Library: Policy
340:75-7-19. Joint approval of resource homes
Revised 10-22-24
1
(a) Joint approval of resource home. • 1 The Oklahoma Human Services (OKDHS) resource parent may be jointly-approved to provide foster care services to the child in OKDHS custody while approved by another agency, entity, or tribe. Joint approval occurs after each agency conducts an assessment and determines that the child's needs can be met in a jointly-approved home. While the home is jointly-approved, any changes or concerns are shared between each agency involved with the jointly-approved home. Joint-home approval is child-specific and occurs when, the:
(1) child's need for specialized services, treatment, or placement changes;
(2) child re-enters the child welfare (CW) system and has a previous relationship with the placement provider;
(3) placement provider is kin to the child;
(4) siblings need to be placed together;
(5) infant of a youth in OKDHS custody requires placement; or
(6) child in OKDHS custody requires specialized services or treatment in a kinship placement.
(b) Joint approval of a therapeutic foster care (TFC) home. • 1 Joint approval of the TFC home as a resource home occurs after an assessment of the child's case and approval by the TFC program staff and the TFC agency.
(c) Joint approval of a DHS Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS) home. • 2 Joint approval of a DDS home as a Child Welfare Services (CWS) resource home occurs after an assessment of the child's case and approval by the CWS DDS/Education program supervisor and the Resource Unit.
(d) Joint use of CWS resource home by Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA). Joint use of the CWS resource home occurs after an assessment of the child's case and approval by the Resource Unit.
(e) Joint use of CWS kinship resource home. • 3 Use of the kinship resource home as a traditional resource home requires that the kinship family continue to meet all the requirements of a CWS resource home, per OAC 340:75-7-18.
(f) Joint use of licensed family child care home. • 6 A resource home is considered for joint approval as an OKDHS-licensed family child care home after an assessment and joint approval by the Resource Unit and Child Care Services (CCS). Prior to each child placement, a request for approval is made in writing on Form 07LC099E, Dual Approval Request for Foster Care Placement, based on the recommendation of CCS Licensing staff and resource staff. When a joint consensus is not achieved, CCS or the Resource Unit may request a review by the dual-approval committee, per Oklahoma Administrative Code 340:110-1-6 for a final decision. The approval decision is based on the number, ages, and specific needs of children potentially eligible for child care and foster care. Receipt of a written agreement from the caregiver is required that states the individual(s) from whom the child was removed is not present during child care hours.
(g) Joint approval of resource home by DHS and tribes. • 7 The OKDHS or tribal resource home may be jointly-approved by both the tribe and OKDHS when the home meets DHS standards; however, the total number of children placed in the jointly-approved home cannot exceed the total number of children approved for the home.
INSTRUCTIONS TO STAFF 340:75-7-19
Revised 10-22-24
1. (a) Therapeutic foster care (TFC) home joint-approval as an Oklahoma Human Services (OKDHS) resource home.
(1) When the child's assigned child welfare (CW) specialist identifies a TFC home for use as an OKDHS resource home, the CW specialist emails the resource specialist and the resource supervisor in the prospective district of placement for approval, before the child is placed in the home.
(2) The resource specialist contacts the TFC Program Unit and verifies the TFC agency agreement to share the resource.
(3) Following verification the TFC agency may share the resource, the TFC Program Unit notifies the resource specialist, resource supervisor, and field manager the assessment may proceed.
(4) The resource specialist obtains a release of information from the TFC parent requesting TFC agency documentation.
(5) The resource specialist contacts the TFC agency and requests:
(A) a copy of Form 04AF003E, Resource Family Assessment (RFA);
(B) a copy of the most recent reassessment;
(C) training records; and
(D) a recommendation from the TFC agency regarding joint use of the home as a resource home.
