OFFICE OF CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES BULLETIN COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA * DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE NUMBER: ISSUE DATE: EFFECTIVE DATE:

Transcription

1 OFFICE OF CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES BULLETIN COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA * DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE NUMBER: ISSUE DATE: EFFECTIVE DATE: September 2005 Immediately SUBJECT: Implementatin f Act 160 f 2004 Amending the Child Prtective Services Law Families BY: Harriet Dichter Acting Deputy fr Children, Yuth and SCOPE: COUNTY CHILDREN AND YOUTH SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES COUNTY CHILDREN AND YOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEES PRIVATE CHILDREN AND YOUTH SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES COUNTY CHIEF JUVENILE PROBATION OFFICERS COUNTY CHILDREN AND YOUTH SOLICITORS COUNTY CHILDREN AND YOUTH FISCAL OFFICERS PURPOSE: The purpse f this bulletin is t transmit t public and private children and yuth agencies that apprve fster and adptive parent applicants in Pennsylvania, the requirements and plicies relating t Act 160 f 2004, that amended 23 Pa. C.S. Chapter 63 (relating t The Child Prtective Services Law). BACKGROUND: On Nvember 30, 2004, Pennsylvania Gvernr Edward G. Rendell signed Huse Bill 2308, Printers Number 4745 int law. This amendment t The Child Prtective Services Law (CPSL) knwn as Act 160 f 2004 went int effect n January 29, Act 160 f 2004 establishes a resurce family registry in which all fster and adptive parent applicants must be registered. Act 160 f 2004 als establishes additinal requirements relating t the apprval f fster and adptive parent applicants. A letter was sent t public and private children and yuth scial service agencies n February 22, 2005, explaining the requirements set frth in Act 160 f COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS BULLETIN SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO: Reginal Directrs ORIGIN: Kerin J. Khler

2 DEFINITIONS: Act 160 f 2004, added the fllwing definitins t the CPSL: Private agency. A children and yuth scial service agency subject t the requirements f 55 Pa. Cde Chapter 3680 (relating t administratin and peratin f a children and yuth scial service agency). Resurce family. A family which prvides temprary fster r kinship care fr children wh need ut-f-hme placement and may eventually prvide permanency fr thse children, including an adptive family. The fllwing definitin is included t assure a cmmn understanding f the plicies and requirements set frth in this bulletin relating t resurce families: Residing in the hme. Living in the hme fr a minimum f 30 days within a calendar year. DISCUSSION: Act 160 amends The Child Prtective Services Law t require mre extensive criminal and child abuse checks n adult individuals in a resurce parent applicant's hme and fr mre detailed infrmatin t be btained abut applicants during the apprval prcess. These amendments fcus n safety f ur children placed in fster and adptive care. As we prgress tward the cncept f resurce family in Pennsylvania we cntinue t see that fster parents cntinue t adpt the children placed in their hmes wh need a permanent family. Mre than 60 percent f children in fster care with the gal f adptin in Pennsylvania are ad3ted by their fster parents. The statutry requirement fr agencies t reprt infrmatin t a resurce family registry nly intensifies the Department's fcus n safely achieving and maintaining permanency fr ur children placed in fster care. In an attempt t prvide as much clarity as pssible fr agencies licensed t apprve resurce parents, the Office f Children, Yuth and Families requested cmments relating t this bulletin. As a result a frequently asked questins list was been develped and will be psted n the Department f Public Welfare's website at under frms and publicatins.

