22.4 Kinship Foster Home Evaluation

Georgia State Seal

Georgia Division of Family and Children Services
Child Welfare Policy Manual

Chapter:

(22) Kinship

Policy Title:

Kinship Foster Home Evaluation

Policy Number:

22.4

Previous Policy Number(s):

N/A

Effective Date:

November 2024

Manual Transmittal:

2024-09

Codes/References

O.C.G.A. § 12-5-134 (J) Standards for wells and boreholes (Georgia Water Wells Standards Act of 1985)
Public Law (PL) 104-191 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996
PL 109-248 Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006

Requirements

The Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) will:

  1. Conduct a comprehensive written evaluation of prospective kinship caregivers who apply to become foster or adoptive parents.

    1. All components of the evaluation must follow the Structured Analysis Family Evaluation (SAFE) model.

    2. The SAFE Home Study must be completed by a home study practitioner (HSP) who is certified in the SAFE model. The HSP may be a certified DFCS staff member, Child Placing Agency (CPA) staff member or approved contractor.

    3. The evaluation process must be supervised throughout by a supervisor who is certified in the SAFE model and has successfully completed the SAFE Supervisor Training.

    4. All home study interviews must be conducted in the applicant’s home.

    5. The final approval authority must be a SAFE certified DFCS County Director/Designee or CPA Director/Designee.

    Home studies must be updated for each subsequent adoption.

  2. Afford any qualified individual the opportunity to become an adoptive or foster parent without regard to race, color, or national origin of the individual or of the child involved (see policy 1.4 Administration: Non-Discriminatory Child Welfare Services).

  3. Afford qualified individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in or benefit from the DFCS foster care and adoption programs (see policy 1.5 Administration: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)/Section 504 and Reasonable Modification).

  4. Allow waivers of non-safety approval standards for specific children on a case-by-case basis (see policy 22.6 Kinship: Waiver of Non-Safety Approval Standards for Kinship Foster Homes).

  5. Evaluate applicants and their household members in accordance with policy 14.1 Resource Development: Safety and Quality Standards.

  6. Perform applicable safety screening of all adult household members (see policy 19.9 Case Management: Safety Screenings).

  7. Conduct a fingerprint-based criminal records check (CRC) on all caregivers and adult household members in accordance with policy 19.8 Case Management: Criminal Records Checks.

  8. Obtain information from the primary and secondary caregivers regarding their health (see policy 14.1 Resource Development: Safety and Quality Standards).

  9. Verify that primary and secondary caregivers have undergone drug screening within the 12 consecutive months prior to final approval of the home study (see policy 19.25 Case Management: Drug Screens).

  10. Verify that primary and secondary caregivers have current certification in First Aid, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

  11. Complete the kinship foster home evaluation within 120 calendar days.

    1. If a child in a voluntary kinship arrangement prior to entering DFCS custody remains in that same home, then the foster home evaluation is due within 120 days from the date the child entered DFCS custody.

    2. If a child is placed with a kinship caregiver after entering DFCS custody, then the foster home evaluation is due within 120 days of the kinship placement.

    3. The final approval authority (SAFE certified DFCS County Director/Designee or CPA Director/Designee) has three business days to review and make the approval decision, which is part of the 120-day timeframe.

    4. Full approval status must not be granted to an applicant prior to the completion of an approved SAFE Home Study.

  12. Complete home studies on families in Georgia (fostering or adopting) from another state within 45 calendar days of case assignment from the Georgia Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) Administrator (see policy 15.3 Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children: Placement of Children from Other States into Georgia (Georgia as the Receiving State)).

  13. Complete home studies related to ICPC Expedited Placement Decision Requests within 20 business days of receipt (see policy 15.4 Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children: Expedited Placements).

  14. Provide written notification to applicants regarding their approval status within one business day of the approval decision.

  15. Adhere to confidentiality and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in accordance with policies 2.5 Information Management: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and 2.6 Information Management: Confidentiality/Safeguarding Information.

Procedures

Social Services Case Manager

  1. Inform the kinship caregiver that a Kinship Coordinator will be available to help them work with DFCS Caregiver Recruitment and Retention Specialists (CRRS)/CPA Resource Development (RD) Staff to become an approved foster parent.

