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Virginia Administrative Code
Title 22. Social Services
Agency 40. Department of Social Services
Chapter 201. Permanency Services - Prevention, Foster Care, Adoption and Independent Living
11/24/2024

22VAC40-201-140. Other foster care requirements.

A. Pursuant to § 63.2-908 of the Code of Virginia, a foster parent may consent to a marriage or entry into the military if the child has been placed with him through a permanent foster care agreement that has been approved by the court.

B. An employee of a local department, including a relative, cannot serve as a foster, adoptive, or licensed child-placing agency parent for a child in the custody of that local department. In the event it is in the child's best interest that a local employee be the foster parent, the child's custody may be transferred to another local department.

C. The child of a foster child remains the responsibility of his parent, unless custody has been removed by the court.

1. The child is not subject to requirements for foster care plans, reviews, or hearings. However, the needs and safety of the child shall be considered and documented in the foster care plan for the foster child (parent).

2. The child is eligible for maintenance payments in accordance with 42 USC § 675(4)(B) and Medicaid in accordance with 42 USC § 672(h).

D. When a child in foster care is committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice, the local department no longer has custody or placement and care responsibility for the child. As long as the discharge or release plan for the child is to return to the local department prior to reaching age 18 years, the local department shall maintain a connection with the child.

E. At least 90 days prior to a child's release from commitment to the Department of Juvenile Justice, the local department shall:

1. Consult with the court services unit concerning the child's return to the locality; and

2. Work collaboratively with the court services unit to develop a plan for the child's successful transition back to the community, which will identify the services necessary to facilitate the transition and will describe how the services will be provided.

F. The caseload standard for foster care workers is 15 cases maximum per foster care worker. Each child in foster care is considered an individual foster care case.

Statutory Authority

§§ 63.2-217 and 63.2-319 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 2, eff. November 1, 2012; amended, Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 8, January 11, 2017; Volume 35, Issue 5, eff. December 1, 2018; Volume 38, Issue 13, eff. March 17, 2022.

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