Wednesday, October 8, 2008

H.R.6893 Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008

H.R. 6893 would amend parts B and E of title IV of the Social Security Act to connect and support relative caregivers, improve outcomes for children in foster care, provide for tribal foster care and adoption access, improve incentives for adoption. Passed House of Representatives, September 17 Received in Senate, September 18 Passed Senate, September 22 Presented to the President, September 26 Signed by President, October 7
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2 comments:

  1. Origins-USASeptember 29, 2008 at 8:32 PM

    Origins-USA.org, a national nonprofit that advocates for natural families, is researching this bill and current federal laws regarding kinship care, foster care and adoption and preparing comments.

    Our initial analysis seems to indicate that it uses foster care as a wedge in the door to offer tax benefits and other incentives to increase adoption – even over kinship guardianship.

    If, after review, you share our concerns, we would very much like to network with organizations who are opposed to certain aspects of the legislations and combine our voices on behalf of families.

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  2. James WhaleySeptember 29, 2008 at 10:12 PM

    I don't agree with your analysis. In my view, this bill is designed to reduce roadblocks preventing grandparents and other relatives to provide a child a home.

    Frequently a grandparent will provide a home to a grandchild when the parents are unable to provide the care (often due to inprisonment or substance abuse). This is usually an informal arrangement rather than a legal arrangement. The grandparents often do not have the resources to adequately provide for the needs of the child.

    This legislation assists the grandparent to have the legal standing and the appropriate resources (public benefits for the child) to care for the grandchild and keep the family together.

    In addition, the bill streamlines the adoption process for grandparents and other relative caregivers.

    Existing law has provided various government supports and incentives for persons to become adooptive parents. This legislation ensures that relative caregivers can access these same benefits.

    I don't believe this legislation provides any new incentives for non-relative adoptions. This legislation is designed to support relatives in caring for minor relatives.

    By the way, this bill has passed both the House and the Senate and is at the White House awaiting action by the President.

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