LIS

Virginia Law

Administrative Code

Creating a Report: Check the sections you'd like to appear in the report, then use the "Create Report" button at the bottom of the page to generate your report. Once the report is generated you'll then have the option to download it as a pdf, print or email the report.

Virginia Administrative Code
Title 22. Social Services
Agency 40. Department of Social Services
Chapter 201. Permanency Services - Prevention, Foster Care, Adoption and Independent Living
11/21/2024

22VAC40-201-50. Initial foster care placement activities.

A. Information on every child in foster care shall be entered into the department's automated child welfare system.

B. The local department shall assess the child for Title IV-E eligibility. The local department shall also refer the child for all financial benefits to which the child may be eligible, including Child Support, SSI, other governmental benefits, and private resources.

C. The service worker shall ensure that the child receives a medical examination no later than 30 days after initial placement. The child shall be provided a medical evaluation within 72 hours of initial placement if conditions indicate such an evaluation is necessary. If the child has not had a dental appointment in the past six months and it is developmentally appropriate, a dental appointment shall be scheduled as soon as possible.

D. In accordance with § 22.1-3.4 of the Code of Virginia, the local department shall collaborate with the appropriate local school division to ensure that the child remains in his previous school placement when it is a joint determination that it is in the best interests of the child. If remaining in the same school is not in the best interests of the child, the service worker shall enroll the child in an appropriate new school as soon as possible but no more than 72 hours after placement.

1. The child's desire to remain in his previous school setting shall be considered in making the decision about which school the child shall attend.

2. The service worker, in cooperation with the birth parents or prior custodians, foster care providers, and other involved adults, shall coordinate the school placement.

3. If remaining in the same school is jointly determined to be in the best interests of the child, the local department shall arrange for transportation for the child to remain in that school unless the child requires specialized transportation documented in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) for the child, which is funded by the responsible school division.

4. The local department shall document in writing the joint determination with the local school division of the child's best interest for school placement.

5. If the joint determination process cannot be completed prior to the placement in the new residence, the child will remain in the same school until the best interest determination is completed.

E. Within 72 hours of placing a school age child in a foster care placement, the local department making the placement shall give written notification to the principal of the school in which the child is to be enrolled and the superintendent of the relevant school division of the placement and notify the principal of the status of parental rights.

Statutory Authority

§§ 63.2-217, 63.2-319, and 63.2-900 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.

Website addresses provided in the Virginia Administrative Code to documents incorporated by reference are for the reader's convenience only, may not necessarily be active or current, and should not be relied upon. To ensure the information incorporated by reference is accurate, the reader is encouraged to use the source document described in the regulation.

As a service to the public, the Virginia Administrative Code is provided online by the Virginia General Assembly. We are unable to answer legal questions or respond to requests for legal advice, including application of law to specific fact. To understand and protect your legal rights, you should consult an attorney.