REQUIREMENTS

The Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) shall: 

1. Conduct a comprehensive written evaluation of prospective caregivers who apply to become foster or adoptive parents. 

   1. All components of the evaluation must follow the Structured Analysis Family Evaluation (SAFE) model. 
   2. The SAFE Home Study must be completed by a home study practitioner (HSP) who is certified in the SAFE model. The HSP may be a certified DFCS staff member, Child Placing Agency (CPA) staff member or approved contractor. 
   3. The evaluation process must be supervised throughout by a supervisor who is certified in the SAFE model and has successfully completed the SAFE Supervisor Training. 
   4. All home study interviews must be conducted in the applicant’s home. 
   5. The final approval authority must be a SAFE certified DFCS County Director/Designee or CPA Director/Designee. 

   NOTE: Home studies must be updated for each subsequent adoption. 

2. Afford any qualified individual the opportunity to become an adoptive or foster parent without regard to race, color, or national origin of the individual or of the child involved (see policy 14.6 Resource Development: Recruitment and Retention). 
3. Afford qualified individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in or benefit from the DFCS foster care and adoption programs (see policy 14.11 Resource Development: Individualized Assessment). 
4. Conduct safety screenings on all applicants and their adult household members (age 18 years and older) before the applicants can be finally approved for placement of a child (see policy 19.9 Case Management: Safety Screenings). 
5. Conduct a fingerprint-based criminal history records check of the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database on all applicants and their adult household members (age 18 years and older) before the applicants can be finally approved for placement of a child (see policy 19.8 Case Management: Criminal Records Checks).
6. Assess the residence of each prospective caregiver to determine if the physical environment meets the DFCS minimum safety and quality standards (see policy 14.1 Resource Development: Safety and Quality Standards). 
7. Ensure a comprehensive medical evaluation is completed for all applicants and their current household members. The medical evaluation must be conducted and signed by a licensed physician, physician’s assistant, or public health department within 12 months of the approval date for the home study (see policy 14.1 Resource Development: Safety and Quality Standards). 
   1. Primary and Secondary Caregivers 
      1. The medical evaluation must include a screening for Tuberculosis (TB). 
      2. Caregivers of children age 0 - 24 months must have an up-to-date pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination unless the immunization is contrary to the individual’s health as documented by a licensed healthcare professional. 
      3. Caregivers of children age 0 - 24 months and children with special medical needs must have an up-to-date annual influenza vaccination unless the immunization is contrary to the individual’s health as documented by a licensed healthcare professional. 
      4. Document the medical evaluation on the Prospective Foster or Adoptive Parent Medical Evaluation Report. 
   2. Other household members 
      1. Household members 18 years of age or older must be screened for TB. 
      2. Household members under 18 years of age must be current regarding immunizations unless a qualified exception applies.
      3. Document the medical evaluation on the Additional Household Member Medical Evaluation Report. 

   3. An applicant must be screened out if the certifying medical official indicates that the applicant’s or other household member’s health condition poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others. 

      NOTE: When direct threat is the justification for not approving individuals with disabilities, the decision must be based on an individualized assessment (see policy 14.11 Resource Development: Individualized Assessment). 

8. Ensure primary and secondary caregivers undergo drug screening within the 12 consecutive months prior to final approval of the initial home study (see policy 19.25 Case Management: Drug Screens). 
9. Complete the initial family evaluation no later than 30 calendar days after the applicant completes all pre-service activities (including pre-service training, home study interviews, submission of all questionnaires, verifications, forms, and other requested documentation). 
   1. The final approval authority (SAFE certified DFCS County Director/Designee or CPA Director/Designee) has 5 business days to review and make the approval decision, which is part of the 30-day timeframe. 
   2. Full approval status must not be granted to an applicant prior to the completion of an approved home study. 
   3. Terminate the assessment process for applicants who do not submit all required documentation within 30 calendar days of completing all pre-service activities.
10. Obtain character references for each applicant. 
    1. Secure references that apply to both members of a married couple. 
    2. Obtain a reference from each child residing outside of the applicant household. 
       1. Obtain permission from the applicant prior to contacting their children. 

       2. If permission is not granted or a child refuses to provide a reference, the reasons must be reviewed with the applicant and addressed in the SAFE Home Study Report. 

          NOTE: Children residing in the applicant’s home are part of the household being evaluated and do not count as one of the required references. 