  2. Discuss the desired permanency plan outcome for the child(ren) in DFCS custody and inform the kinship caregivers of the direction in which the case is moving (e.g., reunification or non-reunification).

Kinship Coordinator

  1. Notify the Caregiver Recruitment and Retention Specialist (CRRS)/CPA Resource Development (RD) Staff when a kinship caregiver expresses interest in becoming a foster parent and provide RD staff with the demographic and contact information within 30 calendar days of the kinship caregiver expressing interest.

  2. Inform the kinship caregiver that the RD staff will contact them to schedule an information session to discuss the process/requirements for becoming a foster parent (see policy 14.7 Resource Development: Inquiries and Information Sessions).

  3. Work with the RD staff and kinship caregivers to help facilitate the enrollment of kinship caregivers in pre-service training.

  4. Discuss with kinship caregivers other possible financial and non-financial supports available until approval as a foster parent.

  5. Ensure kinship caregivers have a clear understanding of the permanency plan for the child(ren) placed in the home or the child(ren) they are seeking to have placed in their home.

  6. Maintain ongoing contact with the RD staff and kinship caregiver to facilitate timely completion of the foster home evaluation.

    1. Provide support to all parties involved (Kinship caregivers, SSCM, RD staff, HSP) to help overcome barriers to completion of the foster home evaluation.

    2. Monitor the foster home evaluation process and request a staffing (as needed) with the SSCM, RD staff, HSP and SAFE supervisor to address any issues or concerns that appear to be hindering the kinship foster home evaluation from being completed within 120 days.

  7. Document all contacts and case activity performed in the Narrative section of the Contact Detail page in Georgia SHINES within 72 hours of occurrence.

DFCS Caregiver Recruitment and Retention Specialist / CPA Resource Development Staff

  1. Review any Kinship Assessments completed on kinship caregivers in Georgia SHINES.

    1. Gather information from the Kinship Care Assessments that might help expedite the foster home evaluation process.

    2. Work in collaboration with the Kinship Coordinator to obtain information that may have already been provided by kinship caregivers to minimize duplication of efforts (e.g., references, supplemental verifications, etc.).

  2. Upon receipt of the Prospective Caregiver Application and Live Scan Application Form(s) from the applicants (see policy 14.7 Resource Development: Inquiries and Information Sessions).

    1. Make an appointment with an Electronic Fingerprint Technician to complete a fingerprint-based criminal history records check of the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database within ten business days (see policy 19.8 Case Management: Criminal Records Checks). Inform the applicants of their appointment and bring a copy of their driver’s license, state issued identification, or other accepted form of identification.

    2. Complete required safety screenings in accordance with policy 19.9 Case Management: Safety Screenings.

      CPA staff may decide to proceed with the home visit prior to receiving screening results from the DFCS Screening Unit.

  3. Meet with the SAFE Supervisor to review the results of the safety screenings and criminal history records checks. Document a discussion of negative findings and justification for approval to proceed with the home study process, if granted (see policy 19.8 Case Management: Criminal Records Checks).

  4. Contact applicants to plan a home visit to assess their physical home environment.

    1. Explain DFCS obligation to maintain confidentiality and safeguard information to prevent unauthorized disclosure:

      1. Personal information provided during the completion of the Kinship Assessment or while serving as a kin caregiver will be kept confidential and used for the purpose of determining their suitability for the care of the child, unless otherwise permitted by law. See policy 2.6 Information Management: Confidentiality/Safeguarding Information.

      2. DFCS cannot share protected health information (PHI) with any person, agency or contractor without prior written authorization from the owner of the PHI, unless otherwise permitted by law. Provide a copy of the Notice of Privacy Practices and obtain signature. See policy 2.5 Information Management: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

    2. Obtain identifying information (i.e., DOB and SSN) on all adult household members that was not previously obtained.

  5. Visit each applicant’s place of residence and carefully assess the physical environment (e.g., living space, condition of the home).

    This is not a Home Study Interview.

    1. Complete the Caregiver Home Inspection Safety and Compliance Checklist.

    2. Take photos of the home environment (interior and exterior), including the sleeping areas proposed for the children.

    3. When there is a well on the property, inquire about its maintenance.

      1. If the applicant confirms that the well meets the Georgia water well standards, request the applicant complete an attestation affirming the continued maintenance of the well and that they will promptly inform DFCS of any issues that arise.

