[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 156 (Tuesday, November 13, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H8088-H8094]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         PROMOTING SAFE AND STABLE FAMILIES AMENDMENTS OF 2001

  Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 2873) to extend and amend the program entitled Promoting 
Safe and Stable Families under title IV-B, subpart 2 of the Social 
Security Act, and to provide new authority to support programs for 
mentoring children of incarcerated parents; to amend the Foster Care 
Independent Living program under title IV-E of that act to provide for 
educational and training vouchers for youths aging out of foster care, 
and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H. R. 2973

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Promoting Safe and Stable 
     Families Amendments of 2001''.

     SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       The table of contents of this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Table of contents.
Sec. 3. References.

              TITLE I--PROMOTING SAFE AND STABLE FAMILIES

  Subtitle A--Grants to States for Promoting Safe and Stable Families

Sec. 101. Findings and purpose.
Sec. 102. Definition of family support services.
Sec. 103. Reallotments.
Sec. 104. Payments to States.
Sec. 105. Evaluations, research, and technical assistance.
Sec. 106. Authorization of appropriations; reservation of certain 
              amounts.
Sec. 107. State court improvements.

              Subtitle B--Mentoring Children of Prisoners

Sec. 121. Program authorized.

              TITLE II--FOSTER CARE AND INDEPENDENT LIVING

Sec. 201. Educational and training vouchers for youths aging out of 
              foster care.
Sec. 202. Reallocation and extension of funds.

                       TITLE III--EFFECTIVE DATE

Sec. 301. Effective date.

     SEC. 3. REFERENCES.

       Except as otherwise specified in this Act, an amendment 
     made by this Act to a section or other provision shall be 
     considered an amendment to the section or other provision of 
     the Social Security Act.

              TITLE I--PROMOTING SAFE AND STABLE FAMILIES

  Subtitle A--Grants to States for Promoting Safe and Stable Families

     SEC. 101. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

       Section 430 (42 U.S.C. 629) is amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 430. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

       ``(a) Findings.--The Congress finds that there is a 
     continuing urgent need to protect children and to strengthen 
     families as demonstrated by the following:
       ``(1) Family support programs directed at specific 
     vulnerable populations have had positive effects on parents, 
     children, or both. The vulnerable populations for which 
     programs have been shown to be effective include teenage 
     mothers with very young children and families that have 
     children with special needs.
       ``(2) Family preservation programs have been shown to 
     provide extensive and intensive services to families in 
     crisis.
       ``(3) The time lines established by the Adoption and Safe 
     Families Act of 1997 have made

[[Page H8089]]

     the prompt availability of services to address family 
     problems (and in particular the prompt availability of 
     appropriate services and treatment addressing substance 
     abuse) an important factor in successful family 
     reunification.
       ``(4) The rapid increases in the annual number of adoptions 
     since the enactment of the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 
     1997 have created a growing need for postadoption services 
     and for service providers with the particular knowledge and 
     skills required to address the unique issues adoptive 
     families and children may face.
       ``(b) Purpose.--The purpose of this program is to enable 
     States to develop and establish, or expand, and to operate 
     coordinated programs of community-based family support 
     services, family preservation services, time-limited family 
     reunification services, and adoption promotion and support 
     services to accomplish the following objectives:
       ``(1) To prevent child maltreatment among families at risk 
     through the provision of supportive family services.
       ``(2) To assure children's safety within the home and 
     preserve intact families in which children have been 
     maltreated, when the family's problems can be addressed 
     effectively.
       ``(3) To address the problems of families whose children 
     have been placed in foster care so that reunification may 
     occur in a safe and stable manner in accordance with the 
     Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997.
       ``(4) To support adoptive families by providing support 
     services as necessary so that they can make a lifetime 
     commitment to their children.''.

     SEC. 102. DEFINITIONS.

       (a) Inclusion of Infant Safe Haven Programs Among Family 
     Preservation Services.--Section 431(a)(1) (42 U.S.C. 
     629a(a)(1)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (D);
       (2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (E) 
     and inserting ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(F) infant safe haven programs to provide a way for a 
     parent to safely relinquish a newborn infant at a safe haven 
     designated pursuant to a State law.''.
       (b) Family Support Services.--Section 431(a)(2) (42 U.S.C. 
     629a(a)(2)) is amended by inserting ``to strengthen parental 
     relationships and promote healthy marriages,'' after 
     ``environment,''.

     SEC. 103. REALLOTMENTS.

       Section 433 (42 U.S.C. 629c) is amended by adding at the 
     end the following:
       ``(d) Reallotments.--The amount of any allotment to a State 
     under this section for any fiscal year that the State 
     certifies to the Secretary will not be required for carrying 
     out the State plan under section 432 shall be available for 
     reallotment using the allotment methodology specified in this 
     section. Any amount so reallotted to a State is deemed part 
     of the allotment of the State under the preceding provisions 
     of this section.''.

     SEC. 104. PAYMENTS TO STATES.

       (a) In General.--Section 434(a) (42 U.S.C. 629d(a)) is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking paragraph (2);
       (2) by striking all that precedes subparagraph (A) of 
     paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
       ``(a) Entitlement.--Each State that has a plan approved 
     under section 432 shall be entitled to payment of the lesser 
     of--''; and
       (3) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph 
     (1) as paragraphs (1) and (2), respectively, and by indenting 
     the provisions 2 ems to the left.
       (b) Conforming Amendments.--Section 434(b) (42 U.S.C. 
     629d(b)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)--
       (A) by striking ``paragraph (1) or (2)(B) of''; and
       (B) by striking ``described in this subpart'' and inserting 
     ``under the State plan under section 432''; and
       (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``subsection (a)(1)'' and 
     inserting ``subsection (a)''.

     SEC. 105. EVALUATIONS, RESEARCH, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.

       Section 435 (42 U.S.C. 629e) is amended--
       (1) by striking all that precedes ``the effectiveness'' in 
     paragraph (1) of subsection (a), including the heading for 
     section 435 and the caption for subsection (a), and inserting 
     the following:

     ``SEC. 435. EVALUATIONS; RESEARCH; TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.

