[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 41 (Tuesday, March 15, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S1502]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                         CASEY FAMILY PROGRAMS

 Mr. BENNET. Mr. President, today I congratulate Casey Family 
Programs for 50 years of public service to help vulnerable children and 
families in the child welfare system. Founded in 1966 by Jim Casey, the 
founder of United Parcel Service, UPS, this private operating 
foundation has been working quietly and effectively on behalf of our 
most vulnerable children and families.
  At the beginning, Casey Family Programs started with a specific focus 
on providing quality foster care. After gaining considerable experience 
in providing direct services, Casey Family Programs recognized that it 
could help more families and children by working to support long-
lasting improvements across entire child welfare systems. Today the 
foundation provides strategic consultation, technical assistance, data 
analysis, and independent research and evaluation at no cost to all 50 
states. It also serves county and tribal child welfare jurisdictions 
across the Nation, including my State of Colorado.
  Casey Family Programs seeks a unique partnership with the States by 
asking what jurisdictions hope to achieve as it relates to the 
foundation's mission.
  In my State of Colorado, this means helping State leaders implement 
Colorado's Federal waiver program. It means developing initiatives to 
reduce reliance on congregate care, if other options may be more 
appropriate for the child and family. It means working with our Denver 
courts with a judicial engagement team to enhance collaboration among 
the courts, agencies, and families. Casey Family Programs also has a 
specific team based in Denver dedicated to Indian Child Welfare.
  At the Federal level, Casey Family Programs offers its experience, 
research, and data to help policymakers understand and address the 
complicated issues of child welfare and foster care. Over the years I 
have been proud to work with Casey Family Programs, and I appreciate 
their dedication and commitment to the original vision of their 
founder, Jim Casey.
  I believe we all share this vision of helping children find a safe 
and stable home, but achieving it is more challenging than it seems. I 
congratulate Casey Family Programs on 50 years of public service, and I 
look forward to continue working with the foundation in Colorado and in 
Congress for years to come.

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