The bill amends the training requirements for the licensure of individual child foster care providers in Iowa. It removes the specific requirement of completing thirty hours of foster parent training for initial licensure and six hours of training for license renewal. Instead, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is given the authority to determine appropriate training based on the relevant experience of the proposed individual licensee and the circumstances of both the licensee and the prospective foster child. The bill also specifies that the training must cover various topics, including child welfare, behavior management, and the effects of trauma on child development.

Additionally, the bill allows for flexibility in training by permitting individuals to complete the required training through approved programs offered by public or private agencies with expertise in child foster care. It emphasizes that the department will notify licensees of any beneficial training opportunities and mandates that the department adopt rules to implement and enforce these new training requirements. Overall, the bill aims to create a more tailored and relevant training process for foster care providers while ensuring that essential topics are still covered.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 237.5A