Peoria Standard

On January 4, the Supporting America’s Children and Families Act, introduced by Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-16), was signed into law. This bipartisan legislation marks a significant reauthorization and reform of child welfare programs under Title IV-B of the Social Security Act. Congressman LaHood collaborated with Subcommittee Ranking Member Danny Davis (D-IL-07) to introduce this bill in July 2024.

"As Chairman of the Work and Welfare Subcommittee, I take seriously our responsibility to ensure we have a strong safety net for the nearly 370,000 children in foster care who have experienced the trauma and hardships of abuse and neglect," said Work and Welfare Subcommittee Chairman LaHood (IL-16). "The signing of the Supporting America’s Children and Families Act marks the first meaningful reform to child welfare since 2008 and will help modernize the Title IV-B program, strengthen our foster care system, and keep families together."

Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) expressed optimism about the new law's impact: "The enactment of this law will have a tremendously positive and powerful impact on millions of children and families. It is a bold and compassionate step toward bettering lives and paving the way for a brighter future." He highlighted that these reforms would provide communities with necessary tools to improve accountability within child welfare programs.

Work and Welfare Subcommittee Ranking Member Davis (IL-07) celebrated the increase in guaranteed funding for specific programs: "I am proud to join with Chair LaHood in celebrating the enactment of this important bill that will increase guaranteed funding for the MaryLee Allen Promoting Safe and Stable Families program for the first time since 2006."

The legislation includes several key policies aimed at improving child welfare services across various sectors. It reauthorizes Title IV-B for five years while reducing paperwork for state agencies by at least 15 percent. The act also enhances support systems for kinship caregivers, streamlines funding access for Indian tribes, addresses caseworker challenges by providing technology training, improves outcomes for youth transitioning from foster care up to age 26, supports evidence-based services to prevent abuse, evaluates adoption services effectiveness, among other measures.

This comprehensive effort stems from an extensive review conducted by both Republican and Democrat members of the Ways and Means Committee over a year-long period. The bill has garnered support from numerous child welfare organizations as well as governors from 26 states.