THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

45

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006

  

STATE OF HAWAII

  
   

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

requesting the department of human services to convene a working group to determine the feasibility of implementing procedures for placING a child in temporary foster custody with kin or non-kin foster parents.

 

 

WHEREAS, foster custody places a very emotional and sometimes traumatic burden on children in the foster care system; and

WHEREAS, when a child is placed in a foster home, foster parents generally form a bond with the foster child, yet many foster children long to seek out their kin; and

WHEREAS, foster care is a very complex issue because many emotions for everyone are involved, and each situation is different, making the decision to place a child in a home a difficult one for social workers; and

WHEREAS, the best interests of a child should be paramount in determining the placement of a child in foster custody; and

WHEREAS, the House of Representatives' Committee on Human Services held a public hearing to discuss H.B. No. 1856, regarding the issue of placing a child with kin or non-kin foster caregivers; and

WHEREAS, compelling testimony was received with many viewpoints, all of which were valid and worthy of further discussion; and

WHEREAS, because many issues remain unresolved and difficult to determine because of the complexities and unique circumstances of each child's situation, more discussions with various stakeholders need to take place; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2006, that the Department of Human Services (DHS) is requested to convene a working group to determine the feasibility of implementing procedures for placing a child in temporary foster custody with kin or non-kin foster parents, including the possibility of a committee to make decisions on a case-by-case basis; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to discuss, among other things:

(1) Defining "attachment" as it pertains to the relationship between a foster child and a caregiver, and how attachment can be considered when determining placement of a child;

(2) Determining circumstances under which siblings may be separated, and finding solutions to keep siblings together whenever possible;

(3) Determining the length of time children should remain in the foster care system and finding solutions to minimize their time in the system, without jeopardizing the children's health or welfare; and

(4) Determining whether changes are needed to improve the present model of foster placement, or whether the methods of foster placement require further review and analysis;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DHS is requested to include in the working group, stakeholders, including but not limited to:

(1) The Office of Hawaiian Affairs;

(2) The Hawaii Foster Parent Association;

(3) The Hawaii Foster Youth Coalition;

(4) The Hawaii Youth Services Network;

(5) Native Hawaiian groups;

(6) Guardians ad litem;

(7) Social workers;

(8) Foster parents; and

(9) Foster children;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DHS is requested to submit a report to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2007; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Human Services, Executive Director of the Hawaii Foster Parent Association, President of the Hawaii Foster Youth Coalition, and Executive Director of Hawaii Youth Services Network.

 

 
 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Foster Children; Placement