Authority – The Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services (MDCPS or

Authority – The Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services (MDCPS or Department) is endowed by the Mississippi Legislature with the power to create rules and regulations regarding:  a. Approving, extending, denying, suspending and revoking licenses for foster homes, congregate care providers (residential child-caring agencies) and child-placing agencies;  b. Conditional licenses, variances from Department rules and exclusions;  c. Basic health and safety standards for licensees; and  d. Minimum administration and financial requirements for licensees. MDCPS is further authorized to: a. Define information that must be submitted to the Department with a license application;  b. Establish guidelines for the administration and maintenance of client and service records, including staff qualifications and staff-to-client ratios; c. Issue licenses in accordance with this chapter;  d. Conduct surveys and inspections of licensees and facilities;  e. Establish and collect licensure fees;  f. Investigate complaints regarding any licensee or facility;  g. Have access to all records, correspondence and financial data required to be maintained by a licensee or facility;  h. Have authority to interview any client, family member of a client, employee or officer of a licensee or facility;  i. Have authority to revoke, suspend or extend any license issued by MDCPS; and  j. Require a reduction in the number of children or increase in staff, depending upon the individual needs of the children placed in the facility or if the agency is currently under a Corrective Action Plan (CAP).