(US) Ruling on Reasonable Modifications for Parents With Disabilities in the Child Welfare System

From: Dr. Marc-Alexander Fluks

Source: U.S. Federal Register Vol. 88, #177, p 63413 Date: September 14, 2023 URL: https://www.federalregister.gov/doc...alth-and-human-service-programs-or-activities

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2023-09-14/pdf/2023-19149.pdf

[A Proposed Rule by the Health and Human Services Department]

Discrimination on the Basis of Disability in Health and Human Service Programs or Activities -------------------------------------------------------------

AGENCY

Office for Civil Rights (OCR), Office of the Secretary, HHS.

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Reasonable Modifications for Parents With Disabilities in the Child Welfare System

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In another case, an OCR investigation revealed that a State denied a prospective parent with chronic fatigue syndrome and other disabilities the opportunity to become a foster parent. OCR determined that the child welfare agency failed to make an individualized assessment of the applicant's ability to be a foster/adoptive parent and improperly used disability as a criterion to make placement decisions. OCR also found that the agency failed to consider whether support services offered to other foster/adoptive parents would have allowed the applicant to participate in the program if they were made available.

In response to OCR's findings, the State agency agreed to develop and implement standard operating procedures for documenting and assessing foster care and adoption program applicants and participants with disabilities. The agency also agreed to implement a process for maintaining a record of administration and results of assessments and to provide annual training to staff involved in assessing and/or supporting foster care and adoption program applicants and participants.

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[FR Doc. 2023–19149 Filed 9–7–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P

 

A very important subject. Thanks @Dolphin.

 

I'm pretty sure you have to meet certain hea1th/medica1 criteria to become a foster carer or adoptive parent in the UK. However, I think here we have a 'main carer' assigned (at 1east in the fostering system) so if there is at 1east one suitab1y hea1thy partner in a prospective coup1e that may be sufficient to meet the requirements (I 1ooked at this quite a few years ago so am unsure of the current ru1es).