Section 441.202.10. Services to foster parents.

Foster parents shall be provided necessary supportive services for the purpose of aiding them in the care and supervision of the child. These services shall include, but not be limited to:

       202.10(1) Availability of social service staff on a 24-hour basis in case of emergency.

       202.10(2) Conferences to develop in-depth planning regarding family visits, expectations of the department, future objectives and time frames, use of resources, and termination of placements.

       202.10(3) Visitation by the service worker at least monthly regardless of the duration of the placements.

       202.10(4) Making available all known pertinent information needed for the care of the child including HIV status, safety-related information, and special confidentiality requirements.

        a.           Before releasing specific information about HIV, the department shall use Form 470-3225, Authorization to Release HIV-Related Information, to obtain a release from the child or the child’s parent or guardian, or a court order permitting the release of the information. The person receiving this information shall complete Form 470-3227, Receipt of HIV-Related Information, to document understanding of the confidentiality of this knowledge.

        b.           Safety-related information shall be withheld only if:

       (1)             Withholding the information is ordered by the court; or

       (2)             The department or the agency developing the service plan determines that providing the information would be detrimental to the child or to the family with whom the child is living.

        c.           When continued breastfeeding of the child is determined to be in the best interest of the child, the service worker and the foster parents shall make reasonable efforts to support the continued breastfeeding of the child by the mother.

This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 234.6(6)“b.”