    3. Obtain at least three character references: 
       1. At reference from at least one extended family member not residing in the home of the applicant(s). 
       2. A reference from an applicant’s previous or current employer if the applicant is or has been employed in a setting that involves children (e.g. school, childcare facility, group home, etc.).
       3. A reference from any prior agency for which an applicant served as a foster or adoptive parent. 
    4. Obtain additional references if conflicting, ambivalent or inadequate statements are received from those initially requested. 
11. Complete home study requests on families in Georgia (fostering or adopting) from another state in accordance with the Safe and Timely Interstate Placement of Foster Children Act of 2006. The local DFCS must complete and document the evaluation in Georgia SHINES within 45 calendar days of case assignment from the Georgia Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) Administrator (see policy 15.3 Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC): Placement of Children from Other States into Georgia (Georgia as the Receiving State)). 
12. Complete ICPC Regulation 7 (Expedited placement) requests within a 20-day timeframe in accordance with policy 15.4 Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC): ICPC Expedited Placements). 
13. Provide written notification to applicants regarding their approval status within five business days of the approval decision. 
14. Adhere to confidentiality and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in accordance with policy 2.5 Information Management: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and 2.6 Information Management: Confidentiality/Safeguarding Information.

PROCEDURES

The DFCS Caregiver Recruitment and Retention Specialist (CRRS)/CPA Resource Development (RD) Staff will:

1. Allow applicants 10 business days to submit the Prospective Caregiver Application and Live Scan Application Form(s) that were provided to them following completion of the Information Session (see policy 14.7 Resource Development: Inquiries and Information Sessions). 
2. Make an appointment with an Electronic Fingerprint Technician to complete a fingerprint-based criminal history records check of the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database within 10 business days of receiving a completed Live Scan Application form (see policy 19.8 Case Management: Criminal Records Checks). Applicants will provide a copy of their driver’s license, state issued identification, or other accepted form of identification at this time.
3. Contact applicants to plan a home visit to assess their physical home environment. 
   1. Explain the DFCS obligation to maintain confidentiality and safeguard information to prevent unauthorized disclosure: 
      1. Personal information provided during the completion of the Family Evaluation or while serving as a caregiver will be kept confidential and used solely for the purpose of determining their suitability for the care of the child, unless otherwise permitted by law. See policy 2.6 Information Management: Confidentiality/Safeguarding Information. 
      2. DFCS cannot share protected health information (PHI) with any person, agency or contractor without prior written authorization from the owner of the PHI, unless otherwise permitted by law. Provide a copy of the Notice of Privacy Practices and obtain signature(s). See policy 2.5 Information Management: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). 
   2. Obtain identifying information (i.e. DOB and SSN) on all adult household members that was not obtained during the initial inquiry process. 
   3. Complete required safety screenings and review the results with the SAFE Supervisor prior to the home visit (see policy 19.9 Case Management: Safety Screenings). NOTE: CPA staff may decide to proceed with the home visit prior to receiving screening results from the DFCS Screening Unit. 
   4. Review the results of the criminal history records checks with the SAFE Supervisor. Document a discussion of negative findings and justification for approval, if granted (see policy 19.8 Case Management: Criminal Records Checks). 
4. Visit each applicant’s place of residence and carefully assess the physical environment (e.g., living space, condition of the home). This is not a Home Study Interview. 
   1. Complete the Caregiver Home Inspection Safety and Compliance Checklist. 
   2. Confirm that the home has essentials such as safe drinking water, proper kitchen and bath facilities, etc.). 
      1. If a home has a water well, the well needs to be inspected every three years as recommended by the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH). Water wells also need to comply with the Georgia Water Wells Standard Act of 1985 that indicates the following: 
         1. The upper terminal of the well shall be protected by a sanitary seal or cover to prevent entrance of pollutants into the well. 
         2. Negative reports from sampling of the wells without the upgrade can be construed as “safe” with an advisory that the upper well terminus should be upgraded into compliance as soon as possible. 
         3. Annual re-testing is required until the well is brought into full compliance with the Act. 
      2. If a home has a septic tank, the septic tank needs to meet applicable specifications or criteria developed by DPH. 
         1. Determine the date the tank was last inspected by a septic service professional and the date it was last pumped. 
         2. If the septic tank has not been pumped within the last four years, consult with DPH to determine if there is a safety threat.
   3. Confirm that the home is safe and in a reasonable state of repair. 
   4. Confirm that living arrangements are clean, safe, and free of hazardous conditions. Take photos of the sleeping areas proposed for children. 

