The aim of a new federal law is to reduce the number of children who end up in the troubled foster care system — the biggest reboot of the child welfare system since 1980.
But already, the Family First Prevention Services Act, signed into law by President Donald Trump in February, is generating some controversy. A key point of contention: how it will treat extended family members caring for children outside the foster care system — and whether they will be eligible for financial assistance.
“Sometimes a strict interpretation of the law might have unintended consequences,” said Dr. David Rubin, director of PolicyLab, a research arm of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Critics of the law, mostly state and local officials in California, say it could end up diverting more children into the care of grandparents and other relatives who won’t be eligible for the same services and financial help as licensed foster parents. Others insist the law helps more “kinship caregivers.”
“The law is hammering home the importance of family connections,” said Ana Beltran, special adviser for Generations United, a Washington, D.C.-based family research and advocacy group. “It’s a huge step forward.”
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3 comments:
I didn't even read the entire article. All need to read is the first few paragraphs. Trump signed it......California hates it. Must be a good law then.
Paying family to care for family (in all age brackets) is helping bankrupt the system. Remember when taking care of family was just part of the deal? Don't get me wrong. I am aware of the burden and there should be help, but we need to be careful how that help is provided. Once people expect to be paid to care for family members (it is happening), it will get terribly abused.
Why is the public paying to support children raised by family members?
What has happened to our society?
People have become completely dependent upon a tyrannical government from cradle to grave.
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