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A MESSAGE FROM CONGRESSWOMAN KAMLAGER-DOVE:
Dear Friend,
Happy National Foster Care Month! As the proud representative of much of Los Angeles County and a co-chair of the Foster Youth Caucus, I am committed to improving the lives of homeless and foster youth.
There are over 424,000 youth in the foster care system, with over 30,000 residing in Los Angeles County. Half of all kids in foster care have experienced four or more adverse childhood experiences, which can prevent them from attending school. In California, only 53% of students in foster care will graduate on time, compared to the statewide average of 83%. Homeless and foster youth deserve the same educational, recreational, and developmental opportunities as other children, which is why I am working every day in Congress to connect our most vulnerable youth with the resources needed to thrive.
THE HIGHER EDUCATION ACCESS AND SUCCESS FOR HOMELESS AND FOSTER YOUTH ACT
Many homeless and foster youth face difficulties in accessing a support network to help them navigate higher education and financial aid. That’s why, on National Foster Care Day, I reintroduced the Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act alongside Senator Patty Murray, Senator Mike Braun, and Representative Erin Houchin. This legislation would require higher education institutions to develop a plan to prioritize on-campus housing assistance to homeless and foster youth. It would also prioritize homeless and foster youth in Federal Work-Study positions, provide them with in-state tuition rates, designate liaisons at higher education institutions to assist them, and allocate other resources to improve their experience in higher education.
PROMOTING EQUITY IN FOSTER CARE
To improve the foster care system and protect Black, Brown, and LGBTQ+ communities from discrimination in the adoption and foster care processes, I introduced the 21st Century Children and Families Act. This bill would require state agencies involved in adoption or foster care placement to expand nondiscrimination protections and address disparities in access to services. It would also help families stay together by extending the timeline for modifying parental rights when a child is not in the care of a relative. By allowing these children to remain with their relatives, they will be better equipped to succeed and better protected from discrimination.
Native children deserve homes that honor their traditions and cultural heritage. I introduced the Tribal Family Fairness Act to address the disproportionate representation of American Indian and Alaska Native children in foster care by investing in Tribal child welfare systems and providing culturally appropriate services to preserve Tribal families. . This legislation would establish grants for tribal communities, increase court funding, and authorize funding for Tribal adoptions.
Rep. Kamlager-Dove discusses the Tribal Family Fairness Act at a briefing on Native American issues.
LEADERSHIP ON THE FOSTER YOUTH CAUCUS
As a co-chair of the bipartisan Foster Youth Caucus, I work with colleagues to advance legislation that improves the lives of children in foster care. I introduced the Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act of 2023 to secure permanency for foster youth by removing income as a barrier to adoption. Offsetting the costs of adoption is especially important since nearly half of all youth adopted through the foster care system live in households with incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.
To improve the well-being of foster youth, I introduced H. Res. 694 to designate September as National Kinship Care Month, which would encourage policies that support kinship care for foster youth. I also introduced the Expanded Coverage for Former Foster Youth Act to support foster youths’ health care needs by expanding Medicaid eligibility.
All societies must be equipped with the resources needed to help homeless and foster youth flourish into thriving adults. We must support homeless and foster youth and recognize the importance of social workers and advocates as they fight to ensure that all children have safe and loving homes. I will continue to work with my colleagues to support our foster youth, ensure their safety, improve our child welfare system, and provide them with equitable opportunities for growth and success! |