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Passage in the Senate would enact this important bill, but the Senate needs to hear from all of you.
The legislation is thoughtfully drafted to updated federal policy on 'diligent recruitment' and help agencies across the country meet the significant challenges they're experiencing in recruiting, supporting, training and retaining families to care for children in foster care.
Please see the form here for more detailed information about the bill and where you can sign onto a Letter to Congress expressing support. Thanks to the National Foster Parent Association for their leadership on this effort.
The letter highlights reasons why this bill is urgently needed:
- Children coming into foster care should not be staying in hotels, agency offices, or AirBnbs.
- Federal policy on foster parent recruitment and retention is out-of-date and out-of-step with best practices.
- S. 1313 reinforces the best practice of kinship care.
- S. 1313 builds on state examples of data-driven approaches of what works
- Children in foster care have been exposed to trauma and understandably have complex social and emotional challenges. Family-based care is vital to their healing, health and well-being.
- Solutions are achievable.
H.R. 8815: Youth and Family Engagement in Child Welfare Act | To amend subpart 2 of part B of title IV of the Social Security Act to ensure that youth and parents with lived experience in the child welfare system are consulted on policies, ensuring representation and inclusion of their perspectives in State child welfare program planning.