The Heath and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families (ACF) has announced additional $350 million for the American Rescue Plan Act funding for the Children’s Bureau. This plan includes critical funding to support state and community efforts to prevent and respond to child abuse and neglect. This is a funding opportunity for communities to further address the complex structural issues that contribute to families becoming involved in the child welfare system.
In Colorado, a federal pandemic stimulus bill was passed last December to ensure youth who have aged out of the foster care system are able to return to the system for help. Additional services includes independent living plans, food benefits and workforce development. Only 38 states allow for reentry programs.
North Carolina House of Representatives has unanimously passed House Bill 769, a foster parents bill of rights. This should provide support to existing foster parents but to also help recruit more foster parents. The main goal is to provide stability and new guarantees for foster parents. Critics of the bill fear that giving more power to foster parents will hurt birth parents from getting their children back.
Legislation update fromVoice for Adoption advocacy can be found here.
Latest update from theHuman Rights Campaign Foundation can be found here.
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