Legislation On Increasing Recruitment, Retention of Foster Parents Included in the Child and Family Services Extension and Enhancement Act

Statement

Legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA) in May calling for a study on increased recruitment and retention of foster parents was included in the Child and Family Services Extension and Enhancement Act recently introduced in Congress.

The Bass legislation, H.R. 2022, calls on the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a study on the recruitment and retention of foster parents of children served by any foster care program.

"This legislation will make real differences in the lives of our foster youth and their families," said U.S. Rep. Karen Bass. "We as a society have a responsibility, duty and obligation to care for our foster youth and open doors of opportunity for them. We must and can do better, and I look forward to playing a meaningful role in strengthening the foster care system. It is and will remain my legislative focus as I serve in Congress."

The Child and Family Services Extension and Enhancement Act introduced by U.S. Reps. Geoff Davis (R-KY) and Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) sets out to improve child welfare programs now providing $700 million per year to fund child protective services, child abuse prevention activities, and initiatives to support at-risk families and adoption.

The bill will be before the Ways and Means Committee in September and then voted on by the House of Representatives shortly thereafter.

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