30:4C-27.5 - Definitions relative to resource family care

30:4C-27.5  Definitions relative to resource family care.
3.As used in this act:

"Child" means a person who:  is either under the age of 18 or meets the criteria set forth in subsection f. of section 2 of P.L.1972, c.81 (C.9:17B-2); and is under the care or custody of the division or another public or private agency authorized to place children in New Jersey.

"Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Children and Families.

"Department" means the Department of Children and Families.

"Division" means the Division of Youth and Family Services in the Department of Children and Families.

"Resource family home" or "home" means a private residence, other than a children's group home or shelter home, in which board, lodging, care and temporary out-of-home placement services are provided by a resource family parent on a 24-hour basis to a child under the auspices of the division or any public or private agency authorized to place children in New Jersey.

"Resource family parent" means a person who has been licensed pursuant to this act to provide resource family care to five or fewer children, including a child who has been placed by the division with the person for the purpose of adoption, except that the department may license a resource family parent to provide care for more than five children, if necessary, to keep sibling groups intact or to serve the best interests of the children in the home.

"License" means a document issued by the department to a person who meets the requirements of this act to provide resource family care to children in the person's home.

L.2001, c.419, s.3; amended 2004, c.130, s.72; 2005, c.169, s.11; 2006, c.47, s.138.