09/18/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/18/2024 12:34
Washington, D.C. - The U.S. House of Representatives today passed Congressman Darin LaHood's (R-IL-16) H.R. 9076, the Supporting America's Children and Families Act, a first-in-a-generation bipartisan reauthorization and reform of child welfare programs under Title IV-B of the Social Security Act, by a vote of 405-10. LaHood, who is Chairman of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Work and Welfare, introduced the legislation with Subcommittee Ranking Member Danny Davis (D-IL-07) in July of 2024.
With approximately 369,000 children currently in the foster care system nationwide, this legislation offers vital assistance to help strengthen and keep families together and support the safety and well-being of children in foster care.The Supporting America's Children and Families Act encompasses policies from 16 different pieces of legislation from both Republican and Democrat members of the Ways and Means Committee. It follows the Committee's extensive, year-long review of the nation's child welfare programs to identify areas where these programs could better serve children and families.
The bill is supported by 228 child welfare organizations and 26 governors. Rep. LaHood's remarks during debate on the House Floor can be viewed HERE.
"For the past year, the Ways and Means Committee has undertaken a review of the Title IV-B child welfare program, listening to stakeholders, state administrators, and those with lived experience on the most pressing challenges," said Work and Welfare Subcommittee Chairman Darin LaHood (R-IL-16). "The bipartisan Supporting America's Children and Families Act, which incorporates significant bipartisan involvement from members across our committee, reauthorizes Title IV-B for five years and implements critical reforms to modernize and strengthen the program, providing essential support to America's children. I am proud that this commonsense bill passed the House and urge the Senate to take it up swiftly to save taxpayer dollars, reduce administrative burdens, expand evidence-based services to prevent child abuse and neglect, and improve outcomes for youth transitioning from foster care." "
Key policies included in the Supporting America's Children and Families Act
This Congress, the Committee has held four hearings on child welfare:
###