WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives approved the Fostering Connections to Success Act (H.R. 6307), critical legislation that will improve the long-term health, education, and wellbeing of children in our nation’s child welfare system and ensure that more children have safe, permanent families.
The Act, introduced late last week by representatives Jim McDermott (D-WA) and Jerry Weller (R-IL), will reauthorize the very successful Adoption Incentive Program, which has increased foster care adoptions in all 50 states. Additionally, the legislation will encourage that siblings stay together when they enter the foster care system, as well as provide assistance to relatives who become permanent guardians of foster youth.
“We congratulate the House of Representatives for their decision to pass legislation that will protect our nation’s most vulnerable children,” said Bruce Lesley, President of First Focus, a bipartisan child advocacy organization. “While these children wait for a place to call home, it is our nation’s responsibility to not only ensure that their basic needs are met, but also to provide the necessary services that will help them stay on track for future success. The legislation passed today is a step in the right direction for thousands of foster kids growing up in America.”
The Fostering Connections to Success Act will also:
- Improve continuity of health care and education;
- Supports transition to adulthood by providing an option for states to extend foster care coverage beyond age 18;
- Increase tribal access to foster care and adoption funds;
- Improve the oversight of health care services;
- Extend and improve adoption incentives by promoting the Adoption Tax Credit; and,
- Modify the foster care reimbursement rate for the District of Columbia to equal the Medicaid rate.
In addition to providing services for foster children, the Act improves training for the foster care workforce.