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Licensing Services
Why Become Licensed?
Is There a Need for Your Program?
Location of Your Agency
Is Funding Available to Open New Programs?
Role of Licensing Consultant
How to Apply
Licensing Rules
For those considering opening a new child welfare program (child-placing agency, adoption agency, maternity home, group home, etc.) this will guide you through the process and direct you to those able to provide further assistance.
If it is determined that your agency will be regulated by the Division of Social Services, a licensing consultant will be assigned to work with you upon receipt of your Phase II materials. You will have direct access to him or her by telephone, email, facsimile, mail, and office or site visits.
Our consultants
are committed to protecting children who, for a variety of reasons,
find themselves living apart from their families. Licensing regulations
and the activities of regulatory staff are focused on reducing the physical,
emotional, and psychological risks to children while seeking to ensure
they receive appropriate, effective and responsive services. Care and
services must be provided in a way that values and respects the individual
child and the unique circumstances that bring children into your program.
It is important to remember that children need safe, permanent homes
in a timely manner. The challenges in helping these children build promising
futures are great, as are the rewards. We wish you well in this endeavor.
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North Carolina General
Statute 131 D-10.3 requires that child-caring institutions, residential
child-care facilities, group homes, maternity homes, adoption agencies,
child-placing agencies, foster homes be licensed by the North Carolina
Division of Social Services. North Carolina General Statute131 D-10.7
makes it a misdemeanor to operate child-caring institutions, residential
child-care facilities, group homes, maternity homes, adoption agencies,
child-placing agencies, foster homes without first obtaining the required
license.
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Is There a Need for Your Program?
It is commendable
to want to serve children but it is essential to know if there is
a
need for the program and services you want to offer. The applicant
must conduct a needs assessment to determine if the services you
plan to provide are needed. At a minimum, talk with potential referral
agencies such as the local department
of social services, the
juvenile court staff, the public school system and the local management
entity. Also consider the needs of the children to be served, demographics,
service trends and the number of programs all ready in operation.
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Child welfare agencies should be located near the families they expect to serve as well as being accessible to a variety of community-based services. Group homes, foster homes, etc. should be close to schools, transportation, churches, medical and psychiatric resources, recreational and cultural opportunities, and emergency response services. The administrative office of a child placing agency for foster care and a child placing agency for adoption cannot be located in a private residence that is occupied or a group home that is occupied or a maternity home that is occupied or a crisis pregnancy center or any other similar occupied dwelling, business or facility. In addition, the office must be no more than 150 miles from the most distant client.
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Is Funding Available to Help Open New Programs?
The Division of
Social Services does not provide financial assistance to open new
programs. Historically, new programs have relied upon a variety of
funding sources such as religious and charitable organizations, corporations,
local citizens, civic groups and donor bases. After your program
is operational, funding may be available from federal, state, or
local governments or through private foundations. Please note that
group homes, maternity homes and child-placing agencies for foster
care must be licensed and in business for a year before they are
eligible to participate in the rate setting process. The agency must
submit an annual cost report, a financial audit to the DHHS Controller’s
office, and complete a contracting package with the State Division
of Social Services. Information on rate setting can be found at (http://www.ncdhhs.gov/control/fcf/fcfac.htm).
County departments of social services will only receive reimbursement
based on the North Carolina Standard Board Rate for children in group
homes and child-placing agencies for family foster care until the
rate setting requirements are met. Child-placing agencies providing
therapeutic foster care will be eligible for funding from the Medicaid
program for authorized therapeutic services. Maternity homes must
be licensed, in business for a year and submit an audit before they
are eligible to request a per diem rate and receive funds from the
State Maternity Home Fund.
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The Role of the Licensing Consultant
Their role is to help agencies become familiar with and comply with state laws and licensing regulations. Your Licensing Consultant will provide detailed written information regarding the licensure process. Our consultants conduct announced and unannounced site visits to determine compliance with laws and regulations. Your consultant will assist you in maintaining a current license and will investigate reports that your program is violating licensing standards or laws. Licensing consultants represent the Division of Social Services and are given authority under North Carolina laws to inspect child welfare agencies, interview children in care and interview staff employed by the agencies.
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Review the web site
for the type of program you want to operate. NC DSS is responsible for
licensing the following: Child Placing Agencies,
Maternity Homes, Residential
Child Care Facilities, and Foster Family
Homes. Become familiar with the rules and regulations for the program.
Review the Phases for Licensure and complete the Inquiry Form.
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Licensing
Rules
Administrative
Rules for Family Foster Homes, Therapeutic Foster
Homes and Adoptions are found in North Carolina Administrative Code
Chapter 10A, Subchapters 70F, 70G, 70H and 70E.
Administrative
Rules for Maternity Homes are found in North Carolina Administrative
Code Chapter 10A, Subchapters 70F and 70K.
Administrative Rules for Residential Child-Care Facilities are found
in North Carolina Administrative Code Chapter 10A NCAC Subchapters 70I
and 70J.
Adminstrative Codes
10A
NCAC 70E
10A
NCAC 70F
10A NCAC 70G
10A NCAC 70H
10A
NCAC 70I
10A NCAC 70J
10A
NCAC 70K
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Page last updated 08/03/2007