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| Rep Ruth Kagi testifies before a US House congressional committee |
On July 29, 2010 Representative Ruth Kagi, who represents Shoreline and Lake Forest Park in the State Legislature, testified before the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support in Washington D.C.
Ruth addressed the need for reform in the foster care financing law. Currently, when the state is involved with a family based on a child abuse and neglect allegation, the state is only reimbursed if a child is placed into foster care. They are not reimbursed if they work with the family and are able to keep a child safely at home. Washington is funding innovative "front end" services that intervene with families facing an out of home placement of their child. In 95% of these cases, the family is able to safely keep the child at home. As a result, the state's caseloads have decreased by 13.8% in the last two years, and the state has lost $2.5 million in federal funding.
Ruth addressed the need for reform in the foster care financing law. Currently, when the state is involved with a family based on a child abuse and neglect allegation, the state is only reimbursed if a child is placed into foster care. They are not reimbursed if they work with the family and are able to keep a child safely at home. Washington is funding innovative "front end" services that intervene with families facing an out of home placement of their child. In 95% of these cases, the family is able to safely keep the child at home. As a result, the state's caseloads have decreased by 13.8% in the last two years, and the state has lost $2.5 million in federal funding.
States need more flexibility to use federal funding to support prevention and early intervention services-- not just for placing children in foster care. Congressman Jim McDermott, whose congressional district includes the southeast section of Shoreline and Lake Forest Park, indicated his support for this proposal and will sponsor legislation in the coming weeks to address this issue.
To watch Representative Kagi's testimony, visit her webpage.
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