       ``(a) Evaluations.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall evaluate and report 
     to the Congress biennially on'';
       (2) by adding at the end of subsection (a) the following:
       ``(3) Timing of report.--Beginning in 2003, the Secretary 
     shall submit the biennial report required by this subsection 
     not later than April 1 of every other year, and shall include 
     in each such report the funding level, the status of ongoing 
     evaluations, findings to date, and the nature of any 
     technical assistance provided to States under subsection 
     (d).''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(c) Research.--The Secretary shall give priority 
     consideration to the following topics for research and 
     evaluation under this subsection, using rigorous evaluation 
     methodologies where feasible:
       ``(1) Promising program models in the service categories 
     specified in section 430(b), particularly time-limited 
     reunification services and postadoption services.
       ``(2) Multi-disciplinary service models designed to address 
     parental substance abuse and to reduce its impacts on 
     children.
       ``(3) The efficacy of approaches directed at families with 
     specific problems and with children of specific age ranges.
       ``(4) The outcomes of adoptions finalized after enactment 
     of the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997.
       ``(d) Technical Assistance.--To the extent funds are 
     available therefor, the Secretary shall provide technical 
     assistance that helps States and Indian tribes to--
       ``(1) develop research-based protocols for identifying 
     families at risk of abuse and neglect of use in the field;
       ``(2) develop treatment models that address the needs of 
     families at risk, particularly families with substance abuse 
     issues;
       ``(3) implement programs with well-articulated theories of 
     how the intervention will result in desired changes among 
     families at risk;
       ``(4) establish mechanisms to ensure that service provision 
     matches the treatment model; and
       ``(5) establish mechanisms to ensure that postadoption 
     services meet the needs of the individual families and 
     develop models to reduce the disruption rates of adoption.''.

     SEC. 106. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS; RESERVATION OF 
                   CERTAIN AMOUNTS.

       (a) Mandatory Funding.--
       (1) In general.--Subpart 2 of part B of title IV (42 U.S.C. 
     629-629e) is amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``SEC. 436. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS; RESERVATION OF 
                   CERTAIN AMOUNTS.

       ``(a) Authorization.--There are authorized to be 
     appropriated to carry out the provisions of this subpart 
     $305,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2002 through 2006.
       ``(b) Reservation of Certain Amounts.--From the amount 
     specified in subsection (a) for a fiscal year, the Secretary 
     shall reserve amounts as follows:
       ``(1) Evaluation, research, training, and technical 
     assistance.--The Secretary shall reserve $6,000,000 for 
     expenditure by the Secretary--
       ``(A) for research, training, and technical assistance 
     costs related to the program under this subpart; and
       ``(B) for evaluation of State programs based on the plans 
     approved under section 432 and funded under this subpart, and 
     any other Federal, State, or local program, regardless of 
     whether federally assisted, that is designed to achieve the 
     same purposes as the State programs.
       ``(2) State court improvements.--The Secretary shall 
     reserve $10,000,000 for grants under section 438.
       ``(3) Indian tribes.--The Secretary shall reserve 1 percent 
     for allotment to Indian tribes in accordance with section 
     433(a).''.
       (2) Conforming amendments.--Section 433 (42 U.S.C. 629c) is 
     amended--
       (A) in subsection (a), by striking ``section 430(d)(3)'' 
     and inserting ``section 436(b)(3)'';
       (B) in subsection (b)--
       (i) by striking ``section 430(b)'' and inserting ``section 
     436(a)''; and
       (ii) by striking ``section 430(d)'' and inserting ``section 
     436(b)''; and
       (C) in subsection (c)(1)--
       (i) by striking ``section 430(b)'' and inserting ``section 
     436(a)''; and
       (ii) by striking ``section 430(d)'' and inserting ``section 
     436(b)''.
       (b) Discretionary Funding.--Subpart 2 of part B of title IV 
     (42 U.S.C. 629-629e) is further amended by adding at the end 
     the following:

     ``SEC. 437. DISCRETIONARY GRANTS.

       ``(a) Limitations on Authorization of Appropriations.--In 
     addition to any amount appropriated pursuant to section 436, 
     there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
     section $200,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2002 through 
     2006.
       ``(b) Reservation of Certain Amounts.--From the amount (if 
     any) appropriated pursuant to subsection (a) for a fiscal 
     year, the Secretary shall reserve amounts as follows:
       ``(1) Evaluation, research, training, and technical 
     assistance.--The Secretary shall reserve 3.3 percent for 
     expenditure by the Secretary for the activities described in 
     section 436(b)(1).
       ``(2) State court improvements.--The Secretary shall 
     reserve 3.3 percent for grants under section 438.
       ``(3) Indian tribes.--The Secretary shall reserve 2 percent 
     for allotment to Indian tribes in accordance with subsection 
     (c)(1).
       ``(c) Allotments.--
       ``(1) Indian tribes.--From the amount (if any) reserved 
     pursuant to subsection (b)(3) for any fiscal year, the 
     Secretary shall allot to each Indian tribe with a plan 
     approved under this subpart an amount that bears the same 
     ratio to such reserved amount as the number of children in 
     the Indian tribe bears to the total number of children in all 
     Indian tribes with State plans so approved, as determined by 
     the Secretary on the basis of the most current and reliable 
     information available to the Secretary.
       ``(2) Territories.--From the amount (if any) appropriated 
     pursuant to subsection (a) for any fiscal year that remains 
     after applying subection (b) for the fiscal year, the 
     Secretary shall allot to each of the jurisdictions of Puerto 
     Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, 
     and American Samoa an amount determined in the same manner as 
     the allotment to each of such jurisdictions is determined 
     under section 421.
       ``(3) Other states.--From the amount (if any) appropriated 
     pursuant to subsection (a) for any fiscal year that remains 
     after applying subsection (b) and paragraph (2) of this 
     subsection for the fiscal year, the Secretary shall allot to 
     each State (other than an Indian tribe) which is not 
     specified in paragraph (2) of this subsection an amount equal 
     to such remaining amount multiplied by the food stamp 
     percentage (as defined in section 433(c)(2)) of the State for 
     the fiscal year.

