SECTION 317:40-5-52. Visitation and reunification in Specialized Foster Care

   Service recipients in Specialized Foster Care (SFC) have a written plan that addresses visitation, reunification, or permanency planning, and which may also address guardianship as the service recipient approaches age 18.

(1)   Custody children. When the Court has established a specific visitation plan, the Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS) specialist informs the SFC provider, the service recipient, the Developmental Disabilities Services Division (DDSD) case manager, and the natural family of the visitation plan.

(A)   The SFC provider cooperates with the visitation plan between the child and family as prescribed by the Court or the service recipient's Team.

(B)   The reunification effort is a joint responsibility of:

(i)   the DCFS worker;

(ii)   the DDSD case manager;

(iii)   the natural family; and

(iv)   the SFC family.

(C)   For children in the custody of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) who are attaining the age of 18, DCFS and DDSD work together to determine the need for guardianship. When it has been established that a legal guardian is in the child's best interest, both divisions work together to locate a guardian.

(2)   Non-custody children. Visitation with the family is a part of the reunification efforts for non-custody children. Visitation must not be intrusive to the SFC home.

(3)   Adults. Visitation with the adult service recipient's family is encouraged and arranged according to the preference of the service recipient. Visitation must not be intrusive to the SFC home.

[Source: Added at 15 Ok Reg 3855, eff 7-1-98 (emergency); Added at 16 Ok Reg 1445, eff 5-27-99; Amended at 22 Ok Reg 2559, eff 7-11-05]