States would receive more flexibility in allocating funds to family resource centers under a bipartisan bill sponsored on June 21 by U.S. Rep. Mike Carey (R-OH).
The Promoting Community-Based Prevention Services Act, H.R. 8798, which is cosponsored by lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. John Larson (D-CT), aims to promote community-based prevention services by clarifying support for family resource centers, which are community- or school-based hubs of support, services, and opportunities for families, according to the bill’s text.
“When parents feel supported, families thrive,” Rep. Carey said on Monday. “Family Resource Centers can guide families through a lifetime of challenges and milestones. We are proud to help guarantee these resources can be available in every community across the country, for every family who might need them.”
Family resource centers provide community-driven services and spaces at no cost to the families who use them, and provide offerings that range from mental health and substance abuse programs to parenting classes, screening for developmental delays and early childhood education, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Carey’s staff.
Because family resource centers fulfill a variety of purposes, their funding comes from disparate resources. If enacted, H.R. 8798 would amend the Social Security Act to allow the centers to be funded using portions of the remaining 20 percent of the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Block Grant, thereby increasing the funds available to them, as well as the states’ flexibility in offering those funds, the summary says.
“I am proud to introduce the Promoting Community Based Prevention Services Act with Rep. Carey today to create a pathway for [family resource centers]… to directly receive federal funding to support the services they provide for families and communities,” said Rep. Larson.
The bill has been referred to the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee for consideration.