How a Bill Becomes a Law
In the modern medical world, the nurses have an expanded role in contributing to the legislation processes. They do so by proposing ideas on the solution of problems within their organization and community, which can inspire legislators to pass it as a law. Currently, in the state of Georgia, many issues affect the society and necessitate long-term solutions in the form of legislation to facilitate a reduction of these challenges. As such, this discussion delves in identifying one of such problems in Georgia, its influence on the society’s well-being and proposing best ways that one can reduce or rather eliminate this challenge. In light of the findings of this analysis, it is beyond doubt that a greater understanding of the invaluable role played by nurses will increase.
Problem Statement
Primarily, the contemporary issue that necessitates the creation of law in the state of Georgia is the one that relates to budget allocation for foster care programs. In plain terms, the funding to these initiatives is not sufficient to sustain the demands of both the recipients (children) and implementers (staff in foster care homes, foster family caregivers). A case in point the $15 given to foster parents for each child is not enough to sustain the care offered during these tough economic times (Oliver, 2015). Thus, this necessitates a legislation to push for more funding for foster care services.
The implication of the limited financial budget is reason enough for the generation of this type of legislation. The consequences are manifest in several ways in this state. For example, as of now, instances of the poor quality of care in foster care homes and poor treatment of the fostered children are on the rise. The cause of such events is mainly the small funds budgeted for foster care services.
Also, worsening this situation even further, is the increase in numbers of children that require foster care in Georgia. For instance, according to a 2014 report, the proportion of children taken in for a foster family was approximately 14400, which is a massive increase from the 9100 children in 2008 (Fetter, 2017). With such a growth explosion of children with this need, poor quality of care is inevitable. Such is the case given that the funds allocated to the foster families are too minimal to cater for the increased number of children.
Besides, the high numbers of children in foster homes result in poor tracking of the cases of neglect and maltreatment. The small number of case managers coupled with their already enormous workloads tracking of cases of neglect was not that useful when the proportion of children in foster families was low (Hankins, 2012). Evidently, without such follow-up processes in place, there will be an increase of cases of child maltreatment in foster homes.
Finally, without financial backing, a high staff turnover is another phenomenon that one can expect to see in the coming days. Hankins, (2012) observes that with a strict budgetary allocation for foster homes, persons affiliated to foster care organization will receive little salaries that are not commensurate to their efforts. Consequently, more human resource persons will leave their job positions to seek new employment or agencies where they can secure good salaries. The ramification of such a turnover is the lack of personnel like case managers to carry out foster care services.
In overall terms, from these instances, it is beyond question that passing legislation that will push an increase in the funding of foster care services is the best way of solving the current crisis.
Proposal for Bettering the Situation
In light of the present situation due to insufficient funding, the only way to improve the foster care services is through passing legislation that will spearhead more financial support by the state’s government. A bill of this kind has the potential of accruing many benefits that will garner much support as possible when tabled to the Congress for hearing.
Primarily, support of this kind will see an increase in funds budgeted for foster care services within Georgia. The funds will ensure that resources needed to accomplish foster care services are readily available. Consequently, the practice of foster care in Georgia will strengthen given the lack of imbalances caused by insufficient funds allocation (Fetter, 2017).
Additionally, this bill when passed will result in an increase in the amount paid to foster families. The financial rise will result in an improvement of the quality of care afforded by foster families to the children. That is the case given that they will be able to buy the necessities of these children, which are of the essence to their wellbeing (Fetter, 2017).
Finally, an increase in budgetary allocation will ensure that personnel working along the lines of foster care programs receive a good salary. A possibility of this kind will help reduce the staff turnover secondary to poor working conditions like low wages. The workforce will demonstrate job satisfaction and contentment, which is of the essence in the provision of quality care to the most vulnerable children population. Furthermore, the increase in money allocated for foster care initiatives will facilitate the hiring of more human resources like case managers that will help implement these programs (Fetter, 2017). Currently, there is a need for hiring more human resources due to the work force shortages in foster care affiliated organizations.
With revelation of these advantages, it is beyond doubt that this bill is indeed the missing piece of the jigsaw puzzle of foster care services in Georgia.
Conclusion
Concisely, this paper aimed at identifying a contemporary concern of persons in the state of Georgia, its influence on their well-being and proposing strategies that can offset challenge. Indeed, a challenge that has rooted this region is the one concerning the foster care programs, which has seen key players restrict themselves to tight budgets. Such a restriction has resulted in poor quality of foster care in part due to a high turnover of the human resource personnel that can offer these services because of the poor working conditions. Therefore, this state of affairs necessitates a quick remedy. A common and logical solution is to increase the financial support to these initiatives. With such an increase, the health resource personnel will earn good pay and have all the necessary resources that are essential for providing appropriate care. Consequently, this will reduce staff turnover and improve the quality of foster care. As such, from this discussion, it is clear that passing a law that pushes for an increase in the funds in each year will thus help solve the current crisis. However, failure to do so will only see the problem persist to the unforeseeable future.
References
Hankins, J. T. (2012). A study of the impact foster care policies have on permanency outcomes for children in Georgia’s private foster care.
Fetter, D. Z. (2017). Home. Retrieved from http://onlineathens.com/special-features/fostercrisis/
Oliver, C. (2015, December 6). Foster parents needed in north Georgia. Dalton Daily Citizen.