3 POLICY AND PROCEDURES: Resurce Family Registry The resurce family registry established by Act 160 f 2004 will be maintained by the Department and will include all resurce parent applicants. Fster family care agencies and adptin agencies are required t register resurce parent applicants apprved prir t January 29, 2005 wh cntinue t be apprved resurce parents, by July 29, Resurce parent applicants assessed n r after January 29, 2005 must be registered upn apprval/disapprval but n later than within 30 calendar days f such a determinatin. Resurce parents and families vluntarily registered n the fster parent registry and thse registered n the Pennsylvania Adptin Exchange's family registry, will be transferred t the resurce family registry. Agencies must cmplete resurce family registratin updates t supplement the infrmatin nt cntained in the fster parent and family registries. Agencies must submit updates f registratin frms fr registered families within 30 calendar days f learning f a change f infrmatin t the registratin frm. The Department has mdified the CY 131 frm which is t be used t register resurce family applicants. Old versins f the CY 131 shuld be destryed and will nt be accepted fr registering families. Old frms received will be returned t the referring agency accmpanied by infrmatin abut dwnlading the frm frm the internet. The dwnladable frm and instructins fr cmpleting the frm are available n the Department's website at under frms and publicatins and n the Pennsylvania Adptin Exchange, website at Paper submissins f the registratin frm will be accepted. Infrmatin frm the Resurce Family Registry may be released by the Department t individuals authrized t receive this infrmatin nly after psitive identificatin. Pursuant t Act 160, a curt f cmpetent jurisdictin may request and receive any infrmatin frm the registry in a criminal matter invlving a charge f child abuse. A curt f cmpetent jurisdictin may request and receive any registry files that the curt cnsiders relevant in a matter invlving the custdy f a child. Any requesting individual, as part f their fficial jb duties must submit a ntarized and signed letter n fficial letterhead cnfirming the reasns fr the request and include their address, title and a cpy f pht identificatin t the Department at Office f Children, Yuth and Families, P.O. Bx 2675, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania , Attentin: Resurce Family Registry. After psitive identificatin and a decisin that the infrmatin requested is within the scpe f the individual's duties, the infrmatin will be prvided t the requesting individual. When families are entered int the registry, infrmatin will be crss referenced with existing registry infrmatin. The Department will ntify registering agencies f infrmatin n the registry that may cnflict with infrmatin prvided by the agency. An apprving agency may request infrmatin frm the registry as part f the apprval prcess. If an agency requests infrmatin frm the registry that will be used when

4 cnsidering the apprpriateness f an applicant, the agency has the respnsibility t make a timely request t allw fr the registry respnse s that applicable regulatry time frames are met. This is especially imprtant when apprving kinship caregivers with whm a child has already been placed n an emergency basis. The Department will respnd t individuals r agencies that request infrmatin frm the Resurce Family Registry within 14 days frm receipt f the request. lnfrmatin prvided regarding families nt previusly registered must be verified with ther surces and may require a secnd ntice frm the Department relating t a request fr infrmatin frm the Resurce Family Registry. Resubmissin f Clearances by Resurce Families All resurce parents, regardless f the length f time they have been apprved t prvide care t children, must resubmit requests fr clearances every 24 mnths in accrdance with Act 160 f Resurce parents apprved n r after January 29, 2003, wh cntinue t be apprved resurce parents and anyne 18 years f age and lder residing in the hme, must submit requests fr clearances within 24 mnths f the date f their initial apprval and every 24 mnths thereafter. Resurce parents apprved prir t January 29, 2003 wh cntinue t be apprved as resurce parents, and anyne 18 years f age and lder residing in the hme must submit requests fr clearances by January 29, 2007 and every 24 mnths after receipt f this clearance. Resubmissins may ccur as part f the annual reapprval prcess. The resubmissin f requests fr clearance fr individuals apprved slely as adptive parents must ccur prir t the finalizatin f the adptin f any child. The CY 113, Pennsylvania Child Abuse Histry Clearance frm has been printed n pink paper t be used fr resubmissin purpses nly. The Department must give pririty t initial submissins when prcessing requests fr child abuse histry clearance; hwever, resubmissins will be verified within the required time frame. The pink CY 113 frms were sent t public and private children and yuth scial service agencies n April 18, The CY 113 is available n the Department's website at under frms and publicatins. When dwnlading the frm frm the website, remember t print nt pink paper fr resubmissins. Required lnfrmatin fr Cnsideratin 0f Applicants In additin t criminal histry recrd infrmatin (CHRI) and Child Abuse Histry Clearances, Act 160 f 2004 adds requirements fr resurce parent applicants, adults wh reside in their hmes and the agencies that apprve applicants. All infrmatin that is required t be btained must be taken int cnsideratin when making a decisin t apprve r disapprve a resurce parent applicant. The purpse f this infrmatin is t help assure cmplete infrmatin is prvided t determine the apprpriateness f apprving r re-apprving resurce parents. Each agency that apprves resurce parent applicants is nw required t cnsider additinal infrmatin when assessing the apprpriateness f a resurce

