Tracking #2008-00721
FA/P 9/5/08, eff. 11/1/08

I:/08051601.rtf
[I:/08051601.doc]

(12 CCR 2509-1)

[Instructions:  insert before line 1502643.]
Revisions to Sections 7.000.5, 7.202.55, 7.304.64, 7.500.2, 7.500.31, 7.500.314-7.500.315, 7.500.32-7.500.321, 7.709-7.709.1, 7.709.2-7.709.27, 7.710.34, and 7.710.36 were final adoption following publication at the 9/5/2008 State Board meeting (Rule-making# 08-5-16-1), with an effective date of 11/1/2008. Statement of Basis and Purpose and specific statutory authority for these revisions were incorporated by reference into the rule. These materials are available for review by the public during normal working hours at the Colorado Department of Human Services, Boards and Commissions Division, State Board Administration.

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[Instructions:  replace line 1035621.]
7.000.5  DEFINITIONS OF TERMS [Rev. eff. 11/1/08]
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[Instructions:  replace lines 1035650 through 1035653.]
Y.  “Siblings” means a sibling from birth who is descended form one or two mutual parents, stepbrother, former stepbrother, stepsister, or a former stepsister as defined in Section 19-1-128(5), C.R.S. for the purpose of sibling visitation. 
Z.  “State Department” means the Colorado Department of Human Services.
AA.  “Supplemental Security Income (SSI)” means monthly cash payments made by the Social Security Administration to an aged, blind, or disabled individual who meets the requirements under Title XVI of the Social Security Act.
BB.  “Supportive Activities” means those activities of the informational, statistical, clerical personnel, and staff training systems which support the social services program.
CC.  “Title XX” means that title of the Federal Social Security Act from which the State's Services Plan is based. The Title XX legislation is contained in Public Law No. 97-35.
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(12 CCR 2509-3)

