Section 7.113A - Limited ReassessmentsIn addition to the annual reassessment or license study, the Department may perform a limited re-assessment of the foster/pre-adoptive parent and/or foster/pre-adoptive home at other times.
(1) The Department shall conduct a limited reassessment whenever the Department:(a) investigates and supports a report of abuse or neglect under G.L. c. 119, § 51B and the foster/pre-adoptive parent or other household member is identified as responsible for abuse or neglect; or(b) learns that a foster/pre-adoptive parent has moved to a new residence; or(c) learns that corporal punishment has been used on a foster/pre-adoptive child placed in the home; or(d) removes a foster/pre-adoptive child from the foster/pre-adoptive home on an emergency basis.(2) The Department may conduct a limited reassessment whenever the Department;(a) removes a foster child from a foster/pre-adoptive home on a non-emergency basis, whether the foster/pre-adoptive home is an unrestricted licensed home or a kinship or child-specific home; or(b) learns of any circumstance which could affect the foster/pre-adoptive parent's provision of, or ability to provide, adequate foster care; or(c) learns of any circumstance which would cause the Department to impose or remove any restrictions or limitations on the identity or characteristics of children to be placed or already placed in the foster/pre-adoptive home; or(d) learns of any circumstance which would cause the Department to increase or decrease the maximum number of children who may be placed in the foster/pre-adoptive home;(e) learns of additional household members or pets/animals;(f) screens out or unsupports a report of child abuse or neglect on the foster/pre-adoptive family or supports a report of child abuse or neglect on a child residing in the home where the individual responsible for the abuse or neglect is not a household member; or(g) learns of any possible violations of Department foster/pre-adoptive parent of home standards or of the Foster/Pre-adoptive Parent Agreement.(3) In conducting the limited reassessment the Department will follow the following procedure: (a) The Department shall give written notice to the foster/pre-adoptive parent as soon as possible. Such written notice shall include at least the following information: 1. the fact that the Department intends to perform a limited re-assessment of the foster/pre-adoptive parent, the foster/pre-adoptive home, or both;2. the reason(s) for performing the limited re-assessment; and3. the steps which the Department intends to take in order to complete the limited re-assessment. A copy of the written notice shall be entered in the foster/pre-adoptive parent file.
(b) Within 30 days after the written notice has been given, the Department shall perform and complete the limited re-assessment of the foster/pre-adoptive parent and/or foster/pre-adoptive home. The limited re-assessment may consist of one or more of the steps described under 110 CMR 7.113(1) and in the Department's Family Resource Policy.(c) The Department shall prepare a written report of findings and conclusions made as a result of the completed limited re-assessment. A copy shall be entered in the foster/pre-adoptive parent file. The foster/pre-adoptive parent may receive a copy upon request.(d) At the conclusion of the limited re-assessment, the Department shall reach one of the decisions in 110 CMR 7.113(4)(c).(e) The Department may combine an annual reassessment or Licensed renewal study with a limited reassessment if the annual reassessment or license renewal study is due within three months of the commencement of the limited reassessment. If the reassessments are combined, all steps in the annual reassessment or license renewal study will be conducted.