Iowa Code r. 441-202.4 - Selection of facility
(1) Placement
consistent with the best interests and special needs of the child shall be made
in the least restrictive, most family-like facility available and in close
proximity to the child's home. Race, color, or national origin may not be
routinely considered in placement selections.
(2) Efforts shall be made to place siblings
together unless to do so would be detrimental to any of the children's
physical, emotional or mental well-being. Efforts to prevent separating
siblings, reasons for separating siblings, and plans to maintain sibling
contact shall be documented in the child's case permanency plan.
(3) The department shall first consider
placing the child in a relative's home unless no relatives are available or
willing to accept placement or such placement would be detrimental to the
child's physical, emotional or mental well-being.
a. If a relative or a suitable person who has
a kinship bond with the child will accept placement of the child:
(1) The person shall sign Form 595-1489,
Non-Law Enforcement Record Check Request.
(2) The department shall complete record
checks as listed in 441-subrule 113.13(1) to evaluate if the person's home is
appropriate for the child before making the placement.
(3) The department worker shall make a
referral to the recruitment and retention provider to initiate an informational
contact with the kinship caregiver. The recruitment and retention provider will
inform the kinship caregiver about the monthly kinship caregiver payment as
outlined in rule 441-156.6 (234) and explain the
process of becoming a licensed foster parent.
b. Efforts to place the child in a relative's
home and reasons for using a nonrelative placement shall be documented in the
child's case permanency plan.
(4) Foster family care shall be used for a
child unless the child has problems that require specialized services that
cannot be provided in a family setting. Reasons for using a more restrictive
placement shall be documented in the child's case permanency plan.
(5) A foster family shall be selected on the
basis of compatibility with the child, taking into consideration:
a. The extent to which interests, strengths,
abilities and needs of the foster family enable the foster family members to
understand, accept and provide for the individual needs of the child.
b. The child's individual problems, medical
needs, and plans for future care. The department shall not place a child with
asthma or other respiratory health issues in a foster home where any member of
the household smokes.
c. The
capacity of the foster family to understand and accept the child's case
permanency plan, the needs and attitudes of the child's parents, and the
relationship of the child to the parents.
d. The characteristics of the foster family
that offer a positive experience for the child who has specific problems as a
consequence of past relationships.
e. An environment that will cause minimum
disruption of the child including few changes in placement for the
child.
(6) A foster group
care facility shall be selected on the basis of its ability to meet the needs
of the child, promote the child's growth and development, and ensure physical,
intellectual and emotional progress during the stay in the facility. The
department shall place a child only in a licensed or approved facility which
has a current contract with the department pursuant to 441-Chapter 152.
This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 234.6(6) "b."
Notes
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