Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0250-04-09-.07 - FOSTER HOMES
(1) Definition. A
foster home is one providing substitute family care for a planned period of
time.
(2) The primary consideration
in foster care placement shall be the welfare of the child or pregnant woman
rather than the needs of the foster parents.
(3) Any out-of-state placement or a child
shall be in accordance with the Interstate Compact on the Placement of
Children.
(4) Approval of Foster
Homes
(a) The agency shall make a study of
foster home applicants prior to approval of the home for use. The study shall
be in writing before children or pregnant women are placed in the
home.
(b) The foster home study
shall be based on consideration of the following points.
1. Information obtained through interviews
with all members of the family living in the home. There shall be at least one
visit to the home.
2. The
applicants' motivation to provide foster care.
3. The applicants' financial
security.
4. Information obtained
through contracts with references, including nonrelatives.
5. The physical and mental health of the
foster parents and other family members.
6. The character, values, and ethical
standards of the foster family.
7.
The foster family's understanding of the need of children or pregnant women in
foster care.
8. The foster family's
ability to work cooperatively with the agency.
9. Health and fire safety conditions within
the home.
10. Reserved.
(c) The foster home study shall
include the caseworker's evaluation of the applicants' suitability as a
resource and recommendations as to approval of the home.
(d) When the foster home study is completed,
the applicants shall be informed in writing as to the disposition of their
application.
(e) If both foster
parents are employed outside the home, it shall be with the knowledge and
consent of the agency, and there shall be appropriate child care
arrangements.
(f) The foster home
shall be reevaluated annually in terms of the nine points listed in (4)(b)
above.
(5) Maternity
foster homes shall not have more than three (3) young pregnant women at one
time. A foster home may have no more than six (6) foster children placed in a
home. The foster home may exceed the six foster children maximum when:
(a) Exceeding the maximum would allow a
parenting youth to remain with his/her child;
(b) Exceeding the limit would allow a youth
with a meaningful relationship with a family to stay with the foster family or
be placed with the foster family;
(c) Exceeding the maximum would allow a
sibling group to remain together;
(d) Exceeding the maximum would allow for a
family with special training or skills to care for a child with severe
disabilities; or
(e) Exceeding the
maximum is determined to be appropriate by the Department.
(6) The foster home shall have no more than
two children under two years, including the foster parents' own children. With
two children under two years, there shall not be more than four children in the
home, including the foster parents' own children.
(7) The foster home shall not be used for
placement by any other agency or individual except by written agreement by the
agencies or individuals involved.
(8) The agency shall require foster parents
to participate in case planning when in the best interest of the
child.
(9) Agencies shall require
foster parents to participate in ongoing training including parenting
techniques and discipline and the detection, intervention, prevention, and
treatment of child sexual abuse.
(10) Maternity foster homes shall also
receive specialized appropriate training from the agency.
Notes
Authority: T.C.A. ยงยง 37-5-105, 37-5-106, and 37-5-502.
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