§287.7. Study of family preservation services

A. The department shall, within available funds, conduct a family preservation services study in at least one region within the state. In developing and conducting the project, the department shall consult and coordinate with at least one qualified private, nonprofit agency that has demonstrated expertise and experience in family preservation services. The purpose of the study is to:

(1) Develop a valid and reliable process for accurately identifying clients who are eligible for family preservation services.

(2) Collect data on which to base projections of service needs, budget requests, and long-range planning.

(3) Develop regional and statewide projections of service needs.

(4) Develop a cost estimate for implementation and expansion of family preservation services on a statewide basis.

(5) Develop a long-range plan and time frame for expanding the availability of family preservation services and ultimately making such services available to all eligible families on a statewide basis.

(6) Collect data regarding the number of children in foster care, group care, and institutional placements due to medical needs, mental health needs, developmental disabilities, and juvenile offenses, and assess the feasibility of expanding family preservation service eligibility to include all of these children.

B. The department shall prepare a written report to the legislature that addresses the objectives set forth in Subsection A of this Section. The report shall address the feasibility of expanding and implementing family preservation services on a statewide basis. The report shall be submitted to the House Committee on Health and Welfare and the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare prior to the 1994 Regular Session of the Legislature.

Acts 1993, No. 857, §1, eff. June 23, 1993.