Bacon sponsors bipartisan bill authorizing $10M to develop sibling foster care programs

U.S. Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) on July 9 unveiled bipartisan legislation that would end what he calls the preventable problem of separating groups of siblings who are in foster care.

“Keeping siblings together in the foster care system significantly increases their chance of having positive life outcomes,” Rep. Bacon said. “As a foster to adoptive parent of a sibling group, I believe this bill will go a long way towards helping address the unique challenges faced by sibling groups with large numbers, wide age ranges, and complex needs.”

Rep. Bacon sponsored the Protecting Sibling Relationships in Foster Care Act, HR. 4378, with lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA) to encourage the development of specialized foster care programs designed for large sibling groups, sibling groups with a wide age range, and sibling groups with complex needs, according to the congressional record bill summary.

If enacted, the legislation would authorize the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to establish a competitive grant pilot program to encourage the development of such specialized foster care programs and would authorize $10 million over a five-year period for the demonstration program, which would be awarded to five applicants, according to information provided by Rep. Bacon’s office. 

“We have a responsibility to empower our nation’s children by guaranteeing them a stable, loving home, surrounded by their siblings,” said Rep. Bacon.

H.R. 4378 has been referred to the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee for consideration.