In 2021 Safe Passage helped pass legislation that lowered legal barriers to becoming a foster parent. We successfully advocated to include statewide mandatory licensing standards in the bill. The process of developing these standards is underway and they will be implemented next July.
The new process will assess candidates based on their ability to provide nurturing parenting today rather than focusing on past mistakes, living arrangements, and other factors less relevant to the child’s needs. This Child Welfare League of America Field Guide describes essential skills and qualities for caregivers, particularly an ability to put the needs of the child first, and a commitment to fostering children who have challenging trauma-induced conducts such as meltdowns or inappropriate sexual behaviors.
If successful, this initiative will improve the quality of foster care while supporting more kinship placements and culturally appropriate foster homes.
Join Rich for a full analysis in this week’s podcast, here or wherever you hear you favorite podcast shows.
Read the full transcript of the podcast here.
There will be no blog next week in observance of the holiday. Happy Thanksgiving!