.14 Resource Parent Training.

A. Pre-service Training. A local department shall provide or arrange for a minimum of 27 hours of pre-service training during the recruitment and mutual selection process of resource parents before formal approval of a home and before placing a child in the home. This training includes the following:

(1) Role and relationships in foster care between local department personnel, the resource parent, the child's birth parent, and the child;

(2) Separation anxiety and the importance of the child's family and the child's communication with them;

(3) Developmental needs of children in care;

(4) Special needs children;

(5) Awareness of cultural and religious differences;

(6) Child management and discipline techniques;

(7) Child abuse and neglect;

(8) Supportive services available in the community for children and resource parents.

(9) Self-awareness;

(10) Communication skills; and

(11) Problem solving.

B. Continuing Training.

(1) A local department shall provide or arrange continuing training for resource parents.

(2) Resource parents shall acquire a minimum of 10 hours of training a year as approved by the Administration, including two hours of training in behavior management every other year.

(3) The training shall consist of continuing work on the areas listed in §A of this regulation for the pre-service training and any additional topics as needed.