   5. Complete a water safety assessment for homes that have swimming pools, spas, etc. and take photos. 

      NOTE: See policy 14.1 Resource Development: Safety and Quality Standards for information on home safety standards.

5. Meet with the SAFE Supervisor to discuss the results of the home inspection, safety screenings, and criminal records checks to determine whether the family is eligible to continue the family evaluation process. If all findings are acceptable, invite the applicant to pre-service training and initiate the SAFE Home Study evaluation. 
6. Provide applicants the required Caregiver Onboarding Forms and Instructions after they have been determined eligible to attend pre-service training. The instructions are theirs to keep, but they must return the accompanying forms and other supplemental verifications with 10 business days. 
   1. Download the SAFE Questionnaire 1 from the SAFE Home Study website and send to the family along with the Onboarding Forms. 
   2. The primary caregiver, secondary caregiver, and other adult household members shall be given their own onboarding forms which must be returned. 
   3. Onboarding documents include: 
      1. Prospective Caregiver Application 
      2. HIPPA Notice of Privacy Practices 
      3. Authorization for the Release of Information 
      4. Caregiver Home Inspection Safety and Compliance Checklist 
      5. SAFE Questionnaire 1 (Q1)- Primary and Secondary Caregiver 
      6. Safety and Quality Standards (SQS) Acknowledgement Statement 
      7. Financial Statement for Resource Parenting 
      8. Prior Service Reference Form 
      9. Caregiver References List 
      10. Caregiver Child Safety Agreement 
      11. Confidentiality and Privacy Agreement 
      12. Prospective Foster or Adoptive Parent Medical Evaluation Report 
      13. Additional Household Member Medical Evaluation Report (if applicable) 
   4. Supplemental verifications include copies of the following: 
      1. Marriage License/Divorce Decree 
      2. Death Certificate (if applicable) 
      3. Income Verification 
      4. Lease/Mortgage Verification 
      5. Automobile Insurance Verification 
      6. TB Skin Test Results – if not completed during medical examination 
      7. Drug screening results 
      8. Most recent Water/Sewage Bill 
      9. Approved well inspection within the last three years, if applicable 
      10. Approved inspection of septic tank within the last four years, if applicable 
      11. Pet Vaccination Record 
      12. Immunization records for household members under the age of 18 
7. Complete procedures 1-6 before sending a referral to a Foster Home Development Contractor or some other Home Study Practitioner (HSP) for completion of a SAFE Home Study.

The SAFE Home Study Practitioner (HSP) will:

