Page 1515

(a) In addition to the base rate under 7 AAC 53.030 and subject to appropriation, the department may approve difficulty-of-care augmented rates for a child, if after assessment the department determines that the child’s needs are at a level that exceeds the basic care provided in a licensed foster home. (b) A request for a difficulty-of-care augmented rate assessment must be made in writing and submitted

(1) by the child’s department placement worker; or

(2) to the child’s department placement worker by the child’s

(A) parent;

(B) current foster parent;

(C) attorney; or

(D) guardian ad litem. (c) Once requested and after assessment, the department will determine the child’s eligibility for a difficulty-of-care augmented rate based on the child’s current needs. The department will notify the foster parent of the child’s eligibility for and the department’s determination of a difficulty-of-care augmented rate for the child. (d) If approved, the department will reassess difficulty-of-care augmented rates in this section at least every six months, and will compute the necessary rate change. Children in care are expected to improve with the provision of foster care services, and the department may reduce rates as appropriate. If the department determines that a rate reduction is appropriate, the department will provide notice to the foster parents when the reduction is effective. (e) A foster parent has the right to request a review under 7 AAC 54.500 or an evidentiary hearing under 7 AAC 54.510 to review a decision not to approve or a decision to reduce or terminate difficulty-of-care augmented rates under this section. (f) Upon application or referral, the department will determine the difficulty-of-care augmented rate as follows:

(1) for children in the custody of the department who are receiving services from the departmental office that oversees children’s services under AS 47.10, that office shall conduct an assessment that determines the child's needs in the foster care placement and the role and level of responsibility of the foster parent in meeting the child’s existing needs; the office shall conduct the assessment using the Augmented Care Worksheet in the Office of Children’s Services Child Protection Services (CPS) Policy Manual, Chapter 6. Administration, Section 6.2.2.2.A. Difficulty of Care Augmented Rates, revised as of July 1, 2022, and adopted by reference; if the assessment score documents that the child’s needs are at a level that exceeds the basic care provided in a licensed foster home, the office shall calculate an additional rate as follows: