8-503. Powers and duties


A. The division shall:


1. Exercise supervision over all child welfare agencies.


2. Advise and cooperate with the governing boards of all child welfare agencies.


3. Assist the staffs of all child welfare agencies by giving advice on progressive
methods and procedures of child care and improvement of services.


4. Establish rules, regulations, and standards for:


(a) Licensing of child welfare agencies.


(b) Licensing of foster homes.


(c) Classifications of foster homes as:


(i) Receiving foster homes.


(ii) Regular foster homes.


(iii) Special classes of foster homes as are needed according to the types of
problems involved.


(iv) Group foster homes.


(d) Certifying each foster home according to one or more of the categories defined
in subdivision (c) of this paragraph.


(e) Initial and ongoing foster parent training programs.


(f) The method of approving foster parent training programs.


(g) Uniform amounts of payment for all foster homes according to certification.
However, variations in uniform amounts of payments may be allowed for foster homes based
on consideration of geographical location or age or mental or physical condition of a
foster child.


(h) Annual renewal of licenses of child welfare agencies and foster homes.


(i) Form and content of investigations, reports and studies concerning disposition
of children and foster home placement.


5. Establish a program of counseling and rehabilitation of parents whose children
have been placed in foster homes.


6. Establish foster parent training programs or contract with other agencies,
institutions or groups for the provision of such programs to foster parents. Foster
parent training programs shall be established in at least the following areas:


(a) Initial and ongoing training as a foster parent for a regular or group foster
home.


(b) Initial and ongoing training as a foster parent for a special foster home.


7. Regulate the importation and exportation of children.


8. In conjunction with the department of education and the department of
corrections, develop and implement a uniform budget format to be submitted by licensed
child welfare agencies. The budget format shall be developed in such a manner that, at a
minimum, residential and educational instructional costs are separate and distinct
budgetary items.


9. Beginning October 1, 1983, establish as a goal that, at any given time, not more
than fifty per cent of the total number of children whose maintenance is subsidized by
title IV, part E of the social security act, as amended, shall be in foster care in
excess of twenty-four consecutive months. The division shall establish through
regulations appropriate procedures to achieve the goal.


B. Except as provided in section 8-514.01, large group settings for children, group
homes for children and child developmental foster homes which have one or more residents
who are developmentally disabled clients of the department shall be licensed pursuant to
title 36, chapter 5.1, article 3. Rules, regulations and standards adopted pursuant to
subsection A, paragraph 4 of this section shall not apply to group homes for children or
child developmental foster homes licensed pursuant to title 36, chapter 5.1, article 3.