[[Page H8090]]

       ``(d) Grants.--The Secretary may make a grant to a State 
     which has a plan approved under this subpart in an amount 
     equal to the lesser of--
       ``(1) 75 percent of the total expenditures by the State for 
     activities under the plan during the fiscal year or the 
     immediately succeeding fiscal year; or
       ``(2) the allotment of the State under subsection (c) for 
     the fiscal year.
       ``(e) Applicability of Certain Rules.--The rules of 
     subsections (b) and (c) of section 434 shall apply in like 
     manner to the amounts made available pursuant to this 
     section.''.

     SEC. 107. STATE COURT IMPROVEMENTS.

       (a) Scope of Activities.--Section 13712 of the Omnibus 
     Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C. 670 note) is 
     amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), by striking paragraph (2) and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(2) to implement improvements the highest state courts 
     deem necessary as a result of the assessments, including--
       ``(A) to provide for the safety, well-being, and permanence 
     of children in foster care, as set forth in the Adoption and 
     Safe Families Act of 1997 (Public Law 105-89); and
       ``(B) to implement a corrective action plan, as necessary, 
     resulting from reviews of child and family service programs 
     under section 1123A of this Act.''; and
       (2) in subsection (c)(1), in the matter preceding 
     subparagraph (A), by inserting ``and improvement'' after 
     ``assessment''.
       (b) Allotments.--Section 13712(c)(1) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
     670 note) is amended by striking all that follows ``shall be 
     entitled to payment,'' and inserting ``for each of fiscal 
     years 2002 through 2006, from the amount reserved pursuant to 
     section 436(b)(2) (and the amount, if any, reserved pursuant 
     to section 437(b)(2)), of an amount equal to the sum of 
     $85,000 plus the amount described in paragraph (2) of this 
     subsection for the fiscal year.''.
       (c) Federal Share.--Section 13712(d) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
     670 note) is amended--
       (1) in the heading, by striking ``Use of Grant Funds'' and 
     inserting ``Federal Share''; and
       (2) by striking ``to pay--'' and all that follows and 
     inserting ``to pay not more than 75 percent of the cost of 
     activities under this section in each of fiscal years 2002 
     through 2006.''.
       (d) Conforming Amendments.--Section 13712 of such Act (42 
     U.S.C. 670 note) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``of 
     title IV of the Social Security Act''; and
       (B) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ``of title IV of such 
     Act''; and
       (2) in subsection (c)(2), by striking ``section 430(d)(2) 
     of the Social Security Act'' and inserting ``section 
     436(b)(2) (and the amount, if any, reserved pursuant to 
     section 437(b)(2))''.
       (e) Transfer and Redesignation.--Section 13712 of such Act 
     (42 U.S.C. 670 note), as amended by the preceding provisions 
     of this section, is redesignated as section 438 and is 
     transferred to the end of subpart 2 of part B of title IV of 
     the Social Security Act.

              Subtitle B--Mentoring Children of Prisoners

     SEC. 121. PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.

       Subpart 2 of part B of title IV (42 U.S.C. 629-629e) is 
     further amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``SEC. 439. GRANTS FOR PROGRAMS FOR MENTORING CHILDREN OF 
                   PRISONERS.

