U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-IA) on June 25 sponsored a bipartisan bill that would establish a competitive grant program to help evidence-based child welfare programs meet federal research standards.
“My bill will ensure that we can quickly and efficiently evaluate prevention services, verify their effectiveness, and connect families and children with tools to enhance their lives and well-being,” Rep. Feenstra said on Monday. “By investing in our families and keeping vulnerable children out of the foster care system, we can improve child welfare and strengthen our families and communities.”
The congressman sponsored the Strengthening Evidence-Based Prevention Services Act of 2024, H.R. 8814, with lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee (D-MI). The bill would authorize a grant program through the Administration for Children and Families in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that would fund evaluations of prevention services, enabling them to have the supporting evidence that could establish a rating of “promising,” “supported,” or “well-supported” and receive federal funding, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Feenstra’s staff.
“While we work to strengthen our foster care system, we also need to commit to keeping children out of foster care and with their families,” said Rep. Feenstra. “Unfortunately, right now, programs that offer prevention services — like substance abuse treatment, mental health services, and parental coaching — lack the full funding that they need to provide these vital services because we haven’t pledged enough resources to studying and certifying the effectiveness of these prevention services, and that evidence is a prerequisite to receive funding.”
Support for the bill has already come in from the Coalition for Family & Children’s Services in Iowa, Voice for Adoption, the Children’s Home Society of America, the Child Welfare League of America, Results for America, Triple P America, Youth Villages, America Forward, and the Family Centered Treatment Foundation.
“I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation that will get us one step closer to ensuring every mid-Michigan child grows up in a safe, loving home,” said Rep. Kildee.