Credit Lester Graham / Michigan Radio
The creation of a new, bipartisan task force to address problems in the state s adoption and foster care system was announced Thursday by Michigan Representative Thomas Albert (R-Lowell), chair of the House Appropriations Committee. The overall goal is to improve the outcomes for kids that are in the foster care and adoption systems, Albert said.
Albert said the specific agenda will be set by the task force.
He cited child welfare services, family reunification, increasing adoptions, and educational outcomes of foster kids as possible areas to be investigated.
The task force plans to hear from experts, families, and children who have had firsthand experience with the system and its shortcomings.