Summary:
- The bipartisan CARE Act, introduced by Rep. Neal Dunn (R-FL), seeks to keep foster siblings together and expand federal reimbursement eligibility to “cottage homes,” or, houses in traditional family environments with full-time, live-in, and trained parents, managed by licensed public and private child welfare agencies.
Keeping Siblings Together and Combating Shortages in Housing:
- Between 2019 – 2023, almost every state experienced a decline in the number of licensed foster parents. It is also estimated that 53% – 80% of siblings are separated during foster care.
- Making cottage homes that are managed by licensed agencies eligible for federal reimbursement will increase the number of homes for children. The CARE Act specifically mentions these cottage homes must facilitate sibling unity.
Maintaining the Family Bond:
- The CARE Act keeps family bonds together.
- 53% of those who left foster care were reunited with their families or a living relative.
- The CARE Act states cottage homes must encourage and support continuous communication between the foster children and their families, unless otherwise prevented by court order.
Creating Safeguards for the Well-Being of the Child:
- The CARE Act also creates safeguards to ensure children have the same freedoms as their non-foster peers. Cottage homes must consider a child’s perception of quality care and improve upon them. They must also provide a system for a child to alert a staff member if they feel mistreated. A child must also have the same freedom afforded to their non-foster peers to develop, learn, and play.
Foster Care – By the Numbers:
- A recent HHS report found that there are 368,500 children and youth in foster care.
- As of 2021, the states with the highest number of foster children were California (47,871), Texas (28,042), and Florida (23,507).
Where does the CARE Act stand in Congress?
- Latest Action: Referred to the House Ways and Means Committee