Department of Health and Human Services 

OFFICE OF 

INSPECTOR GENERAL 

JUNE GIBBS BROWN 

Inspector General 

MAY 2000 

OEI-02-98-00570 

State Oversight of 

Residential Facilities For Children 
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL 

The mission of the Office of Inspector General (OIG), as mandated by Public Law 95-452, is to 

protect the integrity of the Department of Health and Human Services programs as well as the 

health and welfare of beneficiaries served by them. This statutory mission is carried out through a 

nationwide program of audits, investigations, inspections, sanctions, and fraud alerts. The 

Inspector General informs the Secretary of program and management problems and recommends 

legislative, regulatory, and operational approaches to correct them. 

Office of Evaluation and Inspections 

The Office of Evaluation and Inspections (OEI) is one of several components of the Office of 

Inspector General. It conducts short-term management and program evaluations (called 

inspections) that focus on issues of concern to the Department, the Congress, and the public. The 

inspection reports provide findings and recommendations on the efficiency, vulnerability, and 

effectiveness of departmental programs. 

OEI's New York Region prepared this report under the direction of John I. Molnar, Regional 

Inspector General and Renee C. Dunn, Regional Inspector General. Principal OEI staff included: 

REGION HEADQUARTERS 

Nancy Harrison, Project Leader Alan Levine, Program Specialist

Miriam Gareau, Lead Analyst Linda Hall, Program Specialist

Lucille Cop

Judy Lin

Jodi Nudelman

To obtain copies of this report, please call the New York Regional Office at (212) 264-2000. 

Reports are also available on the World Wide Web at our home page address: 

http://www.dhhs.gov/progorg/oei 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

PURPOSE 

To describe States’ licensing process for children’s residential facilities. 

BACKGROUND 

Staff at the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) asked the Office of Inspector 

General (OIG) to review State oversight of children’s residential facilities. The ACF’s 

immediate concern is how States license and monitor residential care facilities. 

For the purpose of this study, we define residential care as 24-hour group care of children 

provided by paid staff unrelated to the children. Children who are placed in residential 

care often need services that other settings do not provide, such as specialized counseling. 

To be eligible to receive Federal reimbursement for foster care, a State must place the 

child in a facility that is licensed or approved by the State in which it is situated. States 

are also required to establish and maintain standards for Federally funded residential 

facilities. These standards should include admissions policies, safety, sanitation, and 

protection of civil rights. In the early 1980s, under contract with ACF, the Child Welfare 

League of America (CWLA) wrote a Model State Licensing Law that presents generic 

guidance for the licensing process. 

This inspection is based on information gathered from discussions with ACF’s Children’s 

Bureau staff, a national child welfare expert, and several sources in each of our sample 

State. These sources included State policies, procedures and laws, interviews with State 

licensing specialists and licensing staff, interviews with facility staff, and, in several States, 

observation of a monitoring visit. We selected a purposive sample of nine States 

(California, Florida, Mississippi, New York, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, 

Texas, and Utah). 

FINDINGS 

States Have Licensing Standards that Focus on Ensuring a Safe Environment 

Licensing standards address the health, protection, and safety of children in 

residential facilities. The standards set a minimum level of care and outline the facility’s 

responsibility regarding the physical plant, staffing, record keeping, care of children, 

restraints, and isolation. 

State Oversight of Residential Facilities For Children 1 OEI-02-98-00570 
However, there is no universally accepted set of licensing standards. The 15 year old 

Model Licensing Law does not set out specific licensing standards and is not widely 

known. Further, although most States address most standards, there is some variability. 

Of the 34 key standards that we identified, only 8 are addressed by all 9 sample States. 

Furthermore, State standards generally do not address the appropriateness of 

placement or quality of services. State standards generally do not deal with evaluating a 

child’s placement or set criteria for judging the quality of services in a facility. Some 

licensing specialists feel that the licensing process does not ensure quality of care, nor is it 

intended to. 

States Follow a Multi-Step Licensing Process that Includes On-site Visits 

The initial licensing process generally consists of a review of written policies followed by 

an on-site inspection of the facility. It is also common for States to conduct subsequent 

on-site visits during a facility’s first year and to offer technical assistance. 

States Rarely Revoke Licenses But Use Several Methods to Monitor Facilities 

Almost all sample States report monitoring all facilities on-site annually. Licensing staff 

often discover violations. States impose corrective action plans that outline what a facility 

needs to do to correct the violation. States rarely revoke licenses or deny a renewal. 

Instead, States use other techniques to deal with facility weaknesses, such as stopping a 

facility from accepting new children. 

