A clear understanding of the roles, responsibilities, and requirements of the resource specialist is necessary for effective coordination with foster parents and the children and families served.
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(1) Recruitment. The resource specialist engages in activities designed to recruit resource families who reflect the diversity of the children in out-of-home care and who are willing and able to parent children with special needs. Every effort is made to place a child in a kinship placement.
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(2) Inquiries. Inquiries into becoming a foster or kinship family are documented by the resource specialist in KIDS as a Pre-resource. The resource specialist discusses with each potential applicant the basic responsibilities and requirements expected of a resource parent, the types of children requiring out-of-home placement, and the elements of the approval process.
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(3) Assessment process. The resource specialist or a contractor of Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) completes the resource family assessment. The initial consultation with the family is completed in the family's home. The resource specialist:
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(A) conducts at least two home visits with the family, excluding the final review of the assessment;
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(B) evaluates the prospective foster or kinship home to assess the location, condition, and ability to accommodate children in foster care; and
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(C) contacts three personal references by phone or in person.
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(4) Training. The resource specialist:
(A) enrolls the applicant in pre-service training;
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(B) documents all other training the resource family completes, including 12 hours of required in-service training;
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(C) engages the family in completing the required 12 hours of in-service training each calendar year;
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(D) provides the resource family with materials to obtain the 12 hours of in‑service training; and
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(E) assists the family in completing the self-study requirements, if applicable.
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(5) Disposition of the assessment. The resource specialist:
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(A) confirms in writing all decisions made regarding the assessment and application process;
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(B) shares with the applicant the resource family assessment for the applicant's input prior to deciding to select in or out of the foster care program;
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(C) provides the applicant with an explanation of the reasons the assessment is denied, if applicable; and
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(D) provides the applicant with a copy of the resource family assessment, if the assessment is approved.
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(6) Reimbursement. The resource specialist:
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(A) refers relative kinship providers to the local OKDHS office for the application of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits pending completion of the assessment process;
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(B) enters an initial training stipend of $375 when the kinship providers are enrolled in training;
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(C) enters a final training stipend of $375 when the kinship providers complete training no later than seven days after the documentation of completion has been entered into KIDS;
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(D) coordinates with the local OKDHS office when TANF benefits should end and foster care payments will begin;
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(E) assists families in applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security (SSA) for a parent who is deceased or disabled, per OAC 340:75-7-52.1; and
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(F) responds to reimbursement issues timely.
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(7) Retention. The resource specialist engages in activities that value and support the foster parent's role and assists the resource family in navigating the Child Welfare (CW) system.
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(8) Re-assessments. The resource specialist timely completes the yearly re‑assessments.
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(9) Visitation. Quarterly visitation of the resource family by the resource specialist is recommended to provide ongoing support and address any concerns or issues that the resource family may have.
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(10) Placements. The resource specialist:
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(A) carefully considers the child's physical and emotional health and safety in identifying placements, including potential kinship providers; and
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(B) works with the resource family to place siblings together.
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(11) Investigations and policy violations. The resource specialist works in conjunction with the resource family to address any 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.
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(12) Team member. The resource specialist:
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(A) works as a professional team member with Permanency Planning, Child Protective Services, Adoption Services, and the resource family to ensure the child's safety, well-being, and permanency; and
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(B) treats the resource family with respect and assists the resource family with any issues arising with the children placed in the home and any concerns they have as a resource family.
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(13) Closure. The resource specialist assesses the need for closure of a resource home and timely completes all necessary documentation regarding closure of the home.
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(14) Fair hearing. The resource specialist prepares documentation for a fair hearing, per OAC 340:75-1-12.6.