5 parent applicant. As such, each public and private agency must develp plicies and prcedures t apprve and re-apprve resurce parent applicants based n the infrmatin the agency is nw required t btain by the amendments t the CPSL relating t Act 160 and the requirements established in 55 Pa. Cde Chapter 3700 (relating t fster family care agency). Plicies and prcedures t dcument the infrmatin btained and hw it is used in cnsideratin fr apprval/disapprval must be included in the agency's plicy and prcedure manual. The reginal ffice f Children, Yuth and Families will review the agency's plicies and prcedures relating t Act 160 and the applicatin f these plicies and prcedures during annual licensing inspectins. The Kinship Care Prgram (62 P.S. Article XIII) requires cunty agencies t give first cnsideratin t placement with a relative whenever a child cannt safely remain in his wn hme. Agencies must cntinue t fllw the requirements set frth in OCYF Bulletins # entitled Child Placements with Emergency Caregivers and # entitled Kinship Care Plicy. Kinship families apprved as emergency caregivers must meet all apprval requirements including thse nw in the Child Prtective Services Law as a result f Act 160 f 2004 within 60 calendar days f the child's placement in the caregiver's hme. The infrmatin required by Act 160 f 2004 may be gathered directly by the agency r thrugh a cmpany that cnducts searches. Cmpanies can be lcated n the internet and are available t gvernment, law enfrcement and cmmercial custmers. Many f the searches available are free r f minimal cst. Many internet resurces are listed in the Diligent Search Packet (Attachment J) which can be lcated n the Diakn website at click n Legal Services Initiative then click n Diligent Search. The Department recmmends that agencies have resurce parent applicants sign a disclsure statement relating t the infrmatin that the agency must btain when assessing and cnsider when determining apprval status f an applicant. The disclsure statement signifies that the applicant has prvided the agency with accurate infrmatin and understands their respnsibility t the agency f changes in clearance infrmatin abut themselves and individuals age 18 and lder wh reside in the hme, as well as changes in husehld cmpsitin. A cnversatin abut necessary infrmatin shuld ccur with each applicant asked t sign a disclsure statement. A sample template is included as Appendix C. The Department recmmends that agencies have a disclsure statement signed n an annual basis in cnjunctin with the annual re-apprval prcess. Shuld infrmatin appear fraudulent regarding a resurce parent, the agency shuld further investigate the cncern. Systems used t btain the additinal infrmatin vary frm cunty t cunty making the cllectin f infrmatin difficult. The Department recmmends that cunty agencies and private agencies that apprve resurce parents within a specific cunty, jintly develp guidelines fr hw infrmatin is cllected within that cunty system. This will prvide cnsistent guidelines fr actual cllectin f infrmatin. Agencies

