reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
New Jersey Administrative Code › Title 3A - CHILDREN AND FAMILIES › Chapter 50 - MANUAL OF REQUIREMENTS FOR ADOPTION AGENCIES › Subchapter 3 - ADMINISTRATION › Section 3A:50-3.4 - Information to parents and adoptive applicants

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
(a) The agency shall
				provide the birth parents and adoptive applicants with a written statement or
				pamphlet indicating certain parental and agency rights and responsibilities, as
				specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:50-3.4(b).
(b)
				The written statement or pamphlet shall contain the following information:
1. That the agency is required to be certified by
				the New Jersey Department of Children and Families pursuant to
				N.J.S.A.
				9:3-37 et seq.;
2. That the agency is required by law to comply
				with all applicable requirements of this chapter;
3. That the agency shall make a current copy of
				this chapter available for review by the parents of children served by the
				agency;
4. That any parent who believes
				or suspects that the agency is in violation of any requirements of the Manual of
				Requirements for Adoption Agencies may report such alleged violations to the Office
				of Licensing;
5. That any parent may
				secure a copy of this chapter by contacting the Office of Licensing, Department of
				Children and Families;
6. That when so
				requested by parents of children served by the agency, the agency shall make
				available for review the Office of Licensing's certification records and any
				Inspection or Violation Reports on the agency, except for those records prohibited
				from disclosure, pursuant to
				N.J.S.A.
				9:6-8.10a and any other laws prohibiting such
				disclosure;
7. That any person who has
				reasonable cause to believe that a child being served by the agency has been or is
				being subjected to any form of child abuse or neglect or exploitation by any person,
				whether working at the agency or not, shall report such allegations to the
				Department of Children and Families' toll-free hotline, 1-877-NJ-ABUSE (652-2873),
				pursuant to
				N.J.S.A.
				9:6-8.8 et seq. and to the child abuse reporting
				hotline in the state where the child is located. Such reports may be made
				anonymously;
8. That parents may secure
				information about child abuse and neglect in New Jersey online from the Department
				of Children and Families at
www.nj.gov/dcf/reporting
;
9. That the agency shall cooperate with the
				adoptive parents and/or the attorney retained by the adoptive parents in providing
				all financial information needed for the finalization report pursuant to
				N.J.S.A.
				9:3-37 et seq.; and
10. Data on adoptions completed during the
				previous 12 months.
New Jersey Administrative Code › Title 3A - CHILDREN AND FAMILIES › Chapter 50 - MANUAL OF REQUIREMENTS FOR ADOPTION AGENCIES › Subchapter 3 - ADMINISTRATION › Section 3A:50-3.5 - Reporting requirements

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
(a) The agency shall orally notify the Department
				of Children and Families' toll-free hotline, 1-877-NJ-ABUSE (652-2873), immediately,
				whenever there is any allegation received by the agency or other reasonable cause to
				believe that a child under the supervision or care of the agency has been or is
				being abused or neglected by any person, pursuant to
				N.J.S.A.
				9:6-8.9, 8.10, 8.13, and 8.14. The agency shall
				notify the Office of Licensing of these allegations, as well as of any other
				allegations that were made by other parties and came to the agency's
				attention.
(b) The agency shall notify
				the Office of Licensing orally of any of the following changes or events within 24
				hours after the agency learns of their occurrence and shall submit written
				notification to the Office within five working days:
1. Unanticipated permanent or temporary closing of
				the agency or any part thereof;
2. Any
				criminal convictions of any staff member involved in the agency's adoption program
				excluding minor traffic violations;
3.
				Legal action against the agency or a staff member which involves the operation of
				the agency or any child under the care of the agency, excluding any legal actions
				unrelated to agency business;
4. Damage
				to agency facilities which substantially disrupts the program or the agency's
				accessibility to clients; or
5.
				Knowledge of any child placement by any other party which the agency has reason to
				believe is not permitted by law or by this chapter.
New Jersey Administrative Code › Title 3A - CHILDREN AND FAMILIES › Chapter 50 - MANUAL OF REQUIREMENTS FOR ADOPTION AGENCIES › Subchapter 3 - ADMINISTRATION › Section 3A:50-3.7 - Office facilities

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
(a) The agency shall provide space that affords
				privacy for conducting interviews at its office facilities.
(b) An agency that operates in a private home
				shall provide documentation that the local municipality permits such business use in
				the home.
New Jersey Administrative Code › Title 3A - CHILDREN AND FAMILIES › Chapter 50 - MANUAL OF REQUIREMENTS FOR ADOPTION AGENCIES › Subchapter 4 - PERSONNEL › Section 3A:50-4.1 - General requirements

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
(a) An agency shall have one social worker for
				every 35 children under its care or supervision.
(b) An agency shall have at least three full-time
				staff members or their equivalents in part-time staff members, as specified in
				N.J.A.C. 3A:50-4.4(a)
				through (c). Staff members as specified at
				N.J.A.C. 3A:50-4.4(a)
				and (b) shall be available at the agency during
				regular business hours.
1. An agency shall have
				one executive director or administrator.
2. The executive director or administrator shall
				not serve as the social work supervisor.
New Jersey Administrative Code › Title 3A - CHILDREN AND FAMILIES › Chapter 50 - MANUAL OF REQUIREMENTS FOR ADOPTION AGENCIES › Subchapter 4 - PERSONNEL › Section 3A:50-4.2 - Personnel policies

