§ 10A-1-9-116. Foster parent training and continuing education.

A.  The Department of Human Services and each child-placing agency shall develop:

1.  A foster care education program to provide training for persons intending to furnish foster care services; and

2.  Continuing educational programs for foster parents.

B.  1.  In addition to any other conditions and requirements specified by the state agency or child-placing agency, as applicable, prior to placement of a child in foster placement other than kinship care, each foster parent shall have completed the training approved by the Department or the child-placing agency, as appropriate.

2.  A foster parent providing kinship foster care shall, if possible, complete the training developed by the Department for kinship foster care prior to placement or at such other times as required by the Department; provided, however, in no event shall training take place later than one hundred twenty (120) days after placement of the child with the kinship foster parent.  Until a kinship foster parent receives final approval from the Department to provide foster care services to a child, the kinship foster parent shall not be eligible to receive any payment for providing foster care services.

3.  Approved training shall require a minimum of twelve (12) hours of study related, but not limited, to physical care, education, learning disabilities, procedures for referral to and receipt of necessary professional services, behavioral assessment and modification, independent-living skills, and procedures for biological parent contact.  Such training shall relate to the area of parental substitute authority, behavioral management techniques including, but not limited to, parent-child conflict resolution techniques, stress management, and any other appropriate technique to teach the foster parent how to manage the child’s behavior in a manner appropriate to the age and development of the foster child.

4.  The foster parent or person intending to provide foster care services may complete the training as part of an approved training program offered by a public or private agency with expertise in the provision of child foster care or in related subject areas.

C.  In order to assist persons providing kinship foster care, the Department shall immediately refer kinship foster parents and the child for assistance under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program until the certification and training requirements have been completed.

D.  Foster parent training programs may include, but not be limited to, in-service training, workshops and seminars developed by the state agency; seminars and courses offered through public or private education agencies; and workshops, seminars and courses pertaining to behavioral and developmental disabilities and to the development of mutual support services for foster parents.

E.  The Department and each child-placing agency shall provide statewide training, education, and continuing education programs for foster parents.

F.  The Department or each child-placing agency shall notify a foster parent at least ten (10) business days in advance of the statewide scheduling of education, continuing education or foster parent training occurring near the vicinity of the home of a foster parent.

G.  The Department may also provide additional foster care training to a foster parent.  A foster parent may request in writing to the Department that additional foster parent training be provided.

Added by Laws 1996, c. 353, § 12, eff. Nov. 1, 1996.  Amended by Laws 1997, c. 389, § 16, eff. Nov. 1, 1997; Laws 1998, c. 414, § 12, emerg. eff. June 11, 1998; Laws 1999, c. 2, § 4, emerg. eff. March 3, 1999; Laws 2000, c. 374, § 36, eff. July 1, 2000; Laws 2009, c. 233, § 104, emerg. eff. May 21, 2009.  Renumbered from § 7212 of Title 10 by Laws 2009, c. 233, § 308, emerg. eff. May 21, 2009.