The Legislature recognizes that wards and dependent children share many characteristics, often have similar family histories, and often require similar services such as out-of-home placement. The Legislature also recognizes that while there are similarities in the characteristics and service needs of the ward and dependent populations, there are also significant differences, the first being that the wards have been found responsible for committing offenses. Given this difference, the Legislature deems it imperative that placement agencies give special

consideration when placing wards to factors which are not as significant when placing dependent children, including the effect on, including safety of, the community in which the out-of-home placement facility is located. However, the Legislature also acknowledges that for some wards, separate from the issue of accountability and punishment with regard to the offense, after satisfying the orders of the court with regard to the offense, placement in the out-of-home care system, with board and care funded through the Aid to Families with Dependent Children-Foster Care program, is appropriate and in their best interest.

In order to ensure that wards in the out-of-home care system, with board and care funded through the Aid to Families with Dependent Children-Foster Care program, receive appropriate services, and to ensure that applicable federal and state statutory requirements are met, it is the intent of the Legislature that the State Department of Social Services,

regulate and monitor these placement activities.