      2. Take pictures of the well showing its covering.

    4. When there is a septic tank on the property, inquire about its maintenance. If the applicant confirms the septic tank is properly maintained and meets applicable legal standards, request the applicant complete an attestation affirming the septic tank meets the standards and that they will promptly inform DFCS of any issues that arise.

    5. Complete a water safety assessment for homes that have swimming pools, spas, etc. and take pictures.

      See policy 14.1 Resource Development: Safety and Quality Standards for information on home safety standards.

  6. Meet with the SAFE Supervisor to discuss the results of the home inspection to determine whether the family is eligible to continue the family evaluation process.

  7. If all findings are acceptable:

    1. Email applicants the required Caregiver Onboarding Forms and Instructions.

      1. Additional Household Member Initial Onboarding Instructions (to be kept by the applicant)

      2. HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices

      3. Authorization for the Release of Information

      4. SAFE Questionnaire 1 (Q1) - Primary and Secondary Caregiver (download from the SAFE Home Study website)

      5. Safety and Quality Standards (SQS) Acknowledgement Statement

      6. Caregiver Child Safety Agreement

      7. Confidentiality and Privacy Agreement

      8. Prospective Foster or Adoptive Parent Medical Evaluation Report (due within 30 calendar days of receipt).

        Documentation of the physical exam on a health care provider’s form with comparable information is also acceptable.

      9. Additional Household Member Medical Evaluation Report (if applicable) (due within 30 calendar days of receipt).

        Documentation of the physical exam on a health care provider’s form with comparable information is also acceptable.
    The primary caregiver, secondary caregiver, and other adult household members shall be given their own onboarding forms which must be reviewed and returned.

    1. Request the following supplemental verifications from the prospective caregiver (due within 30 calendar days from the beginning of preservice training):

      1. Marriage license/divorce decree

      2. Death certificate (if applicable)

      3. Income verification

      4. Lease/mortgage verification

      5. Automobile insurance verification

      6. TB skin test results – if not completed during medical examination

      7. Drug screening results

      8. Pet vaccination record – consistent with Georgia law

      9. Immunization records for household members under the age of 18 (unless an exception applies)

      10. CPR/first aid certification

  8. Complete procedures 1-7 before sending a referral to a Foster Home Development Contractor or some other HSP for completion of the SAFE Home Study Evaluation.

SAFE Home Study Practitioner

  1. Acknowledge receipt of a referral for completion of a SAFE Home Study within one business day.

    This applies to contractors and may be accomplished via email.

  2. Confirm receipt of the onboarding documents and supplemental verifications from prospective caregivers before scheduling the introductory home visit.

  3. Schedule the introductory home visit with the prospective caregiver applicant(s) to begin the SAFE Home Study process within three business days of receipt of the referral. The visit shall be held no later than five calendar days after receipt of the referral.

  4. Use the Q1 Harvesting Sheet to review the Prospective Caregiver Application, Q1, and other documents submitted by each applicant.

    1. Make notes on the Q1 Harvesting Sheet regarding issues that generate curiosity about each applicant in preparation for home study interviews.

    2. Curiosity should be prompted by possible strengths, inconsistencies and issues that might be of concern.

    3. Review the results of safety screening and criminal records history check.

  5. Meet with the SAFE Supervisor prior to the first home study interview to review the Prospective Caregiver Application, Questionnaire 1 (Q1) and Q1 Harvesting Sheet.

    1. Organize all the information that has been received up to this point and plan the home study interviews. Identify things that generate curiosity and plan to address them over the span of all the home study interviews, not in a single interview.

    2. If the results of the home inspection, safety screenings and criminal records history checks, etc. are satisfactory, contact the applicant to schedule the first home study visit. If the results are not satisfactory, consider other ways to partner with applicants (see policy 14.7 Resource Development: Inquiries and Information Sessions for ideas).

    3. Plan to conduct home study visits no less than seven and no more than 10 days apart.

  6. Conduct the number of home study visits and interviews necessary to complete the SAFE Home Study (see Practice Guidance: Home Study Interviews).