In addition to monitoring, sample States identify problems through complaints and critical 

incident reports. Usually, specialized staff or licensing staff investigate complaints. All 

nine States require facilities to report critical incidents such as suspected cases of abuse or 

neglect. 

Facilities Are Also Monitored By Other Agencies 

In addition to the licensing agency, facilities are commonly monitored by multiple agencies 

that include local fire and health departments and the contracting agency that places 

children. 

CONCLUSION 

It appears that the nine States in our sample are meeting Federal requirements to establish 

standards and license facilities. It is important to note, however, that we sought to 

describe licensing processes and did not attempt to identify specific violations of State 

standards or procedures that put children at risk. 

State Oversight of Residential Facilities For Children 2 OEI-02-98-00570 
State licensing standards address the health, protection, and safety of children. They are 

not intended to ensure the suitability of placement and quality of care. Therefore, placing 

agents should not use licensure as a substitute for a pre-placement visit when placing 

children in residential facilities. 

While we found that most States address most standards, we note some differences in 

standards and licensing procedures. Given this variability, we see an opportunity to 

strengthen State licensing and encourage ACF to take a leadership role. By working with 

States and others ACF can provide training and technical assistance where needed or serve 

as a focal point for information sharing. 

COMMENTS 

We received comments on the draft report from the Administration for Children and 

Families (ACF). (See appendix for the full text of the comments.) The ACF agrees that 

the variability in licensing standards is of concern. They are taking an outcome-based 

approach to monitoring States. We think this outcome-based approach is appropriate, at 

this time. However, we will remain vigilant to potential vulnerabilities in residential care 

for children. 

State Oversight of Residential Facilities For Children 3 OEI-02-98-00570 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 

PAGE

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

FINDINGS 

Licensing Standards Focus on a Safe Environmental . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

States Follow a Multi-Step Licensing Process. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

States Rarely Revoke Licenses But Monitor Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Facilities are Monitored by Other Agencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

CONCLUSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

APPENDIX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

State Oversight of Residential Facilities For Children 4 OEI-02-98-00570 
INTRODUCTION 

PURPOSE 

To describe States’ licensing process for children’s residential facilities. 

BACKGROUND 

Staff at the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) asked the Office of Inspector 

General (OIG) to review State oversight of children’s residential facilities. The ACF’s 

most immediate concern is how States license and monitor residential care facilities, and in 

particular what a license signifies. The OIG found in the recent inspection, “Interstate 

Compact on the Placement of Children: Implementation”(OEI-02-95-00043) that States 

rely on licensing, not separate on-site reviews of facility services, to determine the 

suitability of residential facilities when they place a child across State lines. 

The OIG’s Office of Audit Services (OAS) is also working in the area of group homes. 

The OAS work will focus on California and will determine whether the required 

protections are being provided to children placed into foster care by the Probation 

Department. 

Residential Care 

For the purposes of this study, we define residential care as 24-hour group care of children 

provided by paid staff unrelated to the children. It does not include boarding schools, 

hospitals, or recreational camps. Residential care differs from foster family care, which 

relies on the volunteer services of licensed foster parents for child care in their homes. 

According the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA), an association of public and 

private organizations devoted to child welfare, approximately 17 percent of all out-ofhome care was provided in residential care facilities in 1995. 

Two types of residential care are group homes and residential treatment centers. Group 

homes generally serve 12 children or less and often include children that are the same 

gender and/or age group. Residential treatment centers usually offer more services to 

children than group homes and have a more troubled population of children. Residential 

treatment centers are generally larger than group homes and may house both boys and 

girls of different ages. 

In the child welfare system, children are placed in residential care for various reasons. For 

example, a child who has suffered from abuse may require intensive treatment and 

supervision that a foster family cannot provide. Some children may be placed into 

State Oversight of Residential Facilities For Children 5 OEI-02-98-00570 
residential care as a last resort because they cannot be controlled in a family environment. 

Children are also placed into these facilities from the mental health and juvenile justices 

systems, and occasionally by parents. 

Federal Role in Children’s Residential Care 

Title IV-E. Title IV-E of the Social Security Act establishes an open-ended entitlement 

program that reimburses a portion of States’ foster care maintenance costs for children 

who meet Federal eligibility requirements. Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations 

establishes limits for these payments. It specifies that Federal foster care maintenance 

payments for child care institutions (residential facilities) are restricted to the “cost of (and 

the cost of providing) food, clothing, shelter, daily supervision, school supplies, child’s 

personal incidentals, liability insurance of child, reasonable travel to the child’s home for 

visitation,” and administration/operation costs associated with above [42 CFR 675(4)]. 