(6) After review of the documentation and recommendation from the TFC agency, the resource specialist:
(A) asks the TFC parent to complete and sign Forms 04AF001E, Resource Family Application, and 04AD003E, Request for Background Check, authorizing OKDHS to conduct a search into the TFC parent's and each adult household member's criminal and OKDHS records, including CW records, per Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC) 340:75-7-15;
(B) assesses the home using Form 04AF004E, House Assessment;
(C) asks the TFC parent and all adult household members to send a letter to OKDHS Office of Background Investigations requesting a release of each person's national criminal history records search results based on fingerprints to the resource specialist including:
(i) names;
(ii) dates of birth;
(iii) Social Security numbers; and
(iv) signatures;
(D) completes Form 04AF033E, National Criminal History Record Search Results–Addendum;
(E) explains Form 04AF005E, Notice to Resource Applicant(s), and obtains the TFC parent's signature on the form;
(F) obtains copies of all required verification, such as a driver license and liability insurance;
(G) emails the training information to the field manager by email for approval; and
(H) submits all assessment information to the resource supervisor for disposition.
(7) The resource specialist completes and attaches the RFA addendum to the TFC agency's home assessment documenting updated information and the recommendation regarding the disposition of the TFC home as an OKDHS resource home.
(8) Upon approval, the resource specialist:
(A) obtains the resource parent's signature on the:
(i) foster care contract;
(ii) Form 04AF021E, Verification of Receipt of OKDHS Rules; and
(iii) Form 15GR008E, Notice of Grievance Rights – Foster Parents;
(B) creates a KIDS Resource; and
(C) notifies the CW specialist assigned to the child that placement may be made and foster care maintenance payments may begin.
(9) Additional placements of a child in OKDHS custody are not permitted without written approval from OKDHS TFC Program Unit and field manager.
(b) TFC home joint-approval as Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) home. A TFC home joint-approval as an ICPC resource home occurs after an assessment of the child's case and approval by the TFC Program Unit and the TFC agency.
(1) When the CW specialist assessing the incoming ICPC pre-resouce identifies that the prospective ICPC placement is approved as a TFC home, the assigned CW specialist contacts the TFC Program Unit and verifies the TFC agency agreement to share the resource.
(2) Following verification the TFC agency may share the home, the TFC Program Unit notifies the resource specialist, resource supervisor, field manager, and ICPC Program staff the assessment may proceed.
(A) When the TFC agency does not agree to share the resource, the assigned CW specialist for the ICPC pre-resource documents the reasons and sends to ICPC Program staff for processing.
(B) ICPC Program staff processes the denial and advises the assessing specialist to close the pre-resource.
(3) When the TFC agency agrees to proceed with joint use assessment as an ICPC placement, the resource specialist:
(A) obtains an information release from the TFC parent requesting TFC agency documentation; and
(B) contacts the TFC agency and requests:
(i) a copy of the RFA;
(ii) a copy of the most recent reassessment;
(iii) training records; and
(iv) a recommendation from the TFC agency regarding the TFC home's joint use as an ICPC home.
(4) After review of TFC agency documentation and recommendation, the resource specialist:
(A) asks the TFC parent to complete and sign Forms 04AF001E, Resource Family Application, and 04AD003E, Request for Background Check, authorizing OKDHS to conduct a search into the TFC parent's and each adult household member's criminal and OKDHS records, including CW records, per OAC 340:75-7-15;
(B) requests a re-issue of fingerprint results and a check of RAP Back information;
(C) completes Form 04AF045E, Annual Update Records Check;
(D) assesses the home using Form 04AF004E, House Assessment;
(E) completes Form 04AF033E, National Criminal History Record Search Results–Addendum;
(F) explains Forms 04AF005E, Notice to Resource Applicant(s), and 04AF021E, Verification of Receipt of OKDHS Rules, and obtains TFC parent's signature on the forms;
(G) obtains copies of all required verification, such as a driver license and liability insurance;
(H) emails the training information to the field manager for approval; and
(I) documents the family’s suitability for approval as a jointly used resource on Form 04AF037E, Resource Conversion Addendum, and submits all assessment information to the resource supervisor for disposition. The resource specialist completes and attaches Form 04AF037E to the TFC agency's home assessment documenting updated information and the recommendation regarding TFC home's disposition as an OKDHS resource home.
(5) Upon approval, the resource specialist:
(A) saves all associated approval documents, including documents received from the TFC agency, to the KIDS document management system (DMS); and
(B) notifies the appropriate ICPC Program staff the approval is ready for review.
(6) Additional placements of a child in OKDHS custody are not permitted without written approval from the OKDHS TFC Program Unit and field manager.
(c) Traditional or kinship resource home joint approval as a TFC home.
(1) The CW specialist assigned to the child, following consultation and approval from the CW supervisor, contacts the district of placement resource specialist to:
(A) request consideration of the resource home as a TFC home; and
(B) provide documentation of the child's previous behavioral health services; or
(C) explain why behavioral health services were not provided to the child prior to the child's placement in the resource home.
(2) The resource specialist emails the field manager providing:
(A) information received from the child's assigned CW specialist and any other relevant information;
(B) verification the resource parent has adequately met the needs of the child placed; and
(C) a recommendation to approve or deny the joint-approval request.
(3) The field manager emails approval or denial to the resource specialist and the TFC Program Unit. The TFC Program Unit forwards the disposition email to the TFC agency and the child's assigned CW specialist.
(4) When OKDHS authorizes the joint approval, the TFC agency requests a reference letter from the OKDHS TFC Program Unit with the approval email attached.
(5) Upon receipt of a written release from the TFC agency signed by each resource parent, the resource specialist provides to the TFC agency:
(A) a copy of Form 04AF003E, Resource Family Assessment, excluding the protected information section;
(B) a copy of the most recent Form 04AF030E, Resource Family Reassessment or Form 04AF038E, Annual Update, excluding the protected information section; and
(C) each resource parent's training records.
(6) Upon request, the resource specialist provides copies of previously submitted documents to the resource parent.
(7) Additional children in OKDHS custody are not placed in the jointly-approved home without written approval of the OKDHS TFC Program Unit and the field manager.
2. (a) Joint-approval process of the Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS) home as a resource home. The OKDHS resource specialist contacts the DDS liaison and the resource field manager to request joint approval consideration. Approval for joint use of the home is:
(1) granted on a case-by-case basis; and
(2) child-specific with placement limited to that child only.
(b) DDS home joint-approval process as an ICPC home.
(1) DDS home's joint approval as an ICPC resource home occurs after an assessment of the child's case and approval by Child Welfare Services (CWS) DDS and Education program supervisor and the Resource unit. Joint use approval of the home is:
(A) granted on a case-by-case basis; and
(B) child-specific with placement limited to that child only.
(2) When the CW specialist assessing the incoming ICPC pre-resource identifies that the prospective ICPC placement is approved as a DDS home, the assigned specialist contacts the CWS DDS and Education program supervisor and verifies agreement to share the home. The assigned specialist assessing the incoming ICPC pre-resource may share a copy of the initial ICPC request packet with the CWS DDS and Education supervisor for consideration of the DDS home's joint use.
(3) Following verification DDS may share the home, the CWS DDS and Education program supervisor notifies the resource specialist, resource supervisor, field manager, and ICPC Program staff the assessment may proceed.
(A) When DDS does not agree to share the home, the CW assigned specialist for the ICPC pre-resource documents the reasons and sends to ICPC Program staff for processing.
(B) ICPC Program staff processes the denial and advises the assessing specialist to close the pre-resource.
(4) When DDS agrees to proceed with joint use assessment for an ICPC placement, the resource specialist:
(A) obtains an information release from the DDS parent requesting DDS home approval documentation;
(B) contacts the CWS DDS and Education program supervisor and requests:
(i) a copy of the RFA;
(ii) a copy of the most recent reassessment;
(iii) training records; and
(iv) a recommendation from the CWS DDS and Education supervisor regarding the home's joint use as an ICPC home.
(5) After review of DDS documentation and recommendation, the resource specialist:
(A) asks the DDS parent to complete and sign Forms 04AF001E, Resource Family Application, and 04AD003E, Request for Background Check, authorizing OKDHS to conduct a search into the DDS parent's and each adult household member's criminal and OKDHS records, including CW records, per OAC 340:75-7-15;
(B) requests a re-issue of fingerprint results and a check of RAP Back information;
(C) completes Form 04AF045E;
(D) assesses the home using Form 04AF004E, House Assessment;
(E) completes Form 04AF033E, National Criminal History Record Search Results-Addendum;
(F) explains Forms 04AF005E, Notice to Resource Applicant(s), and 04AF021E, Verification of Receipt of OKDHS Rules, and obtains DDS parent's signature of the forms;
(G) obtains copies of all required verification, such as a driver license and liability insurance;
(H) emails the training information to the field manager for approval; and
(I) documents the family’s suitability for approval as a jointly used resource on Form 04AF037E, Resource Conversion Addendum, and submits all assessment information to the resource supervisor for disposition. The resource specialist completes and attaches Form 04AF037E to the DDS home assessment documenting updated information and the recommendation regarding DDS home's disposition as an OKDHS ICPC home.
