HB 3085-S2 - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

Establishes as the policy of the state of Washington to encourage and support meaningful family involvement in the decision making related to planning for children involved in the child welfare system, in those instances where family is available and family involvement is in the best interest of the child.

Provides that, by January 1, 2005, the department shall: (1) Consider options for the use of family decision meetings in cases in which a child is involved in the child welfare system;

(2) Develop strategies for implementing a policy of meaningful family involvement throughout the state within existing resources; and

(3) Present implementation recommendations to the appropriate committees of the legislature regarding this act.

Declares that, for the purposes of this act, "family decision meeting" means a family-focused intervention facilitated by dedicated professional staff that is designed to build and strengthen the natural caregiving system for the child. Family decision meetings may include, but are not limited to, family group conferences, family mediation, family support meetings, or other professionally recognized interventions that include extended family and rely upon the family to make shared decisions about planning for its children. The purpose of the family decision meeting is to establish a plan that provides for the safety and permanency needs of the child.