The Act defines child-care institutions as either a public child-care institution that 

accommodates no more than 25 children or a private child-care institution that is not 

limited in the number of children it can accommodate. In addition, an institution must “be 

licensed by the State in which it is situated or has been approved, by the agency of such 

State responsible for licensing or approval of institutions of this type, as meeting the 

standards established for such licensing, but the term shall not include detention facilities, 

forestry camps, training schools, or any other facility operated primarily for the detention 

of children who are determined to be delinquent.” 

Title IV- E assigns States the responsibility to establish and maintain standards for foster 

family homes and child care institutions that receive funding under it. These standards 

should include admissions policies, safety, sanitation, and protection of civil rights. States 

must arrange for a periodic and independent audit of the programs that receive Title IV-E. 

These audits must be conducted at least every three years. In the early 1980s, under 

contract with ACF, the CWLA wrote a Model State Licensing Law for the placement of 

children which addresses, among other things, residential facilities. The Model Law 

presents generic guidance for the licensing process but does not provide specific 

standards. 

Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980. The passage of Public Law 96-

272, the Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980, and subsequent regulations 

promulgated, requires the assessment of the appropriateness of placement and the 

appropriateness of services provided for children under the responsibility of the child 

welfare agency. To comply with these requirements State child welfare agencies can 

develop policies and/or contracting guidelines that address quality services and the 

appropriateness of the child’s placement. 

State Oversight of Residential Facilities For Children 6 OEI-02-98-00570 
Adoption and Safe Families Act. The Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) 

amended Section 471(a) of the Social Security Act by requiring that States develop and 

implement, no later than January 1, 1999, “standards to ensure that children in foster care 

placements in public or private agencies are provided quality services that protect the 

safety and health of the children.” The ACF staff believes that although the standards 

required by ASFA do not specifically address licensing of residential facilities, the 

requirement provides a means of addressing the quality of services provided to children in 

foster care and an opportunity for the Federal government to examine State practice in this 

area. 

METHODOLOGY 

This inspection is based on information gathered from discussions with ACF Children’s 

Bureau staff, a national child welfare expert, and four separate sources in each of our nine 

sample States. First, we analyzed the State policies, procedures, and laws regarding the 

licensing and monitoring of residential facilities for children. Second, we conducted 

interviews with a State licensing specialist. Third, we interviewed a member of the 

licensing staff. Fourth, we interviewed the directors of two randomly selected facilities. 

Finally, we accompanied a member of the licensing staff on a monitoring visit in three 

States. 

We selected these sources for their different perspectives on the licensing process. In our 

analysis, we paid special attention to consensus within and among the groups. We used 

consensus as a cross check to confirm our findings. For example, we analyzed State 

licensing specialist viewpoints and we compared their comments with those we received 

from licensing and facility staff within the same State. 

We selected a purposive sample of nine States (California, Florida, Mississippi, New 

York, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah.) These States include a 

geographic mix of large and small States. These nine States represent 40 percent of the 

national population under age 18 in 1997. The CWLA estimates these nine States also 

represent over 45 percent of the national capacity of residential facilities. 

State Standards Review. We first collected policies, procedures and laws pertaining to 

the licensing and monitoring of residential facilities from four States. These four States 

were identified by a child welfare expert as having model standards. The four were not in 

our sample. We then developed a review instrument based on the common licensing 

practices found in the standards from the four States. Using the instrument, we compared 

the policies, procedures, and laws collected from our nine sample States to the practices of 

the model States. This comparison can be found in Table A in the report. 

State Oversight of Residential Facilities For Children 7 OEI-02-98-00570 
Interviews. In each of the nine sample States we interviewed a licensing specialist who 

was either the supervisor of the licensing staff or a licensing policy specialist. We 

discussed statewide licensing practices. We also interviewed a licensing staff member 

selected by each State. We discussed licensing practice and, in particular, his or her own 

experiences. In addition, we interviewed the directors of two randomly selected 

residential facilities in each of the nine States. We discussed their experiences with the 

licensing process, with emphasis on their last monitoring visit. 

Site Visits. In three States (California, Pennsylvania and New York) we accompanied a 

member of the licensing staff on a monitoring visit of a residential facility. 

Limitations. The sample used in this study is purposive. Therefore, the findings of this 

study cannot be generalized to the universe of States and facilities. 

We are able to assess whether or not the States in our sample are following their policies 

and procedures. However, due to the constraints of our methodology, we cannot identify 

specific occurrences of procedures violation or low quality of care. 

This inspection was conducted in accordance with the Quality Standards for Inspections 

issued by the President’s Council on Integrity and Efficiency. 

