CHAPTER 113
LICENSING AND REGULATION OF FOSTER FAMILY HOMES
[Prior to 7/1/83, Social Services [770] Ch 113]
[Prior to 2/11/87, Human Services[498]]
441—113.1(237) Applicability. This chapter specifically relates to the licensing and regulation of foster family homes. Refer to 441—Chapter 112 for general licensing rules and regulations which apply to all foster care facilities, including foster family homes.
This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code chapter 237.
441—113.2(237) Definitions.
“Foster family home” means an individual person or married couple who wishes to provide or is providing, for a period exceeding 24 consecutive hours, board, room, and care for a child in a single family living unit.
“Relative” means brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, grandparents, half brothers, half sisters, and first cousins of the child.
This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code chapter 237.
441—113.3(237) Application for license.
	113.3(1) Where to apply. Persons wishing to care for children through a public or private agency shall make application through that agency.
	113.3(2) Relative applications. A relative, as defined in this chapter, may apply for a license as a foster parent to qualify for aid to dependent children-foster care or to continue foster care payments.
	113.3(3) Children placed by parents, relatives or guardian. Persons wishing to care for children being placed directly by parents, guardian or another relative shall make application to the department of human services prior to placement.
	113.3(4) Application form. A person who has reached a decision to operate a foster family home shall make application on Form 470-0689, Foster Family Home License Application. A request for renewal of the license shall be made on the same form.
	113.3(5) Notification. The department shall notify a foster family home applicant of the approval or denial of a license within 120 days of the date that the applicant begins the preservice training required under subrule 113.8(1), notwithstanding the time limit in 441—subrule 112.3(7).
This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 237.5.
441—113.4(237) Provisions pertaining to the license.
	113.4(1) Number of children. A foster family home shall be licensed for the care of up to five children including the foster family’s biological and adoptive children and any relative placements. Any variance to this rule must:
	a. 	Be approved by the service area manager or designee.
	b. 	Be documented in the licensing record with reasons given for granting the variance.
	c. 	Meet one of the following criteria:
	(1)	A variance is necessary to keep a sibling group together. No variance shall be granted if the foster home is at licensed capacity and there are no members of the sibling group in the foster home.
	(2)	The foster parents have three or more biological and adoptive children and relative placements in the home and have shown the ability to parent a large number of children. A variance may be approved to allow the placement of up to three foster children as set forth in the chart below:

 	Maximum License Capacity:	
No. of birth/relative/adoptive placements	Without variance	With variance	
0 children	5	Not applicable	
1 child	4	Not applicable	
2 children	3	Not applicable	
3 children	2	3	
4 children	1	3	
5 or more children	0	3	
	(3)	An emergency placement must be made in a foster family home that causes the home to exceed its licensed capacity. These emergency placements shall be made according to a preapproved service area plan as outlined below and are limited to a maximum of 30 days.
Before the start of each fiscal year, each service area shall submit to the central office for approval a plan for when an emergency occurs which necessitates the placement of a child in a foster family home that would exceed the licensing capacity. The plan shall define emergencies and identify a specific pool of preapproved homes which shall provide for placement of up to three additional foster children above the number that is allowed by the variances in the chart in subparagraph (2).
	(4)	A variance beyond the maximum capacity of the foster home license is needed for the placement of a specific child. A child-specific variance shall end when that child leaves the placement or any other change brings the family into licensed capacity.
	d. 	All other licensing requirements including, but not limited to, parenting ability and available bedroom space must be met before a foster home can be approved for a variance.
	113.4(2) Employees of the department as foster parents. Employees of the department may be licensed as foster family home parents unless they are engaged in the administration or provision of foster care services. Employees engaged in the administration or provision of foster care services include:
	a. 	Child care staff, social workers, youth service workers or their supervisors involved in programs for children in state institutions.
	b. 	Foster care service workers, foster care licensing staff, and their supervisors employed in county or central offices of the department.
	c. 	Other staff engaged in foster care placements, such as child protective staff or adoption workers.
	d. 	Department staff responsible for the development of policies and procedures relating to foster care licensing and placement.
	113.4(3) Limits on foster family home licensure. A licensed foster family home shall not be permitted to be a licensed comprehensive residential facility, community residential facility, or licensed child care center.