6 must be familiar with hw t cllect infrmatin in each cunty in which it apprves resurce parents. The fllwing are guidelines fr apprving agencies in the cllectin f the new infrmatin required by Act 160 f 2004: Agencies must btain the applicant's previus addresses within the last ten years. This can be dne by asking the applicant t reprt this infrmatin as well as cntacting previus landlrds r asking t see purchase r sales agreements. This infrmatin is als cntained n the child abuse histry clearance. Agencies must knw the cmpsitin f the resident family unit. This infrmatin is als cntained n the child abuse histry clearance. Verificatin may include a detailed tur f the hme and identifying where each individual sleeps. Agencies must btain infrmatin relating t Prtectin frm Abuse (PFA) rders filed by r against either resurce parent applicant, prvided such infrmatin is accessible t the agency. Applicants shuld be asked abut a histry f PFAs and asked t prvide cpies f any petitins and rders. This infrmatin is generally available thrugh the cunty curt system. Verificatin n hw t btain this infrmatin shuld be cnfirmed with the cunty curt system. Agencies must btain details f family curt prceedings, prvided such infrmatin is accessible t the agency. Applicants shuld be asked abut previus r current divrce, custdy r ther family curt prceedings t which they r any member f the husehld were party and asked t prvide cpies f any petitins and rders. This infrmatin may be available thrugh the cunty curt system. Verificatin n hw t btain this infrmatin shuld be cnfirmed with the cunty curt system. Agencies must btain infrmatin n drug r alchl related arrests, whether criminal charges r judicial prceedings are pending, cnvictins exist r related hspitalizatins have ccurred within the last five years. Applicants shuld be asked abut a histry f drug and alchl related arrests, criminal charges and cnvictins r judicial prceedings and hspitalizatins and asked t prvide cpies f any curt prceedings r hspital infrmatin. The applicant shuld be asked t sign a release f infrmatin in rder t btain infrmatin frm any hspital in which the applicant received drug and alchl treatment. If the applicant prvides infrmatin abut a cnvictin r hspitalizatin within that five-year perid, infrmatin n the prir five years must be requested related t additinal cnvictins r hspitalizatins. Agencies must btain evidence f financial stability frm applicants. This must include current infrmatin (incme verificatin and current liens), emplyment histry, and bankruptcy findings within the last ten years. Applicants shuld be asked abut financial stability and asked t prvide cpies f lease agreements, purchase r sales agreements, deeds, bankruptcies, liens, pay stubs and an emplyment histry. Infrmatin relating t liens and bankruptcies may be available thrugh the cunty curt system. Verificatin n hw t btain this infrmatin shuld be cnfirmed with the cunty curt system. The applicant's emplyer will be able t verify emplyment and length f emplyment. Agencies must btain infrmatin relating t the number and age f fster children and ther dependents currently placed in the hme. Applicants shuld

7 be asked abut ther children placed in their care whether thrugh the child welfare system r thrugh a private arrangement. As this infrmatin is maintained n the resurce family registry, agencies may request in writing, infrmatin n the applicant frm the registry. Agencies must btain detailed infrmatin abut children with special needs currently living in the applicant's hme. Applicants shuld be asked abut the special needs f any children living in their hme. If the applicant des nt have the authrity t release such infrmatin, the agency shuld ask the persn wh has such authrity t sign a release f infrmatin allwing the agency t cnfirm the child's special needs. Refusal t prvide this infrmatin may result in disapprval f the applicant. Agencies must btain infrmatin abut the applicant's histry as a fster parent, including number and types f children served. Applicants shuld be asked abut their apprval r applicatin fr apprval with anther agency. Agencies may request the applicant t sign a release f infrmatin t btain infrmatin frm anther agency and frm the cunty children and yuth agencies in the cunties where the applicant has resided. As this infrmatin is maintained n the resurce family registry, agencies may request in writing, infrmatin n the applicant frm the registry. Agencies must btain infrmatin relating t an applicant's educatin, training r persnal experience wrking with fster children r the child welfare system. Applicants shuld be asked abut their educatin, training r persnal experiences and asked t prvide dcumentatin r sign releases f infrmatin in rder t cnfirm such educatin, training r persnal experience. Applicants may prvide transcripts f educatinal curses, certificates r ther prf f educatin r training. Agency Respnsibilities Relating t Statutry Requirements Act 160 f 2004 establishes further requirements f fster parents relating t reprting infrmatin changes. A fster parent has 48 hurs t reprt a change in CHRl r child abuse histry clearance infrmatin regarding themselves r anyne in their hme age 18 and lder t their apprving agency. The apprving private agency upn receiving such infrmatin must immediately ntify any cunty agency with custdy f a child placed in a hme when updated CHRl r child abuse histry infrmatin has been received. This timely reprting allws fr the safety and prtectin f children placed in the hme. The apprving agency must within 30 days f learning f a change in CHRl r child abuse histry clearance, submit an updated registratin frm t the Department. Act 160 f 2004 requires fster parents t reprt any change in husehld cmpsitin t the apprving agency within 30 days f such a change. The apprving private agency must within 15 days f receiving such infrmatin, ntify any cunty agency with custdy f a child placed in a hme when there has been a change in husehld cmpsitin. The apprving agency has 30 days f learning f a change in husehld cmpsitin, t submit an updated registratin frm t the Department.

