Title 7 . Health and Social Services

Chapter 56 . (Reserved)

Section 560. Verification for foster home licensing

7 AAC 56.560. Verification for foster home licensing

(a) The department may enter into an agreement authorizing an agency to inspect and evaluate applicants for a foster home or foster group home license or renewal of a license under 7 AAC 50 and to monitor the homes, if the department determines that the agency is qualified under AS 47.35 and this chapter to do so. The agreement may authorize an agency to

(1) obtain a completed application for a license or renewal of a license from the applicant;

(2) inspect and evaluate the proposed foster home or foster group home;

(3) request sanitation and environmental or fire safety inspections from authorities if inspections are required by applicable statutes, regulations, or considered necessary by agency;

(4) submit verification to the department that all requirements for licensure have been met; and

(5) provide ongoing monitoring and foster home or foster group home management under 7 AAC 56.570.

(b) Upon receiving verification that a home reviewed by the agency meets requirements under (a) of this section, the department will issue a license to the home. The department will review agency files related to those verifications at the time of licensure review of the agency. The department may inspect and investigate a home reviewed by the agency as part of the department's review of the agency's license.

(c) The department will perform evaluations and inspections for a license or renewal of a license for a foster home or foster group home of the agency, if the agency plans to recruit and place children in five or fewer homes.

(d) An agency conducting evaluations for a license for a foster home or foster group home must receive initial orientation from the department relating to foster home licensing requirements and procedures under AS 47.35 and 7 AAC 50 and shall develop written procedures, approved by the department, related to its methods of conducting investigations and inspections under (a) of this section.

(e) The authorization under (a) of this section includes authorization to perform evaluations for foster home licensing under emergency placement conditions according to 7 AAC 50.050. An agency shall submit the evaluation file for the foster home licensing, along with the agency verification described under (a)(4) of this section, to the department for issuance of the license.

(f) An agency authorized to act by an agreement under (a) of this section shall immediately report to the department any noncompliance with a requirement of AS 47.35 or this chapter that might cause risk to the life or safety of a child in care. The department will evaluate the report and, if the department determines that an investigation is warranted, will develop a coordinated plan for the investigation or delegate the investigation to the agency.

(g) The department may withdraw the agreement entered under (a) of this section after 30 days' notice to the agency if the department determines that the inspections and evaluations of the agency do not adequately reduce risk of harm to the children in care.

(h) An agency may make recommendations regarding license issuance, denial, or revocation of the license, but the decision to take the action recommended is solely the department's responsibility.

(i) All verifications made under this section must be on forms or in a format supplied by the department.

History: Eff. 1/1/2001, Register 156; am 3/31/2005, Register 173

Authority: AS 44.29.020

AS 47.35.010