       ``(a) Findings and Purpose.--
       ``(1) Findings.--
       ``(A) In the period between 1991 and 1999, the number of 
     children with a parent incarcerated in a Federal or State 
     correctional facility increased by more than 100 percent, 
     from approximately 900,000 to approximately 2,000,000. In 
     1999, 2.1 percent of all children in the United States had a 
     parent in Federal or State prison.
       ``(B) Prior to incarceration, 64 percent of female 
     prisoners and 44 percent of male prisoners in State 
     facilities lived with their children.
       ``(C) Nearly 90 percent of the children of incarcerated 
     fathers live with their mothers, and 79 percent of the 
     children of incarcerated mothers live with a grandparent or 
     other relative.
       ``(D) Parental arrest and confinement lead to stress, 
     trauma, stigmatization, and separation problems for children. 
     These problems are coupled with existing problems that 
     include poverty, violence, parental substance abuse, high-
     crime environments, intrafamilial abuse, child abuse and 
     neglect, multiple care givers, and/or prior separations. As a 
     result, these children often exhibit a broad variety of 
     behavioral, emotional, health, and educational problems that 
     are often compounded by the pain of separation.
       ``(E) Empirical research demonstrates that mentoring is a 
     potent force for improving children's behavior across all 
     risk behaviors affecting health. Quality, one-on-one 
     relationships that provide young people with caring role 
     models for future success have profound, life-changing 
     potential. Done right, mentoring markedly advances youths' 
     life prospects. A widely cited 1995 study by Public/Private 
     Ventures measured the impact of one Big Brothers Big Sisters 
     program and found significant effects in the lives of youth--
     cutting first-time drug use by almost half and first-time 
     alcohol use by about a third, reducing school absenteeism by 
     half, cutting assaultive behavior by a third, improving 
     parental and peer relationships, giving youth greater 
     confidence in their school work, and improving academic 
     performance.
       ``(2) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to authorize 
     the Secretary to make competitive grants to applicants in 
     areas with substantial numbers of children of incarcerated 
     parents, to support the establishment or expansion and 
     operation of programs using a network of public and private 
     community entities to provide mentoring services for children 
     of prisoners.
       ``(b) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) Children of prisoners.--The term `children of 
     prisoners' means children one or both of whose parents are 
     incarcerated in a Federal, State, or local correctional 
     facility. The term is deemed to include children who are in 
     an ongoing mentoring relationship in a program under this 
     section at the time of their parents' release from prison, 
     for purposes of continued participation in the program.
       ``(2) Mentoring.--The term `mentoring' means a structured, 
     managed program in which children are appropriately matched 
     with screened and trained adult volunteers for one-on-one 
     relationships, involving meetings and activities on a regular 
     basis, intended to meet, in part, the child's need for 
     involvement with a caring and supportive adult who provides a 
     positive role model.
       ``(3) Mentoring services.--The term `mentoring services' 
     means those services and activities that support a 
     structured, managed program of mentoring, including the 
     management by trained personnel of outreach to, and screening 
     of, eligible children; outreach to, education and training 
     of, and liaison with sponsoring local organizations; 
     screening and training of adult volunteers; matching of 
     children with suitable adult volunteer mentors; support and 
     oversight of the mentoring relationship; and establishment of 
     goals and evaluation of outcomes for mentored children.
       ``(c) Program Authorized.--From the amounts appropriated 
     under subsection (h) for a fiscal year that remain after 
     applying subsection (h)(2), the Secretary shall make grants 
     under this section for each of fiscal years 2002 through 2006 
     to State or local governments, tribal governments or tribal 
     consortia, faith-based organizations, and community-based 
     organizations in areas that have significant numbers of 
     children of prisoners and that submit applications meeting 
     the requirements of this section, in amounts that do not 
     exceed $5,000,000 per grant.
       ``(d) Application Requirements.--In order to be eligible 
     for a grant under this section, the chief executive officer 
     of the applicant must submit to the Secretary an application 
     containing the following:
       ``(1) Program design.--A description of the proposed 
     program, including--
       ``(A) a list of local public and private organizations and 
     entities that will participate in the mentoring network;
       ``(B) the name, description, and qualifications of the 
     entity that will coordinate and oversee the activities of the 
     mentoring network;
       ``(C) the number of mentor-child matches proposed to be 
     established and maintained annually under the program;
       ``(D) such information as the Secretary may require 
     concerning the methods to be used to recruit, screen support, 
     and oversee individuals participating as mentors, (which 
     methods shall include criminal background checks on the 
     individuals), and to evaluate outcomes for participating 
     children, including information necessary to demonstrate 
     compliance with requirements established by the Secretary for 
     the program; and
       ``(E) such other information as the Secretary may require.
       ``(2) Community consultation; coordination with other 
     programs.--A demonstration that, in developing and 
     implementing the program, the applicant will, to the extent 
     feasible and appropriate--
       ``(A) consult with public and private community entities, 
     including religious organizations, and including, as 
     appropriate, Indian tribal organizations and urban Indian 
     organizations, and with family members of potential clients;
       ``(B) coordinate the programs and activities under the 
     program with other Federal, State, and local programs serving 
     children and youth; and
       ``(C) consult with appropriate Federal, State, and local 
     corrections, workforce development, and substance abuse and 
     mental health agencies.
       ``(3) Equal access for local service providers.--An 
     assurance that public and private entities and community 
     organizations, including religious organizations and Indian 
     organizations, will be eligible to participate on an equal 
     basis.
       ``(4) Records, reports, and audits.--An agreement that the 
     applicant will maintain such records, make such reports, and 
     cooperate with such reviews or audits as the Secretary may 
     find necessary for purposes of oversight of project 
     activities and expenditures.
       ``(5) Evaluation.--An agreement that the applicant will 
     cooperate fully with the Secretary's ongoing and final 
     evaluation of the program under the plan, by means including 
     providing the Secretary access to the program and program-
     related records and documents, staff, and grantees receiving 
     funding under the plan.
       ``(e) Federal Share.--
       ``(1) In general.--A grant for a program under this section 
     shall be available to pay a percentage share of the costs of 
     the program up to--
       ``(A) 75 percent for the first and second fiscal years for 
     which the grant is awarded; and
       ``(B) 50 percent for the third and each succeeding such 
     fiscal years.
       ``(2) Non-federal share.--The non-Federal share of the cost 
     of projects under this section may be in cash or in kind. In 
     determining the amount of the non-Federal share, the 
     Secretary may attribute fair market value to goods, services, 
     and facilities contributed from non-Federal sources.
       ``(f) Considerations in Awarding Grants.--In awarding 
     grants under this section, the Secretary shall take into 
     consideration--
       ``(1) the qualifications and capacity of applicants and 
     networks of organizations to effectively carry out a 
     mentoring program under this section;
       ``(2) the comparative severity of need for mentoring 
     services in local areas, taking into consideration data on 
     the numbers of children (and in

[[Page H8091]]

     particular of low-income children) with an incarcerated 
     parents (or parents) in the areas;
       ``(3) evidence of consultation with existing youth and 
     family service programs, as appropriate; and
       ``(4) any other factors the Secretary may deem significant 
     with respect to the need for or the potential success of 
     carrying out a mentoring program under this section.
       ``(g) Evaluation.--The Secretary shall conduct an 
     evaluation of the programs conducted pursuant to this 
     section, and submit to the Congress not later than April 15, 
     2005, a report on the findings of the evaluation.
       ``(h) Authorization of Appropriations; Reservation of 
     Certain Amounts.--
       ``(1) Authorization.--There are authorized to be 
     appropriated to carry out this section $67,000,000 for each 
     of fiscal years 2002 and 2003, and such sums as may be 
     necessary for each succeeding fiscal year.
       ``(2) Reservation.--The Secretary shall reserve 2.5 percent 
     of the amount appropriated for each fiscal year under 
     paragraph (1) for expenditure by the Secretary for research, 
     technical assistance, and evaluation related to programs 
     under this section.''.

              TITLE II--FOSTER CARE AND INDEPENDENT LIVING

     SEC. 201. EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING VOUCHERS FOR YOUTHS AGING 
                   OUT OF FOSTER CARE.

