[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 89 (Tuesday, July 11, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1370]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN SUPPORT OF SUBSIDIZED GUARDIANSHIP

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CHAKA FATTAH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 11, 2006

  Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, across America, too many children remain in 
the foster care system for far too long. Through efforts known as 
subsidized guardianship, though, the amount of time from entrance into 
foster care to permanent placement is being slightly reduced.
  Currently, there are more than six million children living in 
households headed by grandparents or other relatives. The reasons vary, 
some children enter due to the death of a parent, others have been 
neglected while others have suffered abuse and still more live in 
foster care because of poverty or the military deployment of a parent. 
Whatever the reason, these children lack the security that permanent 
residency affords. I celebrate grandparents and other relatives who 
unselfishly and at great financial sacrifice provide safe, stable homes 
for these children. There are compassionate programs such as subsidized 
guardianship, that permit children to transition from the foster care 
system into the permanent custody of loving and supportive relatives in 
a comparatively short period of time.
  In my State of Pennsylvania, 7 percent of the children live with non-
parent relatives. Grandparents and other relative caregivers are often 
the best chance for a stable childhood for the children in their care, 
but their hard work and dedication often go unnoticed. I appreciate and 
congratulate those who put the interest of our Nation's children first. 
Future generations will be better because of those who provide the 
continuing services of subsidized guardianship.

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