State Oversight of Residential Facilities For Children 8 OEI-02-98-00570 
FINDINGS 

States Have Licensing Standards that Focus on Ensuring a Safe 

Environment 

Licensing Standards Address the Health, Protection, and Safety of Children in 

Residential Facilities 

The standards are rules that set the minimum level of care and outline facilities’ 

responsibilities regarding the physical plant, staffing, record keeping, care of children, and 

restraints and isolation. Table A shows key standards of the nine sample States. 

Physical Plant. Our analysis of the standards from each of the nine sample States shows 

that rules regarding the physical plant (the building and grounds of the facility) focus 

primarily on preventing safety hazards and on providing a comfortable and appropriate 

living environment. For example, all sample States require facilities to meet applicable 

building and fire safety standards. All States also have additional building requirements 

such as minimum square footage of bedrooms, and the provision for recreational space. 

Many States also mandate safety procedures such as requiring that all toxic chemicals and 

medications be stored in a locked cabinet. 

Staffing. All States’ standards have rules about staffing. Generally, these rules focus on 

staff qualifications, training, background checks, and staff-to-child ratios. For example, all 

States mandate that facilities maintain certain staff-to-child ratios for the safety of the 

children. The most common ratio for school age children is one staff member to eight 

children during waking hours. Five States also specify different ratios for sleeping hours. 

The most common ratio is 1 staff to 12 children. 

Background checks are common. Six States require both a criminal and child abuse 

background check for the program director and the direct child care staff. Two other 

States require one of these checks. Only one of our States did not require either 

background check. 

States often require facility staff to have specific education and training. For example, 

eight of the States require the facility director to have at least a bachelor’s degree and 

related work experience. Four States require that direct care staff have at least a high 

school diploma. In addition, most States require that employees attend an orientation and 

have a minimum amount of training each year. Three States require health related 

training, such as first aid and cardio pulmonary resuscitation. 

State Oversight of Residential Facilities For Children 9 OEI-02-98-00570 
Table A: Common Licensing Standards in Sample States 

x = Standard addressed by State 

States 

Licensing Standards 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Total 

Physical Plant 

Applicable building inspection x x x x x x x x x 

Applicable fire standards x x x x x x x x x 

Specific building requirements: x x x x x x x x x 

sq. footage of bedrooms x x x x x x x 

location of staff rooms x x x x x 

recreational space x x x x x x 

Specific safety procedures: x x x x x x x x x 

all toxic chemicals secured x x x x x 

all medications locked x x x x x x x x x 

Staffing 

Staff-to-child ratio x x x x x x x x x 

Staff-to-child ratio sleeping hours x x x x x 

Criminal background checks: x x x x x x x 

Facility director x x x x x x x 

Direct child care staff x x x x x x 

Volunteers x x x x 

1 

Child abuse background checks: x x x x x x x 

Facility director x x x x x x x 

Direct child care staff x x x x x x 

Volunteers x x x 

Director needs Bachelor’s and experience x x x x x x x x 

Child care staff must have HS diploma x x x x 

2 

New staff orientation x x x x x x x x 

Training hours required x x x x x x 

First aid training required x x x 

9 

9 

9 

7 

5 

7 

9 

5 

9 

9 

5 

7 

7 

6 

4 

7 

7 

6 

3 

8 

4 

8 

6 

3 

1 Although State 7 standards require child abuse checks on staff through a central child abuse registry, 

the State does not have a child abuse registry, so these checks are not done. 

2 State 5 requires that 50 percent of the direct child care staff have 2 years of college or work experience, 

the other 50 percent do not have these requirements. 

State Oversight of Residential Facilities For Children 10 OEI-02-98-00570 
States 

Licensing Standards 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Total 

Record Keeping 

Treatment plan x x x x x x x x x 

Progress reports x x x x x x x 

Medication logs x x x x x x x 

Care of Children 

Nutritional requirements x x x x x x x x x 

Recreational program x x x x x x x 

Medical care x x x x x x x x x 

Dental care x x x x x x 

Educational requirements x x x x x x x x 

Child’s rights x x x x x x x x 

Restraints and Isolation 

State sets standards x x x n/a x x 

Facilities to develop standards x x n/a 

Require monitoring of restraints x x x n/a x 

Limit time of restraint x x n/a x 

Used only under specific circumstances x x x x n/a x x 

Prohibits restraints x 

Prohibits isolation x x 

Set standards on use of isolation x x n/a x x x x n/a 

Prohibit use of locked room x n/a x x n/a 

Limit length of isolation x x n/a x x x n/a 

Require isolation is monitored x n/a x x x n/a 3 

Document each isolation x n/a x x x x n/a 

9 

7 

7 

9 

7 

9 

6 

8 

8 

5 

2 

4 

3 

6 

1 

2 

6 

3 

5 

4 

5 

Source: OEI State standards review, 1999 

3 State 2 requires that isolated children be within hearing distance of staff. 

State Oversight of Residential Facilities For Children 11 OEI-02-98-00570
Record Keeping. State standards also require facilities to maintain specific records. In 

fact, all sample States require that facilities have a treatment plan for each child. Seven 

