HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 82
(By Delegates Douglas, Leach, Hubbard and Compton)
[Introduced March 7, 2002; referred to the
Committee on Rules.]
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to conduct
a study of the current foster care system in West Virginia in
regards to adequacy of funding, in-state retention, private
and therapeutic foster care programs and per diem
reimbursement rates.
Whereas, It is in the best interests of the State to provide
for a strong foster care system to fulfill the treatment and
permanency needs of our most vulnerable children; and
Whereas, Currently, West Virginia's foster care system is
facing a crisis because of forced reductions in spending and
increases in out-of-state placements; and
Whereas, The number of youth in out-of-state placements has
increased substantially during the past year; and
Whereas, The therapeutic foster care reimbursement rate is
inadequate to assure the quantity or quality of foster care homes
to meet the needs of West Virginia's youth and children, particularly older youth with more challenging behaviors; and
Whereas, As a result of inadequate funding of foster care and
a decrease in both in-state bed capacity and utilization, youth
have "trickled up" in the system of care to higher level and more
costly types of care, including group residential care and
out-of-state placements; and
Whereas, Increasing the overall funding of foster care programs
and increasing the per diem rate for reimbursement could help
prevent a severe crisis in the programs that provide needed
placements out of the home; and
Whereas, Increasing the per diem rate for reimbursement should
also result in an increased bed capacity in the foster care arena
and an enhanced ability to recruit foster parents for youth with
more challenging behaviors and older adolescents in the juvenile
justice system; and
Whereas, An increased in-state bed capacity in therapeutic
foster care would allow children to be diverted from more expensive
group residential care, thus decreasing the need for many
out-of-state placements and providing for a source of revenue from
savings as an out-of-home care option; and
Whereas, A productive foster care system is not only an effective treatment for children at risk, it could save the State
millions while also providing the option for permanency or
adoption; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby
requested to study the current foster care system in West Virginia
in regards to adequate funding, in-state retention, private and
therapeutic foster care programs and per diem rates; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2003, on
its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts
of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations;
and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this
study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be
paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on
Government and Finance.