BY MARGARET IUCULANO, Moms For America
Children seek a home, yet not every home finds a child. As someone who grew up in the foster care system, I understand this harsh reality all too well. That’s why I am encouraged by the introduction of the Create Accountable Respectful Environments (CARE) for Children Act – a bill that aims to transform the foster care experience by providing funding for “cottage homes,” or foster care settings that resemble traditional family environments and strive to preserve familial bonds.
The CARE Act is designed to expand federal reimbursement eligibility to these cottage homes – an essential step that, surprisingly, has not been a standard practice. Currently, these homes, operated by licensed childcare agencies, are ineligible for reimbursements that cover basic necessities such as food, clothing, and shelter. This creates a disincentive for child welfare agencies to provide the nurturing environments that are ideal for children, essentially neglecting the best interests of those in their care. By extending reimbursement schedules to these settings, the CARE Act promises to improve outcomes for children by aligning foster care with the supportive environments that every child deserves.
One of the most heartbreaking aspects of the foster care system is the separation of siblings. Children are often removed from their homes and, tragically, from each other. Many siblings are separated at such a young age that their bond is irreparably damaged. The CARE Act addresses this critical issue by mandating that siblings remain together within cottage homes, unless a court order dictates otherwise. Additionally, the Act requires that these homes facilitate ongoing communication between children and their birth families, recognizing that many children will eventually be reunited with their immediate families or relatives.
The CARE Act also introduces essential safeguards to ensure that children in foster care receive the same freedoms to develop, learn, and play as their non-foster peers. It mandates continuous evaluation of care quality from the child’s perspective and provides a system for children to report mistreatment. These measures are vital in ensuring that every child in foster care feels safe, valued, and heard.
The prospects for the CARE Act are promising. This bipartisan bill has garnered support from a broad coalition of Republicans and Democrats, notably from Florida, which has the third-largest foster care population in the nation. As a Florida resident, I am heartened by our state’s leadership on this critical issue.
A society’s character is measured by how it treats its most vulnerable members. Historical and spiritual figures, such as Jesus, sought to uplift those left behind, emphasizing the inherent worth of every individual. Our foster care system, in its current state, falls short of this moral standard. With a significant decline in licensed foster parents over the past few years and alarming statistics about aging-out youth facing homelessness, there is an urgent need for reform.
The CARE Act represents a beacon of hope for improving the foster care system. By providing much-needed resources and promoting a nurturing environment, it offers a lifeline to countless children waiting for stability and care. If Congress is to demonstrate its commitment to compassion and justice, it must act swiftly to pass the CARE Act and pave the way for a brighter future for our most vulnerable children.
Margaret Iuculano,
Former Foster Child & Special Counsel, Moms for America