2012 Legislative Initiatives

Comparison Of Academic Achievement In Virginia with Leading Industrialized Countries
– Year 2

The Commission on Youth is examining how Virginia school children compare academically to students in other countries. This study originated from legislation introduced during the 2011 General Assembly Session by Senator Yvonne B. Miller (SJR 320). The Senate reported the resolution; however, members of the House Committee on Rules did not report the resolution.

Year 2 study activities will include review of data gathered during the first year, convening an advisory group of stakeholders to assist in process, and identifying international/national best practices which can be considered for adoption in Virginia.

Study Plan
Advisory Group

Definition of Kinship Caregivers

The Commission on Youth will convene an advisory group of representatives from impacted agencies and stakeholder organizations to clarify the definition of kinship caregivers and formulate recommendations to be presented to the Commission on Youth prior to the 2013 General Assembly Session.

The Commission previously studied Barriers to Kinship Care in Virginia (2010) and School Enrollment Practices for Virginia’s Kinship Caregivers (2011).

Study Plan
Advisory Group

Collection of Evidence-based Practices for Children and Adolescents with Mental Health Treatment Needs

The 2002 General Assembly, through Senate Joint Resolution 99, directed the Virginia Commission on Youth to coordinate the collection of evidence-based practices for children, including juvenile offenders, with mental health treatment needs. The Commission publishes the document biennially and disseminates it via web technologies. Now in its 4th edition, the Collection was most recently published as House Document 9 (2010).The Commission is in the process of reviewing state and local training initiatives regarding the utilization and dissemination of evidence-based practices in the field of children’s mental health, identifying additional partners and participants in the biennial update, and identifying potential partnerships for Collection dissemination.

Study Plan
Advisory Group 

Restoration of Parental Rights

The Commission on Youth will study the feasibility of creating a procedure for the restoration of parental rights for parents whose rights to their child/children were previously terminated. An advisory group will be convened to assist in the study.

This initiative originated from legislation introduced during the 2012 General Assembly Session (HB 450, Toscano; SB 218, Barker; SB 555, Favola). The Senate and House Courts of Justice Committees requested the Commission on Youth to study the provisions in the legislation and carried the bills over to the 2013 General Assembly Session.

Commission on Youth staff will present recommendations for Commission consideration prior to the 2013 General Assembly Session.

Study Plan
Advisory Group