(a) Bridge resource home complies with performance standards.  The Bridge resource parent complies with performance standards required pursuant to the Oklahoma Children's Code, the Oklahoma Child Care Facilities Licensing Act, and the rules promulgated by Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) per Sections 1-9-106 and 1-9-118 of Title 10A of the Oklahoma Statutes (10A O.S. §§ 1-9-106 and 1-9-118).

(b) Bridge resource parent as a member of a professional team.  The Bridge resource parent is a professional member of the team serving the child in OKDHS custody and assumes responsibility to the:

• (1) child placed in the Bridge resource home;
• (2) child's family; and
• (3) OKDHS.

(c) Bridge resource parent responsibility to the child in OKDHS custody and the child's family.  The Bridge resource parent's responsibilities to the child in OKDHS custody placed in foster care and the child's family include:

• (1) integrating the child into the Bridge resource family setting and caring for the child as the Bridge resource parent would care for the Bridge resource parent's own child;
• (2) providing mentoring services to the child's parent;
• (3) coordinating visitation and contact between the child and family members to facilitate timely reunification, including phone and mail contact, when appropriate;
• (4) participating in the initial meeting with the child's parents coordinated by OKDHS;
• (5) helping the child understand why he or she is in foster care and resolve the grief caused by separation from the child's family;
• (6) cooperating and assisting with sibling contact or visitation, including phone and mail contact, when siblings are separated;
• (7) helping the child maintain a connection to the child's kin, culture, and community;
• (8) helping the child develop a positive identity and self-esteem that includes the child feeling lovable, capable, worthwhile, and competent;
• (9) helping the child learn appropriate behavior without using physical punishment;
• (10) utilizing appropriate behavior management, parent-child conflict resolution, and stress management techniques in a manner appropriate to the child's age and development;
• (11) participating with SoonerStart services, when applicable;
• (12) enrolling the child in an accredited school, when applicable and ensuring the child attends school and completes schoolwork;
• (13) advocating for the child to obtain appropriate educational testing and placement in a timely manner;
• (14) attending school conferences and Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings and following up with recommended services including, but not limited to tutoring or special assistance with school work;
• (15) ensuring the child participates in extracurricular and other recreational activities as appropriate;
• (16) ensuring the child's necessary medical, dental, and counseling needs are met by:
  • (A) making appointments;
  • (B) providing transportation to appointments; and
  • (C) obtaining prescription medications or over-the-counter medications as necessary and administering the medication as directed;
• (17) ensuring the child's opportunity to participate in the religious practices of the child's family's choice, including the provision of transportation to worship services other than those of the foster parent, when necessary and ensuring the child in OKDHS custody is not forced to attend religious services against his or her wishes;
• (18) transporting the child to meet with legal counsel upon reasonable request;
• (19) providing from the foster care maintenance payment:
  • (A) essentials such as food, shelter, non-prescription medical needs, clothing, shoes, and toiletries;
  • (B) special activity clothing and fees;
  • (C) school pictures;
  • (D) athletic and band instrument fees;
  • (E) cap and gown rental and prom clothing; and
  • (F) birthday and holiday gifts;
• (20) providing federally mandated independent living services to youth who are at least 16 years of age and assisting the child younger than 16 years of age with learning basic life skills that allow the opportunity to improve self-concept and strengthen identity in preparation for life after foster care;
• (21) allowing the child access to mail from family members and the child's attorney;
• (22) allowing the child overnight stays with friends of the child whom the Bridge resource parent knows and approves while ensuring the safety of the child; and
• (23) transporting the child to sibling and parent visits.

(d) Bridge resource parent's responsibility to OKDHS.  The Bridge resource parent's responsibility to OKDHS includes:

• (1) participating as a team member with OKDHS and the child's parent toward family reunification or other permanency plan;
• (2) assisting with the development and support of an appropriate permanency plan for the child in OKDHS custody;
• (3) cooperating and assisting the OKDHS with placing siblings together;
• (4) maintaining records of all medical, dental, and counseling appointments;
• (5) notification of medical and educational problems and progress;
• (6) notification of the date, time, and place of each appointment, each medication prescribed for the child, and each over-the-counter medication administered to the child;
• (7) attending court hearings as desired or required;
• (8) submitting written reports to the court when desired or requested;
• (9) presenting testimony concerning the strengths, needs, behaviors, important experiences, and relationships of the child in addition to other information the court requests;
• (10) informing OKDHS and other team members of the child's strengths, needs, progress, and development;
• (11) participating in the development of an effective parent and child visitation plan approved by OKDHS that defines contact with the parent and siblings, when siblings are are not placed together;
• (12) collaborating with the OKDHS prior to visits with the child's parent or legal guardian, unless the visit is part of a specific plan;
• (13) advising OKDHS of pertinent information regarding the child and family;
• (14) participating in meetings and case staffings when requested;
• (15) completing required training hours each calendar year, including policy training when offered; and
• (16) maintaining current medical and education records for the child in foster care.  A Life Book is maintained for each child placed in the Bridge resource home to support the child's sense of family continuity.  The records accompany the child when he or she leaves the foster home.