Virginia Code 63.2-1534: Caregiver assessment.
A. The local department shall assess the proposed caregiver and determine whether the proposed caregiver (i) is willing and qualified to receive and care for the child; (ii) is willing to have a positive, continuous relationship with the child; and (iii) is willing and has the ability to protect the child from abuse and neglect. Such assessment shall include requirements for (a) inquiry into the criminal and child protective services history of each adult in the proposed caregiver’s household and (b) an assessment of the caregiver’s home environment in accordance with Board regulations.
Terms Used In Virginia Code 63.2-1534
- Adult: means a person 18 years of age or more. See Virginia Code 1-203
- Department: means the State Department of Social Services. See Virginia Code 63.2-100
- Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
- Local department: means the local department of social services of any county or city in the Commonwealth. See Virginia Code 63.2-100
B. The local department shall document the results of the assessment of the proposed caregiver and his home environment in the case record.
C. If, after conducting the assessment of the proposed caregiver, the local department determines that it is not in the child’s best interests to be placed with the proposed caregiver, the local department shall notify the child’s parent, guardian, or legal custodian and the proposed caregiver of the reasons for the local department’s determination but may not disclose the results of any criminal or child protective services history unless the proposed caregiver consents to such disclosure.