Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 11, June 11, 2024
Section 8.26.5.23 - AGENCY SERVICESA. Adoption services: The agency shall maintain a detailed description of the agency's adoption services and procedures applicable to those services. The description shall include, but is not limited to, adoptive home assessments, relinquishment procedures, procedure to assure best interest adoption placement, provision for medical services for the birth mother and the child, post-relinquishment medical services for the child until adoptive placement occurs, services for adoption applicants and biological parents, placement and post-placement services, management of adoption disruptions and dissolutions, finalization procedures and post decree adoption support services. All agencies shall follow the requirements for the assessment process for foster or adoptive homes licenses set forth in the Adoption Act Regulations, 8.26.3.18 NMAC, and Licensing Requirements for Foster and Adoptive Homes, 8.26.4.12 NMAC.B. Foster care services: The agency shall maintain a detailed description of the services provided to the children and families who are served by the agency, as well as the agency's foster care services. The description shall include, but is not limited to, recruitment, foster home assessments, training of foster parents, the placement process, documentation of contacts between child and biological family, the interaction of the agency with the child's family of origin and with the foster home, documentation of efforts made to reunite the child with the family, when appropriate, and the permanent plan. All agencies shall follow the requirements for home studies, including background checks, or pre-placement studies set forth in the Adoption Act Regulations, 8.26.3.18 NMAC and the Licensing Requirements for Foster and Adoptive Homes, 8.26.4.14 NMAC. Therapeutic foster homes must meet the requirements listed in Treatment Foster Care Services, Certification Requirements for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, 7.20.11.29 NMAC, in order to receive medicaid reimbursement. (1) All services to be rendered shall comply with the court order, if the child is not in the custody of the parent.(2) For children in department custody, agency case planning shall be reflective of the case plan developed by PSD and shall never be in conflict with the PSD case plan or current court orders. The treatment foster care coordinator shall be invited to staffing meetings with department staff to determine that the case plans are consistent.C. Relinquishment of parental rights:(1) If an individual contacts an agency to relinquish his or her parental rights, pursuant to the Adoption Act, 32A-5-17(4) and (5) and 32A-5-19 (E) NMSA 1978, the agency shall make diligent efforts to locate, obtain and document consent from the acknowledged or presumed father defined herein at Subsections B and D of 8.26.5.7 NMAC. Consent from the alleged father, defined herein at Subsection AA of 8.26.5.7 NMAC, shall not be required. Diligent efforts shall include attempts to locate any court records pertaining to a divorce, separation, paternity or custody action, a search of the putative father registry and a search of PSD's record and all other efforts that may be reasonable under the circumstances. The agency shall also obtain and maintain documentation establishing the parental rights of the presenting parent. A signed release of information allowing the agency to conduct searches shall be obtained to allow the agency to determine that an outstanding custody order which prohibits the parent from acting independently is not in effect. Such a search shall be diligent and encompassing of all jurisdictions in which the child has resided since birth. The agency shall not take any action to place the child for adoption until such time as the agency has determined that parental rights have been relinquished, terminated, or that legal proceedings relating to custody of the a child are not pending. This does not preclude the agency from placing the child in a legal risk adoption home. Should there be concern for the welfare of the child due to the parents' inability to care for and protect the child, the agency shall notify CYFD's statewide central intake (SCI).(2) An agency shall not use coercion or deception to obtain a relinquishment of parental rights from a parent. A relinquishment is freely and voluntarily given by the biological parent.(3) A relinquishment of parental rights shall be taken before a court of competent jurisdiction pursuant to the Adoption Act, 32A-5-17 through 32A-5-24 NMSA 1978.(4) An agency's payment to, or on behalf of, a relinquishing parent shall be limited to the actual costs associated with the adoption and conforms to all provisions of New Mexico law. If any agency becomes aware of an illegal payment by any agency or individual, the agency shall notify the court presiding over the adoption proceedings or PSD.D. Placement: Placement does not occur until after a comprehensive assessment of how the prospective foster family can meet the child's needs and preferences, and a documented determination by the agency that the prospective placement is in the best interest of the child.E. Change in placement: When a change in a child's placement is contemplated, the agency shall work with the legal guardian or parents to determine if the placement change is in the best interests of the child.(1) Except in cases of an emergency, an agency shall not make a change in placement of the child without the concurrence of the legal guardian, and the guardian ad litem or youth attorney, if applicable. When a placement change is agreed upon, including a return to the child's home for a trial home visit, the agency shall arrange for:(a) the transfer of all of the child's belongings, including clothing, personal belongings, the child's medical and educational records, and the child's life book;(b) notifying the PSD case worker, the child's CASA, the guardian ad litem or youth attorney, if applicable, of the placement change at least 10 days prior to the change of placement if the child in question is in state custody; and(c) documentation of the change in placement in the child's agency record.(2) The agency shall notify the child of the placement change. The legal guardian may choose to be a part of the disclosure to the child. The placement worker shall be responsible to provide medical, education, and psychological information to any subsequent placement provider.(3) An emergency change in placement may occur only when the caretaker requests the immediate removal of the child or for the safety of the child. If the emergency change is due to a mental health hold, it must be in compliance with the provisions of the Mental Health Placement Act. The agency shall notify the legal guardian of the change in placement, unless circumstances preclude such and are documented in the child's record. For children in state custody, if the removal occurs after regular working hours, the agency notifies statewide central intake (SCI).F. PSD registration: In accordance with national child abuse and neglect data system (NCANDS) requirements for the reporting and tracking of abuse and neglect in foster homes, all foster homes shall be registered with PSD. (1) The agency shall register a family with PSD upon the licensing of the home and prior to the agency placing a child in the home.(2) The agency shall notify PSD within five working days if a family's license is revoked or not renewed.8.26.5.23 NMAC - Rp, 8.27.6.13 NMAC, 5/29/09; A, 8/15/11