According to multiple reports, girls needing specialized care in the foster care system in Missouri are facing a lack of beds. Missouri Girls Town, a home for girls with mental or behavioral health needs, is facing staffing and funding challenges, causing it to operate at just a fraction of the 50-bed capacity the home has.
The state of Missouri only has about 10 specialized homes for girls in foster care, much fewer than the number of homes for boys. The latest figures from the Missouri Department of Social Services show the entire state has only 60 beds for girls in Qualified Residential Treatment Programs (QRTPs), compared to 200 for boys.
QRTPs are therapeutic foster care centers designed to support youth who need mental health support and treatment. The centers have 24/7 nurse teams, treatment plans, and at least six months of support after discharge.
While QRTPs are an important resource, there are not enough beds to meet the needs of youth in the state. What’s more, these homes can also be used as emergency placements to avoid dangerous situations.
The lack of beds at these group homes can and likely does create greater risk for many girls in the Missouri foster care system. The state of Missouri has an obligation to fulfill the state’s Foster Care Bill of Rights, including:
“The children’s division and its contractors shall establish reasonably accessible respite care for children in foster care for short periods of time, jointly determined by foster parents and the child’s caseworker pursuant to section 210.545. Foster parents shall follow all procedures established by the children’s division and its contractors for requesting and using respite care.”
The attorneys at Kennedy Hunt P.C. are champions for children in foster care, including those who can be in vulnerable situations. If you or someone you know has not had their rights fulfilled, the skilled attorneys at Kennedy Hunt, P.C. can help. Fill out a questionnaire so we can understand your claim.