Plain English Breakdown
The official summary contains the phrase 'statewide national average rate,' which is unclear; the rewrite assumes this refers to a comparison against the state's own data or averages, but the exact definition of the benchmark remains ambiguous in the provided text.
Foster Care Family Finding and Placement Rates
Starting in January 2027, this law requires counties to compare their rates of placing foster children with relatives against state averages and consult experts if their rates are lower.
What This Bill Does
- Requires each county to review public data comparing its placement rate for children with relatives against the statewide average starting January 1, 2027.
- Includes specific comparisons for Indian children based on federal placement preferences under the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978.
- Mandates that if a county's placement rate is lower than the state average, the county welfare director or their designee must consult with the Center for Excellence in Family Finding, Engagement, and Support to identify best practices.
Who It Names or Affects
- County social workers who investigate children taken into custody.
- The County Welfare Director or their designee responsible for placement decisions.
- Adult relatives of children removed from parental or guardian care.
- Indian custodians and families involved in the foster system under federal law.
Terms To Know
- Family finding
- The process required by existing law where social workers identify and locate adult relatives of a child removed from their parents or guardians within 30 days.
- Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978
- A federal law that sets specific placement preferences for Native American children, which this bill requires counties to consider when comparing data.
Limits and Unknowns
- The official text states no state reimbursement is required but does not specify the exact reason in the provided summary.
- The law identifies best practices that 'may be adopted' by the county, meaning counties are not forced to implement every suggestion found during consultation.