The department's initial evaluation of the applicant includes three reference checks, personal interviews, a screening for records of abuse or neglect, a criminal record check, and on-site visits.

Based on the evaluation, the department shall determine whether to issue a license. A family foster home must complete an annual renewal study. Renewal of a license is based on the department's annual evaluation of the facility and care provided.

Except as otherwise provided, family foster parent applicants must complete an initial home study that includes at least one scheduled in-home interview for each household member. The department may elect to observe, rather than interview, a household member, based on the member's age or development. The initial home study must include three references, with at least one reference being a family member and at least one reference being a non-relative.

Source: 4 SDR 2, effective July 25, 1977; 7 SDR 66, 7 SDR 89, effective July 1, 1981; 10 SDR 48, effective November 21, 1983; 12 SDR 4, effective July 25, 1985; 20 SDR 223, effective July 7, 1994; 21 SDR 206, effective June 4, 1995; 27 SDR 63, effective December 31, 2000; 39 SDR 220, effective June 27, 2013; 47 SDR 24, effective September 10, 2020.

General Authority: SDCL 26-6-16(1)(2)(6)(10)(11).

Law Implemented: SDCL 26-6-11 , 26-6-16(1)(2)(6)(10)(11) , 26-6-23.2.

Prior versions effective: 2013-06-27.