1. Acknowledge receipt of a referral for completion of a SAFE Home Study within 72 hours. NOTE: This applies to contractors and may be accomplished via email. 
2. Confirm receipt of the onboarding documents and supplemental verifications from prospective caregivers before scheduling the introductory home visit. 
3. Schedule the introductory home visit with the prospective caregiver applicant(s) to begin the SAFE Home Study process within five business days of receipt of the referral. The visit shall be held no later than 10 calendar days after receipt of the referral. 
4. Use the Q1 Harvesting Sheet to review the Prospective Caregiver Application, Q1, and other documents submitted by each applicant. 
   1. Make notes on the Q1 Harvesting Sheet regarding issues that generate curiosity about each applicant in preparation for home study interviews. 
   2. Curiosity should be prompted by possible strengths, inconsistencies and issues that might be of concern. 
   3. Review the results of safety screening and criminal records history check. 
5. Meet with the SAFE Supervisor prior to the first home study interview to review the Prospective Caregiver Application, Questionnaire 1 (Q1) and Q1 Harvesting Sheet. 
   1. Organize all the information that has been received up to this point and plan the home study interviews. Identify things that generate curiosity and plan to address them over the span of all the home study interviews, not in a single interview. 
   2. If the results of the home inspection, safety screenings and criminal records history checks, etc. are satisfactory, contact the applicant to schedule the first home study visit. If the results are not satisfactory, consider other ways to partner with applicants (see policy 14.7 Resource Development: Inquiries and Information Sessions for ideas). 
   3. Plan to conduct home study visits no less than seven and no more than 10 days apart. 
6. Conduct the number of home study visits and interviews necessary to complete the SAFE Home Study (see Practice Guidance: Home Study Interviews). 
   1. Interview all children and adults who reside in the home or are frequently in the home. 
   2. Discuss things that made the HSP and SAFE Supervisor curious. 
   3. Complete the Psychosocial Inventory (PSI) following each home visit. 
   4. Provide applicants the forms and instructions needed to obtain required medical evaluations, drug screens and CPR/First Aid training (e.g. Prospective Foster or Adoptive Parent Medical Evaluation Report, Additional Household Member Medical Evaluation Report, etc.), as necessary. 
7. Directly administer Q2 to applicants while maintaining sight and control of the tool at all times. 
   1. Do not provide Q2 to applicants before the moment it is administered. 
   2. Administer Q2 in a private setting. For couples administer Q2 with both applicants present and together.
   3. Instruct members of a couple not to communicate with each other or ask any questions of each other or the HSP while completing Q2. 
   4. Conduct a private, one-on-one interview with each applicant after Q2 has been completed. 
   5. For couples, ask one applicant to leave or go to another area of the home and interview the other applicant privately. Repeat the process with the other applicant. 
   6. Interview applicants privately and individually for no longer than 45 minutes each. 
8. Meet with the SAFE Supervisor following each home visit for consultation and feedback.
9. Send all references the Reference Questionnaire. After receiving a response, speak with each reference as needed to gather more information and seek clarification of any of the information provided. 
10. If applicants indicate they were approved in other states, take steps to secure confirmation and begin collecting information for the home study: 
    1. Obtain a Release of Information; 
    2. Contact the other state in writing; 
    3. Obtain a description of the training content and number of hours earned as part of pre-service and in-service hours; 
    4. Request a copy of the family’s initial evaluation and any subsequent evaluations; 
    5. Request a written recommendation from the state regarding the capabilities and protective capacities of the family; upload into Georgia SHINES. 
11. Send a written explanation, signed by the County Director/Designee or CPA Director/Designee, to all families whose Initial Family Evaluation will not be completed within the designated timeframe (i.e. no later than 30 calendar days after the applicant completes all pre-service activities). Indicate the reason for the delay and a projected timeframe for completion. 
12. Provide applicants the opportunity to read the authorized portion of the Home Study Report pertaining to their family and have them acknowledge doing so by signing the document. 
13. Send applicants a letter notifying them of the final approval decision within five business days. A home visit with approved caregivers will be scheduled within seven days of approval for the review and signing of the Caregiver Child Safety Agreement.
    1. Whether approved or disapproved, applicants must be made aware of their status within five business days. Initial contact may be made by telephone, immediately followed by a written letter to the family. 
    2. If approval is granted, cordially welcome approved caregivers to the foster/adoption team and advise them of subsequent procedures. 
    3. If approval is not granted, inform the applicants in an empathetic and supportive manner. Notwithstanding, the reason(s) for non-approval must be communicated in a clear, concise, and non-judgmental manner.

The Social Services Supervisor will: 

1. Ensure all required safety screenings, criminal history records checks, and the Caregiver Home Inspection Safety and Compliance Checklist are completed before the HSP is assigned to begin the SAFE Home Study. 
2. Meet with the Caregiver Recruitment and Retention Specialist (CRRS)/CPA Resource Development (RD) Staff to review the results of the safety screenings, criminal history records checks and Caregiver Home Inspection Safety and Compliance Checklist to determine whether the family is eligible to continue the family evaluation process. 
3. Assign the home study for completion to a SAFE certified HSP who can address sensitive and difficult issues in an appropriate manner. 
4. Ensure all SAFE tools [Questionnaire (Q1), Questionnaire 2 (Q2), Q1 Harvesting Sheet, SAFE Desk Guide, Psychosocial Inventory (PSI) and Home Study Report] are used correctly. 
5. Meet with the HSP to discuss the Prospective Caregiver Application, results of Q1, and Q1 Harvesting Sheet to help organize the information and plan the home study interviews. 
6. Meet with the HSP following each home study interview. 
   1. Meet with the HSP timely to prevent delays in the home study process. 
   2. Review the Interview Worksheet to identify potential concerns and missed issues. 
   3. Review the PSI after each home study interview and provide feedback to the HSP prior to the next home visit so the appropriate action can be taken regarding any concerns. 
   4. Review Q2 after the Q2 home study interview. 
   5. Review Desk Guide Ratings carefully. Check for expected SAFE Desk Guide ratings of 3, 4 or 5 as well as any surprise ratings that may require more discussion with the HSP. 
   6. Ensure the HSP completes the sufficient number of interviews at the appropriate intervals (seven to 10 days apart). 
7. Meet with the HSP to discuss the final desk guide ratings and mitigation. Ensure that mitigation of a SAFE Desk Guide rating of 3, 4 or 5 is appropriate and supported by outside sources. 
8. Review the SAFE Home Study Report to ensure that it is thorough and that all issues are identified and discussed prior to final approval. 
9. Complete the SAFE Supervisor Home Study Certification and include in the file. 
10. Ensure applicants are given the opportunity to read the authorized portion of the Home Study Report pertaining to their family and have so acknowledged by signing the document. 
11. Routinely assess the foundational skills of the HSP (engagement and forensic interviewing skills; analytical and evaluation skills; and writing skills) and provide the education and support necessary to help the HSP strengthen skills as needed.

