Foster Care Services

PURPOSE: This rule sets forth the provisions for placement records, service plan, education, family relationships and visitation, agency supervision, termination of foster care, and birth parent case records. (1) Placement Records. (A) Within five (5) working days after the initial placement, the following shall be documented in the child’s record: 1. The circumstances leading to the need for foster care; and 2. Previous out-of-home placements. (B) Within five (5) working days after initial placement, the following shall be documented on a face sheet in the child’s record: 1. Name, birthdate, sex, race, Social Security number, and other identifying physical information; 2. Date of placement; 3. Name, address, birthdate, race, sex, Social Security number, and marital status of parent(s); 4. Name and address of legal guardian or custodian, if any; 5. Name(s) and whereabouts of sibling(s); 6. Religious preference of the child’s family; 7. Name and location of foster parent(s); and 8. The social worker(s) assigned to the child and parent(s). (C) A preliminary written service plan must be developed and documented in the child’s record within seventy-two (72) hours of admission. (D) If the child remains in care beyond an initial thirty- (30-) day plan, the written service plan must be modified to indicate the need for continued placement. (E) The plan must be based on the admission assessment and observations of the child’s adjustment into care. The service plan must identify and include: 1. The child’s needs in addition to basic needs for food, shelter, clothing, routine care, and supervision; 2. Specific strategies and their frequencies to meet the child’s needs, including instructions to foster parents; 3. Specific strategies and frequencies for family involvement, including a defined plan for visitation and engaging the family in services for the child; 4. The estimated length of stay; 5. Time limited goals and preliminary plans or discharge, including plans for reintegration into family and community; 6. The person(s) responsible for providing each service; 7. The initial educational plan for the child; and 8. The date and signatures of all participants involved in the service plan including the parents and child, if applicable. (F) If the only reason for foster placement is to place the child in a neutral setting prior to adoptive placement, the service plan requirement will be waived. (2) Service Plan. (A) The progress of a child and his/her family shall be evaluated at least every three (3) months, and the service plan shall be modified when appropriate. Evaluations shall be made by professional staff in consultation with foster parents, schools, medical practitioners, psychiatrists, psychologists, or others who have significant contact with the child(ren) or parent(s) and copies shall be provided to the parent(s), guardian and, if appropriate, the child. (B) Written documentation of the service plan review shall be kept in the child’s record. (3) Education. (A) The agency shall be responsible for determining that the educational needs of each child in placement are met. (B) An agency shall not place a child unless an educational program appropriate to the child’s needs can be provided. (C) An agency shall ensure that all educational programs are in accordance with Missouri law. (D) The educational progress of a child shall be continually evaluated, and such progress shall be included in the child’s three (3) months’ service plan review according to section 13 CSR 35-73.075(2)(A) of these rules. (E) Children excluded from school, or who are unable to benefit from usual school attendance, shall be provided education, training, or work experience consistent with their needs and abilities. (F) A foster home shall provide appropriate space and supervision for quiet study after school hours, and shall ensure that a child has access to sufficient reference materials and school supplies. (4) Family Relationships and Visitation. (A) An agency shall develop written visitation policies which shall allow visits between parent(s) and children unless parental rights have been terminated or visits are prohibited by court order. (B) Reasonable privacy shall be provided for visits with family members, relatives, and friends, for telephone calls and for written communications. (C) If visitation is permitted, flexible visiting hours shall be provided for parent(s) who are unable to visit at designated times. (5) Agency Supervision. (A) Each child in care and the foster parent(s) shall be visited as often as is necessary to support the placement, but at least once a month. Documentation of supervisory visits shall be placed in the child’s record and shall include information on the child’s adjustment and development. (B) At least one (1) visit each quarter shall be made in the foster home. (C) A chronological record, noting significant events and contacts with the child and documentation of supervisory visits shall be provided by the agency. (6) Termination of Parental Rights. When all efforts to restore a child to his/her family have failed, an agency shall initiate action to terminate parental rights. (7) Termination of Foster Care. (A) When foster care is terminated, an agency shall complete a written discharge summary within thirty (30) days of the date of termination of care. This summary shall be included in the child’s case record, and shall include: 1. The name, address, telephone number, and relationship of the person to whom the child is transferred or released; 2. A summary of services provided during care; 3. A summary of growth and accomplishments during care; 4. The assessed needs which remain to be met and alternate service possibilities which might meet those needs; and 5. A statement of an aftercare plan and identification of the person or agency responsible for follow-up services and aftercare. (B) A copy of the discharge summary, or a summary of the services provided should be made available to the person or agency responsible for the future planning or care of the child, upon request. (8) Birth Parent(s) Case Record. A record shall be maintained for the birth parent(s) of children in foster care which shall include: (A) Names, addresses, home telephone numbers, and addresses and telephone numbers where the parent(s) can be contacted at any time; (B) A record of all efforts put forth by the parent(s) to keep the child(ren) in their own home; (C) The reason(s) why foster care was necessary to ensure the safety and welfare of the child; (D) A signed agreement, including financial arrangements, for voluntary placements; (E) Conditions for the return of the child(ren) to the home; (F) A chronological record noting significant events and contacts with the child(ren), parent(s) and foster parents; (G) A written summary of visits between the parent(s) and child(ren); and (H) A closing summary. AUTHORITY: sections 207.020 and 660.017, RSMo 2016.* This rule originally filed as 13 CSR 40-73.075. Original rule filed Feb. 6, 1997, effective July 30, 1997. Moved to 13 CSR 35-73.075 and amended: Filed Sept. 7, 2018, effective April 30, 2019. *Original authority: 207.020, RSMo 1945, amended 1961, 1965, 1977, 1981, 1982, 1986, 1993, 2014 and 660.017, RSMo 1993, amended 1995.