Minimum staffing requirements.

1. A sufficient number of members of the direct care staff must be on duty and available at all times to ensure proper care for foster children. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the minimum number of members of the direct care staff in a foster home per foster child is: Type Age Range Staff/Foster Child Ratio Specialized Foster Homes 0-5 years 1:4 6-18 years 1:6 Family Foster Homes 0-18 years 1:6 Group Foster Homes 0-18 years 1:8 Staffing ratios specified in this subsection apply to each foster home in addition to the limitations provided in NAC 424.160 . 2. Each specialized foster home must have a minimum of one member of the direct care staff available to provide care within the specialized foster home pursuant to an alternative plan of supervision approved by the child and family team and documented in the treatment plan developed for each child pursuant to NAC 424.630 . 3. Each foster home shall ensure that the children in the foster home are cared for as needed. Additional staff may be required at the discretion of the licensing authority if the licensing authority determines it is necessary because of, among other factors, the behavior and treatment needs of the children. 4. When directed by an agency which provides child welfare services, a specialized foster home may be required to provide a minimum of one member of the direct care staff who must be awake and on duty in the home during a child’s normal sleeping hours. A specialized foster home may not use an outside child care facility that is not part of the treatment plan of a child to meet staffing requirements. 5. The licensing authority may approve exceptions to the specified staffing ratio upon determining that the needs of the children in foster care will be met and when acceptable alternatives are presented. The limitations set forth in subsection 4 of NAC 424.160 relating to the number of children for which foster care may be provided must not be exceeded.