This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code sections 237.3 and 237.5.
441—113.5(237) Physical standards.
	113.5(1) General standards. The foster home shall be safe, clean, well ventilated, properly lighted, properly heated, and free from vermin and rodents to ensure the well-being of the foster children residing in the home.
	113.5(2)  Grounds.
	a. 	There shall be safe outdoor space provided according to the age and developmental needs of the foster child for active play. The area available shall be documented in the case record.
	b. 	The foster child shall be protected against such hazards as traffic, pools, railroads, waste material, and contaminated water.
	113.5(3)  Sleeping rooms for foster children.
	a. 	Sleeping rooms shall either have been constructed for the purpose of providing sleeping accommodation or remodeled for sleeping to provide proper heat and ventilation.
	b. 	For multiple occupancy the minimum area per child shall be 40 square feet.
	c. 	When sleeping rooms meet only minimum requirements, the home shall provide additional room in other parts of the home for study and play.
	113.5(4)  All rooms aboveground.
	a. 	All rooms aboveground shall have adequate window area or mechanical artificial ventilation.
	b. 	The ceiling height for rooms aboveground shall be seven feet or more.
	113.5(5) Rooms belowground.
	a. 	Rooms belowground shall be free from excessive dampness, noxious gases, and objectionable odors.
	b. 	Sleeping rooms for foster children located belowground shall conform to standards listed in 113.5(3) and 113.7(1)“a.”
	113.5(6) Physical care standards for foster children.
	a. 	Grouping children in sleeping rooms shall take into consideration the age and sex of children. Children over six years of age shall not share a room with a child of the opposite sex.
	b. 	Children two years or older shall be provided bedroom space other than in the foster parents’ bedroom.
	c. 	There shall be provisions for isolating from other children, a child who is ill or suspected of having a contagious disease.
	d. 	The foster home shall provide food with good nutritional content and in sufficient quantity to meet the individual needs of the children.
	e. 	Linens shall be changed at least weekly and more frequently for children with bladder or bowel control problems.
	f. 	Waterproof mattress covers shall be provided for children under three years of age and for any child who lacks bowel or bladder control.
	g. 	Individual space shall be provided for the child’s clothes and personal possessions.
	h. 	Foster parents shall follow universal precautions to reduce exposure to bloodborne pathogens and other infectious materials when providing care to all children placed in their physical custody.
	113.5(7) Household pets. Household pets which have access to the outdoors shall be inoculated for rabies.
	113.5(8) Artificial lighting. Adequate artificial lighting fixtures shall be provided for study in areas where children will be studying.
	113.5(9) Toilet facilities.
	a. 	Toilet facilities shall have natural or artificial ventilation.
	b. 	All toilet facilities, including privies, shall be maintained in a clean condition.
	113.5(10) Heating plant. The heating plant shall have a capacity to maintain a temperature of approximately 65 degrees Fahrenheit at a point 24 inches from the floor during the day in severe weather. Gas-fired space heaters, other stoves, fireplaces and water heaters shall be vented to the outside atmosphere.
	113.5(11) Ventilation. Ventilation shall be provided in all rooms where foster children eat, sleep, and play either by windows which can be opened or by mechanical venting systems. Windows and doors used for ventilation shall be screened.
This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 237.3.
441—113.6(237) Sanitation, water, and waste disposal.
	113.6(1) Food preparation and storage. Food preparation areas shall be clean and there shall be facilities to store perishable food at cold temperatures and storage areas for other food supplies.
	113.6(2)  Milk supply. Fluid or powdered milk sufficient to meet the needs of the foster child shall be provided.
	113.6(3) Public water supply. The water supply is approved when the water is obtained from a public water supply system.
	113.6(4) Private water supply.
	a. 	Each privately operated water supply shall be annually checked and evaluated for obvious deficiencies such as open or loose well tops or platforms and poor drainage around the wells.
	b. 	As part of the evaluation, water samples must be collected and submitted by the licensing worker or health sanitarian to the university hygienic laboratory or other laboratory certified by the hygienic laboratory and analyzed for coliform bacteria. In order to be licensed for the care of children under two years of age the nitrate (NO3) content must be analyzed.
	c. 	When the water supply is obtained from more than one well, proof of the quality of the water from each well is required.
	d. 	When the water sample result shows the water is potable, the license can be granted.
	e. 	When the water sample is not approved, no license shall be issued until the foster parents provide a written statement that foster children will be provided potable water, where it will be obtained, and how it will be transported and stored.
