Louisiana Administrative Code › Title 67 - SOCIAL SERVICES › Part V - Child Welfare › Subpart 8 - Residential Licensing › Chapter 73 - Child Placing Agencies › Section V-7307 - Initial Application

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 6, June 20, 2024
A.
				  Initial Licensing Application Process-Foster Care, Adoption, Transitional
				  Placing
1. An initial application for
				  licensing as a child-placing agency provider shall be obtained from the
				  department.
Department of Children and Family Services
Licensing Section
P. O. Box 260036
Baton Rouge, LA 70826
Phone: (225) 342-4350
Fax: (225) 219-4363
Web address:
www.dcfs.louisiana.gov
2. A completed initial license application
				  packet for an applicant shall be submitted to and approved by the department
				  prior to an applicant providing child-placing agency services. The completed
				  initial licensing packet shall include:
a.
				  completed application and non-refundable fee;
b. current Office of Fire Marshal approval
				  for occupancy as noted in
				  §7313 B;
c. current Office of Public Health,
				  Sanitarian Services approval as noted in
				  §7313 B;
d. current city fire department approval as
				  noted in
				  §7313 B;
e. city or parish building permit office
				  approval for new construction or renovations;
f. local zoning approval, if
				  applicable;
g. organizational chart
				  or equivalent list of staff positions and supervisory chain of
				  command;
h. verification of
				  experience and educational requirements for the program director;
i. list of consultant/contract staff to
				  include name, contact info, and responsibilities;
j. list of all staff (paid, non-paid, and
				  volunteers) and their position;
k.
				  copy of the completed reasonable and prudent parent authorized representative
				  form if providing transitional placing services to youth in DCFS custody,
l. three signed reference letters
				  dated within 12 months prior to hire for program director attesting
				  affirmatively to his/her character, qualifications, and suitability to manage
				  the program;
m. copy of current
				  general liability coverage;
n. copy
				  of current property insurance or rental insurance for transitional placing
				  locations;
o. copy of current
				  insurance coverage for child-placing agency and staff owned vehicles used to
				  transport children/youth; and
p.
				  any other documentation or information required by the department for
				  licensure.
3. If the
				  initial licensing packet is incomplete, the applicant will be notified of the
				  missing information and will have 180 calendar days to submit the additional
				  requested information. If the department does not receive the requested
				  information within the 180 calendar days, the application will be closed and
				  the fee forfeited. After an initial licensing application is closed, an
				  applicant who is still interested in becoming a child-placing agency shall
				  submit a new initial licensing packet and fee to begin the initial licensing
				  process.
4. Once the department has
				  determined the initial licensing packet is complete, DCFS will attempt to
				  contact the applicant to schedule an initial inspection; however, it is the
				  applicant's responsibility to coordinate the initial inspection. If an
				  applicant fails to schedule the initial inspection within 45 calendar days of
				  the notification, the initial licensing application shall be closed and fee
				  forfeited. After an initial licensing application is closed, an applicant who
				  is still interested in becoming a child-placing agency provider shall submit a
				  new initial licensing packet and fee to begin the initial licensing
				  process.
5. After the completed
				  application and non-refundable fee have been received by the Licensing Section,
				  DCFS will notify the Office of State Fire Marshal, office of city fire
				  department (if applicable), and Office of Public Health that an application for
				  licensure has been submitted. However, it is the applicant's responsibility to
				  request and obtain inspections and approvals.
6. Prior to a license being issued,
				  documentation shall be submitted to the Licensing Section of a
				  fingerprint-based criminal record check as noted in
				  §7309 A,
				  §7309 C,
				  §7309 D, and/or §7314 A-F as applicable
				  for all staff including owners, operators, volunteers, and contractors of the
				  child-placing agency, as required by R.S. 46:51.2 and
				  15:587.1.
				  CBCs shall be dated prior to the issue date of the initial license, but no
				  earlier than 45 days prior to the application being received by the licensing
				  section.
7. Prior to a license
				  being issued, documentation shall be submitted to the Licensing Section of
				  completed State Central Registry clearances noting no justified (valid) finding
				  of abuse and/or neglect for all staff including owners, operators, volunteers,
				  and contractors and shall be dated no earlier than 45 days prior to the
				  application being received by the Licensing Section
8. Prior to a license being issued,
				  documentation shall be submitted to the Licensing Section of completed out of
				  State Central Registry clearances noting no justified (valid) finding of abuse
				  and/or neglect for all staff including owners, operators, volunteers, and
				  contractors that lived out of state within the previous five years. These
				  clearances shall be dated prior to the issuance of the initial license, but no
				  earlier than 120 days prior to the initial application being received by the
				  Licensing Section. If the owner resided out of state since receiving the
				  clearance, an updated SCR clearance is required.