[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 112 (Thursday, July 9, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E655]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





  HONORING LOUISIANA'S LEADERSHIP IN ADVANCING A HOME FOR EVERY CHILD

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. MIKE JOHNSON

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, July 9, 2026

  Mr. JOHNSON of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, today, I recognize Louisiana, 
my home state, as one of the first states in the country to officially 
partner with the Administration for Children and Families in their 
worthy initiative, ``A Home for Every Child.''
  According to Louisiana's Department of Children and Family Services' 
(LA DCFS) Secretary Rebecca Harris, Louisiana has a ratio of only 48 
homes to every 100 foster children--an unsustainable gap that requires 
every effort to balance. We hear too many stories of good people who 
want to foster but are slowed or stopped in their certification process 
due to bureaucratic hurdles. Under the leadership of Governor Jeff 
Landry and Secretary Harris, Louisiana joined with the Administration 
for Children and Families (ACP) to cut red tape, increase the amount of 
foster care homes in our state, and ensure every foster child has a 
safe place to live. I am proud to say that LA DCFS has committed to 
certify 1,100 new foster homes and reactivate 200 foster homes by the 
end of this year to help fill the gap. Louisiana is committed to 
protecting vulnerable children and ensuring they have access to safe, 
stable, and supportive home environments.
  Louisiana's action builds upon the initiatives and leadership of 
President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, whose 
``Fostering the Future'' Executive Order catalyzed a renewed national 
focus on foster care and permanent placement of children into loving 
homes. The Executive Order laid the groundwork for the ``A Home for 
Every Child'' program and has encouraged many states to take these 
necessary, meaningful, and measurable steps to improve outcomes for 
children and families.
  Too many children across the Nation continue to wait for placement in 
permanent homes. When family unification is not possible either 
temporarily or permanently, expanding the pool of qualified foster 
families and strengthening support systems is essential to ensuring 
that every child is under the love and care of a stable home. As ACF 
Assistant Secretary Alex Adams has stated as a vital mission, we too 
look forward to a day when families ready to foster are waiting for a 
child rather than a child waiting for a home.
  Louisiana's leadership joining ``A Home for Every Child'' sets a 
strong example for other states. Continued collaboration among federal, 
state, community and faith-based partners will be critical to advancing 
our shared goal of ensuring every child has a place to call home.

                          ____________________