Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 6 - Division of Family and Children's Services › Chapter 1 - DFCS Policy Manual › Section 18-6-1-F - Licensure Policy › Section 18-6-1-F-VIII - OTHER ASPECTS OF RESOURCE FAMILY CARE

Current through June 25, 2024
A.
Income taxes
Resource Families will be encouraged to consult a
					 certified public accountant of their choice for guidance regarding claims on
					 foster children residing in their home. DFCS staff shall not offer tax advice.
B.
Liability
Resource Families will be encouraged to consult an
					 insurance agent of their choice for guidance regarding claims on foster
					 children residing in their home. DFCS staff shall not offer insurance advice.
C.
Court Ordered
				  Home Studies
Court ordered home studies will be referred to the
					 Resource ASWS to assign for handling.
The Resource ASWS will notify the court and/or applicants
					 of DFCS' fee for court ordered home studies. This uniform letter to award home
					 study fees (
See
Appendix T) and court order to award home
					 study fees may be utilized.
The requested fee is $650 to cover the cost of the home
					 study and fingerprinting. Checks should be made payable to the Treasurer, State
					 of Mississippi, and sent directly to the Resource ASWS prior to the home study
					 being assigned or initiated.
When a request for a home study is made by a court, other
					 than youth court, or private attorney, the requesting party should be informed
					 that the request must contain the home study fee before the home study can be
					 completed.
Once payment is received, the Resource ASWS, shall forward
					 the payment to DFCS Administration and Finance, 750 North State Street,
					 Jackson, Mississippi, 39202. The completed home study summary will be submitted
					 to the Resource ASWS for review prior to submission to the court. If the court
					 waives the fee, the Licensure Specialist and/or Resource ASWS shall notify the
					 court of the cost of the fingerprinting fee charged to DFCS.
D.
Re-Licensing a Closed Resource
				  Home
When a previously licensed Resource Family decides to
					 reapply, the following procedure should be followed:
Resource Home closed for less than one year
The Licensure Specialist must update the home study in
					 MACWIS including a description of the reason the resource home was closed as
					 well as reasons why the family decided to reapply. The updated home study
					 should include details of any changes made to the home and/or changes in
					 household members. The following documents must be secured for the re-opening
					 of the resource home:
1. Home
				  Environment Safety Checklist
2.
				  MDHS Medical Form 4404 (for each applicant - signed and dated by medical
				  personnel)
3. Financial Statement
				  (including proof of income)
4.
				  Verification of Pet Vaccinations (for all domesticated animals on the premises)
5. MDHS Contract Form 457 (signed
				  and dated)
6. MDHS Affirmation of
				  Corporal Punishment Form 457A (signed and dated)
7. Family Resource Purchase Order Agreement
8. Current Marriage, Divorce,
				  and/or Death Certificates, if applicable
9. Transportation Checklist, if any documents
				  have expired
10. Local Law
				  Enforcement Checks
The Re-open Resource button can be found on the Resource
					 Directory screen. This button is available only to the Resource ASWS. It only
					 enables with an inactive resource home highlighted. When clicked, it changes
					 the status of the resource home to expired. The resource home is assigned to
					 the Resource Worker for the county. Then the Resource Reassignment icon is
					 enabled so the Resource ASWS can reassign the resource home to another worker
					 if necessary. The worker is then able to complete a Reevaluation to create a
					 current license. The License Start Date should be entered and then the License
					 End Date will calculate out one year from the Start Date.
If the home has been inactive for more than one year a new
					 Resource Inquiry should be entered instead of opening the inactive resource.
Resource Home closed for over one year but less than
					 three years
The Licensure Specialist must create a new resource
					 inquiry in MACWIS and update the home study including a description of the
					 reason the resource home was closed as well as reasons why the family decided
					 to reapply. The updated home study should include details of any changes made
					 to the home and/or changes in household members. The following documents must
					 be secured for the re-opening of the resource home:
1. Home Environment Safety Checklist
2. MDHS Medical Form 4404 (for
				  each applicant - signed and dated by medical personnel)
3. Financial Statement (including proof of
				  income)
4. Current Employer
				  Validation
5. Verification of Pet
				  Vaccinations (for all domesticated animals on the premises)
6. Evacuation Plan/Disaster Preparedness Plan
				  (and signed acknowledgement)
7.
				  MDHS Contract Form 457 (signed and dated)
8. MDHS Affirmation of Corporal Punishment
				  Form 457A (signed and dated)
9.
				  Family Resource Purchase Order Agreement
10. Current Marriage, Divorce, and/or Death
				  Certificates, if applicable
11.
				  Transportation Checklist, if any documents have expired
12. Central Registry Check
13. Local Law Enforcement Checks
14. CPR training (certification if own
				  swimming pool)
15. Proof of 5
				  hours of in-service training
Resource Home closed over 3 years
When a resource home has been closed over 3 years and the
					 family wishes to re-license their home, the family will have to repeat the
					 initial licensing process; including orientation and pre-service training. All
					 initial documentation must be completed for consideration in re-licensing.