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Home My WebLink About20171385.tiffRESOLUTION 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 17th day of May, A.D., 2017. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WELD COUNTY, COLORAI O ATTEST: dayfet) .o'4. Weld County Clerk to the Board BY AP ounty Attorney Date of signature: Co( i 7 cc t HSDCCtri/SB/JG), CaCKM) Co(aO( a ©<' 7 Julie A. Cozad, Chair Steve Moreno, Pro -T em EXCUSED Sean P. Conway ike Freeman XCUSED Barbara Kirkmeyer 2017-1385 HR0088 PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL. MEMORANDUM DATE: April 26.2017 TO: Board of County Commissioners - Pass -Around FR: Judy A. Griego. 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 Mead. Linda Goff, Assistance County Attorney and Karin McDougal. Assistant County Attorney. I do not recommend a Work Session. I recommend approval of'the revised policy. Sean P. Conway Julie A. Cozad, Chair Mike Freeman Barbara Kirkmeyer Steve Moreno. Pro -Tern Approve Recommendation Work Session Schedule Other/Comments: 2017-1385 i-FROOtis Pass -Around Memorandum: April 26. 2017 (not in CMS) Page I 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 out -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. The 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 providers 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 approval. however 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. The 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 he able to apply the standard. B. Out -of -home providers shall not he founded for institutional neglect if the provider demonstrates compliance with the Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard. 2.304.13 Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard Activities A. Using the Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard. out -of -home providers can approve activities including. but not limited to the following: 1. 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: 5. College campus tours; 6. After school or summer employment; 7. Reasonable and age appropriate access to phone. computer. and social media: 8. Reasonable curfews and rules about dating and socializing; or 9. Reasonable and age appropriate piercings and hair dye (please check with the caseworker prior to hair cut I. 10.AIlowing specific activities k‘ithout direct supervision to include: • Going to the movie • Trips to the mall • Work • Athletic events • Dating and socializing • Visits to friend's houses • Community events • Bahvsitting • 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 file 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. B. The wishes of the parents/legal custodian must be considered. including cultural implications whenever practical. Weld County will document efforts to obtain consent from parents/legal custodian. C. The 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. Hello