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Regular Session, 2011 ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 44
BY SENATOR MARTINY
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To urge and request the chief justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court to create a Families
in Need of Services Commission to 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.
WHEREAS, Title VII of the Children's Code, designated "Families In Need of
Services" (FINS), contains provisions designed to help young people in families identified
by specific misconduct on the part of the young people and their families so that appropriate
services to remedy the family's dysfunction can be secured; and
WHEREAS, an "informal process" is included in Title VII which requires each court
to appoint an intake officer to facilitate the establishment of a voluntary informal family
services plan between the family and providers of needed services; and
WHEREAS, a body of research, practice, and legislation demonstrates the benefits
and successes associated with treating status offenders in immediate, voluntary, and
community-based services outside of the juvenile justice system.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
urge and request the chief justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court to create a Families in
Need of Services Commission to study and issue recommendations for a restructuring of
FINS operations to improve access to appropriate services for FINS families throughout
Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the chief justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court
shall determine the composition of the commission and appoint its members. SCR NO. 44 ENROLLED
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the chief justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court
seek input from the Coordinated System of Care Governance Board, including the
Department of Education, the Department of Children and Family Services, the Department
of Health and Hospitals and the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, youth
services, and the office of juvenile justice.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the commission hold its organizational meeting
prior to August 1, 2011.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, as part of its study, the commission shall review
nationally recognized state and local model status offender systems and programs in
consultation with Louisiana Models for Change, the MacArthur Foundation, and other key
stakeholders.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the commission's study and recommendations
shall address, but not be limited to:
(1) The identification of the state entity or agency best suited to govern, regulate, and
oversee FINS services throughout the state.
(2) The refinement of a FINS target population that aligns with both national best
practices and the unique needs of Louisiana's youth and families.
(3) The inclusion of fundamental components of model status offender programs in
the recommended Louisiana system, including, but not limited to:
(a) Immediate crisis response mechanisms for youth and families.
(b) Screening, assessment, and appropriate referral to or provision of services that
are tailored to meet the strengths and challenges of children and families.
(c) Referral to or provision of evidence-based services that are community-based,
meaning they are located in, or as close as possible to, the community in which the family
lives and with which it identifies culturally.
(d) Referral to or provision of services that are evidence-based, meaning they have
been proven by research to work, or, alternatively, that are grounded in the same essential
principles as evidence-based programs.
(4) The implementation of due diligence requirements that schools and other
agencies provide that diligent efforts have been made prior to referral, ensuring that referring SCR NO. 44 ENROLLED
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agencies have attempted all appropriate internal interventions before referring to informal
or formal FINS.
(5) Alternative graduated sanctions and the possible elimination of detention for
status offending youth, which have been well-established to expose status offenders to
negative peer influences and other harmful circumstances that can often worsen, rather than
improve, their behavior.
(6) The selection of baseline data elements and a data management system to collect
and track outcomes, which is essential for both the success and sustainability of reform.
(7) Proposed legislation for implementation of commission recommendations.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the commission submit a report of its
recommendations to the Louisiana Legislature thirty days prior to the convening of the 2012
Regular Session of the Legislature.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the commission shall terminate on December
31, 2012.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
chief justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES