We’ve talked much about the issue of needing intensive services for children with complex needs, especially those in or in danger of entering the foster care system. In North Carolina, where over 50 children each week can be found living in hospital emergency departments and county department of social services offices across the state, the Legislature is considering a bill that would create a statewide, capitated managed care program specifically targeted at children and youth involved with the child welfare system. Services would include intensive in-home services, Multisystemic therapy, Residential treatment services, and Services provided in private residential treatment facilities. The plan has ruffled feathers among some current providers.
Of course, children with severe behavioral health issues stuck in emergency rooms isn’t an issue confined to North Carolina. Here’s the latest from Washington State.
In an op-ed for The Hill, Sean Hughes and Naomi Schaefer Riley review the success, or lack thereof, of the Family First Prevention Services Act on its fifth anniversary. The article points out one of my concerns, which is that the law’s provision for residential treatment facilities conflicts with Medicaid’s prohibition on such facilities.
Mississippi’s Governor is expected to sign into law bills that recently passed teh Legislature and that will make child protective services an independent state agency, streamline adoptions, and clear a pathway for guardianship in the court system.
“We don’t have an Office of Child Advocate. We have a child advocate doing everything she can to create an office,” says Pennsylvania’s Child Advocate.
Has your church, synagogue, or mosque considered starting a foster care support ministry? It’s a great way to introduce your congregants to the needs of children in care and foster parents, and even better you can meet material needs and prevent foster parent burnout. If you’re interested in doing so, I know some folks who can help.
Good piece on the challenges children with mental health issues face in Wisconsin.
If the Iowa Senate has its way, 16- and 17-year olds can get jobs as bartenders!
Rhode Island has a new child welfare leader in Ashley Deckert. If confirmed, she will replace Kevin Aucoin, who has served as Interim Director since 2019.
This USA Today article summarizes work being done by various state legislatures to create state-based protections for Native American children in light of the Supreme Court’s impending ICWA decision in a case challenging the constitutionality of that law.
Interesting piece on racial discrimination in child placement in North Carolina.
California’s Legislature is pushing back against the time limits of the Adoption and Safe Families Act.
This article from Florida suggests child protective services turnover rates are especially high.
Finally, more from Judge Jack in the ongoing saga over the Texas child welfare reform litigation.
Thanks for your patronage! If you’ve not done so, please share this newsletter with your colleagues and consider becoming a paid subscriber!