MN HF3800

Commissioner of human services must conduct an assessment to identify methods for ensuring youth under the commissioner's guardianship are placed and maintained in permanent homes, with results due to legislative committees by January 15, 2011.

Assessment must include placement costs for the 100 oldest youth under guardianship who lack adoptive agreements, are not in relative/kinship care, or may be placed in long-term foster care by court order.

Assessment must identify county, state, and federal cost shares for placements; types of residential placements and youth numbers in each; average placement changes in prior 12 months; and existing permanency services programs.

Assessment must identify areas needing improvement for consistency among counties in care and permanent placement of youth under the commissioner's guardianship.

Commissioner must submit proposed legislation for greater control over permanent placement planning and recommendations for a cost-neutral pilot project involving up to 100 youth to decrease time from parental rights termination to permanent home placement.