    1. Interview all children and adults who reside in the home or are frequently in the home.

    2. Discuss things that made the HSP and SAFE Supervisor curious.

    3. Complete the Psychosocial Inventory (PSI) following each home visit.

  7. Directly administer Q2 to applicants while maintaining sight and control of the tool at all times.

    1. Do not provide Q2 to applicants before the moment it is administered.

    2. Administer Q2 in a private setting. For couples administer Q2 with both applicants present and together.

    3. Instruct members of a couple not to communicate with each other or ask any questions of each other or the HSP while completing Q2.

    4. Conduct a private, one-on-one interview with each applicant after Q2 has been completed.

    5. For couples, ask one applicant to leave or go to another area of the home and interview the other applicant privately. Repeat the process with the other applicant.

    6. Interview applicants privately and individually for no longer than 45 minutes each.

  8. Meet with the SAFE Supervisor following each home visit for consultation and feedback.

  9. Send all references the Reference Questionnaire. After receiving a response, speak with each reference as needed to gather more information and seek clarification of any of the information provided.

  10. If applicants indicate they were approved in other states, take steps to secure confirmation and begin collecting information for the home study:

    1. Obtain a Release of Information;

    2. Contact the other state in writing;

    3. Obtain a description of the training content and number of hours earned as part of pre-service and in-service hours;

    4. Request a copy of the family’s initial evaluation and any subsequent evaluations;

    5. Request a written recommendation from the state regarding the capabilities and protective capacities of the family; upload into Georgia SHINES.

      Do not make this a barrier to approval.

  11. Send a written explanation, signed by the County Director/Designee or CPA Director/Designee, to all families whose Kinship Foster Home Evaluation will not be completed within the 120-day timeframe.

  12. Provide applicants the opportunity to read the authorized portion of the Home Study Report pertaining to their family and have them acknowledge doing so by signing the document.

  13. Provide written notification to applicants of the approval decision (approved or disapproved) via email within one business day of the decision.

    1. Initial contact may be made by telephone but must be immediately followed by the email.

    2. If approval is granted, cordially welcome approved caregivers to the foster/adoption team and advise them of subsequent procedures.

    3. If approval is not granted, inform the applicants in a clear, concise, and non-judgmental manner.

  14. Conduct a home visit with the approved Kinship Caregivers within three business days of approval for the review and signing of the Caregiver Child Safety Assessment Agreement.

Social Services Supervisor

  1. Ensure all required safety screenings, criminal history records checks, and the Caregiver Home Inspection Safety and Compliance Checklist are completed before the HSP is assigned to begin the SAFE Home Study.

  2. Meet with the Caregiver Recruitment and Retention Specialist (CRRS)/CPA Resource Development (RD) Staff to review the results of the safety screenings, criminal history records checks and Caregiver Home Inspection Safety and Compliance Checklist to determine whether the family is eligible to continue the family evaluation process.

  3. Assign the home study for completion to a SAFE certified HSP who can address sensitive and difficult issues in an appropriate manner.

  4. Ensure all SAFE tools [Questionnaire1 (Q1), Questionnaire 2 (Q2), Q1 Harvesting Sheet, SAFE Desk Guide, Psychosocial Inventory (PSI) and Home Study Report] are used correctly.

  5. Meet with the HSP to discuss the Prospective Caregiver Application, results of Q1, and Q1 Harvesting Sheet to help organize the information and plan the home study interviews.

  6. Meet with the HSP following each home study interview.

    1. Meet with the HSP timely to prevent delays in the home study process.

    2. Review the Interview Worksheet to identify potential concerns and missed issues.

    3. Review the PSI after each home study interview and provide feedback to the HSP prior to the next home visit so the appropriate action can be taken regarding any concerns.

    4. Review Q2 after the Q2 home study interview.

    5. Review Desk Guide Ratings carefully. Check for expected SAFE Desk Guide ratings of 3, 4 or 5 as well as any surprise ratings that may require more discussion with the HSP.

    6. Ensure the HSP completes a sufficient number of interviews at the appropriate intervals (seven to 10 days apart).

  7. Meet with the HSP to discuss the final desk guide ratings and mitigation. Ensure that mitigation of a SAFE Desk Guide rating of 3, 4 or 5 is appropriate and supported by outside sources.

  8. Review the SAFE Home Study Report to ensure that it is thorough and that all issues are identified and discussed prior to final approval.

