(a)

1. (1) The agency shall select the home that is:

   1. (A) In the best interest of the child;
   2. (B) The least restrictive possible; and
   3. (C) Matched to the child’s physical and emotional needs.
2. (2) The placement decision shall be based on an individual assessment of the child’s needs.

(f)

1. (1) The number of children placed into one (1) therapeutic foster home shall not exceed two (2), except to keep a sibling group together.
2. (2) In that case, up to a maximum of three (3) children may be placed into the home.
3. (3) The sibling group shall be the only children placed into the therapeutic foster home.
4. (4) There shall be no more than five (5) total children in the home, including the foster parent’s children.
5. (5) This includes placement or respite care.
6. (6) In the case of an emergency respite placement that would exceed capacity, the agency shall notify the Child Welfare Agency Licensing Unit the next business day.

(g)

1. (1) Before placing more than one (1) child, therapeutic or otherwise, in a home, the agency shall consider extraordinary problems and needs of each child, for example:

   1. (A) Violent behavior;
   2. (B) Sexual offenses; and
   3. (C) Seizure disorders.
2. (2) Justification of the appropriateness of placing a child in a home with another child shall be documented.

(h) Nontherapeutic foster children may be placed into therapeutic foster homes under any of the following circumstances:

1. (1) The nontherapeutic foster child is a sibling of the therapeutic foster child;
2. (2) The nontherapeutic foster child is the child of the therapeutic foster child;
3. (3) The nontherapeutic foster child was previously a therapeutic foster child placed in the foster home; or
4. (4) The nontherapeutic foster child is placed as an emergency placement for a maximum of twenty-one (21) days.

(i)

1. (1) Before placing a nontherapeutic foster child into a therapeutic foster home with a therapeutic foster child, the agency shall consider the potential risk to the nontherapeutic foster child.
2. (2) Justification of the appropriateness of placing a nontherapeutic child in a home with another therapeutic foster child shall be documented.

3. (3) The agency shall maintain 9 CAR § 30-301 et seq., standards in reference to the:

   1. (A) Nontherapeutic foster child’s record; and
   2. (B) Services the agency provides to the child.

(j)

1. (1) No new placements of children shall occur with foster parents who have not satisfied the annual training requirements.
2. (2) Administrative-level staff designated by the agency director may grant an exemption to this restriction for up to sixty (60) days.
3. (3) The administrator shall review the quality of care provided by the foster parents and the reasons for failing to complete the training on time in deciding whether to grant an exception.