       (a) Purpose.--Section 477(a) (42 U.S.C. 677(a)) is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (4);
       (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (5) and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(6) to make available vouchers for education and 
     training, including postsecondary training and education, to 
     youths who have aged out of foster care.''.
       (b) Educational and Training Vouchers.--Section 477 (42 
     U.S.C. 677) is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(i) Educational and Training Vouchers.--The following 
     conditions shall apply to a State educational and training 
     voucher program under this section:
       ``(1) Vouchers under the program may be available to youths 
     otherwise eligible for services under the State program under 
     this section.
       ``(2) For purposes of the voucher program, youths adopted 
     from foster care after attaining age 16 may be considered to 
     be youths otherwise eligible for services under the State 
     program under this section.
       ``(3) The State may allow youths participating in the 
     voucher program on the date they attain 21 years of age to 
     remain eligible until they attain 23 years of age, as long as 
     they are enrolled in a postsecondary education or training 
     program and are making satisfactory progress toward 
     completion of that program.
       ``(4) The voucher or vouchers provided for an individual 
     under this section--
       ``(A) may be available for the cost of attendance at an 
     institution of higher education, as defined in section 102 of 
     the Higher Education Act of 1965; and
       ``(B) shall not exceed the lesser of $5,000 per year or the 
     total cost of attendance, as defined in section 472 of that 
     Act.
       ``(5) The amount of a voucher under this section may be 
     disregarded for purposes of determining the recipient's 
     eligibility for, or the amount of, any other Federal or 
     Federally supported assistance, except that the total amount 
     of educational assistance to a youth under this section and 
     under other Federal and Federally supported programs shall 
     not exceed the total cost of attendance, as defined in 
     section 472 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, and except 
     that the State agency shall take appropriate steps to prevent 
     duplication of benefits under this and other Federal or 
     Federally supported programs.
       ``(6) The program is coordinated with other appropriate 
     education and training programs.''.
       (c) Certification.--Section 477(b)(3) (42 U.S.C. 677(b)(3)) 
     is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(J) A certification by the chief executive officer of the 
     State that the State educational and training voucher program 
     under this section is in compliance with the conditions 
     specified in subsection (i), including a statement describing 
     methods the State will use--
       ``(i) to ensure that the total amount of educational 
     assistance to a youth under this section and under other 
     Federal and Federally supported programs does not exceed the 
     limitation specified in subsection (i)(5); and
       ``(ii) to avoid duplication of benefits under this and any 
     other Federal or Federally assisted benefit program.''.
       (d) Increased Authorizations of Appropriations.--Section 
     477(h) (42 U.S.C. 677(h)) is amended by striking ``there are 
     authorized'' and all that follows and inserting the 
     following: ``there are authorized to be appropriated to the 
     Secretary for each fiscal year--
       ``(1) $140,000,000, which shall be available for all 
     purposes under this section; and
       ``(2) an additional $60,000,000, which are authorized to be 
     available for payments to States for education and training 
     vouchers for youths who age out of foster care, to assist the 
     youths to develop skills necessary to lead independent and 
     productive lives.''.
       (e) Allotments to States.--Section 477(c) (42 U.S.C. 
     677(c)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)--
       (A) by striking ``(1) In general.--From the amount 
     specified in subsection (h)'' and inserting ``(1) General 
     program allotment.--From the amount specified in subsection 
     (h)(1)'';
       (B) by striking ``which bears the same ratio'' and 
     inserting ``which bears the ratio''; and
       (C) by striking ``as the number of children in foster 
     care'' and all that follows and inserting ``equal to the 
     State foster care ratio, as adjusted in accordance with 
     paragraph (2).''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
       ``(3) Voucher program allotment.--From the amount, if any, 
     appropriated pursuant to subsection (h)(2) for a fiscal year, 
     the Secretary may allot to each State with an application 
     approved under subsection (b) for the fiscal year an amount 
     equal to the State foster care ratio multiplied by the amount 
     so specified.
       ``(4) State foster care ratio.--In this subsection, the 
     term `State foster care ratio' means the ratio of the number 
     of children in foster care under a program of the State in 
     the most recent fiscal year for which the information is 
     available to the total number of children in foster care in 
     all States for the most recent fiscal year.''.
       (f) Payments to States.--
       (1) In general.--Section 474(a)(4) (42 U.S.C. 674(a)(4)) is 
     amended to read as follows:
       ``(4) an amount equal to the amount (if any) by which--
       ``(A) the lesser of--
       ``(i) 80 percent of the amounts expended by the State 
     during the fiscal year in which the quarter occurs to carry 
     out programs in accordance with the State application 
     approved under section 477(b) for the period in which the 
     quarter occurs (including any amendment that meets the 
     requirements of section 477(b)(5)); or
       ``(ii) the amount allotted to the State under section 
     477(c)(1) for the fiscal year in which the quarter occurs, 
     reduced by the total of the amounts payable to the State 
     under this paragraph for all prior quarters in the fiscal 
     year; exceeds
       ``(B) the total amount of any penalties assessed against 
     the State under section 477(e) during the fiscal year in 
     which the quarter occurs.''.
       (2) Discretionary grants.--Section 474 (42 U.S.C. 674) is 
     amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(e) Discretionary Grants for Educational and Training 
     Vouchers for Youths Aging out of Foster Care.--From amounts 
     appropriated pursuant to section 477(h)(2), the Secretary may 
     make a grant to a State with a plan approved under this part, 
     for a calendar quarter, in an amount equal to the lesser of--
       ``(1) 80 percent of the amounts expended by the State 
     during the quarter to carry out programs for the purposes 
     described in section 477(a)(6); or
       ``(2) the amount, if any, allotted to the State under 
     section 477(c)(3) for the fiscal year in which the quarter 
     occurs, reduced by the total of the amounts payable to the 
     State under this subsection for such purposes for all prior 
     quarters in the fiscal year.''.

     SEC. 202. REALLOCATION AND EXTENSION OF FUNDS.

       (a) Reallocation of Unused Funds.--Section 477(d) (42 
     U.S.C. 677(d)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) Reallocation of unused funds.--If a State does not 
     apply for funds under this section for a fiscal year within 
     such time as may be provided by the Secretary, the funds to 
     which the State would be entitled for the fiscal year shall 
     be reallocated to 1 or more other States on the basis of 
     their relative need for additional payments under this 
     section, as determined by the Secretary.''.
       (b) Temporary Extension of Availability of Independent 
     Living Funds.--Notwithstanding section 477(d)(3) of the 
     Social Security Act, payments made to a State under section 
     477 of such Act for fiscal year 2000 shall remain available 
     for expenditure by the State through fiscal year 2002.