  9. Complete the SAFE Supervisor Home Study Certification and include in the file.

  10. Ensure applicants are given the opportunity to read the authorized portion of the Home Study Report pertaining to their family and have so acknowledged by signing the document.

  11. Routinely assess the foundational skills of the HSP (engagement and forensic interviewing skills; analytical and evaluation skills; and writing skills) and provide the education and support necessary to help the HSP strengthen skills as needed.

Practice Guidance

Structured Analysis Family Evaluation (SAFE) Home Study Components

The SAFE Home Study is a placement document, an investigation, a psychosocial evaluation, and a clear written report. It has four components:

  1. Information Gathering Tools - These tools support the Home Study Report and are designed to prompt the HSP to ask questions not provide answers:

    1. Questionnaire 1 (Q1) - It is completed by each applicant and covers eight areas of family history and functioning (i.e., Personal History; Parenting Practices; Personal and Family Values; Health; Support System; Work; Family Relationships; Marital/Partner Relationship).

    2. Q1 Harvesting Sheet - It is used to review the Prospective Caregiver Application, QI and other documents submitted by applicants. It helps organize information to provide a complete overview of each applicant’s specific issues, behaviors, or events that should be addressed in upcoming home study interviews.

    3. Questionnaire 2 (Q2) - It contains the sensitive and critical questions that need to be addressed in a home study (i.e., problem issues/behaviors; personal alcohol consumption; personal legal/illegal drug usage; family substance abuse; history of sexual, emotional, or physical victimization; child abuse allegations/convictions; family violence and crime; family sexual perpetrators; domestic violence; mental illness). Each applicant is interviewed privately and individually (one-on-one) immediately after the administration of Q2. Due to the sensitive and complex nature of these topics, this can be a very emotionally charged interview.

    4. Reference Letter - It was designed to enable the HSP to obtain more complex information about applicants for analysis and follow-up. After receiving the SAFE Reference Letter, the HSP should speak with each reference to gather more information and seek clarification of anything in the letter. Other than indicating they received the required references, the HSP should not mention the individual references specifically in the narration of the SAFE Home Study Report. Issues raised by references should be addressed with applicants. Any issues that merit a SAFE Desk Guide Rating of 3, 4, or 5 should be discussed in the Psychosocial Evaluation Section of the SAFE Home Study Report without revealing sources.

  2. Structured Analysis - SAFE has identified 70 Psychosocial Factors that research has demonstrated to be necessary for safe and effective parenting whether through adoption, kin, or foster care. The Psychosocial Inventory (PSI) and SAFE Desk Guide allow the HSP to systematically analyze information gathered during the home study process, as well facilitate a clear and uniform identification of specific family strengths and issues of concern. The PSI and Desk Guide are grouped into the following nine sections: History; Personal Characteristics; Marital/Partner Relationship; Children/Others Residing/Frequently in the Home; Extended Family Relationships; Physical/Social Environment; General Parenting; Specialized Parenting; and Adoption/Foster Care Issues.

    The PSI is designed to look at a person’s history of issues, concerns, behaviors, and events and determine how they affect the person’s current functioning and ability to parent. The PSI strives to help the HSP determine whether an applicant can parent, and if so, who they can parent. Only one PSI is used per family and is completed after each home study visit. The SAFE Desk Guide is a severity scale that indicates the potential seriousness of an issue, behavior or event experienced by an applicant.

    The PSI and SAFE Desk Guide contain research-based factors that support safe and effective family functioning and the ability to parent. The factors are rated on a scale of 1 to 5 and marked on the PSI. The ratings represent the following: 1=Exceptional Strength; 2= Strength; 3=Concern; 4=Serious Concern; 5=Extremely Serious Concern. A rating of 2 is the default rating until proven otherwise. A rating of 2 may also be used early in the home study process when the HSP does not have enough information to rate a factor. In other words, it can function as the “I don’t know” rating until more information is gathered. A completed home study report should not have an abundance of “2” ratings which is not indicative of a thorough assessment. Any psychosocial factor that merits a rating of 3 (Concern), 4 (Serious Concern) or 5 (Extremely Serious Concern) must be specifically addressed in the Home Study Report. As more information is gathered during the home study interview process, a rating may move to a more serious rating, but not in reverse.