	113.6(5) Sewage treatment.
	a. 	Foster homes, wherever possible, shall be connected to public sewer systems.
	b. 	Private disposal systems shall be designed, constructed and maintained so that no unsanitary or nuisance conditions exist, such as surface discharge of raw or partially treated sewage or failure of the sewer lines to convey sewage properly.
	113.6(6) Garbage storage and disposal.
	a. 	A sufficient number of covered garbage and rubbish containers shall be provided to properly store all material between collections.
	b. 	Containers shall be fly tight, watertight, and rodent proof and shall be maintained in a sanitary condition.
This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 237.3.
441—113.7(237) Fire safety.
	113.7(1) Fire protection. Any floor of a house, including the basement, used for the sleeping of foster children shall be equipped with at least one of the following:
	a. 	A smoke detector.
	b. 	A window exit providing the window exit meets all of the following criteria:
	(1)	The window is large enough to allow the foster child to pass easily through it.
	(2)	Provisions are made to ensure that the foster child can easily reach and climb through the window.
	(3)	Provisions are made to ensure that the foster child can safely reach the ground from the window. This may include the need for secure steps or stairs.
	(4)	The foster child is aware of the window exit and how to utilize it.
	c. 	A path of exit to the outside from the sleeping room which does not require the passage through more than one additional room, excluding hallways, stairs, and entryways.
	113.7(2) Combustible materials. Combustible materials shall be kept away from furnaces, stoves, or water heaters.
	113.7(3) Safety plan. The family shall have a safety plan to be used in case of fire, tornado, or blizzard.
This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 237.3.
441—113.8(237) Foster parent training.
	113.8(1) Required preservice training. Each individual foster parent shall complete an entire 30 hours of the “Partnering for Safety and Permanence: Model Approach to Partnership in Parenting” (PS-MAPP) which is approved pursuant to rule 441—117.5(237).
	a. 	Applicants shall complete PS-MAPP training before receiving a license for the first time.
	b. 	Applicants shall retake PS-MAPP if the licensing process is not completed within 24 months after PS-MAPP is initially completed.
	c. 	The department may waive the PS-MAPP training requirement in whole or in part when the department finds that:
	(1)	The applicant has completed relevant training or has a combination of relevant training and experience that is an acceptable equivalent to all or a portion of the required preservice training; or
	(2)	There is good cause for the waiver based upon the circumstances of the child and the applicant.
	113.8(2) Required preplacement orientation. All foster parents shall have orientation pursuant to rule 441—117.2(237) prior to the placement of a child in foster care in their home. Orientation may be provided prior to licensure, but it shall not count towards the required 12 hours of preservice training.
	113.8(3) Required in-service training.
	a. 	Amount of training. Each individual foster parent shall complete six credit hours of approved in-service training. The training shall meet the requirements of rule 441—117.7(237) and this rule and shall be based on an assessment by the foster parent and the licensing worker of the foster parent’s training needs. At least three credit hours of the training shall be group training. The training shall be completed prior to each renewal of a license.
	b. 	Rescinded IAB 8/9/89, effective 10/1/89.
	c. 	Documentation. Each individual foster parent shall submit the following to the family’s licensing worker within 30 days of the completion of the training and prior to the expiration date of the license:
	(1)	Title of training, or description of content.
	(2)	Name of training provider.
	(3)	Date(s) of training.
	(4)	Number of hours.
	(5)	Form 470-2540, Foster Parent Training Report, or its equivalent.
	113.8(4) Required training in universal precautions. Before licensure, each individual foster parent shall complete one hour of training related to the use and practice of universal precautions. Training shall be completed through the approved individual self-study course, “Universal Precautions in Foster and Adoptive Family Homes.”
This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 237.5A.
441—113.9(237) Policy for involvement of biological or adoptive parents.
