Section 214-RICR-30-00-1.8 - Kinship CareA. The Department maintains a child in his or her home whenever possible; however, certain events in a child's life may require consideration of placement outside the home. The Department must provide the child with an out-of-home placement which is least disruptive to the child and family, which offers the child the most familiar and family-like setting possible and which encourages and promotes stability and permanency for the child. Therefore, the Department gives first consideration to a relative, kinship or fictive kinship placement for the child prior to seeking a non-relative placement.B. Within thirty (30) days following the removal of a child from the custody of the parent(s) of the child, the Department exercises due diligence to identify and provide written notice to all the following relatives: adult grandparents, parents of a sibling of the child where such parent has legal custody of such sibling, and other adult relatives of the child (including any other adult relatives suggested by the parents) subject to exceptions due to family violence and/or child safety. The notice includes the following information: 1. The child has been or is being removed from the custody of the parent or parents of the child;2. The options the relative has under federal, state and local law to participate in the care and placement of the child, including any options that may be lost by failing to respond to the notice;3. The requirement(s) to become a foster family home and the additional services and supports that are available for children placed in such a home; and4. The option to receive kinship guardianship assistance payments.C. If a child is already residing in an unlicensed kinship foster home, or if it appears that the best interests of the child will be served by placing the child in the home prior to licensing, the Department may authorize the placement in the home pending licensure for a period not to exceed six (6) months, provided that the Department has conducted a Child Abuse and Neglect Registry Check in accordance with § 10-00-1.7 of this Title and a statewide and nationwide criminal records check to include fingerprinting of all eligible household members.D. If the Department is unable to complete the licensing process within six (6) months of the child's placement in the kinship foster home and if the Department determines that continued placement of the child in the home is in the child's best interest, the Department will file a petition with the Family Court to seek authorization to allow the child to remain in the kinship foster home pending completion of the licensing process. The Department provides notice of all such petitions to the Office of the Child Advocate, the child's parent/guardian, and the CASA attorney.214 R.I. Code R. 214-RICR-30-00-1.8
Adopted effective 12/27/2018