[Instructions:  replace lines 1499041 through 1207926.]
7.202.55  Institutional Abuse or Neglect Investigations [Rev. eff. 11/1/08]
Institutional abuse or neglect investigations shall: 
A.  Include those reports of child abuse or neglect by staff in any private or public facility that provides out-of-home child care, including twenty-four (24) hour care and child care homes and centers. 
B.  Not include abuse or neglect that occurs in public, private, and parochial schools and preschools operated in connection with those schools, except when those schools provide extended day services and abuse or neglect occurs during that time. Those instances shall be considered as institutional abuse and investigated accordingly.   Eff  02/01/2007
C.  Be the responsibility of the county department of social services in which the facility named in the report is located.   Eff  02/01/2007
D.  Be conducted in those cases in which an allegation of abuse or neglect is made. A report of a minor injury resulting from physical restraint shall not, by itself, require a full investigation unless there are surrounding circumstances that would indicate abusive or neglectful behavior by the care provider. Such circumstances include those reports in which someone is specifically alleging the behavior to be abusive or those reports in which there has been a pattern of frequent injuries by the same caretaker or of similar incidents in the same facility.   Eff  02/01/2007
E.  Be conducted by a qualified and disinterested party in those situations in which the county department is the supervisory agency, such as for certified county foster and group homes. Such an investigation shall be arranged for by the responsible county department with either another county department, another agency within the community who accepts delegated responsibility, or a disinterested and qualified staff person within the county department.   Eff  02/01/2007
F.  Be initiated within twenty-four (24) hours to determine the child(ren)'s safety. 
1.  Children must be seen within twenty-four (24) hours when the report indicates that: 
a.  Without immediate intervention the child(ren) is at risk of moderate to serious harm. 
b.  The risk factors based on the child(ren)’s vulnerability increase the need for immediate interventions. 
2.  Face to face response time with the child(ren) that is not at imminent risk are to be followed in accordance with Section 7.202.4, I, 2, 3. 
3.  The county responsible for the investigation is required to document in the state automated case management system the exceptions for not seeing the child(ren) within the prescribed timeframe: 
a.  Another caseworker, police officer, or medical professional checked on the safety of the child(ren) within the assigned response time. 
b.  The child(ren) was no longer in the home or facility at the time of the report.
c.  The alleged person responsible for the abuse or neglect is no longer in the home or facility. 
d.  The alleged incident occurred in another home or facility and occurred three (3) or more moths ago.
e.  The present location of the child or children is determined to be unknown after diligent attempts to locate the child or children. 
f.  Severe weather conditions that prevent travel. 
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[Instructions:  replace lines 1207956 through 1207976.]
J.  Require notification of:   Eff  02/01/2007
1.  Custodial agencies, including county departments, other states, and appropriate divisions of the Department of Human Services.   Eff  02/01/2007
a.  Shall be notified immediately if there are safety issues or if an injury requires medical treatment.   Eff  02/01/2007
b.  Shall be notified following completion of investigation if the child in their custody was the subject of a report or if the investigation reveals concerns regarding the child care practices which could negatively impact their child/ren.   Eff  02/01/2007
2.  Licensing authority or certifying unit shall be notified the next working day if the investigation indicates there is an immediate threat to the child/ren's health, safety, or welfare. 
3.  Parents/Legal Guardians of alleged victim(s)   Eff  02/01/2007
a.  Shall be notified by the custodial counties when alleged abuse occurs in out-of-home care setting.   Eff  02/01/2007
b.  Shall be notified by the investigating county when there is no custodial county.   Eff  02/01/2007
c.  Shall be notified by investigating county when alleged abuse occurs in less than twenty-four (24) hour child care with notification provided prior to an interview with child/ren, where possible. 
d.  Notification shall include that an investigation is being or has been conducted on a report of abuse and/or neglect, nature of the alleged abuse and the findings of the investigation.   Eff  02/01/2007
e.  If circumstances do not allow for direct contact, then notification of the allegations and findings shall be provided in writing.   Eff  02/01/2007
4.  Parents or legal guardians of uninvolved children in less than twenty-four (24) hour licensed child care settings shall be given notice of an investigation within seventy-two (72) hours when it has been determined by the State or county department that: 
a.  The incident of alleged child abuse or neglect that prompted the investigation is at the level of a medium, severe, or fatal incident of abuse or neglect, as defined by rule at Sections 7.202.6, F and 7.202.602, A, or involves sexual abuse;   Eff  02/01/2007
b.  The State Department or county department has made a determination that notice to the parents or legal guardians of the uninvolved children is essential to the investigation of the specific allegation or is necessary for the safety of children cared for at the facility; and,   Eff  02/01/2007
c.  The State Department or county department has documented in writing the basis for the determination, and a State Department or county department supervisor has provided written approval of the determination for which basis and approval may be in electronic form.   Eff  02/01/2007
5.  Director of facility   Eff  02/01/2007
a.  Shall be apprised of the allegation.   Eff  02/01/2007
b.  Shall be advised regarding the results of the investigation and provided a verbal report immediately once a determination is made. If the county department is unable to make a determination regarding the person(s) allegedly responsible for child abuse or neglect, the director shall also be advised so that decisions regarding the continued employment of the employee can be made by the facility.   Eff  02/01/2007
K.  Require the submission of a written report by the investigating county within 60 calendar days after the initial receipt of the report of child abuse or neglect:   Eff  02/01/2007
1.  To the facility administrator/director and the agency with licensing/certifying authority.   Eff  02/01/2007
2.  To the Institutional Abuse Team , the Department’s twenty-four (24) hour monitoring team, and the Division of Child Care when the incident involves a twenty-four (24) hour care facility. 
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(12 CCR 2509-4)

