HomeMy WebLinkAbout20171770RESOLUTION
RE: APPROVE REVISIONS TO OPERATIONS MANUAL SECTION 2.000, HUMAN
SERVICES DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, pursuant to
Colorado statute and the Weld County Home Rule Charter, is vested with the authority of
administering the affairs of Weld County, Colorado, and
WHEREAS, the Board has been presented with a Revision to Section 2.000, Human
Services Division Policies and Procedures, and
WHEREAS, after review, the Board deems it advisable to approve said revision, a copy
of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Weld
County, Colorado, ex -officio Board of Human Services, that the Revision to Section 2.000, Human
Services Division Policies and Procedures, be and hereby is, approved.
The above and foregoing Resolution was, on motion duly made and seconded, adopted
by the following vote on the 12th day of June, A.D., 2017.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
WELD COUNTY, COLORADO
ATTEST: ;vk EXCUSED
Weld County Clerk to the Board
BY.
puty Clerk to the Board
APPROVE-
y Attorney
Date of signature: Cof3O/
Julie A. Cozad, Chair
EXCUSED
Steve Moreno, Pro-Tem
Sean P. Conway
bara KirkmeY 9 Actin C:ir Pro -Tern
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2017-1770
HR0088
PRIVILEGE) ,\\i) CONTIl)EN 11A1
MEMORANDUM
DATE: April 26, 2017
TO: Board of County Commissioners - Pass -Around
FR: Jude A. (iriego, Director. Human Services
RE: Weld County Department of Human Services'
Child Welfare Policy
Please review and indicate if you would like a work session prior to placing this item on the
Board's agenda.
Request Board Approval of the Revision of a Department Policy (Attached). The following
policy will be used by Weld County Department of Human Services Child Welfare staff.
2.304.1 Weld County Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard Policy
The policy was reviewed by Veronica Cavazos, Child Welfare Resource Manager, Heather
Walker, Child Welfare Division Head, Linda Goff, Assistance County Attorney and Karin
McDougal. Assistant County Attorney.
I do not recommend a Work Session. l recommend approval of the revised policy.
Approve
Recommendation Work Session
Schedule
Sean P. Conway
Julie A. Cozad, Chair
Mike Freeman
Barbara Kirkmeyer
Steve Moreno. Pro-l'em
Other/Comments:
Pass -Around Memorandum; April 26, _21117 (not in (AN
Page I
2017-1770
Department of Human Services Policies
2.304 Training of County Certified Foster Care Homes and Group Homes
2.304.1 Weld County Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard Policy
Per Volume 7.701.200. The Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard
requirements are for facilities providing twenty-four hour out -of -home care to a
child or youth in foster care when making decisions regarding participation in
certain activities. Children and youth in foster care are entitled to participate in
age or developmentally appropriate extracurricular, enrichment, cultural, and
social activities as part of the well-being needs. The Reasonable and Prudent
Parent Standard is applied by rut -of -home care providers when making careful
and sensible parental decisions that maintain the health, safety and best interests
of a child or youth and encourages their emotional and developmental growth.
The provider applies the standard when determining whether to allow a child or
youth in out -of -home placement under the responsibility of Weld County to
participate in extracurricular, enrichment, cultural, and social activities.
2.304.11 Application of Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standards
A. When applying the Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard, and prior to the
approval of the activity, the provider must take reasonable steps to obtain or
determine:
I. Adequate information about the child or youth. including the youth's
particular religious, cultural. social, or behavioral attributes and
preferences.
2. Behavioral and/or mental health stability of the child or youth.
3. 1 he age or developmental appropriateness of the activity.
4. Whether the risk of reasonably foreseeable harm involved in the activity is
at an acceptable level.
B. In order for out -of -home care providers to appropriately apply the standard it
is important that the Weld County Department of human Services provide
sufficient information to the prov iders about the child and/or youth including
religious, cultural. and social preferences and medical or physical needs. The
out -of -home care providers may exercise the Prudent Parent Standard without
county appro%al. hom%ever it is the expectation that if further clarification is
needed the out -of -home care providers will consult with the county
caseworker and foster care coordinator. I he Reasonable and Prudent Parent
Standard does not supersede the rights of youth in out -of -home placement.
Certain activities may he restricted based on the documented exceptional
needs and circumstances of a child or youth in out -of -home placement, which
impact his'her unique safety needs.
2.304.12 Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard Training for Out -of -Home
Providers
A. Per Volume 7.701.200, Out -of -home providers will be trained in the Weld
County Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard initially and annually and be
able to apply the standard.
H. Out -of -home providers shall not be founded for institutional neglect if the
provider demonstrates compliance v.ith the Reasonable and Prudent Parent
Standard.
2304.13 Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard Activities
1. l !sing the Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard, out -of -home providers
can approve activities including. but not limited to the following:
I. Decisions involving permission slip signatures or arranging transportation
to and from school, extracurricular, enrichment and social activities:
2. Overnight activities lasting 24 hours or longer (i.e. sleep-overs):
3. School or recreational sports:
4. Field trips: -
�. College campus tours;
6. After school or summer emploment:
7. Reasonable and age appropriate access to phone. computer. and social
media:
Reasonable curfews and rules about dating and socializing: or
9. Reasonable and age appropriate piercings and hair dye (please cheek with
the caseworker prior to hair cut I.
I0. Allov( ing specific activities oo ithout direct supervision to include:
• (ioing to the nwvie
• Trips to the mall
• Work
• Athletic events
• Dating and socializing
• Visits to friend's houses
• Community events
• 13abysitting
• Trampoline use
• Roller skating/rollerblading skateboarding
• Camping
• Going home after school in a typical way
• Public transportation
2.304.14 Review of Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standards with Provider
The placing caseworker will provide and review the Reasonable and Prudent
Parent Standard policy and procedures with the parents/legal custodian and/or
guardian ad litem within three business days. The signed Reasonable and
Prudent Parent Standard policy will be kept in the case and tile and a copy will be
provided to the out -of -home care provider within 5 business days.
A. High risk activities will be discussed with the county for parent and/or
guardian ad litem permission. The High Risk Permission and Release Form
will need to be completed by the caseworker and provided to the out -of -home
care provider prior to authorizing high risk activities.
13. Me wishes of the parents/legal custodian must he considered, including
cultural implications whenever practical. Weld County will document efforts
to obtain consent from parents/legal custodian.
'f he Weld County Department of Human Services out -of -home provider will
document the rationale used to authorize the activity for a child or youth and
provide the documentation to the county in a timely manner.
D. The out -of -home provider may consult with the county for guidance about
individual cases.
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