WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley, co-founder and co-chair of the Senate Caucus on Foster Youth, and a bipartisan group of colleagues today introduced legislation recognizing May as National Foster Care Month. The legislation is a resolution describing the multiple challenges facing the approximately 415,000 children in the foster care system. It resolves that the Senate should enact policies to improve the lives of these children. Policy goals include the achievement of permanent homes and the successful transition of youths who are aging out of the system into adulthood.
“The month of May gives us the chance to spread the word about foster youth among our fellow elected representatives and the public at large,” Grassley said. “National Foster Care Month focuses attention on the kids and caregivers who deserve recognition and problem-solving from their elected representatives for a good quality of life and future.”
This year, Grassley has held several forums to discuss foster care issues, including a briefing on youth who age out of foster care and homelessness and how to enhance the recruitment and retention of foster families. The foster care caucus also hosted a series of panel discussions on the link between foster care and substance use, especially with the opioid crisis.
On Tuesday, Grassley will preside over a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, “National Foster Care Month: Supporting Youth in Foster Care and Juvenile Justice Systems.” The hearing will look at the relationship between the foster care and juvenile justice systems when children are involved in both systems. Lisa Nelson, a Juvenile Court Officer in Woodbury County, will testify at the hearing.
A companion resolution is being introduced in the House of Representatives.
The text of the Senate resolution is available here.
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