OAR 413-200-0294: Responsibilities Regarding Inactive Referral Status

(1) The resource parent or the Department may initiate an Inactive Referral Status. When a resource parent is on Inactive Referral Status, no additional child may be placed in the home. (2) When either a resource parent or the Department initiates an Inactive Referral Status, the certifier must immediately notify Department staff responsible for placement that the resource parent is unavailable for placement of a child and update the provider record . (3) A resource parent may ask the Department to place their home on Inactive Referral Status for any reason for up to 12 months. The Inactive Referral Status begins on the date requested by the resource parent. (4) Within 30 days of a resource parent requesting Inactive Referral Status, the certifier must send a letter to the resource parent that documents the inactive status, the reasons for the status, and the length of the Inactive Referral Status. (5) When a resource parent initiates Inactive Referral Status, if a child is currently placed in the home by the Department all certification standards and responsibilities remain in effect. (6) The Department may initiate Inactive Referral Status for one or more of the following reasons: (a) The special needs of a child, currently in the home, require so much of the resource parent's care or attention that no agency should place an additional child in the home. (b) The resource parent or members of the household are experiencing significant family or life stress. (c) The resource parent does not currently meet one or more of the certification standards. (7) The Department must place a resource parent on Inactive Referral Status: (a) When the Department is assessing an allegation of child abuse in the home; or (b) The Department has made a decision to revoke the resource parent’s certificate (8) If the Department initiates inactive referral status, the Department must: (a) Within 14 business days, send a letter to the resource parent that documents the beginning date of inactive referral status, the reason for the Inactive Referral Status, specific certification standards that have been violated, if any, and what action the Department may take if the conditions that warranted the inactive referral status are not resolved within the time frame of the inactive referral status ; and (b) Provide written notification to the resource parent when inactive referral status ends. (9) Inactive referral status, when requested by the resource parent , ends: (a) At the request of the resource parent ; (b) When the certificate terminates or expires, unless the Department is in the process of assessing the resource parent for renewal of the Certificate of Approval or (c) No more than 12 months from the initiation of inactive referral status. (10) If the resource parent is not able or willing to end the inactive referral status, requested by the resource parent , the Department may proceed to revoke the certificate as outlined in OAR 413-200-0296 , unless the resource parent requests to voluntarily terminate the certificate and the Department accepts the resource parent ’s request. (11) When the Department initiates Inactive Referral Status, the Department determines, within the time frame of the Inactive Referral Status, when the conditions that warranted the Inactive Referral Status have been resolved. The Department may revoke a certificate if a resource parent is unable to remedy a violation of a certification standard within the time frame of the Inactive Referral Status. (12) When the Inactive Referral Status ends at the request of the family or because the conditions that warranted the inactive referral status have been resolved , the certifier must: (a) Document removal of the Inactive Referral Status in the provider record of the Department’s electronic information system; and (b) Send written notification to the resource parent within 30 days.