Section 30. Child-placing agency requirements

A. The child-placing agency that approved the home shall have face-to-face contacts with the foster parents at least monthly. Child-placing agencies may contract with licensed providers to conduct the in-home contacts with the foster parent.

B. Child-placing agencies shall have an appointed case worker on call and available to make face-to-face contact if necessary to provide services to the child and the foster family 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

1. Child-placing agencies may contract with licensed providers to perform this service.

2. Supervisory consultation to the on-call worker shall be available 24 hours per day, seven days per week and may be a service obtained through a contract with a licensed provider.

C. The child-placing agency shall monitor and document the contractor's performance if they choose to contract out the activities in subsections A and B of this section in accordance with the department's Child and Family Services Manual, Chapter E Foster Care, Section 14, July 2011.

D. Additional training shall be provided to the foster parents receiving an enhanced maintenance payment based on the needs of the foster parent and the children in care. Foster parents and adoptive parents prior to finalization of the adoption receiving enhanced maintenance payments shall be consulted on their training needs.

E. The foster care service plans developed for a child for whom enhanced maintenance is paid shall include but not be limited to:

1. Measurable goals, objectives, and strategies for the foster or adoptive parent and the child-placing agency in addressing the identified needs of the child;

2. Provisions for providing training for the foster or adoptive parents consistent with the identified needs of the child;

3. Provisions for services to prevent placement disruption and maintain a stable placement; and

4. The method developed jointly by the child-placing agency and the foster or adoptive parent to document the child's progress.

F. This section is not applicable in cases where a final order of adoption has been issued.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 30, Issue 06, eff. January 1, 2014.

Statutory Authority

§ 63.2-217 of the Code of Virginia; 42 USC § 673.