Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 44, November 2, 2024
Section 2610.12 - Responsibilities of foster home care providers(a) There shall be a written agreement between the foster home care provider and the client, specifying the monthly charge for the foster home care services, and indicating the responsibilities of the foster home care provider and the client. A standardized form for this agreement shall be provided by the Department.(b) The foster home care provider shall insure, and shall so inform the client, that he: (1) Is not restricted in his right to leave and return to the foster home or group foster home.(2) Is free to receive visitors at mutually agreed upon times.(3) Has access to a telephone in the foster home or group foster home and can make local calls, in reasonable privacy, without charge. Arrangements shall be made with the client or a responsible person for payment of long distance calls.(4) Has access to the United States mail, can write and send uncensored mail at his own expense, and receive, unopened mail addressed to him.(c) The foster home care provider shall enable clients to keep in their rooms personal possessions as radios, pictures, plants, cards, and photographs. Items of furniture such as rockers, footstools, and chairs, may be kept in clients' rooms.(d) The foster home care provider shall observe and insure the client's right to privacy of self and possessions.(e) The foster home care provider shall help the client in developing or maintaining self-help skills, within his capacity, including, but not limited to: (1) Grooming and personal hygiene.(4) Utilization of agency resources.(5) Housekeeping-making his own bed; keeping bedroom orderly.(6) Taking part in social and recreational activities in accordance with the client's interests, abilities, and needs.(f) The foster home care provider shall perform needed tasks relating to self-help skills, when the client is unable to perform them for himself.(g) The foster home care provider shall pay clients for work they perform which is of consequential economic benefit to the provider. This work shall be paid for according to 29 CFR Part 529 under the Fair Labor Standards Act.(h) The foster home care provider shall encourage and assist the client to take part in activities included in, but not limited to those defined in the placement plan.(i) Laundry service for bed linens, towels, and personal clothing, shall be provided. The foster home care provider shall insure access to laundry equipment such as a washer, dryer, iron, and ironing board, for clients wishing to do personal laundry.(j) The foster home care provider shall, in cooperation with the administering agency:(i) Insure that each client visits, or is seen by, his physician at least annually, and as dictated by the client's health needs.(ii) Obtain emergency medical care, when the client's personal physician is not available.(iii) Insure that dental, eye, foot, and other medical services are made available to clients as necessary.(iv) Arrange transportation to enable clients to receive professionally prescribed health services.(k) The foster home care provider shall not enter into a contract to keep or care for a client for the remainder of his natural life.(l) The foster home care provider shall notify the administering agency immediately in event of an unusual incident or accident involving a client, a serious illness, or the client's death or impending death.(m) When the foster home care provider intends to close a foster home or a group foster home he shall submit to the Department a written statement of:(1) His intent to cease operation.(3) A guarantee that the foster home or group foster home will continue operation for a period of 30 to 60 days beyond the closing date for the relocation of clients, except in those cases where the Department determines that removal of the client at an earlier time is necessary for his health and welfare.(n) The foster home care provider shall maintain a master card file on each client, containing the information listed in § 2610.11(j) (relating to responsibilities of administering agencies).(o) The foster home care provider shall insure that first aid supplies, such as bandages, adhesive tape, bandaids, slings, cotton, sterile dressings, antiseptics, applicators, safety pins and scissors, are available in the foster home or group foster home. This section cited in 55 Pa. Code § 2610.11 (relating to responsibilities of administering agencies).