BLAIR LEE III, Acting Governor                           2831

(2) TO ENCOURAGE AND FACILITATE THE RETURN OF

THESE CHILDREN TO THEIR NATURAL PARENTS OR, UPON A

DETERMINATION THAT THE RETURN IS NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF
THE CHILD, TO MAKE THE CHILD ELIGIBLE FOR ADOPTION;

(3)          TO ENCOURAGE EXERTION OF ALL POSSIBLE

EFFORTS TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR PERMANENT FOSTER CARE OR

GUARDIANSHIP FOR CHILDREN FOR WHOM RETURN TO NATURAL PARENTS
OR ADOPTION IS UNFEASIBLE OR IMPOSSIBLE; AND

(4) TO REPORT TO THE JUVENILE COURT INADEQUATE
THE STATUS OF EFFORTS TO SECURE PERMANENT HOMES FOR
CHILDREN.

(B)        FOR EACH CHILD WHOSE CASE IS REVIEWED A LOCAL

BOARD SHALL SUBMIT A WRITTEN REPORT TO THE JUVENILE COURT
AND THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, WHICH SHALL MAY
RECOMMEND:

(l) THAT RETURN OF THE CHILD TO HIS PARENT OR
LEGAL GUARDIAN IS IN THE CHILD'S BEST INTEREST;

(2) THAT CONTINUED PLACEMENT OUTSIDE OF THE
HOME IS IN THE CHILD'S BEST INTEREST, AND THAT THE PLACEMENT
PLAN IS APPROPRIATE FOR THE CHILD'S NEEDS;

(3)          THAT CONTINUED PLACEMENT OUTSIDE OF THE
HOME IS IN THE CHILD'S BEST INTEREST, BUT THAT THE PLACEMENT
PLAN IS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR THE CHILD'S NEEDS; OR

(4)          THAT THE INITIATION OF PROCEEDINGS FOR THE

TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS IN ORDER TO FREE THE CHILD

FOR ADOPTION IS IN THE CHILD'S BEST INTEREST.

(C) THE COURT MAY, EITHER ON ITS OWN MOTION OR UPON
MOTION OF ANY PARTY WITH AN INTEREST IN THE WELFARE OF THE
CHILD, SCHEDULE A HEARING FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE REPORT
AND MAKE DETERMINATIONS IT DEEMS APPROPRIATE.

(D) (C)            PUBLIC AND PRIVATE AGENCIES AND

INSTITUTIONS__WHICH PROVIDE FOR OR ARRANGE FOSTER CARE OF

CHILDREN UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL

SERVICES SHALL COOPERATE WITH THE STATE BOARD AND LOCAL

BOARDS BY FURNISHING NECESSARY INFORMATION FOR THE PROPER
FUNCTIONING OF THE BOARDS.

(E) (D) THE STATE BOARD SHALL PROVIDE A TRAINING

PROGRAM FOR MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL BOARDS AND PROMULGATE

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES TO PROVIDE FOR REPORTS AND OTHER
INFORMATION REQUIRED FOR STATE, COUNTY, AND PRIVATE AGENCIES
AND INSTITUTIONS.

(F) (E) THE STATE BOARD SHALL RENDER A REPORT ON

THE STATUS OF FOSTER CARE CHILDREN IN THIS STATE TO THE

GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON THE FIRST DAY OF EACH YEAR.

118. 117.