Task Force Releases Recommendations For Michigan Foster System

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A Michigan House taskforce has released a report on how to improve the state’s foster care system. State Representative Mary Whiteford of Casco Township is the chair, and says members spoke with families, judges, guardians, and special advocates. They found improvements can be made for foster child healthcare.

“Over and over again, we found that these children – and there are anywhere from 11,000 to 13,000 children in our child welfare system – that many of them aren’t getting the healthcare that they need, and it’s because they have any number of different health plans,” Whiteford said. “So what we’re recommending is that we have one health plan for every child so that wherever they go, they can have good, consistent medical care.”

Then there’s support for foster parents.

“Another thing is foster care closets, and what that is a store house for people who are foster parents to be able to go and get equipment for the children that they’re taking responsibility for, and just the support that’s necessary.”

Whiteford says when a child is first taken into foster care, they may not have clothing or toys. Therefore, the taskforce said aside funds for that. She said legislation will be introduced in the coming weeks to fulfill more of the recommendations outlined in the task force report. You can find the task force report right here.