1. (a)

   1. (1) The Department of Human Services, Division of Children and Family Services, has designated the Area Director or designee as having the authority to give consent for major decisions for children under the age of eighteen (18) whose parental rights have been terminated.
   2. (2) The Area Director or designee will make decisions regarding such consents with input from local division staff who work directly with the child, as well as other members of the child’s team such as the child’s attorney ad litem, Court Appointed Special Advocate, and therapist, as applicable.

   3. (3) Major decisions that require the Area Director’s or designee’s written consent include:

      1. (A) Marriage;
      2. (B) Entry into the United States Armed Forces;
      3. (C) Out-of-state or out-of-country travel; and
      4. (D) Media release that identifies the child as being in foster care (also requires consultation with the department Office of Communications, the department Privacy Officer, and the child’s attorney ad litem).

2. (b)

   1. (1) For youth eighteen (18) to twenty-one (21) years of age who elect to participate in the Extended Foster Care Program, the Area Director’s or designee’s consent is not required for the decisions listed above.
   2. (2) However, division staff will hold a staffing with the youth and the youth’s team to discuss the benefits and drawbacks associated with such decisions and to provide guidance to the youth as needed.

Codification Notes: This section as promulgated prior to codification into the Code of Arkansas Rules provided as follows: "01/2021"