In addition to the criteria of §
67:42:01:06, a family foster
parent applicant or a licensed family foster parent shall meet the following
criteria before the applicant or foster parent may be licensed or relicensed as
a family foster parent:
(1) The
applicant or foster parent shall be at least 21 years of age and reside in a
single family home in South Dakota;
(2) No household member 18 years of age or
older other than a child placed in the home for foster care may have on record
a substantiated report of child abuse or neglect;
(3) No member of the applicant's or foster
parents household may have a conviction for any of the crimes specified in
§
67:42:01:05.01;
(4) The applicant or foster parent shall have
income that meets the needs of the existing family, independent of the foster
care maintenance payments;
(5) The
applicant's or foster parent's children, if any, shall be willing to accept a
child in foster care as a member of the family;
(6) The applicant's or foster parent's family
composition, needs, and relationships may not adversely affect a child in
foster care;
(7) If the applicant
or foster parent is employed outside the home, the child placement agency must
have approved the applicant's or foster parent's child care plan;
(8) If the applicant or foster parent is
married and both individuals are employed outside the home, the child placement
agency must have approved the applicant's or foster parent's child care
plan;
(9) The applicant or foster
parent shall have the ability to parent a child, which includes a basic
understanding of the child's physical and mental or emotional development and
the ability to fulfill the child's needs. The applicant or foster parent shall
have the ability to offer continuing care and guidance to a child throughout
the stages of development in a manner consistent with the social and cultural
heritage norms of the child. The applicant or foster parent must be able to
continue meeting the needs of the applicant's or foster parent's own children,
if any. The applicant or foster parent must display the capacity to provide
good care for children;
(10) At
least one applicant in the home shall have the ability to read and write;
and
(11) The applicant or foster
parent shall have reliable, legal, and safe transportation. Vehicles utilized
for transportation must be registered, insured, and equipped with safety
restraints. Each driver shall have a driver license.
The department may require a psychological evaluation and the
submission of medical records if during the application process or during the
period of licensure questions arise regarding the applicant's or foster
parent's emotional stability or the emotional stability of another household
member.
