Rep. Stallworth offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 276.   

            A resolution to request the Department of Human Services to immediately review the outstanding or delinquent reimbursement requests from child placement agencies.

            Whereas, The Department of Human Services (DHS) authorizes payments to licensed child caring institutions and foster care providers for care and placement of children in the foster care and adoption systems; and

            Whereas, These Child welfare agencies provide a vital service to the state in its efforts to meet the needs of children in the child welfare system and at a cost savings; and

Whereas, Many child placement agencies are, subject to long waiting periods for payment requests submitted DHS. These delinquent payments cause hardship to these agencies as they attempt to maintain operations while waiting for payment for services rendered; and

            Whereas, It is imperative that payment processes for child placement agencies are operating in a timely manner, to ensure child placement agencies can continue to provide these essential services; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we request an immediate review by the Department of Human Services of outstanding and delinquent reimbursement requests by child placement agencies prior to the completion of their annual budget; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Director of the Department of Human Services.