PRACTICE GUIDANCE

Structured Analysis Family Evaluation (SAFE) Home Study Components 

The SAFE Home Study is a placement document, an investigation, a psychosocial evaluation and a clear written report. It has four components:

1. Information Gathering Tools - These tools support the Home Study Report and are designed to prompt the HSP to ask questions not provide answers:
   1. Questionnaire 1 (Q1) – It is completed by each applicant and covers eight areas of family history and functioning (i.e. Personal History; Parenting Practices; Personal and Family Values; Health; Support System; Work; Family Relationships; Marital/Partner Relationship). 
   2. Q1 Harvesting Sheet – It is used to review the Prospective Caregiver Application, QI and other documents submitted by applicants. It helps organize information to provide a complete overview of each applicant’s specific issues, behaviors, or events that should be addressed in upcoming home study interviews. 
   3. Questionnaire 2 (Q2) – It contains the sensitive and critical questions that need to be addressed in a home study (i.e. problem issues/behaviors; personal alcohol consumption; personal legal/illegal drug usage; family substance abuse; history of sexual, emotional, or physical victimization; child abuse allegations/convictions; family violence and crime; family sexual perpetrators; domestic violence; mental illness). Each applicant is interviewed privately and individually (one-on-one) immediately after the administration of Q2. Due to the sensitive and complex nature of these topics, this can be a very emotionally charged interview. 
   4. Reference Letter – It was designed to enable the HSP to obtain more complex information about applicants for analysis and follow-up. After receiving the SAFE Reference Letter, the HSP should speak with each reference to gather more information and seek clarification of anything in the letter. Other than indicating they received the required references, the HSP should not mention the individual references specifically in the narration of the SAFE Home Study Report. Issues raised by references should be addressed with applicants. Any issues that merit a SAFE Desk Guide Rating of 3, 4, or 5 should be discussed in the Psychosocial Evaluation Section of the SAFE Home Study Report without revealing sources. 

2. Structured Analysis – SAFE has identified 70 Psychosocial Factors that research has demonstrated to be necessary for safe and effective parenting whether through adoption, kin or foster care. The Psychosocial Inventory (PSI) and SAFE Desk Guide allow the HSP to systematically analyze information gathered during the home study process, as well facilitate a clear and uniform identification of specific family strengths and issues of concern. The PSI and Desk Guide are grouped into the following nine sections: History; Personal Characteristics; Marital/Partner Relationship; Children/Others Residing/Frequently in the Home; Extended Family Relationships; Physical/Social Environment; General Parenting; Specialized Parenting; and Adoption/Foster Care Issues. 

   The PSI is designed to look at a person’s history of issues, concerns, behaviors and events and determine how they affect the person’s current functioning and ability to parent. The PSI strives to help the HSP determine whether an applicant can parent, and if so, who they can parent. Only one PSI is used per family and is completed after each home study visit. The SAFE Desk Guide is a severity scale that indicates the potential seriousness of an issue, behavior or event experienced by an applicant. 