	113.9(1) Acceptance by foster parents. Foster parents shall accept the involvement of biological or adoptive parents and other relatives of the child unless this involvement is evaluated and documented by the department or supervising agency to be detrimental to the child’s well-being.
	113.9(2) Nature of involvement. The extent and nature of the involvement of the biological or adoptive parents and other relatives shall be determined by the caseworker in consultation with the foster parents, biological or adoptive parents, and others involved with the child and family.
This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 237.3.
441—113.10(237) Information on the foster child.
	113.10(1) Initial information. The following information shall be provided to the foster family at the time of a child’s placement.
	a. 	The child’s full name, birth date, and date of acceptance for care.
	b. 	Name and addresses of significant relatives of the child, including parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, and any other significant persons. In case of adoption, these shall be adoptive parents and adoptive relatives.
	c. 	The name, address, and telephone number of the child’s physician, parents or guardian, and the supervising agency.
	d. 	Information about immunizations received by children under their care, physical limitations, medical recommendations, including specific information about the child’s opportunistic infections and HIV care needs, and any allergies. Prior to releasing specific information about HIV, the department shall use Form 470-3225, Authorization to Release HIV-Related Information, to obtain a release from the child or the child’s parent or guardian, or a court order permitting the release of the information. Form 470-3227, Receipt of HIV-Related Information, shall be completed by the person receiving this information to document understanding of the confidentiality of this knowledge.
	e. 	A medical authorization.
	f. 	A placement agreement signed by the child’s parent(s) or guardian and the foster parent(s) when the child’s parent(s) or guardian have placed the child privately; or a placement agreement for the specific child in placement signed by the foster parent(s) and the agency when placement is made by an agency.
	113.10(2) Additional information. The following information shall be maintained on foster children placed in the foster home:
	a. 	Names and addresses of doctors who have treated the child and the type of treatment received while in the foster home.
	b. 	School reports including report cards and pictures.
	c. 	Date of discharge.
	d. 	Name and address of the person to whom the child is discharged.
	113.10(3) Maintenance of records. All of the information listed in 113.10(1) and 113.10(2) shall be kept in a notebook or folder and be provided to the supervising agency when the child leaves the foster care placement.
This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 237.7.
441—113.11(237) Health of foster family.
	113.11(1) Prior to initial licensure. The foster parents shall furnish the licensing agency with a health report on the family completed no more than six months prior to the application for licensure. The report shall include information on all family members.
	113.11(2) Contents of report. This report shall include a statement from the health practitioner that there are no health problems which would be a hazard to foster children placed in the home, and a statement that the foster parents’ health would not prevent needed care from being furnished to the foster child.
	113.11(3) Capability for caring for the child. If there is evidence that the foster parent is unable to provide necessary care for the child, the worker or the physician may require additional medical reports.
This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 237.7.
441—113.12(237) Characteristics of foster parents.
	113.12(1) Age.
	a. 	Foster parents shall be at least 18 years of age.
	b. 	The age of foster parents shall be considered as it affects their ability to care for a specific child and function in a parental role.
	113.12(2) Income and resources. The foster family shall have sufficient income and resources to provide adequately for the family’s own needs.
	113.12(3) Religious considerations. The foster parent shall respect the foster child’s religious background and affiliation.
	113.12(4) Requirements of foster parents. Foster parents shall be stable, responsible, physically able to care for the type of child placed, mature individuals who are not unsuited by reason of substance abuse, lewd or lascivious behavior or other conduct likely to be detrimental to the physical or mental health or morals of the child. They shall exercise good judgment in caring for children and have a capacity to accept agency supervision.
	113.12(5) Personal characteristics. The foster parents shall:
	a. 	Provide evidence of marital adjustment and stability.
	b. 	Have realistic expectations of foster children.
	c. 	Have time available to parent foster children.
	d. 	Be able to accept and deal with acting out behavior.
	e. 	Treat foster children in a manner similar to natural or adoptive children in the home as far as participation in normal family life is concerned.
	f. 	Have the ability to be accepting and loving toward a foster child entering the home.
	g. 	Be able to separate from the foster child and not hamper return to the natural home.
	h. 	Ensure that all family members are aware of and in agreement with having foster children in the home.
