Sec. 07.05.02.08. Mother-Infant Foster Care

A. A certified foster parent may provide care for foster children who are mothers with infants if the agency approves the foster parent in writing for mother-infant foster care.

B. The mother-infant foster parent shall meet all requirements of Regulations .04-.07 and .09-.12 of this chapter, and, in addition, provide:

(1) The new mother with:

(a) Sanitary space, table, and plumbing necessary to change diapers;

(b) Competent instruction in the care and nurturing of her infant;

(c) Limits on her social activities to assure that she is responsible for her infant;

(d) Opportunity, encouragement, and structure for the completion of her education;

(e) Encouragement to develop her capacity for and understanding of her independence;

(f) Access to health care for herself;

(g) Reasonable flexibility in providing alternate care for her infant;

(h) Guidance in human sexuality; and

(i) A bed in a room separate from where the infant sleeps, after the infant is 6 months old; and

(2) The infant with:

(a) Protection from physical harm;

(b) Removal from emotional pain;

(c) Access to health care;

(d) Proper food and nutrition;

(e) Physical warmth and nurture;

(f) Protection from disease;

(g) Physical comfort;

(h) A proper sleeping environment in an appropriate crib;

(i) An appropriate feeding schedule;

(j) Regularly changed diapers in a sanitary environment; and

(k) When the infant is 6 months old, a crib or appropriate bed in a room separate from where the mother sleeps.

C. The individual certified as a mother-infant foster parent shall:

(1) Before the certified foster parent provides mother-infant foster care, receive:

(a) 20 hours of general training described in Regulation .12C of this chapter; and

(b) An additional 4 hours of training addressing foster care services provided to a mother who is a foster child;

(2) Annually receive:

(a) 2 hours of training which deals specifically with mother-infant foster care; and

(b) 6 hours of training described in Regulation .12D of this chapter; and

(3) Be interested in providing young mothers with structure and guidance.