La. Admin. Code tit. 67 § V-7307

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section V-7307 - Initial Application

A. Initial Licensing Application Process-Foster Care, Adoption, Transitional Placing

1. An initial application for licensing as a child-placing agency provider shall be obtained from the department.

Department of Children and Family Services

Licensing Section

P. O. Box 260036

Baton Rouge, LA 70826

Phone: (225) 342-4350

Fax: (225) 219-4363

Web address: www.dcfs.louisiana.gov

2. A completed initial license application packet for an applicant shall be submitted to and approved by the department prior to an applicant providing child-placing agency services. The completed initial licensing packet shall include:

a. completed application and non-refundable fee;

b. current Office of Fire Marshal approval for occupancy as noted in §7313 B;

c. current Office of Public Health, Sanitarian Services approval as noted in §7313 B;

d. current city fire department approval as noted in §7313 B;

e. city or parish building permit office approval for new construction or renovations;

f. local zoning approval, if applicable;

g. organizational chart or equivalent list of staff positions and supervisory chain of command;

h. verification of experience and educational requirements for the program director;

i. list of consultant/contract staff to include name, contact info, and responsibilities;

j. list of all staff (paid, non-paid, and volunteers) and their position;

k. copy of the completed reasonable and prudent parent authorized representative form if providing transitional placing services to youth in DCFS custody,

l. three signed reference letters dated within 12 months prior to hire for program director attesting affirmatively to his/her character, qualifications, and suitability to manage the program;

m. copy of current general liability coverage;

n. copy of current property insurance or rental insurance for transitional placing locations;

o. copy of current insurance coverage for child-placing agency and staff owned vehicles used to transport children/youth; and

p. any other documentation or information required by the department for licensure.

3. If the initial licensing packet is incomplete, the applicant will be notified of the missing information and will have 180 calendar days to submit the additional requested information. If the department does not receive the requested information within the 180 calendar days, the application will be closed and the fee forfeited. After an initial licensing application is closed, an applicant who is still interested in becoming a child-placing agency shall submit a new initial licensing packet and fee to begin the initial licensing process.

4. Once the department has determined the initial licensing packet is complete, DCFS will attempt to contact the applicant to schedule an initial inspection; however, it is the applicant's responsibility to coordinate the initial inspection. If an applicant fails to schedule the initial inspection within 45 calendar days of the notification, the initial licensing application shall be closed and fee forfeited. After an initial licensing application is closed, an applicant who is still interested in becoming a child-placing agency provider shall submit a new initial licensing packet and fee to begin the initial licensing process.

5. After the completed application and non-refundable fee have been received by the Licensing Section, DCFS will notify the Office of State Fire Marshal, office of city fire department (if applicable), and Office of Public Health that an application for licensure has been submitted. However, it is the applicant's responsibility to request and obtain inspections and approvals.

6. Prior to a license being issued, documentation shall be submitted to the Licensing Section of a fingerprint-based criminal record check as noted in §7309 A, §7309 C, §7309 D, and/or §7314 A-F as applicable for all staff including owners, operators, volunteers, and contractors of the child-placing agency, as required by R.S. 46:51.2 and 15:587.1. CBCs shall be dated prior to the issue date of the initial license, but no earlier than 45 days prior to the application being received by the licensing section.

7. Prior to a license being issued, documentation shall be submitted to the Licensing Section of completed State Central Registry clearances noting no justified (valid) finding of abuse and/or neglect for all staff including owners, operators, volunteers, and contractors and shall be dated no earlier than 45 days prior to the application being received by the Licensing Section

8. Prior to a license being issued, documentation shall be submitted to the Licensing Section of completed out of State Central Registry clearances noting no justified (valid) finding of abuse and/or neglect for all staff including owners, operators, volunteers, and contractors that lived out of state within the previous five years. These clearances shall be dated prior to the issuance of the initial license, but no earlier than 120 days prior to the initial application being received by the Licensing Section. If the owner resided out of state since receiving the clearance, an updated SCR clearance is required.

B. Initial Licensing Inspection-Foster Care, Adoption, Transitional Placing

1. Prior to the initial license being issued to a child-placing agency, an initial licensing inspection shall be conducted on-site at the child-placing agency office and all transitional placing locations to ensure compliance with all licensing standards. The initial licensing inspection shall be an announced inspection. No child/youth shall be provided services by the child-placing agency until the initial licensing inspection has been performed, all deficiencies cleared, requested information received, and the department has issued an initial license. If the provider is in operation in violation of the law, the licensing inspection shall not be conducted. In these instances, the application shall be denied and DCFS shall pursue legal remedies.

2. Once the child-placing agency is compliant with all licensing laws and standards, required statutes, ordinances, rules, regulations, and fees, the department may issue a license to the provider. The license shall be valid until the expiration date shown on the license, unless the license is revoked or suspended. When a license is modified, a new license shall be issued. The license with the most current issue date supersedes all other licenses issued.

3. When issued, the initial child-placing agency license shall specify the services for which the child-placing agency is eligible to provide (foster care services, adoption services, and/or transitional placing services).

La. Admin. Code tit. 67, § V-7307

Promulgated by the Department of Children and Family Services, Division of Programs, Licensing Section, LR 37:823 (March 2011, Promulgated by the Department of Children and Family Services, Licensing Section, LR 45356 (3/1/2019), effective 4/1/2019, Amended, LR 46678 (5/1/2020), effective 6/1/2020.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 46:1407(D).