1. (a)

   1. (1) The Division of Children and Family Services will recruit enough resources families to ensure that all children are placed in the least-restrictive, most family-like setting that meets each child’s individual needs.
   2. (2) Recruitment should result in an increased number of qualified, trained resource families in Arkansas.
   3. (3) The division will diligently recruit potential resource families that reflect the ethnic and racial diversity of children in care.

2. (b)

   1. (1) Targeted recruitment will take place for resource parents who are willing and able to meet special needs of children needing placement.
   2. (2) Targeted recruitment will begin with a diligent search and assessment of each youth’s relatives and fictive kin as placement potentials, both at the initial removal from the family home and continuing throughout the dependency-neglect case.

3. (c)

   1. (1) Recruitment of new resource families is an ongoing activity for which all staff are responsible.
   2. (2) However, the resource unit in each area will take the lead role in the recruitment process.

   3. (3) Recruitment efforts include, but are not limited to:

      1. (A) Participation from current resource parents;
      2. (B) Development of local and statewide media campaigns; and
      3. (C) Collaboration with community organizations.

4. (d)

   1. (1) As part of resource home recruitment, each county may host information meetings to explain the steps to becoming a resource home as well as the responsibilities that resource parents have to children and their families who are involved with the division.
   2. (2) The information meeting will also help attendees better determine if they want to apply to become resource parents.
   3. (3) Prospective, traditional resource parents are strongly encouraged to attend an information meeting prior to beginning the application process.
   4. (4) Neighboring counties may hold joint information meetings to better accommodate schedules and maximize staff time.

5. (e)

   1. (1) Recruitment does not end when a resource home is opened.
   2. (2) It must be sustained with retention efforts.
   3. (3) The division will retain quality resource homes by ensuring good communication with and support to resource families.

Codification Notes: This section as promulgated prior to codification into the Code of Arkansas Rules provided as follows: "06/2022"