SS HCS HB 509 -- GRANDPARENTS AS FOSTER PARENTS PROGRAM

This bill creates the "Grandparents as Foster Parents Program"
within the Department of Social Services.  Grandparents who are
55 years of age or older who are the legal guardians of a
grandchild placed in their care, who meet needs criteria
established by the Division of Family Services and in accordance
with state appropriations, and who participate in parenting
skills training are eligible for state-funded assistance under
the welfare reform appropriations.  Such assistance will provide
reimbursement based on the current foster care payment schedule,
support services including child care and transportation
assistance, and Medicaid coverage for the grandchild.  The
program will also offer foster parent training, health
screenings including childhood immunizations, and continuing
counseling for the child and grandparent.

HCS HB 509 -- GRANDPARENTS AS FOSTER PARENTS PROGRAM (Bland)

This substitute creates the "Grandparents  as Foster Parents
Program."  Grandparents who are 55 years of age or older, who
are the legal guardians of a grandchild placed in their care,
and who participate in parenting skills training are eligible
for state-funded assistance under the welfare reform
appropriations.  Such assistance will provide reimbursement
based on the current foster care payment schedule, support
services including child care and transportation assistance, and
Medicaid coverage for the grandchild.  Grandparents who are
either under age 55, or who are 55 years of age or older and
refuse to participate in the required training may apply for
assistance under the federally-funded portion of welfare reform
appropriations.  Work participation and time limit requirements
associated with the federal welfare reform legislation will
apply to these grandparents.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Effect on General Revenue Fund of $0
or Unknown Costs for FY 1998, FY 1999, and FY 2000.

HCS HB 509 -- GRANDPARENTS AS FOSTER PARENTS PROGRAM

SPONSOR:  Bland

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Social
Services, Medicaid and the Elderly by a vote of 10 to 6.

This substitute creates the "Grandparents  as Foster Parents
Program".  Grandparents who are 55 years of age or older, who
are the legal guardians of a grandchild placed in their care,
and who participate in parenting skills training are eligible
for state-funded assistance under the welfare reform
appropriations.  Such assistance will provide reimbursement
based on the current foster care payment schedule, support
services including child care and transportation assistance, and
Medicaid coverage for the grandchild.  Grandparents who are
either under age 55, or who are 55 years of age or older and
refuse to participate in the required training may apply for
assistance under the federally-funded portion of welfare reform
appropriations.  Work participation and time limit requirements
associated with the federal welfare reform legislation will
apply to these grandparents.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Cost to General Revenue Fund of $0
or Unknown in FY 1998, FY 1999, & FY 2000.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that this program encourages
grandparents who are caring for their minor grandchildren to
develop effective parenting skills, and provides assistance to
them in meeting the challenges of parenting.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Bland; Department of
Social Services; Children's Mercy Hospital; Center on Aging
Studies; and Mabel Washington.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Debra Cheshier, Research Analyst

HB 509 -- Public Assistance

Sponsor:  Bland

This bill establishes as the state's policy on public assistance
the provisions of the plan submitted by the Department of Social
Services on September 30, 1996, to the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services.  This plan was submitted to ensure
eligibility for the receipt of federal funds through the
Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996
(commonly referred to as federal welfare reform).  This bill
requires that two previously granted waivers to federal
requirements continue to be recognized and implemented.  These
are (1) the Missouri Families Mutual Responsibility Plan, which
began on July 1, 1995, and is scheduled to operate through June
30, 2000; and (2) the Twenty-First Century Communities
Demonstration Plan, which began on January 31, 1993, and is
scheduled to operate through January 31, 2005.  This bill
further asserts that the General Assembly finds the waivers to
federal requirements previously granted in the areas of time
limits, exemptions, and countable work activities are better
suited to fulfilling the needs of Missouri families, although
these are recognized as inconsistent with the provisions of the
federal welfare reform act.

This bill requires the Department of Social Services to ensure
that (1) needy children and families receive assistance; (2) the
state maximizes its receipts of federal funds; (3) those
families most likely to move from welfare to work receive the
limited child care funds and funds for work, education, and
training programs; (4) those unemployed through no fault of
their own are not penalized by Missouri's new welfare programs;
(5) client privacy continues to be protected; and (6) uniform
standards of eligibility be implemented throughout the state.
In addition, the state will establish those programs, standards,
and procedures required by the federal welfare reform act.
These include operating a child support enforcement program and
waiving certain program requirements for those who have been
victims of domestic violence or face other barriers to self--
sufficiency.  The Department of Social Services is required to
apply for any waivers necessary to implement the provisions of
this bill.