Physical Characteristics of Home 622-05-25

 

Housing 622-05-25-05

(Revised 4/1/24 ML #3803)

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The foster home must be a single family dwelling (home, townhouse, apartment, condo or manufactured home), occupied by the applicant(s). The Licensing Specialist shall inspect and approve the entire premises. The onsite visit should also include a tour of any buildings on the property (shed, Quonset, barn, garage, shop, etc), not solely the home where the children will be residing and sleeping. While walking through out-buildings on the property, the Licensing Specialist will provide education and discuss safety with the prospective foster care provider.

 

The home assessment is in addition to any inspections required as part of the licensing process including:

  1. The home and premises must be clean, neat, and free from hazards that jeopardize health and safety of the children.
  2. The home shall engage in proper trash disposal and be free from rodent and insect infestation.
  3. The home must be equipped with adequate light, heat, ventilation, and plumbing for safe and comfortable occupancy. The home shall have a properly working sink, refrigerator, stove and oven in the kitchen and at least one sink, toilet, and bathtub or shower in the bathroom.
  4. The home and grounds shall be in compliance with any state and local zoning requirements. (NDAC 75-03-14-03)
  5. The Licensing Specialist shall inform prospective foster care providers where they can get information on state and local zoning requirements.
  6. A health inspection may be required if conditions appear questionable, and all conditions as outlined by the Health Department must be met.
  7. If a home has video cameras installed inside or outside of the property, the foster care provider/s must disclose this information to the specialists upon purchase of a security system or video cameras for monitoring. Licensing Specialists should be informed of where the cameras are positioned, why they are in use, when they are recording, who is responsible for the camera(s) and what happens to the footage.
  1. Video cameras must be made known to all parties entering the home (case managers, child in foster care, etc.) and an explanation granted as to why the cameras are in use.
  2. Video cameras may not be used to supervise children.
  3. Indoor video cameras may not be placed in private spaces of a home, such as bedrooms and bathrooms where children in foster care will change clothing or be naturally exposed. Baby monitors with cameras may be used to observe infants and toddlers under age three in their bedroom to ensure safety and awareness etc.
  4. Video cameras may not be used to intentionally record the child.

  1. Bedroom Requirements:

    1. All sleeping rooms must have an accessible window to exit, allow for proper light and ventilation and the room must have appropriate smoke alarms as recommended by local fire department, state fire marshal or local building codes.

    2. Basement bedrooms and playrooms must be equipped with more than one exit.

    3. Sleeping arrangements, which require a child in foster care to sleep in a bedroom located in a basement or on a level away from adults, must be discussed. Children in foster care must demonstrate their ability to depart from all exits.

    4. The home must have adequate sleeping rooms to accommodate the size of the household including an individual bed and bedding for each child in foster care to sleep comfortably. A license to provide foster care for children must not displace a household member from sleep space.

    5. Co-sleeping or bed sharing with a child in foster care is prohibited.

    6. Children in foster care age six and older are not to share bedrooms with children of the opposite gender. Adult household members over the age of 18 are not to share bedroom space with children in foster care, regardless of gender. This includes children in foster care in the 18+ Continued Care program (who are viewed as adults in all other systems). 18+ youth are not to share bedroom space with children under age 18, unless the 18+ youth and his or her same sex sibling are in need of placement in the same provider home.

    7. Children in foster care over the age of two are not to share a bedroom with the foster care provider/s, unless otherwise approved by the CFS Licensing Unit.

    8. A bed is defined as independent permanent furniture used for one individual (Ex: a twin bed, full bed, queen bed, king bed, bunk bed, or crib depending on the size of the child. Ex: If a home has a set of twin bunk beds, they are eligible to be licensed for 2 children.

    9. Temporary bed space is defined as an air mattress, trundle bed, pack n’ play, bassinet or a hide-a-bed couch, which cannot be used as ongoing sleep space. Temporary bed space cannot be used longer than 7 days, unless otherwise approved by the CFS Licensing Unit. Temporary bed space must be discussed if providing shelter care or respite care in the foster home.

    10. Children in foster care must be given adequate space for personal belongings and privacy in their bedroom.

  2. Doors:

    1. Interior doors, when locked, must allow for entry from the outside in an emergency. For example, a bathroom door must be designed so hat the opening of the locked door can be accomplished from the outside, in the event of an emergency.

    2. Exterior doors maintained to permit easy exit.

    3. Doors must prevent a child from being trapped, including closet doors that can open from both the inside and outside.

     

Secondary Residence: There are times when a foster care provider has two properties and the family lives between two homes as their primary residence (Ex: They live in their city home for the fall/winter months and they move to the ND lake cabin for spring/summer). If the family is “living” fulltime at the home, then the home must meet general safety compliance. A Licensing Specialist can make arrangements to view both properties or go onsite to the primary property where the family is spending most of their time throughout the year and follow up with a FaceTime or TEAMS call to complete a virtual tour of the secondary property. If the family is solely visiting the lake cabin or permanent camper site for different weekends throughout the summer, it is not considered their primary residence and is not required to be viewed. Bed capacity discussions must occur to ensure the foster care provider has adequate sleeping space available.