Relative foster care is preferred and should be given first consideration when court intervention is necessary to ensure the safety of the foster youth. Per RSMo 210.127 the search progress to locate the absent parent must be reported at each court hearing until the parent is either identified and located, or the court excuses further search. The same criterion applies when searching for relatives. Preferably, the foster youth’s initial out-of-home placement will be with a relative foster provider, unless the court has determined that relative placement is contrary to the best interest of the foster youth.

If the foster youth is not placed with an identified relative provider, the court must make specific findings on the record detailing why placement with a provider is not in the best interests of the foster youth, Section 210.565.3.

Alternative care staff are responsible for obtaining a list of potential relative providers from the parents/or caregiver. Information gathered on page 4 of the Child/Family Health and Developmental Assessment –Parent Information form, CW103 A, may be utilized for this information. The list of potential relative providers should be obtained as soon as possible and no later than at the 72-hr meeting. This list and efforts to locate the identified relative provider is also to be documented in the assessment and treatment section of the case record and on the Child Assessment and Service Plan, CS-1.

When a foster youth is placed in an agency arranged relative placement and the placement provider successfully completes the licensure process, that provider will be eligible to receive a monthly maintenance rate equal to that of the traditional foster care payment rate each month.

The parent of the foster youth shall not live in the relative foster family home with the foster youth with the exception of those parents of foster youth who are also in the legal custody of the Children’s Division (CYAC), unless ordered by the court. If a court orders that a parent of the foster youth may remain in the resource home, the parent of the foster youth shall be in compliance with 211.038 RSMo background check results.

 The resource home will not be eligible for maintenance payments if the foster youth’s parent(s) reside in the resource home. If the resource home was not previously licensed, they will not be eligible for licensure if the foster youth’s parent(s) resides in the resource home.

Chapter Memoranda History: (prior to 01-31-07)

CS03-32, CD04-79, CD05-80, CD06-37, CD06-46, CD06-75

Memoranda History:

CD07-36, CD07-65, CD08-55, CD10-61, CD10-102, CD11-88, CD12-30, CD12-31, CD12-88, CD14-09, CD14-27, CD16-18, CD17-15, CD17-42, CD18-16, CD18-39, CD20-20