As Introduced: The bill required the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to apply for a Title IV- E Waiver by January 1, 2013. DHHS would also have reported on the progress of its application to the Legislature by September 15, 2012.
As Amended: The bill does four things:
- It creates a Title IV-E Demonstration Project (Waiver) Committee with members appointed by the Director of the Division of Children and Family Services tasked with making recommendations and progress reports to the HHS Committee of the Legislature with a final report issued by December 15, 2012.The Committee will report to the Children’s Commission. DHHS must apply for a waiver by September 30, 2013.
- It creates a Foster Care Reimbursement Rate Committee to develop a statewide standard rate for foster parents, with adjustments for specific levels of care, based on the MARC study. The CEO of DHHS will appoint members and will issue a final report by December 15, 2012.
- All foster homes, including relative and child-specific placements will receive an additional stipend of $3.10 per day per child from July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013.
- Child-specific placements are limited to those related to children by blood, marriage, or adoption. All other foster homes must be licensed or have a provisional license.
Introducing Senator: Health and Human Services Committee (Campbell, Gloor, Cook, Bloomfield, Howard, Krist, Lambert), Nordquist, McGill – Campbell Priority Bill
Committee: Health and Human Services
Committee Hearing Date: January 20, 2012
Current Status: Signed by Governor, April 11, 2012
Estimated Fiscal Impact: The bill will cost an estimated $3,161,591 from the General Fund and $250,794 in Federal Funds during FY2012. Additional funds will be necessary for evaluation of the Title IV-E Waiver if it is approved.
Voices for Children’s Position: Support bill (see our testimony here), Neutral with concerns on child specific placements (see our testimony here).
