The Michigan House today approved a bipartisan plan spearheaded by Rep. Mary Whiteford, chair of the House Adoption and Foster Care Task Force, inspired by the task force’s recommendations. The plan includes several measures to improve the child welfare system by making critical changes to correct areas where the adoption and foster care system is falling short.

Whiteford’s bill in the plan deals with kinship care – the practice of prioritizing placement of children with reliable family members rather than with foster parents whenever possible. Research shows that children in the care of relatives experience increased stability, with fewer placement changes and less school disruption. Whiteford’s bill would expand kinship care options by allowing a non-parent adult with close emotional ties to the child to meet the definition of “family” for the purposes of youth placement.

“Children thrive much better under the care of their grandparents or other reliable loved ones they know and trust,” said Whiteford, of Casco Township. “It’s so important that we make this change to state law to give more kids in the system a better chance at finding a permanent home and improved mental and behavioral health outcomes – ultimately setting them up for a more successful future. Every child deserves that.”

Other bills in the plan would:

• Establish the Foster Care Improvement Commission with appointees from every branch of government who would study best practices and recommendations to improve Michigan’s child welfare system.

• Coordinate training for attorneys involved in child welfare proceedings to ensure they understand the complexities involved with representing children who have been abused or neglected.

• Ensure that the state safely reduces the number of young people in the child welfare system and reinvests the savings to further improve services.
• Conduct an annual needs assessment to better understand where service gaps exist and ensures residential treatment options meet the needs of children who require clinical intervention.

• Allow foster homes in good standing to receive an extended license of three years, rather than the current two-year license.

• Establish a tax credit for Michigan job providers that provide paid leave while parents care for their newly adopted children.

Whiteford extended her gratitude to House Appropriations Chair Rep. Thomas Albert for establishing the task force at the beginning of the term and supporting the group every step of the way.

The plan was approved with overwhelming support and moves to the state Senate for further consideration.

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