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(1) A potential operator of a family child care home may obtain information about the registration or licensure process by contacting the Department’s regional child care licensing office. (2) A potential operator of a family child care home must attend orientation to obtain an application packet and instructions regarding the registration process. (3) The Department representative shall provide the applicant with the required number of forms, a copy of the current Suggested Standards and Regulations for Family Child Care Homes, a copy of Section 63–13–10 et. seq., Code of Laws of South Carolina, (Child Care Facilities Statute) and a copy of sections of the Children’s Code which are related to child abuse and neglect, with an explanation of procedures and information required by the Department. (4) The family child care home applicant shall have a working, listed telephone in the family child care home and shall make the telephone number available to parent(s)/guardian(s) of children enrolled in the family child care home and to Department staff. The telephone number must be listed in all appropriate directories to ensure emergency identification and response. (5) The applicant shall: (a) Complete, sign, and submit originals of the following forms: Application to Operate a Child Care Facility (DSS 2902), Original or Renewal of Registration of Family Child Care Home (DSS 2922), Household Member List (DSS 2927) and any additional forms required by the Department. (b) The operator, household members fifteen (15) years of age and older, substitute and regular caregivers, emergency persons, and staff who are regularly present during the hours of operation, and volunteers shall undergo a state fingerprint-based background check to be conducted by the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) to determine any state criminal history and a fingerprint- based background check to be conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to determine any other criminal history. (c) The fingerprint checks shall be repeated if a person is not employed by or does not provide caregiver services in a child care center, group childcare home, family child care home, church or religious center or child care provider that delivers services for which Child Care Development Fund financial assistance is provided for six (6) months or longer. (d) The results of the fingerprint-based background checks shall be repeated every five (5) years. (e) The person shall be subject to a state sex offender check which includes a check of the National Sex Offender Registry. An original DSS 2924, Central Registry for Release of Information and Compliance Statement on the operator, household members eighteen (18) years of age or older, substitute and regular caregivers, emergency persons, and staff who are regularly present during the hours of operation, and volunteers along with the appropriate fee for South Carolina and paid for each state where such staff or household member resided during the preceding five years. (f) Submit three (3) original DSS 2908, Child Care Reference Release Statements completed by the person to be used as a reference. Persons providing references must be unrelated by blood or marriage to the applicant. (g) Read the Suggested Standards For Family Day Care Homes. (h) Furnish or review with parent(s)/guardian(s) of each child to be enrolled in the family child care home, a copy of the Suggested Standards. (i) Secure a signed statement from each parent/guardian verifying that they have reviewed the Suggested Standards. (j) Send required copies of completed and signed applications, required information regarding references and all signed statements from parent(s)/guardian(s) to Department staff. (k) Submit an original zoning approval letter from the city or county zoning office. (6) Department staff shall: (a) Prior to issuing a registration, offer consultation through employed staff or other qualified persons to assist an applicant in meeting and maintaining suggested standards for family child care homes;