Senator, foster parents back bill to require 10 hours of training for new foster caregivers

Senator Brandon Shippey, sponsor of Senate Bill 1292, told the House Health and Welfare Committee the bill sets a 10-hour minimum for basic foster-parent training and aims to make required training easier to complete by allowing most content to be delivered online with a "check on learning" to ensure understanding. Shippey said waivers used in past years helped expand capacity but that some consistent minimum training is important to retain foster families and protect children. "One of the things was he waived almost all the training requirements...it helped us really to get a lot more foster homes," Shippey said, then described the bill as striking "a good reasonable middle ground."

Kevin Watson, a foster parent who testified in favor of the bill, described a recent placement that had to be disrupted because the new caregivers had not completed training. "They didn't do any of the training, and after about 3 or 4 days, they had to disrupt the placement and go somewhere else," Watson said, urging the committee to pass the measure so new foster families receive better preparation. Members asked whether family caregivers — such as grandparents — could be exempted; Shippey said the department may waive training for family members when appropriate. Representative Healey moved to send SB1292 to the floor with a due-pass recommendation; the chair announced the motion passed and Representative Mitchell will carry the bill on the House floor.