14-R282

2014 – H 8047

Enacted 05/27/14

J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY ENCOURAGING THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND HOSPITALS TO PROMOTE THE KINSHIP CARE POLICY OF THE SHARED LIVING ARRANGEMENTS PROGRAM FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING SUBSIDY AID TO ELIGIBLE SIBLING CAREGIVERS, IN ORDER TO AVOID ALTERNATIVE PLACEMENT WHEN KINSHIP CARE IS FOUND TO BE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL/DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

Introduced By: Representatives Bennett, McNamara, Ferri, Hull, and Abney

Date Introduced: April 10, 2014

 

WHEREAS, For the first time in history, millions of people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities are aging in the community. This success brings with it new challenges; and

WHEREAS, According to the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals (BHDDH), there are over 1,400 adults in Rhode Island with intellectual/developmental disabilities living with elderly parents or other family members; and

WHEREAS, A portion of these individuals are currently eligible to move out of the family home and into the home of a sibling when their parents are no longer able to provide the care needed, thereby keeping the family intact and the individual living with people who know them best; and

WHEREAS, This arrangement helps ease the loss of a parent and caregiver by minimizing the fear and uncertainty that can accompany a disruptive move into the home of a stranger; and

WHEREAS, This arrangement is known as Kinship Care, and is provided for under the BHDDH  Kinship Care Policy as revised on 09/10/12, "To allow individuals supported by BHDDH the option of choosing a non-legally responsible qualified family member to assist in providing care and supports in the community utilizing the Shared Living Arrangements program (SLA)"; and

WHEREAS, Eligibility conditions require that the sibling being considered as the care provider for the SLA program must be reviewed by BHDDH and found eligible in accordance with the Eligibility Policy for Residential Services; and

WHEREAS, In addition, all SLA providers (including the sibling care-givers) must be compliant with the SLA program requirements as noted in the Rule and Regulations for Licensing Agencies Providing Services to Adults with Developmental Disabilities; and

WHEREAS, The Kinship Care Policy provides needed financial assistance or subsidy aid to the program-qualified and compliant sibling caregiver for taking an eligible sibling into his or her home and providing approved care; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby finds that the BHDDH SLA Kinship Care Policy regarding sibling care promotes the general welfare of the citizens of the state and furthers the purpose of providing cost-effective and most appropriate care for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities; and be it further

RESOLVED, That this General Assembly hereby respectfully encourages the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals to promote the Kinship Care Policy of the Shared Living Arrangements Program for the purpose of providing subsidy aid to eligible sibling caregivers, to avoid alternative placement when Kinship Care is found to be in the best interests of individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities; and be it further

RESOLVED, That this General Assembly hereby respectfully requests that the Secretary  of the Department of Health and Human Services provides the General Assembly with a fiscal note within 120 days of the passage of this resolution; and be it further    

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Director of the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals (BHDDH), and the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

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LC005402
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