In the near future, I intend to introduce legislation that would strengthen Pennsylvania’s foster care and kinship care system by requiring psychological screening for all applicants prior to placement.
 
     Currently, foster children are placed in homes based on background checks, references, and home studies. However, these measures do not adequately address the critical issue of the applicant’s mental health and its potential impact on the safety and well-being of children in care. Foster youth are among our most vulnerable populations, and they deserve the highest level of protection when being placed in substitute care.
 
     Key Provisions of the Bill:
     
     • Mandatory Psychological Screening:

     All foster applicants must undergo psychological screening prior to approval and placement.


     • Kinship Care Flexibility:

     In recognition of the urgent nature of kinship placements, applicants may be approved provisionally. However, they must complete psychological screening within a reasonable time frame after placement.


     • Physician Attestation of Mental Health:

     Similar to Missouri’s model, all applicants and adult household members must provide an attestation from a licensed physician confirming that they are in good mental health and do not pose a risk to the safety of foster children.


     • Authority for Licensing Agencies:

     Child welfare licensing agencies will be expressly authorized to require a comprehensive psychological evaluation when concerns about an applicant’s or household member’s mental health arise.
 

     Background – Missouri Model:

     Missouri law requires all foster applicants and adult household members to be deemed by a physician as being in good physical and mental health. The physician must complete an agency-provided form confirming that no risk exists to foster children’s safety. Where concerns are identified, further evaluations may be mandated. This commonsense safeguard helps ensure that children are not placed into environments where untreated mental health challenges could jeopardize their safety.
 
     Why This Matters:
     The trauma foster children carry into care requires a stable, healthy, and safe environment. By requiring psychological screening and physician attestation, we can reduce the risks of secondary trauma, placement disruptions, and potential harm. This legislation will bring Pennsylvania’s standards in line with best practices and help ensure that our foster system prioritizes child safety at every level.
 
     I invite you to join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation to safeguard the well-being of Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable children.