(6) Upon approval, the resource specialist:
(A) saves all associated approval documents, including documents received from DDS, to KIDS DMS; and
(B) notifies the appropriate ICPC Program staff the approval is ready for review.
(7) Additional placements of a child in OKDHS custody are not permitted without written approval from CWS DDS and Education program supervisor and field manager.
3. (a) Kinship home joint-approval or conversion process to a traditional resource home.
(1) The resource specialist reviews all kinship resource home records to determine if a RFA has been completed per requirements of OAC 340:75-7-18.
(A) If an RFA has not been completed, per OAC 340:75-7-18, the resource specialist engages with the family to complete the requirements per OAC 340:75-7-18 to determine the disposition and ensure the family’s suitability to provide traditional foster care services; or
(B) if an RFA has been completed, per OAC 340:75-7-18, the resource specialist initiates Form 04AF037E, Resource Conversion Addendum.
(2) When a kinship resource home providing care for a kinship child is converted to a traditional resource home, the resource specialist consults with the kinship child's assigned CW specialist prior to making a non-kinship placement in the home.
(3) The resource parent, resource specialist, and the resource supervisor sign Form 04AF037E with an approval effective date. The resource specialist files Form 04AF037E in the new traditional resource file.
(4) The resource specialist creates a separate KIDS Resource with the resource type as CW Foster Family Care prior to the child's placement in the home. A new contract number is not required for a kinship home conversion; however, the resource specialist completes a new contract with the resource home and submits the completed contract to the Resource Unit.
(5) The resource specialist creates a separate, new file for the new resource home, by ensuring all joint-approval documentation required for this process is scanned into the KIDS Resource DMS, under the newly created traditional resource number.
(b) Kinship home joint-approval process as an ICPC Relative home.
(1) The resource specialist initiates Form 04AF037E, Resource Conversion Addendum.
(2) When a kinship home providing care for a kinship or other custody child is converted to an ICPC resource home, the resource specialist consults with the assigned CW specialist for each child placed prior to approving the resource for ICPC joint use.
(3) The resource parent, resource specialist, and the resource supervisor sign Form 04AF037E with an approval effective date to ensure:
(A) Form 04AF037E content addresses the family's ability to meet the needs of children placed in the home and of the prospective children to be placed through ICPC; and
(B) original approval documents for the family’s kinship approval and any required annual update or kinship annual update documents are saved to the KIDS DMS and ICPC Program staff is notified the assessment is ready for review.
4. Traditional or adoptive home joint-approval process as an ICPC foster home.
(1) The resource specialist initiates Form 04AF037E, Resource Conversion Addendum.
(2) When a traditional or adoptive home providing care for a child in OKDHS or other custody is converted to an ICPC resource home, the resource specialist consults with the assigned CW specialist for each child placed prior to approving the home for ICPC joint use.
(3) The resource parent, resource specialist, and the resource supervisor sign Form 04AF037E with an approval effective date.
(A) Form 04AF037E content addresses the family's ability to meet the needs of children placed in the home and of the prospective children to be placed through ICPC.
(B) Original approval documents for the family's traditional approval and current annual update documents are saved to KIDS DMS and ICPC Program staff is notified the assessment is ready for review.
5. Resource family partner (RFP) supported home joint-approval as an ICPC foster home.
(1) When the CW specialist assessing the incoming ICPC pre-resource identifies that the prospective ICPC placement is approved as an RFP home, the assigned CW specialist contacts the CWS RFP liaison and verifies RFP agreement to share the home. The assigned specialist assessing the incoming ICPC pre-resource may share a copy of the initial ICPC request packet with the RFP agency for consideration of the RFP home's joint use.
(2) Following verification the RFP agency may share the resource, the CWS RFP liaison notifies the resource specialist, resource supervisor, field manager, and ICPC Program staff the assessment may proceed.
