Ariz. Admin. Code § 21-7-131

Current through Register Vol. 31, No. 2, January 10, 2025

Section R21-7-131 - Standards; Qualifications for Specific Positions

A. All positions, including executive positions shall:

1. Conduct themselves professionally and ethically;

2. Comply with federal and state laws and rules, Agency policies and directives;

3. Immediately correct problems to ensure the safety of children in care;

4. Maintain high standards of honesty, integrity, and impartiality, free from personal considerations, or favoritism;

5. Be courteous, considerate, and prompt in interactions with the children in care and service providers including the Department;

6. Conduct themselves in a manner that will not bring discredit or embarrassment upon the Agency or the Department;

7. Use sound, professional and ethical judgment;

8. Be accessible to representatives of the Department, and other governmental agencies. As used in this subsection, "accessible" means readily available to answer questions and address problems or emergencies that arise, either personally or through a chain of command; and

9. Be considered as potentially having contact with children and shall:

a. Obtain and maintain a Level One fingerprint clearance card and

b. Obtain a Central Registry clearance check in accordance with the requirements of this Chapter.

B. The licensee shall have a CEO whose role is to oversee the Agency, and who:

1. Is responsible for general management, administration, and operation of the Agency according to this Chapter;

2. Ensures that:

a. Each child in care receives necessary professional services including psychological; educational, medical and other services, as recommended by a professional in that field;

b. Appropriately qualified staff render services to children in their care; and

c. The Agency remains in compliance with all statutes and rules;

3. Shall have management experience and meet any other qualifications required by the governing body; and

4. Shall designate a qualified person to perform the CEO's responsibilities whenever the CEO is inaccessible.

C. The licensee shall have a Program Director whose role is to be responsible for the development, implementation and supervision of the Agency program and services, and who shall:

1. Be a resident of Arizona; and

2. Have at least one of the following sets of minimum qualifications:

a. A master's degree in social work or a related area of study in the human services field from an accredited school;

b. A bachelor's degree in social work or a related area of study in the human services field from an accredited school and two years' experience in the child welfare or child care services field; or

c. At least six years' experience in the child welfare or child care services field.

D. The licensee shall have direct care staff whose role is to supervise, care for, and nurture a child in care and shall have at least:

1. A high school diploma or equivalency degree and one year experience in providing direct care to children; or

2. One year post-high school education in a program leading to a degree in the field of child welfare, human services, or other related field of study.

E. The licensee shall have a supervisor whose role is to supervise, evaluate, and monitor the work of the direct care staff and who shall:

1. Meet the requirements of direct care staff; and

2. Have at least an additional two years of any combination of the following:

a. Paid child care or child welfare related experience, or

b. Post-high school education in social work or a related field.

F. Any licensee that operates more than one facility shall designate a person to supervise the operations of each facility.

G. A person may hold multiple positions with an Agency as long as that person meets requirements of each position held.

Ariz. Admin. Code § R21-7-131

New Section made by final rulemaking at 29 A.A.R. 2231, effective 11/6/2023.