S H&HR SCR ORG1 2-20

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 49

(By Senators Stollings, Laird, Kirkendoll, Plymale, Tucker, Boley, Cole, M. Hall and Walters)

[Originating in the Committee on Health and Human Resources]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance authorize the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources Accountability to study the responsibilities for the protection and care of children as well as implementing a standardized comprehensive universal assessment tool that assesses the needs and strengths of children as well as their caregivers as the accepted system for outcomes evaluation in the State of West Virginia.

    Whereas, Children are some of the most vulnerable citizens and are the future generations of West Virginians and they deserve the best care the state can provide; and

    Whereas, The Department of Health and Human Resources would benefit from adopting a comprehensive universal assessment tool that would be used for total clinical outcomes management providing greater care of children in the foster care system; and

    Whereas, The National Governor’s Association selected West Virginia as one of the seven states to participate in the Three Branch Institute on Child Social and Emotional Well-Being; and

    Whereas, One of the expected outcomes of the Three Branch Institute is an assessment tool with the goal of creating a more comprehensive approach to providing child welfare services in West Virginia; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia: 

    That the Legislature hereby requests the Joint Committee on Government and Finance authorize the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources Accountability to study the responsibilities for the protection and care of children as well as implementing a standardized comprehensive universal assessment tool that assesses the needs and strengths of children as well as their caregivers as the accepted system for outcomes evaluation in the State of West Virginia; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources Accountability is requested to study responsibilities for the protection and care of children as well as implementing a standardized comprehensive universal assessment tool; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources Accountability is requested to assess the findings of the Three Branch Institute and to study these recommendations with a goal toward creating a universal comprehensive assessment tool for child welfare; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources Accountability report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2015, 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.