- (a) When an agency places a child into a facility regulated under AS 47.32 and 7 AAC 50, the responsibility for the child's care becomes a joint responsibility between the agency and the facility. The facility must meet the requirements for the type of facility specified in its license issued under 7 AAC 50. The agency is not required to duplicate activities, such as care and treatment planning, being carried out by the facility; however, the agency shall participate in the planning, including providing information about the child required by 7 AAC 50. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of this section regarding time frames and any specifics of care, requirements of 7 AAC 50 for the facility control.
- (b) An agency that operates a residential child care facility to serve runaway children under 7 AAC 50.615 or that designates shelter homes for runaway children under AS 47.32 and the requirements of 7 AAC 50.620 must have a program of care for serving runaway children as described in 7 AAC 50.615(c). The agency may provide the program on site at the agency's residential child care facility or in the agency's office.
- (c) When an agency is placing a child in state custody under an agreement, child placement responsibilities become a joint responsibility between the agency and the department. The agency is not required to duplicate activities, being carried out by the state placing worker. However, at a minimum the agency shall obtain prior approval from the state placing worker for the initial placement of a child in a placement setting and for any subsequent placement.
- (d) If the child placing worker who is assigned to a child is different from the one assigned to the child's parent, the agency shall arrange for at least monthly consultations between the workers regarding progress toward achievement of a permanent placement plan for the child.
- (e) A worker who notes concerns or significant changes in the child or placement setting shall promptly inform all workers assigned to the child or the child's family of the concerns.
- (f) An agency shall ensure continuity of casework management responsibilities in the absence of the worker for an extended period, such as a vacation or sick leave.
- (g) An agency may not place a child in a home of another agency, unless the receiving agency has given prior approval for the placement of the child.
(Eff. 1/1/2001, Register 156; am 7/1/2022, Register 242)
Authority: AS 44.30.020, AS 47.32.030