The number of foster children being placed with relatives in Illinois has been steadily climbing over the last decade. The passage of a new state law is expected to fuel the trend. Under the Fictive Kin Law, passed in 2015, Illinois expanded the definition of family to include individuals unrelated by birth or marriage who have developed close ties to the child or the child’s family. Those individuals include close family friends, godparents, step-relatives, or a relative’s spouse or partner from a civil union. In Illinois, relatives and fictive kin are not required to be licensed — and few of them are. That trend has implications for the amount of financial assistance the families get.
What is FCA? |
Child Advocacy Blog |
Search |
|
Archive for the ‘Foster Care’ CategoryOregon Capital Chronicle: Oregon DHS and Disability Rights Oregon settle long-running class-action foster care lawsuitAs reported by the Oregon Capital Chronicle, the Oregon Department of Human Services has agreed to a settlement in a class action lawsuit filed on behalf of the state’s foster children. The agreement, which ends five years of litigation, will hold the state agency more accountable for improving the Oregon child welfare system. Gov. DeSantis Signs Bill to Close Support Gap for Foster Youth in Transition to AdulthoodMay 6th, 2024
 No Comments  Florida Youth Shine, Florida's Children First, Foster Care, Legislative & Regulatory IssuesA new Florida law will provide youth in Florida’s foster care system with more support as they become adults. This legislation makes an existing Independent Living support called Aftercare Services available to a population of youth who were placed with relatives, non-relatives, or adopted as a teen. Previously, they were not able to access the vital programs and assistance they needed to thrive when they transitioned to independence at 18. These services include mentoring, tutoring, mental health services, substance abuse counseling, job and career skills training, parenting classes, emergency financial assistance, financial literacy training, and more. WFTS: Citrus County taking over investigation of foster care abuse allegationsAs reported by ABC Action News, a group of individuals is accusing their former foster parents, Jacklyn and Jerold Logemann, of abuse. After nine kids in foster care were removed from their home, a criminal investigation was launched regarding allegations from former foster kids and the current living conditions at the home, according to police records. State Senator’s Legislation Reinforcing DCFS’ Permanency Goals to Protect Child Welfare Passes the SenateJuly 5th, 2023
No Comments Foster Care, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Legislative & Regulatory IssuesRecently introduced House Bill 3705 amends the Illinois’ Children and Family Services Act to reinforce the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services’ (DCFS) duty to children in foster care as well as its responsibility for placing youth in permanent family homes through guardianship or adoption (as opposed to adoptive homes) when restoration to the biological family is not safe, possible or otherwise appropriate. Proper placements are crucial in preventing foster child abuse, child sexual abuse, and child neglect. Holly Hill man accused of repeatedly abusing foster children to remain in jail, judge rulesA Holly Hill man accused of repeatedly abusing at least four foster children will remain in jail without bond, a judge ruled on Monday. Lawrence Henry Williams, 50, was arrested last week on one count of sexual battery and one count of lewd and lascivious molestation. According to the state attorney’s office, he was “mistakenly issued a bond contrary to the law and the no bond mandate on the arrest warrant.” Tallahassee Democrat: Frustrated foster parents support attorneys for childrenAs foster parents licensed by Florida’s Department of Children and Families, my wife and I are directly responsible for meeting critical day-to-day needs of the children in our home. Whether it is getting a child to necessary medical or therapeutic specialists, finding the most appropriate school, or advocating for educational supports. Florida’s Children First Celebrates 20th AnniversaryTwenty years ago, child advocates from across the state who were individually working on issues affecting Florida’s most vulnerable children came together with the idea that we could collectively make a greater impact. We ran the gamut in perspective — coming from private practice, businesses, law school clinics, and legal aid organizations —but we were united in our mission to achieve greater reform in the systems that affect children. Our vision in founding Florida’s Children First was to use a broad range of advocacy strategies to improve the lives of children served by the state. We believed that the effective implementation of public policy could lead to improve the lives and outcomes for children throughout our state. Twenty years later, I can say proudly that we have made great strides – but our work is far from over. We worked hard to increase the number of children in state care who have their own attorneys, and to improve the quality of representation provided by all attorneys in the system. We’re also a leader in training all child welfare stakeholders on the laws that are intended to protect and benefit children. But we don’t just educate people about the law, we help make the law better for children. Tampa Bay Times: Pinellas sheriff blasted foster agency, but his investigators removed children at a higher rate than any other countyAs reported by the Tampa Bay Times, Pinellas Sheriff Bob Gualtieri in November announced a criminal investigation into Eckerd Connects after a child was injured and another overdosed at an unlicensed Largo office where foster children that the agency could not place slept in “deplorable conditions.” Nearly 1,000 foster care kids missing in Missouri according to reportAccording to Missouri TV station KY3, a case study by the U.S. Inspector General’s Office shows that nearly 1,000 foster kids went missing from the foster care system in 2019 from that state. The inspector’s report noted that foster children are at a higher risk of being reported missing. What’s even more sad is that of these missing foster children cases, sex trafficking plays a large role. HANDY & Justice For Kids®are Partnering to Present “Finding Family & Friends As An Out Of Home Placement” Virtual Webinar On Wednesday, November 17Webinar Series will Educate Youth in the Foster Care System about their Rights WHAT: HANDY (Helping Abused Neglected Disadvantaged Youth) and Justice for Kids®, a Division of Kelley Kronenberg, proudly present “Finding Family & Friends as an Out of Home Placement,” a virtual webinar to educate youth in the foster care system about their rights. Multiple episodes will be held throughout 2021 and 2022. Florida DCF confirmed flaws with the handling of child abuse complaints concerning foster parents following USA TODAY storySeveral tragic cases of Justice for Kids Partner Stacie Schmerling were recently featured in USA Today concerning the failures of the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to investigate and respond to credible complaints against foster care providers to ensure children are safe. |
|