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
(a) The agency shall develop and maintain on file
				current written personnel policies and make them available to all staff members. The
				personnel policies shall be reviewed annually and updated every three years by the
				agency. The personnel policies shall include:
1.
				Criteria and procedures for the assignment, supervision, annual performance
				evaluation, promotion, suspension or dismissal of a staff member;
2. Job specifications outlining the
				qualifications, duties and accountability for every category of staff
				member;
3. Procedures for handling staff
				member complaints or grievances;
4.
				Provisions for responding to any staff member misconduct that constitutes criminal,
				unethical, or unprofessional behavior, including sanctions that may be taken by the
				agency when a staff member fails to notify the agency of a criminal conviction or
				engages in conduct inappropriate to the purposes of the agency; and
5. A conflict of interest statement indicating the
				agency shall not use any business that is owned or operated by an employee or in
				which an employee has a financial interest and shall not use the services of an
				employee unless the agency can document that the goods or services were obtained at
				a competitive price.
New Jersey Administrative Code › Title 3A - CHILDREN AND FAMILIES › Chapter 50 - MANUAL OF REQUIREMENTS FOR ADOPTION AGENCIES › Subchapter 4 - PERSONNEL › Section 3A:50-4.3 - Staff development

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
(a) The agency shall provide orientation for all
				new staff members regarding the general administrative, personnel, fiscal and
				program policies, procedures, and practices of the agency.
(b) The agency shall prepare and maintain on file
				a written staff development program plan. The plan shall specify major content areas
				to be covered and agency policy regarding requirements for staff development.
1. The agency shall provide at least eight hours
				of adoption-related training per year to each professional staff member.
2. The agency shall make staff members aware of
				specific requirements of this chapter that affect the performance of their
				duties.
3. The agency shall make staff
				members aware of the state's child abuse and neglect laws and shall provide for the
				training of its staff members in reporting procedures under this law.
4. The agency shall provide training to staff
				members and ensure they are aware of recognizing and preventing child sex and labor
				trafficking.
New Jersey Administrative Code › Title 3A - CHILDREN AND FAMILIES › Chapter 50 - MANUAL OF REQUIREMENTS FOR ADOPTION AGENCIES › Subchapter 4 - PERSONNEL › Section 3A:50-4.4 - Staff qualifications and duties

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
(a) The executive
				director or administrator shall work for the agency on a full-time basis (at least
				30 hours per week) and have the qualifications and responsibilities as specified
				below.
1. The executive director or administrator
				of the agency shall:
i. Have a bachelor's degree
				from an accredited college or university and three years of professional experience
				in the human services field, two years of which shall have been in a supervisory or
				administrative position; or
ii. Have a
				master's or doctorate degree from an accredited graduate school in business or
				public administration or in one of the areas of study in the human services field
				and two years of professional experience in the human services field; or
iii. For public agencies, meet the New Jersey
				Civil Service Commission requirements for the title used for the function of
				executive director or administrator of the agency.
New Jersey Administrative Code › Title 3A - CHILDREN AND FAMILIES › Chapter 50 - MANUAL OF REQUIREMENTS FOR ADOPTION AGENCIES › Subchapter 4 - PERSONNEL › Section 3A:50-4.5 - Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) background checks

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
(a) As a condition of
				securing and maintaining a certificate, the agency shall ensure that a State and
				Federal CHRI fingerprint background check, in keeping with
				N.J.S.A.
				9:3-37 et seq., is completed for the executive
				director and each staff member.
1. If the
				executive director refuses to consent to or cooperate in a CHRI background check,
				the Department shall deny, suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew the certificate, as
				applicable. The agency may appeal the denial, suspension, revocation, or refusal to
				renew, as specified in
				N.J.A.C.
				3A:50-2.4.
2. If a staff member refuses to consent to or
				cooperate in a CHRI background check, the agency shall immediately terminate the
				staff member's employment at the agency.
New Jersey Administrative Code › Title 3A - CHILDREN AND FAMILIES › Chapter 50 - MANUAL OF REQUIREMENTS FOR ADOPTION AGENCIES › Subchapter 4 - PERSONNEL › Section 3A:50-4.6 - Child Abuse Record Information (CARI) background checks

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
(a) As a condition of
				securing and maintaining a certificate, the agency shall provide written consent to
				the Department from the executive director and each staff member for a CARI
				background check to be conducted.
1. If an
				executive director refuses to consent to or cooperate in a CARI background check,
				the Department shall deny, suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew the certificate, as
				applicable. The agency may appeal the denial, suspension, revocation, or refusal to
				renew, as specified in
				N.J.A.C.
				3A:50-2.4.
2. If a staff member refuses to consent to or
				cooperate in a CARI background check, the agency shall immediately terminate the
				staff member's employment at the agency.
New Jersey Administrative Code › Title 3A - CHILDREN AND FAMILIES › Chapter 50 - MANUAL OF REQUIREMENTS FOR ADOPTION AGENCIES › Subchapter 4 - PERSONNEL › Section 3A:50-4.7 - Background check procedures for New Jersey agencies

