General Requirements

(1) The issuance and continuation of a license shall depend upon adherence to these standards. (2) Agencies conducting independent living programs which serve children under the age of 17 in a communitybased or off-campus setting shall be licensed as a child-placing agency. (3) Family boarding homes and group care homes shall maintain confidentiality in accord with the ethics of the social work profession and the provisions of T.C.A.. §37-2-408. The agency shall act in the best interest of the client insofar as this does not violate the social responsibility of the agency for the protection of the community. All records must be maintained in a fire-resistant, locked file. (4) All family board homes and group care homes must have written policies and procedures for reporting incidents of abuse or neglect of children in accordance with Tennessee State Law. These policies should clearly set forth the roles and responsibilities of all parties involved in both the reporting and investigative process. (5) All family boarding homes and group care homes shall keep accurate statistical records which give the complete scope of the work of the agency. (6) Reports shall be made to the Department as follows: (a) Monthly and annual statistical reports shall be completed on forms provided by the Department. (b) Change in the-facility’s location shall be reported-at or prior to time of change. (c) Death, or life-threatening illness or injury to any child in care of the agency shall be reported immediately to the legal guardian ‘and the Department’s licensing division. (d) Any known or suspected incidents related to brutality, abuse, neglect, or child sexual abuse shall be reported to the local office of the Department of Children’s Services and the Department’s licensing division. (e) All major emergency situations must be reported as soon as possible. (f) Chapter 1, Report on School Age Children ( 5 to 17, inclusive) in Foster Family Care, Supported by Public Funds. (7) The annual application for licensure must be submitted to the Department and signed by the Chairman of the Board and/or the Executive Director of the Child Welfare Agency. The annual application for approval of a public agency must be submitted to the Department and signed by the Executive head of the agency,