State Codes and Statutes

Statutes > Connecticut > Title17a > Chap319a > Sec17a-116b

      Sec. 17a-116b. Advisory committee promoting adoption and provision of services to minority and difficult to place children. Members, appointment, duties, reports. (a) An advisory committee on promoting the adoption of and provision of services to minority children and children who are difficult to place in adoption is established within the Department of Children and Families.

      (b) The committee is composed of twelve members appointed by the commissioner. The commissioner shall appoint to the committee individuals who in the aggregate have knowledge of and experience in community education, cultural relations, family support, counseling, and parenting skills and education.

      (c) A committee member serves for a two-year term and may be appointed for additional terms.

      (d) A member of the committee receives no compensation.

      (e) The committee shall elect one member to serve as presiding officer. The presiding officer serves for a two-year term and may be elected for additional terms.

      (f) The commissioner shall set the time and place of the first committee meeting. The committee shall meet at least quarterly.

      (g) To promote the adoption of and provision of services to minority children, the committee shall:

      (1) Study, develop and evaluate programs and projects relating to community awareness and education, family support, counseling, parenting skills and education and reform of the child welfare system;

      (2) Consult with churches and other cultural and civic organizations; and

      (3) Report to the department at least annually the committee's recommendations for department programs and projects that will promote the adoption of and provision of services to minority children.

      (h) On receiving the committee's recommendations, the department may adopt rules to implement a program or project recommended under this section. The department may solicit, accept and use gifts and donations to implement a program or project recommended by the committee.

      (i) The department shall report to the General Assembly not later than January first of each odd-numbered year following the first year in which it receives recommendations under this section regarding committee recommendations and action taken by the department under this section.

      (P.A. 99-166, S. 15.)

      See Sec. 17a-118 re responsibility of Department of Children and Families for adoption assistance agreement and subsidy payment.