(1) Foster care providers are responsible for:

(a) Protecting and nurturing children in a safe, healthy environment that provides positive support and supervision for the child in care;

(b) Taking the child to a physician or nurse practitioner to complete an EPSDT (early and periodic screening, diagnosis and treatment) examination. EPSDT exams must be scheduled within one month of initial placement and annually thereafter.

(c) Reporting to the social worker the fact that an EPSDT examination took place and if the examination showed that further treatment is needed.

(d) Observing and sharing information about the child's behavior, school and medical status, response to parental visits, and the child's growth and development with persons designated by the assigned CA social worker (see chapter 388-148 WAC).

(e) Meeting the developmental needs of the child by:

(i) Teaching age appropriate skills;

(ii) Supporting cultural identity;

(iii) Helping the child attach to caring adults;

(iv) Building self esteem;

(v) Encouraging and modeling positive social relationships and responsibilities;

(vi) Supporting intellectual and educational growth;

(f) Supporting the permanent plan for the child;

(g) Participating as a member of the child's treatment team by taking part in the development of the service plan for the child and providing relevant information about the child's progress for court hearings;

(h) Providing assistance to the social worker, when working with the biological parents is part of the service plan, by assisting in family visitation and modeling effective parenting behavior for the family.

(2) Therapeutic foster care and rehabilitative service providers are responsible for additional therapeutic services as defined in their service agreements or contracts with the department.