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
(a) Prior to the opening
				of a new agency located in New Jersey, the agency shall ensure that a request for a
				Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) background check, as specified in
				N.J.A.C.
				3A:50-4.5, and a Child Abuse Record Information
				(CARI) background check, as specified in
				N.J.A.C.
				3A:50-4.6, is submitted for each person identified
				in
				N.J.A.C.
				3A:50-4.5(a)  and
				4.6(a).
(b) At least 45 days before but
				no more than 90 days prior to each renewal of a certificate for an existing agency
				located in New Jersey, the agency shall ensure that a new request for a CARI
				background check, as specified in
				N.J.A.C.
				3A:50-4.6, is submitted for the executive director
				and each staff member.
(c) Within two
				weeks after a new staff member begins employment at an agency located in New Jersey,
				the agency shall ensure that a request for a CHRI background check, as specified in
				N.J.A.C.
				3A:50-4.5, and a CARI background check, as
				specified in
				N.J.A.C.
				3A:50-4.6, is submitted for the
				individual.
(d) An individual shall not
				be left alone as the only adult accompanying or caring for a child until
				documentation from the Department showing compliance with a CHRI check and CARI
				check for the individual has been received by the agency.
New Jersey Administrative Code › Title 3A - CHILDREN AND FAMILIES › Chapter 50 - MANUAL OF REQUIREMENTS FOR ADOPTION AGENCIES › Subchapter 4 - PERSONNEL › Section 3A:50-4.8 - Background check procedures for out-of-State agencies

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
(a) For an agency
				located outside New Jersey, the agency shall ensure that the executive director and
				each applicant or staff member meet all applicable laws and regulations in that
				state governing criminal history record information background checks and child
				abuse record information checks that may be required as a condition of employment.
				The agency shall have the results of each criminal history record information
				background check conducted available for review by the Department.
(b) In the event that criminal history record
				information background checks and child abuse record information checks are not
				mandated in that state or country, the agency shall require that the executive
				director and each applicant and staff member make a disclosure of any criminal
				conviction. The results of the disclosure shall be made available to the Department,
				so that the Department can determine the suitability of the individual for
				employment or service at the agency.
(c)
				For an agency located outside of New Jersey that hires or contracts with persons
				providing adoption services in New Jersey, the agency shall meet the CHRI background
				check requirements specified at
				N.J.A.C.
				3A:50-4.5 and CARI background check requirements
				specified at
				N.J.A.C.
				3A:50-4.6.
New Jersey Administrative Code › Title 3A - CHILDREN AND FAMILIES › Chapter 50 - MANUAL OF REQUIREMENTS FOR ADOPTION AGENCIES › Subchapter 5 - SERVICES › Section 3A:50-5.1 - Scope of service

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
(a) An agency shall
				provide any or all of the following phases of adoption service:
1. Pre-placement services;
2. Home study services;
3. Placement services;
4. Post-placement services; or
5. Post-adoption services.
New Jersey Administrative Code › Title 3A - CHILDREN AND FAMILIES › Chapter 50 - MANUAL OF REQUIREMENTS FOR ADOPTION AGENCIES › Subchapter 5 - SERVICES › Section 3A:50-5.2 - General requirements

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
(a) An agency shall maintain on file and make
				available to its clients information on known resources in the community which may
				be of use to adoptive parents, birth parents, children and adult adoptees.
(b) An agency shall notify adoptive applicants in
				writing within five working days when the agency receives information that a country
				is suspending adoption services and shall not accept any additional clients for
				assignment of children from that country until such time that adoption services have
				been re-established.
(c) Before services
				are provided, an agency shall provide to its adult clients the following:
1. A written description of its current adoption
				program, including information on the agency's services, the adoption process,
				including the availability of subsidy for special needs children, and other major
				referring agencies with whom the agency works; and
2. A verbal explanation of and a written agreement
				with the agency, describing specific services to be provided, fees to be charged,
				and rights and responsibilities of both parties.
New Jersey Administrative Code › Title 3A - CHILDREN AND FAMILIES › Chapter 50 - MANUAL OF REQUIREMENTS FOR ADOPTION AGENCIES › Subchapter 5 - SERVICES › Section 3A:50-5.3 - Fees and fiscal practices

