Section 2604 - Responsibilities of county and private agenciesCounty and private agencies shall provide the following to resource families:
(1) Notification of scheduled meetings by the county or private agency concerning a child residing with a resource family in order to actively participate and have input into the service and permanency planning process regarding the child.(2) Support services to assist in the care of the child, consistent with the child's approved permanency plan.(3) Open, complete and timely responses from the county or private agency when contacted by the resource family regarding the role of the resource family and the care of the child.(4) Information about the child's medical history, general behavior and relationship with his or her parents shall be provided to the resource family as soon as that information is obtained by the county or private agency. Within a reasonable amount of time the agency shall also provide information to the resource family concerning the educational history, life experiences and previous and prospective placement circumstances of the child.(5) Consultation with the resource family in the development of the permanency plan.(6) Consultation with the resource family in the decision to release the resource family's address to the child's parent and to be informed prior to such information being shared with the child's parent.(7) Assistance with the coordination of services that may be deemed necessary due to resulting family loss and separation upon a child's departure from the resource family's home when such relocation is not the result of an immediate threat to the health and safety of the child caused by the resource family.(8) Information on all county or private agency policies and procedures that relate to the role of a resource family.(9) Any appropriate training deemed necessary to enhance the skills and performance of the resource family.(10) Information on how to receive services and reach county or private agency personnel on a 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week basis.(11) Confidentiality regarding allegations of abuse involving a member of the resource family. The provision of confidentiality shall not interfere with the safety of the child.(12) Opportunity to be heard regarding agency decisions or practices involving a child residing family. The agency shall not discharge, threaten or otherwise discriminate or retaliate against a resource family for an appropriate inquiry regarding the decisions or practices of an agency that affect a child residing with the resource family.2005, Nov. 22, P.L. 404, No. 73, §4, effective in 60 days [ 1/23/2006].