(A) When the RFP agency does not agree to share the home, the CW assigned specialist for the ICPC pre-resource documents the reasons and sends to ICPC Program staff for processing.
(B) ICPC Program staff processes the denial and advises the assessing specialist to close the pre-resource.
(3) When the RFP agency agrees to proceed with joint use assessment for an ICPC placement, the resource specialist:
(A) obtains an information release from the RFP parent requesting RFP home approval documentation;
(B) contacts the program supervisor and requests:
(i) a copy of the RFA;
(ii) a copy of the most recent reassessment;
(iii) training records; and
(iv) a recommendation from the RFP agency regarding the home's joint use as an ICPC home.
(4) After review of RFP documentation and recommendation, the resource specialist:
(A) asks the RFP parent to complete and sign Forms 04AF001E, Resource Family Application, and 04AD003E, Request for Background Check, authorizing OKDHS to conduct a search into the RFP parent's and each adult household member's criminal and OKDHS records, including CW records, per OAC 340:75-7-15;
(B) requests a re-issue of fingerprint results and a check of RAP Back information;
(C) completes Form 04AF045E, Annual Update Records Check;
(D) assesses the home using Form 04AF004E, House Assessment;
(E) completes Form 04AF033E, National Criminal History Record Search Results-Addendum;
(F) explains Forms 04AF005E, Notice to Resource Applicant(s), and 04AF021E, Verification of Receipt of OKDHS Rules, and obtains RFP parent's signature of the forms;
(G) obtains copies of all required verification, such as a driver license and liability insurance;
(H) emails the training information to the field manager for approval;
(I) documents the family's suitability for approval as a jointly used resource on Form 04AF037E, Resource Conversion Addendum, and addresses the family's ability to meet the needs of children placed in the home and of the prospective children placed through ICPC; and
(J) completes Form 04AF037E, which is signed by the resource parent, resource specialist, and the resource supervisor with an approval effective date.
(5) Upon approval, the resource specialist:
(A) saves all associated approval documents, including documents received from the RFP agency, to KIDS DMS; and
(B) notifies the appropriate ICPC Program staff the approval is ready for review.
(6) Additional placements of a child in OKDHS custody are not permitted without written approval from the RFP agency and field manager.
6. Kinship resource home joint-approval as ICPC foster home.
(1) The resource specialist reviews all kinship resource home records to determine if a RFA has been completed, per OAC 340:75-7-18.
(A) If an RFA has not been completed, per OAC 340:75-7-18, the resource specialist follows guidance, per OAC 340:75-7-18, to determine the disposition of the family’s application to provide ICPC foster care services.
(B) If an RFA has been completed, per OAC 340:75-7-18, the resource specialist initiates Form 04AF037E, Resource Conversion Addendum.
(2) When a kinship resource home providing care for a kinship child is converted to an ICPC foster home, the resource specialist consults with the kinship child's assigned CW specialist prior to recommending approval of the home as an ICPC foster home.
(3) The resource parent, resource specialist, and the resource supervisor sign Form 04AF037E with an approval effective date. Form 04AF037E is filed in the ICPC Pre-Resource in the KIDS DMS.
(4) The resource specialist ensures all joint-approval documentation required for this process is scanned into the KIDS Resource DMS according to the ICPC Pre-Resource number.
7. (a) Child care home joint-approval process as a resource home.
(1) When the licensed child care home requests joint approval as a resource home, the resource specialist and Child Care Services (CCS) licensing staff assigned to the child care home gather data that includes:
(A) the number of children considered for placement in the child care home;
(B) the number and ages of children approved for care in the child care home;
(C) the number of children residing in the child care home;
(D) the CCS licensing compliance history with a description of each non-compliance;
(E) any other information regarding the child care home; and
(F) an assessment of the child care provider's ability to meet each child's needs.
(2) Approval by the CCS licensing supervisor and resource specialist is required for the home's joint approval.
(A) CCS reviews and approves or denies the child care home's request for joint approval and emails the decision to the resource specialist.
(B) The resource specialist scans the CCS email into the KIDS Pre-Resource DMS.
