be given custody of a child who has been in their home for more than a year.

C. The court may award guardianship of a child to a foster parent.

7.304.72RIGHTS OF KINSHIP CARE PROVIDERS

A. Children may be placed with a relative or other suitable person under the legal status of protective supervision.

B. The court may, if in the child's best interests, give preference to a grandparent who is appropriate, capable, willing, and available to care for the child in decisions relating to legal custody and determining where and with whom a child shall live.

C. Evidence of grandparents' past conduct of any child abuse or neglect shall be considered when the grandparents seek the placement or custody of their grandchildren.

D. When the parent-child relationship is terminated, grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers, or sisters of a child may request guardianship and legal custody, and the court shall give preference to them if it determines that the placement is in the best interests of the child.

7.304.73Rights of Denied Foster Parent Applicant [Rev. eff. 4/1/12]

Refer to Section 7.500.351, F, for this information.

7.304.74Responsibilities of Foster Parents [Rev. eff. 1/1/16]

As the provider, the foster parents shall:

A. Participate with the county department as an active team member in case planning and service delivery, including attendance at staffings and meetings, as specified in each child's Family Services Plan. The provider's signature on the Family Services Plan is required for each child placed.

B. Work actively with families of origin as specified in each child's Family Services Plan.

C. Keep weekly records of each child's behavior and progress and submit those records monthly to the county department. Copies shall be maintained in the child's file kept by the provider.

D. Provide written notice to employees of the State Department and county departments or other individuals with a need to know, if the foster parent does not want personally identifiable information provided to adult members of the foster child's family. Written notice may be subsequently provided to the parties aforementioned for release of personally identifiable information to the foster child's family; such information shall include the consent to release information, the foster parent's signature, and the date.

12 CCR 2509-4-7.304

38 CR 13, July 10, 2015, effective 8/1/2015

38 CR 19, October 10, 2015, effective 11/1/2015

38 CR 23, December 10, 2015, effective 1/1/2016

39 CR 03, February 10, 2016, effective 3/1/2016

39 CR 17, September 10, 2016, effective 10/1/2016

39 CR 23, December 10, 2016, effective 1/1/2017

40 CR 01, January 10, 2017, effective 2/1/2017

40 CR 11, June 10, 2017, effective 7/1/2017

40 CR 17, September 10, 2017, effective 10/1/2017

40 CR 21, November 10, 2017, effective 12/1/2017

41 CR 01, January 10, 2018, effective 2/1/2018

41 CR 21, November 10, 2018, effective 12/1/2018

42 CR 03, February 10, 2019, effective 3/15/2019

42 CR 05, March 10, 2019, effective 3/30/2019

42 CR 15, August 10, 2019, effective 9/1/2019

42 CR 23, December 10, 2019, effective 1/1/2020

43 CR 01, January 10, 2020, effective 1/30/2020

43 CR 09, May 10, 2020, effective 6/1/2020

43 CR 15, August 10, 2020, effective 9/1/2020

43 CR 17, September 10, 2020, effective 9/30/2020

43 CR 21, November 10, 2020, effective 12/1/2020

44 CR 03, February 10, 2021, effective 3/2/2021

44 CR 23, December 10, 2021, effective 12/30/2021

46 CR 03, February 10, 2022, effective 3/2/2023

46 CR 09, May 10, 2023, effective 6/1/2023

46 CR 13, July 10, 2023, effective 7/31/2023

47 CR 09, May 10, 2024, effective 6/1/2024