Recognizing National Foster Care Month as an opportunity to raise awareness about the challenges of children in the foster care system and encouraging Congress to implement policy to improve the lives of children in, or at risk of entering, the foster care system.
This is a House resolution recognizing National Foster Care Month and urging Congress to pursue policies that improve the lives of children in, or at risk of entering, the foster care system. It is a symbolic, non-binding measure intended to raise awareness about the challenges faced by foster children, celebrate the foster care workforce and advocates, and encourage federal policy action to promote prevention, reunification, adoption, and post-permanency supports. The resolution emphasizes that foster care should be focused on safety, stability, love, and permanency, and it highlights existing laws and programs (notably portions of Title IV of the Social Security Act) as vehicles through which Congress can strengthen supports for families, children, and aging-out youth. In short, the bill does not create new rights or funding or new requirements; it signals Congressional intent to consider and pursue policy changes within the framework of current child welfare law to improve outcomes for foster children and those at risk of entering foster care.
Key Points
- 1Designation and awareness
- 2- Designates May as National Foster Care Month and uses the occasion to raise awareness about the challenges children face in the foster care system; recognizes the roles of foster parents, social workers, advocates, and mentors.
- 3Policy encouragement
- 4- Encourages Congress to implement policies to improve the lives of children in foster care or at risk of entering foster care, focusing on safeguarding their safety, well-being, and the possibility of a safe, loving, permanent family.
- 5Acknowledgments and inclusivity
- 6- Acknowledges the special needs of children in the system, the contributions of foster youth and alumni, and the dedication of those who work to assist these children; notes the importance of relatives and kinship caregivers.
- 7Data-driven concerns and priorities
- 8- Cites specific issues such as longer stays for children of color, educational instability, higher rates of antipsychotic prescriptions for Medicaid-enrolled foster children, the frequency of multiple placements, aging out without permanent connections, and workforce vacancies and turnover.
- 9Alignment with existing law and programs
- 10- Reaffirms the need to pursue improvements through existing federal programs under Title IV Part B and Part E of the Social Security Act, and other related programs that support prevention, reunification, adoption, services to vulnerable families, and transitions to adulthood for those aging out.