Groundbreaking legislation, marking the most sweeping congressional reform of the U.S. foster care system in more than a decade, has passed the House of Representatives and is on its way to the Senate where it is expected to pass.
The Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act (H.R. 6893) is designed to help thousands of children in foster care by promoting permanent families for them through relative guardianship and adoption.
Among its many provisions:
* the establishment of "Family Connection Grants," which will help families facilitate the adoption of foster children with blood relatives such as grandparents or aunts and uncles
* doubles the amount of money states would receive for promoting and completing certain adoptions
* tribal governments will be able to receive foster care funds directly from the government, thus ensuring that more American Indian and Alaskan Native children can remain in their own communities
* allows states to continue providing support up to the age of 21 for young people in foster care who are pursuing education, training or work
* improves oversight of the educational progress and health care needs of children in foster care
The Honorable Maura Corrigan, Michigan State Supreme Court Justice and a Member of the Pew Commission said: "The need for all children to have safe, permanent families to love, nurture, protect, and guide them was a steady compass throughout our commission's deliberations, State courts see tens of thousands of foster care cases a year. This legislation provides important new policy that will help judges and other professionals ensure that more abused and neglected children can leave foster care to join safe, loving homes."
The Pew Commission, a national, nonpartisan panel established by The Pew Charitable Trusts, undertook a year-long comprehensive assessment of the nation's foster care system and developed practical child-centered solutions to improve outcomes for foster care.
Source:
Landmark Adoption Bill Passed By House
See also:
Congress Passes Foster Child Act
The Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act (H.R. 6893) is designed to help thousands of children in foster care by promoting permanent families for them through relative guardianship and adoption.
Among its many provisions:
* the establishment of "Family Connection Grants," which will help families facilitate the adoption of foster children with blood relatives such as grandparents or aunts and uncles
* doubles the amount of money states would receive for promoting and completing certain adoptions
* tribal governments will be able to receive foster care funds directly from the government, thus ensuring that more American Indian and Alaskan Native children can remain in their own communities
* allows states to continue providing support up to the age of 21 for young people in foster care who are pursuing education, training or work
* improves oversight of the educational progress and health care needs of children in foster care
The Honorable Maura Corrigan, Michigan State Supreme Court Justice and a Member of the Pew Commission said: "The need for all children to have safe, permanent families to love, nurture, protect, and guide them was a steady compass throughout our commission's deliberations, State courts see tens of thousands of foster care cases a year. This legislation provides important new policy that will help judges and other professionals ensure that more abused and neglected children can leave foster care to join safe, loving homes."
The Pew Commission, a national, nonpartisan panel established by The Pew Charitable Trusts, undertook a year-long comprehensive assessment of the nation's foster care system and developed practical child-centered solutions to improve outcomes for foster care.
Source:
Landmark Adoption Bill Passed By House
See also:
Congress Passes Foster Child Act
I am pleased to see any reform of the current foster care program. It's much needed.
ReplyDeleteAt the same time, those at the other end of their lives need the same consideration as the young.
Good news for children, but I hope there's adequate oversight.
ReplyDeleteEncouraging to see legislation in the right direction for the children.
ReplyDeleteWe desperately need federal legislation for the the adult wards of the state.