Senate approves landmark foster care reform

Senate approves landmark foster care reform

The Senate approved landmark legislation today that will implement a new approach to taking care of children who qualify for child welfare services. Senate Bill 964 requires the Department of Human Services and its county partners to implement Strengthening, Preserving and Reunifying Families (SPRF) programs. These programs provide services and support to help keep families together when appropriate and safe, avoid or limit a child’s placement in foster care, and ensure safety and stability when a child is returned home. “We have seen tremendous success with this approach to taking care of our kids in Southern Oregon,” said Senator Alan Bates (D-Medford), chief sponsor of the bill. “Through this program, foster care placements have been halved, there is less risk of continued abuse, and a lower risk of children re-entering the child welfare system.”