Unanimous State Support for Change in Child Welfare

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) Children taken from their homes by state caseworkers will be allowed to stay with next-of-kin, rather than defaulting to a state-run shelter. That's the goal of a measure unanimously supported by several legislative committees, the state division of child welfare and even the conservative Utah Eagle Forum.

Representative Wayne Harper is the bill's sponsor:

"We're gonna lose federal funds for those couple of days, but it's important for the state to recognize a non-custodial relative has passed a quick background check, they'll take good care of the kids and the children with be with someone they know and love," says Harper.

For months, now, state officials have been using a strict interpretation of the federal Adam Walsh Act to immediately place children in shelters, rather than with relatives. Federal guidelines require a lengthy background check, which takes time to complete says Harper. By placing kids with their relatives before a full background check is complete, Harper says the state will lose about 200-thousand dollars in federal funds.

Gayle Ruzicka of the Utah Eagle Forum applauds the move:

"Representative Harper said something that's one of the best things I've ever heard up here - and that is the state is willing to give up federal money to do what's best for the children," says Ruzicka.

Ruzicka now says the federal government needs to fix the Adam Walsh Act so Utah won't lose money for placing children with next-of-kin.

Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom. Copyright 2008 KCPW