8 Within 30 days f any individual age 18 and lder mving int an apprved resurce family hme, the individual must submit CHRl and child abuse histry clearance t the apprving agency t ensure they are nt a danger t children placed in the hme. A plan t ensure that the individual will nt assume child care respnsibilities must be in place until all clearances have been submitted and the agency determines that the individual is nt a threat t children. The apprving agency shuld meet with the individual immediately upn learning f the change in husehld cmpsitin s that cmplete infrmatin can be reprted t the cunty agency with custdy f a child placed in the hme. When children residing in apprved resurce family hmes turn 18 years f age, they must cmply with the requirements set frth in Act 160 relating t individuals age 18 and lder residing in the hme. Clearances must be submitted within 30 days f an individual residing in the hme turning 18 years f age. Children in the custdy f a cunty children and yuth agency placed in the hme wh turn 18 years f age and are expected t remain in the hme fr 30 days within the calendar year must be registered n an updated registratin frm. An apprving agency has 30 days after the child turns 18 years f age t submit an updated registratin frm t the Department. Children in the custdy f a cunty children and yuth agency under the age f 18 shuld nt be registered as husehld members n the registratin frm. Licensing Measurement Instrument Upn annual licensing inspectin, the Department must review agency recrds t determine cmpliance with statutry, regulatry and plicy requirements. The inspectin will include a review t determine whether the requirements set frth in this bulletin have been met. Case recrds will be reviewed during the licensing inspectin Fr the fllwing items: 1. Dcumentatin that each husehld member age 18 and lder wh has resided in the hme fr a minimum f 30 days within a calendar year has submitted ChildLine Clearances. 2. Dcumentatin that each husehld member age 18 and lder wh has resided in the hme fr a minimum f 30 days within a calendar year has submitted a CHRI. 3. Dcumentatin that any individual wh resides in the hme turns 18 years f age r an individual age 18 and lder wh mves int an already apprved resurce family hme, has submitted CHRl and child abuse histry clearances within 30 days f such event. 4. Dcumentatin that each husehld member age 18 and lder wh submitted a ChildLine clearance and cntinues t reside in the hme, has resubmitted ChildLine Clearances within 24 mnths f the mst recent clearance. 5. Dcumentatin that each husehld member age 18 and lder wh submitted a CHRl and cntinues t reside in this hme, has resubmitted a CHRl within 24 mnths f the mst recent clearance.

9 6. Dcumentatin that a fster parent has reprted any change in CHRl r ChildLine clearance relating t him/her r husehld members age 18 and lder within 48 hurs f learning f the infrmatin. 7. Dcumentatin that a private agency immediately ntified any cunty agency with custdy f a child placed in the resurce family hme f a change in clearance infrmatin. 8. Dcumentatin that the agency remved children placed in the hme if the fster parent knwingly failed t reprt a change in clearance infrmatin that wuld result in disapprval. 9. Dcumentatin that a fster parent has reprted any change in husehld cmpsitin within 30 days f ccurrence. 10. Dcumentatin that a private agency has within 15 days ntified any cunty agency with custdy f a child placed in the resurce family hme f a change husehld cmpsitin. 11. Dcumentatin that the agency remved children placed in the hme if the fster parent knwingly failed t reprt a change in husehld cmpsitin that wuld result in disapprval. 12. Dcumentatin that the agency meets with any new individual age 18 and lder immediately upn learning that the individual has mved int the hme. 13. Dcumentatin that the agency ensured that any individual age 18 years f age and lder wh mves int an apprved resurce family hme, will nt assume child care respnsibilities until all clearances have been submitted and the agency determines that the individual is nt a threat t children. 14. Dcumentatin that the resurce parent applicant was registered n the Resurce Family Registry within 30 days f being apprved/disapprved. 15. Cpies f written and ntarized requests fr Resurce Family Registry infrmatin if requested by the agency. 16. Infrmatin received related t the request fr Resurce Family Registry infrmatin. 17. Dcumentatin that the agency submitted an updated Resurce Family Registratin frm t the Department within 30 days f receiving change in clearance infrmatin. 18. Dcumentatin that the agency submitted an updated Resurce Family Registratin frm t the Department within 30 days f receiving change in husehld cmpsitin infrmatin. 19. Dcumentatin that the agency su3mitted an updated Resurce Family Registratin frm t the Department within 30 days f an individual residing in the husehld turning 18 years f age. 20. Dcumentatin that the agency sul3mitted an updated Resurce Family Registratin frm t the Department within 30 days f learning that an individual 18 years f age and lder has mved int the hme. 21. Dcumentatin that the agency has btained the additinal infrmatin required by statute fr cnsideratin when apprving resurce parent applicants including: (a) Previus addresses within the Iast ten years. (b) Cmpsitin f the resident family unit. in

