441—113.11(237) Health of foster family.
	113.11(1) Health report required. The foster parents shall furnish the licensing agency with a health report on the family completed no more than six months before the application for licensure. The report shall include information on all family members, including foster parents, their minor child(ren) who reside in the home, and adult household members. An updated report shall be provided upon request of the department licensing worker or the recruitment and retention contractor.
	113.11(2) Contents of report. This report shall include a statement from an impartial health practitioner that there are no physical or mental health problems which would be a hazard to the child(ren) placed in the home and a statement that the foster parents’ health would not prevent needed care from being provided to the child(ren).
	113.11(3) Whooping cough vaccine. All adult household members who are caregivers must have up-to-date whooping cough vaccines unless contrary to the person’s health or sincerely held religious belief.
	113.11(4) Exemption from whooping cough vaccine. Nothing in this rule shall be construed to require the whooping cough vaccine for adult household members who are a member of a church or religious organization which is against vaccinations. In such instance, a notarized statement from the household member shall be incorporated into the health record.
	113.11(5) Capability for caring for the child(ren). If there is evidence that the foster parent is unable to provide necessary care for the child(ren), the department licensing worker, the recruitment and retention contractor, or the physician may require additional medical and mental health reports, including a substance abuse evaluation.
This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 237.7.
[ARC 8010B, IAB 7/29/09, effective 10/1/09; ARC 3185C, IAB 7/5/17, effective 9/1/17; ARC 5064C, IAB 7/1/20, effective 9/1/20; ARC 6961C, IAB 4/5/23, effective 6/1/23]