[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 29 (Wednesday, March 8, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E306]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 H.R. 3380, GUARDIANSHIP ASSISTANCE PROMOTION AND KINSHIP SUPPORT ACT: 
    TO PROMOTE SAFE AND STABLE HOMES FOR ALL CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE

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                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 8, 2006

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, across the country, there are more than 
6 million children living with their grandparents, aunts, uncles or 
other relatives. In my State of Illinois, 9 percent of the children 
live with nonparent relatives. Children enter relative care for many 
reasons: death of a parent, neglect, abuse, military deployment, or 
poverty. But regardless of the reason, every child deserves a safe home 
and an opportunity for a good life. I commend grandparents and other 
relatives who step forward to care for children, keeping them out of 
foster care while providing safe, stable homes, often at great personal 
sacrifice. Supportive programs like subsidized guardianship help 
children exit foster care into the permanent care of nurturing 
relatives.
  Recently, the Pew Commission on Children and Foster Care noted that 
permanent guardians offer the best hope and future for many of these 
children. After extensive study, the Pew Commission recommended 
permanent guardians receive financial assistance in the form of 
subsidized guardianship. A 2004 study by the University of Illinois 
showed that States with federally funded subsidized guardianship 
through IV-E waivers are much more effective in both reducing their 
foster care rolls and achieving permanence. Subsidized guardianship 
provides the financial support to make it possible for relative 
caregivers to provide a permanent and loving home for children, while 
giving guardianship to the relative instead of the State.
  The Guardianship Assistance Promotion, GAP, Act, H.R. 3380, 
introduced by my colleague Representative Danny K. Davis, is designed 
to support children living with legal guardians by allowing subsidized 
guardianship and expanding eligibility to children who are eligible for 
foster care payments. I urge my colleagues to join this important 
effort to encourage safe and permanent homes for children in foster 
care.
  Grandparents and other relative caregivers are often the best chance 
for a loving and stable childhood for the children in their care, but 
their hard work and dedication often go unnoticed. Today, I offer my 
deep appreciation for the ongoing service of these caregivers to our 
children.

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