New Arkansas Law Keeps More Kids out of Foster Homes
By: Cassidy Hodges, KNWA-TV, Fayetteville
Updated: January 10, 2013
New legislation in Arkansas is changing the way the Department of Human Services (DHS) handles abuse cases.
Arkansas is the first state in the country to begin a new approach.
As the law stands now, any sort of neglect, like forgetting to enroll a child in school or not bathing them everyday, could mean your child is sent to foster care.
But the new law will allow DHS workers a little more flexibility in responding to the child's needs.
So instead of pulling a kid out of a home for situations that aren't serious, state workers will be able to use a federal waiver to keep them at home.
Lawmakers say the move will strengthen families and teach parents to better care for their children.
"This waiver allows state officials to allow that child to stay in that home and it may not be perfect, but it's better than a foster home," says Jon Woods, a Republican Arkansas State Senator.
The new measure does not apply to instances of sexual or physical abuse.
Children in those situations will still immediately be pulled out of the home and put into foster care.
Arkansas is the first state in the country to begin a new approach.
As the law stands now, any sort of neglect, like forgetting to enroll a child in school or not bathing them everyday, could mean your child is sent to foster care.
But the new law will allow DHS workers a little more flexibility in responding to the child's needs.
So instead of pulling a kid out of a home for situations that aren't serious, state workers will be able to use a federal waiver to keep them at home.
Lawmakers say the move will strengthen families and teach parents to better care for their children.
"This waiver allows state officials to allow that child to stay in that home and it may not be perfect, but it's better than a foster home," says Jon Woods, a Republican Arkansas State Senator.
The new measure does not apply to instances of sexual or physical abuse.
Children in those situations will still immediately be pulled out of the home and put into foster care.
Comments
The DHS already leaves abused children in the homes.Since when do they take them out for this stuff?U can't teach some parents.It is not better to leave a child with a no good parent, just because they r their parents.How many dead kids r there that has been placed back with the parents after DHS has been involved?
Pam W.
January 10, 2013 at 8:54 am