    As soon as possible following each home study visit, the HSP should mark the applicable SAFE Desk Guide ratings on the PSI. Entering the ratings while the visit is still fresh in one’s mind prevents one from forgetting issues of concern or confusing them with other studies. A different symbol is used to mark the ratings on the PSI for each home visit. For example, the symbol used to mark the rating for the first home study visit is a backward slash, whereas the symbol used to mark the second home study visit is a forward slash. The SAFE Desk Guide ratings should reflect everything the HSP knows up to that point. After each interview, the HSP submits the PSI to the Supervisor for review and feedback. The final SAFE Desk Guide Rating is made after the last home study visit and must be made with a high degree of confidence based on the HSP and the SAFE Supervisor’s professional assessment.

  3. Home Study Report – The narrative is designed to assist the HSP in focusing on the issues of concern within a family that will or could impact its ability to care for a child placed in the home. A home study should be specific to the applicant. The HSPs should use behaviorally specific language and avoid repeating the same thing throughout the study. There are six sections to a SAFE Home Study Report:

    1. Non-narrative reporting required by the agency (i.e., general information; contact information; household demographics; medical/school reports; safety screening and criminal records history results; confirmation statements; attachments and verifications)

    2. Motivation, Profile and Lifestyles of Applicants

    3. SAFE Psychosocial Evaluation

    4. Conclusions and Placement Considerations

    5. Signatures and Approvals

    6. SAFE Psychosocial Inventory Results

      This page should be removed when the SAFE Home Study Report is shared with applicants.

  4. Compatibility Inventory - This is an optional matching tool designed to facilitate successful placements. This tool helps the HSP determine the willingness and ability of an applicant to parent children with certain issues and behaviors.

Home Study Interviews

The home study interview is the foundation of the home study process. The various gathering tools used with the SAFE model support the interviews and help the HSP develop questions for the applicants. HSPs learn more from applicants when applicants are interviewed at home where they are most comfortable. During interviews, HSPs should avoid using standardized questions and rushing ahead with their own agenda. Instead, the HSP should seek a natural, organic flow of communication with applicants. HSPs should trust their instincts but must be mindful of their own biases. HSPs must also remain keenly aware of non-verbal communication which guides about 80% of human interaction. No interview should take longer than an hour and a half. It is unlikely that any party will remain as alert as they need to be for longer than that period of time. Home visits should be no closer or further than a week apart because applicants need time to process the information covered between visits, but not so much time that they begin to lose information.

The initial visit to during which the Caregiver Home Inspection Safety and Compliance Checklist is completed should not be confused with a Home Study Interview. These are two different things and should not be done at the same time. The home inspection is authoritative and regulatory whereas the home study interview is collaborative and transparent. The more interviews a HSP has with an applicant, the more comfortable the HSP will be about recommending approval or denial. SAFE recommends a minimum of four interviews (three meetings) to complete an acceptable home study report. Depending on the circumstances, more than four interviews may be required. HSPs should prepare a plan for which interviews will be conducted during each visit such as the following:

Home Study Visit 1 (1st Interview)

  • This is an introductory interview to develop the relationship between the HSP and the applicants.

  • SAFE Questionnaire 1 (Q1) is discussed.

Home Study Visit 2 (2nd and 3rd Interview if it is a two-parent home)

  • The HSP administers SAFE Questionnaire 2 (Q2), and it must never be out of the sight or control of the HSP.

  • This is a one-on-one history interview. The purpose is to examine issues, behaviors, and events that affect or could affect the applicant’s current functioning or ability to parent and how the applicant has resolved those issues. The focus is on past patterns of behavior.

  • The HSP observes all applicants while they complete Q2. The applicants are instructed not to talk or discuss the questionnaire. When Q2 is completed, the HSP immediately interviews each applicant separately and privately. No children or other adults should be in the home when Q2 is administered. If others must remain in the home, they should not be in an area near where Q2 is being administered. The HSP must be skilled and prepared to handle sensitive and complex issues and work with emotionally charged situations.

  • Q2 interviews should be no longer than 45 minutes each. However, due to their complexity, additional one-on-one/history interviews might be necessary before the marriage or support interview.

Home Study Visit 3 (4th Interview)

  • This is a marriage or support interview.