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
(a) The agency shall not
				consider the clients' willingness to donate money, goods or services or to
				participate in agency fund-raising efforts in determining their eligibility for
				services.
(b) The agency shall provide
				equal access to services to all eligible clients without regard to actual or
				potential donations of money, goods, time or efforts.
(c) The agency shall prepare and maintain on file
				a written schedule of all fees charged and provide a copy of the schedule to an
				agency client before service delivery begins. The written schedule shall include
				indication that comparative fee information can be found on the Office of
				Licensing's website at
http://www.nj.gov/dcf/about/divisions/ol
.
(d) The agency shall provide, as specified in
				N.J.A.C.
				3A:50-5.2(b), information to all
				adoptive applicants on the agency's policies and procedures for the setting,
				collecting, waiving, and payment of fees. This shall include its policies on
				refunding money/fees paid by the adoptive applicant(s) to the agency when:
1. An identified service is not
				rendered;
2. There is a disruption of
				services;
3. The child identified for
				adoption is no longer available for adoption;
4. There is a problem with the adoptive
				applicant(s), such as an illness, a divorce, a loss of job, or other circumstance
				which would affect the outcome of the adoption; or
5. The agency decides the adoptive applicant(s) is
				not suitable for adoption.
New Jersey Administrative Code › Title 3A - CHILDREN AND FAMILIES › Chapter 50 - MANUAL OF REQUIREMENTS FOR ADOPTION AGENCIES › Subchapter 5 - SERVICES › Section 3A:50-5.4 - Services to birth parents

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
(a) The agency shall
				document in the case record all contacts with the birth parents, birth family
				members, or their legal representative that directly pertain to the adoption. All
				entries shall be signed by the individual making the entry and include the date of
				the entry.
(b) The agency shall:
1. Be prohibited from requiring the prospective
				birth parent(s) to sign a statement committing them to any definite plan for the
				unborn child in order to obtain services;
2. Be prohibited from requiring the birth
				parent(s) to surrender a child for adoption in order to receive medical services,
				maternity or residential care, or any other agency service;
3. Ensure that residential facility care, foster
				home care and/or maternity services that it provides to clients meets applicable
				state licensing, certification or approval requirements;
4. Encourage the birth mother to reveal the
				identity and whereabouts of the birth father;
5. Conduct a reasonable search for the birth
				father, if the name of the birth father is identified and his location is not known.
				The agency shall take steps including, but not limited to:
i. Sending notice via regular and certified mail
				to the last known address of the birth father;
ii. Inquiring discreetly among any known
				relatives, friends, or employers of the birth father;
iii. Making direct inquiry to public agencies that
				are believed to have information on the whereabouts of the birth father;
				and
iv. Utilizing available internet
				resources;
6. Provide the
				birth father with the opportunity to sign a surrender, a denial of paternity or
				otherwise exercise parental rights to the child pursuant to
				N.J.S.A.
				9:3-45;
7. At least 20 calendar days before the child's
				adoption, provide written notification of the impending adoption to:
i. The guardian of a child to be adopted, who has
				not executed a surrender pursuant to
				N.J.S.A.
				9:3-41;
ii. Any other person who has provided care and
				supervision in his or her home for the child for a period of six months or half of
				the life of the child, whichever is less, in the two years prior to the date the
				complaint was filed in the court by the prospective adoptive parent(s);
				and
iii. The birth father of the child
				to be adopted, unless the birth father is not identified or cannot be located after
				a reasonable search;
8.
				Inform those persons specified in (b)7 above that they have the opportunity to
				object to the adoption within 20 days after notice of the adoption is given in
				accordance with the Rules of Court; and
9. Provide documentation of the agency's
				compliance with (b)4 through 8 above in the case record.
New Jersey Administrative Code › Title 3A - CHILDREN AND FAMILIES › Chapter 50 - MANUAL OF REQUIREMENTS FOR ADOPTION AGENCIES › Subchapter 5 - SERVICES › Section 3A:50-5.5 - Pre-placement services to the child

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
(a) The agency shall
				complete a comprehensive study for each child evaluated for adoption. The study
				shall include:
1. A medical examination of the
				child at birth or at the time when the agency assumed custody and again within 30
				calendar days before placement in an adoptive home to determine the child's health
				and any factors that may interfere with normal development;
2. In addition to (a)1 above, for a child under
				two years of age, the agency shall provide the adoptive applicant(s) with
				information regarding medical examinations, medical testing, medical/surgical
				treatment and immunizations, if any, within 30 calendar days before placement in an
				adoptive home.
3. Information to the
				extent available about the child's birth family to determine hereditary factors or
				pathology that may affect the child's normal development and potentialities as
				required on forms developed by the Commissioner of the Department of Children and
				Families, pursuant to
				N.J.S.A.
				9:3-41.1(b);
4. Information on previous placements, if
				applicable;
5. Any specialized
				evaluations for a physically and/or mentally disabled child to help better
				understand the child's strengths and limitations;
6. The child's involvement in the adoption or
				documentation of the reason(s) for not involving the child; and
7. A careful evaluation of the advisability, in
				terms of best interest, and feasibility of placing the child together with full or
				half-siblings whose permanency goal is also adoption or who may have been placed for
				adoption previously. The agency shall document, in the case record of the child for
				whom adoption is currently being planned, any contraindicators and/or barriers to
				the co-placement of siblings, regardless of when they became legally free for
				adoption.
New Jersey Administrative Code › Title 3A - CHILDREN AND FAMILIES › Chapter 50 - MANUAL OF REQUIREMENTS FOR ADOPTION AGENCIES › Subchapter 5 - SERVICES › Section 3A:50-5.6 - Home study services