States also require that progress reports be written for each child on a periodic basis. In 

the majority of the States, facilities must keep a log of the administration of all 

medications. Other types of required record keeping includes children’s medical exam 

reports and incident reports. 

Care of Children. All States set rules about the care of children. Generally, these rules 

are specific and address nutrition, recreation, medical and dental care, and education. 

Eight of the nine States’ standards protect children’s rights, in varying ways, such as their 

right to have money, belongings, phone calls, and mail. The remaining State’s standards 

do not address these issues. 

Restraints and Isolation. According to State and licensing staff, one State prohibits the 

use of restraints and one State does not have policies on their use. The other seven States 

either address the use of restraints in their standards or require facilities to develop their 

own policies. Several States require that restrained children be monitored every 10 to 15 

minutes. Some States limit the time of restraints. Typically, the restraint must only be 

used to protect a child from injury to herself or others. 

. Six States regulate the use of isolation. Two States prohibit its use and another does not 

address isolation in its policies. Of the six States that regulate, three prohibit the use of a 

locked room for isolation. Two of the States that allow locked rooms require the isolation 

be documented and approved or discussed with the child’s placing agency (or parent). 

Most States limit the time a child can be isolated. The limits range from 1 to 12 hours. 

However, There is No Universally Accepted Set of Licensing Standards 

As mentioned in the background of this report, the Model Licensing Law was written by 

CWLA, under contract with ACF, over 15 years ago. Although it provides guidance to 

States about licensing procedures, it does not set out specific licensing standards. 

Furthermore, this model law is not widely known. 

Although most States address most standards, as Table A shows, there is some variability. 

Of the 34 key standards that we identified, only 8 are addressed by all 9 sample States. 

For instance, two States do not require child abuse background checks of facility staff. 

Only three States require facility staff to have first aid training. Also, not all States 

mandate progress reports and medication logs. The most variability among States is in the 

area of restraints and isolation, where no standard has more than six States addressing it. 

State Oversight of Residential Facilities For Children 12 OEI-02-98-00570 
Furthermore, State Standards Generally Do Not Address the Appropriateness of 

Placement or the Quality of Services 

State standards generally do not require licensing staff to evaluate the appropriateness of a 

child’s placement into a facility. Licensing staff members note that this responsibility rests 

with the child’s placing agency. This distinction is especially important in interstate cases 

when a child from one State is being placed in a residential facility in another States. A 

previous Office of Inspector General inspection (OEI-02-95-00043) found that States 

generally rely on licensing, not separate on-site reviews of facility services, to determine 

the suitability of residential facilities when they place a child across State lines. 

Typically State licensing standards do not set criteria for judging the quality of services in 

a facility. For example, State standards require that facilities develop a treatment plan for 

each child but the standards do not offer details on what the plans should include. Most of 

the State licensing specialists we interviewed feel that the licensing process does not 

ensure quality of care, nor is it intended to. As one specialist explains, “the legislation 

defined our role as health and safety, when it comes to program quality it is a buyer 

beware situation.” 

States Follow a Multi-Step Licensing Process that Includes On-site 

Visits 

The licensing staff are typically employed by the State department responsible for child 

welfare or social services. Five of the sample States have a separate licensing division 

within that department. The other States have licensing staff in the department but not in a 

separate office. The licensing staff in all of the States are required to have at least a 

bachelor’s degree and some work experience, but only two States offer comprehensive 

training for new staff. The other States rely on on-the-job or in-house training. 

The initial licensing process generally consists of a paper review followed by an on-site 

inspection. Further, it is not uncommon for States to conduct subsequent on-site visits 

during a facility’s first year or to offer technical assistance. Table B presents the common 

licensing practices of the nine sample States. 

Review of Policies and Procedures. The first step in the licensing process is a paper 

review. New facilities in all States submit copies of their policies and procedures. In most 

sample States, these documents include personnel policies, such as job descriptions and 

training plans, and financial information, such as a budget and proof of sufficient funds to 

operate for several months. Some States require a statement of need or a letter of intent 

to place children from a local county or placing entity. 

