[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 14, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H215-H216]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            SUPPORT GRANDPARENTS IN PRIMARY CAREGIVER ROLES

  (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of 
H.R. 5583, the Help Grandfamilies Prevent Child Abuse Act. I am proud 
to cosponsor this legislation with my colleague, Congresswoman Mary Gay 
Scanlon of Pennsylvania's Fifth District.
  All children deserve a loving and safe home. Sadly, due to the 
Nation's growing opioid crisis, more and more children are being left 
without structure, without safety, and, in some cases, without parents. 
As a result, grandparents have become the primary caregivers for many 
children.

[[Page H216]]

  The Help Grandfamilies Prevent Child Abuse Act will provide resources 
to assist grandparents in raising their grandchildren and, most 
importantly, help prevent these children from entering the foster care 
system.
  This bill ensures grandfamilies and kinship caregivers are eligible 
for services under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, or 
CAPTA. It also provides support to meet the needs of children who have 
experienced trauma; for example, those exposed to substance misuse. 
Lastly, the bill calls for training and resources to assist caregivers 
in navigating the complicated childcare system.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5583 is a good bill. It is a bipartisan bill, and I 
urge my colleagues to support it.

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