2016 -- S 2502

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN,

YOUTH, AND FAMILIES

     Introduced By: Senators Miller, Goldin, DiPalma, Nesselbush, and DaPonte

     Date Introduced: February 25, 2016

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 42-72 of the General Laws entitled "Department of Children,

Youth and Families" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following sections:

     42-72-36.1. System reform and rebalancing goal. -- On or before October 1, 2016, the

department of children, youth, and families shall begin to implement a strategy to transition from

reliance on congregate care placements to greater use of foster homes with community-based

services for children and families. Said strategy shall assure quality outcomes, performance

measures and incentives that promote service excellence and improve the system's overall

stability by reinvesting the benefits that accrue from the more efficient and effective utilization of

congregate care, foster homes and community-based services. Attaining system-wide reform of

the magnitude set forth herein shall require rebalancing the system by making significant changes

in the organization, financing and delivery of services that must be implemented incrementally.

     42-72-36.2. Recommendations as to allocation of resources. -- On or before October 1,

2016, the department of children, youth, and families shall recommend the allocation of existing

resources as needed to ensure that those children in need of residential care, including foster

homes and support services receive them in the least restrictive setting appropriate to their needs

and preferences. The department is hereby authorized to utilize screening criteria to avoid

unnecessary congregate care placements of children.

     42-72-36.3. Reporting. -- Annual reports showing progress in residential care system

reform and rebalancing shall be submitted by April 1, 2017, and annually thereafter on or before

April 1 of each year by the department to the finance committees of both the senate and the house

of representatives and shall include:

     (1) The number of congregate care placements and associated funds;

     (2) The number of foster care placements and associate funds;

     (3) The percentage of screenings completed within thirty (30) days of placement;

     (4) Recommendations to promote the expansion of foster homes and community-based

service capacity including payment methodology reforms that increase access to foster homes and

community-based services; and

     (5) Recommendations for options to pay for certain services and supports necessary to

transition or divert children from restrictive settings and optimize their health and safety when

receiving care in a home or the community.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN,

YOUTH, AND FAMILIES

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     This act would require the DCYF to transition from child placement in group homes to

child placement in foster care. It would also require the DCYF to submit to the house and senate

finance committees, annual reports which would include such details as the number of children in

foster care and those in group homes and the costs associated with those placements, as well as

recommendations for placement and options to pay for certain services for children and families.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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