  • The family and others residing or frequently in the home can be interviewed at this time. The number of interviews performed will depend on the number of individuals involved.

  • The HSP should examine the applicants’ relationship with a focus towards the strength and dynamics of their marriage/partnership. For single applicants, the focus should be on their support systems.

Mitigation

Within the SAFE model, mitigation is where the HSP balances the truth (Final SAFE Desk Guide Ratings) and Justice (the HSP’s clinical analysis of how those issues affect an applicant’s current functioning and ability to parent). Mitigation is a fact or series of facts that exist to support the decision to mitigate an issue/behavior/event and must be corroborated by outside sources (e.g., other family members, professionals, clinicians). The HSP does not use the SAFE Desk Guide during the mitigation process. Mitigation is applied to all Final SAFE Desk Guide Ratings of 3, 4 and 5. Mitigation always focuses on current functioning or ability to parent rather than what happened in the past. The goal is to capture how the applicant’s ability to parent is presently affected. Mitigation results in a mitigation rating using the SAFE severity scale. The mitigation rating should reflect the HSP and their supervisor’s professional assessment (supported by evidence) of whether a Final SAFE Desk Guide Rating of 3, 4 or 5 is warranted based upon how an applicant is currently affected by the issue, behavior, or event. The mitigation rating is handwritten into the blank column to the right of all the Psychosocial Inventory factors with a final SAFE Desk Guide Rating of 3, 4 or 5. The three choices in mitigation are as follows:

  1. Sustain: The issue/behavior/event is not resolved.

  2. Reduce: The applicant has a degree of resolution, but the issue/behavior/event still affects their current functioning or ability to parent.

  3. Erase: The issue/behavior/event is totally resolved and does not affect the applicant’s current functioning or ability to parent.

Who is qualified to complete the SAFE Home Study?

SAFE Certified DFCS staff, SAFE Certified CPA Resource Development staff, or contractors may qualify as a SAFE Home Study Practitioner (HSP) able to complete the Initial Family Evaluation. Private contractors must meet the following criteria:

  1. Certification in the SAFE model.

  2. A minimum of a bachelor’s level of education in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or a related field.

  3. Ability to understand and implement the philosophy and conceptualizations inherent in pre-service training.

  4. A functional understanding of the agency’s mission.

  5. Ability to provide thorough, well-written home studies with supported recommendations.

The SAFE Home Study Practitioner Skills Assessment can be used to help supervisors assess their Home Study Practitioners’ foundational skills (engagement and forensic interviewing skills; analytical and evaluation skills; and writing skills).

Reimbursement of Expenses

If approved, applicants may be reimbursed for certain expenses incurred during the approval process. The guidelines are in Field Fiscal Services’ COSTAR manual located at ffs.dhs.ga.gov/ffs/manuals/costar/index.php.

Forms and Tools

Caregiver Child Safety Agreement
Caregiver Child Safety Agreement (Spanish)
Caregiver Child Safety Agreement - Adult Household Member
Caregiver Child Safety Agreement - Adult Household Member (Spanish)
Caregiver Home Inspection Safety and Compliance Checklist
Caregiver Placement Preferences
Caregiver Reference and List Form
Caregiver Reference and List Form (Spanish)
Confidentiality and Privacy Standards Agreement
Confidentiality and Privacy Standards Agreement (Spanish)
Financial Statement for Resource Parenting
Financial Statement for Resource Parenting (Spanish)
Home Inspection Safety and Quality Requirements
Home Inspection Safety and Quality Requirements (Spanish)
Medical Evaluation Report - Additional Household Member
Medical Evaluation Report - Prospective Caregiver
Notice of Privacy Practice
Notice of Privacy Practice - Spanish
Prospective Caregiver Application & Instructions
Prospective Caregiver Application & Instructions (Spanish)
Prospective Caregiver Onboarding Pathway – Adult Household Member Packet
Prospective Caregiver Onboarding Pathway – Adult Household Member Packet (Spanish)
Prospective Caregiver Onboarding Pathway – Caregiver Packet
Prospective Caregiver Onboarding Pathway – Caregiver Packet (Spanish)
Safety and Quality Standards Acknowledgement
Safety and Quality Standards Acknowledgement (Spanish)