[Instructions:  replace line 1011277.]
7.304.64  Visitation and Supervision [Rev. eff. 11/1/08]
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[Instructions:  replace lines 1011286 through 1011288.]
C.  When a child in foster care and a sibling (defined in Section 7.000.5, Y) mutually request a visit or regular visits, or the guardian ad litem requests visits on behalf of a child, the county department shall perform and document the following activities in the visitation plan and contact notes: 
1.  That visits are scheduled in a reasonable amount of time and with sufficient frequency to promote continuity of the relationships. 
2.  That the county department has determined that it is not in the best interests of one or both of the children. 
3.  That there has been consultation with the District Attorney to determine whether a criminal action is pending in any jurisdiction where either sibling is a victim or witness, prior to arranging a visit. 
4.  That a visit is not required or permitted because it would violate a known existing protection order pending in any state. 
5.  A child in foster care shall be informed of the right to sibling visits. 
D.  Visitation between the child and his/her family shall increase in frequency and duration as the goal of reuniting the family is approached. The caseworker shall document this increase in visitation in the child's case record.
E.  The county department will notify parents of any determination which affects their visitation rights. The caseworker shall keep a copy of this notification in the case record.
F.  In cases where the goal is not to reunite the family, the caseworker shall discuss the issue of separation and help define the child's future relationship with the family. The caseworker shall document this discussion and planning in the case record.

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(12 CCR 2509-6)

[Instructions:  replace line 1430318.]
7.500.2  ASSESSMENT OF FOSTER HOME AND ADOPTIVE HOME [Rev. eff. 11/1/2008]
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[Instructions:  replace lines 1011956 through 1011963.]
E.  Assessment Update
1.  If there are changes in the age, sex, and special characteristics of the child(ren) which will be considered for  the family, a re-evaluation of the family will be completed and the assessment revised.
2.  For any individual eighteen (18) years of age or older entering the home with the intent of residing in the home or providing caretaker services in the home, there shall be a review and documentation in the provider record of the following: 
a.  Child abuse or neglect records check in every state where the adult has resided in the previous five (5) years. 
b.  A fingerprint-based criminal history check completed for the CBI and FBI, and,
c.  A comparison search in the state’s contracted system, ICON, using the name and date of birth with available criminal history information for each adult eighteen (18) years and older entering the home. The purpose is to determine any crime(s) for which the adult residing in the home was arrested or convicted and the disposition. This search must be completed regardless of whether the CBI and FBI fingerprint history confirms or does not confirm a criminal history. 
F.  At any time after the placement of a child, the placing agency may review the written family assessment, home study, and background checks of the foster parents.
G.  County departments are required to share approved adoptive home assessments within the county system if there is a child(ren) whom the family wants to be considered for possible placement.  The family shall make a request in writing providing the name of the county department or child placement agency, address and name of the person who is to receive the home assessment, and appropriate documents.  When the county department or child placement agency which completed the home assessment receives the written request, the written home assessment and appropriate documents shall be sent to the other county within five (5) working days at no cost to the family.  The county receiving the home assessment shall notify the family within five (5) days that the county department has received the information.
The county department placing the child for adoption will be responsible for post-placement supervision until the adoption is finalized, unless otherwise negotiated in the placement agreement between the county and the child placement agency.
H.  Child Placement Agencies (CPA's) shall share their home assessments with the county department when a CPA family is providing foster care and wants to be considered for a possible adoptive placement.  
1.  The family shall make a written request to the Child Placement Agency which identifies the county department, and the name and address of the county contact who is to receive the home assessment and appropriate documents.  
2.  When the Child Placement Agency receives the written request, the written home assessment and appropriate documents shall be sent to the identified county department within five (5) working days.  
3.  The county department receiving the home assessment shall notify the prospective adoptive family within five (5) working days that the county department has received the information.
4.  The county department placing the child for adoption will be responsible for post placement supervision until the adoption is finalized, unless otherwise negotiated in the placement agreement between the county and the child placement agency.

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[Instructions:  replace line 1188455.]
7.500.31  Family Foster Care Homes [Rev. eff. 11/1/2008]
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[Instructions: replace line 1188470.]
J.  No director or staff member of a county department or governing body for a SGF sponsored by the county department shall contact or recruit foster homes currently certified by another county department or child placement agency for the purpose of becoming a foster home or specialized group facility. 

