Personal Characteristics of Foster Care Providers 622-05-30

(Revised10/1/23 ML #3757)

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Foster care providers must meet specific home study requirements which includes personal characteristics and life experience. The home study assesses the current circumstance of the household including the applicant(s) and all household members (children or other adults) living in the home.

Applicants on the license must meet the required personal characteristics as primary caregivers to the children in foster care. However, household members living in the home who are not applicants on the license, must also meet requirements and have characteristics that provide a safe and positive placement experience for the child in foster care. The licensing specialist must ensure ongoing assessment of the home.

 

Personal Characteristics:

  1. Applicant(s) or adult household member/s shall not have a criminal conviction for a direct bearing offense, nor be on probation where the offense cannot be determined rehabilitated under NDCC § 12.1-33-02.1. The Department shall determine the effect of a conviction or an offense.

  2. Applicant(s) must demonstrate an interest in and responsiveness to other people, particularly children.

  3. Applicant(s) must understand the importance to give love, affection, and care to a child without expecting the child to return this love and affection.

  4. Applicant(s) must acknowledge of their own children’s feelings and the feelings of family and friends toward children in foster care.

  5. Applicant(s) must demonstrate Satisfactory and stable adult relationships, which include not only meaningful relationships, but supportive relationships with household members, family and friends.

  6. Applicant(s) must demonstrate emotional stability, appropriate understanding and management of anger and rejection.

  7. Applicants will not use any illegal substances, consume alcohol in excess when supervising children in placement, or misuse legal prescription and/or nonprescription drugs by consuming them contrary to what is directed.

  8. Applicant(s) or household member/s, except a child in foster care, may not exhibit symptoms of substance use or emotional instability that inhibit their ability to engage with or care for children.

    1. Upon initial licensure, any household member who had previous symptoms of substance use or emotional instability, may not have had incident which inhibited their ability to engage appropriately with or care for children for a period of at least twelve months prior to licensure. (NDAC 75-03-14-04).

    2. Upon licensure, if symptoms of substance use or emotional instability inhibit the ability to appropriately engage with or care for a child in foster care, every effort should be made to keep the placement intact if the household member is seeking treatment. Treatment of the household member and safety for a child in foster care placed in the home must be assessed and addressed to determine if placement of a child in foster care should be maintained. No further placements will be made until successful completion of the treatment and/or reassessment by the household member has occurred. The licensing specialist must also assess if the foster home would prefer or benefit from a sabbatical (temporary break from foster care placements) in order to allow time for the family to manage the presented circumstance.

  9. Applicant(s) and household member(s) may not smoke or vape, in the home or in an enclosed area (garage, camper, vehicle) when the child in foster care is present. All providers should be aware of the potential hazards of smoking in the presence of children, particularly infants and children with respiratory or allergic sensitivity.

    1. Applicant(s) or household members prescribed medical marijuana must notify the licensing specialist. If medical marijuana is prescribed to a applicant(s) or household member, they may continue to care for children in foster care. However, an assessment should consider the medical diagnosis requiring the use of medical marijuana, like any other prescribed controlled substance. The licensing specialist will review the applicant(s) ability to provide for the safety and well-being of a child in foster care. Discussions must include how, when and where the foster provider will use medical marijuana, etc.

    2. If approved by the licensing specialist, the applicant(s) or household member(s) must follow the prescription authorized by the medical professional. If medical marijuana is not issued in pill form, the household member(s) cannot smoke in an enclosed area in the presence of a child in foster care.

  10. Applicant(s) must function adequately in their chosen life style. Demonstrating the ability to accept responsibility, support and engage with their family and friends.

  11. Applicant(s) have reputable character, values, and ethical standards conducive to the well-being of the children.

  12. Applicant(s) must have a practical understanding of the developmental stages of children and their accompanying needs. Flexibility in their expectation, attitudes, and behavior in relationship to meeting the individual needs of children.

  13. Applicant(s) must demonstrate the maturity to exercise good judgment and appropriate use of authority.

  14. Applicant(s) must acknowledge and demonstrate acceptance and resolution of any of their own negative childhood experiences.

  15. Applicant(s) must have the capacity to accept placement of a child in foster care without undue disruption of their own family life.

  16. Applicant(s) demonstrate and understand the importance of accepting child in foster care's relationship with his or her own parents. The ability to accept a child in foster care's background and family circumstances without passing judgment on the child or the child’s family.

  17. Applicant(s) must have the capacity to help prepare a child for reunification, for adoptive placement, guardianship, or an alternate permanency arrangement.

  18. Applicant(s) must demonstrate a willingness to treat the child as a member of their own family.

  19. Applicant(s) must be willing to cooperate with the custodial agency to obtain any recommended services to best meet the needs of the child in foster care.

  20. Applicant(s) must demonstrate an understanding of the need for each child in foster care to have a nutritional, well-balanced diet, as well as recognize the requirement of ensuring each child in foster care is offered food, eats adequately and obtains the necessary nutrition daily. Special diets must be provided by the foster family when required by the child’s condition.

  21. Applicant(s) must demonstrate a working knowledge and understanding of North Dakota’s approved pre-service training.