Miller's Bills to Help Strengthen the Child Welfare System Pass the Ways and Means Committee

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Miller's (R-WV) Helping HANDS for Families Act, introduced with Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA), and Court Improvement Program Enhancement Act, introduced with Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA) and Congressman Blake Moore (R-UT),bothpassed the Ways and Means Committee during a markup on a larger package to reauthorize Title IV-B, a child welfare funding program. Congresswoman Miller introduced these bills to provide services and resources for families and foster children across America.

"I am thrilled that my bills to support families passedthe Ways and Means Committee. It's important that families across the U.S. have access to the right resources in order to help their own children or foster children have a better life. All children in the welfare system deserve to find loving homes. The Helping HANDS for Families Act and Court Improvement Program Enhancement Act will help make that possible by providing parents access to community resources and by using technological advancements to equip judges and attorneys with the proper tools and training for child welfare legal proceedings," said Congresswoman Miller.

Key Quote: "In rural states like mine, providing more flexibility in how Title IV-B services are administered is essential to the success of our most vulnerable families. For this reason, 'Helping HANDS' has received glowing endorsements from Child Welfare and Community Services Offices across the country, including CarePortal, a technology platform designed to connect child welfare agencies with churches and community members who want to help vulnerable children and families in their local area,"said Congresswoman Miller.

The Helping HANDS for Families Act would permit states to use already-allocated money to access online portals that connect families in need with resources such as pregnancy centers, child care programs, food pantries, churches, and non-profits.

Key Quote: "Our bill allows Court Improvement Program (CIP) funds to be used towards improving technology support for remote hearings and allows state courts to use CIP funds for remote training for judges, attorneys, and other legal personnel. Inclusion of this bill in the reauthorization will greatly improve parent, family, and youth engagement in their child welfare proceedings, as it is imperative that everyone involved is appropriately trained,"said Congresswoman Miller.

The Court Improvement Program Enhancement Act would enhance the Court Improvement Program (CIP) so courts can promote quality care and improved outcomes for children and families through the use of advanced technology in remote hearings and by providing remote training for legal personnel.

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