87S20188 MCK-D
By: Jetton H.B. No. 118
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to foster parent recruitment.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 264.113, Family Code, is amended to read
as follows:
Sec. 264.113. FOSTER PARENT RECRUITMENT. (a) In this
section, "faith-based organization" means a religious or
denominational institution or organization, including an
organization operated for religious, educational, or charitable
purposes and operated, supervised, or controlled, in whole or in
part, by or in connection with a religious organization.
(b) The department shall develop a foster parent
recruitment program to educate residents of this state about the
foster care system and the need for foster parents.
(b-1) As part of the foster parent recruitment program, the
department shall recruit and retain foster parents from faith-based
organizations. The [As part of the program, the] department shall:
(1) collaborate with faith-based organizations to
inform prospective foster parents about the department's need for
foster parents, the requirements for becoming a foster parent, and
any other aspect of the foster care program that is necessary to
recruit foster parents;
(2) provide training for prospective foster parents
recruited under this section; and
(3) identify and recommend ways in which faith-based
organizations may support persons as they are recruited, are
trained, and serve as foster parents.
(c) The department shall work with OneStar Foundation to
expand the foster parent recruitment program [described by
Subsection (b)] to increase the number of foster families available
for the department and its private providers. In cooperation with
the department, OneStar Foundation may provide training and
technical assistance to establish networks and services in
faith-based organizations based on best practices for supporting
prospective and current foster families.
(d) The department shall work with the Health and Human
Services Commission [Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative
Services] to recruit foster parents and adoptive parents who have
skills, training, or experience suitable to care for children with
hearing impairments.
(e) The department shall collaborate with foster and
adoptive parents to develop and implement a foster parent
recruitment plan. The plan must:
(1) identify geographic areas in this state in need of
foster parents using risk stratification modeling or risk
assessments of geographic areas with higher occurrences of child
abuse and neglect or child fatalities;
(2) use data analysis, social media, partnerships with
faith-based and volunteer organizations, and other recruitment
strategies, including targeted and child-focused recruitment;
(3) identify the number of available foster parents
for children with increased needs for therapy or treatment in order
to expand the use of therapeutic or treatment foster care for
children in those placements;
(4) require the provision of:
(A) quality customer service to prospective
foster and adoptive parents and to foster and adoptive parents; and
(B) assistance to prospective foster parents
with the certification and placement process;
(5) include strategies for increasing the number of
kinship providers;
(6) include strategies to ensure that children in
foster care are not required to transfer schools after entering
foster care, unless transferring is in the child's best interest;
and
(7) include programs to support foster and adoptive
families, including programs that provide training, respite care,
and peer assistance.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect on the 91st day after the
last day of the legislative session.