10 (c) Prtectin frm abuse rders filed by r against either parent, prvided such infrmatin is accessible t the agency. (d) Details f any prceedings in family curt prvided such infrmatin is accessible t the agency. (e) Drug r alchl related arrests, if criminal charges r judicial prceeding are pending, and cnvictins r hspitalizatins within the last five years. If an applicant prvides infrmatin abut a cnvictin r hspitalizatin within that five-year perid, infrmatin n the prir five years must be requested related t additinal cnvictins r hspitalizatins. (f) Evidence f financial stability including incme verificatin, emplyment histry, current liens and bankruptcy findings within the last ten years. (g) Number and age f fster children and ther dependents currently placed in the hme. (h) Detailed infrmatin abut children with special needs currently living in the hme. (i) Previus histry as a fster parent, including number and types f children served. (j) Related educatin, training r persnal experience wrking with fster children r the child welfare system. 22. The agency has written plicies and prcedures relating t the apprval/disapprval f resurce parent applicants based n the infrmatin in number 21 abve, the requirements established in 55 Pa. Cde, Chapter 3700 (relating t fster family care agency) and the agency's apprval requirements. 23. The agency applies its plicies and prcedures relating t the apprval/disapprval f resurce parent applicants based n the infrmatin in number 21 abve.

11 Appendix A Act 160 Statutry Requirements Relating t the Apprval f Resurce Parents Act 160 f 2004, amended sectin 6344 f The Child Prtective Services Law (relating t infrmatin relating t prspective child-care persnnel). These additinal requirements fr resurce parent applicants are extensive and include: 1. Anyne 18 years f age and lder wh resides in the applicant's hme must submit criminal histry recrd infrmatin (CHRI) and child abuse histry clearance t the fster family care agency (FFCA) under 6344 (d) (2) (relating t prspective adptive r fster parents). 2. Fster parents and anyne 18 years f age and lder residing in the hme, must submit CHRl and child abuse histry clearances every 24 mnths fllwing apprval t the FFCA fr review in accrdance with 6344 (c). 3. Fster parents must reprt any change f infrmatin relating t CHRI and child abuse histry clearances abut themselves r anyne 18 years f age and lder residing in the hme t the FFCA within 48 hurs in accrdance with 6344 (c). 4. Fster parents are required t reprt any ther change in husehld cmpsitin within 30 days t the FFCA. 5. Fster parents, wh knwingly fail t submit infrmatin required in 6344 (d) (3), (4) and (5) that wuld disqualify them (result in disapprval) as fster parents, will cause fster children placed in their hme t be remved immediately withut a hearing. 6. Apprved fster parents are nt cnsidered emplyees fr any purpse, including but nt limited t: a. Liability; b. Unemplyment cmpensatin; c. Wrkers' cmpensatin; r d. Other emplyee benefits prvided by the cunty agency. The CPSL requires fster and adptive parent applicants t submit criminal histry recrd infrmatin and child abuse histry infrmatin clearances fr apprval. 55 Pa. Cde, Chapter 3700 (relating t fster family care agency) establishes the minimum regulatry requirements fr the apprval f fster parent applicants. 55 Pa. Cde, Chapter 3350 (relating t adptin services) establishes the minimum regulatry requirements fr the apprval f adptive parent applicants. Act 160 f 2004 als requires agencies that apprve fster and adptive parent applicants t btain additinal infrmatin fr cnsideratin f an applicant. This infrmatin may be btained frm the applicant r frm ther surces. The additinal required infrmatin includes: 1. Previus addresses within the last ten years. 2. Cmpsitin f the resident family unit.