   The PSI and SAFE Desk Guide contain research-based factors that support safe and effective family functioning and the ability to parent. The factors are rated on a scale of 1 to 5 and marked on the PSI. The ratings represent the following: 1=Exceptional Strength; 2= Strength; 3=Concern; 4=Serious Concern; 5=Extremely Serious Concern. A rating of 2 is the default rating until proven otherwise. A rating of 2 may also be used early in the home study process when the HSP does not have enough information to rate a factor. In other words, it can function as the “I don’t know” rating until more information is gathered. A completed home study report should not have an abundance of “2” ratings which is not indicative of a thorough assessment. Any psychosocial factor that merits a rating of 3 (Concern), 4 (Serious Concern) or 5 (Extremely Serious Concern) must be specifically addressed in the Home Study Report. As more information is gathered during the home study interview process, a rating may move to a more serious rating, but not in reverse. 

   As soon as possible following each home study visit, the HSP should mark the applicable SAFE Desk Guide ratings on the PSI. Entering the ratings while the visit is still fresh in one’s mind prevents one from forgetting issues of concern or confusing them with other studies. A different symbol is used to mark the ratings on the PSI for each home visit. For example, the symbol used to mark the rating for the first home study visit is a backward slash, whereas the symbol used to mark the second home study visit is a forward slash. The SAFE Desk Guide ratings should reflect everything the HSP knows up to that point. After each interview, the HSP submits the PSI to the Supervisor for review and feedback. The final SAFE Desk Guide Rating is made after the last home study visit and must be made with a high degree of confidence based on the HSP and the SAFE Supervisor’s professional assessment.

3. Home Study Report – The narrative is designed to assist the HSP in focusing on the issues of concern within a family that will or could impact its ability to care for a child placed in the home. A home study should be specific to the applicant. The HSPs should use behaviorally specific language and avoid repeating the same thing throughout the study. There are six sections to a SAFE Home Study Report: 
   1. Non-narrative reporting required by the agency (i.e. general information; contact information; household demographics; medical/school reports; safety screening and criminal records history results; confirmation statements; attachments and verifications) 
   2. Motivation, Profile and Lifestyles of Applicants 
   3. SAFE Psychosocial Evaluation 
   4. Conclusions and Placement Considerations 
   5. Signatures and Approvals 
   6. SAFE Psychosocial Inventory Results (NOTE: this page should be removed when the SAFE Home Study Report is shared with applicants) 
4. Compatibility Inventory – This is an optional matching tool designed to facilitate successful placements. This tool helps the HSP determine the willingness and ability of an applicant to parent children with certain issues and behaviors.

Home Study Interviews 

The home study interview is the foundation of the home study process. The various gathering tools used with the SAFE model support the interviews and help the HSP develop questions for the applicants. HSPs learn more from applicants when applicants are interviewed at home where they are most comfortable. During interviews, HSPs should avoid using standardized questions and rushing ahead with their own agenda. Instead, the HSP should seek a natural, organic flow of communication with applicants. HSPs should trust their instincts but must be mindful of their own biases. HSPs must also remain keenly aware of non-verbal communication which guides about 80% of human interaction. No interview should take longer than an hour and a half. It is unlikely that any party will remain as alert as they need to be for longer than that period of time. Home visits should be no closer or further than a week apart because applicants need time to process the information covered between visits, but not so much time that they begin to lose information.

The initial visit to during which the Caregiver Home Inspection Safety and Compliance Checklist is completed should not be confused with a Home Study Interview. These are two different things and should not be done at the same time. The home inspection is authoritative and regulatory whereas the home study interview is collaborative and transparent. The more interviews a HSP has with an applicant, the more comfortable the HSP will be about recommending approval or denial. SAFE recommends a minimum of four interviews (three meetings) to complete an acceptable home study report. Depending on the circumstances, more than four interviews may be required. HSPs should prepare a plan for which interviews will be conducted during each visit such as the following:

Home Study Visit 1 (1st Interview) 

• This is an introductory interview to develop the relationship between the HSP and the applicants. 
• SAFE Questionnaire 1 (Q1) is discussed.

Home Study Visit 2 (2nd and 3rd Interview if it is a two-parent home) 

• The HSP administers SAFE Questionnaire 2 (Q2) and it must never be out of the sight or control of the HSP. 
• This is a one-on-one history interview. The purpose is to examine issues, behaviors, and events that effect or could affect the applicant’s current functioning or ability to parent and how the applicant has resolved those issues. The focus is on past patterns of behavior. 
• The HSP observes both applicants (or a single-parent applicant) while they complete Q2. The applicants are instructed not to talk or discuss the questionnaire. When Q2 is completed, the HSP immediately interviews each applicant separately and privately. No children or other adults should be in the home when Q2 is administered. If others must remain in the home, they should not be in an area near where Q2 is being administered. The HSP must skilled and prepared to handle sensitive and complex issues and work with emotionally charged situations. 
• Q2 interviews should be no longer than 45 minutes each. However, due to their complexity, additional one-on-one/history interviews might be necessary before the marriage or support interview.

