05 LC 98
0361
House
Resolution 300
By:
Representatives Manning of the
32nd,
Rynders of the
152nd,
Talton of the
145th,
Oliver of the
83rd,
Byrd of the
20th,
and others
A
RESOLUTION
Urging
Georgia to develop best practices in child welfare policy and urging the
Department of Human Resources Division of Family and Children Services and child
advocates to meet to discuss a Bill of Rights for Children in Foster Care; and
for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
the well-being of
Georgiás
children in foster care is of utmost concern to the members of the Georgia House
of Representatives; and
WHEREAS,
the Georgia Department of Human Resources Division of Family and Children
Services (DHR-DFCS) is the legal custodian of children living in foster care;
and
WHEREAS,
children in the care of DHR-DFCS are best served when government leverages
community resources by working in partnership with the private, nonprofit, and
faith communities; and
WHEREAS,
child advocates in Georgia are calling for a Bill of Rights for Children in
Foster Care in order to clarify existing rights under state and federal law so
that
childreńs
rights will be honored by the adults who care for them.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that this body urges
the development of best practices in child welfare policy in
Georgia.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body urges DHR-DFCS and child advocates to meet to
discuss a Bill of Rights for Children in Foster Care.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body encourages the participation of a
representative from the following child advocacy and child serving
organizations: DHR-DFCS, a county DFCS office, Office of the Child Advocate for
the Protection of Children, Georgia CASA, the Council of Juvenile Court Judges,
Department of Juvenile Justice, Adoptive and Foster Parents Association of
Georgia, the United Against Child Abuse Coalition, the Georgia Association of
Homes and Services for Children, the Barton Child Law and Policy Clinic, as well
as a child advocate attorney, a youth living in foster care, and others as
indicated.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the
Department of Human Resources Division of Family and Children Services.