The Cabinet may not deny any person the opportunity to become a foster or adoptive parent based on race, color, or national origin of the person or of the child involved (title IV-E section 471(a)(18)(A) of the Social Security Act).
If a foster and adoptive home applicant is not twenty-one (21) years of age, the applicant may be approved through an exception by the SRA or designee if the applicant is:
- At least age eighteen (18);
- Related to a child in the custody of the Cabinet;
- Able to meet the needs of the child; and
- Able to provide a placement in the best interest of the relative child.
Placement considerations for the following vulnerable populations coming into care will be of the utmost importance with regard to assessing risk for health conditions:
- Children under the age of two (2);
- Children coming into care without current immunizations; and
- Children with existing complex health conditions.
Children designated, or potentially designated, as medically complex must be placed in foster and adoptive homes where all household members have received vaccinations.
Placement decisions outside of the provisions in the two (2) bulleted points above must be approved by the SRA or designee with the risk assessed to the child in placement, considering the specific health care needs of the child, and documented in the child's case record.
Foster and adoptive parent applicants will be disqualified if a member of the prospective foster or adoptive parent's home presents a health and safety risk to a child in foster care as assessed by a health care professional and documented on the DPP-107 Health Information for Required Foster or Adoptive Parents, Applicants or Adult Household Members or the DPP-108 Health Information Required for Foster or Adoptive Parents or Applicants Regarding Dependent Children.
If there is an epidemic in a given area, the Cabinet may by emergency regulation require the immunization of all persons within the area of epidemic against the disease responsible for the epidemic.
Interested foster and adoptive home applicant(s) must attend at least one (1) information meeting.
A married, single, or unmarried person may apply to become a foster and adoptive home parent(s).