                       TITLE III--EFFECTIVE DATE

     SEC. 301. EFFECTIVE DATE.

       (a) In General.--Subject to subsection (b), the amendments 
     made by this Act shall take effect on the date of the 
     enactment of this Act.
       (b) Delay Permitted if State Legislation Required.--In the 
     case of a State plan under subpart 2 of part B or part E of 
     the Social Security Act that the Secretary of Health and 
     Human Services determines requires State legislation (other 
     than legislation appropriating funds) in order for the plan 
     to meet the additional requirements imposed by the amendments 
     specified in subsection (a) of this section, the State plan 
     shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the 
     requirements of such part solely on the basis of the failure 
     of the plan to meet the additional requirements before the 
     first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the 
     close of the first regular session of the State legislature 
     that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act. For 
     purposes of the preceding sentence, in the case of a State 
     that has a 2-year legislative session, each year of the 
     session shall be deemed to be a separate regular session of 
     the State legislature.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Otter). Pursuant to the rule, the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Herger) and the gentleman from Maryland 
(Mr. Cardin) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. Herger).
  Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I bring to the floor 
today H.R. 2873, the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Amendments of 
2001.
  This legislation reauthorizes and increases by a total of $1 billion 
over 5 years Federal support for a broad range of services to support 
fragile families and prevent abuse and neglect of our Nation's 
children.

[[Page H8092]]

  This legislation was first proposed by President Bush, and I am 
pleased that the version before us today authorizes the full amount of 
new funding the President sought.
  As we work to reauthorize the promoting safe and stable families 
program, I have had the great fortune of meeting courageous people who 
share their love and their homes by adopting children with special 
needs.
  I learned stories of personal triumph from young people thriving 
after a lifetime of bouncing from home to home in the foster care 
system.
  I also learned of many of our colleagues here in the Congress who 
have opened their homes to foster and adopted children, and how their 
lives are better because of it.

                              {time}  1915

  In these times of national uncertainty, I am pleased to report that 
recent legislation changes, designed to better support abused and 
neglected children, are working. For example, since the signing of the 
Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, more than 133,000 children have 
been adopted from foster care. That is a 56 percent increase over the 
previous 3-year period.
  Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record a recent Washington Post 
article describing how adoptions in Maryland and Virginia increased by 
84 percent over the last 5 years.
  The text of the article is as follows:

               [From the Region, Sat., November 3, 2001]

                   Md., Va. Foster-Care Adoptions Up


      rise in funding, change in federal law credited for increase

                         (By Michael E. Ruane)

       Maryland and Virginia officials yesterday announced 
     substantial increases in the number of children who have been 
     adopted from foster care over the last five years.
       Maryland's Department of Human resources said there had 
     been a 23 percent increase in the number of foster-care 
     adoptions in the last year, and an 84 percent increase over 
     the last five years.
       Maryland officials said 852 children were adopted from 
     foster care in fiscal 2001, an increase of 161 over the 
     previous year.
       This year's adoptions were almost double the state's 462 
     foster-care adoptions in 1996. The announcement was made to 
     coincide with National Adoption Awareness Month this month.
       Virginia said its foster-care adoptions rose from 291 in 
     1997 to 592 in 2001. Figures could not be obtained yesterday 
     from the District.
       The most dramatic increase in Maryland was in Baltimore, 
     the officials said, where 514 adoptions were finalized this 
     year, compared with 160 five years ago.
       ``These are good trends for us,'' said Stephanie Johnson 
     Pettaway, adoption manager with the Maryland Human Resources' 
     social services administration.
       Officials from both states credited the federal Adoption 
     and Safe Families Act of 1997 for much of the increases.
       ``This law has allowed more flexibility to improve adoption 
     rates,'' said Charles Ingram, spokesman for the Virginia 
     Department of Social Services. ``We've put a great effort 
     into this.''
       The act has also provided more money for the adoption 
     process.
       ``That act mandated that some of the monies that went to 
     states for foster care and child welfare services . . . be 
     given to the states to be used specifically to increase and 
     encourage the number of adoptions,'' Pettaway said.
       ``The money then helped to fuel some of the programs that 
     we needed to do to move adoptions,'' she said. Among other 
     things, it helped pay private agencies that recruited 
     adoptive parents and performed home studies, she said.
       But adopting parents also played a vital role. Pettaway 
     said she believes that lately there has been a renewed public 
     interest in families, and a recognition that many children 
     lack a family. She said there are also increasing numbers of 
     parents who have already raised their children but still have 
     the energy and the love to raise more.
       ``It's a fantastic feeling to just know that you've opened 
     your home to some little folks,'' said Margurite Addison, 56, 
     Pikesville, who, with her husband, William, 53, has adopted 
     three foster children and is in the process of adopting a 
     fourth. ``How can you not open your home? ''
       ``This is love that you can see every day,'' she said, 
     noting that she and her husband have raised six children of 
     their own. ``It's a feeling that only an adoptive parent 
     can'' explain.

