Okla. Admin. Code § 340:75-13-45

Current through Vol. 42, No. 7, December 16, 2024

Section 340:75-13-45 - Clothing purchases for children

(a)Clothing accompanies child. The Child Welfare (CW) worker obtains the child's clothing, and any other items that have personal meaning to the child, from the parent(s) at the time of initial placement in out-of-home care. Clothing purchased for or accompanying the child belongs to that child. The CW worker and placement provider ensure the clothing accompanies the child when the child moves from one placement to another.

(b)Clothing purchase authorization amounts. The amounts designated as clothing authorizations are set out in Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS) Appendix C-20, Child Welfare Services Rates Schedule, as amended from time-to-time, as approved by the DHS Director .

(c)Use of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Administration (SSA) funds before clothing authorizations. A child who is a recipient of SSI or SSA benefits is not eligible to receive clothing authorizations. Instead a spend-down must be completed against the child's trust account or the payee must supply the clothing with the SSI or SSA benefits.

(d)Types and uses of clothing authorizations.

(1)One-time startup authorization.

(A) A one-time startup authorization may be issued for a child at initial placement into a kinship home that is not receiving foster care maintenance payments.

(B) Another one-time startup authorization may be issued when DHS subsequently places a child into another kinship home that is not receiving foster care maintenance payments.

(2)Emergency clothing authorizations. Authorized staff in each county may provide emergency clothing authorizations not more than four times in any twelve-month period. An emergency clothing authorization may not be issued within 90-calendar days of the issuance of a one-time startup authorization or a previous emergency clothing authorization.

(A) The child's CW specialist requests an emergency clothing authorization four times a year for a child placed in a:

(i) non-paid kinship home;

(ii) non-funded group home; or

(iii) psychiatric facility, such as an acute or residential treatment center, in-state or out-of-state.

(B) Emergency authorizations may be provided for a child:

(i) residing in youth services shelters without adequate clothing;

(ii) who lost clothing as a result of being absent without leave or due to a disaster, such as fire, flood, and similar natural disasters;

(iii) residing in a DHS operated group home and, when applicable, her child;

(iv) placed directly from inpatient psychiatric care into a Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS) home prior to the availability of SSI benefits;

(v) placed in maternity residential services; and

(vi) on a case-by-case basis for exigent circumstances and with prior approval by the Child Welfare Services Operations and Business Processes Section Financial Operations administrator.

(3)Clothing authorization process. The designated staff at the local DHS office processes clothing authorizations through the AS400 Finance Division system. The authorization is provided to the placement provider who purchases the clothing through a vendor who accepts DHS authorizations. The vendor submits the authorization to DHS for payment.

(4)Clothing.

(A) The foster parent is responsible for providing adequate clothing for the child based on the child's needs, such as a minimum of a week's worth of clothing that is appropriate for the season and well-fitting. The foster parent maintains an inventory of clothing utilizing Form 04FC004E, Clothing Inventory. The clothing allowance is included in the monthly foster care maintenance payment for a child who is in DHS custody and placed in a:

(i) foster family home;

(ii) paid kinship home; or

(iii) specialized community home.

(B) The clothing allowance is included in the daily foster care maintenance payment rates per the DHS contract for:

(i) TFC; and

(ii) funded DHS group homes and maternity homes.

(C) Clothing is purchased with SSI or SSA benefits for a child who is in DHS custody and placed in a DDS foster home or non-paid kinship home.

(5)Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) placements. The clothing allowances for a child in DHS custody placed in foster care out-of-state through ICPC are included in the receiving state's monthly reimbursement.

(6)Allowable clothing purchases. Allowable purchases must meet the child's needs and include:

(A) clothing;

(B) shoes; and

(C) disposable diapers.

(7)Disallowable clothing purchases. The items not appropriate to purchase with clothing authorizations are any non-clothing item, such as:

(A) any food item;

(B) athletic equipment;

(C) cosmetics or personal grooming supplies;

(D) hair accessories;

(E) haircuts;

(F) jewelry;

(G) non-prescription medication or supplies;

(H) school supplies; and

(I) toys.

Okla. Admin. Code § 340:75-13-45

Amended at 10 Ok Reg 3987, eff 7-13-93 (emergency); Amended at 11 Ok Reg 505, eff 11-15-93 (emergency); Amended at 11 Ok Reg 1733, eff 5-12-94; Amended at 12 Ok Reg 1139, eff 3-20-95 (emergency); Added at 12 Ok Reg 1739, eff 6-12-95; Amended at 16 Ok Reg 2773, eff 4-14-99 (emergency); Amended at 17 Ok Reg 549, eff 12-1-99 (emergency); Amended at 17 Ok Reg 2429, eff 6-26-00; Amended at 18 Ok Reg 2128, eff 6-11-01; Amended at 22 Ok Reg 239, eff 11-4-04 (emergency); Amended at 22 Ok Reg 840, eff 5-12-05

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 34, Issue 24, September 1, 2017, eff. 9/15/2017