212 R.I. Code R. 212-RICR-20-00-1.4

Current through December 26, 2024

Section 212-RICR-20-00-1.4 - Eligibility of the Parent Applicant

A. Application to be certified for the subsidy aid program shall be made on Department forms and shall be signed by the parent applicant(s). Each division of the Department shall make forms available for their applicants.

B. The minimum age is eighteen (18) years. Otherwise, age of the parent applicant(s) will be considered only if it affects his/her/their physical capability, flexibility, and ability to care for and provide training for an eligible child or adult.

C. All family members should be in sufficiently good health to meet the needs of the adult or child placed with the family. In instances where there is a question that health may affect the ability of the parent applicant to care for the person, a written statement from a physician will be obtained as part of the home study evaluation process. Statements concerning health must be annually updated.

D. Income Limit (See also § 1.12(A) of this Part). Gross income shall not exceed four hundred (400%) percent of federal poverty level guidelines in the case of natural parents.

E. Employment of the parents outside the home.

1. There must be arrangements for adequate care and supervision of the eligible individual during the parents' absence. Parents must demonstrate that employment does not detract from implementation of the eligible individual's program plan.

F. Home Study - characteristics of the family unit and home.

1. There shall be a home study conducted by a Home Evaluator who shall be a social worker from the appropriate division of the Department or designated local agency, (See § 1.3(A)(3) of this Part). The most important requirements pertain to the personal characteristics of the family as a unit and as individuals. These characteristics must be consistent with the needs of each eligible person placed with a family.

2. Placements shall not be made in households which include more than one (1) non-relative, such as roomers, boarders or foster family members.

3. The Home Evaluator shall meet all members of the family to determine their views, feelings and opinions about providing care and assistance.

4. The home study shall include the Home Evaluator's observations about the family members' characteristics such as: patience, understanding, open-mindedness, adaptability, and stability. Other factors to be included in the study are: the physical aspects of the house and the environment of the community, (e.g. availability of recreation, education or work facilities, home health services, stores, churches, transportation and the general physical environment), and, in the case of natural and adoptive parents, the financial dependence of the parents on the subsidy in order to avoid placement. The Home Evaluator shall provide a written report summarizing significant factors.

5. The home study shall be kept on file with the parent(s) application.

G. Visits by the Department or designated local agency.

1. The applicant(s) shall indicate in writing acceptance that unannounced visits may be made to his/her/their home by a representative from the Department or a designated local agency for the purpose of monitoring the program and services being provided.

H. Training Sessions.

1. Parent(s) or parent applicant(s) shall indicate in writing willingness to participate actively in such training sessions as specified by the Department or designated local agency in order to receive the subsidy aid.

2. Such training shall be to train parent(s) and parent applicant(s) to become knowledgeable about developmental and/or functional disabilities and about care and treatment techniques needed to assist in the individualized service program.

I. Licensing prior to certification for Subsidy Aid by the Department or the designated local agency.

1. Natural or Adoptive parent(s) are not subject to licensure regardless of age of eligible person.

2. Foster parent(s) for children shall be licensed by DCYF. The Home Evaluator assists the parent applicant(s) by directing him/her/them to the licensing authority.

3. Caretakers for adults are not subject to licensure under existing State laws unless there are two (2) or more adults receiving care.

J. Marital Status - No restrictions.

212 R.I. Code R. 212-RICR-20-00-1.4

Adopted effective 12/8/2018