1. (1) An 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 90 days after the initial request.
   3. (c) Allow Department staff to conduct an in-home safety assessment of conditions that appear to exist in the home that affect health, safety, and well-being for a child being served in their home through an open child welfare case or custody of the Department by providing access to each room in the primary residence of the applicant and each surrounding building and structure on the property of the 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 certified respite applicant's household.
   5. (e) Provide personal, family, and social history information to 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) Sign Department Authorizations for Use and Disclosure of Information as requested to allow the Department to contact an individual or an organization to complete a thorough background check of the applicant.
   8. (h) Allow the Department, at its discretion, to gather information regarding juvenile court involvement or law enforcement contacts of any child, not in the care or custody of the Department, who lives in the household when the Department determines there is reason to believe that the child may pose a risk to a child being served in their home through an open child welfare case or 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 respite applicant and each 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 applicant or other member of the household;
   2. (b) Consent to a criminal records check, as outlined in OAR 41-208-005 to 413-208-0035;
   3. (c) Information regarding any previous allegations of child abuse; and
   4. (d) Consent to a child abuse history background check, as outlined in OAR 413-205-0015.
   5. (e) Upon request, sign a Department Authorization for Use and Disclosure of Information.
   6. (f) Upon request, authorize the Department to contact and obtain information from an individual or organization in order to complete a thorough background check of the applicant or adult member of the household  and, if applicable, authorize the Department to disclose that information as necessary during the certification process, including disclosure to the Office of Administrative Hearings or the juvenile court.

3. (3) An certified respite 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 certified respite applicant’s choice; or
   3. (c) Making a verbal request to a certifier, or the supervisor of the certifier.
4. (4) A certified respite application may be considered withdrawn if, during the assessment process, the applicant fails to respond to a written request for contact from the certifier or the supervisor of the certifier within 30 days of the request.
5. (5) If a certified respite applicant moves to a new address, the application is considered withdrawn.

Statutory/Other Authority

ORS 418.005, ORS 409.050 & ORS 418.640

Statutes/Other Implemented

ORS 418.005, ORS 409.010, ORS 418.640, ORS 418.015, ORS 418.315, ORS 418.625, ORS 418.627, ORS 418.630, ORS 418.635, ORS 418.642, ORS 418.643, ORS 418.644, ORS 418.645, ORS 418.647 & ORS 418.648

History

CWP 54-2026, adopt filed 04/29/2026, effective 05/01/2026