Alaska Administrative Code

A child care facility with one or more employees shall ensure that an inexperienced caregiver has met the requirements under 7 AAC 57.350 and is supervised by an experienced caregiver until the inexperienced caregiver is able to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of the ch…

(a) A child care facility with one or more employees shall provide an orientation to each caregiver that relates to the caregiver's duties and responsibilities and that includes (1) the facility's policies and procedures; (2) where appropriate, satisfying the individual needs of …

(a) A child care facility shall (1) at or before a child's admission to the facility, obtain emergency information about the child from the child's parent, including (A) information about any drug or other allergies; (B) information about any medication the child is taking or med…

At or before a child's admission, a child care facility shall supply a parent with the following information in writing: (1) enrollment requirements and procedures; (2) fees and payment requirements; (3) hours and days of operation, including holidays; (4) in a child care center,…

(a) A child care facility shall ensure that the children in its care receive responsible supervision appropriate to their age and developmental needs. A child care facility shall create a staffing plan, if applicable, and a plan for supervision of children. In its plan for superv…

(a) For child care homes, (1) the home shall have at least one caregiver, who may also be the administrator, and may provide care for not more than a total of eight children younger than 13 years of age, including the caregiver's children younger than 13 years of age; and (2) of …

(a) A child care center shall organize its learning environment so that children may participate in activities individually and in small groups, so that the development of each child is supported. (b) A child care center shall provide environmental cues to children to indicate an…

(a) A child care facility shall provide structure and daily activities designed to promote a child's individual physical, social, intellectual, and emotional development. Satisfactory compliance with this subsection requires the facility to (1) have a schedule and daily plan of a…

(a) A child care facility shall help a child to develop age-appropriate patterns of behavior that foster constructive relationships and increasing ability to deal with everyday life. (b) A child care facility shall provide for positive reinforcement, redirection, and the setting …

A child care facility shall store and administer medications as required by 7 AAC 10.1070. Notes 7 AAC 57.540 Eff. 6/23/2006, Register 178 Authority:AS 44.29.020 AS 47.32.010 AS 47.32.030 State regulations are updated quarterly; we currently have two versions available. Below is …

To reduce the spread of disease, a child care facility shall meet the applicable requirements of 7 AAC 10.1045 (Universal Precautions) and 7 AAC 10.1050 (Caregiver Hygiene). Notes 7 AAC 57.545 Eff. 6/23/2006, Register 178 Authority:AS 44.29.020 AS 47.32.010 AS 47.32.030 State reg…

(a) At or before admission of a child, a child care facility shall obtain from the child's parent a valid immunization certificate or evidence that the child is exempt from immunization. (b) A valid immunization certificate must be a copy of (1) the child's original immunization …

(a) A child care facility shall ensure that snacks and meals meet the child care food program requirements of 7 C.F.R. 226.20. (b) In a child care center, menus, including snacks, must be planned in advance, be posted in an area open to visitors, and reflect actual food served. (…

(a) A child care facility that provides transportation, either directly or by use of another agency or individuals, shall meet the requirements of this section. (b) A child care facility shall ensure appropriate use of seat restraints, as follows: (1) each individual must be rest…

A child care facility shall meet the applicable requirements for environmental health and safety set out in 7 AAC 10.1000 - 7 AAC 10.1095. Notes 7 AAC 57.610 Eff. 6/23/2006, Register 178 Authority:AS 44.29.020 AS 47.32.010 AS 47.32.030 State regulations are updated quarterly; we …

(a) A child care facility must have indoor and outdoor space to accommodate the physical and developmental needs of children in care. (b) A child care center and a child care group home shall provide at least (1) 35 square feet of usable indoor space per child, exclusive of hallw…

(a) A child care facility shall select equipment and supplies to support facility programs so that the amount, variety, arrangement, and use of materials, toys, and equipment available (1) are appropriate for the developmental needs of the children in care; (2) meet criteria cont…

To obtain department approval of a specialization designation described in 7 AAC 57.805, a child care facility must demonstrate its ability to comply with the applicable requirements of AS 47.32, 7 AAC 10.1000 - 7 AAC 10.1095, and this chapter. The department will approve a reque…

(a) A child care facility may not provide care between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. unless the facility has a nighttime care specialization approved by the department. However, a facility may occasionally provide nighttime care in a home for 30 consecutive days or less w…

(a) A child care facility may not provide a program of moderate-risk activities on a regular basis unless the facility has a specialized program activity specialization approved by the department. Moderate-risk activities include specialized program activities such as gymnastics,…

The department will monitor and investigate a facility to determine compliance with AS 47.32, 7 AAC 10.1000 - 7 AAC 10.1095, and this chapter as provided in AS 47.32 and 7 AAC 10.9600 - 7 AAC 10.9620, and will take enforcement action as appropriate under AS 47.32. Notes 7 AAC 57.…

An appeal from a department decision under AS 47.32, 7 AAC 10.1000 - 7 AAC 10.1095, or this chapter is subject to the provisions of AS 47.32.140 and 47.32.150. A child care facility wishing to appeal an enforcement action may do so not later than 15 days after receipt of the noti…

For purposes of this chapter, a child has special needs if the child (1) has been identified as not functioning according to age-appropriate expectations in the areas of affective, cognitive, communicative, perceptual, motor, physical, or social development to the extent that the…

(a) In this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise, (1) "behavioral health problem" means a mental disorder, substance use disorder, or co-occurring disorder; (2) "caregiver" includes an administrator, child care associate, employee, student intern, substitute, or other i…

