New Checks for Foster Homes

San Diego County social workers, who have sometimes relied on an honor system regarding foster care placements, will now be required to check stipulations and terms of foster care licenses because of the Mara Grimes case.

Authorities discovered that Grimes was housing four foster children when Frank Martinez, an infant foster child in her care, died in a van outside her home June 30. But Grimes was licensed for only three children.

Grimes received a request June 12 from the Hillcrest Receiving Home to take in a fourth child on an emergency basis. Grimes, who had been seeking a license for a fourth child, took in the emotionally fragile child, interpreting the offer as an indication that approval of a capacity increase was forthcoming.

Ivory Johnson, deputy director for children’s services at the county Department of Social Services, acknowledged that social workers sometimes have not verified such licensing information, especially when placing children in homes after working hours or on weekends.

Under a new policy resulting from the Grimes case, however, they will be required to check the licensing terms of any home receiving a foster child at any time, Johnson said.