9 CAR § 30-520. Child placement agency responsibilities

(a)(1) The child placement agency (“agency”) shall provide the foster parents with the information necessary to provide adequate care to each foster child. (2) The agency shall provide foster parents with instructions for contacting agency personnel any time. (b) Each agency shall assign a caseworker to each child who is responsible for doing: (1) Assessments; (2) Case planning; and (3) Casework services. (c) The agency shall ensure that casework staff visit with the child face-to-face at least: (1) Once per week during the first three (3) months after the child’s placement with the agency; and (2) Every other week thereafter. (d)(1) The agency shall ensure that each child in foster care has a medical exam at least annually. (2) Medical exams need not be repeated during the year if a child moves from one (1) facility or agency to another, provided the results of the exam are available to the receiving facility or agency. (e)(1) The agency shall remain legally responsible for the supervision and decision-making regarding foster children. (2) Foster parents have daily responsibility for the care of the children. (f) The agency shall have a written plan that provides foster parents with timely reimbursements for costs of care and fees for services. (g) The agency shall develop respite care and babysitting policies. (h) Respite care: (1) Shall occur in an agency-approved foster home; and (2) Shall not exceed fourteen (14) consecutive days. (i) Caseworkers shall be responsible for managing no more than twelve (12) children’s cases. (j)(1) The agency shall have a written program description that is available to: (A) Residents; (B) Parents; and (C) Guardians. (2) The following information shall be included: (A) Program philosophy and mission; (B) Services and treatment modalities; (C) Treatment planning procedures; (D) Behavior management program and expectations of each child; (E) Admission, exclusion, and discharge criteria; and (F) Aftercare services. (k) The agency shall keep documentation that includes: (1) Prior treatment documents and intake information; (2) Assessments; (3) Master treatment plan; (4) Treatment plan review; (5) Ongoing observations; (6) Medication and physician’s instructions, if applicable; and (7) Progress notes. (l) The agency shall establish procedures for hearing children’s grievances. (m) The agency shall have written policies governing the supervision and monitoring of children: (1) In the home; (2) On the grounds; and (3) In the community. (n) The agency shall have written policies to: (1) Protect children in the program; and (2) Ensure public safety. (o)(1) If the agency receives a report of noncompliance with licensing standards, the agency shall investigate the report of noncompliance. (2) A report of findings and any corrective action shall be maintained in the foster home record. (3) The investigation shall be completed within sixty (60) days of receiving the report of noncompliance unless good cause is documented. (p)(1) The agency shall maintain a record for each foster family that contains all information and documentation required by licensing standards. (2) This record shall include: (A) Complete and signed application; (B) Approval letter; (C) Home study; (D) Minimum age verification; (E) Three (3) positive references from a nonrelative; (F) Initial physical exam; (G) Pre-service training verification; (H) Initial and current criminal background, Child Maltreatment Central Registry, and Federal Bureau of Investigation checks, as required; (I) Initial and current CPR and first aid certification; (J) Current health immunizations of children or exemption; (K) Current auto insurance; (L) Current homeowner’s or renter’s insurance and general liability insurance; (M) Current rabies vaccinations for household pets as required by law; (N) Documentation of annual training; (O) Social media confidentiality documentation; (P) Surveillance documentation, if applicable; (Q) Safety plans; (R) Floor plan; (S) Approved annual water system test, if applicable; (T) Approved alternative fire escape route, if applicable; (U) Documentation of quarterly monitoring visits, including unannounced visits; (V) Documentation of annual reevaluations; (W) Reports of noncompliance with licensing standards, including findings and any corrective actions; and (X) Closing summary. (q) If the home closes, the agency shall prepare a closing summary, including reasons for closure. (r) The agency shall promptly notify Arkansas’s office of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children, Arkansas Code § 9-29-201 et seq., upon discharging a child from outside Arkansas. (s) The agency shall approve and document the use of all surveillance devices used in the home.