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
(a) The agency shall document in the case record
				all contacts with the adoptive applicant(s)or their legal representative, regardless
				of method of contact, that directly pertain to the adoption. All entries shall be
				signed by the individual making the entry and include the date of the
				entry.
(b) The agency shall:
1. Provide social work services throughout the
				home study to help adoptive applicants decide if adoption is the best plan for
				them;
2. Establish and maintain on file
				written criteria by which adoptive applicants are eligible to apply to adopt a
				child;
3. Ensure that the criteria
				specified in (b)2 above apply equally to all adoptive applicants; and
4. Make the criteria specified in (b)2 above
				available to the Office of Licensing, to all prospective adoptive applicants and,
				upon request, to any person.
New Jersey Administrative Code › Title 3A - CHILDREN AND FAMILIES › Chapter 50 - MANUAL OF REQUIREMENTS FOR ADOPTION AGENCIES › Subchapter 5 - SERVICES › Section 3A:50-5.7 - Placement services

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
(a) The agency shall have responsibility for the
				selection of approved adoptive parents for a child upon successful completion of a
				home study as specified in
				N.J.A.C.
				3A:50-5.6.
1.
				The agency shall not place a child for adoption before documenting in the child's
				record the reason(s) for placing the child with the adoptive family.
2. The agency shall document in the child's record
				efforts to place siblings together in the same adoptive home; if a child is not to
				be placed together with siblings who are also legally free or who were adopted
				previously, the agency shall document in the child's record at the time of placement
				the reasons that co-placement was not in the child's interest or the factors that
				made co-placement unfeasible.
3. The
				agency shall give the adoptive parent(s) a written explanation of their rights and
				responsibilities regarding the child during the supervision period. Such information
				shall include, but not be limited to, areas of medical care, financial
				responsibilities, travel outside the state and any areas where the law requires the
				consent of a parent or guardian.
4. In
				instances where an agency that is not certified by the Department is involved with a
				Department-certified agency, both agencies shall share information and reach a
				mutual decision on each adoptive placement.
5. The agency shall not disqualify any adoptive
				parent(s) rejected for a particular child from being considered for the adoption of
				another child, unless basic conflicts about adoption and/or parenting style are
				revealed, or the adoptive parent(s) are unable to accept the children who are
				available for adoption through the agency.
New Jersey Administrative Code › Title 3A - CHILDREN AND FAMILIES › Chapter 50 - MANUAL OF REQUIREMENTS FOR ADOPTION AGENCIES › Subchapter 5 - SERVICES › Section 3A:50-5.8 - Post-placement services

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
(a) In keeping with the supervision requirements
				specified at
				N.J.A.C.
				3A:50-3.6(d)14, the agency shall:
1. Visit the home within 14 calendar days of the
				adoptive placement after the first day of placement, and document in the child's
				record that:
i. The child's background information
				was reviewed with the adoptive parent(s);
ii. The adoptive parent(s) and child were given
				reassurance that their feelings, worries and joys are natural and
				understandable;
iii. School age children
				are in compliance with the compulsory education requirements at
				N.J.S.A. 18A:7B-1 et seq.;
				and
iv. Working parent(s) have made
				child care arrangements.
New Jersey Administrative Code › Title 3A - CHILDREN AND FAMILIES › Chapter 50 - MANUAL OF REQUIREMENTS FOR ADOPTION AGENCIES › Subchapter 5 - SERVICES › Section 3A:50-5.9 - Post-adoption services

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
(a) After the child has been legally adopted, the
				agency shall provide the opportunity for the clients to return voluntarily to the
				agency for services relating to adoption only after verifying the identity of the
				person making the request.
(b) An agency
				shall provide the following post-adoption services:
1. Storing updated information provided by the
				birth parent(s), adoptee or adoptive parent(s) with the medical information form, as
				specified in
				N.J.A.C.
				3A:50-3.6(d)6;
2. Upon request and if available, adoptive
				applicants, birth parents, and adult adoptees shall be provided with written
				information on the non-identifying characteristics and background of the adoptee and
				the adoptee's birth family. This information shall include, but not be limited to:
i. Age or date of birth;
ii. Circumstances surrounding the
				placement;
iii. Religion;
iv. Education;
v. Nationality and ethnic background;
vi. Employment history;
vii. Medical history; and
viii. Talents or hobbies.
3. Information about and referral to community
				resources, such as other counseling services, support groups, adoption registries,
				or sources of personal information that may be useful to adoptees, birth parents, or
				adoptive parents, or their relatives.
New Jersey Administrative Code › Title 3A - CHILDREN AND FAMILIES › Chapter 50 - MANUAL OF REQUIREMENTS FOR ADOPTION AGENCIES › Subchapter 5 - SERVICES › Section 3A:50-5.10 - Searches

