This bill amends the training requirements for the licensure of individual child foster care providers in Iowa. It removes the previous requirement of completing thirty hours of foster parent training for initial licensure and six hours of annual 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.

Additionally, the bill specifies that the training must cover various topics, including an overview of child welfare, biological parent contact, behavior management, trauma effects on child development, and attachment, grief, and loss. It also allows individuals to complete the required training through approved programs offered by agencies with expertise in child foster care. Furthermore, individuals engaged in active military duty are considered compliant with training requirements for licensure renewal. The bill emphasizes the importance of tailoring training to the specific needs of both the foster parent and the child in care.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 237.5A