TESTIMONY TO THE SRS OVERSIGHT TRANSITION COMMITTEE 
                TOPEKA, KANSAS      NOVEMBER 4, 1997         
                                                          
PRESENTED BY TC MOSIER:                                   
                                                          
              * LICENSED FOSTER PARENT FOR 13 YEARS    
                       OREGON, COLORADO, IDAHO, KANSAS 
              * ADOPTIVE PARENT FOR 9 YEARS            
                       TWO CHILDREN BY ADOPTION        
              * 93 FOSTER CHILDREN PLACED IN OUR HOME  
              * UNITED FOSTER FAMILIES FOR CHILDREN    
                       CO FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT 
                                                
KANSAS FOSTER FAMILIES HAVE EXPRESSED CONCERNS: 
                                                
1.  RE-ASSESSING, RE-DIAGNOSING CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE
    WITHOUT ANY INFORMATION FROM THE CHILD'S PRIMARY PHYSICIAN, THERAPIST
    OR FOSTER FAMILY. PAST HISTORY AND INFORMATION ABOUT THE CHILD IS NOT TAKEN      
    INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN THE CASE MANAGEMENT TEAM MAKES ITS DETERMINATION 
    ABOUT THE CHILD'S FUTURE PLACEMENT.                                          
                                                                                 
2.  MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES HAVE BEEN DISCONTINUED                                 
    IN MOST CASES THE LEAD AGENCY REFUSES TO CONSIDER THE COUNSELING THAT         
    HAS BEEN COURT ORDERED, OR RECOMMENDED BY A PHYSICIAN, AND IS EITHER LIMITED
    OR TERMINATED.                                                            
                                                                              
3.  APPROPRIATE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE CARE OF THE CHILD                       
    WORKING FOSTER PARENTS ARE STRUGGLING WITH PAYING "OUT OF POCKET" MONEYS  
    TO MEET THE CHILD CARE EXPENSES WITH THEIR FOSTER CHILDREN.               
    TELEPHONE CALLS, MILEAGE, SCHOOL SUPPLIES, EXTRA CURRICULUM ACTIVITIES AND
    CLOTHING, ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE MONTHLY REIMBURSEMENT.                  
                                                                              
4.  NOT RECEIVING CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES INCLUDING;                         
    WORKERS NOT AVAILABLE, HIGH TURNOVER OF WORKERS, INEXPERIENCED WORKERS.   
    FOSTER PARENTS INPUT NOT BEING UTILIZED AND INCLUDED IN CASE PLANNING.    
    CASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM NOT BEING EXPLAINED TO FOSTER PARENTS,             
    THEREFORE WE DO NOT KNOW HOW TO USE IT.                                   
                                                                              
5.  TRANSPORTING CHILDREN - DIFFICULTY IN SECURING AND FOLLOWING              
    THROUGH WITH PLAN. TRANSPORTATION TO COURT, VISITS WITH BIOLOGICAL FAMILY,
    PROBATION OFFICER, AND THERAPY IS NOT BEING PROVIDED BY THE CONTRACTING   
    AGENCY. OFTENTIMES IS VERY SPORADIC, OR NOT PROVIDED AT ALL.              
                                                                              
6.  RETALIATION, DEPRIVATION, AND HUMILIATION                                 
    FOSTER PARENTS HAVE BEEN TREATED WITH DISRESPECT, LIED TO, AND EMBARRASSED
    WHEN THEY ATTEMPT TO RECOMMEND, OR ASSIST WITH THE FOSTER CHILD.
                                                                                 
                                                         
                                            TC MOSIER/CO-FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT