Section 400.12404. Placement.

(1) An agency shall only place a child with an adult who is legally related to the child, is a legal custodian, or in a licensed foster home, except as permitted in R 400.12709.

(2)   Initial consideration shall be given to placement with a relative and/or placing siblings together.

(3)An agency’s placement of a child in a foster home shall be consistent with the placement specifications for the home.

(4)   An agency shall consider all of the following factors in selecting an appropriate placement for a child:

(a)  The permanency goal for the child.

(b)   The physical, emotional, and educational needs of the child.

(c)   Expressed preferences of the child.

(d)  The child and child’s family’s religious preference.

(e)    The continuity of relationships, including relationships with parents, siblings, relatives, foster parents, previous foster parents, and other persons significant to the child.

(f)    The availability of placement resources for the purpose of making a timely placement.

(5)   The child’s racial, ethnic, and cultural identity, heritage, and background may only be considered if an assessment of the individual child indicates that such consideration is in the best interests of the child.

(6)     Before  the  placement  of   a  child,  the  agency   shall  document  preparation, regardless of the child’s age, that explains all of the following to all relevant parties:

(a)   The circumstances necessitating placement.

(b)   The child’s individual needs.

(c)   Any special problems presented.

(7)    An agency shall document, in the child’s record, within 7 calendar days after placement, the information specified in R 400.12417(1) and all of the following information:

(a)  All of the following child characteristics:

(i)   Gender.

(ii)   Race.

(iii)   Height and weight.

(iv)   Eye color and hair color.

(v)   Identifying marks.

(vi)   Religious preference.

(vii)   School status, including grade, last school attended, and educational program.

(b)     Name,  known  addresses  and  marital  status  of   the  child’s  parents  or  legal guardian, if any.

(c)   Names, ages, and known addresses of any siblings.

(d)  Known names, addresses, and dates of any previous out-of-home placements.

(e)   The date that the agency received the child for placement.

(f)  The child’s legal status and the agency’s legal right to provide care.

(g)   Documentation of the child’s placement preparation.

(h)   A photograph of the child at the time of placement.

(i)   Documentation that American Indian ancestry was assessed.

History: 1998-2000 AACS; 2014 AACS.