Title 7 . Health and Social Services

Chapter 56 . (Reserved)

Section 400. Preplacement services for a child

7 AAC 56.400. Preplacement services for a child

(a) A worker for a child shall become acquainted with the child and the child's family before placement, except when a child is placed on an emergency basis.

(b) A worker shall help a child one year of age or older to understand the reasons for placement and prepare the child for the new placement. A worker must have at least one talk with a child in the case of foster or residential placement and two talks with a child in the case of adoption or guardianship. The talks shall be of sufficient time to cover

(1) why the child is being removed from the child's home, if applicable;

(2) where the child is going to live;

(3) how the child feels about these events;

(4) as applicable, the arrangements for visits with the child's birth parent, siblings and extended family that have been made; and

(5) other issues significant for the child.

(c) An agency shall provide counseling to children two years of age and older being considered for adoption or guardianship. Counseling must include exploration of the child's understanding of what is taking place and the child's feelings about adoption or guardianship, separation, and loss of family issues related to the birth family.

(d) A worker shall plan and participate in at least one preplacement visit to the placement setting, except when placing under emergency or respite conditions or for international adoptions. The worker shall be available to the child, the birth parents, and placement setting for follow up supportive services following the placement.

(e) If applicable, the agency must maintain at least quarterly contact with the child being considered for adoptive or guardianship placement, including

(1) continued preparation for adoption; and

(2) updated information concerning the adoption.

(f) Before or within one week of placement, an agency shall arrange for a health examination for a child by a licensed physician, physician's assistant, or public health nurse in accordance with the early periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment (EPSDT) schedule set out in 7 AAC 43.452. If the child has received such an examination current according to the EPSDT schedule for a child ages birth to three years, and within one year for a child ages three years and older, and the agency has a copy of the report, the health examination is not required under this subsection.

(g) An agency shall ensure that a child three years of age or older who is in a placement setting is given a dental examination by a licensed dentist. The dental examination must be before or arranged at the time of placement unless an examination has occurred within the preceding six months of placement, and the agency has a copy of the report.

(h) If the agency determines that the placement will be no longer than 30 days, a medical and dental examination described in (f) and (g) of this section are not required. However the exception contained in this subsection does not preclude provision of medical services if needed by the child or as recommended by the medical provider for well infant care.

(i) In cases of international adoption, the agency shall arrange for the medical and dental examinations required by (f) and (g) of this section as soon as possible after placement, but in no case later than 30 days after placement.

History: Eff. 1/1/2001, Register 156

Authority: AS 44.29.020

AS 47.35.010