1. (a) For former resource homes that have been closed and express interest in reopening, the Resource Worker will:

   1. (1) Complete new background checks (i.e., Child Maltreatment Central Registry check, applicable out-of-state child maltreatment checks if the applicant has lived or worked in another state outside of Arkansas in the last five (5) years, Division of Arkansas State Police Record check, Federal Bureau of Investigation background check, vehicle safety checks) on all appropriate members of the household regardless of whether previous background checks are still current;

   2. (2) Conduct a reevaluation of the prospective home as an annual reevaluation of any standing resource home would be completed to determine if the prospective resource home would still be an appropriate placement for a child in care, based on the following:

      1. (A) Date and reasons for closure;
      2. (B) Motivation to reopen;
      3. (C) Changes in circumstance since last closure;
      4. (D) Updated in home consultation report;
      5. (E) Recommendations;
      6. (F) Completed background check results;
      7. (G) Original home study; and
      8. (H) Home study updates completed prior to closure of the resource home;
   3. (3) Submit a reconsideration to reopen request to the Resource Family Review Committee via the Foster Care Manager for any resource home that was previously closed and has any history of child maltreatment investigations;
   4. (4) For resource homes closed two (2) years or less, in addition to the steps above, collect documentation of fifteen (15) hours of continuing education training completed;

   5. (5) For resource homes closed more than two (2) years, complete the steps above with the exception collecting documentation of fifteen (15) hours of continuing education training completed and:

      1. (A) Submit a recommendation to complete preservice training again; or
      2. (B) Submit a waiver request packet to exempt applicant from preservice training to include:

2. (i) Parenting experiences since resource home closure; and

   1. (ii) Training participated in related to trauma, behavior issues, child development, parenting, etc.; and
   2. (6) Notify resource parent of determination and any additional requirements to be completed prior to the resource home reopening, such as CPR/first aid, current physical report, current proof of insurance, etc.

3. (b)

   1. (1) *The exception to this requirement is for a family who is eligible for the streamlined adoption process per Arkansas Code § 9-9-701.
   2. (2) A family is eligible for the streamlined adoption process if the family has adopted a child from the Department of Human Services and then chooses to adopt another child from the department and the department selects the family to be the adoptive parents of a child in department custody.
   3. (3) An adoptive family is not eligible for the streamlined adoption process if more than five (5) years have passed since the adoptive family finalized the initial adoption.
   4. (4) If a family qualifies for the streamlined adoption process or if there are questions regarding a family’s eligibility for the streamlined adoption process, please consult with the local Office of Chief Counsel attorney for additional information and next steps.

Codification Notes: “CPR” means cardiopulmonary resuscitation. This section as promulgated prior to codification into the Code of Arkansas Rules provided as follows: "06/2022"