Library: Policy

340:110-5-60. Foster home requirements

Revised 6-1-06

(a) General requirements. The foster home:

(1) is clean, safe, and in good repair;
(2) and the exterior around the home, is free from objects, materials, and conditions that constitute a danger to the children served;
(3) is accessible to or able to arrange transportation to school, church, recreational and health facilities, and other community resources, as needed; and
(4) is in compliance with all applicable fire, health, and safety laws, ordinances, and regulations.

(b) Safety requirements.

(1) Clear glass doors are plainly marked to avoid accidental impact. Foster homes providing infant care only are exempt from this requirement.
(2) Children are protected from hazardous materials, such as flammable liquids and poisonous materials.
(3) All weapons and firearms are kept locked.
(4) The premises are free of illegal drugs and paraphernalia.
(5) When children are in care, smoking is prohibited inside the home and when transporting children.
(6) Stairways over four steps, inside and outside, have railings. Safety gates at stairways are provided if infants and toddlers are in care. Foster homes providing infant care only are exempt from this requirement.
(7) Any play activity that involves water is supervised constantly. Ponds or pools are not left accessible to children. Wading pools are emptied after each use.

(1) A fire extinguisher rated for Class ABC fires is installed in the kitchen area.
(2) The foster home is equipped with at least one operable smoke detector in the vicinity of the sleeping areas, or more as required by the foster home agency (agency).
(3) Each floor used as living space has at least two means of escape, at least one of which is a door leading to an unobstructed path to the outside. The second means of escape may be an unobstructed, operable window 20" X 24" minimum dimensions.
(4) All heating and air conditioning equipment is installed in accordance with state and local mechanical codes and manufacturer's instructions.

(d) Health requirements.

(1) Water supply, sewage disposal, and solid waste disposal meet local city ordinances and Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality regulations.
(2) Rooms used by children are well lighted and ventilated.
(3) Windows and doors used for ventilation are screened.
(4) The foster parents take measures to keep the house and grounds free of rodents, insects, and stray animals.
(5) One operable sink, one operable toilet, and one operable tub or shower are available in the home.
(6) Each child is provided with individual combs, toothbrushes, wash cloths, towels, and eating and drinking utensils.
(7) Linens are changed when needed.
(8) Animals or household pets are permitted provided there is proof of annual rabies vaccinations for each animal. Pets or animals in the foster home, indoors or outdoors, are in good health, show no evidence of carrying disease, are friendly toward children, and present no threat to the health, safety, and well-being of children.
(9) Testing for tuberculosis is not required on a routine basis. The agency requires the foster family to comply with the Oklahoma State Department of Health recommendations regarding tuberculin skin testing when there is a local identified tuberculin exposure.

(e) Sleeping arrangements. A separate bed is provided for each child. Siblings younger than six years old may share a bed if their history indicates that this is appropriate and the decision is made in consultation with the agency.

(1) It is preferable that no more than two children share a sleeping room. Consideration is given to related children according to age and emotional needs.
(2) Separate sleeping rooms are provided for children older than four years who are of different sex.
(3) Children in foster care older than one year of age do not share sleeping quarters with adults in the household unless an emergency exists and the agency is informed.
(4) Children in foster care do not share a sleeping surface with adults in the household.

(f) Rest arrangements for infants.

(1) Bedding. A crib, port-a-crib, or playpen with a firm waterproof mattress or pad is used for each child younger than one year of age.

(A) Cribs, port-a-cribs, and playpens with more than 2 and 3/8 inches between slats or between the side and end panels are not allowed.
(B) Cribs with decorative cutout areas in crib end panels or tall decorative knobs on the corner posts, which can entrap a child's head or catch clothing, are not allowed.
(C) Mattresses are tight-fitting with no more than one inch between the mattress and crib.
(D) Mattress and crib sheets fit snugly.
(E) Drop-side latches hold sides securely and are not accessible by the child in the crib.
(F) Pillows, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, stuffed toys, bumper pads, and other soft products are not allowed in the infant crib or playpen.

(2) Sleep position. To reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), the infant:

(A) younger than 12 months of age is placed on the back for sleeping, unless there is a medical reason the infant should not sleep in this position, as documented by a health professional. Documentation is maintained by the foster parent and the agency; and
(B) who is able to turn over is placed initially on the back for sleeping but allowed to sleep in the position preferred by the infant.

(g) Emergency plans. The foster home complies with the requirements pertaining to emergency plans contained in this subsection.

(1) The foster home has a planned source of medical care available, such as a hospital emergency room, clinic, or health professional known to the foster family.
(2) The home has a telephone with emergency numbers posted nearby for the health professional or clinic, fire department, police department, ambulance service, and substitute caregiver.
(3) The foster parent has an emergency evacuation plan in the event of fires, tornadoes, floods, and other emergencies.
(4) First aid procedures and supplies are readily available.
(5) The foster parent ensures that each child, as appropriate to age and developmental level, knows how to evacuate from the home in the event of a fire. The foster parent conducts periodic evacuation drills.

(h) Equipment. Equipment and furniture is safe for children. The foster home has child care equipment, such as bedding, high chairs, proper auto restraints, and toys appropriate for children placed in the home.

(i) Transportation. Children in foster care are transported in compliance with applicable state law, Section 11-1112 of Title 47 of the Oklahoma Statutes. The foster family has emergency transportation available.

(1) Driver qualifications. Drivers transporting children in foster care have an operator's license of the type appropriate for the vehicle that is valid in the driver's state of residence.
(2) Passenger restraints. Children who are transported are properly secured in a child passenger restraint system (car seat) or individual seat belt.

(A)The car seat is:

(i) federally approved;
(ii) installed according to the manufacturer's instructions;
(iii) appropriate to the height, weight, and physical condition of the child, according to the manufacturer's instructions; and
(iv) properly maintained.

(B) Each seat belt is properly anchored to the vehicle and fits snugly across the child's hips or securely anchors the car seat.

(3) Vehicle requirements.

(A) The transporting vehicle is covered by liability insurance as required by Oklahoma laws.
(B) Each vehicle used for transportation of foster care children has door locks. The driver is responsible for keeping the doors locked when the vehicle is moving.

(j) Nutrition. Each child is provided a balanced, nutritious, and developmentally appropriate diet.

(1) The food is wholesome in quality, ample in quantity, and of sufficient variety.
(2) Instructions for feeding infants, including the use of formula, recommended by the physician are followed.