12 3. Prtectin frm abuse rders filed by r against either parent, prvided such infrmatin is accessible t the agency. 4. Details f any prceedings brught in family curt prvided such recrds are accessible t the agency. 5. Drug r alchl related arrests, if criminal charges r judicial prceeding are pending, and any cnvictins r hspitalizatins within the last five years. If an applicant prvides infrmatin abut cnvictins r hspitalizatins within that five-year perid, infrmatin n the prir five years shall be requested related t additinal cnvictins r hspitalizatins. 6. Evidence f financial stability including incme verificatin, emplyment histry, current liens and bankruptcy findings within the last ten years. 7. Number and ages f fster children and ther dependents currently placed in the hme. 8. Detailed infrmatin abut children with special needs currently living in the hme. 9. Previus histry as a fster parent, including number and types f children served. 10. Related educatin, training r persnal experience wrking with fster children r the child welfare system.

13 Appendix B Resurce Family Registry and Related Requirements Act 160 f 2004, established the Resurce Family Registry under 6344 (d.1). lnfrmatin cntained in the resurce family registry includes the fllwing: 1. The name, Scial Security number, date f birth, gender, marital status, race and ethnicity f applicants. 2. The date(s) f the resurce family applicatin. 3. The current and previus hme addresses f applicants. 4. The cunty f residence f applicants. 5. The name, date f birth, Scial Security number, gender and relatinship f all husehld members. 6. The name, address and telephne number f any current and previus fster family care agency r adptin agency affiliated with the applicants. 7. The dispsitin related t apprval r disapprval f applicants and the date and basis fr the dispsitin. 8. The type f care the resurce family will prvide. 9. The number f children that may tie placed in the resurce family hme. 10. The age, race, gender, level f special need, characteristics and behavirs f children that may be placed in the resurce family hme. 11. The family issues fr a child that the resurce family wuld like t prvide care fr. 12. The resurce family's ability t prvide care fr sibling grups. 13. The resurce family's feelings regarding penness and cntact with birth families. 14. The ccupatin, special needs training r experience f applicants. 15. The type f neighbrhd in which the applicant lives (rural, urban, suburban). 16. The date and reasn fr any clsure f the resurce family hme. 17. Appeal activity f resurce family applicants r apprved resurce families, the basis fr appeals, the status and dispsitin f all appeal related activities The infrmatin maintained in the resurce family registry is nt available t the public. lnfrmatin may be released nly after psitive identificatin t the fllwing: 1. An authrized fficial f a cunty r private agency, a federal agency r an agency f anther state wh perfrms resurce family apprvals r the Department in the curse f the fficial's duties. 2. A guardian ad litem r curt-designated advcate fr a child. In this circumstance, infrmatin is limited t the resurce family with which the child is placed. 3. A curt f cmpetent jurisdictin, including a district justice, a judge f the Municipal Curt f Philadelphia r the Pittsburgh Magistrates Curt, pursuant t curt rder r subpena in a criminal matter invlving a charge f child abuse. a

14 4. A curt f cmpetent jurisdictin in a child custdy matter. The Department shall prvide any files the curt cnsiders relevant. 5. The Attrney General. 6. Federal auditrs as required fr Federal financial participatin in funding f agencies. Hwever, federal audits may nt remve identifiable infrmatin r cpies theref frm the agency r the Department. 7. Law enfrcement agents f any jurisdictin. The infrmatin must be relevant t the investigatin f crimes invlving the resurce family. 8. Apprpriate fficials f anther private agency, anther cunty agency r anther state regarding a resurce family that has applied t becme a resurce family fr that agency, cunty r state. 9. A resurce family upn written request may receive a cpy f all infrmatin cntained in the registry abut their family.

