Attachment 8 -- AD08-002 Enhanced Criminal Background Check for those Contacting Foster Children.pdf

{-*ci811inaj &&.pa;oua& Checks d 9 for Individuals Coming In Contact with Foster Children: Admiaaistrative Directive ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ - ~ - ~ ~ - ~ ~ p

~ ~ ~ ~ - p ~ - ~ ~ / Sob-ject: Criminal Bsekgrrrannd Cheeks for ~ndivideral-1 Administrative Directive 08-002: I i with Foster Children I 1

N/A

Cameron Gilliland

/ Aimual Review Date: / Technical Support Contact: 1 See Idaho Code 39-1 21 1 I December 15 I Shirley Alexander 1 Location: DHW InfoNet ( Total ff of Pages including 1 I & FAGS Yeain Site 1 attachments: 2

- - - - - - I ~rogralnas Affected: C%ildr&i md Fanlily Services

I See IDAPA 16.05.06

Background Per IdaJ:ri Code 39-121 1 and irr accc~rdarpcc x.+iifE, IDA.4 16.05.06, criainal background and child abuse 1-egislr-:;

checks are required for all aclillts I8 or over in a fanlily seeking to becoil-ne liccnsed as foster pzrents.

Fui-then~~ore, Department standards direci that federal IV-E and IV-B funds may not be used to pay for the case of children in ~mlicensed homes.

In the nor~nal day-to-day activity of children in ioster care, there are numerous occasio~ls when childrcu are involved with or provided temporary care by adults who have not had a baclcground check. This directive provides guidance to staff about when foster parents zn$/or staff should consider the need tor a baclcground check. The goai of this guidaixe is to help assure the safety ~f children wl~iie reducing the burden on foster pa-e~lts and other aifu!ts in a child's Iife with compliance M-lth t h ~ background check process.

Rational Foster children prmi-ticipate in music Iessons, sporting events, ~coutiilg~ ai-id other ~ormal activities of chiidhcsd t.liat i~iclude engagement with adults who have not had a background check. l'hey also are provided care and supervision by 'baby sitters': child care providers, and respite providers in the absence of their foster parents.

~ ~ : ~ r aI2 j foster parents ;irz to Gse a 'reasolyabiy prudeilt stalldard for dzrCmnlinirig wilen 3 background check should be required. A rcasc~fiaRLy prudent person is an individuai who ases good judgment or c o ~ i l n ~ o ~ l sense jn hzndljng practical matters. The actions of a person exercising C ~ i l l l l l G i l sense iil s siiiii1a.r situation are the guide in deternlining wl-nether an individuzl's actions are reasonable.

Pn!iap When a child in Dspa%lleilt custody is pro?,~ided care aild supei-vision in a cl~ild care setting oil a reg~zlar basis.

the center or provider must have conlpleted a crilllinal backgrouild chccli and l-nlust bc licensed if requirzd bj state and local licer~sii-ig requiremetlts. For paid respite care, all providers must have a backgroui-nd check. Any caregivers providing unpaid extendeJ respirc care that exceeds 45. hours of carc must ilzve a backgroul-id check.

The typc of backgrcaund check used must bc approkeii by the Rcgioraal Program IvIanager rinci mus: inclutfc af 2%

~ninimum a local review by the Idaho State Poiice. '1 his policq should nor be construed to override the specific requirement for a background check as listed in IDAPA 16.05.06.

Background checks are not required for iilcidental activities that involve brief contact with an zdult, or brief reguiarly scheduled activities such as weekly music lessons. St is illcrambeat spoil the foster paret~t to use sous~d judginent in these circainstances by doing infor11-1al reference checks, reviewing events with the children at the conc!usion of xilivities, observing sl~ildren for cllznges in behavior or il~jidries. etc. Whei?ever in do!.!bt &.put the advisability o l having a backgrou~~d check, foster parents should contact their casefivtoiker.

Attachment 8 -- AD 08-002 ENHANCED CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK FOR THOSE

CONTACTING FOSTER CHILDREN

1RFP2401 / IPRO RFP567

On-Call and After-Hours Response