N.J. Admin. Code § 8:17-5.1

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 21, November 4, 2024

Section 8:17-5.1 - Need for surrogate parent

(a) The service coordinator shall determine that the appointment of a surrogate parent for an eligible or potentially eligible child is necessary if:

1. The service coordinator, after reasonable efforts, cannot identify a parent;

2. The service coordinator, after reasonable efforts, cannot discover the whereabouts of a parent; or

3. The child is a ward of the State.

(b) In making a determination pursuant to (a) above, the service coordinator shall consider records about the child that are kept by agencies other than the service coordinator's employer, which records the service coordinator has access, in addition to information the service coordinator collects as part of his or her own investigation.

(c) The service coordinator shall document his or her investigation in making a determination in accordance with (a) above.

(d) If the child does not have a parent, the service coordinator shall appoint a surrogate parent to serve as parent, in accordance with 8:17-5.2 and 5.3.

(e) The service coordinator shall document in the child's record the identity and contact information of the person the service coordinator appoints to serve as surrogate parent.

N.J. Admin. Code § 8:17-5.1