  As the article states, ``Officials from both States credited the 
Federal Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 for much of the 
increases.'' We have reason to be proud of the success of 1997 law and 
we must build on this momentum. That is what H.R. 2873 does.
  Our legislation also authorizes two bipartisan priority initiatives 
sought by the President: first, a new mentoring program for the 
children of prisoners; and second, new education vouchers worth up to 
$5,000 per youth aging out of foster care. President Bush is to be 
commended for his vision in proposing such important and promising new 
initiatives.
  Mr. Speaker, I also would like to thank my colleagues on the 
Committee on Ways and Means for their support in moving this 
legislation forward, that includes the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. 
Cardin), the ranking member on the Subcommittee on Human Resources, who 
first joined me in introducing H.R. 2873 in September. I also thank my 
fellow Republican subcommittee members including the gentlewoman from 
Connecticut (Mrs. Johnson), the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Watkins), 
the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Camp) and the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. English), among many others who have taken a personal 
interest in moving this legislation forward.
  But most of all, I commend the families and social service providers 
who work every day to protect children from harm and to provide loving 
and permanent homes for children. Their personal commitment to these 
children means more than any government program. It is my hope that 
passing this legislation today would serve to recognize the importance 
of their efforts and demonstrate our resolve to further strengthen 
families in the years to come.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  (Mr. CARDIN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, first let me thank the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Herger) for his leadership on these issues and for 
bringing forward this legislation. The two of us have worked together 
in a bipartisan spirit in order to move legislation that is important 
for America's families.
  Promoting Safe and Stable Families is a very important program. It 
deals with the most vulnerable families that we have in our community. 
These are children at risk, at risk of being put into foster care. This 
program has enjoyed strong bipartisan support because it protects the 
family unit; it protects our most vulnerable children.
  I support this suspension, this bill, because we have already seen a 
6-week expiration of this program. This program expired at the 
beginning of the fiscal year, and if we do not reauthorize it, the 
States would see an immediate reduction of Federal funds dedicated to 
these very important programs, including case worker oversight, 
substance abuse treatment, mental health services, respite care, 
domestic violence assistance and other related services.
  Mr. Speaker, though I must express my real disappointment that this 
legislation does not include the full requests requested by President 
Bush and included in the budget resolution that was passed by the 
Congress, we had approved an additional $200 million a year for the 
next 5 years in the Safe and Stable Families Program, the legislation 
we are considering this evening does not provide for that $200 million 
increase.
  As the gentleman from California (Mr. Herger) properly pointed out, 
we authorize, but we do not include it under the basic guarantee to our 
States. That is not adequate.
  I might say, on the tuition vouchers for children in foster care, the 
President also requested that we provide those funds. It was included 
in the budget, and we are not including it in the legislation before 
us. That is very unfortunate. We are talking about children who will 
not receive the services as a result of these additional funds not 
being made available. We estimate in 2002 alone 76,000 families would 
have benefited from that extra $200 million that will not be made 
available.
  The gentleman from California (Mr. Herger) also points out that we 
have authorized additional money. The problem is, our appropriators 
have already acted and they have only provided $70 million of the 
additional $327 million that the President requested. We had the 
ability in this legislation to make sure those funds were available and 
it was provided for in our budget resolution. We have should have done 
better.
  There are some that say we can no longer afford this because of the 
September 11 tragedies. We do not want

[[Page H8093]]

the terrorists to win. The terrorists should not prevent us from taking 
care of our families. We have already passed in this body legislation 
that would spend during this period $150 billion, primarily on tax 
relief. Cannot we afford, Mr. Speaker, another $1 billion for our 
children?
  So although I support this legislation, it is important that we 
authorize the program, it is important that the funding continue to our 
local governments to provide these services. We should have done 
better. We should have done what the President asked us to do and with 
what our own budget resolution would have provided.
  I hope, as this legislation make its way through the other body, that 
we will find the resolve to include the extra monies as a mandatory 
expenditure, as requested by the President, and that we can in fact 
live up to our commitment to America's families.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to mention that we have 
authorized an increase for $1 billion over 5 years. The appropriators 
have already appropriated an additional $70 million dollars for this 
year; that is an increase that is larger than the last 4 years put 
together. So I do believe we are putting the dollars forward to ensure 
that these very important programs are funded.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania, 
Ms. Hart.
  Ms. HART. Mr. Speaker, how can we forget the story of the teenager in 
New Jersey who delivered a baby in a restroom, abandoned the child in a 
trash can and returned to her high school prom? Or perhaps you recall 
the new story of an infant discovered in a back yard and the infant was 
mauled by a hungry dog. In fact, in my district alone, three abandoned 
infants have been found this year, including one this last week. 
Fortunately, he was found alive and is recovering.
  The Safe and Stable Families amendments include money to help inform 
young women that there are safe havens available. There are 
opportunities for them to avoid this tragedy, the death of an infant. 
It is impossible to know the exact number of infants who are abandoned 
each year, but media accounts remind us that this is a growing problem 
nationwide. Between 1991 and 1998, for example, the number of abandoned 
babies discovered nationwide almost doubled.
  These young women are often scared and they hide their pregnancies 
out of this fear, and then they abandon their children, hoping someone 
will find them; or just abandon them out of fear, not thinking clearly. 
But in response to this problem many States, in fact 30, beginning with 
the State of Texas, enacted Safe Haven laws. These laws provide for an 
alternative for these young women, that they can leave their children 
somewhere safe, whether it is a hospital or police station, without 
being prosecuted for abandonment.
  This legislation throughout these States saves two lives. It saves 
the baby, Mr. Speaker, and also the young woman who is afraid and alone 
and not thinking clearly.
  As of last week, as I mentioned, a total of 30 States have passed 
Safe Haven Laws as well, but many are considering Safe Haven laws as 
well. We must help on the Federal level to prevent this tragedy of 
newborn babies being abandoned or killed. Safe Haven laws encourage 
responsible behavior by these women, but these young women will not 
take advantage of them if they are not aware of them.
  The Promoting Safe and Stable Families amendments allow the State to 
use some of their block grant money to help solve the problem of infant 
abandonment. This amendment would allow these States to use their block 
grants to fund public information campaigns and provide education and 
training to assist the States as they implement these new laws. This is 
similar to my legislation, H.R. 2018, the Safe Haven Support Act which 
has 76 co-sponsors of both parties.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentleman from California (Mr. Herger) and 
the members of the committee for their work on this important issue, 
because it means, again, saving the baby's life but also saving the 
life of a young mother.
  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. English), a member of the 
subcommittee.
  Mr. ENGLISH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. 
I especially want it thank the chairman of the subcommittee for his 
extraordinary efforts to move this legislation forward.
  Mr. Speaker, President Kennedy once said, ``Every American ought to 
have the right to be treated as he would wish to be treated, as one 
would wish his children to be treated.'' That is not the case.
  Mr. Speaker, across the United States thousands of children each day 
are abused and neglected. According to the most recent statistics, 
826,000 children were the victims of neglect and abuse in 1999. That 
works out to about 12 children out of every 1,000. In Pennsylvania 
alone, more than 5,000 children each year are the victims of 
significant negligence or abuse.
  If you think about it, that is a cumulative burden to our society 
that is truly massive. It is a massive cumulative burden with 
multiplying social problems and costs.
  Mr. Speaker, I know this is not how we wish to be treated, let alone 
how we wish our children to be treated.
  The Safe and Stable Families Act of 2001 authorizes funding to 
protect the Nation's children from that abuse with funding rising from 
$305 million to $505 million. Under this plan, Pennsylvania will 
receive at least $13.6 million to support vital programs that give 
children a safe start, enhancing preventive services for families in 
crisis, as well as family reunification and adoption promotion service.
  This legislation provides States with the tools that they need to 
preserve and support families, promote adoption and provide overall 
support for children. This legislation is critical because it shows 
that Congress is committed to ensuring that all children live in safe, 
permanent and loving homes.
  Through this legislation we also create a Federal program that will 
allow local governments to reach out to the children of prisoners, 
developing outreach or mentoring programs. This bill works to ensure 
the safety and welfare of children while strengthening and preserving 
the family.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill 
so that every child, regardless of race, religion or socioeconomic 
status, has a safe place to call home, a stable family life and the 
opportunity to achieve the American dream.
  Mr. COLLINS. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Bill Thomas and 
Subcommittee Chairman Wally Herger for their effort on this important 
legislation, the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Amendments of 2001 
(H.R. 2873)
  H.R. 2873 reauthorizes the Promoting Safe and Stable Families 
program, which is the primary federal resource to prevent child abuse 
and neglect. This legislation takes important steps to help strengthen 
parental relationships and promote healthy marriages. It is for this 
reason that I offer my strong support for this important legislation.
  I support H.R. 2873 because it recognizes the importance of a loving 
and stable family in the life of a child. While many Americans, such as 
myself, have been blessed to grow up in loving families, there are too 
many that do not have such a family. Recognizing this fact and the need 
for a loving, nurturing and disciplined home in the life of a child, 
Truett Cathy, the founder and CEO of Chik-Fil-A restaurants, 
established WinShape Homes in 1987.
  Mr. Cathy started WinShape Homes to provide a loving, nurturing home 
for those children who are victims of circumstances and need a stable, 
secure family environment in which to grow and mature. Since 1987, 
WinShape Homes have served over 250 children. Currently, there are 
approximately 125 children in WinShape's eleven homes. These homes 
strive to meet all the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the 
children, and they stress character building, manners, proper dress, 
and hygiene. WinShape accepts boys and girls ages 6-16 regardless of 
race, culture, or religion. While WinShape Homes cannot adopt the 
children in their care, these homes function as loving and stable 
families for these children. A person never graduates from WinShape, 
even after marriage. Simply put, a WinShape family member is a family 
member for life.
  Mr. Speaker, while I support this legislation and its goals, I am 
concerned about a related