Home Study Visit 3 (4th Interview) 

• This is a marriage or support interview. 
• The family and others residing or frequently in the home can be interviewed at this time. The number of interviews performed will depend on the number of individuals involved. 
• The HSP should examine the applicants’ relationship with a focus towards the strength and dynamics of their marriage/partnership. For single applicants, the focus should be on their support systems.

Mitigation 

Within the SAFE model, mitigation is where the HSP balances the truth (Final SAFE Desk Guide Ratings) and Justice (the HSP’s clinical analysis of how those issues affect an applicant’s current functioning and ability to parent). Mitigation is a fact or series of facts that exist to support the decision to mitigate an issue/behavior/event and must be corroborated by outside sources (e.g. other family members, professionals, clinicians). The HSP does not use the SAFE Desk Guide during the mitigation process. Mitigation is applied to all Final SAFE Desk Guide Ratings of 3, 4 and 5. Mitigation always focuses on current functioning or ability to parent rather than what happened in the past. The goal is to capture how the applicant’s ability to parent is presently affected. Mitigation results in a mitigation rating using the SAFE severity scale. The mitigation rating should reflect the HSP and their supervisor’s professional assessment (supported by evidence) of whether a Final SAFE Desk Guide Rating of 3, 4 or 5 is warranted based upon how an applicant is currently affected by the issue, behavior or event. The mitigation rating is handwritten into the blank column to the right of all the Psychosocial Inventory factors with a final SAFE Desk Guide Rating of 3, 4 or 5. The three choices in mitigation are as follows: 

1. Sustain: The issue/behavior/event is not resolved 
2. Reduce: The applicant has a degree of resolution, but the issue/behavior/event still affects their current functioning or ability to parent. 
3. Erase: The issue/behavior/event is totally resolved and does not affect the applicant’s current functioning or ability to parent.

Who is qualified to complete the Initial Family Evaluation? 

SAFE Certified DFCS staff, SAFE Certified CPA Resource Development staff, or contractors may qualify as a SAFE Home Study Practitioner (HSP) able to complete the Initial Family Evaluation. Private contractors must meet the following criteria: 

1. Certification in the SAFE model; 
2. A minimum of a bachelor’s level of education in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or a related field; 
3. Ability to understand and implement the philosophy and conceptualizations inherent in pre-service training; 
4. A functional understanding of the agency’s mission; and 
5. Ability to provide thorough, well-written home studies with supported recommendations.

NOTE: The SAFE Home Study Practitioner Skills Assessment can be used to help supervisors assess their Home Study Practitioners’ foundational skills (engagement and forensic interviewing skills; analytical and evaluation skills; and writing skills). 

Reimbursement of Expenses 

If approved, applicants may be reimbursed for certain expenses incurred during the approval process. The guidelines are in Field Fiscal Services’ COSTAR manual located at https://ffs.dhs.ga.gov/manuals/costar/index.php 

FORMS AND TOOLS

Additional Household Member Medical Evaluation Report
Caregiver Child Safety Agreement
Caregiver Home Inspection Safety and Compliance Checklist
Caregiver Placement Preferences
Caregiver Prior Agency Reference Form
Caregiver Prior Service Reference Form
Caregiver References List
Confidentiality and Privacy Standards Agreement
Financial Statement for Resource Parenting
Instructions for signing Caregiver Forms in Adobe Acrobat
Notice of Privacy Practice
Notice of Privacy Practice - Spanish
Prospective Caregiver Application
Prospective Caregiver Application - Instructions
Prospective Caregiver Initial Onboarding - Instructions
Prospective Caregiver Onboarding Pathway - Instructions - Additional Household Member Instructions
Prospective Caregiver Onboarding Pathway – Secondary Caregiver Packet
Prospective Caregiver Onboarding Pathway – Supplemental Verifications Checklist
Prospective Caregiver Onboarding Process Guide
Prospective Foster or Adoptive Parent Medical Evaluation Report
SAFE Home Study - Resource Center - Download Templates
Safety and Quality Standards Acknowledgement