[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 107 (Thursday, June 26, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1377]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  FOSTERING CONNECTIONS TO SUCCESS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. EARL POMEROY

                            of north dakota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 24, 2008

  Mr. POMEROY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6307 a bill 
that makes a number of critical changes to the child welfare system to 
better connect children in foster care with the services, healthcare 
and education programs they need.
  This bill includes legislation I introduced earlier this year which 
would provide tribes with the same direct access to federal funding for 
foster care and adoption services that states currently receive. Under 
current law, funds under Title IV-E of the Social Security Act cannot 
go directly to tribes, leaving Indian and Alaska Native children living 
on tribal lands without direct access to services which are an 
entitlement to all other children in similar circumstances. While most 
tribes provide some level of basic foster care or permanency services, 
they are not able to provide the comprehensive level of services that 
children under state custody receive via Title IV-E.
  My legislation, which has been included in this bill, would remedy 
this situation by providing equity to Native American children who are 
in need of foster care and adoptive services. It would do this by 
allowing tribes to apply to the Department of Health and Human Services 
to directly administer Title IV-E foster care and adoption programs.
  This legislation is supported by many child welfare organizations 
including Child Welfare League of America, the North American Council 
on Adoptable Children, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the 
American Public Human Services Association as well as numerous tribes 
and tribal organizations.
  I urge you to support H.R. 6307 to make sure that all children in 
foster care have a better chance at success in school and the 
workforce.

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