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DOCURENT RESUNE
01743-- [A08914#58
Children in Foster Care In~titutions: Steps Goverument Can Take
to Improve Their Care. B-164031(5); HRD-77-40. February 22,
1977. 39 pp.
Report to the Congress; by Elmer B. Staats, Comptroller General.
issue area: Tncome Security Programs: Program monitoring and
Administrat.on (1303).
Contact: Human Resources Div.
Budget Function: Education, manpower, and Sccial Services:
Social Services (506); Income Security: Public Assistance
and Other Income Supplements (604).
organization Concerned: Department of Health, Education, and
Welfare; i3cial and Rehabilitation Service.
congressional Relevance: Congress; House Committee on lays and
Beans; Senate Committee on Finance.
Authority: Social Security Act, title IV-A (42 U.S.C. 608).
Social Security Act, title IV-B (42 U.S.C. 620). 45 C.F.R.
74, app. f. Soclal Security Act, title XIX.
The Federal Governaent provi4es funds to States for
foster care of ch.'hldren who receive unsuitable care at home by
placing the child.ren in either foster family home3 or child-care
institutions. Findings/Conclusions: State and local agencies
responsib] for the placing and car, if foster children in child
care institutions did not always provide required social
services to the children and their families, sometimes paid
rates to institutions which were based on unallowable and/or
uireasonable costa, and did not make sure that physical
conditions and services aet the institutions were satisfactory.
State officials believe the program scope has changed to include
children placed primarily because of mental or delinquency
problems. Excessive caseloads and insufficient staff prevented
raquired services from being regularly provided. Lack of
specific guidelineo and criteria to which placing agencies cdn
be held accountable primarily caused these problems.
Recommendations: There should be increased interactions between
the child-foster parent-caseworker, with a minimum of
semi-annual visits to institutionalized children. Bore specific
guidel'nes are needed foL getting expense rate-= and judging
reasonableness of foster care costs. Closer monitoring of
licensing standards and facilities is necessary. States should
require documentation of services and assessments of children's
progress tc the placing agencies, as part of the 3ix-month
review of placements. Congress should look at the expansion of
federally funded Aid to Fa3ilies with Dependent Children
program, which may go beyond the scope originally contemplated
by Congress. (Author/DJ)](ViewImageLocal?handle=hein.gao/gaobaacch0001&div=1&collection=&method=preview&ext=.png&size=3)