Recipient Name
Date
Page 2 of 1

June 20, 2016

TO: All Child Placing Agencies

FM: Denise Gray Stevens, Director

RE: Temporary Permits for Family Foster Homes

Greetings, All—

Attached is our Division’s Policy Advisory 2016-1, which outlines new policies effective September 1, 2016, regarding issuing temporary permits for family foster homes. These policies will affect new foster home applications received on or after September 1, 2016. There are no changes to issuing temporary permits for NR-KIN homes or for move applications when children are in placement.

Licenses for foster homes will not be issued until DCF surveyor staff have made a full inspection and assessment of the home’s ability to adequately provide for the health and safety of children in care. Surveyors will make home inspections a priority, and will be at the homes no later than 30 days after the receipt of a complete application. If the home is in compliance with all regulations, a full license will be issued.

Complete applications will include all items and documentation listed under III. Policy Summary 13) in the attached Policy Advisory. Notable changes include the absence of the CPA-completed survey instrument and the addition of fingerprint and out-of-state background check results, all required training certificates, the Family Assessment, and the MAPP or DT Assessment.

These changes in policy and procedure will make the entire application process smoother from start to finish, and will result in the issuance of full licenses much faster than under current practices. This will benefit families by decreasing their frustration with the licensing process and any confusion resulting from the application process. Of great significance is that with these changes children will no longer be placed in homes which may not be in compliance with all statutory and regulatory requirements for a license. This will truly benefit children.

Thank you all in advance for your help implementing the attached changes and improving the care children receive in family foster homes!