Washington, D.C. – House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA-23) released the following statement after House passage of five bills to strengthen families, the foster care system, and outcomes for young adults moving out of the system:
“The heart of our nation is found in thriving families and supportive communities. Today the House acted to revitalize the American family unit by making much-needed updates to the foster care system. The goal of the foster care system should be to have children reunite with their biological parents, and when possible, not to separate them at all. These bills take smart steps toward that goal by making it easier to keep children with their parents or have a relative become a foster parent. We also support young adults as they transition into adulthood by increasing the age that they can receive assistance from the foster care system and update the foster care records system so information can move easily with children. The fact is, no person can make it on their own and these bills will make our nation stronger, one child and family at a time.”
Background on today’s bills:
Modernizing the Interstate Placement of Children in Foster Care Act (H.R. 2742) Walorski: Supports states in modernizing the records system to allow a foster child’s records to move easily across state lines if they move to a different state.
Reducing Barriers for Relative Foster Parents Act (H.R. 2866) Smucker: The bill makes it easier for relatives to become foster parents by removing barriers in foster care licensing, particularly related to housing standards. Keeping children with family members improves outcomes for children and families.
Partnership Grants to Strengthen Families Affected by Parental Substance Abuse Act, as amended (H.R. 2834) D. Davis: Helps to keep families together by strengthening the Regional Partnership Grant (RPG) program, which assists children who are in or at risk of being placed in the child welfare system because of their parent’s substance abuse. RPG funding helps to support family treatment drug courts, family-centered treatment, and other evidence-based substance abuse-related programs.
Supporting Families in Substance Abuse Treatment Act (H.R. 2857) Noem: Works to keep families together as parents seek treatment for addiction. It allows foster care payments for a child who is placed with a parent in a licensed residential family-based treatment facility.
Improving Services for Older Youth in Foster Care Act (H.R. 2847) Faso: Helps young people who have aged out of the foster system by increasing the age that a young adult can receive assistance from the foster care system.