Austin News

U.S. Senators John Cornyn and Michael Bennet have introduced the Protecting America’s Children by Strengthening Families Act, aimed at reauthorizing and enhancing a significant child services program. This initiative seeks to promote family unity and ensure the safety and well-being of children in foster care.

Senator Cornyn emphasized the importance of creating a supportive home environment for children, stating, “This legislation would make strategic and evidence-backed improvements to ensure a 360-degree support system is in place for children in foster care nationwide.”

Senator Bennet highlighted the need for reform in child welfare policy, saying, “We have a responsibility to ensure that every kid in America grows up in a loving and supporting home. That’s why we are proposing legislation to cut through bureaucracy and provide critical, flexible investment in child welfare policy.”

The proposed act aims to reauthorize Title IV-B of the Social Security Act with several enhancements: expanding evidence-based services to prevent child abuse, increasing access to training for caseworkers, reducing administrative burdens, providing grant funding for court-related proceedings involving children, streamlining funding access including for Indian tribes, and strengthening support systems for families involved in kinship diversion or adoption transitions.

Representatives Darin LaHood and Danny Davis have introduced companion legislation in the House. The cost associated with this bill is offset by savings from the Strengthening State and Tribal Child Enforcement Act.

The legislation has garnered support from various organizations including Abrazo Adoption Associates, Families and Foster Care Coalition, Heart of Texas Goodwill, Texas Pediatric Society, TexProtects, among others.