State Oversight of Residential Facilities For Children 13 OEI-02-98-00570 
Review of Program Description. During the application process, eight States require 

facilities to submit a written program description. Typically, it describes the services the 

facility will offer and how they plan to provide these services. These program descriptions 

are generally reviewed by the licensing staff. The ninth State reports that although this 

information is not required, facilities usually provide it. 

On-Site Inspection. All sample States conduct an on-site inspection of the facility before 

an initial license is issued. During this visit, licensing staff verify that the physical plant of 

the facility is in compliance with standards and has no apparent safety hazards. A more 

comprehensive inspection cannot be done at this point because the facility is not yet caring 

for any children. 

Technical Assistance. Eight States report offering some type of technical assistance to 

facilities during the application process. The technical assistance usually is a meeting 

between the licensing staff and the facility director or board of directors to discuss the 

facility’s strengths and weaknesses, how the facility can improve its policies, and what the 

facility should do in order to be in compliance with standards. The ninth State offers no 

technical assistance. 

Additional On-Site Inspections During the First Year of Operation. On-site 

inspections for new facilities are common. In six of the sample States new facilities are 

subject to a comprehensive on-site inspection during the first year. These visits generally 

include reviewing records, inspecting the physical plant and, in two States, conducting 

interviews with staff or children. In one other State’s new facilities are visited during the 

first year, but a comprehensive inspection is not conducted. The remaining two States do 

not conduct additional monitoring during a facility’s first year. 

Most of the sample States (7) issue a provisional license when a facility first opens and one 

more State has the option to issue provisional licenses. The provisional license is 

temporary and gives new facilities the right to care for children. States use these licenses 

because a facility cannot prove compliance with all licensing standards before it cares for 

any children. Provisional licenses are generally valid for three to six months and involve a 

higher degree of monitoring. 

Six of our sample States renew licenses annually. The other three States have perpetual 

licenses that do not need renewal. 

State Oversight of Residential Facilities For Children 14 OEI-02-98-00570 
Table B: Common Licensing Practices of Nine Sample States 

States 

Licensing Practice 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 

Review of policies and procedures x x x x x x x x x 

Review of program description x x x x x x x x 

On-site inspection x x x x x x x x x 

Technical Assistance x x x x x x x x 

Provisional licenses x x x x x x x x 

Additional inspection x x x x x x 

Source: OEI survey, 1999 

States Rarely Revoke Licenses But Use Several Methods to Monitor 

Facilities 

Most States Monitor Facilities Yearly 

All but one sample State report monitoring all facilities, on-site, at least once a year. The 

remaining State reports monitoring facilities on-site, but could not report how often it 

occurs. All facilities agree that they are monitored by licensing staff on-site at least once a 

year. A monitoring visit can be either announced or unannounced. Only two States 

conduct unannounced visits. 

Most States use the same general methods to monitor: an inspection of the physical plant, 

a review of records, and interviews with children or staff. These methods do not include a 

review of the appropriateness or suitability of the placement of the children in the facility. 

Licensing staff members note that it is the responsibility of the agency that places the child. 

Inspection of Physical Plant. Eight of the nine sample States report that the annual 

monitoring includes an inspection of the physical plant. Typically, licensing staff members 

walk through the facility looking for safety hazards, the overall cleanliness and 

maintenance, and compliance with specific standards. For example, licensing staff 

members may check to see if the emergency escape routes and phone numbers are posted. 

They often verify that the facility has enough food and stores it properly and that all toxic 

chemicals, including dishwashing soap, are kept in a locked cabinet. The remaining State 

reports only inspecting the physical plant when he has concerns, otherwise he depends on 

the local fire and health inspections. 

State Oversight of Residential Facilities For Children 15 OEI-02-98-00570 
Record Reviews. Eight sample States report conducting record reviews as a part of the 

annual monitoring process. In the ninth State reviews may not occur as regularly. 

Further, almost all of the facility directors report that licensing staff reviewed records 

during their last monitoring visit. 

A variety of records are reviewed in each State. In a child’s record, licensing staff 

generally look at the treatment plan, progress reports, and medical records. In a personnel 

record, licensing staff generally look at training and background checks. In addition, 

licensing staff in the majority of States review menus and medication logs. 

All licensing staff members agree that while they are reviewing records, they are looking 

for compliance with standards. Eight also report looking, at least sometimes, at the level 

of detail in the record. Five even report that they assess quality of care during record 

reviews. 

Interviews with Staff and Children. In all nine States, the licensing staff member or the 

licensing specialist report that they interview facility staff and children during monitoring 

visits. However, facilities in two of the sample States report that these interviews did not 

occur during their last monitoring visit. 

