On-going Issues

The following are other issues which need attention:


1.  Allegations of Maltreatment Against Foster and Adoptive Families: NYSCCC supports appropriate NYS legislation and/or regulations to address circumstances which make adoptive and foster families especially vulnerable to reports of abuse/neglect and susceptible to misjudgments.  See the NYSCCC allegations position statement for specific recommendations.

 

2. Retention of custody in voluntary residential placements - cost neutral!

  • Allow parents to retain custody in voluntary foster care placements so that parents aren’t faced with impossible choice of keeping family together or getting needed services.
  • Families turn to the child welfare system because it may be the best placement or they have no insurance for other options, or other options are inaccessible.
  • The Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) is the only NYS system that requires parents to relinquish custody in order to get out-of-home care.
  • At least 13 states do not require relinquishment.
  • For more information see the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

 

3. Data collection on adoption disruptions/dissolutions and the availability and delivery of preventive services: In order to get a better understanding of post adoption service needs, we need to know if children in foster care have experienced an adoption disruption or dissolution. Data comparable to that which is required by the Hague Convention for international adoptions needs to be collected for all domestic adoptions. Similarly, knowing more about preventive services provided by local districts and associated costs will provide important benchmarks and help further determine service needs.


4. Electronic payment of adoption subsidies and foster care board payment: Electronic payments to adoptive families and foster families will save state dollars and meet adoptive/foster parents’ needs for timely and convenient payments.


5. Tuition waivers for youth in or formerly in foster care for college or vocational training: Foster and former foster care youth need financial support for post secondary education or training. Providing tuition waivers for NYS institutions would provide youth with the ability to achieve the education needed for improved long-term outcomes and productive adulthood, and at minimal cost to the state. See the NACAC website for information on tuition waiver programs in other states.

Last modified: January 27, 2012