OAR 413-070-1040: Ongoing Department Responsibilities When Placement with a Fit and Willing Relative is the Permanency Plan

(1) When placement with a fit and willing relative is the court-approved permanency plan for a child or young adult in the legal custody of the Department, the caseworker must do all of the following: (a) Have monthly contact with the child or young adult, with the relative caregiver, and monitor the safety of the child or young adult as described in OAR413-080-0040 to 413-080-0067. (b) Evaluate the appropriateness of ongoing contact between the child or young adult with parents, siblings, and other people as described in OAR 413-070-0800 to 413-080-0880. (c) Provide timely assessment and services for identified needs of the child or young adult, the substitute caregiver, or the parents of the child or young adult. (d) Monitor the case plan and complete the required case plan reviews (e) Submit to the court and to the citizen review board the case plan updates required in Child Welfare Policy I-I.2, "Narrative Recording". (f) Continue to assess requirements for certification of the permanent relative caregiver pursuant to OAR 413-200-0270 to 413-200-0296. (g) Develop a comprehensive transition plan as required by OAR 413-030-0400 to 413-030-0460 for any child 14 years of age or older. (2) In addition to the requirements of section (1) of this rule, when the child or young adult has an approved fit and willing relative permanency plan, the caseworker must: (a) Routinely discuss with the child or young adult and the permanent relative caregiver during face-to-face and other contacts the needs, benefits, barriers, and solutions towards achieving a more preferred permanency option; (b) Include in the case plan of the child or young adult a description of how relationships with other relatives and persons involved in the life of the child or young adult may be developed and maintained; and (c) In the event a relative not previously identified as a potential adoptive or guardianship resource expresses an interest, determine whether it is in the best interests of the child or young adult to change the plan to a more preferred permanency plan and to assess the resource for placement. (3) The permanent relative caregiver must: (a) Maintain a current Certificate of Approval and follow the requirements of the Department pursuant to OAR 413-200-0301 to 413-200-0396; and (b) Follow the requirements of the Department regarding the education, medical care, and mental health care of the child or young adult, and other services requested by the Department to meet the needs of the child or young adult.