HCS SB 323 -- COMMUNITY CHILDREN'S SERVICES FUND AND FOSTER
PARENTS' BILL OF RIGHTS

SPONSOR:  Graham (Baker, 25)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Special Committee on
Family Services by a vote of 9 to 0.

This substitute changes the laws regarding the Community
Children's Services Fund and the Foster Parent's Bill of Rights.

COMMUNITY CHILDREN'S SERVICES FUND

A nine-member board of directors, chosen by the governing county
officials, must be appointed prior to the establishment of a tax
for the Community Children's Services Fund.  The board is allowed
to contract for services, actions, or endeavors necessary to
fulfill its required duties.  Currently, the board members are
appointed after the tax is approved by the voters.

FOSTER PARENTS' BILL OF RIGHTS

The substitute requires the Children's Division within the
Department of Social Services and its contractors to:

(1)  Treat foster parents in accordance with the ethical
standards established in the Social Workers' Ethical
Responsibilities to Colleagues, within their code of ethics, so
that they are recognized as part of a child welfare team and not
as clients;

(2)  Give foster parents written notification of the Foster
Parents' Bill of Rights when initially licensed or at the time of
renewal;

(3)  Schedule regular opportunities for foster parent training;

(4)  Give foster parents and potential adoptive parents all
pertinent information, including medical records, placements,
behaviors, family history, and reports of abuse regarding a child
to protect the foster or adoptive family;

(5)  Inform foster parents in a timely manner of all team
meetings regarding licensure status or children placed in their
home;

(6)  Define the procedures that foster parents must follow for
children using respite care;

(7)  Allow foster parents to share with practitioners and school
personnel medical information that is necessary to make safe and
appropriate decisions regarding the care for the physical health
and educational needs of the child;

(8)  Schedule visits at a time that is convenient for all parties
involved;

(9)  Provide foster parents with training that addresses:

(a)  Cultural competence issues such as physical appearance,
religious and cultural practices, and community resources that
can provide additional training; and

(b)  Policies and procedures for licensing, foster care
regulations, and the adoption process;

(10)  Give foster parents first consideration when placing a
child who is not placed with a relative;

(11)  Allow fair and impartial time for foster parents to address
licensure, case management decisions, and delivery of services
issues; and

(12)  Provide written documentation of the division's policies to
foster parents upon their request.

Foster parents will be required to:

(1)  Follow the discipline polices of the division;

(2)  Give two weeks' notice when requesting the removal of a
child;

(3)  Notify the caseworker within 60 days after being informed of
an adoption inquiry if they would like to adopt a foster child;
and

(4)  Be given at least two weeks' notice by the courts before any
court hearing regarding the child in their care.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2008, FY 2009, and
FY 2010.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill does not introduce a
new tax, but rather ensures that voters know who the board
members are before voting on the tax for the Community Children's
Services Fund.   The bill is important because by creating the
board, it can access federal, state, and private funding.

Testifying for the bill were Senator Graham; and Wes Wagner,
Boone County Family Services.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated July 25, 2007 at 11:22 am