	113.12(6) Determination of characteristics. The areas discussed in 113.12(4) and 113.12(5) shall be explored through observation of the family and interviews with family members and documented in a foster home study, using the PS-MAPP family profile format. The home study shall be maintained in the foster family record. Any additional areas that the family or worker identifies as a possibility for creating problems shall also be documented in the foster family record.
This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 237.3.
441—113.13(237) Record checks. The department shall submit record checks for each applicant and for anyone who is 14 years of age or older living in the home of the applicant to determine whether they have founded child abuse reports or criminal convictions or have been placed on the sex offender registry. The department shall use Form 470-0643, Request for Child Abuse Information, and Form 595-1396, DHS Criminal History Record Check, Form B, for this purpose. Each person subject to record checks shall also be fingerprinted for a national criminal history check. The department’s contractor for the recruitment and retention of resource families shall assist applicants in completing required record checks, including fingerprinting.
	113.13(1) Evaluation of record. If the applicant or anyone living in the home has a record of founded child abuse, a criminal conviction, or placement on the sex offender registry, the department shall not license the applicant as a foster family, unless an evaluation determines that the abuse or criminal conviction does not warrant prohibition of license.
Exception:  An individual applying to be a foster parent shall not be granted a license and an evaluation shall not be performed if the applicant or anyone living in the home of the applicant has been convicted of a felony offense as set forth in Iowa Code section 237.8(2)“a.” The person making the investigation shall not approve a prospective applicant and shall not perform an evaluation if the applicant or anyone living in the home of the applicant has committed a crime in another state that would be a forcible felony if the crime would have been committed in Iowa, as set forth in Iowa Code section 237.8(2)“a.”
The evaluation shall consider the nature and seriousness of the founded child abuse or crime in relation to the position sought or held, the time elapsed since the circumstances under which the abuse or crime was committed, the degree of rehabilitation, the likelihood that the person will commit the abuse or crime again, and the number of abuses or crimes committed by the person.
The person with the founded child abuse or criminal conviction report shall complete and return Form 470-2310, Record Check Evaluation, within ten calendar days of the date on the form to be used to assist in the evaluation. Failure of the person to complete and return Form 470-2310 within the specified time frame shall result in denial of licensure.
	113.13(2) Evaluation process. The service area manager or designee shall make the evaluation and decision. Within 30 days of receipt of the completed Form 470-2310, the department shall mail to the individual on whom the evaluation was completed and to the registrant for an employee of the registrant Form 470-2386, Record Check Decision, that explains the decision reached regarding the evaluation of an abuse or a crime. The department shall also issue Form 470-2386 when an applicant fails to complete the evaluation form within the specified time frame.
	113.13(3) License renewal. Foster parents applying for renewal of a license may be subject to the same checks as new applicants when there is reason to believe that a founded abuse or conviction of a crime has occurred. The department shall evaluate only abuses and convictions of crimes since the last record check using the same process.
This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 237.8(2).
441—113.14(237) Reference checks.
	113.14(1) At least three additional references shall be checked for all foster family home applicants in addition to the three references provided by the applicant.
	113.14(2) Responses of references shall be documented in the applicant’s record.
	113.14(3) Information received from references may be discussed with the applicant at the discretion of the worker. The reference shall be so informed.
	113.14(4) Reference checks shall include only those areas related to the applicant’s ability to care for children and should include discussion of the following areas:
	a. 	How long and in what capacity the reference has known the applicant.
	b. 	Personal qualities of the applicant including the general character, ability to get along with others, ability to deal with children’s problem behavior, ability to give affection and care, discussion of use of drugs and alcohol, questions regarding personal difficulties that could be detrimental to a foster child.
	c. 	Marital adjustment and stability.
	d. 	How the applicant handles anger, problems, crisis situations, discipline, and disappointments.
	e. 	Any areas of general concern not previously mentioned.
	f. 	Would the reference feel comfortable leaving a child in this home for a period of time?
	g. 	Recommendations regarding licensing.
This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 237.3.
441—113.15(237) Unannounced visits.
	113.15(1) The unannounced visit shall occur during periods of the day when the child and foster parents would normally be at home and awake, unless there has been a specific complaint about the family and care of the child.
	113.15(2) The unannounced visit may include, but is not limited to, assessment of the following areas:
	a. 	Cleanliness of the home.
	b. 	Cleanliness and appropriateness of the child’s clothing.
	c. 	Interaction between the foster child and foster family.
	d. 	The foster child’s perception of the foster parents, other children and adults in the home, behavioral expectations of foster parents, discipline used by foster parents, religious training, school, contact with natural parents, and purpose of placement in foster care.
	e. 	The foster parents’ view of the child, the child’s problem, placement worker’s involvement, plan for the child, involvement of natural parents, and additional services that either the foster child or foster parents need.
	f. 	Any previously cited deficiencies.
	g. 	Recommended action.
	113.15(3) Impressions of the unannounced visit shall be shared with foster parents.
	113.15(4) A written report summarizing the visit shall be sent to the licensing worker within two weeks after the visit. A copy of the report shall be retained in the foster parents’ record.
	113.15(5) Actions after the unannounced visit.
	a. 	When deficiencies are cited that do not appear likely to cause immediate physical or mental harm to the child, an additional visit may be scheduled.
	b. 	When the reported deficiencies raise questions of concern as to the quality of care provided, the licensing worker shall report to the placement worker, suggesting a meeting with foster parents to discuss deficiencies and suggestions for improving the deficiencies, and following the discussion obtaining written commitments from the foster parents as to how the foster parents intend to correct the deficiencies.
	c. 	When the reported deficiencies appear likely to cause immediate physical or mental harm to the child, the service area manager immediately shall:
	(1)	Direct the placement worker to determine if the child should be removed, and
	(2)	Direct the licensing worker to complete a review of the foster home to determine if the family should continue to be licensed, should receive a provisional license, or should have the license revoked according to 441—112.6(237).
	113.15(6) When the foster parents refuse to make a written commitment to improve the deficiencies, the licensing worker shall do a complete review of the foster home to determine if the license should be revoked according to rule 441—112.6(237).
This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 237.7.
441—113.16(237) Planned activities and personal effects.
	113.16(1) Daily routine. The daily routine shall promote good health and provide an opportunity for activity suitable for the foster child with time for rest and play.
	113.16(2) Clothing.
	a. 	All children should have their own clothing.
	b. 	Children shall have training and help in selection and proper care of clothing.
	c. 	Clothing shall be suited to the existing climate and seasonal conditions.
	d. 	Clothing shall be becoming, of proper size, and of the character usually worn by children in the community.
	e. 	There shall be an adequate supply of clothing to permit laundering, cleaning and repair.
	f. 	There shall be adequate closet and drawer space for children to permit access to their clothing.
	113.16(3) Educational opportunity. Every child shall be given the opportunity to complete high school or vocational training in accordance with the child’s aptitude.
	113.16(4) Religious training. Each child shall be given an opportunity for religious training. Whenever practicable, the child shall be placed with foster parents of the child’s own religious faith, or in accordance with the wishes of the biological or adoptive parents. Children shall not be required to participate in religious training or observances contrary to the wishes of the biological, adoptive family, or religious beliefs of the child.
	113.16(5) Community participation. Every child shall be given the opportunity to develop healthy social relationships through participation in neighborhood, school and other community and group activities. The child shall have the opportunity to invite friends to the foster home and to visit the home of friends.
	113.16(6) Work assignments. Work assignments shall be in keeping with the total healthy development of the child. Exploitation of the child is prohibited. No child shall be permitted to do any hazardous tasks or to engage in any work which is in violation of the child labor laws of the state. Each child shall have the opportunity to learn to assume some responsibility for self and for household duties in accordance with the child’s age, health and ability. However, assigned tasks shall not deprive the child of school, sleep, play or study periods.
This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 237.3.
441—113.17(237) Medical examinations and health care of the child.
	113.17(1) Physical examinations. Each child should have a physical examination by a physician prior to placement in the foster home to determine the child is free from contagious or infectious diseases. When this physical examination cannot be given prior to admission, an examination shall be scheduled within seven days after placement. An annual medical review of treatment received during the year shall be obtained from the health practitioner or practitioners. When a child is in continuous foster care, a new physical examination shall not be required when the child transfers from one foster family home to another unless there is some indication that an examination is necessary.
