In the Matter of MH, FH# 2017-0460

Reversed - DCF did not have reasonable cause to deny the Appellant's kinship foster care license. In reaching the decision that the Appellant failed to meet licensing standards, the Department relied on statements from one of the four children in the Appellant'a care (J) as well as statements from the children's' biological mother claiming that the Appellant had allowed unsupervised contact with the children by unapproved caretakers. DCF did not independently verify these statements. Other than DCF's concern that the Appellant had allowed unsupervised contact by unapproved caretakers, there were no concerns over the Appellant's ability to meet the needs of the children and the children were reported to be loved, happy, and making positive gains while in the Appellant's care.