Okla. Admin. Code § 377:10-7-3.4

Current through Vol. 42, No. 8, January 2, 2025

Section 377:10-7-3.4 - General foster parent qualifications

(a)Age. Foster parents shall be at least 21 years of age.

(b)Income and employment. Foster parents shall have sufficient income to meet their needs and ensure the security and stability of the household independent of foster care maintenance payments, if applicable.

(1) Foster parents who both work outside the home shall obtain approval from OJA for their plan of care for the juveniles during their absence.

(2) Foster parents shall obtain approval from OJA to conduct a business in the home and demonstrate that the activities related to this business will not interfere with the care of the juveniles.

(3) The foster home shall not operate a child care business in the foster home.

(c)Number of children. The foster home complies with requirements regarding placement of juveniles in the foster family home.

(1) No more than five foster juveniles are placed in the home.

(2) The number, ages, and needs of foster juveniles placed in the home are in keeping with the capacity and skills of the foster parents and accommodations of the home.

(3) The total number of juveniles in the home, including the foster parents' biological children, adopted children, and foster children, cannot exceed six. Local city ordinances should be researched by the foster parents to determine if other restrictions apply.

(d)Foster Parent Training. OJA shall provide and document that each foster parent has received at a minimum:

(1) six hours of orientation or pre-service training prior to approval of the foster home or placement of a juvenile which includes at a minimum:

(A) OJA policy;

(B) program philosophy;

(C) confidentiality;

(D) mandatory reporting of child abuse;

(E) grievance process;

(F) emergency medical procedures; and

(G) fire and disaster plans;

(2) six additional hours of training within the first calendar year of certification that is relevant to the needs of the juvenile placed in the foster home including, but not limited to:

(A) normal child development;

(B) behavior management;

(C) separation and loss; and

(D) infection control and injury prevention; and

(3) twelve hours of training each calendar year thereafter that is relevant to foster parents' roles and responsibilities and may include workshops and video presentations.

Okla. Admin. Code § 377:10-7-3.4

Adopted by Oklahoma Register, Volume 31, Issue 24, September 2, 2014, eff. 9/12/2014