That could have been done in the past, but it was much more difficult and often took months to arrange. Since it was so much trouble, many placement agencies would not consider it and the people who wanted to take in foster children focused only on children who were in the same state. Now the policy is that the home will be reviewed for foster placement within 60 days through coordination of the agencies between the two states (HR 5403, 2006). That improves the options and he odds for children who are in need of foster care and who are looking for homes that they can get into where they will feel welcome and safe. Description of Policy

The policy has 14 main sections. The first two address the name of the Act and the sense of Congress. The third section is focused on the orderly and timely process that will be used when it comes to interstate foster placement, because that process was not as complete in the past. The fourth section details home studies. That section is particularly important, because it amends the length of time that can pass before a home study is done and a foster placement determination is made. Children who are waiting for foster placement should be placed as soon as possible (Sobel & Healy, 2001), and with the changes to the Act and the modifications that it brings to social security, that is more likely. Section five requests that state agencies cooperate with the court so that there is no hold-up when it comes to placing children with foster families. In section six, caseworker visits are addressed and it is indicated that a privately-contracted company can provide those...

Section seven focuses on the health and education records of foster children, who can see them, and how to expedite them when needed.
In section eight of the Act, the right to be heard in proceedings on foster care is established, and section nine improves the courts in different states by requiring them to work together in the placement of children. Section ten requires all reasonable efforts to be made, while section eleven sets out case plans as part of social security. The case review system is set out and discussed in section twelve by adding language that allows the child to be placed in-state or out-of-state in a foster home. Interjurisdictional resources are the subject of section thirteen, so that states can work together more easily. In section fourteen, the effective date (October 1, 2006) is set and a delay is allowed for if there is a need for state legislation for a specific reason. Because there are adjustments needed, it is understood that delays may be necessary.

Bibliography

HR 5403. 2006. U.S. Congress. http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-109hr5403enr/pdf/BILLS-109hr5403enr.pdf

Sobel, A., & Healy, C. (2001). Fostering health in the foster care maze. Pediatric Nursing. 27(5), 493-496.

Stone, N.M., & Stone, S.F. (1983). The prediction of successful foster placement. The Journal of Contemporary Social Work. 1, 11-17.

Yancey, A.K. (1998). Building positive self-image in adolescents in foster care: the use of role models in an interactive group approach. Adolescence. 33, 253-268.