Rule 290-2-6-.17 - Foster Home Placement(1) A center shall not engage in temporary placement activities in Georgia unless licensed as a children's transition care center and approved by the department to provide for care in foster homes.(2) Foster care shall be considered only after it has been established that it is necessary for the physical and/or emotional well-being of the child.(3) No more than 6 children under the age of 19 may reside in a foster home unless it is an intact sibling group and it is in the best interests of each of the children to be placed in the same foster home.(4) Orientation Prior to Foster Care Application. The center shall provide orientation information in person or in written form to prospective foster parent(s) to assist them in making an informed decision about applying to become a foster parent. The format of the orientation must be documented in the applicant's file. The orientation information must include at least the following: (a) The center's purpose and a listing of services provided;(b) A description of the approval process for foster parenting;(c) The minimum requirements for foster parenting including the limits to the number of children in the home;(d) The roles and responsibilities of foster parent(s);(e) A description of children served by the center;(f) Support services available for foster parent(s);(g) General information regarding financial reimbursement for expenses in foster care; and(h) Policies and procedures regarding appropriate behavior management and emergency safety interventions.(5) Training for Prospective Foster Parent(s). Once an application to become a foster parent has been submitted, and prior to the approval of an applicant for placement of a child in foster care, the center shall provide and document training for the applicant in at least the following topics: (a) The center's grievance policies and procedures and the Georgia Foster Parent's Bill of Rights;(b) The annual training requirements for foster parent(s), including the requirement of at least fifteen (15) hours of training relevant to the type of child placed or to be placed in the foster home if the child is more than 12 months old. For parent(s) providing foster care for children less than 12 months of age, the foster parent shall have at least eight (8) hours of training.(c) The center's policies and procedures for behavior management techniques and emergency safety interventions for children in foster care;(d) Child abuse recognition, reporting, and investigation procedures;(e) Characteristics of children served and their developmental needs, including special needs when applicable;(f) The center's policies and procedures for handling medical emergencies (conditions or situations which threaten life, limb, or continued functioning), and managing use of medications by children in care;(g) All prospective foster parents shall be trained regarding the child's known health care needs. This training shall be documented in the child's case records.(6) Minimum Requirements for Prospective Foster Families. Home Study. The center shall make a thorough evaluation of each prospective foster family and document this evaluation in a foster home study report which shall be updated as changes in the required home study information occur and include at least the following: (a) The names of family members, the family address and telephone number, drivers' license numbers, and proof of automobile insurance as applicable;(b) The motivation for foster parenting, including but not limited to attitude toward childlessness;1. A description of family members, including:(i) Date and place of birth;(ii) Physical description;(iii) Family background and history;(iv) Current relationships with immediate and extended family members;(vi) Social involvements;(vii) Personal characteristics;(ix) Interests and hobbies; and2. Evaluation of marriages and family life: (i) Verified date and place of marriage, if applicable;(ii) Assessment of marital relationship;(iii) Family interaction patterns; and3. Evaluation of parenting practices:(i) Description of parenting knowledge, attitudes and skills;(ii) Current behavior management practices; and(iii) Current child-rearing practices.4. Physical and mental health: (i) Health history and condition of family members;(ii) Documentation of a physical examination of the foster parent applicants completed by a licensed physician, physician's assistant, or a registered nurse with advanced training working under the direction of a physician, or the public health department, within 12 months prior to the completion of the home study;(iii) A statement from a licensed physician, physician's assistant, or public health department regarding the general health status of other members of the prospective foster family, obtained within the 12 months prior to the completion of the home study;(iv) Evaluation of emotional and mental health status of each member of the prospective foster family; and(v) Screening for tuberculosis and venereal disease for prospective foster parent(s) and children 16 years of age and older living in the prospective foster home.5. Understanding of and adjustment to foster parenting:(i) Understanding of the role of a foster parent and the issues in caring for foster children;(ii) Foster family's attitude toward the parent(s) of the foster children including parental visits in their home;(iii) Expectations of the foster child, including intellectual and physical achievement;(iv) Anticipated adjustment of each foster family member to a foster child;(v) Willingness to cooperate with the placement agency; and(vi) Support network in place for the foster family, including support systems for single parent families, if applicable.6. Finances and occupations of family members:(i) Employment history, including whether the home is a registered family day care home or operating any other business or service out of the home that might have an impact on health and safety of the children in care;(ii) Financial stability of the family; and(iii) Possible financial impact of the addition of a foster child to the home.7. A description of the home and community: (i) Description of the neighborhood;(ii) Physical standards of the home, including space, and water supply and sewage disposal systems which, if other than public systems, have been approved by appropriate authorities;(iii) A statement to verify that any domestic pets owned or residing with the family have been inoculated against rabies as required by law;(iv) A statement verifying that all firearms owned and in the home are locked away from children;(v) A statement verifying that if a swimming pool is present at the home, it is fenced with a locked gate to prevent unsupervised access and that it meets all applicable community ordinances;(vi) A statement that smoke alarms are present and functioning on each level in the home;(vii) Verification that gas heaters are vented to avoid fire and health hazards, with any unvented fuel-fired heaters equipped with oxygen depletion safety shut-off systems; and(viii) Assessment of community resources, including accessibility of schools, religious centers, recreation, and medical facilities.9. Results of the criminal history background check for family members as required by Georgia law;10. Pre-service training the prospective foster parent and/or family may have received;11. A minimum of three (3) character references: (i) At least one reference shall be from an extended family member not residing with the prospective foster family; and(ii) If the prospective foster parent has either served previously as a foster parent for another agency, and/or been employed within the past five (5) years in a job involving the care of children, at least one reference must be from the former agency or employer;12. A description of the type of child desired by the prospective foster family;13. The date the study is completed and the name and signature of the person completing the study. (i) Notification of Approval. Potential foster parent(s) shall be notified in writing as to whether or not their application has been approved.(ii) Location of Foster Homes. Foster homes used by the center shall be located within a reasonable travel distance from the center so as to be accessible for regular visits by family and center staff.(7) Services Prior to Foster Care Placement.(a) The selection of a foster home for a particular child shall be based on an assessment of the child's total needs and how well a particular home can meet the child's needs.(b) Children of the same family shall be kept together when possible unless it has been determined through casework services that this is not desirable.(c) Placement considerations shall include the potential for children's participation in religious and cultural activities in accordance with their cultural ethnic heritage.(d) The center shall discuss the prospective foster placement with the foster family and shall prepare the foster family for the placement of a particular child by anticipating the adjustments and problems that may arise during placement and any specialized services to be provided. This discussion shall be documented in the case record.(e) Pre-placement activities between child and foster family shall be documented in the case record of the child and family.(f) Complete written placement agreement(s) shall be developed with the involvement of the child, the foster parent(s), the parent(s) or guardian(s), and the placing agency representative and signed by all adult parties; such agreement(s) shall include the following: 1. Written authorization to care for the child;2. Written authorization to obtain medical care for the child;(8) Home visits shall be conducted by the center at least monthly in order to verify that the foster parent(s) are delivering care in a safe and healthy environment to the children, in accordance with these rules and regulations and agency policies and procedures. Such visits shall include observation of the foster child with at least one of the foster parent(s).(9) The center shall provide an annual evaluation of the strengths and needs of the foster family and assessment of the best way to maximize the foster care experience for the foster family and the children placed with them. This evaluation shall be shared with the foster family as evidenced by the signature of the foster parent(s) on the evaluation. Documentation of supervision of the placement by the agency shall include:(a) Adjustment of the child to the foster family and vice versa;(b) Progress made on treatment plan goals;(c) Any new problems that have arisen and the actions taken toward a solution of those problems;(d) Contacts and issues with other resources serving the child;(e) Center updates reassessing the appropriateness of the foster care placement whenever a significant change occurs in the home, to ensure that care continues to be delivered in a safe and healthy environment in accordance with these rules and regulations and center policies and procedures.(f) Documentation that the foster parent(s) have received the required clock hours of training annually following the initial foster placement, with the training being relevant to the type(s) of children placed in the foster home.(10) Maintenance of Foster Care Records. (a) The center shall maintain separate records for each foster home. The record shall be started at the time of application and shall be kept current.(b) The foster home record shall contain: 3. Medical reports for each member of the foster family;4. Summary narrative containing the dates as well as the content material from the caseworker's contacts;6. The annual evaluations of the foster home, family, and placements;7. Documentation of required annual training hours as required in Rule .09(6)(g);8. Placement history of the foster home, children placed, date(s) admitted, date(s) discharged and reason for discharge;9. Documentation of satisfactory criminal history background checks in accordance with Georgia law.10. Phone numbers of foster parent(s) including day, cell & evening phone numbers and the days of the week and times of day the foster parent is likely to be accessible at the foster home.11. Foster children currently in the foster home including the child's name and county of custody.(c) Foster home records shall be maintained for at least 3 years following the center's last placement in said foster home.(d) The center shall maintain separate records for each child placed in foster care. The record for each child shall include: 1. Name, sex, race, birth date and birthplace of child;2. Name, address, telephone number and marital status of parent or guardian of the child;3. Name, address, telephone number of the foster parent with whom the child is currently placed;4. Legal documents including verified birth record, court status, agreements, consents, etc.;5. Social history of the family and parent background;6. Medical history and cumulative health record, psychological and psychiatric reports;7. Education records and reports;8. Plan of care pursuant to these rules;9. Summary of each 6 month case review conference which reflects the contacts with and the status of all family members in relation to the placement plan as well as the achievements or changes in the goals or services;10. Summary of child's contacts with the family, the quality of the relationships and the child's progress in coping;(e) Upon termination of placement of the child, the following shall be placed in the record of the child and the foster home:1. Date of termination, reason for termination, the name, telephone number, address, and relationship of the person or center assuming responsibility for the child.2. A termination summary describing the services provided during care, growth and accomplishments, and assessed needs which remain to be met with the service possibilities which might meet those needs.3. Aftercare plans that determine the responsibility for follow through.(f) Family/child records shall be maintained for at least 3 years following completion of service.(11) Agency Records and Reports. (a) Each center shall maintain records and submit on a timely basis reports required by the Department.(b) Each center shall maintain a permanent listing with identifying information of all children accepted for service or placement.(c) Records shall be confidential and protected from unauthorized use, fire, damage or theft. Records and files shall be kept current and be available for review by the Department.(d) The center shall submit on a timely basis such financial, statistical reports, and Board minutes and other information as may be required by the Department.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 290-2-6-.17
O.C.G.A. Secs. 49-5-3, 49-5-8, 49-5-12.
Original Rule entitled "Foster Home Placement" adopted. F. Jan. 27, 2009; eff. Feb. 16, 2009.