2014 Michigan Compiled Laws
Chapter 722 - CHILDREN
Act 525 of 2008 FOSTER CARE TRUST FUND ACT (722.1021 - 722.1031)
Section 722.1027 Public input; board as collaborative body; duties; contracts with public or private agencies.

FOSTER CARE TRUST FUND ACT (EXCERPT)
Act 525 of 2008
722.1027 Public input; board as collaborative body; duties; contracts with public or private agencies.

Sec. 7.

(1) The board shall seek input from the general public and all of the following individuals or groups that have an interest in or provide services to the foster care industry:

(a) The Michigan federation for children and families or its successor organization.

(b) The Michigan network for youth and families or its successor organization.

(c) Statewide foster parent associations or their successor organizations.

(d) The presidents council of the state universities of Michigan or its successor organization.

(e) The Michigan community college association or its successor organization.

(f) Michigan's children or its successor organization.

(g) Michigan league for human services or its successor organization.

(h) The superintendent of public instruction.

(i) The director of the department of energy, labor, and economic growth.

(j) The director of the department of corrections.

(k) A representative of Michigan court appointed special advocates.

(l) The association of accredited child and family agencies or its successor organization.

(m) A representative of the children's trust fund.

(n) The state supreme court.

(o) The state foster care review board.

(p) The Michigan association of counties or its successor organization.

(2) The board shall serve as a collaborative body that works with existing pubic and private foster care programs and provides financial assistance and resources to do all of the following:

(a) Work to identify and address the many issues facing foster care children in this state.

(b) Work with the foster care community to solve the problems facing current foster care children and those children who have been in the foster care system or who will soon age out of the foster care system.

(c) Focus on developing an extensive support network for foster care youth who age out of the system. The support network should include, but is not limited to, personal counseling, financial planning, health care options, and college or career training programs.

(d) Provide for the coordination and exchange of information on the establishment and maintenance of foster care programs.

(e) Provide statewide educational and public informational seminars for the purpose of developing appropriate public awareness regarding foster care; encourage professional persons and groups to recognize and deal with foster care; make information about foster care available to the public and organizations and agencies that deal with problems of foster care; and encourage the development of community foster care assistance programs.

(f) Educate the public on the various opportunities to serve within the foster care community, including, but not limited to, foster parenting, volunteering, mentoring, and foster child adoption.

(3) The board shall do all of the following:

(a) Meet not less than twice annually at the call of the chairperson.

(b) One year after the fund balance reaches $800,000.00, and subject to section 3(6) and (7), and biennially thereafter, develop a state plan for the distribution of funds from the fund. In developing the plan, the board shall review already existing foster care programs. The plan shall assure that an equal opportunity exists for establishment of foster care programs and receipt of trust fund money among all geographic areas in this state. The plan shall be transmitted to the clerk of the house of representatives and to the secretary of the senate. The board shall notify the governor and the members of the legislature that the plan is available.

(c) One year after the fund balance reaches $800,000.00, and subject to section 3(6) and (7), develop and publicize criteria for the receipt of trust fund money by eligible local councils and eligible foster care programs.

(d) Review, approve, and monitor the expenditure of trust fund money by foster care programs.

(e) One year after the fund balance reaches $800,000.00, subject to section 3(6) and (7), establish a procedure for an annual, internal evaluation of the functions, responsibilities, and performance of the board. In a year in which the biennial state plan is prepared, the evaluation shall be coordinated with the preparation of the state plan.

(4) The board may enter into contracts with public or private agencies to fulfill the requirements of this act.

History: 2008, Act 525, Imd. Eff. Jan. 13, 2009