Re-licensing of Foster Care Homes
Procedure From Policy 900.0020: Licensing of Foster Care Homes
 
  • Foster homes are re-licensed every two years prior to expiration of the license.  Licenses remain in effect until completion of re-licensing activities.
 
  • RICHIST maintains a listing of all foster homes according to the date the license expires.
 
  • Three (3) months prior to expiration of the license, RICHIST generates a tickler alerting the assigned licensing worker about foster homes whose licenses will expire.  The fire inspectors are notified about foster homes whose fire inspections will be expiring.  The fire inspectors contact the foster parents and arrange an appointment to renew the fire report.
 
  • A re-licensing packet, which consists of an application (#036), the Foster Care Home agreement (#026) and a letter requesting the provider to call to schedule a home visit for re-licensing, is sent to the foster parent.
 
  • A follow-up by telephone call is made to foster parent if an appointment is not scheduled within two weeks.
 
  • A new Statewide BCI clearance is completed for all adults in the home.  If the foster parents or any household members over the age of eighteen (18) have not been fingerprinted, they must do so prior to re-licensing.
 
  • A DCYF Clearance is completed on all members of the household.
 
  • The primary service worker(s) of the child(ren) in the home and placement staff are asked for an assessment of the care provided.
 
  • The foster home record is reviewed for criminal and/or DCYF history and any observations, recommendations and entries made as a result of input received from primary service or placement staff.
1.     The home study is updated prior to the expiration of the license. The home study consists of one (1) or more home visits where information is gathered regarding every current household member, along with a visual home inspection.
2.     The results are documented in RICHIST.
 
J.     The completed home study update and DCYF/BCI clearances, Foster Care Home Agreement, approved fire inspection and fingerprints, if required, are forwarded to the licensing supervisor, along with a re-licensing recommendation.
 
K.     The licensing supervisor reviews the recommendation and either approves re-licensing or licensing action based on the above-mentioned material.
 
L.     If a licensing action is recommended, the foster parent(s) record is forwarded to the licensing administrator for appropriate action.
 
M.     The licensing administrator or designee reviews the record and makes the decision regarding re-licensing or licensing action.
 
N.     The signed license is mailed to the foster parent(s).