The transition into foster care can be a difficult experience for children, who often lack basic supplies such as clothes or other personal necessities, according to U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) and U.S. Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE), who introduced a bipartisan, bicameral bill that would provide children in pre-placement foster care with better access to essential supplies.
“No child entering foster care should have to worry about basic necessities,” Sen. Fischer said. “I’m proud to… reintroduce this bill so children transitioning into foster care receive the support and resources they deserve immediately.”
Specifically, the Foster Care Stabilization Act of 2026, S. 3802/H.R. 7419, would authorize $3 million in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services demonstration grants to foster care stabilization agencies to provide emergency relief and improve pre-placement foster care services.
If enacted, the grants under the bill 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; and address any emergency assistance needs.
“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,” Rep. Bacon said. “I thank Sens. Fischer and Hickenlooper for their partnership and leadership in reintroducing this important legislation to support children entering foster care.”
Rep. Bacon on Feb. 9 sponsored H.R. 7419 with three original cosponsors, including U.S. Reps. Zach Nunn (R-IA) and Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA), while Sen. Fischer on the same day sponsored the identical S. 3802 alongside lead original cosponsor U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO).
The measure has been endorsed by the Nebraska Foster Care Closet.