Library: Policy

340:110-5-58. Requirements for foster parents

Revised 11-2-15

(a) General.  Foster parents provide the foster home agency (agency) any information related to compliance with all requirements and allow representatives of the agency access to any member of the household and into all rooms within the home.  Foster parents:

• (1) are responsible, mature, healthy adults capable of meeting the needs of the children in care;

  (2) apply the reasonable and prudent parent standard;

  (3) demonstrate a capacity for setting realistic expectations for behavior and performance based on the ages, abilities, and special needs of the children;

  (4) may be married, single, or family members with a stable living arrangement; and

  (5) ensure all members of the household are informed of and agree to accept the child into the home.

  (b) Age.  Foster parents are at least 21 years of age.

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

  (1) Foster parents who both work outside the home obtain approval from the agency for their plan of care for the children during the parents' absences.

  (2) Foster parents obtain approval from the agency to conduct a business in the home and demonstrate that activities related to this business do not interfere with the children's care.

  (d) Notifications.  Foster parents comply with the requirements pertaining to notifications.  Foster parents notify the agency:

  (1) in writing prior to allowing any individual to reside for more than 14-calendar days, in the foster home;

  (2) immediately of the occurrence of:

  (A) the death of a child;

  (B) a serious injury or illness involving medical treatment of the child;

  (C) unauthorized absence of the child from the home as defined by agency policy;

  (D) removal of the child from the home by any individual or agency other than the placing agency, or attempts at such removal;

  (E) loss of income that affects the family's ability to meet the needs of the children in foster care;

  (F) any involvement of a child with legal authorities;

  (G) any known arrests, criminal investigations, criminal charges, or child abuse investigations involving persons living in the home;

  (H) any fire or other emergency requiring evacuation of the home; and

  (I) lack of heat, water, or electricity; and

  (3) as soon as possible of:

  (A) any serious illness or death in the household;

  (B) the departure or return of any member of the household;

  (C) a move to another residence; and

  (D) any other circumstance or incident seriously affecting the child or care of the child; and

  (E) any allegations of child abuse.

• (e) Cooperation.  Foster parents work cooperatively with agency representatives as members of the treatment team responsible for planning, providing, and discussing the total care and services provided to each child.  Foster parents:

  (1) fully disclose all information related to a child's problems or progress to agency representatives;

  (2) treat any personal information about a child or the child's family in a confidential manner; and

  (3) participate in an annual, mutual review with the agency to evaluate strengths and weaknesses of the foster home and of agency representatives' relationships with foster parents.