	113.17(2) Medical and dental supervision. Each child shall be under regular medical and dental supervision. Foster parents shall keep the supervising agency informed of any health problems. In case of sickness or accident, immediate medical care shall be secured for the child in accordance with the supervising agency’s directions given at the time of placement.
	113.17(3) Exemption from medical care. Nothing in this rule shall be construed to require medical treatment or immunization for a minor child of any person who is a member of a church or religious organization which is against medical treatment for disease. In such instance, an official statement from the organization and a notarized statement from the parents shall be incorporated in the record. In potentially life-threatening situations, the child’s care shall be referred to appropriate medical and legal authorities.
This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 237.3.
441—113.18(237) Training and discipline of foster children.
	113.18(1) Foster parents’ methods of training and discipline. The evaluation of the foster parent shall include a discussion and written report of the foster parents’ methods of training and discipline.
	113.18(2) Restrictions on training and discipline. Child training and discipline shall be handled with kindness and understanding. No child shall be deprived of food as punishment. No child shall be subjected to verbal abuse, threats or derogatory remarks about the child or the child’s family. Use of corporal punishment is prohibited. Reasonable physical force may be used to restrain a child in order to prevent injury to the child, injury to others, the destruction of property, or extremely disruptive behavior.
	113.18(3) Reports of mistreatment. Reports of mistreatment coming to the attention of the supervising agency shall be investigated promptly and referred to the proper authorities when necessary.
This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code sections 234.40 and 237.3.
441—113.19(237) Emergency care and release of children.
	113.19(1) Supervision and arrangements for emergency care. Foster parents shall provide supervision of foster children as dictated by the individual child’s specific needs and in agreement with the supervising agency. In case of emergency requiring the foster parents’ temporary absence from the home, arrangements shall be made with designated, responsible persons for the care of the children during the period of absence.
	113.19(2) Release of foster child. The foster parents shall release the foster child only to the agency, parent or guardian from whom the child was received for care, or the person specifically designated by the agency, parent or guardian.
441—113.20(237) Changes in foster family home. Foster parents shall notify the department within 30 days of any change in the number of persons living in the home or of a move to a new home.
This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 237.3.
[Filed 6/2/81, Notice 1/7/81—published 6/24/81, effective 8/1/81]
[Filed 8/24/81, Notice 5/27/81—published 9/16/81, effective 11/1/81]
[Filed emergency 2/10/84—published 2/29/84, effective 2/10/84]
[Filed 4/29/85, Notice 2/27/85—published 5/22/85, effective 7/1/85]
[Filed 10/1/85, Notice 7/31/85—published 10/23/85, effective 12/1/85]
[Filed emergency 1/15/87—published 2/11/87, effective 1/15/87]
[Filed emergency 6/19/87—published 7/15/87, effective 7/1/87]◊
[Filed 8/28/87, Notice 7/15/87—published 9/23/87, effective 11/1/87]◊
[Filed 7/13/89, Notice 5/31/89—published 8/9/89, effective 10/1/89]
[Filed 8/14/92, Notice 6/24/92—published 9/2/92, effective 11/1/92]
[Filed 10/14/93, Notice 9/1/93—published 11/10/93, effective 1/1/94]
[Filed 3/20/95, Notice 1/18/95—published 4/12/95, effective 6/1/95]
[Filed 12/12/95, Notice 10/25/95—published 1/3/96, effective 3/1/96]
[Filed 3/11/98, Notice 1/14/98—published 4/8/98, effective 6/1/98]
[Filed 4/15/99, Notice 2/10/99—published 5/5/99, effective 7/1/99]
[Filed 5/9/01, Notice 3/21/01—published 5/30/01, effective 8/1/01]
[Filed 10/10/02, Notice 7/24/02—published 10/30/02, effective 1/1/03]
[Filed 11/18/02, Notice 8/21/02—published 12/11/02, effective 2/1/03]
[Filed emergency 6/16/06—published 7/5/06, effective 7/1/06]
[Filed 9/19/06, Notice 7/5/06—published 10/11/06, effective 11/16/06]
[Filed emergency 6/14/07—published 7/4/07, effective 7/1/07]
[Filed 9/12/07, Notice 7/4/07—published 10/10/07, effective 11/14/07]
◊	Two or more ARCs