Oakland County Probate Court v. Department of Social Services

Neff, P.J. Respondent Department of Social Services appeals as of right the circuit court’s order determining that federal Aid to Dependent Children-Foster Care (adc-f) benefits could be applied to a foster child’s care even where the probate court assumed responsibility for the placement of the child. We reverse. i A Petitioner Oakland County Probate Court argues that it may order the placement of children in specific foster care facilities without jeopardizing the children’s adc-f benefits. The dss disagrees, arguing that, under the relevant federal statutes, it must have the sole responsibility for placement and care of the children in order for the federal money to apply. *666 B After taking jurisdiction over the child in the underlying action, the Oakland County Probate Court ordered the child to be placed with the dss at either one of two specific foster care centers. Because of the specificity of this order, the dss then informed the probate court that the child was not eligible for adc-f benefits. The Oakland County Probate Court appealed this determination to the Social Services Bureau of Administrative Hearings pursuant to MCL 400.9; MSA 16.409 and MCL 400.37; MSA 16.437. The hearing referee determined that the child was not eligible for the federal benefits. 1 The Oakland County Probate Court appealed that decision by petitioning the circuit court for review. The circuit court reversed the administrative ruling, determining that the federal statutory scheme did not require exclusive control by the dss over placement in order to allow adc-f benefits to be applied to foster children. ii Our standard of review of administrative decisions is the same as that of the circuit court. Powers v Dep’t of Social Services, 179 Mich App 416; 446 NW2d 505 (1989). We conduct that review to determine whether the administrative decision was supported by competent, material, and substantial evidence and whether it was contrary to law. Id._ *667 A The federal government has provided, in 42 USC 672, eligibility standards for determining when adc-f benefits may be awarded. That statute provides, in part: (a) Each State with a plan approved under this part shall make foster care maintenance payments (as defined in section 675(4) of this title) under this part with respect to a child who would meet the requirements of section 606(a) of this title or of section 607 of this title but for his removal from the home of a relative (specified in section 606(a) of this title), if (1) the removal . . . was the result of a judicial determination to the effect that continuation therein would be contrary to the welfare of such child . . . ; (2) such child’s placement and care are the responsibility of (A) the State agency administering the State plan .... [Emphasis added.] B This Court dealt with similar issues, and construed similar rules, in Craven v Dep’t of Social Services, 132 Mich App 673; 347 NW2d 782 (1984). In Craven, the probate court issued various orders requiring cosupervision between the probate court and the dss with respect to the care of certain foster children. In holding that adc-f benefits would not apply to these children, this Court determined that the relevant federal statutes and rules "can only be reasonably interpreted as meaning that the sole responsibility for placement and care of a child must rest with the state agency (dss).” Id. at 678. We agree with this Court’s reasoning in Craven. *668 The federal statute clearly draws the lines of authority. We hold that in order for adc-f benefits to apply to a foster child’s placement and care, the probate court must make a ruling placing the child in the custody of the dss, but the order must leave the dss with the sole responsibility for the placement and care of the foster child. 42 USC .672(a). In relying on Craven, we disagree with the Oakland County Probate Court’s argument that Craven can be distinguished on the basis that it dealt with the care of the child as opposed to the placement of the child. Both the statute and Craven speak in terms of the "child’s placement and care,” and we find no basis to separate the two issues. See 42 USC 672(a)(2); Craven, supra at 678. The dss loses sole authority when either its power to place a child or its power to care for a child, or both, is restricted. c We also conclude that the dss’ sole responsibility with respect to placement and care does not interfere with a probate court’s case overview responsibility under 42 USC 675(5)(C). Again, a probate court’s responsibility is limited to making the general determination of whether the child is to stay within the .system. The dss, on the other hand, is responsible for determining where the care is to be given and the nature of that care. D Because we conclude the administrative decision was supported by competent, material, and substantial evidence and is not contrary to law, we *669 reverse the circuit court’s order granting petitioner’s requested relief and reinstate the hearing referee’s ruling. See Powers, supra at 419. Reversed. Footnotes [1] As noted in Judge Shepherd’s concurring opinion in Craven v Dep’t of Social Services, 132 Mich App 673, 678-679; 347 NW2d 782 (1984), this dispute has to do with which entity, the dss or the county, will pay the benefits, not whether the child will be denied benefits. The question revolves around where the financial burden will fall, depending on which entity has control over the services provided to the child.