In re Jermaine H.

OPINION OF THE COURT

Patricia E. Gallaher, J.

What is at stake here is money, i.e., whether the Monroe County Department of Human Services (DHS) must pay foster care money for “emergency kinship foster care” to the friend of the family it has chosen and approved to care for the subject child in this neglect proceeding and who is willing to be a foster parent, just as if she were a stranger certified to provide foster care to this same child.

The primary issue before the court is whether the Monroe County Department of Human Services can be required by the court pursuant to section 1017 of the…