Pennsylvania Code › Title 55 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part V - Children, Youth and Families Manual › Subpart E - Residential Agencies, Facilities and Services › Article I - Licensing/Approval › Chapter 3680 - ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATION OF A CHILDREN AND YOUTH SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY › PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITIES › Section 3680.44 - Visiting and communication

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
The legal entity shall ensure that visiting and
						  communication policies governing children receiving full-day services are
						  developed in accordance with the following requirements:
(1) If the agency provides full-day services
						to a child referred by a county agency, it shall ensure compliance with the
						family service plan relating to child and family visiting and
						communication.
(2) If the agency
						provides full-day services to a child placed by other than a county agency or
						the child's parents, the agency shall adhere to the following requirements:
(i) The agency shall provide opportunity for
						visits between the child and the parents as frequently as possible but no less
						than once every 2 weeks.
(ii)
						Visiting shall occur at a time and place convenient to the parties and in a
						location that permits natural interaction.
(iii) An exception to the visiting
						requirements is allowed if any of the following conditions exist:
(A) Visiting is clearly not in keeping with
						the placement goal, that is, adoption or independent living.
(B) Visiting is freely refused in writing by
						the parents.
(C) Visiting is
						limited or prohibited by court order.
(iv) The agency shall, within 24 hours of a
						child's placement, provide the parents with:
(A) A telephone number that provides 24-hour
						access to the agency.
(B) A written
						statement regarding the opportunity for visits, as outlined in subparagraphs
						(i)-(iii).
(v) The agency
						shall, within 15 calendar days of accepting a child for placement, provide the
						parents with the following:
(A) The address
						of the physical location of the child.
(B) The name of the person or facility
						responsible for the child's care, unless the release of the information
						threatens the health and well-being of the child or of the persons providing
						the care if the agency documents its basis for its refusal to disclose the
						information or release of the information is limited or prohibited by court
						order.
(vi) The agency
						shall, for children in placement on January 24, 1987 provide the parents of the
						children with the information required by subparagraphs (iv) and (v) by July
						24, 1987.
(vii) Except in an
						emergency, the agency shall notify the parents and child prior to a change in
						the physical location of placement or the visiting arrangements. If the agency
						changes the physical location of the child, the agency shall, within 15 days of
						the change, provide the parents of the child in placement with the address of
						the physical location of the child and the name of the person or agency
						responsible for the child's care, unless disclosure of the information is a
						threat to the health and well-being of the child or persons providing care to
						the child or is limited or prohibited by court order. The basis for the
						agency's decision to refuse disclosure shall be documented in the case
						record.