1. A. The Department of Human Services, the Department of Juvenile Justice and each child-placing agency shall develop:

   1. 1. A foster care education program to provide training for persons intending to furnish foster care services; and
   2. 2. Continuing educational programs for foster parents.

2. B.

   1. 1. In addition to any other conditions and requirements specified by the state agency or child-placing agency, as applicable, prior to placement of a child in foster placement other than kinship care, each foster parent shall have completed the training approved by the Department of Human Services, the Department of Juvenile Justice or the child-placing agency, as appropriate.
   2. 2. A foster parent providing kinship foster care shall, if possible, complete the training developed by the Department of Human Services for kinship foster care prior to placement or at such other times as required by the Department; provided, however, in no event shall such training take place later than one hundred twenty (120) days after placement of the child with such kinship foster parent. Until a kinship foster parent receives final approval from the Department to provide foster care services to a child, the kinship foster parent shall not be eligible to receive any payment for providing such foster care services.
   3. 3. Approved training shall require a minimum of twelve (12) hours of study related, but not limited, to physical care, education, learning disabilities, procedures for referral to and receipt of necessary professional services, behavioral assessment and modification, independent-living skills, and procedures for biological parent contact. Such training shall relate to the area of parental substitute authority, behavioral management techniques including, but not limited to, parent-child conflict resolution techniques, stress management, and any other appropriate technique to teach the foster parent how to manage the child's behavior in a manner appropriate to the age and development of the foster child.
   4. 4. The foster parent or person intending to provide foster care services may complete the training as part of an approved training program offered by a public or private agency with expertise in the provision of child foster care or in related subject areas.
   5. 5. Within three (3) months of certification, foster parents and kinship foster parents must participate in training for behavioral management techniques which shall include, but not be limited to information regarding restraining and holding techniques, and other techniques appropriate for controlling potentially violent behavior in a manner appropriate to the age and development of the foster child.
3. C. In order to assist persons providing kinship foster care, the Department shall immediately refer such kinship foster parents and the child for assistance under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program until the certification and training requirements have been completed.
4. D. Foster parent training programs may include, but need not be limited to, in-service training, workshops and seminars developed by the state agency; seminars and courses offered through public or private education agencies; and workshops, seminars and courses pertaining to behavioral and developmental disabilities and to the development of mutual support services for foster parents.
5. E. The Department of Human Services, the Department of Juvenile Justice and each child-placing agency shall provide statewide training, education, and continuing education programs for foster parents.
6. F. The Department of Human Services, the Department of Juvenile Justice or each child-placing agency shall notify a foster parent at least ten (10) business days in advance of the statewide scheduling of education, continuing education or foster parent training occurring near the vicinity of the home of a foster parent.
7. G. The Department of Human Services may also provide additional foster care training to a foster parent. A foster parent may request in writing to the Department of Human Services that additional foster parent training be provided.

Laws 1996, HB 2960, c. 353, § 12, eff. November 1, 1996; Amended by Laws 1997, HB 2133, c. 389, § 16, eff. November 1, 1997 (superseded document available); Amended by Laws 1998, HB 2826, c. 414, § 12, emerg. eff. June 11, 1998 (superseded document available); Amended by Laws 1999, SB 428, c. 2, § 4 (superseded document available); Amended by Laws 2000, HB 2452, c. 374, § 36, emerg. eff. July 1, 2000 (superseded document available).