Connect U Newsletter - November 2024

We're Talkin' Teens!

As we focus our attention on "teens" this month let's take a moment to think about them and who they are.

They are on the cusp of adulthood, finding their way in new world, yet looking for ongoing stability and permanency.  Now what?

These extra-ordinary human beings  deserve our help, our respect, and our care.  Learn more in this edition of ConnectU about a new study on "prudent parenting" and why it's so important to embrace foster teens for National Adoption Month.

Arnie Eby
Executive Director, NFPA

National Adoption Month 2024

“Honoring Youth: Strengthening Pathways for Lasting Bonds”

National Adoption Month is an initiative of the Children’s Bureau that seeks to increase national awareness of adoption issues, bring attention to the need for adoptive families for teens in the U.S. foster care system, and emphasize the value of youth engagement.

In recent years, we have focused our efforts on adoption of teens because we know that teens in foster care wait longer for permanency and are at higher risk of aging out without permanent connections, which places them at risk for negative outcomes.

Young people need a strong support network that meets their needs; embraces and affirms their racial, ethnic, and cultural identity; and promotes family, community, and cultural connections.

General

Adoption

Stats

A Study on Legal Protections for
Sexual and Gender Minority Youth in Foster Care

Amanda Cruce, an NFPA Board Member and the Lead for NFPA’s Council of State Affiliates, through the graduate program at the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work, will publish an article in the November issue of Children and Youth Services Review 166 (2024).  This work investigates legal protections in each state for sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth population within the state child welfare system.

Amanda’s paper includes a state-by-state analysis of legislation, policy, implementation policy and youth bill of rights.  Although there was a significant variance across the US, many states provide some level of support.  However, more research is needed.

• In the general population, research shows that 9.2% identify as LGBTQ+.
• It appears that 25-33% who identify as LGBTQ+ are represented in foster care.*

* The actual number may be higher because not all share this information for fear of retaliation, victimization and further abuse.

Additionally, this study looks at normalcy and prudent parenting policies that help provide SGM teens with opportunities for personal growth, stability, and healthy development. 

Analysis of four types of protections in states:

• No protections
• Protected in law/policy
• Protected in implementation guide
• Protections in Youth Bill of Rights

The study includes a US map showing the level of protection in each state:

Additional work on the actual implementation and impacts of those protections will be important to advance knowledge and practice on how to appropriately and effectively support youth and foster families in meeting the need of youth who identify as SGM.

Check www.sciencedirect.com in November for publication.  And follow our social media for the latest updates.

NFPA Highly Recommends
the ATTACh Healing Connections Conference
for Foster, Adoptive and Kinship Parents
(NFPA's Next Annual Conference Will Be in 2026)

Child Welfare Legislation
Benefiting Foster, Adoptive and Kinship Families

as of 11/1/2024

HOUSE PASSES H.R. 3058 WITH OVERWHELMING BIPARTISAN SUPPORT – ON TO THE SENATE

Congress is in recess until after the November elections.

When they return (Nov 12-Dec 21), one bill that has the possibility of getting over the finish line is S. 1313 – the Recruiting Families Using Data Act. 

An identical companion bill, H.R. 3058 passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support.

The legislation is thoughtfully drafted to update federal policy on ‘diligent recruitment’ and help agencies across the country meet the significant challenges they’re experiencing in recruiting, supporting, training and retaining families to care for children in foster care.     

Passage in the Senate would enact this important bill, but the Senate needs to hear from all of us.

HOUSE PASSES BIPARTISAN CHILD WELFARE LEGISLATION

On September 18, 2024, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 9076 - Protecting America’s Children by Supporting Families Act, in an overwhelmingly bipartisan 405-10 vote. 

This bill would reauthorize Title IV-B of the Social Security Act for five years and would increase funding for the Promoting Safe and Stable Families (PSSF) Program by $75M per year beginning in 2026.

The bill heads to the Senate next, where it is unclear whether the Senate will take up and vote on the House bill, or if they’ll put forward their own Title IV-B reauthorization legislation.

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