Approved means to be granted permission by a child placing agency, licensed by the department, to be a foster family or prospective adoptive family.

Certified means to be granted permission by the department to provide out-of-home care for a related child.

Child means any person under eighteen (18) years of age, except as otherwise specified, or any person under twenty-one (21) years of age who is in full time attendance in a secondary school, a technical school, a college or a state accredited job training program.

Child-placing agency means an agency, association, corporation, institution, society, or other public or private organization licensed by the department to place a child into temporary or permanent care in an out-of-home care provider family.

Emergency means any situation in which an immediate threat to the physical or emotional health or welfare of a child or children exists or is suspected.

Former legal guardian means the person who last had legal responsibility for the care and custody of a minor child prior to the current transfer of custody to the commissioner.

Foster family means an individual or family licensed, or certified, to provide out of home care, hereinafter referred to as a foster family, foster home or foster parent(s).

Independent evaluator means a social work professional who provides the hearing officer with a written report, and oral testimony if necessary, with respect to the best interests of the child on issues of permanency planning and future placement.

Licensed means to be granted a department permit, certificate, approval or other form of permission required under law.

Out of home care provider means a prospective adoptive family, foster family or permanent family residence providing board and care for a child, hereinafter referred to as an out of home care provider or provider.

Prospective adoptive family means an individual or family licensed for adoption placement, hereinafter referred to as a prospective adoptive family, prospective adoptive home or prospective adoptive parent(s).

Related means kinship by blood, marriage or adoption, descended from a common ancestor not more than three (3) generations removed from the child.

Removal hearing means an administrative proceeding conducted to determine if the removal of a child from an out of home care provider is in the child’s best interest.