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[Instructions:  replace lines 1012064 through 1391972.]
7.500.314  Renewal or Continuation Notice [Rev. eff. 11/1/08]
The county department shall send a renewal notice to the foster parents at least 90 calendar days prior to the expiration of a certificate.
A.  If the foster parents wish to continue to provide care, the renewal notice shall be completed and returned to the county department prior to the expiration of the certificate.
B.  If the renewal notice is received by the county department prior to the expiration of the certificate, the renewal notice is timely and the certificate continues valid until action is taken by the county department.
C.  If the renewal notice is received after the expiration of the certificate, the renewal notice is untimely and the certificate is no longer valid.  The untimely renewal notice shall be acted upon as an original application.
7.500.315  Recertification Action [Rev. eff. 11/1/08]
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[Instructions: add the following after line 1391985.]
10.  The certificate information shall be entered into the State Department’s automated case management database.
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[Instructions: replace line 1012109.]
7.500.32  Specialized Group Facilities [Rev. eff. 11/1/08]

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[Instructions: replace lines 1012114 through 1012132.]
E.  Requirements for the Operation of Specialized Group Homes or Specialized Group Centers
1.  The specialized group facility shall be sponsored and supervised by a county department of social/human services or a child placement agency. 
2.  The supervisory responsibilities of the sponsoring agency are: 
a.  To be knowledgeable with the rules regulating specialized group facilities; and, 
b.  Participate in the development and application process to include verifying that the original application submitted is complete with all required signatures and submitted in a timely manner; and, 
c.  Ongoing assessment of the specialized group facility for quality of care issues; and, 
d.  Annual evaluations of the governing body, unless the governing body and the sponsoring agency are the same agency; and
3.  The sponsoring agency shall be responsible to ensure that state rules are followed regarding: 
a.  The hiring, training and scheduling staff; and, 
b.  Placement decisions including, but not limited to, appropriateness of placement and least restrictive environment; and,
c.  The documentation, reporting and corrective action of critical incidents. 
7.500.321  Application and Study for an Original License [Rev. eff. 11/1/08]
A.  If the county department establishes and plans to sponsor a specialized group facility and the governing body for the specialized group facility is the applicant for the license, both the county department and the governing body must sign the original application. An original application which is totally complete and a fee shall be submitted to the State Department, including a written plan for the supervision of the specialized group facility. The name of the supervisor for the specialized group facility must be identified on the application. 
B.  The county department shall complete a study of the specialized group facility which shall consist of at least the following: 
1.  An assessment of character and suitability of the primary caregivers, including at least a review of the State Department's automated system as to the applicant and persons who reside with applicant in the facility, with written approval by such persons, receipt of statements from references and physician, review of existing case records, evaluation by a certified psychologist, psychiatrist or Licensed Clinical Social Worker documented by a written statement that includes all items listed at Section 7.709.22, J, 1-16; and documentation of the prior work experience of the primary caregiver with children in out-of-home care.
2.  Statement from references and physician for each staff member working at the specialized group home or center.
3.  The State Department shall require any applicant or licensee and any person eighteen (18) years of age or older who resides with the applicant or licensee in the specialized group facility or who works in the specialized group facility to submit a complete set of fingerprints taken by a qualified law enforcement agency. The fingerprints shall be submitted to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to obtain any record of conviction which is held by the CBI.
a.  The State Department shall require that fingerprints be obtained in all circumstances.
b.  Fingerprints shall be completed as required at Section 7.701.33.
4.  An on-site facility inspection, documented in writing, which determines that the facility is in compliance with the Minimum Rules and Regulations for Specialized Group Facilities.
5.  Written approval received by the county department from the local health, fire, and zoning departments.
6.  A CWS-7A, Individual Provider Contract for Purchase of Foster Care Services and Foster Care Facility Agreement, shall be signed by the primary caregivers.
7.  Completion of policies for the operation of the specialized group home.
C.  The group home primary caregivers who have not previously received 12 hours of “core” training shall receive 12 hours of training within the first 12 months following the submission of the application.
D.  The application form requires that several attachments be submitted. The application is incomplete and the license cannot be issued until these are submitted. The county department must also submit the following with the application:
1.  Documentation of experience, the medical statement, reference statements and written statement from a certified psychologist, psychiatrist or Licensed Clinical Social Worker regarding the primary care giver.
2.  The name of each staff member, dates of receipt of medical statements and references.
3.  Written and dated documentation that an on-site home inspection has been made and the facility is in compliance with the Minimum Rules and Regulations for Specialized Group Facilities.
E.  The license will not be issued until the State Department has received an approving written report from the fire, health, and zoning departments as required by the General Rules for Child Care Facilities, Section 7.701.34. Approvals may be verified by signature of the inspector on the application form. 

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(12 CCR 2509-8)

[Instructions: replace lines 1132406 through 1132417.]
7.709  RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR SPECIALIZED GROUP FACILITIES [Rev. eff. 11/1/08]
All Specialized Group Facilities must comply with the “Quality Standards for 24-Hour Child Care”, the “Rules Regulating Specialized Group Facilities”, the “General Rules For Child Care Facilities”, and the “Rules Regulating Special Activities”.
7.709.1  DEFINITIONS [Rev. eff. 11/1/08]
A.  The "Specialized Group Facility" (SGF) is sponsored and supervised by a county department of social/human services henceforth to be known as the county) or a licensed child placement agency (henceforth to be known as the agency) for the purpose of providing 24 hour care for three (3) or more children, but fewer than 12 children from three years old to sixteen years old and for children from 16 to 18 years old and those persons 21 years old who are placed by court order prior to their eighteenth birthday whose special needs may best be met through the medium of the small group. The two types of specialized group facilities are the specialized group home and the specialized group center. 
1.  A "specialized group home" is located in a house owned or otherwise controlled by the group home parents who are primarily responsible for the care of the children and reside therein. 
2.  A "specialized group center" is located in a house owned or controlled by a governing body that hires the group center parents or personnel who are primarily responsible for the care of the children. 
3.  The “sponsoring agency” is the county or agency that is responsible for supervising the SGF and providing support and evaluation of the facility every week by a qualified staff member. 
4.  The "governing body" is the individual, partnership, corporation or association in whom the ultimate authority and legal responsibility is vested for the conduct of the specialized group center and the center's relationship with the supervising agency. The sponsoring agency and the governing body may be the same. 
B.  A specialized group facility may accept children five years old and over in an emergency for a short period of time. Special rules necessitated by the emergency placement regarding intake, records, placement planning and staffing are found at Section 7.709.26.   Eff  08/01/2007
C.  No more than two children less than five years old may be cared for in a specialized group facility at one time.   Eff  08/01/2007
D.  In specialized group facilities, the number of natural and relative children less than sixteen years old of the caretaker plus the foster children shall not exceed eleven children. 
7.709.2  APPLICATION AND STUDY FOR AN ORIGINAL LICENSE [Eff. 11/1/08]
If a county or agency establishes and plans to sponsor a specialized group facility, the governing body for the specialized group facility is the applicant of the license. Both the county and/or agency and the governing body must sign the original application. An original application which is totally complete and a fee shall be submitted to the State Department of Human Services, including a written plan for the supervision of the specialized group facility. The name of the county or agency supervisor for the specialized group facility must be identified on the application. 
7.709.21  REQUIREMENTS FOR THE OPERATION OF SPECIALIZED GROUP HOMES OR SPECIALIZED GROUP CENTERS [Rev. eff. 11/1/08]
A.  The specialized group facility shall be sponsored and supervised by a county or agency.
B.  The supervisory responsibilities of the sponsoring agency are: 
1.  To be knowledgeable with the Rules Regulating Specialized Group Facilities; and, 
2.  Participate in the development and application process to include verifying that the original application submitted is complete with all required signatures and submitted in a timely manner; and, 
3.  Ongoing assessment of the specialized group facility for quality of care issues; and, 
4.  Annual evaluations of the governing body, unless the governing body and the sponsoring agency are the same agency. 
C.  The sponsoring agency shall be responsible to ensure that state rules are followed regarding: 
1.  The hiring, training and scheduling staff; and, 
2.  Placement decisions including, but not limited to, appropriateness of placement and least restrictive environment; and, 
3.  Documentation, reporting and corrective action of critical incidents. 
7.709.22  Personnel Qualifications and Role of a County Department of Social Services or a Licensed Child Placement Agency to Establish and Supervise a Specialized Group Home or Center [Rev. eff. 11/1/08]
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[Instructions: replace lines 1132421 through 1132453.]
D.  The agency and the group home or center parents or personnel shall develop and adhere to written policies and procedures regarding the care of children which shall be reviewed annually and shall include the following:
1.  Provision for emergency procedures including illness, accident, fatality and fire.
2.  Participation in special activities in compliance with Section 7.719.
E.  The group home or center parents or personnel and the agency shall develop and adhere to written policies and procedures regarding personnel including: pay (when appropriate), provision of relief time and vacation time, annual performance evaluation, training opportunities, selection of personnel and maintenance of personnel records.
F.  The agency staff member who supervises the group home or center shall obtain, provide and/or coordinate the following services for children in care: 
1.  Group and/or individual counseling for children and their families.
2.  For each child, long range, intermediate and short term goals shall be established and a case plan written. The goals and case plan must include a plan for discharge and must be developed and evaluated pursuant to regulation Section 7.714.4, C,D. Goals and case plan for children three and four years old shall be evaluated monthly.
3.  Records for the home or center as required in Section 7.709.27.
4.  Psychiatric, psychological or developmental evaluations and consultations as required.
