FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Becker: Optimistic needs of homeless youth, children in foster care will be addressed in upcoming session
(STATEHOUSE) – Sounds of “yes” echoed throughout room 404 of the Statehouse this week as members of the Interim Study Committee on Missing Children voted 9-0 in favor of four recommended legislative initiatives.
After five interim meetings, powerful testimonies motivated the committee’s vice chairman Sen. Vaneta Becker (R-Evansville) and other members to draft legislation helping homeless and foster care children with educational, social and personal needs. Testimony concluded that for these children, family is the number one need.
“Children in foster care who are already separated from their parents need their brothers and sisters,” Becker said. “I am particularly passionate about this recommended draft, because I know the importance of sibling bonds.”
According to Becker, if passed, the recommended draft will allow children in foster care to request sibling visitation and requires the department of child services to promote sibling visitation, all while putting the best interest of the child first.
Another recommended legislative initiative requires school corporations to provide students in foster care the same options given to homeless students. School corporations will train and appoint liaisons, provide tutoring for the student and transportation to and from the school in which they were enrolled before receiving foster care.
“The committee wants to make sure homeless and foster care children in Indiana have access to educational opportunities in our schools just like other children do,” Becker said. “We want these children to receive a good education regardless of their hardships.”
Testimony concluded Indiana’s overall homeless population is growing. Current estimates of the number of homeless children in Indiana reach 10,000. The fourth recommended legislative initiative requires the Indiana housing and community development authority to determine the number of homeless individuals in Indiana and facilitate the dissemination of information to assist individuals and families with accessing local resources, programs and services.
Because of age criteria and laws requiring parental approval, many shelters do not house youth or provide services to those under the age of 18. Of Indiana’s 92 counties, only nine provide assistance to homeless children. The Family Support Center, an emergency shelter in Indianapolis housing individuals other shelters will not, served 869 children and 481 families in 2006. Proof, Becker said, of the need for homeless youth assistance.
“Proposed legislation allows youth who are at least 16 but under the age of 18 to receive shelter, food, hygiene items and health care from all shelters without the approval of a parent, guardian or custodian,” Becker said. “Facilities will notify parents, guardians or custodians no later than 72 hours after receiving the child and the department of child services will be notified if the child alleges abuse or neglect.”
The 72 hour notification time-line complies with federal standards. Within 72 hours, shelters are to determine the needs of the child.
“Preventing homelessness, meeting the needs of vulnerable children without homes and protecting the many children in foster care homes cannot be solved with one, simple solution,” Becker said. “These proposed initiatives will help various agencies enhance their services and improve the lives of many children who are homeless and in foster care. All of these initiatives will go before the General Assembly in the 2008 session and I’m optimistic that we will see many of these initiatives become law.”
Sen. Becker represents Senate District 50, which includes portions of Vanderburgh and Warrick counties.
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Becker optimistic initiatives will pass
Audio Clip 2: All children need access to educational opportunities
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