(a) For former TFC foster homes that express interest in opening as a Division of Children and Family Services foster home, the Resource Worker will:

1. (1) Request a referral on the family from their former TFC provider;
2. (2) If the referral is positive, complete new background checks on all appropriate members of the household regardless of whether previous background checks are still current;
3. (3) Once background checks have been verified, conduct an in-home consultation visit (see Procedure VII-C2) with the family;

4. (4)

   1. (A) Verify that the foster parent applicants have completed preservice training within the past two (2) years.
   2. (B) If the applicants have not completed preservice training within the past (2) years, refer the family to MidSOUTH for preservice training upon successful completion of all background checks and the in-home consultation (see Procedures VII-C3: Initiation of Pre-Service Training and VII-C4: Pre-Service Training);

5. (5)

   1. (A) Verify that the foster parent applicants have current CPR and standard first aid certification.
   2. (B)

(c) (c) American Red Cross.

1. (ii) First aid training provided through the National Safety Council must be the standard first aid, not basic first aid.

   1. (C) If the family does not have current CPR and standard first aid certification, assist the family in accessing appropriate training;

2. (6)

   1. (A) If the foster home has been closed less than one (1) year, verify that the foster parent applicants have completed fifteen (15) hours of continuing education related to fostering within the past calendar year.
   2. (B) If the family has not earned fifteen (15) hours of continuing education within the past calendar year, they are responsible for obtaining the remaining hours.
   3. (C) However, the time spent during the in-home consultation visit and orientation may count toward the fifteen-hour continuing education requirement;
3. (7) If the family will not be attending preservice training, ensure that the individual conducting the home study receives the completed SAFE Questionnaire I;
4. (8) Arrange for a SAFE home study to be completed on the family (see Procedure VII C-5: Home Study);

5. (9) If the family’s SAFE home study is approved, ensure that:

   1. (A) The CFS-475: Initial Checklist for Foster/Adoptive Home Assessment is completed;
   2. (B) Any safeguard measures deemed necessary have been implemented; and
   3. (C) Any requested alternative compliances or policy waivers have been approved;
6. (10) Invite the County Supervisor to accompany them on the final face-to-face visit and final visual inspection of the home;
7. (11) Conduct a final face-to-face visit with the prospective foster parents and a final visual inspection of the home (preferably with the County Supervisor);
8. (12) Review the approval packet with the family;
9. (13) Complete the CFS-462: Initial Foster Home Agreement with the family and file it in the foster home record; and

10. (14)

    1. (A) Enter a disposition as to the approval/denial of the foster home within three (3) working days of receipt of the Area Director‘s approval or denial.

    2. (B) If the recommendation is approval, then:

       1. (i) If the orientation has not already taken place, schedule a date for a county or area orientation session for newly approved foster parents;
       2. (ii) Complete provider alternate care screen in CHRIS if family has determined they are willing to serve as an informal respite home and, using CFS-419: Foster Family Support System (FFSS) Information, enter all appropriate identified foster family support system individual members including information on their cleared background checks (see 9 CAR § 40-814 alternate care for children in out-of-home placement);
       3. (iii) Enter begin date on availability status on provider service status screen and request approval on provider service detail screen in CHRIS;
       4. (iv) If the family has indicated interest and been approved to foster children/youth with specific characteristics, identify the appropriate disability willing to accept selection under the preferences tab in the provider services/admission criteria button; and
       5. (v) File the approval letter in the foster home record.

    3. (C) If the recommendation is denial, then:

       1. (i)

(b) (b) See 9 CAR § 40-807, denial of a resource home applicant, and document in provider contact information screen in CHRIS;

1. (ii) End date the foster family service on the provider services tab selecting the appropriate reason for end date; and

   1. (iii) Specify why the home was denied in the comment box on the provider services tab.

(b) The County Supervisor or designee is encouraged to participate in the final face-to-face visit and final visual inspection of the home with the Resource Worker.

1. (c)
2. (1) The Area Director or designee will if appropriate, approve the Resource Worker‘s request for approval in provider service detail screen in CHRIS to finalize the approval of the foster family.
3. (2) Upon approval, CHRIS automatically provides the foster family approval letter to be printed, mailed, and filed in the foster home record.