Pennsylvania
Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 5:53 pm
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http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/site/ne ... 6046&rfi=6
State: Expand foster parent rights
BY ROBERT SWIFT
HARRISBURG BUREAU CHIEF
11/15/2007
HARRISBURG — The state public welfare secretary called on senators Wednesday to pass a Scranton area lawmaker’s bill to expand the rights of foster parents.
The measure, by Rep. Frank Andrews Shimkus, D-South Abington Township, would give foster parents a voice in court decisions about the future of children in their care. The House passed the bill last month.
In a wide-ranging hearing on foster care reform before a Senate Democratic policy committee, DPW Secretary Estelle Richman cited the bill as one of the agency’s legislative priorities.
“These individuals are caring for children around the clock and may be the persons who best know the child,” said Ms. Richman. “We need to listen to these caregivers as we make decisions related to these children.”
Later, Mr. Shimkus said he is optimistic the Senate will act on the bill. He sponsored the bill after meeting Carol and Tom Oleski, two veteran foster parents in Lackawanna County. They told Mr. Shimkus that it’s frustrating for foster parents not to be consulted during permanency hearings for children under their care. His bill would require county children and youth agencies to notify foster parents of their right to submit a confidential report to the court.
Ms. Richman and Sen. Leanna Washington, D-Philadelphia, discussed a related issue involving foster parents in arranging independent living situations for foster children.
“I think the foster parent should be more involved in independent living, and they are not,” said Ms. Washington.
Sometimes, regulations stand in the way of that involvement, Ms. Richman added.
A major focus of hearing testimony was on shortening the amount of time children spend in foster care.
Ms. Richman said her agency is making an effort to return children to their homes from foster care placements within 12 months. If a child cannot be returned home because of the domestic situation, DPW has set a goal of having a permanency hearing within two years of removal from their home.
Generally speaking, children are entering the foster care system in Pennsylvania too young and staying too long, said Dr. Richard Gelles, a University of Pennsylvania dean.
Statewide, the median length of time children are in foster care is 14 months. According to a committee document, the median stay is 12 months in Lackawanna County, 16 months in Luzerne County, 17 months in Schuylkill County, nine months in Northumberland County, seven months in Pike County, 18 months in Wayne County, 10 months in Wyoming County and 13 months in Bradford County.
Dr. Gelles said state officials can do more to help place foster children with adoptive parents. Once a child has been in foster care more than four years, it’s not likely he or she will be adopted, he added.
“To me, a child who is 18 and leaves the child welfare system without an education or job is a tragedy,” he said.
Contact the writer: [email protected]
.
http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/site/ne ... 6046&rfi=6
State: Expand foster parent rights
BY ROBERT SWIFT
HARRISBURG BUREAU CHIEF
11/15/2007
HARRISBURG — The state public welfare secretary called on senators Wednesday to pass a Scranton area lawmaker’s bill to expand the rights of foster parents.
The measure, by Rep. Frank Andrews Shimkus, D-South Abington Township, would give foster parents a voice in court decisions about the future of children in their care. The House passed the bill last month.
In a wide-ranging hearing on foster care reform before a Senate Democratic policy committee, DPW Secretary Estelle Richman cited the bill as one of the agency’s legislative priorities.
“These individuals are caring for children around the clock and may be the persons who best know the child,” said Ms. Richman. “We need to listen to these caregivers as we make decisions related to these children.”
Later, Mr. Shimkus said he is optimistic the Senate will act on the bill. He sponsored the bill after meeting Carol and Tom Oleski, two veteran foster parents in Lackawanna County. They told Mr. Shimkus that it’s frustrating for foster parents not to be consulted during permanency hearings for children under their care. His bill would require county children and youth agencies to notify foster parents of their right to submit a confidential report to the court.
Ms. Richman and Sen. Leanna Washington, D-Philadelphia, discussed a related issue involving foster parents in arranging independent living situations for foster children.
“I think the foster parent should be more involved in independent living, and they are not,” said Ms. Washington.
Sometimes, regulations stand in the way of that involvement, Ms. Richman added.
A major focus of hearing testimony was on shortening the amount of time children spend in foster care.
Ms. Richman said her agency is making an effort to return children to their homes from foster care placements within 12 months. If a child cannot be returned home because of the domestic situation, DPW has set a goal of having a permanency hearing within two years of removal from their home.
Generally speaking, children are entering the foster care system in Pennsylvania too young and staying too long, said Dr. Richard Gelles, a University of Pennsylvania dean.
Statewide, the median length of time children are in foster care is 14 months. According to a committee document, the median stay is 12 months in Lackawanna County, 16 months in Luzerne County, 17 months in Schuylkill County, nine months in Northumberland County, seven months in Pike County, 18 months in Wayne County, 10 months in Wyoming County and 13 months in Bradford County.
Dr. Gelles said state officials can do more to help place foster children with adoptive parents. Once a child has been in foster care more than four years, it’s not likely he or she will be adopted, he added.
“To me, a child who is 18 and leaves the child welfare system without an education or job is a tragedy,” he said.
Contact the writer: [email protected]
.