14 Del. Admin. Code § 936-II-41.0

Current through Reigster Vol. 28, No. 6, December 1, 2024

Section 936-II-41.0 - Pre-Approval Visits and Home Study

41.1 A licensee shall meet in the applicant's home at least two times, with one of these meetings including interviews with each household member.

41.2 A licensee shall conduct a home study on an applicant and household members and provide a written evaluation addressing the following issues:

41.2.1 Motivation to provide foster care;

41.2.2 Willingness and ability to work cooperatively with an agency for the child's best interests;

41.2.3 Plan to integrate a child into the household, and a plan for discussing foster care with the child;

41.2.4 Attitude of each household member and other significant person involved with the applicant toward accepting a child;

41.2.5 Applicant's attitude toward a birth parent or guardian of a child;

41.2.6 Applicant's attitude toward and a plan for a child's visitation with a birth parent or guardian, biological sibling, and other family members if in the child's best interests;

41.2.7 Emotional strengths and weaknesses of an applicant and how the applicant sees himself or herself and all other household members;

41.2.8 Philosophy on child-rearing, positive behavior management, parental role, and experience with children;

41.2.9 Communication and problem-solving skills, including willingness to seek help and resources;

41.2.10 Proof of income to show an applicant can make timely payments for shelter, food, utility costs, clothing, and other household expenses before adding a foster child or foster children to the home;

41.2.11 State of marital and family relationships;

41.2.12 Family history, including a description of early home life;

41.2.13 Documentation of any private custody arrangement/order and any involvement in family court regarding custody issues:

41.2.14 Information on medical conditions, including physical and mental health issues including any history of drug or alcohol abuse or treatment which might affect an applicant's ability to care for a child;

41.2.15 Adjustments of any child already living in the applicant's home;

41.2.16 Child care plan when the applicant works;

41.2.17 Description of the applicant's home, including an assessment of the home's physical environment, neighborhood, and school district;

41.2.18 Type of child sought for foster care;

41.2.19 Determination of the type of child an applicant and other household members are able and willing to accommodate such as a certain age group (infant, toddler, preschool-age, school-age, or teenager), biological siblings, or a child with special needs, including the home's accessibility;

41.2.20 If applicable, household pets;

41.2.21 If applicable, experience in caring for a child with special needs;

41.2.22 If applicable, an applicant's motivation to care for a child who is of a different race, to deal with the child's possible transitions to a new lifestyle and culture, and efforts to preserve the child's heritage;

41.2.23 A recommendation concerning the type of child suitable or not suitable for placement with an applicant;

41.2.24 Assessment of training needs and documentation of training received; and

41.2.25 Documentation of home visits and interviews with an applicant and other household members.

41.3 A licensee shall ensure a copy of a home study is signed and dated by the applicant and provided to the applicant.

14 Del. Admin. Code § 936-II-41.0

23 DE Reg. 233 (09/01/19)
24 DE Reg. 274 (9/1/2020) (final)