(C) The resource specialist reviews the request for joint approval of the home and documents the request approval or denial in KIDS Pre-Resource Contacts.
(D) When a joint consensus is not achieved, the dual approval committee consisting of State Office CWS and CCS staff makes the final decision.
(E) When a child care home is working with a resource family partner (RFP) agency to become a resource home, the RFP agency must submit Form 07LC061E, Alternative Compliance Request, to the RFP agency program field representative (PFR), and receive approval from the PFR prior to assessing the home as a resource. The RFP agency forwards approved Form 07LC061E to its assigned RFP liaison.
(3) Prior to placing any child in a jointly-approved child care home, the resource specialist completes Form 07LC099E, Dual Approval Request for Foster Care Placement. Completed Form 07LC099E is sent for approval to the child care licensing specialist.
(4) Placement is not made until the resource specialist receives approved Form 07LC099E from the child care licensing specialist. The resource specialist documents approval in KIDS, scans a copy of signed Form 07CL099E into the KIDS Resource DMS, and files signed Form 07CL099E in the resource file.
(5) Refer to OAC 340:75-7-65 for information regarding child care benefits for the child in OKDHS custody placed in the child care provider's home.
(6) CCS monitors the child care home for licensing purposes, resource staff monitors the home as a resource home, and all relevant information is shared between applicable OKDHS programs.
(b) Child care home joint-approval process as ICPC home.
(1) When the CW specialist assessing the incoming ICPC pre-resource identifies that the prospective ICPC placement is approved as a child care home, the assigned CW specialist contacts the CCS licensing staff assigned to the child care home to gather data that includes:
(A) the number of children considered for placement in the child care home;
(B) the number and ages of children approved for care in the child care home;
(C) the number of children residing in the child care home;
(D) the CCS licensing compliance history with a description of each non-compliance;
(E) any other information regarding the child care home; and
(F) an assessment of the child care provider's ability to meet each child's needs.
(2) The CCS licensing supervisor's and resource specialist's approval is required for the child care home joint-approval.
(A) CCS reviews and approves or denies the child care home request for joint-approval and emails the decision to the resource specialist.
(B) The resource specialist scans the CCS email into KIDS DMS.
(C) The resource specialist reviews the request for the child care home joint-approval and documents the request approval or denial in KIDS Pre-Resource Contacts.
(D) When a joint consensus is not achieved, the dual approval committee, consisting of State Office CWS and CCS staff, makes the final decision.
(E) Following CCS approval to proceed with the child care home joint approval as an ICPC home, the resource specialist assigned to the incoming ICPC pre-resource follows OAC 340:75-1-86 to proceed with the assessment process as the ICPC request type requires.
(F) Upon approval, the resource specialist:
(i) saves all associated approval documents, including documents received from the RFP agency, to KIDS DMS; and
(ii) notifies the appropriate ICPC Program staff the approval is ready for review.
(3) Prior to placing any child in a jointly-approved child care home, the resource specialist completes Form 07LC099E, Dual Approval Request for Foster Care Placement. Completed Form 07LC099E is sent for approval to the child care licensing specialist.
(4) Placement is not made until the resource specialist receives an approved Form 07LC099E from the child care licensing specialist. The resource specialist documents approval in KIDS, scans a copy of signed Form 07CL099E into the KIDS Resource DMS, and files signed Form 07CL099E in the Resource file.
(5) CCS monitors the child care home for licensing purposes, and resource staff monitors the home as a resource home. All relevant information is shared between applicable OKDHS programs.
8. (a) OKDHS and tribal joint approval of resource homes. OKDHS cooperates and communicates with tribes in the joint-approval process of the resource home and during the OKDHS child's placement in the jointly-approved resource home.
(1) When a tribal resource home requests joint approval as an OKDHS resource home, the OKDHS resource specialist contacts DHS tribal program staff.
(2) OKDHS tribal program staff contacts the tribe and requests permission to assess the tribal home as an OKDHS resource.
(3) OKDHS tribal program staff notifies the resource specialist of the tribal decision.
