[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 68 (Tuesday, May 17, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3057-S3058]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. BAUCUS (for himself, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Rockefeller, and Mr. 
        Enzi):
  S. 1013. A bill to renew the authority of the Secretary of Health and 
Human Services to approve demonstration projects designed to test 
innovative strategies in State child welfare programs; to the Committee 
on Finance.
  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, the Finance Committee has a long history 
of working together in a bi-partisan fashion in the interest of 
children in Montana and across the Nation. I am happy to have you as a 
partner on child welfare issues. The Fostering Connections to Success 
and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 was a first step on the road to 
reforming the child welfare system. Today, with the introduction of the 
State Child Welfare Innovation Act, we take another step on the path 
toward making lives better for the children we serve.
  As the authors of this legislation, we build on the successes of 
waivers since they were first authorized in 1994. Since that time, 
these waivers have given States the flexibility needed to focus on new 
practices that prevent abuse and neglect and encourage permanency for 
children in our child welfare system.
  It is important for us to understand that the goal of reauthorizing 
child welfare waivers is not simply to develop and test new service 
delivery models, but to put in place sound practices that state 
innovation has determined to be effective in increasing positive 
outcomes for youth in the system.
  Our March 11 hearing entitled ``Innovations in Child Welfare 
Waivers'' continued a productive conversation and helped us to craft 
legislation to address some of the issues facing our Nation's most-
vulnerable youth. I was happy we were able to welcome two graduates of 
the foster care system to share their perspectives. In our 
conversations with youth, service providers and local government 
officials, we have noted the successes of the program in spurring 
innovative new practices while listening to the concerns regarding the 
challenges that they have faced in the implementation of these waivers 
and in the system overall.
  In this legislation, we continued to focus the waivers on producing 
improvements in three important areas: the prevention of abuse and 
neglect; safety for children at home and in placements; and permanency 
outcomes. We have also asked States to focus on increasing the quality 
of care for kids in the foster care system. We heard from youth about 
what is important to them, including knowing what your rights are and 
understanding how to reconnect with biological parents in a healthy 
way. I am so pleased we were able to work together to give States the 
opportunity and incentive to address these concerns.
  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I am also pleased to join with my partner 
on the Senate Finance Committee in producing bipartisan legislation 
that gives States increased flexibility to improve the lives of 
children and youth.
  The legislation we will introduce today is the product of many months 
of work and is the result of an open and transparent process bringing 
together relevant stakeholders. The Committee has heard from the state 
groups, the advocacy community and most importantly, youth both in and 
out of the foster care system. Young people in ``Foster Club,'' have a 
saying: ``Nothing about us, without us.'' We have taken their motto to 
heart and the legislation we are introducing today reflects years of 
input for youth in and out of foster care.
  I agree with the Chairman of the Finance Committee when he 
characterized the State Child Welfare Innovation Act as another step on 
the pathway to comprehensive child welfare reform.
  Comprehensive child welfare reform is desperately needed. The current 
financing system is antiquated, relying on an income eligibility proxy 
dating back to pre-welfare reform standards. The majority of Federal 
support goes to the least desirable outcome: the placement of a child 
or youth into foster care. Federal priorities should be aligned so that 
States are able to keep families together, safely.
  But financing reform is not enough. The underlying foster care system 
needs to be improved. Often times when children enter foster care, 
siblings are separated. Children and youth are shuttled from place to 
place. Their education is disrupted. Their ability to play sports or 
engage in after school

[[Page S3058]]

activities is thwarted. Under the current system, about 30,000 young 
people a year exit foster care without a permanent connection and are 
at risk for homelessness, incarceration and drug abuse.
  My State of Utah informs me that with flexibility, Utah can improve 
on the State's decade-old effort to protect children and strengthen 
families.
  As we look to make improvements to our social service delivery 
systems, we should be relying on the States to chart the way through 
flexibility and innovation. The States are the critical units within 
our constitutional democracy. The States are the laboratories of 
democracy, where appropriate solutions to problems are best crafted. 
The Federal Government needs to give States maximum flexibility in 
crafting solutions that work for their citizens. I am pleased that this 
legislation is consistent with that approach and look forward to making 
further progress to improve the lives of children and young people.
  Mr. BAUCUS. I am happy to introduce this legislation with my partner 
on the Senate Finance Committee, the Ranking Member of that Committee, 
Senator Hatch. I look forward to a new chapter in our work together 
that helps put our Nation's child welfare system on the pathway to 
reform.
                                 ______