Effective 10/1/80 - updated 2002
<< Click to Display Table of Contents >> XIV. F. Approval of Relative Family Foster Homes for ChildrenEffective 10/1/80 - updated 2002 |
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PURPOSE
In order for the Department to be in compliance with U.S. Public Law 96-272, the Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980 - the Division of Child and Family Services will formally approve relative family foster homes. These homes will be approved as meeting the Rules for the Licensing of:
Family Foster Homes for Children
Specialized Children’s Homes, or
Family Foster Homes Providing Only Respite Care for Children
DEFINITIONS
The following definitions shall apply:
1. | A "relative family foster home" means a children’s home that is a private dwelling where care is provided within a family on a regular, 24-hour a day, residential basis to children under 18 years of age and related to the foster family by blood or by marriage. |
2. | "Blood relatives" shall mean mother, father, child, brother, sister, grandparents, uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, first cousins, and any of the foregoing relatives by adoption. |
3. | An Indian child’s "blood relative" shall be in accordance with the Indian Child Welfare Act which is a person who has reached the age of eighteen and is the Indian child’s grandparent, aunt or uncle, brother or sister, brother-in-law or sister-in-law, niece or nephew, first or second cousin, or step-parent, by adoption or as defined by the child’s Tribe. |
4. | "Relatives by marriage" shall mean stepfather, stepmother, stepbrother, stepsister, step aunt, step uncle, step grandparents. |
GENERAL PROCEDURES
1. | Application for approval for relative homes will be processed in the same way as applications for licensed non-relative foster homes. |
2. | State law does not require the licensing of relative foster homes. However, if a relative wants to apply for a license to operate a family foster home for children, rather than for approval, he or she may do so. |
3. | All relative homes will be referred to the Community Care Worker who will provide the family with a copy of the appropriate licensing rules and an application for approval. The Community Care Worker will be responsible for evaluating the home for compliance with licensing rules and making a recommendation, Form SWSS-060, to central office. |
4. | Approval will be issued on an annual basis. |