(4) When the tribe is in agreement with joint-approval assessment, the resource specialist:
(A) e-mails the Tribal IV-E programs unit at tribalfostercare@okdhs.org. Tribal IV-E programs staff contacts the tribe and requests the tribal resource home's record and the tribe's recommendation regarding use of the tribal resource home as an OKDHS resource;
(B) reviews the tribal resource home's record and recommendation;
(C) updates all required information, including training;
(D) completes Form 04AF004E, House Assessment;
(E) completes an addendum; and
(F) submits the information to the resource supervisor for disposition.
(5) When the tribal resource home is approved as an OKDHS resource home, the resource specialist creates a KIDS Resource.
(6) When the tribe is in the process of assessing the potential applicant and the potential applicant is needed as an OKDHS kinship resource home for a specific child in OKDHS custody, the OKDHS resource specialist:
(A) contacts the tribe and requests permission to use the potential home for a kinship placement;
(B) completes the initial kinship process following a tribe's approval, per OAC 340:75-7-24;and
(C) includes the OKDHS Tribal program staff on the request and subsequent communications.
(7) When the tribe requests joint approval of an OKDHS resource home as a tribal resource home, the request is forwarded to OKDHS tribal program staff.
(8) OKDHS tribal program staff contacts the OKDHS resource specialist and requests permission for the tribe to assess the home's use as a tribal resource home.
(9) OKDHS tribal program staff notifies the tribe of the OKDHS decision.
(10) When OKDHS is in agreement with the joint approval, the tribe contacts the OKDHS resource specialist and requests the resource record and the OKDHS recommendation regarding the OKDHS resource's use as a tribal resource home.
(11) When concerns or disagreements arise during the joint approval process, OKDHS tribal program staff and the resource field manager facilitate the discussion with the tribe to resolve the concerns.
(12) OKDHS coordinates with the tribe to place the child in OKDHS custody in the jointly-approved resource home.
(b) Tribal home joint-approval as an ICPC home. The OKDHS or tribal resource home may be jointly-approved by both the tribe and ICPC when the home meets OKDHS standards; however, the total number of children placed in the jointly-approved home may not exceed the total number of children approved for the home.
(1) When the CW specialist assessing the incoming ICPC pre-resource identifies that the prospective ICPC placement is approved as a tribal home, the assigned specialist contacts the CWS OKDHS tribal program staff and verifies the tribal agency's agreement to share the home. The assigned specialist assessing the incoming ICPC pre-resource may share a copy of the initial ICPC request packet with the tribal agency for consideration the tribal home's joint use.
(2) OKDHS tribal program staff:
(A) contacts the tribe and requests permission to assess the tribal home as an ICPC home; and
(B) notifies the resource specialist of the tribe's decision.
(3) When the tribe is in agreement with joint-approval assessment, the resource specialist:
(A) contacts the tribe and requests the tribal resource home's record and the tribe's recommendation regarding use of the tribal resource home as an ICPC home;
(B) reviews the tribal resource home's record and recommendation to determine if the tribal study may be used for the joint certification or if a new RFA must be completed. Resource supervisor may consult with the field manager if needed to make this determination for ICPC:
(i) foster home requests, the field manager must agree the tribal RFA is sufficient in order to accept the tribal study and proceed with, C, D, E, and F of this subparagraph;
(ii) foster home requests, when it is determined the tribal home study cannot be used for the joint-certification, an RFA must be completed according to OAC 340:75-7-18, in order to provide an appropriate disposition for the ICPC foster request; and
(iii) relative home requests, the assigned resource specialist follows requirements per, OAC 340:75-7-24 in order to provide an appropriate disposition for the ICPC relative request; and
(C) updates all required information, including training;
(D) completes Form 04AF004E, House Assessment and 04AF007E Records Check Documentation;
(E) documents the family's suitability for approval as a jointly used resource on Form 04AF037E, Resource Conversion Addendum, and addresses the family's ability to meet the needs of children place in the home and of the prospective children placed through ICPC; and
(F) completes Form 04AF037E which is signed by the resource parent, resource specialist, and the resource supervisor with an approval effective date.
(4) Upon approval, the resource specialist:
(A) saves all associated approval documents, including documents received from the tribe, to KIDS DMS; and
(B) notifies the appropriate ICPC Program staff the approval is ready for review.
(5) Additional placements of a child in OKDHS custody are not permitted without written approval from the tribal agency and field manager.
