General Requirements

(1) All private agencies placing children in temporary foster homes, for adoption, or in other foster care placement shall be specifically licensed to exercise this function by the department. (2) The standards set up by the department with reference to the placement of children shall be adhered to in all respects by agencies so licensed. (3) All public agencies placing children in temporary foster homes, for adoption, or in other foster care placements shall meet the standards of private, licensed, child-placing agencies. (4) A maternity home agency shall have office facilities adequate to meet its needs, including accessibility to the public, adequate space for staff, and an area which provides privacy for interviewing clients. (5) A maternity home agency shall maintain professional confidentiality in accordance with the ethics of the social work profession. 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. (6) A maternity home agency shall keep accurate statistical records which give the complete scope of the work of the agency. (7) Reports shall be made to the department as follows: (a) Monthly and annual statistical reports completed on forms provided by the department. (b) Change in location reported at or prior to time of change; (c) Death, or life-threatening injury to any child in care of the agency reported immediately.