D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 29, r. 29-6003

Current through Register Vol. 71, No. 49, December 6, 2024

Rule 29-6003 - AGENCY RESPONSIBILITY TO FOSTER PARENT

6003.1

The following principles and rights are to govern the Agency's relationship with a resource parent.

A resource parent is entitled:

(a) To be recognized and valued as members of the child welfare team;

(b) To be treated with dignity, trust, and respect;

(c) To language translation in accordance with the Language Access Act of 2004;

(d) To not be subject to discrimination as provided in the D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977, as amended;

(e) To receive a printed copy of this section;

(f) To report rights violations and complaints without fear of retaliation;

(g) To receive a written explanation of the process for reporting and resolving rights violations and complaints;

(h) To a fair hearing if the agency modifies, suspends, converts, revokes, denies, or takes any other action concerning a license or an application for a resource parent license;

(i) To accurate information about the foster child, including the reason the foster child is in foster care within three (3) business days after placement;

(j) To medical records, including immunization records, within three (3) business days of placement;

(k) To be informed of the foster child's permanency plan, to be updated as to the progress of the achievement of that plan, and to be allowed to provide input into the plan;

(l) To be informed of decisions that impact the resource parent while ensuring the best interests and confidentiality of the foster child and his or her family;

(m) To be notified at least ten (10) business days prior to a change in placement except in the case of an emergency;

(n) To a fair hearing when a foster child has been removed from the home in accordance with Chapter 59 of the Title 29 of the DCMR;

(o) To communicate with professionals who work with a foster child including therapists, physicians, and teachers;

(p) To support in establishing and developing relationships with birth parents when appropriate and in the best interests of the foster child;

(q) To be included in the development of any service agreements for a foster child;

(r) To participate in decision- making, case-planning and permanency planning for a foster child;

(s) To receive notice and an opportunity to be heard in any proceeding held with respect to a foster child, in accordance with District and federal law;

(t) To accept or refuse placement and to request removal without fear of reprisal;

(u) To be considered a priority placement option (when appropriate, based on the circumstances and the best interests of the child) when there is a significant relationship with the child or when the resource parent previously provided care for a child who has re-entered foster care, or when a child becomes available for adoption;

(v) To appropriate supportive services, when available, that will enable the resource parent to meet the unique needs of the foster child and deal effectively with problems inherent in the foster child's adjustment to care;

(w) To a response as soon as possible by the agency to crisis situations that may arise from the foster child's placement in the foster home;

(x) To assistance in preparation for the separation of the foster child from foster care placement;

(y) To timely board and care payments;

(z) To have the payment criteria explained, including foster care board and care payments, clothing allowance, and any supplemental expenditures made to meet the foster child's needs;

(aa) To pre-service and in-service training;

(bb) To assistance in the selection, preparation, and completion of in-service resource parent training; and

(cc) To reasonable respite as allowed by agency resources.

6003.2

CFSA or the agency shall maintain regular contact with the resource parent and the foster child. For a foster child placed in a foster home, every visit shall include a private visit with the foster child outside the presence of the resource parent except in those cases where the foster child is less than three (3) years of age.

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 29, r. 29-6003

Final Rulemaking published at 48 DCR 6617 (July 27, 2001); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 51 DCR 8609 (September 3, 2004); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 54 DCR 11051 (November 16, 2007); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 59 DCR 10669, 10670 (September 7, 2012); amended by Final Rulemaking published at 65 DCR 3642 (4/6/2018); amended by Final Rulemaking published at 71 DCR 2859 (3/15/2024)

Authority: The Director of the Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA), pursuant to section 2(o) of the Child and Family Services Agency Establishment Amendment Act of 2000, effective April 4, 2001 (D.C. Law 13-277, D.C. Official Code § 4-1303.03 (a-1)(12) (2008 Repl.))