5 things lawmakers need to know.

• Author: Crane, Kelly
• Position: IN BRIEF: FOSTER CARE - Child welfare

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State child welfare systems have made a number of reforms that have reduced the length of stays in foster care and expanded support for families so fewer children are removed in the first place. In the past decade, the number of children in foster care has decreased by more than 20 percent. Here are five things--all based on programs that have been tried successfully--lawmakers need to know to help build a strong child welfare system and continue to reduce the number of children in foster care safely.

1

PREVENT ABUSE AND NEGLECT

The majority of children placed in foster care are victims of neglect. Most states have targeted support to vulnerable families to prevent the eventual need for foster care. Home visiting programs, for example, connect mothers with professionals such as nurses, social workers or early childhood specialists. These programs can improve parents' ability to care for and nurture their children by educating them on healthy behavior.

Almost all states have some kind of home visiting program. Federal health reform provides $1.5 billion over five years to support state efforts to improve home visiting programs. The federal law provides details about the steps states must take to participate in the grant opportunity.

2

ALLOW KIDS TO STAY SAFELY AT HOME

Some states grant flexibility to child protection workers to respond appropriately and differently to the specific circumstances surrounding an abuse or neglect case, rather than following the required standard procedure when alleged mistreatment occurs. This approach has kept more kids at home with their parents and out of the foster care system. For example, by law some reports of abuse--sexual abuse, child endangerment or serious physical abuse--must be investigated. Other reports of neglect that don't warrant an immediate investigation can be addressed through an assessment that offers help to the family. Lawmakers in 14 states have passed legislation that allows differential or alternative response. Several other states are considering the idea.

Minnesota was one of the first states to experiment with this approach in 2000. By 2005, all Minnesota counties had begun using the new model. Evaluation found a lower recurrence of abuse and neglect in families that participated, savings to the child welfare system, and an improvement in workers' attitudes.

3

PUTTING RELATIVES FIRST

Research shows children are better off when they are cared for by relatives...