General Safety Guidelines 622-05-25-30

(Revised 10/1/2023 ML #3757)

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Foster care providers are required to maintain a safe and comfortable environment for children in foster care. Below are additional standards set forth by NDAC 75-03-14 to ensure the health and safety of a child in placement.

  1. Firearms: Firearms must be kept in locked storage or trigger locks must be used. Ammunition must be kept separate from firearms. A foster care provider with a concealed weapons permit must follow the regulations set forth by NDCC 62.1-04. Individuals permitted to carry have been trained in how to handle and possess the weapon safely. Due diligence is required by the foster care provider to apply the rules of storage to the firearm when not on the person. For example, when the firearm is being carried, it must be secured on that person and cannot be laying freely on the console of the vehicle.

     

  2. Carbon Monoxide Alarm: The home shall be equipped with a carbon monoxide detector/alarms as determined necessary for the space. If the home has a source for carbon monoxide through an attached garage, gas furnace, or gas appliances then the home must have at least one carbon monoxide detector/alarm on each floor per recommendation from the ND State Fire Marshal. Combined smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are allowed.

     

  3. Transportation: The home shall have reliable, legal and safe transportation available to transport children in placement.

     

  4. Vehicular Insurance: All foster care providers are required, by law, to carry liability insurance on all vehicles owned by them in which children in foster care may be passengers.

     

  5. Telephone/Communication Device: The home must have an operational telecommunications device (extra cell phone, landline, ipad, etc.), and residents of the home must have access to it. Immediate means a communication system that is available and functional for notification to emergency medical care, local fire department, police department, or any other entity that could provide life saving services and can be reached in time to maximize the effectiveness of those services to aid the child in foster care and household members in a crisis situation.

     

  6. Emergency Contacts: The home shall post emergency contacts, including poison control at (800) 222-1222.

     

  7. First Aid: The home shall have first aid supplies on hand while a child in foster care is in placement.

     

  8. Pets: Pets belonging to the foster care provider must be properly vaccinated as recommended by veterinary guidelines. The CFS Licensing Unit requires the rabies vaccine at a minimum.

a. Pets are defined as animals living in the house with the family and/or engaging daily with the family (ex: farm dog sleeps outside but is active with the family).

b. Pets are discussed throughout the initial and renewal home study process. The licensing specialists must assess if the pets are friendly to children and strangers, including custodial agency staff who will regularly visit the home and the licensing specialists who assess the home for safety.

c. Friendly pets have characteristics that include affection, loyalty and ability to readily give up control of food, toys and other objects to its owner, children, and visitors. Pets that show signs of a dominance or aggressiveness (biting, nipping, excessive barking, snarling, growling, hissing, etc.) will need to be assessed in greater detail.

d. If an incident occurs which leads to a change in behavior from a pet, licensing specialists must be notified by the applicant and/or current foster care provider. Licensing specialist will discuss the pet behavior and ensure safety for children in placement, which may include safety planning around the household pet. When a household pets behavior impacts the safety of the household, it could be a barrier in obtaining or maintaining a license to provide foster care.

10. Milk: The milk supply consumed by the family shall be obtained from an approved source.

 

This section is not all inclusive of health and safety standards, the chapter has various safety related topics throughout the manual.