Bill sponsored by Rep. Graves to streamline foster parent training unanimously passes House
The Washington State House of Representatives has passed a bill aimed at making it easier for prospective foster parents to complete their pre-service training.
Under House Bill 2256, sponsored by Rep. Paul Graves, all pre-service training would be made available online. However, certain elements of the training would still be required to be completed in person by staff with the Department of Social and Health Services and the Department of Children, Youth, and Families.
“As the state continues to face a severe foster parent shortage, we should make it simpler for people thinking about serving as foster parents to complete the licensing requirements,” said Graves, R-Fall City. “Allowing people to review all of the materials and complete some of the training online should make it easier for them to get to the good work of caring for the thousands of foster kids in Washington.”
Prospective foster parents must complete 24 hours of core pre-service training, which includes information about:
- the potential impact of placement on foster children;
- social service agency administrative processes;
- the requirements, responsibilities, expectations, and skills needed to be a foster parent;
- attachment, separation, and loss issues faced by birth parents, foster children, and foster parents;
- child management and discipline;
- birth family relationships;
- information on the limits of the adoption support program;
- helping children leave foster care.
House Bill 2256 now moves to the Senate for further consideration.
