U.S. Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) and his fellow co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth on July 1 introduced the Foster Care Stabilization Act, which would improve pre-placement services for children placed in the foster care system.
“Children who are sent into 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,” Rep. Bacon said. “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 that many of us take for granted but mean so much to a child.”
Rep. Bacon sponsored H.R. 4299 with cosponsors U.S. Reps. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Karen Bass (D-CA), and Jim Langevin (D-RI) to direct the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a demonstration grant program to provide emergency relief to foster youth and improve pre-placement services offered by foster care stabilization agencies, according to the congressional record bill summary.
H.R. 4299 would authorize $3 million for HHS to award three demonstration grants for three years to foster care stabilization agencies. Funding would be used to hire more personnel necessary to provide emergency relief to foster care youth, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Bacon’s staff.
Additionally, funding would be used to purchase clothing and other necessities, as well as support and prevent occurrences of child abuse and neglect and promote any other needed emergency assistance.
Leigh Esau, founder and executive director of the Foster Care Closet in Lincoln, Neb., endorsed H.R. 4299.
“I thank Rep. Bacon and the Congressional Foster Care Caucus for introducing this legislation because it is a wise investment that will change outcomes for kids across the nation,” Esau said. “It gives kids hope, dignity and safety.”