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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The integrity of the state children's protective |
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services program depends on the availability of quality foster |
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family homes willing and able to care for children who cannot be |
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placed with an appropriate noncustodial parent or relative; and |
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WHEREAS, Although the majority of these foster placements are |
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intended to be temporary until a permanent living arrangement can |
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be found, the foster family is a significant component of a child's |
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development, responsible for establishing a feeling of safety and |
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security while maintaining the child's sense of identity; and |
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WHEREAS, Despite their obvious importance to the children's |
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protective services program, foster parents and potential foster |
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parents often find themselves navigating a complicated bureaucracy |
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with little guidance in regard to the program's policies and |
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procedures or foreknowledge of their rights and legal obligations; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, In light of recent reforms to the children's |
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protective services program and the critical role of foster |
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families in providing safe haven for Texas children transitioning |
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from harmful situations, it is fitting that the legislature study |
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the rights of foster parents with regard to the children's |
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protective services program; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 80th Texas |
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Legislature hereby respectfully request that the speaker appoint an |
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interim committee to study the rights of foster parents; and, be it |
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further |
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RESOLVED, That the committee specifically address the |
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following: |
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(1) the right of a potential foster parent to be |
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informed of all policies and procedures, guidelines, laws, minimum |
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standards, contractual obligations, and grievance and appeals |
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processes prior to verification; |
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(2) the right of a foster parent to have state agencies |
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provide specific information and continuing education on the legal |
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system as it pertains to foster children and foster parenting; |
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(3) the right of a foster parent to provide input |
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concerning the plan of services for a child and to have a reasonable |
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expectation that the input be given full consideration in the same |
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manner as input from professionals on the team; and |
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(4) the right of a foster parent to have a reasonable |
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expectation that foster care procedures will be fair and just, and |
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standardized to the greatest extent possible across all child |
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protective services regions; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That the committee submit a report of its findings |
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and recommendations, including any recommendations for |
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legislation, to the speaker of the house of representatives and to |
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each member of the house of the 81st Legislature. |