The purpose of the Citizen Review Panel is to (1) examine, under AS 47.14.215, the department's child protection policies, procedures, and practices; and (2) facilitate public participation, under AS 47.14.245, in (A) obtaining comments on current department procedures and practi…

(a) The state panel may not exceed a total of nine members. The state panel must be composed of a minimum of five members. Each member must be a volunteer and a resident of the state. Each of the five separate administrative regions established by the department for the administr…

(a) The state panel shall review the department's policies, procedures, and practices, and if appropriate, specific cases of child abuse or neglect, to determine whether the department is effectively discharging its child protection responsibilities in compliance with (1) the fol…

(a) The department will provide the state panel access to the information necessary for the panel to conduct its duties including access to department (1) case records, database information, and quality assurance reports, in accordance with AS 47.10.093(b)(12); (2) child protecti…

(a) The state panel shall conduct public outreach as required under AS 47.14.245 to solicit comments from the public regarding the department's policies and procedures. The panel shall also use the outreach to inform the public about the panel's work. (b) A meeting of the state p…

(a) In the annual report required under AS 47.14.255(a), the state panel's recommendations for the improvement of the state's child protection services must be detailed, specific, and achievable. The panel shall describe in its report any specific resources required for the depar…

The state panel shall require each of its members to sign a confidentiality agreement not to disclose information for which AS 47.14.235 requires nondisclosure. The agreement must be stored in the panel's records. The panel shall inform a person attending the panel's meeting of t…

In this chapter, (1) "Citizen Review Panel" means the panel established under AS 47.14.205(a); (2) "commissioner" means the commissioner of family and community services; (3) "department" means the Department of Family and Community Services; (4) "director" means the director of …

(a) The provisions of this chapter (1) are not exclusive and supplement other applicable standards of licensure, including those set out in AS 47.05.300-47.05.390, AS 47.32, and 7 AAC 10; (2) apply to foster homes licensed or required to be licensed under AS 47.32 and this chapte…

The following persons are exempt from the foster home licensure requirements of AS 47.32 and this chapter: (1) an individual caring for a child, not in the custody of the department, in the child's own home, whether related to the child or not; (2) an individual designated by a f…

(a) A foster home license issued on or after July 1, 2022 must meet the requirements of licensure established under this chapter. (b) A license issued before July 1, 2022 must meet the licensing standards in place at the time the license was issued. A foster home will not be asse…

(a) The department has the authority under AS 47.14.100(e)(3)(A) to place a child in custody with an unlicensed relative caregiver, or in a licensed relative foster home. Placement with an unlicensed relative does not require or guarantee licensure for a foster home, nor does it …

(a) An applicant for a license to operate a foster home under AS 47.32 and this chapter shall submit an initial application in the name of the individuals responsible for the operation of the foster home, in a format provided by the department. The following additional informatio…

(a) The department will assess an application for a foster home license, including a review and discussion of (1) background check information; (2) past child protection information; (3) release of information authorizations, if necessary; (4) previous licensing history in this s…

(a) The department will conduct a physical inspection of the foster home upon each application and renewal to determine whether the home is maintained in a manner protective of life, health, safety, and welfare. (b) The applicant for a foster home license must allow access to eac…

(a) If, after evaluation and inspection, the department determines the applicant meets the requirements of AS 47.32, this chapter, and any other applicable statutes or regulations, the department will issue a provisional foster home license. (b) A provisional foster home license …

A licensee must provide advance notice to the department of the licensee's intent to relocate and must schedule an inspection not later than 30 days after the relocation. Following the inspection, the department may issue a license for the new location. Notes 7 AAC 67.041 Eff. 7/…

(a) The department may issue a provisional foster home license under emergency conditions to an applicant if a child must be placed immediately and the department determines that it is in the child's best interest to place the child in the applicant's home. (b) The department may…

(a) At least 90 days before expiration of a biennial license, a licensed foster home that intends to remain licensed shall submit an application for biennial licensure in accordance with 7 AAC 67.040. (b) If, after an assessment under 7 AAC 67.035 and inspection under 7 AAC 67.03…

(a) The department may investigate eomplaints alleging a violation of licensure. (b) Depending on the nature of the complaint, the department may assign a licensing specialist and a protective services specialist to investigate the complaint jointly. (c) The licensing specialist …

(a) Under AS 47.32.120, 47.32.130, and 47.32.140, the department may take an enforcement action based upon the result of an inspection or investigation. (b) Not later than 14 days after receiving notice under AS 47.32.140(b) from the department, the licensee must make the allegat…

(a) An applicant for a foster home license or a licensee may request a general variance under 7 AAC 10.9500 - 7 AAC 10.9535 from a requirement of this chapter. (b) An applicant for a foster home license or a licensee may request, with respect to a barrier crime or condition, a va…

(a) The department will create and maintain a file for each licensed foster home and establish policies for the safeguarding of these records. (b) Confidentiality and disclosure of the licensing file is governed by AS 47.32.180. (c) Unless otherwise provided by state or federal l…

(a) An individual who seeks or currently has a foster home license must (1) be of reputable character, exercise sound judgment, and demonstrate responsible, stable, law-abiding, and emotionally mature behavior; (2) be at least 21 years of age; (3) have a valid background check in…

(a) For the purpose of this section, an individual having regular contact with children in a foster home includes an alternate caregiver, a babysitter, and a household member. (b) An individual having regular contact with children in a foster home must(1) be of reputable characte…

(a) A foster parent shall use the reasonable and prudent parent standard when designating alternate caregivers and babysitters. (b) A foster parent shall designate an alternate caregiver when the foster parent will be away from the foster home for more than 24 hours, as follows: …