Pennsylvania Code › Title 55 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part VII - Mental Health Manual › Subpart E - Residential Agencies/Facilities/Services › Chapter 5310 - COMMUNITY RESIDENTIAL REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR THE MENTALLY ILL › Subchapter C - CHILDREN SERVICES › STAFFING AND TRAINING › Section 5310.131 - Staffing

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a) An adult must
						be on the site whenever a child is present. In group homes, the adult must be a
						staff member. In host homes, the adult must be a surrogate parent having
						responsibility for the daily care of the child, except where the CRRS makes
						arrangements for or approves the use of other adults to provide relief time for
						surrogate parents for a reasonable number of hours per week.
(b) The requirements of §
												5310.41 (relating to staff and
						training) apply to all CRRS group homes serving children.
(c) The following requirements apply to all
						CRRS host homes serving children:
(1) All
						couples or individuals interested in being surrogate parent shall file a
						written application with the CRRS provider or the agency designated by the CRRS
						provider to screen surrogate parent applicants. The CRRS Provider shall
						maintain responsibility to make the final determination regarding the
						applicant's approval as a surrogate parent.
(2) The study-evaluation process must be used
						to determine the suitability of the applicant for surrogate parent and the type
						of children the prospective surrogate parent can best serve. The
						study-evaluation process shall assure that sufficient information is provided
						to the applicant to allow them to make an initial decision as to their
						suitability as surrogate parent.
(3) The study-evaluation process must include
						interviews with the applicant surrogate parent and their children. The process
						also must include one visit to the applicant's home. All family members who
						will live in the same residence as the child shall be present during at least
						one home based interview.
(4) The
						study-evaluation process must include references. References stating the
						applicant's ability to care for children must be provided by three persons not
						related to the applicant.
(5) The
						content of the study-evaluation of the applicant for surrogate parent shall
						include:
(i) Age, as it affects
						functioning.
(ii) Health,including
						a written statement from a physician, assuring the applicant freedom from
						contagious disease and ability to handle increased stress.
(iii) Income, sufficient to meet regular
						family expenses.
(iv) A dwelling
						that presents no hazards to the safety of a child and is in keeping with the
						community in which it is located.
(v) Family composition as it affects the
						number and type of children for whom care can be given.
(6) Surrogate parent capabilities must be
						assessed by giving consideration to the following factors.
(i) Existing family relationships, attitudes,
						and expectations regarding their own children and parent-child relationships
						especially where they might affect a CRRS child.
(ii) The family ideas and practice in regards
						to child discipline.
(iii)
						Attitudes of significant members of the extended family regarding placement of
						a CRRS child.
(iv) Ability to
						accept and respect a child as the child is.
(v) Capacity to absorb a child into family
						life without undue disruption.
(vi)
						Capacity to meet the needs of both a CRRS child and their own child or
						children.
(vii) The attitudes of
						the surrogate parent's child or children to accepting a CRRS child.
(viii) Realistic appraisal of positive and
						negative aspects of surrogate parenthood.
(ix) Ability to provide continuity of care
						throughout a child's placement.
(x)
						Ability to meet changing needs over the course of a child's
						placement.
(xi) Ability to accept a
						CRRS child's relationship with the child's own parent.
(xii) Ability to care for children with
						special needs.
(xiii) Areas in
						which ongoing supportive services may be needed.
(xiv) Number and characteristics of CRRS
						children best suited to the surrogate parent family.
(xv) Ability to work in partnership with the
						CRRS and other agencies as required.
(7) The decision to approve or disapprove an
						application to be a surrogate parent must be communicated in a conference
						between the CRRS or its designated agency and the applicant and confirmed in
						writing. Reasons for approval or disapproval must be clearly stated.
(8) The CRRS must provide in writing the
						following information to surrogate parents:
(i) Policies setting forth the respective
						responsibilities of the CRRS and surrogate parent in identifying and meeting a
						child's basic needs which include the physical environment, nutrition, privacy,
						involvement with schools or other community resources.
(ii) Policies regarding disciplinary methods
						for CRRS children which must exclude any form of abusive, degrading, or
						vindictive punishment.
(viii) A description of
						consultation and training which the CRRS will furnish to assist surrogate
						parent in further improving their parenting skills.
(iv) A procedure for reporting to the CRRS
						any emergency, serious injury or illness, or death or impending death of a
						child placed with a surrogate parent.
(v) A statement regarding the reimbursement
						rate which will be paid to surrogate parent.
(vi) A telephone number by which the CRRS may
						be contacted on a 24-hour basis.
(vii) A statement as to the role of the
						surrogate parent in the development and implementation of the service
						plan.
(9) The CRRS must
						also furnish the surrogate parent the following information to assist them in
						making a decision regarding the acceptance of a specific child.
(i) The child's medical history.
(ii) The child's general behavior.
(iii) The child's likes and dislikes,
						including special interests.
(iv)
						The child's religious affiliation, if any.
(v) The child's school adjustment and
						academic performance.
(vi) The
						circumstances which led to CRRS placement.
(vii) Important life experience which may
						effect the child's adjustment, including information about prior
						placements.
(viii) The child's
						relationship with the child's parent.
(10) Surrogate parent shall be informed that
						information provided on CRRS children and their families must be kept
						confidential and shall sign an agreement to this effect.
(11) All surrogate parents shall be under the
						direct supervision of a mental health professional.