1. (1) A relative applicant must comply with all of the following requirements:

   1. (a) Complete a Department application.
   2. (b) Complete all paperwork and written requests for information required by the Department in a timely manner and no later than 30 days after the initial request.
   3. (c) Allow Department staff to conduct an in-home safety assessment by providing access to each room in the primary residence of the relative applicant and each surrounding building and structure on the property of the relative applicant unless the building or residence is a self-contained, separate-entry residence rented to or owned by another individual.
   4. (d) Allow Department staff to have face-to-face contact with all members of the relative applicant's household.
   5. (e) Provide personal, family, and social history information to the Department.
   6. (f) Provide information about any current or previous licenses, certifications, or applications for relative care, foster care, child care, adoption, guardianship, or any other types of services for vulnerable individuals including adult caregiving. Information must include the organization's name and any denials, suspensions, revocations, or terminations.
   7. (g) Allow the Department, at its discretion, to gather information regarding juvenile court involvement or law enforcement contacts of any child who lives in the household when the Department determines there is reason to believe that the child may pose a risk to a child in the care or custody of the Department and, if requested, authorize disclosure of the records regarding such information to the Department.

2. (2) Each relative applicant and each other adult member of the household must have face-to-face contact with a Department certifier and must provide:

   1. (a) Information regarding criminal involvement, including arrests and convictions regarding any relative applicant or other member of the household;
   2. (b) Consent to a criminal records check as described in OAR 413-208-0000 to 413-208-0035.
   3. (c) Information regarding any previous allegations of child abuse; and
   4. (d) Upon request, authorization for the Department to contact and obtain information from an individual or organization by signing a Department Authorization for Use and Disclosure of Information so the Department may complete a thorough background check of the relative applicant or adult member of the household. If applicable, authorization for the Department to disclosure any information obtained as necessary during the certification process, including disclosure to the Office of Administrative Hearings or the juvenile court.

3. (3) A relative applicant and a relative resource parent must:

   1. (a) Have supportive relationships with adults and children living in the home.
   2. (b) Exercise sound judgment and demonstrate responsible, stable, emotionally mature behavior;
   3. (c) Maintain conditions in the home that provide for the safety, health, and well-being for the child in the care or custody of the Department placed in their home and be able to meet the safety, health, attachment, and well-being needs for that child;
   4. (d) Have a lifestyle and personal habits free of criminal activity, and abuse or misuse of alcohol or drugs;
   5. (e) Allow the department to conduct a home environment check;
   6. (f) Understand and agree to department discipline requirements;
   7. (g) Possess the ability to apply the reasonable and prudent parent standard when determining whether to allow a child in the care or custody of the department to participate in extracurricular, enrichment, cultural, and social activities;
   8. (h) Ensure the child in the care or custody of the department placed with the relative resource parent is taught age-appropriate health and hygiene practices and is given the opportunity to practice good hygiene;
   9. (i) Have the physical and mental capacity to care for a child in the care or custody of the department. Upon request, be willing to authorize information to be shared with and by medical and mental health providers;
   10. (j) Respect, accept and support the race, ethnicity, cultural identities, national origin, immigration status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disabilities, spiritual beliefs, and socioeconomic status, of a child in the care or custody of the department and provide opportunities to enhance the positive self-concept and understanding of the heritage of the child in the care or custody of the department; and
   11. (k) Use reasonable efforts to prevent anyone from influencing any child regarding allegations in a judicial or administrative proceeding in which the family or legal guardian of the child or another individual may be involved.

4. (4) A relative applicant may voluntarily withdraw the application by:

   1. (a) Completing a form provided by the Department;
   2. (b) Submitting a written request to the Department in a format of the relative applicant’s choice; or
   3. (c) Making a verbal request to the Department.
5. (5) An application may be considered to be withdrawn if, during the assessment process, the relative applicant fails to respond to a written request for contact from the Department within 30 days of the request.
6. (6) An application is considered withdrawn if a relative applicant moves to a new address prior to issuance of a Relative Temporary Certification of Approval, or if applying to be a potential adoptive resource, prior to issuance of an adoption home study.

Statutory/Other Authority

ORS 418.005 & ORS 409.050

Statutes/Other Implemented

ORS 409.050

History

CWP 14-2026, minor correction filed 02/25/2026, effective 02/25/2026
CWP 20-2025, amend filed 12/23/2025, effective 01/01/2026
CWP 12-2025, adopt filed 08/07/2025, effective 08/11/2025
CWP 3-2025, temporary adopt filed 02/14/2025, effective 02/17/2025 through 08/15/2025