Header, the Administration of the Honorable Lincoln C. Almond
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Executive Order 98-06
June 11, 1998


COMMISSION TO STUDY THE POLICY AND PRACTICES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES REGARDING THE PLACEMENT OF CHILDREN IN FOSTER AND ADOPTIVE CARE

WHEREAS, in 1996, Congress enacted the Multi-Ethnic Placement Act prohibiting denial or or delay in the placement of children into roster or adoptive homes based upon race; and

WHEREAS, in 1997, Congress enacted the Adoption and Safe Families Act emphasizing the need to protect children from harm and to provide timely permanency planning for children who are admitted to foster care; and

WHEREAS, the enactment of these aforementioned federal acts suggests that it is now timely and appropriate for the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families to undertake an in-depth review of its policies and day-to-day practices relative to the placement of children into foster and adoptive homes; and

WHEREAS, it is the objective of this Administration that the Department of Children, Youth and Families embrace the philosophical underpinnings of the above-cited federal acts that all children be protected from harm and that permanency plans for foster children be identified and implemented expeditiously and that the practice and procedure of the Department be consistent with achieving such ends while at the same time being sensitive and responsive to the needs and rights of the muiti-cultural FILED clientele which the Department serves.

NOW, THEREFORE, I LINCOLN ALMOND, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, hereby order as follows:

1. There is hereby created a Commission to study the policies, procedures and practices of the Department of Children, Youth and Families relative to placement and permanency planning for children in foster care and to placement of children in adoptive care.

2. The Commissions inquiry shall include, but shall not be limited to, a review of applicable federal and state laws, Departmental policy and practice, existing studies relevant to the issues of placement in foster and adoptive care, and the testimony of interested members of the public and of appropriate community organizations.

3. The Commission shall consist of 17 members as follows: the Director of the Department Children, Youth and Families who shall serve as co-chairperson; three members of the House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker of the House, one of whom shall be from the minority party and two of whom shall be from the majority party; three members of the Senate to be appointed by the Senate Majority Leader, one of whom shall be from the minority party and two of whom shall be from the majority party; the Chief Judge of the Family Court or designee; the Child Advocate or designee; the Court appointed Special Advocate or designee; the Public Defender or designee; s representative of Families First, to be appointed by the Governor; five public members to be appointed by the Governor, one of whom shall serve as co-chairperson.

4. The Department of Children, Youth and Families shall provide staff support to the Commission.

5. The Commission shall meet regularly and shall report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and to the General Assembly on or before October 15, 1998.

This Executive Order shall take effect immediately upon the date hereof and shall expire upon the submission of the Commission's final report to the Governor and the General Assembly.

So Ordered:


Lincoln Almond
Governor