The licensing staff members say that these interviews give them an opportunity to find out 

what is actually happening in the facilities on a day-to-day basis. Topics that they discuss 

with children may include the food, treatment goals, unmet needs, or the child’s 

interactions with staff (especially disciplinary issues). Most States interview the direct 

care staff and several States also interview the director of the facility. 

Many licensing staff members believe that interviewing is the most important part of the 

monitoring process. One member says that interviewing shows how the agency is actually 

doing, rather than just looking at compliance with health and safety standards. Another 

believes that interviewing allows him to find out if management’s philosophy follows 

through to the front line staff. 

States Rarely Revoke Licenses or Deny a Renewal 

States rarely use license revocation to deal with facility weaknesses. (See Table C.) Two 

States say they have never revoked a facility license. Instead, States use other techniques. 

The ACF staff point out that this practice is consistent with commentary in the Model 

Licensing Law which says that “children should not be subjected to the trauma that closing 

a residence would create.” Some States stop new children from being placed in the 

facility. Other States have the legal authority to impose monetary penalties on a facility 

that violates licensing standards. 

State Oversight of Residential Facilities For Children 16 OEI-02-98-00570 
Table C: Number of Facilities in Sample States: 1998 

States 

Status 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 

Licensed 1,611 259 51 663 682 21 212 384 86 4 

New license applications 215 32 3 32 _ 0 11 74 7 5 

Issued new license 198 32 3 27 71 0 11 _ 3 

Issued renewal N/A 227 49 7 _ 21 201 N/A 86 

Denied renewal N/A 0 0 0 _ 0 0 1 0 

License revoked 35 1 0 0 _ 0 0 3 3 

Source: OEI survey, 1999 

Only one sample State reports denying a license renewal during 1998. Typically, a 

violation discovered during a renewal monitoring visit does not cause the license to be 

denied, instead a corrective action plan or other steps are taken to correct the problem. 

States Use Corrective Action Plans to Address Violations 

It is common for a licensing staff member to discover violations during annual monitoring. 

In most of the sample States, licensing staff impose and follow-up on corrective action 

plans. This practice is discussed in the commentary section of the Model Licensing Law. 

It states, in part, that “just as the Department’s efforts to monitor and offer consultation 

are intended to help programs stay in operation and generate opportunities to raise 

standards, probation is also intended as an enabling process.” 

Licensing staff members report that the most common type of violations are safety hazards 

and problems with the facility records. Common safety hazards range from unlocked toxic 

substances, inappropriate staff-to-child ratios, and fire code violations to torn carpets and 

exposed nails. Problems with the facility records generally involve missing 

documentation, such as an immunization record or a doctor’s report from a child’s 

medical exam. Staff training requirements not being met is also a common violation. 

Of the 18 facilities interviewed, 8 (in 6 States) had minor violations during their last 

monitoring visit. These violations include: building maintenance, problems with 

4 State data are for fiscal year 1997 and include shelters, halfway houses and therapeutic camps (none of 

which are included in our definition of residential facility). 

5 Data not available 

State Oversight of Residential Facilities For Children 17 OEI-02-98-00570 
documentation, violations of the fire codes, missing medication, and incomplete training 

and immunization records. 

The majority of States impose corrective action plans on facilities that are not in 

compliance with licensing standards. A corrective action plan is generally an agreement 

between the licensing office and the facility. The plan outlines what the facility needs to 

do and when it must be complete in order to be in compliance with licensing standards. 

Two States use corrective action plans more conservatively. For example, one State uses 

the plan after a facility shows a pattern of violations or a systematic problem. In the other 

State the licensing staff must discuss the violations with the facility and send warning 

letters before a corrective action plan is enacted. 

States report following-up on violations by visiting or calling the facility or reviewing 

documentation. Licensing staff in only three States report consistently going on-site to 

follow-up on violations. Other States report that they sometimes follow-up on violations 

through telephone conversations or in writing, instead of going on-site. Two States report 

no specific follow-up techniques. 

Facilities confirm these methods of follow-up. Of the eight facilities that had corrective 

action plans imposed at their last monitoring visit, half had on-site follow-up. All four of 

these facilities had violations involving the physical plant. Violations in the other four 

facilities involved missing or incomplete records. In these cases the State followed up on 

the corrective action plans with phone calls and letters. 

States Investigate Complaints and Critical Incidents 

In addition to monitoring, States have two main ways to identify problems in facilities: 

complaints and critical incident reports. Critical incidents include the abuse, neglect, 

death, or serious injury of a child. Facilities are required to report such incidents to the 

State licensing agency. States also have procedures to receive and investigate complaints. 

