Section 17-893-11 - Social services The organization shall have a social service program which reflects the latest standards established-by the United States Children's Bureau and which includes:
(1) Application services. (A) The organization shall study every application for placement of a child to determine the desirability of separating the child from the family and placing the child in foster care;(B) The organization shall consider information in the application regarding past and current experiences and problems of the child in order to determine the type of services best suited to meet the child's needs;(C) If at all possible, the organization shall help the child remain with the child's parents or legal guardians. However, if it is determined that a foster home placement is in the best interest of the child, the organization shall -provide services to help the child and family understand the meaning of separation and the benefit from the services available from the child placing organization;(D) The organization shall arrange for temporary care in case of an emergency need for placement until the application study is completed and a decision made regarding continuing care;(E) Parents or guardians shall be fully involved in the application process and in planning for the child, and the rights of parents or guardians shall be respected;(F) The organization shall take appropriate legal action to protect children who are without responsible parents or legal guardians;(G) The child shall be placed in a foster care facility that meets the requirements of chapters 17-890 and 17-894;(H) Each child, the child's parents or guardians, and the foster care facility shall be prepared for the particular placement;(I) Written and signed agreements between the organization and parents or guardians with regard to placement, financial arrangement, and authorization for dental, medical, and surgical diagnoses and treatment shall be secured;(J) A written tentative plan of service, which shall include the purpose and duration of placement, shall be developed for each child. The organization shall re-evaluate the plan at least semi-annually;(2) Home finding services. (A) The organization shall recruit and develop foster homes to meet the needs of children served;(B) The organization shall make a complete study of each proposed foster home which, shall include: (i) An evaluation of the applicant's motivation to provide foster care;(ii) The compatibility of the foster parent couple and adjustments of the foster parents' own children, if any; and(iii) The ability of the couple or single. person to provide foster care;(C) The organization shall keep a separate record on each home used which shall include: (i) An application from the foster parents stating the foster parents' interest in providing foster care;(ii) A report of the study of the foster home;(iii) A record of the children placed in the home;(iv) An annual evaluation of the foster home or a biennial evaluation of the foster home if the criteria in sections 17-890-6 and 17-890-6 are met;(v) A written agreement between the organization and the foster parents regarding board payments and responsibilities of the organization and the foster parents; and(vi) A written agreement between the organization and the parents or guardians regarding board payments and responsibilities of the organization and parents or guardians;(3) Continuing services. (A) The organization shall provide children in foster care with continued' casework services to ensure that the social, physical, emotional, educational, and intellectual needs of the children are being met;(B) The organization shall offer the parents or guardians casework services in relation to the child's needs;(C) There shall be visits to the foster home on a planned basis to insure that services to the children are being provided;(D) The organization shall provide health supervision and medical and' dental care for all children in placement, which shall include: (i) Preplacement physical examination by a licensed physician;(ii) Provision for care when ill;(iii) Inoculations and vaccinations as required by the state department of health;(iv) Periodic health examinations according to the age of the children as required by the state department of health;(v) Test for tuberculosis in accordance with current recommendations of the state department of health;(vi) Dental examination and care by a licensed dentist; and(vii) Psychological testing, evaluations, and treatment as necessary;(E) The organization shall provide children in foster care with opportunities for education in accordance with individual needs and potentialities;(F) The organization shall consider the religious faith or preference of the children and parents or guardians in the selection of a foster care facility for placement;(G) The organization shall provide opportunities for the children to participate in leisure time activities and to develop special interests and abilities. These opportunities may be provided through the use of community resources or through individual instruction; and(4) Discharge and after care services. Before discharge of the child from foster care, the organization shall take responsibility for evaluating the suitability of the discharge and after care plans for the child.[Eff 7/19/82; am and comp 7/30/92; am 9/16/96] (Auth: HRS § 346-17) (Imp: HRS § 346-17)