Section 214-RICR-10-00-1.17 - Licensing of Foster Care HomesA. The Department makes every effort to maintain children in their own homes. When the home environment is clearly contrary to the child's best interests, care of the child outside of the home may be necessary to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the child.B. The Department provides the child with an out of home placement which: 1. is least disruptive to the child and family;2. includes the placement of siblings together unless the serious specific needs of one or more child justifies separation;3. offers the child the most familiar and family-like setting possible; and4. encourages and promotes stability and permanency for the child.C. The Department gives utmost consideration to placing a child in a relative or kinship foster home prior to seeking a non-relative placement.D. The Department places children who need placement outside of the natural home in licensed foster and adoptive homes or licensed group care facilities. 1. A child must not be placed in a non-kinship placement if that placement does not have an active license.2. Licensed non-kinship foster homes that are pending license renewal are considered active.E. The Department's licensure process utilizes the same standards in licensing all kinship and non-relative prospective foster and adoptive homes.F. The Department encourages individuals of varying life styles to apply for a foster home license. The Department considers the prospective foster parent's interest and commitment to child caring, and willingness to assist and contribute to the development and growth of children, as well as the foster family's acceptance and support of the child(ren) into the family unit.G. The prospective foster parent must be twenty-one (21) years of age, must provide the Department with the information necessary to verify compliance with required standards, must participate in the foster care licensing study process and must complete foster parent training. Every licensed foster home is reevaluated and re-licensed every two (2) years in order to ensure that the home continues to meet the required standards, in accordance with the Part 40-00-3 of this Title, Foster and Adoption Regulations for Licensure.214 R.I. Code R. 214-RICR-10-00-1.17
Adopted effective 12/27/2018