News

Bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL) to reauthorize and reform the nation's child welfare programs received approval on Sept. 18 from the U.S. House of Representatives and advances to the U.S. Senate for consideration.

"I am proud that this common-sense bill passed the House and urge the Senate to take it up swiftly to save taxpayer dollars, reduce administrative burdens, expand evidence-based services to prevent child abuse and neglect, and improve outcomes for youth transitioning from foster care," Rep. LaHood said Wednesday. 

The House voted 405-10 to pass the Supporting America's Children and Families Act, H.R. 9076, which specifically would reauthorize child welfare programs under part B of title IV of the Social Security Act and strengthen the state and tribal child support enforcement program under part D of title IV, according to the text of the bill.

Rep. LaHood, chairman of the U.S. House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Work and Welfare, sponsored H.R. 9076 on July 22 alongside lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL), incorporating policies from 16 different pieces of legislation from both Republican and Democratic members on the committee following a year-long review of the nation's child welfare programs.

"For the past year, the Ways and Means Committee has undertaken a review of the Title IV-B child welfare program, listening to stakeholders, state administrators, and those with lived experience on the most pressing challenges," said Rep. LaHood, adding that the bill "implements critical reforms to modernize and strengthen the program, providing essential support to America's children."

Among the key policies included in the bill are those to reauthorize Title IV-B for five years and modernize the program; reduce paperwork and data reporting for state agencies and caseworkers by at least 15 percent; strengthen support systems for the 2.5 million grandparents and relatives providing kinship care for children who would otherwise enter foster care; improve access for Indian tribes by streamlining funding; and address the caseworker crises, among others.

The Senate received the bill on Sept. 19 and referred it for consideration to the U.S. Senate Finance Committee.

See post here