[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 263 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 263

 Recognizing National Foster Care Month as an opportunity for Congress 
    to improve the foster care system throughout the United States.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 23, 2007

 Mr. Cardoza submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
 the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on 
   the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the 
  Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall 
           within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Recognizing National Foster Care Month as an opportunity for Congress 
    to improve the foster care system throughout the United States.

Whereas National Foster Care Month provides an opportunity to recognize the 
        important role that the foster care system plays in the lives of the 
        more than 500,000 children currently in foster care programs throughout 
        the United States;
Whereas National Foster Care Month also provides an opportunity to explore the 
        difficulties faced by children in the foster care system and to reaffirm 
        the Nation's commitment to improving the lives of these children by 
        improving foster care programs;
Whereas many children in the foster care system have spent multiple years in 
        foster care programs and have experienced an unstable home life due to 
        frequent moves from one foster home to another;
Whereas approximately 50 percent of foster care children have been placed in 
        foster care programs for longer than 1 year;
Whereas 25 percent of foster care children have been placed in foster care 
        programs for at least 3 years;
Whereas children in foster care programs for longer periods of time often 
        experience worse outcomes than children in foster care programs for 
        shorter periods of time;
Whereas children in foster care programs are more likely than the general 
        population to become teen parents, to rely on public assistance as 
        adults, to become homeless, and to experience mental health disorders at 
        a higher rate;
Whereas repeated studies have shown that a child's very early years are critical 
        for brain development, meaning that it is extremely important to find 
        suitable permanent homes for children during this critical period;
Whereas less than half of the children in foster care programs who are available 
        for adoption each year are adopted;
Whereas there are 119,000 children eligible for adoption every year who do not 
        get adopted;
Whereas a stable home is critical to a child's development; and
Whereas every child deserves to be raised by a loving family: Now, therefore, be 
        it
    Resolved,  That in recognition of National Foster Care Month and in 
order to improve the foster care system throughout the United States, 
it is the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should 
take the following actions:
            (1) Provide Federal adoption assistance to children adopted 
        from the foster care system, including guardianship assistance.
            (2) Provide sufficient funds to States and units of local 
        government to ensure that all levels of government are 
        protecting foster children, including by hiring enough skilled 
        caseworkers to track the progress of every child in the foster 
        care system.
            (3) Provide sufficient funds for State and local court 
        systems to improve oversight of foster care programs and to 
        protect children in their jurisdiction by--
                    (A) creating more meaningful opportunities for 
                children and parents to participate in court 
                proceedings, including the provision of a Court 
                Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for every child in 
                the foster care system;
                    (B) training court personnel alone and in 
                conjunction with child welfare agency staff and others 
                involved in protecting and caring for children; and
                    (C) collaborating with child welfare agencies to 
                collect and share all relevant data and information 
                that will assist appropriate government officials in 
                making better decisions leading to more positive 
                outcomes for children in foster care programs.
            (4) Increase the quantity of qualified attorneys who 
        practice before courts with jurisdiction over children in 
        foster care by--
                    (A) requiring that States adopt standards of 
                practice, preparation, education, and compensation for 
                these attorneys;
                    (B) supporting student loan forgiveness programs 
                and other efforts to encourage qualified attorneys to 
                practice in this area; and
                    (C) encouraging law schools, bar associations, and 
                law firms to build a pool of qualified attorneys to 
                practice in this area.
            (5) Ensure that improving the foster care system remains a 
        top priority for both Congress and the Nation.
                                 <all>