15 Appendix C SAMPLE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT DISCLOSURE STATEMENT I, the undersigned resurce parent applicant, understand that pursuant t 23 Pa. C.S knwn as The Child Prtective Services Law (CPSL), the entity t which I have applied as a resurce parent r by which I am apprved as a resurce parent must btain infrmatin t cnduct a backgrund check. I understand that I am respnsible t prvide accurate infrmatin abut myself and anyne residing in my hme t the entity listed abve including specific changes enumerated belw fr each individual 18 years f age and lder wh reside in my hme. The reviewing and apprving agency shall access and review criminal histry recrd infrmatin (CHRI), child abuse histry clearances fr all husehld members 18 years f age and lder and all ther required infrmatin and shall make a determinatin whether r nt t apprve any resurce family hme based n such infrmatin. Name: First Middle Maiden/Other Last List any Aliases: Date f Birth: Address: Street City State Zip

16 I have nt been cnvicted f any f the fllwing crimes r the attempt, slicitatin r cnspiracy t cmmit any f the fllwing crimes including thse under Title 18 f the Pennsylvania Cnslidated Statutes ("Crimes Cde") r equivalent crime in anther jurisdictin. Chapter 25 (relating t criminal hmicide) Sectin 2702 (relating t aggravated assault) Sectin (relating t stalking) Sectin 2901 (relating t kidnapping) Sectin 2902 (relating t unlawful restraint) Sectin 3121 (relating t rape) Sectin (relating t statutry sexual assault) Sectin (relating t invluntary deviate sexual intercurse) Sectin (relating t sexual assault) Sectin (relating t aggravated indecent assault) Sectin 3126 (relating t indecent assault) Sectin (relating t indecent expsure) Sectin 4302 (relating t incest) Sectin 4303 (relating t cncealing death f a child) Sectin 4304 (relating t endangering welfare f children)' Sectin 4305 (relating t dealing in infant children) Sectin 5902 (b) (relating t prstitutin and related ffenses) Sectin 5903 (c) (d) (relating t bscene and ther sexual materials and perfrmances) Sectin 6301 (relating t crruptin f minrs) Sectin 6312 (relating t sexual abuse f children); r An equivalent crime under federal law r the law f anther state. I have nt been cnvicted f a felny ffense under Act (relating t the cntrlled substance, drug device and csmetic act) cmmitted within the past five years. I have been cnvicted f r am under pending indictment fr any crime (including the dates, lcatin/jurisdictin, circumstances and utcme). I have nt been the perpetratr f any reprt f child abuse that has been indicated r funded. I agree t reprt any changes f infrmatin in criminal histry recrd infrmatin r child abuse histry abut myself r anyne 18 years f age and lder wh resides in my hme, within 48 hurs in accrdance with The Child Prtective Services Law. I agree t reprt any change in husehld cmpsitin within 30 days in accrdance with The Child Prtective Services Law. I understand that if I knwingly fail t prvide the required infrmatin, I will be disapprved as a resurce parent and children placed in my hme will be immediately remved withut a hearing.

17 I have prvided accurate infrmatin relating t tile fllwing: Previus addresses within the last ten years. Cmpsitin f the resident family unit. Prtectin frm Abuse Orders filed by r against either myself r c-applicant. Details f any prceedings in family curt Drug r alchl related arrests, whether criminal charges r judicial prceedings are pending and cnvictins r hspitalizatins within the last ten years. Evidence f financial stability including incme verificatin, emplyment histry, current liens and bankruptcies within the last ten years. Number and age f fster children and ther dependents currently placed in the hme. Detailed infrmatin abut children with special needs currently living in the hme. Previus histry as a fster/adptive parent including number and types f children served. Related educatin, training r persnal experience wrking with fster children r the child welfare system. I hereby swear/affirm that the infrmatin I prvided as is listed abve is true and crrect t the best f my knwledge and belief. I understand that the penalty fr false swearing is a misdemeanr f the third degree pursuant t Sectin 4903 (b) f the "Crimes Cde." Name: Type/Print Signature: Date: Agency Representative: Type/Print Signature: Date: