OAR 416-530-0050: Certification

(1) The selection of individuals to provide foster care services to adjudicated youth is based on a number of criteria, not the least of which is the criminal records check on each foster parent, foster parent applicant, and member of the household. (a) Such records include but are not limited to a founded disposition of abuse or neglect of a vulnerable person documented in a state registry. (b) If an applicant or member of the household has a documented incident that resulted in an “unable to determine” disposition by the Oregon Department of Human Services or by another state agency beyond Oregon, OYA must require the applicant or member of the household prove that the applicant or member of the household does not pose a risk to the safety, health, or well-being of any adjudicated youth placed in the applicant’s home. (c) Applicants denied foster care certification or recertification as a result of a criminal record check must be provided written notice and may request a contested case hearing described in OAR 416 Division 800. (2) OYA may consider other available information when selecting individuals to provide foster care services to adjudicated youth, including information collected from the application, reference checks, interview results, safety checks of the proposed foster home, and any other information including information about other members of the household. Applicants denied foster care certification or recertification must be provided with written notice and may request a contested case hearing as described in these rules. (3) OYA must determine which applicants are certified based on how well each applicant meets the requirements set forth in these rules. (4) OYA must review the application and supporting documentation to determine compliance with these rules before deciding to grant or deny an application for certification or re-certification. (5) In addition to the application information, OYA may contact employers, adult children, and other relevant persons. (6) OYA will make its decision regarding certification within 90 days of the receipt of the application and all supporting documentation. OYA will make its decision regarding re-certification prior to the expiration of the current certification. OYA will not review the application for certification or re-certification unless all materials have been submitted by the applicant and received by OYA. (7) OYA will issue a certificate only after an applicant successfully completes the application and certification process and satisfies all requirements. (8) Certificates must state: (a) The period of time for which it is issued; (b) The name of the foster parent or respite provider; (c) The address of the residence; and (d) The number of adjudicated youth the home is certified to serve. (9) Upon certification, the foster parent and OYA must enter into an Adjudicated Youth Foster Home Agreement before adjudicated youth are placed in the foster home. (10) OYA may deny certification or re-certification if: (a) The applicant fails to meet the qualifications in these rules; (b) The applicant falsifies information, either knowingly or inadvertently, by providing inaccurate information or by omitting information; or (c) The applicant or any member of the household fails to meet the requirements of OAR chapter 416, division 800 or these rules.