Licensing standards only apply to licensed foster homes. Other resource family homes will have different processes for a home assessment. See Chapter 3, Being a Resource Family, Chapter 4, Relative Care, and Chapter 10, Adoption or Guardianship.
All children in State custody must be in homes or facilities that are approved by the State of Alaska. Some of these homes or facilities are licensed by the State of Alaska. Licensing is optional for homes that accept placements for children who are relatives.
When you apply to become a licensed foster family, you are required to meet State licensing regulations. The Office of Children’s Services is responsible for the licensing of:
The goal of licensure is to reduce predictable risk to children in out-of-home care by establishing standards for licensure. These standards are the regulations and statutes governing licensed foster homes. On-going review and monitoring of licensed foster care homes by a licensing worker and the child’s assigned worker help keep children in care safe.
The foster family must notify the licensing worker of changes in the home throughout the license period and be cooperative with the licensing worker through the processes of licensing and renewals.
A foster care license is issued in the names of the heads of a particular household. Thus, all parents in the household must be a part of the licensing process and meet the necessary requirements. For example, in a two-parent household both parents:
There are two types of licenses a foster home may receive:
Provisional License: This is a license that is issued during the first year of licensure OR when a license has been reduced from biennial to provisional status. A provisional license is issued:
Biennial License: This license is issued after a licensing worker determines that licensing standards are being met on a continuing basis after the first year of operation. A biennial license is valid for two years unless revoked, suspended or modified because a foster home is non-compliant with the standards of licensure.
Licensing requirements are defined by law in Alaska statutes and regulations. The licensing worker or representative will review the regulation requirements with you during the scheduled visit to your home as a part of the licensing process. Ask your licensing worker for a copy of the regulation’s summary for your own reference. See Chapter 28, Resources for the list of applicable statutes and regulations.
The role of the licensing worker is to:
There are two types of variances that may be granted for licensing a foster home.
General Variance: A general variance allows a licensee to “vary” or change how the licensee will comply with a specific regulation governing licensed foster parents. It is not an exemption from a licensing requirement.
Barrier Crime or Condition Variance: A variance for a barrier crime or condition allows a barred individual to have regular contact with a child placed in out-of-home care. Approval may be given by the Commissioner of the Department of Health & Social Services if it is determined that the individual does not pose a risk and the health, safety, and welfare of the children placed in the home is adequately protected.
When you and your home have met all requirements, as determined by the department, you will receive a Foster Care License. The foster care license lists your provider number, your name, address, type of license and any conditions of licensure.
You will also receive a foster parent identification card listing the dates you are licensed. This card identifies you as a foster parent and may be helpful in getting services for children in your care or for obtaining reduced rates in your community. For a list of possible discounts, please see the FosterWear Program website at: Foster Wear Program (alaska.gov) https://dfcs.alaska.gov/ocs/Pages/fosterwear/default.aspx
Your license will have a beginning and ending date. If, at the end of your provisional license period, you wish to continue to provide foster care, a licensing worker will schedule a visit to your home to inspect and review the licensing standards with you.
If non-compliances are found, you will be required to correct the non-compliances and your provisional license may be extended for up to an additional year. If you are found to be in compliance, your license will be converted to a 2-year biennial license.
The worker will send you a renewal application at least 120 days before your license expires. You are required to submit a new application 90 days before the expiration of your biennial license if you intend to continue foster care. Upon receipt of your application, a licensing worker will schedule a visit to your home to inspect and review the licensing standards with you.
When the licensing worker inspects and/or investigates your home and finds a violation of regulations, you are required to submit a Plan of Correction to address the violation. As an example, if at inspection the smoke alarm batteries have expired and were non-functional, the foster parent would be required to submit a Plan of Correction for the replacement of the batteries and the date for completion.
In more serious situations, the violation of licensing standards may warrant the Department to issue an enforcement action. In this event, the foster parent may exercise their right to due process and request an appeal of any enforcement action imposed.
At the end of the first year of your biennial license, you will be asked to submit a self-monitoring report and a licensing worker may visit your home again. This report is a self-evaluation of your compliance with the standards of licensure.
Your licensing worker will send this self-evaluation form to you to complete and return. Being clear and direct in your responses may assist in obtaining the support necessary for you as a resource family.
The foster parent is required to provide documentation of its licensing records to the licensing worker to review for compliance with licensing standards. This includes:
You may also wish to keep some records for your own information. A list of records to keep in your file includes:
The Alaska Center for Resource Families is able to electronically record all of your training hours. They can help you get a copy of the training hours you have reported to them. Call ACRF at 1800-478-7307 to find out about your required training hours.
Regulations require that you retain your records for at least 3 years. These records should be available to your licensing representative to review. Records must be kept in a secure, confidential place that only the foster parent can access. See Section 4, Confidentiality and Right to Privacy.
A child’s Placement Packet will accompany the child throughout the child’s entire out-of-home placement period. This packet contains:
The foster family is required to keep the child’s medical and educational records current. You should update and sign each entry or addition to these records. This includes reports prepared by or for the department, including reports from before the child was placed with you.
Keeping a record for each child ensures that the assigned worker and the child’s parents have easy access to important information about how the child is doing, and it provides quick access to critical information in case of an emergency. Clear and accurate records also help keep the assigned worker and family.
Resource families may be asked to document any contacts (as outlined in the family contact plan) as a part of the child’s case plan.
The child’s assigned worker will review the packet during monthly visits to your home. When the child leaves your home, the Placement Packet must be given to the assigned worker.
Under Alaska law, certain portions of your licensing file are considered public record and are thus available for public inspection. However, the following information is considered confidential and generally OCS may not release such information without a court order:
*Inspection and Investigation Reports resulting from a complaint or investigation under AS 47.32.090 would be subject to public record disclosure.
While licensed, the foster parent must notify the licensing worker of changes in the home and cooperate with the licensing worker.
When there is a major change in your home, the change may affect your license or your ability to care for the child in your home. It is important to keep the licensing and assigned worker informed of any major changes. Some changes need prior approval, so please plan ahead.
Some circumstances that require a foster parent to notify their licensing worker are outlined in the list below. If you are uncertain whether a particular change requires reporting, discuss the change with your licensing worker who can assist you.
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Notify your OCS licensing worker no later than 30 days before the following changes: |
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Notify your licensing worker within the period given in the following situations: |
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