Paul Doyle

Doyle: Foster Parent Bill of Rights Passes Key Committee Vote

Today Senator Paul R. Doyle (D-Wethersfield), Vice Chair of legislature’s Judiciary Committee, announced that the committee has approved legislation in a unanimous vote this afternoon that would establish a Bill of Rights for the state’s licensed foster parents. Senator Doyle is a co-sponsor of the bill.

“Foster parents open up their lives to provide care, love and support for children in need of a good new home. Parents who provide this kind of care deserve the respect of the state agencies they work with, and should be seen as partners in improving children’s lives. Parents should be able to question or challenge agency decisions without fear of retaliation,” said Senator Doyle. “This Bill of Rights will be a great benefit to all foster families, both parents and children.”

“This Bill of Rights asserts the need for foster parents to be treated with respect and as trusted team members,” said Carolyn Goodridge, Social Worker with the CT Association of Foster and Adoptive Parents, in testimony supporting the bill. “Foster parents should not be frustrated in their attempts to obtain information about the children in their care. They must have the ability to ask questions without retaliation, and to get responses in a timely manner. We hope that passage of this bill will bring greater self-esteem and satisfaction to our foster parents.”

The Bill of Rights established in Senate Bill 844 sets out guidelines for how the Department of Children and Families (DCF) must interact with foster parents, specifying that no one who alleges a violation of these rights can petition the court for relief.

Under the bill of rights, DCF must provide all foster parents with:.

1. Consideration and respect
2. Notice of meetings DCF schedules concerning the foster child to enable the parent to actively participate
3. Support services to assist in the child's care that are consistent with the child's approved permanency plan
4. Open, complete, and timely responses to requests
5. Information on the child's medical history, general behavior, and relationships with other foster parents, (as the law allows)
6. Information on the child's educational history, life experiences, and placement circumstances, as the law allows
7. Information on all DCF policies and procedures related to their role
8. Appropriate training to enhance his or her relevant skills and abilities
9. Information on available DCF services and contact information for reaching DCF at any time
10. An opportunity to question or appeal DCF decisions and practices
11. 11. A copy of the bill of rights when the child is placed with the parent and when the parent requests one.

The legislation is Senate Bill 844, An Act Adopting a Foster Parent Bill of Rights. It now moves to the floor of the Senate for further action.