Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Human Services & Early Learning Committee |
HB 2725
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Renaming foster resource parents.
Sponsors: Representatives Ortiz-Self, Morgan, Frame, Kilduff, Lovick, Callan and Leavitt.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/29/20
Staff: Luke Wickham (786-7146).
Background:
Foster Parent Licensure.
Anyone, including the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), may file a petition in court alleging that a child should be a dependent of the state due to abuse, neglect, or because there is no parent, guardian, or custodian capable of adequately caring for the child.
When a child is taken into custody, the court is to hold a shelter care hearing within 72 hours to to determine whether the child can be immediately and safely returned home while the dependency case is being resolved.
When the child is placed in out-of-home care pursuant to a dependency court process, the child may be placed with relatives or in foster care. Foster parents are licensed by the DCYF to provide 24-hour temporary care to children placed in out-of-home care.
Individuals can apply for a foster parent license directly to the DCYF or through a child-placing agency (CPA). The CPAs are licensed by the DCYF and can certify that an individual meets the foster licensing requirements before the application is sent to the DCYF. The CPAs also provide ongoing case management to foster families.
To receive a foster parent license, an individual must:
be age 21 or older,
complete, along with individuals age 18 or older in the household:
first aid training;
age-appropriate adult and/or infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation;
human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; and
blood borne pathogens training;
pass, along with certain household members, a background check;
submit, along with individuals 18 or older in the household, a negative tuberculosis test or an X-ray;
submit proof of current immunization status for any children living on the premises, not in out-of-home care;
to serve foster children under the age of two, proof of pertussis and influenza immunizations for all people living in your home;
pass an assessment of your ability to provide a safe home and to provide the quality of care needed by children placed in your home; and
complete training requirements.
Foster Parent Preservice Training.
An individual must complete certain training requirements before becoming a licensed foster parent.
The first preservice training requirement for foster parents is an orientation. The orientation provides an overview of the licensure process. Individuals are encouraged to attend this orientation in person but can complete an online orientation.
Following the orientation, individuals must complete 24 hours of core preservice training. The Alliance for Child Welfare Excellence provides this training. This training consists of eight three-hour sessions and a break for a field experience. All components of the foster parent preservice training must by made available online.
The DCYF must allow individuals to complete as much online preservice training as is practicable while requiring that some preservice training be completed in person.
Prospective foster parents must also complete a first aid/CPR and blood borne pathogens course.
All licensed family foster homes are required to complete ongoing training during each three-year licensing period.
Summary of Bill:
The term "foster parent" is replaced with the term "foster resource parent."
The foster parent preservice training is prohibited from including formal training regarding foster resource parenting as a process that could lead to the adoption of the foster child. This preservice training is not required to include information regarding the limits of the adoption support program.
The foster resource parent preservice training must demonstrate that foster resource parenting is temporary in nature with the goal of maintaining the safety of the foster child and promoting reunification with the foster child's birth parent or parents.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 21, 2020.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.