Rule 290-9-2-.05 - Agency Policies and Procedures for Services(1) Policy and Procedure Manual. The Agency shall have and comply with a written manual of operating policies and procedures in accordance with these rules and regulations regarding its services. The policies and procedures shall include, but need not be limited to:(a) Adoption services.1. Services to biological parent(s) exploring surrender of a child for adoption;2. Procedures for termination of parental rights;3. Procedures for accepting applications for adoption, for conducting home studies and for approval or disapproval of prospective adoptive homes and families;4. Procedures for placements, supervising placements, completing required court reports and assistance in finalizing the adoption;5. Collection and refunding of fees; and6. Process for obtaining a criminal records check of each petitioner prior to the finalization of the adoption according to current Georgia law.(b) Foster Care Services. 1. Procedures for obtaining temporary custody or parental consent to provide foster care services;2. Procedures for accepting applications from prospective foster parent(s), conducting home studies, approval or disapproval of foster homes;3. Procedures for supervising foster home placements to ensure that room, board and watchful oversight is provided;4. Payment procedures for cost of care and other expenses to the foster parent(s);5. Provision of medical and dental care, allowance, clothing and other incidentals for children in foster care;7. Behavior management of children in care;8. Process for obtaining a satisfactory criminal records check clearance of all foster parent(s) and other adults residing in the foster home prior to placing a child in the home, or of foster parent(s) to continue a child in foster care, as required by current Georgia law; and9. Reasonable and prudent parenting.(c) Financial policies and procedures including fees, payment schedules, and refunds;(d) Establishing, maintaining and storing of records and files;(e) Interstate and inter-country placement of children;(f) The specific emergency safety intervention plan, including the emergency safety interventions that may be used;(g) The prohibition and reporting of child abuse; and(h) Disaster preparedness.(2) An Agency facilitating the removal of a child from the home of the biological parent(s) or guardians, shall complete an assessment of the child's current situation prior to the separation of a child from the home.(3) If it is determined that it is not in the child's best interest to remain with the biological parent(s) or guardians, they shall be required to be involved in the service planning so that the most appropriate form of placement for the child (foster family care, residential group care or adoption) can be determined.(4) Prior to accepting a child from another state or prior to placing a child outside Georgia for temporary care or for adoption, the Agency's procedures shall comply with the applicable state laws and with the provisions of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC), O.C.G.A. Chapter 39-4.(5) Agencies providing adoptive services shall have policies and procedures in compliance with the provisions of the State Adoption statutes, O.C.G.A. Chapter 19-8.(6) The Agency shall have written procedures for addressing concerns, disagreements, complaints and grievances of applicants.(7) Agency staff, contractors, volunteers, foster parents and prospective adoptive parents shall ensure that practices conform to Agency written policies and procedures.(8) Whenever the Agency has reason to believe that a child in care has been subjected to child abuse it shall cause a report of such abuse to be made to the Department of Human Services (Division of Family and Children Services, Child Protective Services) or in the absence of such to an appropriate police authority or district attorney in accordance with the requirements of O.C.G.A. Section 19-7-5. A copy of such report shall also be filed with Residential Child Care Licensing.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 290-9-2-.05
O.C.G.A. §§ 19-7-5, 19-8-1 et seq., 39-4-1 et seq., 49-5-12.
Original Rule entitled "Agency Policies and Procedures for Services" adopted. F. Mar. 16, 2000; eff. Apr. 5, 2000.Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. Aug. 21, 2006; eff. Sept. 10, 2006.Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. Nov. 20, 2006; eff. Dec. 10, 2006.Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. June 5, 2007; eff. June 25, 2007.Amended: F. Feb. 28, 2024; eff. Mar. 19, 2024.