Each
year, the month of May is recognized as National
Foster Care Month. I thank my colleagues for once again unanimously
passing a resolution to recognize and bring awareness to the experiences of
youth and families in the foster care system.
This
month, organizations in Iowa and around the country have been working to
support youth in foster care, and the foster parents who open their homes to
kids in need.
In
2019, the most recent year for which data is available, there were over 426,000
kids in foster care in the United States. In Iowa alone, there were almost
6,000.
As
stated in our resolution, Congress must continue to work towards real solutions
for these children, who face trauma, abuse and neglect.
In
recent years, lots of changes have been made to the way that child welfare
works. Congress passed the Family First
Prevention Services Act in 2018. The goal was to provide more services to
families before removing children from the home was needed.
This
bill also seeks to help kids who age out of foster care have access to more
support and successfully transition to adulthood and independence.
I
was glad to support this legislation and I hope that as it is implemented, we
see positive outcomes for kids and families.
All
children, no matter their circumstances, deserve a permanent, loving home, and
consistent, caring adults in their lives.
Research
has shown that the presence of just one caring adult who is available for
advice, support and guidance can make a meaningful difference for children in
foster care.
For
some kids, this may be a foster parent who maintains a relationship with a child
even after the temporary placement is over.
For
other kids, this may be an aunt or uncle, a family member who is willing to
shoulder the responsibility of providing a loving home.
Others
may benefit from a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) or guardian
ad-litum. These are volunteers assigned to be a child’s advocate.
For
a system designed to protect children, often the child welfare system does not
give much opportunity for a child’s voice to be heard.
CASAs
are often the only adults in a court proceeding who are exclusively advocating
for what the youth in foster care wants.
I’m
happy that this year for the first time, May 18th was National CASA/GAL
Volunteers Day, to honor the service of these volunteers.
I
salute all those who work tirelessly to support kids in foster care, in Iowa
and nationwide.
When
I founded the Senate
Caucus on Foster Youth in 2009, the special focus was to hear directly from
youth themselves.
Older
youth in foster care, and adults who experienced foster care as a child can
speak to what worked for them, and what didn’t. They should always have a seat
at the table.
Over
and over again, I have heard the same thing from kids in foster care: They want
a mom and dad. They want a family, and a place to call home.
For
some kids, this goal can be met by their families getting help with mental
illnesses, substance abuse or housing.
For
others, the dream of a family can be found through foster care and eventual
adoption.
For
others, kinship care provides an opportunity for stability and permanency.
There
is no one-size fits all approach, no silver bullet than can help all kids. But
there is one common outcome that can be strived for.
We
should be wary of attempts to undo progress that has been made in speeding up
adoptions and providing permanency for children.
The
goal should always be to protect kids from neglect and abuse, and improve their
wellbeing.
Moving
forward, Congress must continue to work to find better solutions and secure
better outcomes for youth in foster care.
Once
again, I thank my colleagues for passing this resolution.
