Foster parents are to provide adequate and age-appropriate supervision, or to make adequate arrangements for the care and supervision, of the child(ren) in their care. It is understood that the daily care of the children is the normal responsibility of the foster parent. However, it is the ultimate responsibility of Legacy Families and the social worker to ensure that the treatment plan or IPP is being implemented by the foster parents. The level of supervision needed by the child is dictated by the developmental level and trustworthiness of the child, as assessed by the Legacy Families social worker in conjunction with the child's authorized representative, foster parent(s), associated community services, therapist, etc. The treatment plan (the Needs and Assessment Plan, the IPP, or plan in the progress report) will specify the proper level of care and supervision for the child which is consistent with CCL regulations, placing agency standards, and Agency policy. The level of needed supervision will take into account the child's physical condition or limitations, medical conditions, developmental disabilities, and emotional and behavioral problems.

Other conditions which affect the level of supervision which a child needs are the number of children in the home; the home's physical construction, layout features of the home; the location of activities in the home; and the surrounding area around the home; and the number of qualified persons in the home who can give supervision.

Twenty-four hour supervision is mandatory for each child unless an exception from supervision is first requested in writing by both the placing agency worker, the Agency social worker, and is then approved in writing from Community Care Licensing pursuant to Section 80024(b). The following criteria is considered prior to requesting an exception from supervision:

1. The minimum age of the client is 15.
2. The placing worker is in agreement with the exception for supervision and there is documentation supporting the reasonableness of the request.
3. Unsupervised time for the child is a part of the independent living skills part of the treatment plan.
4. The child's complete history is considered, including prior behaviors that have been risky, dangerous, or self-destructive, including the abuse of drugs, alcohol, sexual activity, truancy, and suicidal ideation or attempts.

1. As a foster parent, you can find your own respite care provider if you choose. The Agency encourages this so that you know the respite care provider's abilities and availability. Ideally, this person will be someone who you know, who is dependable, and who is available at various times. The respite care provider you choose will have to be specifically trained to deal with each client's specific needs; it is your responsibility to ensure that the respite care provider is adequately trained.
   • If the respite care provider is a person with a licensed day care, give your social worker the name, address, phone number and license number of the provider you want to use.
   • This information is necessary to for the Agency to keep on file. The social worker of your foster child will contact the requesting foster parent directly to confirm if the respite care provider qualifies to do respite care.
   • If the person you choose is not licensed as a day care provider, then the person will have to be qualified by meeting the following requirements:
   Be at least 18 years of age and be a responsible person
   Be fingerprinted
   Submit a Child Abuse Index check form (this costs $15.00)
   Sign a Criminal Records Statement
   Have a negative TB test
   Be trained in first aid and CPR for infants, children and adults
   Be trained for meeting the child's specific needs
   If the child is cared for in the respite care provider's home, then their home must pass the same inspection that your home passed.
   If the respite care provider will transport the child, then the respite care provider must submit a DMV report and proof of insurance.

   Foster parents may "trade" respite care (that is, one foster parent can temporarily supervise the other foster parent's child). Other foster homes within our Agency qualify as places for respite care. There must be adequate room (a bed, for example, if the child spends the night) or an opening in the other foster home. The trade may be made on an-hour-for-an-hour or a-day-for-a-day basis. In order to avoid misunderstandings, the Agency recommends that the foster parent pays the daily rate to the other foster parent when the car is provided rather than agree to "pay back the time" later. Respite care must be approved by the Agency social worker before the care is provided.