SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 58

(By Senators Prezioso, Redd, Wooton, Plymale, Unger, Oliverio, Rowe, Helmick, Fanning, Edgell, Kessler, Minard, Anderson, McCabe, Bowman, Bailey, Jackson, Sharpe, Ross, Caldwell, Hunter, McKenzie, Minear and Burnette)


Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the current foster care system in West Virginia in regard 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 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 ensure the quantity or quality of foster care homes meet the needs of West Virginia's youth and children, particularly older youth with more challenging needs; 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 levels 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 would result in an increased bed capacity in the foster care arena and an enhanced ability to recruit foster parents for youth with more challenging needs 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 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 also save the state millions of dollars 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 regard 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.