Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Don Bacon (2nd District of Nebraska)
Bacon, Fischer, Hickenlooper Reintroduce Bicameral, Bipartisan Foster Care Legislation
Washington – Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02) and U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) reintroduced their bipartisan legislation, H.R. 7419, the Foster Care Stabilization Act, to provide children in pre-placement foster care with better access to essential supplies like clothing, food, and other necessities. The bill would authorize grants to foster care stabilization agencies to provide emergency relief and improve pre-placement services.
“Children who enter the foster care system do not get to make their own choice and it’s unfortunate there are so many children who have gone to unstable homes,” said Rep. Bacon. “As a foster to adopt parent, I know the Foster Care Stabilization Act will help to reduce trauma that children experience in the foster care system because it would help them receive daily needs such as clothing, food, and safety, things many of us take for granted but mean so much to a child. I thank Senators Fischer and Hickenlooper for their partnership and leadership in reintroducing this important legislation to support children entering foster care.”
“No child entering foster care should have to worry about basic necessities. I’m proud to partner with Senator Hickenlooper and Rep. Bacon to reintroduce this bill so children transitioning into foster care receive the support and resources they deserve immediately,” said Senator Fischer.
“Children entering foster care are already carrying too heavy a burden,” said Sen. Hickenlooper. “We should do everything we can to ease that transition.”
“We are thankful for our delegations’ dedication and leadership to understanding the trends, needs and problems for today’s at-risk foster child. Our leaders also understand creative solutions are imperative to help stop the tremendous hurtful cycle that the foster care system can attack on a young life,” said Leigh Esau, Executive Director of Nebraska Foster Care Closet.
Background
At any given time, over 4,000 children are in foster care in Nebraska. The transition into foster care can be a difficult experience for children, who often lack basic supplies such as clothes or other personal necessities. Foster care stabilization agencies address these challenges by providing children with the emergency supplies and assistance they need – restoring dignity to kids entering the foster care system and setting them up for success with their future foster care family. These agencies are nonprofits, including community and faith-based organizations.
The Foster Care Stabilization Act would authorize $3 million in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) demonstration grants that could be used to:
- Hire personnel
- Secure clothing or personal necessities for foster youth
- Purchase food and food preparation equipment for foster youth
- Offer services to prevent and respond to child abuse
- Address any other emergency assistance needed to promote the safety and self-sufficiency of foster youth
Click here to read the text of the Foster Care Stabilization Act.
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