PURPOSE: This rule describes the quality of care to be provided by foster parents. It further lists the diuision’s expectations concerning education and training, moral and religious training, discipline, chores and work, recreation and leisure, earning and spending money, supervision and transportation. Responsibilities of foster parents to the legal custodian are also listed.
- (1) Foster parents shall cooperate in the division’s delivery of social services to the foster child’s natural parents.
(2) Physical Care.
(A) The foster parent(s) shall work with the agency to provide all necessary medical and dental care for each child.
- 1. The foster parent(s) shall obtain medi-
cal and dental examinations for the child immediately following placement and at least annually thereafter unless provided by the agency.
- 2. The foster parent(s) shall keep the
agency informed of any health needs of the child.
- 3. The foster parent(s) shall respond to
emergency medical needs in accordance with agency policies and procedures and/or local legal requirements.
- 4. The foster parent(s) shall not disclose
confidential medical and social information.
- (B) The foster parent(s) shall provide a routine for foster children for the establish. ment of good personal hygiene.
(C) The foster parent(s) shall provide food of quality and quantity sufficient to meet the nutritional requirements of the foster child according to his/her age and activities. All
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foods shall be prepared, served and stored under sanitary conditions. (D) The foster parent(s) shall provide clothing appropriate to the foster child’s age and of quality and quantity similar to other children in the community. Where it is appropriate and possible, foster children shall be allowed to participate in the selection of their own clothing. (E) Care of foster children shall not be combined with regular partor full-time care of other children, nonrelated aged individuals orwithanyotherserviceorbusinessconducted in the home without the written approval of the licensing agency. (3) Education and Training. (A) The legal custodian (the individual or agency having responsibility for the care, custody and control of a child) or the representative of the licensed child placing agency shall have the authority to determine the educational and vocational plan for the foster childincooperation with thenaturalparent(s), foster parents and child of appropriate age, twelve (12) and above. (B) Foster parent(s) shall observe the legal requirements and the plan of school attendance developed by the legal custodian. (4) Moral and Religious Training. (A) Foster parent(s) shall provide for the moral training of foster children in care and shall make opportunities available for religious education and attendance of services compatible with the child’s religious heritage, provided that this training would not be injurious to the foster child’s physical, mental or emotional health. (B) A foster child needs to retain his/her individuality in foster care. (5) Discipline. (A) Discipline shall be used in a construe tive, fair and consistent manner. Foster parents shall not use corporal punishment ,, . against foster children. (B) No foster child shall be subjected to verbal abuse, derogatory remarks about him/herself or members of his/her family or to threats to expel the child from the foster home. (C) No foster child shall be subiected to abuse or neglect as defined in sections 210.110-210.165. RSMo 11936). (D) One (1) child shali not’be permitted to discipline another child in a foster home. (E) No foster child shall be deprived of mail or family visits as a form of discipline. (6) Chores and Work. I .. (A) No foster child shall be used for soliciting funds or in any other manner exploited by the foster family.
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- (B) The foster parent(s) shall provide work and chore experience for foster children that is appropriate to the age, health and abilities ofeachindividualchild. Choresandworkshall not interfere with the foster child’s time for school, study periods, play, sleep, normal community contacts or visits with his/her family.
- (C) The foster parent(s) shall differentiate between chores which foster children are expected to perform as their share in family living and specific work assignments or opportunities as a means of earning money either in or outside the foster family.
- (D) The foster parent(s) shall not require or permit work which requires the foster child to operate dangerous or hazardous equipment or machinery unless adequate safety equipment and proper adult supervision are provided.
- (E) Foster children shall not be required to perform chores or work which is different in amount and type from the community standard for natural children.
- (7) Recreation and Leisure. Foster parent(s) shall provide opportunities for social and physical development through recreation and leisure time activities.
(8) Earning and Spending Money.
- (A) The foster parent(s) shall make every reasonable effort to provide opportunities for experience in earning, spending and saving money based on age and individual requirements of each foster child.
- (B) The foster parent(s) shall provide allowances from the monthly foster care payments, when opportunities to earn money are not available.
- (C) The foster parent(s) shall not require an employed foster child to pay room and board.
- (D) Foster children shall not be permitted to drive any vehicle without insurance covw age and a proper operator’s license.
- (E) Foster children shall not be permitted to own or operate firearms or motor vehicles without written authorization from the legal custodian and proper training.
(9) Supervision.
- (A) The foster parent(s) shall provide supervision at all times appropriate to the foster child’s age and individual needs.
- (B) The foster parent(s) shall not release a foster child to anyone without prior approval from the legal custodian.
(10) Transportation.
(A) The foster parent(s) shall provide proper insurance coverage if foster children are transported in a family car. Safety standards for the vehicle shall be within the minimum requirements of the law.
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- (B) The foster parent(s) shall cooperate with the agency in providing transportation as indicated by the individual needs of each foster child such as medical and dental appointments, educational or training programs and counseling.
(11) Responsibility of Foster Parent(s) to Child’s Legal Custodian.
- (A) The foster parent(s) shall keep the legal custodian informed of the foster child’s progress while in their care. They shall consult with the legal custodian regarding care, training and plans for the foster child whenever more than the da-to-day routine is involved.
- (B) The foster parent(s) shall consult with the legal custodian before taking or allowing the foster child to go on vacation trips or visits to the foster child’s relatives.
- (C) The foster parent(s) shall secure the approval of the foster child’s legal custodian before making plans for the care of the foster child by other persons for any period in excess ^ of twe&four-(24) hours.
- (D) The foster parent(s) shall notify thelegal custodian as so& as possible of en&gencies involving the foster child. This requirement in no way relieves the foster parent(s) from first taking action, such as obtaining emergency medical treatment for the child before notifying his/her legal custodian. This includes serious illness or injury requiring medical treatment,unauthorizedabseneefrom the home or other situations in which sound judgment dictates that the legal custodian be notified. iEi The foster oarentis) shall allow the leeal custodian a reasonable period of time in which tomakesuitableplansforthefosterchild when the foster parents have requested the child’s removal. The foster oarent(si shall eive the legal custodian two (aj weeks’ advuncewitten notice when requesting removal of a child unless there is an emergency. The advance written notice must include an explanation of the reason why the foster parent is requesting the child’s removal. Q Foster children shall not be permitted to use or be known by the foster parent(s) surname, unless the child, child’s parent(s) and legal guardian give their consent in writing.
(G) Thefosterparent(s) shallnotify thelegal custodian at least thirty (30) days prior to moving out-of-state.
Auth: section 210.221, RSMo (1986j. Original rule filed May 10,1978, effectiue Sept. 11, 1978. Amended: Filed June 28, 1983, effectiue Nou. 11,1983.
m 13 CSR 40-60-SOCIAL SERVICES