§ 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 […]
§ 9-28-1202. Powers and duties — Definitions
(a) As used in this section and § 9-28-1203: (1) “Proven effective community-based alternatives” means interventions, supports, programs, and practices that are recognized as best practices based on rigorous evaluation and research, or are based on a clear and well-articulated theory or conceptual framework for delinquency prevention. These include, without limitation, community-based services that are […]
§ 9-28-1203. Savings in state costs realized from reduction in number of secure out-of-home placements
(a) (1) The Division of Youth Services shall establish a method to calculate state costs saved that are realized from a reduction in the number of secure out-of-home placements. (2) (A) The division shall develop a reinvestment plan to redirect savings realized from a reduction in the number of secure out-of-home placements. (B) The division […]
§ 9-29-201. Text of Compact
The Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children is enacted into law and entered into with all other jurisdictions legally joining therein in form substantially as follows: INTERSTATE COMPACT ON THE PLACEMENT OF CHILDREN ARTICLE I Purpose and Policy It is the purpose and policy of the party states to cooperate with each other in […]
§ 9-29-202. Role of Governor — Appointment of compact administrator
As used in Article VII of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children, the term “executive head” means the Governor. The Governor is authorized to appoint a compact administrator in accordance with the terms of Article VII.
§ 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 […]
§ 9-28-302. Security inspections
(a) (1) In order to assure that citizens of the State of Arkansas, the juveniles committed to facilities operated by or under contract with the Division of Youth Services, and the employees of the facilities are protected from injury and harm, the Secretary of the Department of Corrections or a duly authorized agent is authorized […]