§ 9-28-1001. Title
This subchapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Safeguards for Children in Foster Care Act”.
§ 9-28-1002. Findings and purpose
(a) The General Assembly acknowledges that society has a responsibility, along with foster parents and the Department of Human Services, for the well-being of children in foster care. (b) Every child in foster care is endowed with the opportunities inherently belonging to all children.
§ 9-28-1003. Safeguards for children in foster care
(a) Special safeguards, resources, and care should be provided to children involved in dependency-neglect cases who are in foster care or in an out-of-home placement because of the temporary or permanent separation from parents. (b) A child in foster care in the State of Arkansas shall be entitled to the following: (1) To be cherished […]
§ 9-28-1201. Youth Justice Reform Board — Creation — Membership
(a) To ensure statewide accountability for the delivery of youth services consistent with this subchapter, the Division of Youth Services shall create the Youth Justice Reform Board no later than sixty (60) days following July 22, 2015. (b) (1) Except for a member who is appointed from the General Assembly, the members of the Youth […]
§ 9-28-415. Foster home — Care requirements and limitations
(a) A foster home shall: (1) Provide substitute care within a family-like setting on a twenty-four-hour basis for any child placed in the foster home by a child placement agency; (2) Adhere to the reasonable and prudent parent standard, as that standard is defined by Pub. L. No. 113-183, in the care of any child […]
§ 9-28-601. Legislative intent
In a significant number of cases, the health, safety, welfare, and basic emotional needs of children are not being met by remaining with their families. In certain situations, therapeutic group homes and independent living programs can provide the sense of structure, continuity, stability, and the positive role models that are necessary for a child to […]
§ 9-28-602. Definitions
As used in this subchapter: (1) “Division” means the Division of Youth Services of the Department of Human Services; (2) “Independent living programs” means residential and nonresidential services provided to youths that may include, but not be limited to: (A) Intensive case management; (B) Adult supervision; (C) Transportation; (D) Vocational and educational assistance; and (E) […]
§ 9-28-603. Establishment
(a) The Division of Youth Services of the Department of Human Services will issue requests for proposals for contracts for the establishment of independent living programs. (b) The programs shall: (1) Provide case management, adult supervision, and treatment services for participant youths, as outlined in an individual case plan; (2) Provide a continuum of treatment […]
§ 9-28-301. Inspections — Timing — Report — Audit
(a) In order to assure that juveniles committed to facilities operated by or under contract with the Division of Youth Services are not subject to unsafe and unsanitary living conditions, the Secretary of the Department of Human Services or a duly authorized agent is authorized to enter the controlled premises and conduct random and unannounced […]
§ 9-28-701. Legislative findings
(a) Presently circuit judges must often choose between imposing no sanction at all or committing juveniles to the Division of Youth Services of the Department of Human Services. Judges should have punitive options available as alternatives to confinement. Therefore, it is the intent of the General Assembly that a continuum of graduated sanctions be available […]