5.  Specialized educational resources as required.
6.  All necessary legal representation of child.
7.  Consultation with the home or center parents or personnel about methods of work with the children.
8.  Assessment of quality of care with the home or center parents or personnel.
G.  The agency staff member shall meet in each specialized group facility with the primary caregivers and other personnel, if available, a minimum of two hours per week exclusive of counseling services, to discuss individual children, problems, program and/or special needs.
H.  The agency shall ensure that adequate records be maintained about group home or center income and expenses, the provision of clothing, allowances, dental and medical services and medicine.
7.709.23  Character, Suitability and Qualifications of Group Home or Group Center Parents or Personnel [Rev. eff. 11/1/08]
A.  The group home or group center parent's or personnel's own children shall not have been placed in foster care or a residential treatment facility under circumstances tending to show that the parent is unable or unwilling to care for his/her own children unless the placement was primarily for such reasons as the physical illness of the parent, physical or mental disability of the child or the relinquishment of an infant child for adoption.
B.  The group home or group center parents or personnel shall be able to demonstrate through satisfactory past experience and references the ability to provide for the proper physical, mental and character development of children in care.
C.  The group home or group center parents or personnel shall demonstrate stability in family or marital relationships, where applicable, within the home where the care is to be provided.
D.  The group home or group center parents or personnel shall hold a high school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED).
E.  The group home or group center parents or personnel shall not be less than 21 years of age, shall be appropriate for the age of children in care and shall possess the adequate physical stamina to care for children. An individual such as the son or daughter of the group home or group center parents, who is well acquainted with the children in care and is between the ages of 18 and 21 years old may be a child care personnel and assist in the care of the children with the approval of the agency
F.  Children of the group home parents or group center parents or personnel and any other persons not placed by the agency and living in the group home or group center shall obtain a physical examination annually or as required in writing by an approved health care professional.
G.  The group home or group center parents or personnel shall include at least one primary caregiver who is a full-time employee of the facility, provides some direct care for children, supervises other child care personnel and holds major responsibility for child care.
H.  The primary caregiver shall have had verifiable working experience with children of the age to be cared for in the group facility. Such experience shall be from one or more of the following:
1.  One year of experience as a foster home parent.
2.  Two thousand hours work experience with children of the age to be cared for in the group facility.
3.  One year of experience as a child care worker in a residential facility for children; and,
4.  The group home primary caregivers who have not previously received 12 hours of “core” training shall receive 12 hours of training within the first twelve (12) months following the submission of the applications.
I.  Other child care personnel in the group center or group home shall be supervised by a primary caregiver.
J.  The group home or group center parents or personnel who are the primary caregivers shall be evaluated by a board-eligible psychiatrist, a certified psychologist or a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and shall obtain a statement from the evaluator which evaluates the persons. 
1.  Psychosocial history to include family of origin style under which they were parented; relationships with parents and siblings; and, 
2.  Child abuse and neglect assessment to include prior history of physical emotional, verbal, sexual abuse or neglect; and, 
3.  Relationships with extended family, significant romantic relationships, marriages, engagements, failed relationships and estrangements; and, 
4.  Work history and reason for wanting to work with children in a specialized group facility; and, 
5.  Assessment of finances; and, 
6.  Children, both biological and adopted, and relationships with children, including adult children; and, 
7.  Support systems available to the primary caregiver; and, 
8.  Areas of interest, hobbies, and activities; and, 
9.  Tolerance and intolerance to include stressors, coping skills, expectations, negative experiences, survival of crisis in their life experiences and religious issues; and, 
10.  Health history and medication history to include substance abuse, drugs, alcohol history and issues and current medication; and, 
11.  Previous or current psychological issues including the history of the issues or therapy; and, 
12.  Previous child care responsibilities and experiences; and, 
13.  Legal and criminal background and/or history; and, 
14.  Involvement or experiences with child protective services of a county department of social/human services as a child or as an adult; and, 
15.  Education and training; and, 
16.  Any existing condition which may jeopardize the health or well-being of children or impair the care of the children. 
K.  The licensing or certifying authority must receive at least three statements which describe the primary caregiver's character and ability to provide care for children from references, provided by the primary caregiver, who are not related to the caregiver and have known the caregiver one year or longer. References need not be residents of Colorado.
L.  References shall be obtained by the group home or center for other personnel. References shall be kept on file at the facility or the agency.
7.709.24  Physical Requirements for a Safe and Adequate Specialized Group Facility [Rev. eff. 11/1/08]