[[Page H8094]]

issue resulting from the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 (ASFA) 
and the unintended consequences it could have on some children, 
particularly those who have found a loving home at WinShape. 
Rightfully, ASFA seeks to end the ``foster care drift'' that results 
when children are abused or neglected by their birth parents by placing 
these children in loving, adoptive homes. In this regard, ASFA has 
enjoyed great success. Unfortunately, ASFA's provisions do not 
adequately address the unique situation found in the families at 
WinShape Homes.
  The problem for places like WinShape has resulted from ASFA's 
structure which pits family reunification against adoption. Under ASFA, 
states are required to hold ``permanency'' hearings no later than 12 
months after placement in foster care to determine whether parental 
unification with the child or termination of parental rights should 
take place. Because WinShape Homes cannot adopt children, children at 
WinShape Homes may face these ``termination proceedings.'' As a result, 
a child could potentially be removed from the loving family at WinShape 
and placed in an entirely new family environment. In addition, while 
WinShape places a priority on maintaining sibling relationships, such 
termination proceedings may result in breaking this family bond and 
separating one sibling from the others through the adoptive process.
  Mr. Speaker, as this important work to place children in loving, 
stable homes continues, I ask that the Members of this House examine 
these provisions regarding ``termination proceedings'' and permanent 
living arrangements, such as WinShape Homes, that provide a loving and 
stable home for so many children. In so doing, the House will only 
improve on the success of the Adoption and Safe Families Act.
  Once again, I thank both Chairman Thomas and Chairman Herger for 
their work to promote safe and stable families for our children. I look 
forward to working with them, the House Leadership and all of my 
colleagues in this House to ensure that more American children grow up 
in loving and stable families.
  Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2873, the 
Safe and Stable Families Amendments of 2001. This legislation will 
increase funding for important programs that protect our nation's 
children from abuse and neglect. In addition to increasing funding for 
existing programs, this bill will also create a new program to provide 
mentoring services for the children of prisoners, and to provide 
educational opportunities for youth, aging out of foster care.
  I especially appreciate the commitment Congress is showing to these 
programs because I've witnessed the success of these programs 
firsthand. My district is fortunate to be home to Beech Acres, a 
community-based organization that provides highly-tailored services to 
over 17,000 children and families per year. Jim Mason, the President of 
Beech Acres, has been a leader in pioneering creative programs for 
parenting.
  At Beech Acres, Jim established an innovative Educational Advocacy 
Center for children to help provide those who have been abused, are in 
foster care, or have special challenges with the continuity and support 
that they need. The funds authorized in this bill will be helpful to 
Beech Acres.
  I'm also pleased that the Infant Safe Haven programs was added as an 
allowable activity within the Safe and Stable Families program. I know 
that my colleague from California, Representative Herger, has been 
working with Representative Melissa Hart to find a way to address the 
problem of parents who want to relinquish their new born children, and 
I appreciate their hard work.
  This legislation will help make critical improvements in our nation's 
child protection services. Too often, these children have been 
neglected first by their parents, and then by society. With this bill, 
we are continuing our commitment to give these children the support and 
attention they deserve. I encourage all my colleagues to support its 
passage.
  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, I urge support for H.R. 2873, as amended.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Herger) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 2873, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________