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Regular Session, 2011
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 44
BY SENATOR MARTINY
WELFARE. Requests the chief justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court to create a Families
in Need of Services Commission that will study and issue recommendations regarding the
governance, structure, target population, and necessary legislation.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To urge and request the chief justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court to create a Families2
in Need of Services Commission that will study and issue recommendations3
regarding the governance, structure, target population, and necessary legislation for4
a Louisiana Families in Need of Services (FINS) system by submitting a report of5
its findings and recommendations to the Louisiana Legislature thirty days prior to6
the convening of the 2012 Regular Session of the Legislature.7
WHEREAS, Louisiana has provisions in its Children's Code, Title VII, designated8
"Families In Need of Services" (FINS), designed to help young people in families identified9
by specific misconduct on the part of the young people and their families so that appropriate10
services to remedy the family's dysfunction can be secured; and11
WHEREAS, an "informal process" is included in Title VII which requires each court12
to appoint an intake officer to facilitate the establishment of a voluntary informal family13
services plan between the family and providers of needed services; and14
WHEREAS, a body of research, practice, and legislation demonstrates the benefits15
and successes associated with treating status offenders in immediate, voluntary, and16
community-based services outside of the juvenile justice system.17
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby18 SCR NO. 44
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urge and request the chief justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court to create a Families in1
Need of Services Commission that will study and issue recommendations for a restructuring2
of FINS operations to improve access to appropriate services for FINS families throughout3
Louisiana.4
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the chief justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court5
shall determine the composition of the commission and appoint its members.6
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the chief justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court7
seek input from the Coordinated System of Care Governance Board, including the8
Department of Education, the Department of Children and Family Services, the Department9
of Health and Hospitals and the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, youth10
services, and the office of juvenile justice.11
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the commission hold its organizational meeting12
prior to August 1, 2011.13
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, as part of its study, the commission shall review14
nationally recognized state and local model status offender systems and programs in15
consultation with Louisiana Models for Change, the MacArthur Foundation, and other key16
stakeholders.17
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the commission's study and recommendations18
shall address, but not be limited to:19
(1) The identification of the state entity or agency best suited to govern, regulate, and20
oversee FINS services throughout the state.21
(2) The refinement of a FINS target population that aligns with both national best22
practices and the unique needs of Louisiana's youth and families.23
(3) The inclusion of fundamental components of model status offender programs in24
the recommended Louisiana system, including, but not limited to:25
(a) Immediate crisis response mechanisms for youth and families.26
(b) Screening, assessment, and appropriate referral to or provision of services that27
are tailored to meet the strengths and challenges of children and families.28
(c) Referral to or provision of evidence-based services that are community-based,29
meaning they are located in, or as close as possible to, the community in which the family30 SCR NO. 44
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lives and with which it identifies culturally.1
(d) Referral to or provision of services that are evidence-based, meaning they have2
been proven by research to work, or, alternatively, that are grounded in the same essential3
principles as evidence-based programs.4
(4) The implementation of due diligence requirements that schools and other5
agencies provide that diligent efforts have been made prior to referral, ensuring that referring6
agencies have attempted all appropriate internal interventions before referring to informal7
or formal FINS.8
(5) Alternative graduated sanctions and the possible elimination of detention for9
status offending youth, which have been well-established to expose status offenders to10
negative peer influences and other harmful circumstances that can often worsen, rather than11
improve, their behavior.12
(6) The selection of baseline data elements and a data management system to collect13
and track outcomes, which is essential for both the success and sustainability of reform.14
(7) Proposed legislation for implementation of commission recommendations.15
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the commission submit a report of its16
recommendations to the Louisiana Legislature thirty days prior to the convening of the 201217
Regular Session of the Legislature.18
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the19
chief justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court.20
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Greg Waddell.
DIGEST
Martiny SCR No. 44
Requests the chief justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court to create a Families in Need of
Services Commission that will study and issue recommendations regarding the governance,
structure, target population, and necessary legislation for a Louisiana Families in Need of
Services (FINS) system by submitting a report of its findings and recommendations to the
Louisiana Legislature thirty days prior to the convening of the 2012 Regular Session of the
Legislature.