[suzyq18]

Hello... just curious if anyone knows what is going on with this? Our agency is having a meeting in August and I'm wondering what's going on? No one will tell us they indicated it was suggested we attend this meeting.

[xxsurroundedbyxy]

A permanency meeting usually involved looking at all aspects of a foster child's life to see possible permanent placements for him/her. At ours: we, the therapists, the CASA and GAL, CW, CWsupervisor, and bioparents were all invited (just like a quarterly "staffing").

They will go over any relatives that could be possible placements, whether or not you are interested in adoption IF it comes to that, and where the parents are on their caseplans and whether progress is being made etc.

It is kind of a meeting to discuss the child's long-term goal.

Kim

[hunterfamily]

Are you talking about a meeting for you case only, or the recent changes to the florida law?

[suzyq18]

Originally Posted by hunterfamily

Are you talking about a meeting for you case only, or the recent changes to the florida law?

Yes, this is what I was looking into... we were told that all current foster families should attend this meeting... and I don't know what the changes are... do you know anything as far as updates?

[hunterfamily]

Several things did change. I don't remember seeing anything that would directly affect foster parents except : House bill 625
This bill provides that family foster homes, residential child-caring agencies and other authorized caregivers must comply with the same requirements for foster parents regarding the development of plans for age-appropriate activities for children in their care.

There where some changes to when TPR can be filed. They no longer have to wait 12 months, it is now 9 months to complete a case plan. Chronic use of drugs can mean possible up fron TPR, so can any child that has been sheltered 3 or more times, also a newborn that test positive for drugs can now also be up from TPR.

Wording on some things changed. Foster parents are to be noticed of all hearing regarding children in their care as well as adoptive parents.

That is about all I can remember off the top of my head, I know there was more, but those are the ones that stuck with me. If that is what the meeting is about I am sure they will give you more details.

[suzyq18]

THANK YOU for this update... it might mean something good for us...

[xxsurroundedbyxy]

SuzyQ~
So sorry I misunderstood. It sounds like your state is making some wonderful changes. Perhaps you could come back and share on the thread what you get from your meeting.
Kim

[suzyq18]

Originally Posted by hunterfamily

Several things did change. I don't remember seeing anything that would directly affect foster parents except : House bill 625
This bill provides that family foster homes, residential child-caring agencies and other authorized caregivers must comply with the same requirements for foster parents regarding the development of plans for age-appropriate activities for children in their care.

There where some changes to when TPR can be filed. They no longer have to wait 12 months, it is now 9 months to complete a case plan. Chronic use of drugs can mean possible up fron TPR, so can any child that has been sheltered 3 or more times, also a newborn that test positive for drugs can now also be up from TPR.

Wording on some things changed. Foster parents are to be noticed of all hearing regarding children in their care as well as adoptive parents.

That is about all I can remember off the top of my head, I know there was more, but those are the ones that stuck with me. If that is what the meeting is about I am sure they will give you more details.

I tried to find this at the florida house rules page... but could not find it under HB that you noted... maybe I was in the wrong place? Florida House of Representatives - Home Page is the official website. Can you point me in the right direction?

[hkolln]

Originally Posted by suzyq18

I tried to find this at the florida house rules page... but could not find it under HB that you noted... maybe I was in the wrong place? Florida House of Representatives - Home Page is the official website. Can you point me in the right direction?

I found this:
CS/HB 625 - Independent Living Transition Services

But that was all I could find....under Bill 625

[hunterfamily]

I don't think you will find the changes in print yet. They only became effective July 1st and the only reason I know about them is because I am a GAL and we got the information through an email, and a mandatory conference call. I am not sure how long it takes to update stuff on the internet and print, but knowing florida it could be a while. We heard the new statue books will not come out until January. Not all of those changes are under the house bill, most are part of florida statue 39 which deals with dependency.

[suzyq18]

Originally Posted by hunterfamily

I don't think you will find the changes in print yet. They only became effective July 1st and the only reason I know about them is because I am a GAL and we got the information through an email, and a mandatory conference call. I am not sure how long it takes to update stuff on the internet and print, but knowing florida it could be a while. We heard the new statue books will not come out until January. Not all of those changes are under the house bill, most are part of florida statue 39 which deals with dependency.

This might be a little off topic... since you are a GAL... I'd like to email you about something that we could use your help/expertise in and not sure where else to turn.

[hunterfamily]

I sent you a PM with my email address. Email me anytime!

[suzyq18]

To update... some interesting updates:

Babysitters can now be 16 years old (used to be 19)...still need to be fingerprinted etc

Foster children are permitted more "normalcy" ie trips to malls, overnight visit (one night only) at a friend's home ..fafterschool football, etc foster parents need to use good judgment here and need not supervise foster child in all situations (obviously age specific applied here)

Foster parents are to be notified and permitted to attend all hearings (VERY good news)

Also discussed:
Re - emphasis on confidentiality (2nd degree Misdeanor for sharing confidential info on your foster child)

Re-licensing process will include checking of civil cases not just criminal (history of lawsuits, not able to provide for child concerns)

NOTHING was mentioned about permanancy changes... early TPR not mentioned

Suzy

[hunterfamily]

It doesn't surprise me that they didn't bring up the change in allowing for sooner TPR. Unfortunatly, foster parents don't have any say in how long parents get to work a case plan, so they didn't think it pertained to you. For the record, state law has changed to 9 months instead of 12. I am not sure how many judges we will see willing to TPR at 9 months, but at least they have the law to back them if they do.

[RobinKay]

Originally Posted by hunterfamily

It doesn't surprise me that they didn't bring up the change in allowing for sooner TPR. Unfortunatly, foster parents don't have any say in how long parents get to work a case plan, so they didn't think it pertained to you. For the record, state law has changed to 9 months instead of 12. I am not sure how many judges we will see willing to TPR at 9 months, but at least they have the law to back them if they do.

This is a scary thought--what about pending ICPCs? Do you think the judge will take that into account?