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
(a) An agency that conducts searches on behalf of
				adult adoptees, birth parents when the adopted child is 18 years of age or older, or
				adoptive parents when the child is under 18 years of age, shall establish a written
				policy that outlines the procedures regarding confidentiality as specified in
				N.J.A.C. 3A:50-3.6(a)1
				 through 4 and the extent to which searches are
				conducted. This policy shall also include a fee schedule for conducting the search
				and time frames for completing a search.
(b) A search shall include, but not be limited to:
1. A review of the agency record for background
				information on the birth or adoptive family, including:
i. The last known address;
ii. Names of the male and female
				members;
iii. Social Security
				numbers;
iv. Occupations and addresses
				of places of employment;
v. Military
				services, if known;
vi. Clubs or union
				affiliations, if known;
vii. Names of
				each school and college attended, if known; and
viii. Dates and places of marriages and
				deaths.
New Jersey Administrative Code › Title 3A - CHILDREN AND FAMILIES › Chapter 51 - MANUAL OF REQUIREMENTS FOR RESOURCE FAMILY PARENTS › Subchapter 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Section 3A:51-1.1 - Authorization to be a resource family parent

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
(a) A person shall not
				provide resource family care to a child in placement unless the person is licensed
				by the Office of Licensing.
(b) In order
				to be licensed, a person shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Department of
				Children and Families that he or she complies with all applicable provisions of this
				chapter. The provisions of this chapter constitute minimum baseline requirements
				below which no home that is subject to the authority of
				N.J.S.A.
				30:4C-27.3 et seq., and 30:4C-4 is legally
				permitted to operate.
New Jersey Administrative Code › Title 3A - CHILDREN AND FAMILIES › Chapter 51 - MANUAL OF REQUIREMENTS FOR RESOURCE FAMILY PARENTS › Subchapter 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Section 3A:51-1.2 - Scope

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
(a) A resource family parent who is subject to the
				provisions of this chapter shall include any person with whom a child in the care,
				custody or guardianship of the Department is placed for resource family care, and
				any person with whom a child is placed by the Division for the purpose of adoption
				until said adoption is finalized.
(b)
				The resource family parent shall secure approval from the Department to provide one
				or more of the following services:
1. Regular
				foster care, in which care is provided for a child in need of temporary out-of-home
				placement for protective or other social services reasons;
2. Kinship care, in which the resource family
				parent is not a parent of the child in placement but is related to the child through
				blood, marriage, civil union, domestic partnership, or adoption or is connected to
				the child or the child's parent by an established positive psychological or
				emotional relationship; and
3. Adoptive
				care, in which care is provided for a child placed by the Division for the purpose
				of adoption by the resource family parent until said adoption is
				finalized.
New Jersey Administrative Code › Title 3A - CHILDREN AND FAMILIES › Chapter 51 - MANUAL OF REQUIREMENTS FOR RESOURCE FAMILY PARENTS › Subchapter 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Section 3A:51-1.4 - Compliance with level I and level II requirements

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
(a) In order to
				receive and maintain an initial or renewal license, the resource family parent or
				applicant shall be:
1. In full compliance with all
				applicable level I requirements; and
2.
				In full or substantial compliance with all applicable level II
				requirements.
New Jersey Administrative Code › Title 3A - CHILDREN AND FAMILIES › Chapter 51 - MANUAL OF REQUIREMENTS FOR RESOURCE FAMILY PARENTS › Subchapter 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Section 3A:51-1.5 - Nondiscrimination

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
The Department shall not discriminate with regard to the
				  application or licensure of a resource family parent on the basis of race; color;
				  ethnicity; national origin; age; disability; gender; religion; affectional or sexual
				  orientation, as defined at N.J.S.A. 10:5-5hh; gender identity or expression, as
				  defined at N.J.S.A. 10:5-5rr; parental status; birth status; or marital, civil
				  union, or domestic partnership status.
New Jersey Administrative Code › Title 3A - CHILDREN AND FAMILIES › Chapter 51 - MANUAL OF REQUIREMENTS FOR RESOURCE FAMILY PARENTS › Subchapter 2 - LICENSING PROCEDURES › Section 3A:51-2.1 - Application for a license

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
(a) An applicant for an
				initial license shall submit a completed application to the Department.
(b) An applicant for an initial license shall be:
1. At least 18 years of age; and
2. A resident of the State of New
				Jersey.
New Jersey Administrative Code › Title 3A - CHILDREN AND FAMILIES › Chapter 51 - MANUAL OF REQUIREMENTS FOR RESOURCE FAMILY PARENTS › Subchapter 2 - LICENSING PROCEDURES › Section 3A:51-2.2 - Issuance of a license