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[Instructions:  replace line 1132479.]
7.709.25  Care of Children [Rev. eff. 11/1/08]

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[Instructions:  replace line 1132501.]
7.709.26  Required Records [Rev. eff. 11/1/08]

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[Instructions:  replace line 1132503.]
7.709.27  Special Rules for Emergency Placement and Care of Children [Rev. eff. 11/1/08]

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[Instructions:  replace lines 1132716 through 1132720.]
7.710.34  Issuance/Denial of Certificate [Rev. eff. 11/1/08]
A.  After the completion of the family assessment/home study, one of the following certification actions must be taken:
1.  A one year time-limited certificate will be issued when it is determined that the applicant is competent, has completed the necessary training, and has met the Rules Regulating Family Foster Care Homes. The certificate issue date is the date that the assessment/study is completed and the foster home is in compliance with the Rules Regulating Family Foster Care Homes.
2.  A provisional certificate may be issued, upon the written approval of the State Department for a kinship or child specific placement when requested by a county department of social/human services. 
The reasons for the issuance of a provisional certificate must be displayed on the certificate. The provisional certificate will be issued for up to 60 calendar days from the date it is determined that time will be needed to comply with the appropriate kinship or child specific regulations. Only one original provisional certificate may be issued to a foster care home at one location address.
3.  The original application will be denied. The renewal application will not be acted upon. The applicant will not be certified as a foster home. 

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[Instructions:  replace line 1392029.]
7.710.36  Recertification Action [Rev. eff. 11/1/08]

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[Instructions:  replace lines 1132766 through 1132767.]
B.  At the time of the renewal of the certificate, one of the following must be completed:
1.  A provisional certificate for a kinship or child specific placement will be changed to a one year time-limited certificate as soon as the foster family has completed the items listed as reasons for the provisional certificate.

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