Host Home Application

R501-12-5. Foster Parent Requirements. (1) Foster parents shall: (a) be in good health and emotionally stable; (b) be able to provide for the physical, social, mental health, and emotional needs of the foster child; (c) be responsible persons who are 18 years of age or older; (d) be able to communicate with the child, DHS, health care providers and other service providers; (e) have at least one functionally literate applicant in the home able to read medication labels and other critical information; (f) provide documentation of legal residential status; (g) have the ability to help the foster child thrive; (h) not be dependent on foster care reimbursement for their own expenses, outside of those expenses directly associated with providing foster care services; (i) provide updated medical, social, financial, or other family information when requested by the Office or Agency; (j) follow federal, state and local laws and ordinances; and (k) not engage in conduct that poses a substantial risk of harm to any person or that is illegal or grounds for denying a license under Section 62A-2-112. (2) DHS employees shall not be licensed or certified as foster parents for children in the custody of their respective divisions, unless they qualify as a “relative” to the child in accordance with Section 78A-6-307. An employee may provide foster services for children in the custody of a different division only with the prior written approval of both divisions’ directors in accordance with DHS conflict of interest policy. (3) Foster parents shall cooperate with the Office, Agency, courts, and law enforcement officials. (4) Each foster parent shall read, acknowledge, and comply with the Office of Licensing Provider Code of Conduct. (a) Foster parents shall not abuse, neglect, or maltreat a child through any act or omission. (b) Foster parents shall not encourage or fail to deter the acts or omissions of another that abuse, neglect, or maltreat a child. (5) No more than two children under the age of two, including children who are members of the household and foster children, shall reside in a foster home. (6) No more than two non-ambulatory children, including children who are members of the household and foster children, shall reside in a foster home. (7) Except as provided by Section 62A-2-116.5 and Subsection R501-12-5(8), no more than four foster children shall reside in a licensed foster home and no more than three foster children shall reside in a certified foster home. (a) The capacity limits of foster homes may be exceeded under the conditions outlined in Section 62A-2-116.5. Foster homes, as defined in Subsection 62A-2-101(19), shall remain in continual compliance with foster care rules established by the Office. (8) Foster parents may provide respite care in their home as long as they remain in compliance with licensing rules in regards to each child placed for foster and respite care. Foster parents may provide respite care when the additional foster children exceed their licensed capacity only as follows: (a) Respite care is limited to a maximum of 10 days within any 30 day period. (i) For a foster child who is not part of a sibling group, each day of respite for each individual foster child counts as one day of respite care. (ii) For a foster child who is part of a sibling group, each day of respite for a sibling group receiving respite in the same foster home at the same time counts as one day of respite care. (b) There must be no licensing sanctions currently imposed, including corrective action plans or conditional licenses. (c) Total number of foster and respite children in a home at one time shall not exceed six unless but one or two of the children are part of a single sibling group. (9) Respite care can be provided by an unlicensed caregiver only for kinship providers as approved by DCFS as a means to maintain familiar connections. (a) Unlicensed kinship respite caregivers are still subject to licensure background screening requirements and a DCFS staff walk-through of the home for safety approval. (10) A foster parent shall report major changes or events to the Office or Agency within one business day. (a) A major change includes: (i) the death or serious illness of a member of the foster parent’s household; (ii) change in marital status; (iii) loss of employment; (iv) change in household composition, such as the birth or adoption of a child, addition of household members, or tenants; (v) allegations of abuse or neglect of any child or vulnerable adult against any member of the foster parent’s household; or (vi) anything defined as a “critical incident” in Rule R501-1. Page 4 of 11 Page 5 of 11 (b) The Office or Agency may evaluate major changes to determine necessary actions which may include an update to the home study; implementation of a safety plan; amendments to the license certification; request for new references or examinations; or Agency action in the form of a penalty. (11) A foster parent shall report any potential change in address in advance to the Office or Agency. (a) Licenses and certifications are site specific. (b) An adjoining dwelling with a separate address that is not accessible from the foster home is not considered part of the foster home site. (c) A foster child shall not be moved into a home that is not licensed or certified to provide foster care except as allowed in R501-1 provisions for relocation of a license. (d) Foster providers must reside at the license location. (e) In the event of a separation or divorce, a provider who no longer resides at the licensed location shall be removed from the license certificate and must apply for a separate initial license and meet licensing requirements in the new residence in order to become licensed at the new location. (i) The provider remaining in the home shall demonstrate the ability to continue to meet the financial and other foster care licensure requirements and an update to the home study shall be completed. (12) Foster parents shall offer nutritious, balanced meals that meet each foster child’s individual needs.