Recognizing National Foster Care Month as an opportunity to raise awareness about the challenges of children in the foster care system and encouraging Congress to implement policy to improve the lives of children in, or at risk of entering, the foster care system.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 390
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Families
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-06: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-13T18:45:11Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This House Resolution (H. Res. 390) designates May as National Foster Care Month to raise awareness about the challenges faced by children in the U.S. foster care system. It highlights the need for safe, loving, and permanent homes for these children and encourages Congress to adopt policies that improve outcomes for children currently in foster care or at risk of entering it.
Key Provisions
- Background and Facts ("Whereas" Clauses): The resolution outlines key issues, including:
- The history and goals of National Foster Care Month, established over 30 years ago to focus on foster care challenges, the importance of permanent families, and the roles of foster parents, social workers, and advocates.
- Statistics from 2022: About 369,000 children in foster care, 197,000 entering the system, and 109,000 waiting for adoption.
- Disparities: Children of color face longer stays and lower reunification rates; relative (kinship) caregivers often receive less support than non-relative foster parents.
- Health and education challenges: Foster children are prescribed antipsychotic medications at nearly four times the rate of other Medicaid-enrolled children; 65% experience at least seven school changes.
- Systemic issues: Average stay in foster care is 19.6 months with three placements; over 20,000 youth age out annually, with 20% becoming homeless; high vacancy rates (8.5%) and short tenure (3 years) for child protection workers.
- Pandemic effects: Increased delays in permanency, economic hardships, and educational disruptions.
- References to prior laws: Acknowledges acts like the Family First Prevention Services Act (2018), Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act (1980), and others that invest in prevention, reunification, kinship care, and support for aging-out youth.
- Actions ("Resolved" Section): The House of Representatives:
- Supports the designation of National Foster Care Month.
- Recognizes it as a chance to raise awareness of foster care challenges.
- Encourages policies to improve lives of children in the system.
- Acknowledges special needs of these children and their resilience.
- Honors foster care alumni as advocates and role models.
- Praises the dedication of child welfare workers, foster parents, and mentors.
- Reaffirms commitment to improving outcomes through programs under Parts B and E of Title IV of the Social Security Act (federal funding for child welfare services) and related initiatives, focusing on family support, prevention, reunification, adoption, and transitions to adulthood.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding resolution with no legal force, so it introduces no changes to existing laws. It references and builds on prior legislation (e.g., the Family First Prevention Services Act) to emphasize ongoing needs but does not amend or enact new statutes.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Encourages state, local, and federal child welfare agencies to prioritize prevention, reunification, and support services, potentially influencing budget allocations under existing federal programs like those in the Social Security Act. It may highlight staffing shortages, prompting indirect pressure for better resources.
- On Citizens: Raises public awareness of foster care issues, which could increase community involvement, recruitment of foster parents, and support for affected families. For children and youth in or aging out of foster care, it underscores the need for stability, potentially leading to more voluntary adoptions or kinship placements.
- On International Relations: No direct impact, as the resolution focuses solely on domestic U.S. child welfare.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Children and Youth in Foster Care: Primary beneficiaries, with emphasis on their safety, permanency, education, health, and transition to adulthood.
- Families and Caregivers: Includes biological families (for reunification), foster parents, and kinship (relative) caregivers who provide daily support.
- Child Welfare Professionals: Social workers, advocates, and agency staff facing high caseloads and vacancies.
- Foster Care Alumni: Recognized as role models and advocates.
- Communities and Policymakers: Congress, states, and localities encouraged to invest in preventive services; the public as potential supporters or mentors.
- Bipartisan Sponsors: Introduced by representatives from both parties, indicating broad political support.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: As a simple resolution, it has no binding effect and cannot enforce policy changes; it serves as a symbolic statement that reinforces implementation of existing federal child welfare laws without creating new obligations.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's role in promoting general welfare (under Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution) through awareness and encouragement of social programs, but raises no constitutional challenges.
- Political: Demonstrates bipartisan cooperation (sponsored by Democrats and Republicans) on a non-partisan issue, potentially fostering future legislative momentum for foster care reforms. It highlights persistent systemic inequities (e.g., racial disparities) and post-pandemic challenges, which could influence public discourse and elections focused on family policy.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37]
Cosponsors (5)
Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5], Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3], Rep. Houchin, Erin [R-IN-9]
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-06: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- 2025-05-06: Submitted in House
- 2025-05-06: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Recognizing National Foster Care Month as an opportunity to raise awareness about the challenges of children in the foster care system and encouraging Congress to implement policy to improve the lives of children in, or at risk of entering, the foster care system. — issued 2025-05-06 — PDF (7 pages)