RSSFoster Youth Rights Amendment Act of 2012
Councilmember Jim Graham, Chair of the Committee on Human Services, announces a public hearing on Bill 19-803, the “Foster Youth Rights Amendment Act of 2012.” The hearing will be held on Wednesday, July 11, 2012, at 3:30 p.m. in Room 120 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004. This hearing notice is abbreviated to provide timely notice to the public.
Bill 19-803 would require the Mayor to issue rules to consolidate existing foster youth rights, incorporate three new rights, and establish penalties and remedies for violating the rights of foster youth. It would also require the Child and Family Services Agency to inform youth of their rights upon entrance to the agency, provide copies of the bill of rights and relevant Statements of Rights and Responsibilities to youth currently in foster care, incorporate the bill of rights and Statements of Rights and Responsibilities into scheduled trainings to social workers and other affected staff, develop an implementation plan on the dissemination of the bill of rights for youth in foster care and a mechanism for receiving and handling complaints, and conduct an analysis on increasing the allowance and stipend levels provided to youth residing in group homes and Independent Living Programs to account for inflation and cost of living increases.
Those who wish to testify should register online or contact Mr. Malcolm Cameron of the Committee on Human Services by e-mail at mcameron@dccouncil.us or by telephone at (202) 724-8191. E-mail contacts to Mr. Cameron should include the residential ward, full name, title, and affiliation -- if applicable -- of the person(s) testifying. Witnesses should bring 15 copies of their written testimony to the hearing. Individuals will be permitted 3 minutes for oral presentation -- individuals representing organizations or groups will be permitted 5 minutes.
If you are unable to testify at the hearing, written statements are encouraged and will be made a part of the official record. Copies of written statements should be submitted to the Secretary to the Council, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Suite 5, Washington, D.C. 20004, no later than 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 10, 2012. The record will close at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 18, 2012.