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
(a) The Office of Licensing shall issue a license
				to an applicant who has achieved full compliance with all applicable level I
				requirements and substantial or full compliance with all applicable level II
				requirements.
(b) The Office of
				Licensing may grant a waiver of a level II requirement for a resource family parent
				or applicant providing kinship care, as specified in
				N.J.A.C.
				3A:51-1.2(b)2.
1. Requests for waivers shall be made to the
				Office of Licensing in writing by the Division representative, with supporting
				information justifying the request.
2.
				Waivers shall be considered on a case-by-case basis, only for non-safety standards
				for a specific child or children in placement. For the purpose of determining
				whether a waiver will be granted, level II requirements shall be considered
				non-safety standards.
3. A waiver may be
				granted at the discretion of the Office of Licensing upon consideration of the
				following criteria:
i. The type or degree of
				hardship that would result to the resource family parent or applicant if the waiver
				were not granted;
ii. The negative
				impact on a specific child or children in placement if the waiver were not granted;
				and
iii. Whether the waiver, if granted,
				would adversely affect the health, safety, well-being, or rights of any child
				residing in the resource family home.
4. The Office of Licensing shall determine the
				terms and conditions for granting each specific waiver.
5. If a waiver is granted, the resource family
				parent or applicant shall comply with the terms and conditions of the
				waiver.
New Jersey Administrative Code › Title 3A - CHILDREN AND FAMILIES › Chapter 51 - MANUAL OF REQUIREMENTS FOR RESOURCE FAMILY PARENTS › Subchapter 2 - LICENSING PROCEDURES › Section 3A:51-2.3 - Annual inspection

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
(a) The resource family parent shall permit and
				ensure participation in:
1. An annual inspection
				of the resource family home by the Division or Office of Licensing representative to
				determine whether the resource family home complies with the applicable provisions
				of this chapter; and
2. An annual
				interview with each resource family parent, child in placement, and household member
				by the Division or Office of Licensing representative.
New Jersey Administrative Code › Title 3A - CHILDREN AND FAMILIES › Chapter 51 - MANUAL OF REQUIREMENTS FOR RESOURCE FAMILY PARENTS › Subchapter 2 - LICENSING PROCEDURES › Section 3A:51-2.4 - Renewal of a license

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
(a) A resource family parent seeking renewal of a
				license shall submit a completed Resource Family Parent Home Study/Licensing
				Application form to the Office of Licensing at least 60 calendar days prior to the
				expiration of the existing license.
(b)
				The Office of Licensing shall issue a renewal license to a resource family parent
				who has submitted a renewal application and participated in a renewal inspection of
				the resource family home.
(c) For
				license renewal, the resource family parent shall:
1. Permit and participate in an inspection by the
				Office of Licensing, as specified in 3A:51-2.3;
2. Ensure that he or she and each household member
				have obtained a physical examination within the last 12 months and submit each
				medical reference for each resource family parent and household member prior to
				license renewal;
3. Submit information
				necessary for a State Criminal History Record Information background check pursuant
				to
				N.J.S.A.
				30:4C-26.8for each resource family parent and
				household member 18 years of age or older, each new adult household member, and each
				household member who reaches 18 years of age, as specified in NJ.A.C. 3A:51-5.4(a)1
				and 2;
4. Submit information necessary
				for a Child Abuse Record Information background check for each resource family
				parent and household member 18 years of age or older, each new adult household
				member and each household member who reaches 18 years of age, as specified in
				N.J.A.C.
				3A:51-5.5; and
5. Submit an updated financial disclosure
				statement.
New Jersey Administrative Code › Title 3A - CHILDREN AND FAMILIES › Chapter 51 - MANUAL OF REQUIREMENTS FOR RESOURCE FAMILY PARENTS › Subchapter 2 - LICENSING PROCEDURES › Section 3A:51-2.5 - Denying, suspending, revoking, or refusing to renew a license

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
(a) The Office of
				Licensing shall deny an application or suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew a
				license, as applicable, if the applicant, resource family parent, or any household
				member at least 18 years of age has been convicted of a crime or offense specified
				in
				N.J.S.A.
				30:4C-26.8.
(b) The Office of Licensing is authorized to deny
				an application or suspend, revoke or refuse to renew a license for good cause,
				including, but not limited to, the following:
1.
				Failure to comply with the provisions of this chapter;
2. Violation of the terms and conditions of a
				license;
3. Fraud or misrepresentation
				in obtaining a license;
4. Refusal to
				furnish the Department with files, reports or records as required by this
				chapter;
5. Refusal to permit an
				authorized representative of the Department to gain admission to the home or to
				conduct an inspection or investigation;
6. A conviction by the applicant, resource family
				parent or a household member at least 18 years of age for any crime or
				offense;
7. A determination by the
				Department that a report of child abuse or neglect by the applicant, resource family
				parent or a household member has been substantiated;
8. Any conduct, engaged in or permitted, which
				adversely affects or presents a serious hazard to the education, health, safety,
				general well-being or physical, emotional and social development of a child, or
				which otherwise fails to comply with the standards required for the provision of
				resource family care to a child and the maintenance of a resource family
				home;
9. Failure to be in full
				compliance with one or more level I requirements;
10. Failure to be in substantial compliance with
				one or more level II requirements;
11.
				Failure to abate outstanding violations of level II requirements by the next annual
				or renewal inspection, whichever comes first; or
12. Failure to comply with the terms and
				conditions of a waiver granted by the Office of Licensing.
New Jersey Administrative Code › Title 3A - CHILDREN AND FAMILIES › Chapter 51 - MANUAL OF REQUIREMENTS FOR RESOURCE FAMILY PARENTS › Subchapter 2 - LICENSING PROCEDURES › Section 3A:51-2.6 - Administrative hearings

