Foster Care Work Group Update

Thanks to Mary Bissell of Child Focus and the facilitator of YTFG’s Foster Care Work Group for this great update on the well-being framework and federal policy. 

 

 

Advancing the Well-Being Framework

Here are two opportunities to learn more about YTFG’s Foster Care Work Group’s well-being framework:

• Detroit, GCYF Conference (October 15-16): If you are going to the Grantmakers for Children Youth and Families Conference in Detroit, you can hear from Leonard Burton and Kristen Williams about the well-being framework. Also, our newest FCWG member, Robert Thomas, the Detroit-based director of Foster Care Alumni of America and a leader in policy and politics in Detroit, will be speaking about his perspectives.
• Washington DC, American Youth Policy Forum Conference (October 29): FCWG's two Marys (Mary Bissell and Mary Lee) will be presenting on the well-being framework at a workshop on foster care along with Amy Lemley of the John Burton Foundation, Ruthie White with the National Center for Housing and Child Welfare, Mary Jo Sekelsky with the University of Michigan, and Mike Leach of the Tennessee Department of Children's Services.

 

Federal Policy Update

• Hearing on Social Impact Bonds for Child and Family Services: On Sept. 9, the Economic Security Subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee held a hearing on H.R. 4885, the Social Impact Bond Act, which was introduced earlier this summer by Representatives John Delaney (D-MD) and Todd Young (R-IN). The act directs resources to states and local communities to support innovative public-private partnerships to tackle social and public health challenges, while ensuring a smarter, more efficient use of tax dollars. These arrangements are sometimes called social impact bonds or pay-for-performance contracts. These pieces of legislation reflect a broader interest in the field on the application of social impact bonds to child-related services. These bonds are often discussed in the context of juvenile justice and early childhood. Increasingly, they are being included in discussions about the child welfare context, as well, although the common wisdom is that it might be a bit harder to target it on discrete cost-savings mechanisms.

• Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act (H.R. 4980): On July 23, the House of Representatives approved the “Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act” by a voice vote. Some of the most relevant provisions FCWG support normalcy for children in foster care by implementing a “prudent parenting standard”; eliminate APPLA (Another Planned Permanent Living Arrangement) as a case plan goal; and require child welfare agencies to provide key documents, including a birth certificate, Social Security card, and bill of rights, to all children aging out of care. The provisions of this bill were agreed to in conference committee with the Senate Finance Committee, so advocates were hopeful that it would pass the Senate before Congressional recess. Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK), however, has put a formal hold on the bill. At the present time, Sen. Coburn must either lift his hold or bill must be scheduled for a vote although there are multiple behind the scenes negotiations going on to get the hold lifted.

 

• Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHYA) Reauthorization (S. 2646): On July 23, Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced the Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act, S. 2646, to reauthorize the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act, which expires September 30, 2014. It also would extend the Transitional Living Program, which provides longer-term residential services, life skills, education, and employment support to older homeless youth, as well as the Street Outreach Program, which focuses on crisis intervention. It also includes language to combat human trafficking among runaway and homeless youth, as well as a non-discrimination clause to prohibit any grantee from discriminating against a child based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Advocates are currently working to identify one Republican and one Democratic lead sponsor on the House side.