By Dana Mandolesi on March 29, 2010
[from the Child Welfare League of America, Child Monitor Online 3.29.10]
Senators Charles Grassley (R-IA) and Mary Landrieu (D-LA), leaders of the Senate Caucus on Foster Youth, circulated a press release and letter last week urging the inclusion of foster youth views in the upcoming education reauthorization legislation. Ten other senators joined Grassley and Landrieu on the letter. As the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee holds hearings on the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (formerly designated the No Child Left Behind Act), the letter requests that youth in foster care be invited to testify about their educational experiences and their suggestions for reform. In a letter to the HELP Committee, senators pointed out, “Youth in foster care report multiple school changes as they move from placement to placement. Because they change schools so frequently, youth in foster care are more likely than their peers to underachieve academically, repeat grades, and eventually drop out of school. Youth who do not graduate are more likely to be unemployed, have no health insurance, be single parents, and rely on public assistance.”
Landrieu specifically cites the invaluable influence of foster youth in passing the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act, saying, “We must empower youth to educate Congress about their unique experiences in foster care and the obstacles they face. They help us make better policy decisions.”
The Fostering Connections Act includes several mandates for child welfare agencies to follow in order to improve educational stability for children in care. Because the law does not place the same mandate on the school districts, there is an imbalance of awareness and resources to ensure proper cooperation and coordination that leads to successful educational experiences.
Posted in Community Opportunities, Federal Foster Care Policy Updates | Tagged child welfare league of america, cwla, fostering connections to success act, grassley, landrieu, senate
By admin on February 23, 2010
[from Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) Children's Monitor Online 2/22/10]
On Friday, February 11, the U.S. Senate approved the nomination of Bryan Samuels to head up the Administration on Children, Youth, and Families. The agency plays a critical role in the oversight of many human service programs including child care and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families but, most importantly to CWLA, also child welfare programs. As a result, the agency is vital to the effective implementation of the Fostering Connections to Success Act (P.L. 110-351). In praising the action Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said, “Bryan Samuels has devoted his career to working on behalf of children, youth and families. His distinguished career in public service has been guided by his personal experience growing up in a residential school for disadvantaged children. He is committed to making a difference in the lives of at-risk children, and will be an outstanding leader at the Administration for Children and Families.” The Senate took the action along with 26 other nominations. Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) was reported to have placed a hold on all presidential nominees as way to get funding for some projects in Alabama.
Posted in Federal Foster Care Policy Updates | Tagged acyf, bryan samuels, senate
