1.   Recruitment of Bridge resource homes.  A clear understanding of the roles, responsibilities, and requirements of the resource specialist is necessary for effective coordination with Bridge resource parents and the child and family served.

(1) The resource specialist engages in activities designed to recruit Bridge resource families in conjunction with the adoption specialist that reflect the diversity of the children in out-of-home care and who are willing to parent the child with special needs. 

(2) Per Section 1-4-204 of Title 10A of the Oklahoma Statues (10A O.S. § 1-4-204), diligent efforts are made to place the child in Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) custody with relatives and persons who have a kinship relationship with the child.

(3) Kinship or traditional foster family care inquiries are documented by the resource specialist in KIDS as a pre-resource.  The resource specialist discusses with each potential applicant the:

(A) basic responsibilities and requirements expected of a Bridge resource parent;

(B) types of special needs children requiring out-of-home placement have; and

(C) process required for approval as a Bridge resource parent.

2.   Bridge resource assessment process.  The resource specialist assures a safe environment, per OAC 340:75-7-15 and OAC 340:75-7-18 for the child by:

(1) completing the initial consultation with the family in the home;

(2) evaluating the prospective Bridge resource home to assess the location, condition, and ability to accommodate children in foster care;

(3) evaluating the Child Welfare and criminal background history;

(4) conducting the resource family assessment, making at least two home visits with the prospective Bridge resource family, excluding the final review of the assessment;

(5) enrolling the Bridge resource applicant in pre-service training;

(6) reviewing and assessing information received regarding the Bridge resource applicant during pre-service training;

(7) assuring the Bridge resource applicant completes the pre-service training timely; and

(8) assisting the resource applicant with completing the self-study requirements, when applicable.

(9) determining the outcome of the Bridge resource family assessment by:

(A) confirming in writing all decisions made regarding the assessment and application process;

(B) sharing with the applicant the resource family assessment for the applicant's input prior to the applicant's decision to select in or out of the foster care program;

(C) providing the applicant with an explanation of the reasons the assessment is denied, when applicable; and

(D) providing the applicant with a copy of the resource family assessment without the reference and verification sections, when the assessment is approved.

3.   Referral of the Bridge resource parent for temporary benefits pending maintenance payment.  The resource specialist:

(1) refers relative kinship providers to the local OKDHS office to apply for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits pending completion of the assessment process.

(2) coordinates with the local OKDHS office when TANF benefits should end and foster care payments begin;

(3) assists the resource parent with applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security (SSA) for the child's parent who is deceased or disabled, per OAC 340:75-7-52.1;

(4) following the final approval of the resource applicant, timely responds to foster care maintenance payment issues; and

(5) assists the Bridge resource parent with completing Form 10AD006E, Travel Claim, for mileage per OAC 340:75-7-65.

4.   Bridge resource parent retention.  The resource specialist engages in activities that value and support the Bridge resource parent's role and assists the resource family in navigating the Child Welfare (CW) system.

5.   Bridge resource re-assessments.  The resource specialist timely completes the yearly re-assessments per OAC 340:75-7-94, by:

(1) addressing any concerns that have not been addressed previously with the Bridge resource family;

(2) documenting training the resource parent completes including the 12 hours of required in-service training required each calendar year; and

(3) providing the resource parent with materials to obtain the 12 hours of in-service training required.

6.   Bridge resource home visits.  Quarterly visitation with the resource family by the resource specialist is recommended to provide ongoing support and address concerns or issues the resource family may have.

7.   Placement considerations.  The resource specialist:

(1) considers the child's physical and emotional health and safety when identifying placements, including potential kinship providers; and

(2) collaborates with the Bridge resource family to place siblings together.

8.   Team member.  The resource specialist:

(1) collaborates as a professional team member with permanency planning services, child protective services, adoption services, and the Bridge resource family to ensure the child's safety, well-being, and permanency;

(2) assists with gathering information regarding the child including, but not limited to, medical, educational, behaviors, tribal affiliations, visitation plans, and important connections to help the Bridge resource family care for the child safely and appropriately; and

(3) treats the Bridge resource family with respect;

(4) assists the Bridge resource family with issues regarding the children placed in the home and concerns the family has.

9.   Investigations and policy violations.  The resource specialist works with the Bridge resource family to address identified issues, concerns, or policy violations through a written plan of compliance per OAC 340:75-7-94 to ensure the placement is safe and stable for children.

10.  Ten-day investigation staffing.  The resource specialist attends the 10-day staffing held during an investigation, per OAC 340:75-3-8.1.

11.  Closure of Bridge resource home.  The resource specialist assesses the need for closure of a Bridge resource home and timely completes all necessary documentation related to the home's closure.

12.  Fair hearing.  The resource specialist prepares documentation for a fair hearing, per OAC 340:75-1-12.6.