DISCUSSION:

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide policy clarification regarding Council on Accreditation, COA, requirements for updates of home assessments of resource providers.

COA requires that home assessments are updated within two weeks of a reported change in the home composition and at least once annually. The Children’s Division is currently in compliance with this requirement:

• Section 6 Chapter 3 Subsection 1 addresses updates within two weeks of a reported changed, and
• Section 5 Chapter 1 Subsection 6 addresses quarterly visits and summaries.

To support policy, the quarterly summaries are now required to be attached to the home assessment. The quarterly summaries for the new licensure period are to be attached to the amended home assessment providing ease in verifying compliance with policy and the COA requirement.

At license renewal the home assessment is amended to reflect any changes in the household including but not limited to:

• Individuals who move in or out of the home,
• Death or debilitating illness of a caregiver;
• Structural defects in the home related to fire, flood, or natural disaster, or
• Legal proceedings affecting the family such as eviction or divorce.

Policy provides a template for the required format of the home assessment and the subsequent renewal assessment. This format is to be followed as specified to provide consistency statewide. If the court requires specific information in the home assessment or requires designated forms to complete, staff should be compliant with the court.

Policy has been revised to include a time frame in which the resource provider must report changes. The resource provider shall notify the Division within two weeks of any pertinent conditions, problems or major family changes per Foster Home Licensing administrative rule 13 CSR 35-60.050 (1) (B).