Prior to the execution of an annual agreement as required by Part 405 of this Title for the purchase of foster care services for children from an authorized agency as defined in section 371 of the Social Services Law, a social services district must have either received from the department an approved maximum State aid rate or a copy of the department's official rate promulgation letter from the authorized agency which sets forth the maximum State aid rate which the agency is authorized to receive.

Prior to the payment of a maintenance rate to approved schools for the handicapped, a social services district must have either received from the department notification of the approved State aid rate which can be paid to the school or a copy of the department's official rate promulgation letter from the school which sets forth the State aid rate which the school is authorized to receive pursuant to the Education Law.

Prior to the dates required by section 427.7 of this Part, a social services district that provides foster care of children directly shall: