Respite care providers may be recruited by the resource provider, agency staff, and through the application process for foster/adoptive resource assessment.

Resource provider applicants are requested to provide respite as part of the assessment and training process. The resource applicant may not begin providing respite until all the following steps are competed:

1. Completion of all respite forms;
2.  
   1. Application to Provide Respite Care, CS-RC-1, including all required signatures
   2. Sign a Respite Care Provider Approval ,CS-RC-3
   3. Sign a Cooperative Agreement for the Purchase of Respite Care Services with the Children’s Division, CM-10
   4. Read, agree to and sign the Resource Parent Discipline Agreement, CD-119
   5. If there are smokers in the household, the Notice of Hazards, CD-101, must be completed
   6. Read, agree to and sign the Safe Sleep Practices, CD-117
   7. Foster Respite Care Provider Checklist, CS-RC-2, including all required signatures
3. Completion of all background screenings ;
   1.  
      1. Fingerprint criminal check
      2. Child Abuse and Neglect registry checks
      3. Case.Net check
      4. Family Care Safety Registry check
      5. Sex Offender list check by provider residence address
4. Completion of respite care training; and
5. Open and approve a respite vendor type in FACES.

Resource providers shall be encouraged to recruit individual respite care providers with whom the child(ren) in their home are familiar. Staff are also encouraged to recruit previously licensed resource providers who are no longer actively providing care for children but left the agency in good standing. Resource worker staff will use the Resource Parent Exit Interview, CD-112, to facilitate recruitment of resource providers that are closing their license as well as former resource providers. The completed form will be reviewed by the worker and used to encourage post-foster parent resource opportunities. The CD-112 will be retained in the form section of the case file.

The resource worker will provide support and instruction to the respite provider regarding:

• Completion of the necessary paperwork/forms
• Amount of respite pay and the payment process
• Training opportunities

Individuals and families referred to the agency as potential respite care providers shall complete the appropriate approval process. If approved, the respite care provider shall be placed on a current, local list of respite care providers. Resource providersshall be given a copy of the list with updates provided on a regular basis or upon request.

The Children’s Division resource worker will utilize but not be limited to the following to promote retention of respite providers:

• Invite all respite providers to the Resource Parent appreciation events
• Encourage the respite provider to participate with the organized Resource Provider support groups
• Provide information regarding web sites and materials to enhance the respite provider’s parenting skills

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

CD04-68

Memoranda History

CD09-07, CD15-75, CD18-16