BILL REQ. #:  S-4915.2 

READ FIRST TIME 02/03/06.   

     AN ACT Relating to establishing a foster parent critical support and retention program; creating new sections; and making an appropriation.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A foster parent critical support and retention program is established to retain foster parents who care for sexually aggressive youth, physically assaultive children, or children with other high-risk behaviors. The foster parent critical support and retention program is to be implemented under the division of children and family services' contract and supervision. A contractor must demonstrate experience providing in-home case management to foster homes that are licensed through the division of children and family services.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   Under the foster parent critical support and retention program, foster parents who care for sexually aggressive youth, physically assaultive children, or children with other high-risk behaviors shall receive:
     (1) Twenty-four/seven emergency assistance;
     (2) Assessment of risk and development of a safety and supervision plan;
     (3) Home-based foster parent training utilizing evidence-based models;
     (4) Ongoing support groups; and
     (5) Referral to community services.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   The sum of two hundred seventy-five thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007, from the general fund to the division of children and family services for direct services for the purposes of this act.