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
(a) Before denying, suspending, revoking, or
				refusing to renew a license, the Office of Licensing shall give written notice to
				the resource family parent or applicant personally, or by mail to the last known
				address of the resource family parent or applicant with return receipt requested.
				The notice shall:
1. State the reason for the
				action; and
2. Afford the resource
				family parent or applicant the opportunity to request a hearing to contest the
				action, pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act,
				52:14B-1 et seq., and the
				Uniform Administrative Procedure Rules, N.J.A.C. 1:1.
New Jersey Administrative Code › Title 3A - CHILDREN AND FAMILIES › Chapter 51 - MANUAL OF REQUIREMENTS FOR RESOURCE FAMILY PARENTS › Subchapter 2 - LICENSING PROCEDURES › Section 3A:51-2.7 - Complaints

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
(a) Whenever the Office of Licensing receives a
				report questioning the licensing status or compliance of a resource family parent or
				applicant or alleging a violation of the requirements specified in this chapter, the
				Office of Licensing shall ensure that the allegation is promptly investigated to
				determine whether the complaint is confirmed.
(b) Upon completion of the complaint
				investigation, the Department shall notify the resource family parent or applicant
				and the Division office that has supervision of the resource family home in writing
				of the results of the investigation, with the exception of any information not
				permitted to be disclosed pursuant to
				N.J.S.A.
				9:6-8.10a or any other State or Federal
				law.
(c) Whenever the Department
				conducts a complaint investigation, the resource family parent or applicant shall
				cooperate with all Department investigators.
(d) The Department, during the course of
				investigating a report of child abuse and neglect, may determine that immediate
				corrective action is necessary to protect a child whenever:
1. A resource family parent, applicant or
				household member has been found by the Department to have harmed or to pose a risk
				of harm to a child;
2. A resource family
				parent, applicant or household member has committed an act of child abuse or
				neglect, as substantiated by the Department; or
3. A resource family parent, applicant or
				household member has been convicted of such acts.
New Jersey Administrative Code › Title 3A - CHILDREN AND FAMILIES › Chapter 51 - MANUAL OF REQUIREMENTS FOR RESOURCE FAMILY PARENTS › Subchapter 3 - ADMINISTRATION › Section 3A:51-3.1 - Rights of children in placement

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
(a) Level I children's
				rights requirements are as follows:
1. The
				resource family parent shall ensure that each child in placement is accorded the
				rights specified in the Child Placement Bill of Rights Act, as specified in
				9:6B-1 et seq.
2. The resource family parent shall ensure the
				rights of each child in placement to:
i. Receive
				medical treatment as needed on a routine or emergency basis;
ii. Have access to an appropriate
				education;
iii. Live in a safe, clean,
				and healthy home;
iv. Be free of
				physical and sexual harassment and abuse, corporal punishment, or threat
				thereof;
v. Be free of emotional
				maltreatment;
vi. Attend religious
				services chosen by the child's parent;
vii. Participate as a family member in the
				home;
viii. Have unimpeded communication
				with the Department office having supervision of the child, and with the child's law
				guardian or law guardian investigator; and
ix. Have a normal life pursuant to
				N.J.S.A.
				30:4C-26c.
New Jersey Administrative Code › Title 3A - CHILDREN AND FAMILIES › Chapter 51 - MANUAL OF REQUIREMENTS FOR RESOURCE FAMILY PARENTS › Subchapter 3 - ADMINISTRATION › Section 3A:51-3.2 - Records kept by a resource family parent

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
(a) The resource family
				parent shall maintain on file in the home the following information about each child
				in placement:
1. The child's full name, nicknames,
				if any, gender, date of birth, religion, and race;
2. The name, address, and telephone number of the
				Division worker and supervisor;
3. The
				name, address, and telephone number of the worker or other person to be notified in
				an emergency involving a child in placement;
4. A Medicaid, health insurance or managed health
				care identification card, if applicable; and
5. A medication log if the child receives
				psychotropic medication, as specified in 3A:51-7.4(b).
New Jersey Administrative Code › Title 3A - CHILDREN AND FAMILIES › Chapter 51 - MANUAL OF REQUIREMENTS FOR RESOURCE FAMILY PARENTS › Subchapter 3 - ADMINISTRATION › Section 3A:51-3.3 - Confidentiality of records

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
(a) Each resource family
				parent file maintained by the Department of Children and Families shall be
				confidential to protect the safety and welfare of the children and resource family
				parents and shall not be part of the public record, in keeping with the Open Public
				Records Act, P.L. 2001, c.
				404, and other applicable statutes and rules. The
				Department may issue statistical reports depicting resource family home licensing
				activity that are part of the public record, but such reports shall not contain any
				identifying information on any individual child or resource family home.
(b) The resource family parent shall be bound by
				the same standards of confidentiality regarding a child in placement, and the
				child's family, as the Department and its employees. These standards shall include,
				but are not limited to, the following:
1. The
				resource family parent shall not permit a child in placement to appear in any media
				publication or report without the express consent of the parent or Department
				representative.
2. The resource family
				parent or household member shall not discuss any confidential information about the
				child in placement with a friend, neighbor, non-household member or other individual
				who is not involved with the child's care, education or treatment.