New Waiver Program Keeps More AR Kids Out of Foster Homes
By: Cassidy Hodges
Updated: January 10, 2013
A new federal waiver is changing the way DHS handles abuse cases in Arkansas.
As the law stands now, any sort of neglect - like forgetting to enroll a child in school or not bathing them everyday - could mean the child is sent to foster care.
But the new federal waiver, which the Arkansas Department of Human Services applied for, will allow DHS workers more flexibility to respond to a child's individual needs as well as the needs of the family as a whole.
Amy Webb with the state DHS office hopes the waiver will help the department act as as more of a partner for parents and less of an investigator.
Amy Webb with the state DHS office hopes the waiver will help the department act as as more of a partner for parents and less of an investigator.
Under the new waiver, instead of pulling a kid out of a home for situations that aren't serious, Webb says state workers will be able to work with the family to correct the problem while allowing the child to stay at home.
Lawmakers say the move will strengthen families and teach parents to better care for their children.
"This waiver allows state officials to allow that child to stay in that home and it may not be perfect, but it's better than a foster home," says Jon Woods, a republican State Senator.
The new measure does not apply to instances of sexual or physical abuse.
Webb says those cases will still be investigated before a child is pulled out of the home and put into foster care.
