Section 400.12405. Change of placement.

(1) An agency shall make every reasonable effort to maintain a stable placement for each child placed in foster care. The efforts shall be documented in the child’s record.

(2)   An agency shall give first consideration to returning the child to a parent.

(3)    The agency shall document all of the following in the child’s record before a change of placement occurs:

(a)   Reason for the change in placement.

(b)    If the child is not returned to the parent, then the reason why return is not possible.

(c)   If the child is not reunited with siblings or placed with a relative, then the reason why those placements are not possible.

(d)  Consideration of the factors identified in R 400.12404(4).

(e)   Replacement preparation, regardless of the child’s age, appropriate to the child’s capacity to understand, which includes an explanation to all relevant parties as to why the change is necessary.

(f)   Notification to the parents, referral source, lawyer guardian ad litem, and courts when applicable, of the change in placement.

(g)   Information about the child was shared with the new placement, consistent with the requirements of R 400.12417.

(h)   The child’s new location and address.

(i)      That the current foster parent was notified in writing of the following information:

(i)    Not less than 14 calendar days in advance, of the change, except when prior notification would jeopardize the child’s care or safety. If prior notice is not provided, then the agency shall notify the foster parent, at the time of the change, why prior notice was not given.

(ii)   Of the current foster parent’s rights concerning the change in placement.

(j)   Supervisory approval before the change.

(4)   If an emergency change in placement is necessary, then all of the documentation required in subrules (2) and (3) of this rule shall be in the child’s record within 14 calendar days after the change in placement.

(5)   If an agency is no longer providing services to the child in a foster home, then both of the following shall be documented before a change in placement:

(a)   A summary of the services provided during care up to the time of the change in placement and the needs that remain to be met.

(b)   Provision for any continuing services.

History: 1998-2000 AACS; 2014 AACS.