Help protect Foster Families And their Ability to Utilize Immunization Exemptions

Help protect Foster Families And their Ability to Utilize Immunization Exemptions

Please support NHFA’s proposed amendment to HHS’s Proposed Model Family Foster Home Licensing Standards before October 1st. Only 4 days left to comment! If these standards are finalized without an amendment, foster families will not be able to utilize legal immunization exemptions except for medical reasons.

Take Action Here: Submit your own comment to HHS’s Administration for Children and Families online, a very quick and effective method of letting them know you are in opposition to the standards and why.

Read Proposed Standards Here: Proposed Model Family Foster Home Licensing Standards.

Read NHFA’s Comments Here: NHFA has reviewed the Proposed Standards and submitted a proposed amendment.             

NHFA’s proposed amendment: (amendment language is in italics)

All children who are household members must be up to date on immunizations consistent with the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the American Academy of Family Physicians, unless the immunization is contrary to the child’s health as documented by a licensed health care professional, or unless the foster parents have chosen to utilize and comply with exemptions from child immunization schedule recommendations available under state law.

 NHFA’s Reasons for Amendment:

1. States have the right and the flexibility to make laws and public policies regarding their citizens health and their health rights including the availability of immunizations and exemptions to immunization recommendations. Many states have constitutional protection providing the underpinning for exemptions as spelled out in the Ohio correspondence.
2. Federal constitution and federal law protect’s religious freedoms and federal mandates should always reflect that.
3. The rights of foster parent and foster children regarding immunization exemptions should be protected like all other citizens.
4. Making unnecessary and unconstitutional restrictions on the criteria for being eligible foster parents will decrease the number of applicants and eliminate highly qualified and educated applicants.

Take Action Here: Submit your own comment to HHS’s Administration for Children and Families online.