Sec.19a-87b-6. Qualifications of the Applicant and Provider

(a) Awareness of Regulations

The applicant or provider shall have a copy of sections 19a-87b-1 to 19a-87b-18, inclusive, of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies at the family child care home and shall have read and understood the family child care standards set forth in sections 19a-87b-1 to 19a-87b-18, inclusive, of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

(b) Health

The applicant and provider shall be physically, emotionally and mentally able to handle child care responsibilities and emergencies and shall be free from any mental, emotional or physical health problems which may impair such ability or otherwise adversely affect the children in care. In order to enable the commissioner to determine, in accordance with applicable state and federal laws, that the provider meets these requirements, the following shall be provided upon request:

(1) Medical Statements

The applicant shall furnish, at the time of initial application, a medical statement signed by a physician, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse within the past twelve months, documenting the presence of any known medical or emotional illness or disorder that would currently pose a risk to children in care or would currently interfere with or jeopardize the applicant’s ability to render proper care for children. Thereafter, the provider shall maintain such medical statement at the family child care home. Such medical statement shall be signed within the past thirty-six months, or at any time upon the request of the commissioner, and made available for review upon request of the Office.

(2) Medical Records

The applicant and provider shall supply to the commissioner on request any medical records regarding such applicant or provider’s physical, emotional or mental health. The applicant and provider shall execute a release authorizing access to such applicant or provider’s medical records upon request of the commissioner when the commissioner deems the applicant or provider’s medical history may reveal a risk to children in care.

(3) Medication

At the commissioner’s request the applicant and provider shall furnish information and shall supply or authorize the release of medical records regarding any medication being used by the applicant or provider.

(c) Training Requirements

(1) Any application for licensure submitted to the Office shall, before final approval of the application is given, include verification of the applicant’s current certification in first aid by the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, the National Safety Council, American Safety and Health Institute, or Medic First Aid International, Inc. or a current certification based on a first aid course approved on or before March 17, 2018 by the Office under section 19a-79-4a(e) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

Any such application shall also include verification of the applicant’s current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation in accordance with section 19a-79 of the Connecticut General Statutes, appropriate for all of the children served at the family child care home. Such first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation certifications shall be based on a hands-on demonstration of the applicant’s ability to provide first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

(2) Thereafter, the provider shall maintain verification of current certification in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation as described in subdivision (1) of this subsection and written verification of such training shall be kept on file at the family child care home.

(d) References

The applicant shall submit at least three current references from individuals who have known the applicant for at least three years. The references shall indicate the applicant’s interest in, and affection for children, their understanding of children’s developmental needs, good judgment about supervision and safety for children, personal competence, emotional stability and dependability. Only one reference may be from a person related to the applicant by blood or marriage. The commissioner may request additional references as needed to verify continuing compliance with sections 19a-87b-1 to 19a-87b-18, inclusive, of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies during the license period.

(e) Judgment

The applicant and provider shall demonstrate the personal qualities appropriate for working and communicating with children, their families and other adults. The commissioner shall review all application materials, personal references, medical records, criminal records, sex offender registry records and Department of Children and Families records submitted on an applicant and provider to determine if he or she has an interest in and liking for children, understanding of children and their developmental needs, good judgment about supervision and safety for children, personal competence, emotional stability and dependability. Such review shall be conducted in accordance with applicable state and federal laws. Suitability shall also be determined from a review of any inspection(s), complaint investigations, law enforcement or protective services records and any other relevant material obtained by the Office.

The applicant and provider shall not knowingly furnish any false documents or make any false or misleading statements to the Office in order to obtain or retain the license.

(Effective September 1, 1993; Amended August 8, 1995; Transferred January 29, 1996; Amended June 4, 1999; Amended March 19, 2021)