FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Sept. 24, 1998
Contact: Michael Kharfen, (202) 401-9215
HHS Approves Child Welfare Reform Demonstrations for
Kansas and New Hampshire
HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala today announced approval of two
child welfare demonstrations for Kansas and New Hampshire, aimed
at broadening the protection of children and addressing the problem
of substance abuse.
"Substance abuse has contributed to a profound and tragic
rise in the number of children at risk of child abuse and neglect
and in foster care," Secretary Shalala said. "We are
very pleased to support Kansas and New Hampshire in these vital
and comprehensive efforts to improve the lives of their most vulnerable
children."
These demonstrations are among the first to be approved through
the expanded authority provided under the Adoption and Safe Families
Act signed by President Clinton in 1997. The new authority enables
HHS to give states more flexibility in trying innovative child
welfare projects.
Kansas will test the effect of increased drug, alcohol, and aftercare
services, more extensive caseworker training, and a new guardianship
program on results for children. It will also compare the present
case-rate, performance-based payment system with a fee-for-service
payment system.
The state will identify and assist families that have substance
abuse problems, and provide services that include family and individual
therapy, parenting education, family support, and school-based
services. These and other services, including respite care, will
be made available to families as needed when a child returns from
foster care.
New Hampshire will gauge the impact of parental substance abuse
treatment on child safety and family stability. It will see if
drug and alcohol treatment followed by comprehensive aftercare
services reduces family disruptions as measured by placements
and length of time children spend in foster care.
The state will hire a substance abuse specialist with protective
services expertise to conduct assessments and provide referrals
when parental alcohol or other drug abuse is believed to be a
factor contributing to the child's abuse or neglect.
"These important demonstrations will provide extremely valuable
experience and learning on how best to help ensure the safety
and well-being of children where substance abuse has put them
at risk of harm," said Olivia A. Golden, HHS assistant secretary
for children and families. "Kansas and New Hampshire have
developed very promising and thoughtful programs as models for
the nation."
The number of children in foster care rose 47 percent from 1988
when 340,000 children were in care to over 500,000 in 1997.
Some studies indicate that substance abuse has had a major impact
in the increase in incidents of child abuse and neglect and children
entering the foster care system. Surveys of caseworkers and administrators
estimated that the percentage of children in foster care exposed
to substance abuse ranged from one-quarter to over 60 percent.
Prior to the Adoption and Safe Families Act, Congress had given
authority to HHS to grant up to 10 demonstration projects to states.
Ten states were approved, though many more were interested. The
new law allows HHS to approve up to 10 more demonstrations each
year for the next five years. HHS has encouraged states to develop
projects in several key areas: increasing adoptions of special
needs children, promoting community-based services to prevent
child abuse and neglect, improving the access to needed health
and mental health services, and projects to meet the unique needs
of Native American children.
Both Kansas' and New Hampshire's projects are for five years,
will be cost-neutral and include a rigorous evaluation.
###
Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are
available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.
Back to Top