(See Table D.) 

Reporting. All States are prepared to handle complaints. Licensing staff members say 

that complaints are usually made by parents, facility staff, or other concerned parties 

calling the licensing office. In four States, complaints can also be made by calling the 

State child abuse hotline. States report that the two most common complaints are 

suspected child abuse and violations of licensing standards, such as inadequate food or 

inappropriate discipline or treatment of children. Other types of complaints include poor 

working conditions for the staff and parents being denied access to their children. 

State Oversight of Residential Facilities For Children 18 OEI-02-98-00570 
All nine States require facilities to report suspected incidents of abuse or neglect. 

However, only six States require every death or serious injury to be reported to the 

licensing office. The other States require deaths to be reported to the proper local 

authorities. 

Table D: State Practices for Handling Complaints and Critical Incidents 

States 

Practice 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 

State abuse hotline x x x x 

Facilities must report child’s death to lic. office x x x x x x 

Licensing staff works with special investigators x x x x x x x 

Source: OEI survey, 1999 

Investigation. Investigation of complaints varies by type of complaint. State licensing 

staff investigate complaints that are not abuse and neglect. Specialized staff, such as child 

protective services staff, investigate abuse and neglect complaints. In seven States the 

licensing staff members accompany the specialized staff. States report that the 

investigation generally involves interviewing the victim, witnesses, staff, and accused. 

Investigators may also review facility records and logs, and sometimes, medical 

documentation. 

Most State licensing staff members report that they investigate the death of a child. As 

they do with abuse and neglect investigations, the licensing staff usually work with another 

specialized unit. These units include the State Department of Internal Affairs, county 

investigators, child protection unit and State Attorney General. Only one State reports 

that the licensing staff does not coordinate their investigation with any other agency. 

Facilities are also Monitored by Other Agencies 

It is common for residential facilities to be monitored by multiple agencies. These 

agencies include State departments, local authorities, and contracting agencies. Of the 18 

facilities we interviewed, 16 report that they have been monitored by other agencies in 

addition to the licensing agency. 

Facilities in all of the sample States are subject to additional monitoring, such as fire and 

health inspections. Other State departments that monitor facilities include mental health, 

corrections, education, agriculture, and Medicaid. 

State Oversight of Residential Facilities For Children 19 OEI-02-98-00570 
The licensing staff in six States report that facilities are also monitored by their contracting 

agency. These contracting agencies are usually the county or district offices of the State 

responsible for placing dependent children into foster care. These agencies often have a 

contract for some or all of the beds in a residential facility. The contract will outline the 

services that the facility agrees to provide to the children. The contacting agency monitors 

this contract to ensure the facility is providing the services. According to ACF Children’s 

Bureau staff, many of the State child welfare agencies that contract with licensed facilities 

for placement of children using Title IV-E funds have additional contracting requirements 

that are monitored in a variety of ways. Quality and intensity of services issues are 

generally addressed by these requirements. 

Three facilities also have voluntary accreditation and are monitored by the Council on 

Accreditation (COA). The facilities report that the COA monitoring assesses the quality 

of the services they provide to children. 

State Oversight of Residential Facilities For Children 20 OEI-02-98-00570 
CONCLUSION 

It appears that the nine States in our sample are meeting Federal requirements to establish 

standards and license facilities. It is important to note, however, that we sought to 

describe licensing processes and did not attempt to identify specific violations of State 

standards or procedures that put children at risk. 

State licensing standards address the health, protection, and safety of children. They are 

not intended to ensure the suitability of placement and quality of care. Therefore, placing 

agents should not use licensure as a substitute for a pre-placement visit when placing 

children in residential facilities. 

While we found that most States address most standards, we note some differences in 

standards and licensing procedures. Given this variability, we see an opportunity to 

strengthen State licensing and encourage ACF to take a leadership role. By working with 

States and others ACF can provide training and technical assistance where needed or serve 

as a focal point for information sharing. 

COMMENTS 

We received comments on the draft report from the Administration for Children and 

Families (ACF). (See appendix for the full text of the comments.) The ACF agrees that 

the variability in licensing standards is of concern. They are taking an outcome-based 

approach to monitoring States. We think this outcome-based approach is appropriate, at 

this time. However, we will remain vigilant to potential vulnerabilities in residential care 

for children. 

State Oversight of Residential Facilities For Children 21 OEI-02-98-00570 
APPENDIX 

COMMENTS

State Oversight of Residential Facilities For Children 22 OEI-02-98-00570 
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State Oversight of Residential Facilities For Children 25 OEI-02-98-00570 
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