W. Va. Code R. § 78-2-12

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Section 78-2-12 - The Agency's Responsibilities to Foster and Adoptive Parents

12.1. An agency shall develop and implement a handbook of the responsibilities of foster and adoptive parents to the child, to the child's family and to the agency. The handbook shall state the necessary policies, procedures, laws, and forms.

12.2. An agency shall develop and implement a procedure detailing its responsibilities to foster and adoptive parents included in the service agreement between the agency and the foster or adoptive parent and the handbook. The procedure shall require the agency to:

12.2.1. Provide to the foster or adoptive parents a copy of the handbook that describes the responsibilities of the foster or adoptive parents and the agency in the placement of a child;

12.2.2. Provide that the agency's emergency telephone on-call system be operational at all times;

12.2.3. Inform foster or adoptive parents about the agency's grievance procedure;

12.2.4. Provide complete information about a child's background, his or her current physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral functioning and any special needs prior to placement;

12.2.5. Involve foster or adoptive parents on the child's service planning team and provide them a copy of the child's initial plan of care and all subsequent plans;

12.2.6. Provide ongoing training, guidance, and support, including crisis support;

12.2.7. Provide periodic respite care for a child in a foster care placement;

12.2.8. Provide complete information about the procedures to be followed when an allegation of child abuse or neglect, or a complaint of noncompliance with licensing rules or agency policy is made;

12.2.9. Maintain the confidentiality of records according to agency policy and procedure;

12.2.10. Provide foster or adoptive parents access to their own record with the exception of reference letters and reference interviews;

12.2.11. Ensure foster or adoptive parents maintain liability and personal loss coverage for loss or damage occurring as a result of their role as foster parents;

12.2.12. Give foster or adoptive parents 10 working days' notice prior to removing a child, unless it is an emergency situation or court order;

12.2.13. Inform adoptive parents of the child's legal status prior to and upon the final adoption;

12.2.14. Inform adoptive parents of the legal procedures involved in adoption under W. Va. Code § 48-22-1etseq.; and

12.2.15. Inform foster or adoptive parents of the foster child bill of rights (W.Va. Code § 49-2-126) and the foster and kinship parent bill of rights (W. Va. Code § 49-2-127).

W. Va. Code R. § 78-2-12